JP2008210398A - Electronic apparatus and method of controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electronic apparatus of high expandability, capable of solving a problem generated when adding an application newly. <P>SOLUTION: The apparatus has a system 1 and a main body part 3. The body part 3 is provided with a conventional application control part 17, and conventional applications (CURRENT-A) 11, (CURRENT-B) 15. The apparatus is provided further as resource with a graphic 31, a working memory area (RAM) 21, a voice regeneration 25, a communication 21, a nonvolatile RAM 27 and the like, as a hardware resources necessary for attaining a function, in hardwares for attaining the function. The apparatus is provided additionally thereto with a novel application control part 35, in the body part 3, to control a novel application NEW-A33, and switches the resources between it and the conventional application control part 17, in each hardware. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device, and more particularly to a hardware control technique when new hardware is added.

Along with the rapid advancement of technology in recent years, the trend toward high functionality and multi-functionality of products has become stronger.
Furthermore, new functions are being developed one after another as the development speed of new technologies increases. When this new function is installed, it is important to maintain consistency with the conventional function.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a general electronic device 401. The electronic device 401 illustrated in FIG. 2 includes, for example, a communication unit 413, a RAM 415, an audio reproduction unit 417, a nonvolatile RAM unit 421, and a graphic unit 423 as hardware. Moreover, APP-A403 and APP-B405 are incorporated as applications. These are operated by the application management unit 407 while switching (application switching 411 and resource switching 425). That is, the electronic devices are collectively managed by the application management unit 407 and integrated with the operation system.

  In the electronic apparatus having the above-described configuration, system resources, that is, hardware resources including a memory are allocated to the activated applications 403 and 405.

  For example, when the electronic device is a mobile phone, the application management unit 407 switches applications such as a telephone function, mail, and a game, and manages hardware such as the RAM 415 and the graphic unit 423.

  Here, there is often a problem that even a slight change related to a specific module can adversely affect the behavior of the entire system, and as a result, the design of the entire electronic device needs to be reviewed even if it is a minor change. Occurs. For example, when an application is added, it is necessary to add and set a hardware access method for each new application.

  In the case of a mobile phone, whenever a new application such as a camera or a web browser is added, the application management unit 407 is changed, and a method of accessing hardware such as the RAM 415 and the graphic unit 423 is redesigned.

Therefore, in the invention disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-65811, a system resource manager is provided, and the resource manager that manages hardware and software resources is integratedly managed. Cooperation, control and management.
JP 2006-65811 A

  The above prior art is effective when a plurality of applications can arbitrarily access the hardware. For example, when a resource management unit is built in the system unit, all applications are equivalent, and therefore any application can access the hardware in accordance with the resource management.

However, due to the following hardware restrictions, a plurality of applications may not be able to access the hardware.
1) When the hardware initialization process cannot be performed from multiple applications 2) When the subsequent control is possible only from the hardware initialized application,
For example, there is a case where only one application controls the hardware in order to maintain the hardware state changed by the user's past operation for the purpose of high-speed operation of the hardware.

On the other hand, especially in the development of embedded devices ・ When the purpose is to improve the portability by reducing the parts that depend on the hardware to be used as much as possible to reduce the functions provided by the system as much as possible to improve the stability of the system Is an application that characterizes the electronic device to control the hardware (for example, if the electronic device is a mobile phone, it is an application necessary to form a “mobile phone” in a general concept such as a call function) Hereinafter, it is referred to as a common application). This becomes conspicuous when the frequency of changes in hardware for realizing the functions characterized by technological development, cost reduction requests, etc. is severe.

  In this case, when adding a new application, an application management unit that manages the common application (hereinafter referred to as a conventional application management unit in the sense of comparing with a new application management unit that manages an application to be newly added). In the system where hardware access is difficult from a plurality of applications described above, when the above conventional technology is applied, the hardware is added as the application is added. In the hardware that realizes a certain function, the exclusive control of access to the network becomes complicated, and the hardware resources (graphics, audio, nonvolatile RAM, communication, RAM area, etc.) necessary for realizing the function are finely controlled. There must be There is a problem that.

  FIG. 24 is a schematic diagram showing a problem related to the resource exclusive control. The upper left diagram in FIG. 24 is a diagram showing application management, and shows a state in which n applications from A to N are managed by the conventional application management unit 433 as the conventional application 431. When a state transition is made from the conventional application A to the conventional application B, a setting change in exclusive control occurs for resources because an application to be used is mainly changed.

As a result, the total number of exclusive control setting changes in the conventional application is as shown in the upper right of FIG. 24, and the number is n ² −n.

Here, as shown in the lower left diagram of FIG. 24, when m applications from NEW-A to NEW-M are added as the new application (NEW) 435, the exclusive control setting change required by the state transition is changed. The total number is as shown in the lower right diagram of FIG.
(N + m) ² − (n + m) = n ² +2 nm + m ² −n−m
It becomes.

Therefore, as shown in the lower right hatched portion in FIG.
(N ² +2 nm + m ² −n−m) − (n ² −n) = m ² −m + 2 mn = m (m + 2n−1) (a)
And
It can be seen that the number increases as the number n of conventional applications and the number m of new applications increase.

  In this way, in an electronic device that already has many applications, by adding an application, the number of exclusive control setting changes required due to the transition becomes very large, which increases the man-hours during development. .

  An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems that occur when an application is newly added, and to provide an electronic device with high expandability.

  According to the present invention, a new application manager (hereinafter referred to as “first new application manager” in the claims is referred to as a new application manager for convenience) having the following functions is introduced into the common application. The new application management unit has a resource exclusive control function for communicating with the conventional application management unit and managing which new application uses the resource.

  In addition, it has an access exclusive control function for performing management so that control on certain hardware does not occur simultaneously.

  Here, exclusive control when a new application management unit is added will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example in the case where the conventional application management unit 333 manages the conventional application A (331-1) to the conventional application N (331-n).

  On the other hand, in the present invention, as shown in FIG. 27, when m applications from NEW-A to NEW-M are added as the new application (NEW) 335, the conventional application unit 333 has the conventional application. In addition to managing n applications A to N as 331, the new application management unit 337 is managed.

  On the other hand, the new application management unit 337 has a hierarchical configuration that manages m applications from NEW-A to NEW-M as the new application (NEW) 335.

Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 28A, the new application management unit changes the exclusive control setting change for the area 365 indicated by the diagonal line, and the conventional application management unit indicates the diagonal line as shown in FIG. The exclusive control setting change for the area 365 shown in FIG.
The total number of (B) is
(N + 1) ² − (n + 1) = n ² + 2n + 1−n−1 = n ² + n
Total number of (A): Increase in exclusive control by adding m ² −m is
(N ² + n) + (m ² −m) − (n ² −n) = m ² −m + 2n (b)
It becomes.

  From this, when the new application management unit is used, compared with the case where the conventional application management unit is used as it is, only 2n (m−1) which is the difference between the formula (b) and the formula (a), It can be seen that the increase in the exclusive control setting change is reduced.

  Here, since n> 1 and m> 1, when adding a plurality of new applications, it can be seen that the exclusive control process can be reduced by adding a new application management unit.

  This means that the total man-hours can be reduced by consolidating the processes. In particular, for the conventional application management unit, no matter how many new applications are added, the exclusive control setting change other than the increase of one conventional application equivalent (367) (area 365) does not occur. Resource management can be closed in the new application management unit, and the influence on the conventional application management unit and the conventional application can be reduced (the inconsistency generated in the new application can be prevented from spreading to the conventional application). There is an advantage.

  According to the present invention, when hardware control is performed in a conventional application, it becomes possible to divide a module such as a common application part including a hardware control, a new application part, and a system part, and the development of technology, cost For hardware that is frequently changed due to a down request, the system unit can be separated from the effect of the change and the stability can be increased.

  Therefore, there is an advantage that common functions essential to the product category can be separated from the effect of adding a new function that affects the added value of the product, and the stability can be improved.

  In this specification, the first function refers to a function that is essential for the operation of an electronic device. When the electronic device is developed as a series, it is common to each model in the series, that is, depends on the model. This refers to a standard function that is not used or a function that is common to each model.

  For example, it refers to a call function for a mobile phone, and a series of functions for receiving a broadcast wave and displaying it on a screen on a TV.

  The second function is a newly added function different from the first function, a function added to the standard function depending on the model, or a function other than a function common to each model. A function specific to a model. In short, it can be said that the boundary between the first function and the second function is movable according to the development strategy and product strategy. It is also possible to distinguish between the first function and the second function by the difference in the hierarchy of resource management.

  Hereinafter, an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As an electronic device, a liquid crystal television receiver is basically taken as an example, and a case where a new function is added to this will be described in mind. Of course, it can be applied to other electronic devices.

  FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram showing a basic configuration example of an electronic device according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, an electronic apparatus X according to the present embodiment has the following configuration. First, functions provided as a common application are configured by the following modules. As a configuration similar to the configuration of FIG. 2, the system 1 and the main body 3 are provided.

  The main body 3 is provided with a conventional application management unit 17 and conventional applications (CURRENT-A) 11 and (CURRENT-B) 15. Furthermore, as resources, in hardware that realizes a certain function, hardware resources necessary for realizing the function include communication 21, work memory area (RAM) 23, sound reproduction 25, nonvolatile RAM 27, graphic 31, etc. Is provided as an example.

  In addition, the main body unit 3 is provided with a new application management unit 35 that manages the new application NEW-A 33, and switches resources between the hardware and the conventional application management unit 17.

  When the process B5 having a new function is added to the main body unit 3 having the process A, the new application management unit 35 also performs resource management of the new application NEW-B37.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing each functional block of FIG. 1 in more detail. The conventional application management unit 17 is connected to the conventional applications 11 and 15, and the new application management unit 35, the anti-new management unit communication unit 17-1 that performs communication, the exclusive control unit 17-2 that performs exclusive control, and a function A resource management unit 17-3 that is connected to hardware resources necessary for realization and performs resource management; and a resource management information storage unit 17-4 that is connected to the resource management unit 17-3 and stores resource management information. ing.

  The new application management unit 35 is a functional block connected to the new application NEW-A33, and is a conventional management unit communication unit 35-1 that communicates with the conventional application management unit 17, and an exclusive control unit that performs exclusive control. 35-2, a resource management unit 35-3 that is connected to hardware resources necessary for realizing the function and performs resource management, and a resource management information storage unit 35- that is connected to the resource management unit 35-4 and stores resource management information 4, an inter-other process communication unit 35-5 that communicates with other processes, and an API conversion unit 35-6 that performs API conversion.

  Further, the process B, which is another process different from the process A and can start the new applications NEW-B (37b) and NEW-C (37c), communicates with the new application management unit 35. Storage for storing resource management information that is connected to possible other-process communication unit 39-1, exclusive control unit 39-2, resource management unit 39-3, and resource management unit 39-3 and stores resource management information Part 39-4. The resource management unit 39-3 performs resource control related to the communication unit included in the library Z41.

  Here, although “new application framework” is shown in FIG. 3, the “second new application management unit” described in the claims is called a new application framework for convenience of explanation.

  In the above configuration, when a new application is added and the added new application is activated, control is performed so that resources are switched.

  In this embodiment, the number of modules that can be used simultaneously is one for the exclusive control of resources, but the same exclusive control can be performed when two or more modules are available.

  For example, the exclusive control of graphic resources will be described as an example with reference to FIG. FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of graphic resource switching by application switching. When the number of modules that can be used simultaneously is one on the display 51 of the television receiver, the conventional application 11 is displayed when the conventional application 11 is used (FIG. 23A). When the new application 33 is used, the display screen is switched to the display screen of the new application 33 (FIG. 23B). In this case, the conventional application 11 and the new application 33 are completely exclusive.

  However, when the number of modules that can be used simultaneously is two or more, as shown in FIG. 23C, when the division / exclusive processing (11, 33) is possible in the update target area 51, As shown in FIG. 23 (D), there are cases (11 and 33) where exclusive processing is possible as a layer for superimposing, in which case the respective regions are the same as those in FIGS. 23 (A) and (B). Management methods can be used.

  In the following, a processing example when a new application management unit is added to a common application and a new application (NEW-A, NEW-B, NEW-C) is added will be described.

  The following three cases exist depending on the state of the new application and the common application.

a) If the new application becomes a single process with the common application,
b) If the new application is a separate process from the common application,
c) The new application is a separate process from the common application, and resource management is further performed in the new application.

The following processing in each of the above cases will be described: 1) Start of a new application 2) Termination of a new application 3) Behavior when executing a new application 4) Switching between new applications As a combination of the above,
・ New application on common application,
・ New applications on different processes,
A switching process between each new application on the new framework may also occur, but the description thereof is omitted because it is in accordance with a single process.
Hereinafter, a more specific configuration and processing will be described with examples.

  The first embodiment is a first case among cases in which a new application has a configuration in which a common application and a single process are used. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a module configuration according to the first embodiment, and illustrates an extension example in a single process. The difference from FIG. 1 is that a new application NEW-B37 is provided in the same process A3 as the conventional applications 11 and 15. The new application management unit 35 manages the new applications NEW-A33 and NEW-B37.

  According to switching between the conventional application and the new application, which of the conventional application management unit 17 and the new application management unit 35 manages the resource is switched.

  FIG. 5 shows a sequence diagram relating to application activation of the single process shown in FIG. When receiving a start request (501) of the new application NEW-A from the user, the conventional application management unit 17 notifies the end request to the conventional application CURRENT-A11 (503). The conventional application CURRENT-A11 stops the use of the resources that have been used, such as the end of drawing and the release of the working memory, and the information of the conventional application CURRENT-A11 is obtained for the resources managed by the new application management unit 11. Delete the resource and update the resource as an unused state (505, 507). Thereafter, resources such as graphics and working memory can be used in the new application.

  When the conventional application CURRENT-A11 terminates the processing and releases the resource, the conventional application CURRENT-A11 notifies the application termination response to the conventional application management unit (509).

  The conventional application management unit 17 requests the new application management unit 35 to start a new application NEW-A33 (511). The new application management unit 35 receives a new application activation request (511) from the conventional application management unit 17, and makes a activation request to the new application NEW-A 33 (513).

  The new application NEW-A 33 registers the information of the new application NEW-A 33 for the resource managed by the new application management unit 35, and updates the resource as a use state (515, 517).

  Thereafter, the new application NEW-A33 can perform communication, calculation, and other processing using the work memory, and can start drawing on the graphic plane.

  When the activation of the new application NEW-A 33 is completed, the new application NEW-A 33 sends a new application NEW-A activation response to the new application management unit 35 (519). The new application management unit 35 sends a new application activation response to the conventional application management unit 17 (521).

  Next, execution (single process) processing of a new application will be described with reference to FIG. In the processing shown in FIG. 6, focusing on the working memory area (RAM) and graphics as resources, when a user performs some operation, the new application performs processing and calculation, and some information is displayed on the display device. The flow of processing up to this point will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a user event 601 generated by a user operation is notified to the new application NEW-A 33 via the conventional application management unit 17 and the new application management unit 35 (603) (605). The new application NEW-A performs a calculation 607 and a drawing preparation 609 and makes a drawing request to the firmware (graphic) 31 (611). The firmware 31 notifies the drawing completion when the process is completed.

  When the drawing processing is performed for the necessary processing and all the drawing completion notifications are notified from the firmware 31 (613), the new application NEW-A 33 prepares the screen update (615) and updates the screen to the firmware 31. A request is made (617). When the processing is completed, the firmware 31 notifies the completion of the screen update (619). With the above processing, a screen is displayed by the user's operation (updated if necessary).

  Next, termination of a new application (single process) will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 7, when a termination request for the new application NEW-A 33 is received from the user (701), the conventional application management unit 17 makes an application termination request (703) to the new application management unit 35.

  Here, the application termination request (701, 703, 705) has the following forms.

a) What can be recognized as an “end request” in the conventional application management unit 17;
b) What can be recognized as a “termination request” for the first time in the new application management unit 35,
c) For the first time in the new application 33, it can be recognized as an “end request”.

  For example, a power key or the like is an end request common to devices as in (a), but corresponds to (b) when there is an application end key. The end command set in the menu on the application corresponds to (c). In the case of (c), the application end requests 701 and 703 are merely events (key codes) for the conventional application management unit 17 and the new application management unit 35, but both are the same processing.

  That is, the new application 33 is in a state where it has received an application termination request from the conventional application 11 and performs application termination processing from 707 onward. When the application termination request 705 is notified from the new application management unit 35 to the new application NEW-A33 and the application termination processing is started, the new application NEW-A33 uses resources such as the termination of drawing and the release of work memory. The information on the new application NEW-A33 is deleted for the resource managed by the new application management unit 35, and the resource is updated to an unused state (707, 709).

  Thereafter, the conventional application 11 can use resources such as graphics and working memory. When the new application NEW-A 33 terminates processing and releases resources, the new application NEW-A 33 notifies the new application management unit 35 of an application end response (711). The new application management unit 35 issues an application end notification to the conventional application management unit 11 (713).

  Next, an abnormal process in which a new application is voluntarily terminated will be described with reference to FIG. In some cases, such as when an abnormality occurs in the new application 33, the new application may be terminated regardless of the user's intention.

  When such a cause of spontaneous termination occurs, the new application NEW-A 33 issues an application termination request issuance request to the new application management unit 35 (801), and the new application management unit 35 performs the conventional application management unit 17. The application termination request issuance request 803 is made. Thereafter, the termination process is performed in the same manner as the normal new application termination process (703 to 715).

  Next, a new application switching (single process) process will be described with reference to FIG. First, upon receiving an application switching request 901 from the user, the conventional application management unit 17 sends an application switching request 903 to the new application management unit 35. Here, the application switching request (901, 903, 905) has the following forms.

a) What can be recognized as a “switching request” by the conventional application management unit,
b) What can be recognized as a “switch request” for the first time in the new application management department,
c) A new application can be recognized as a “switch request” for the first time.

  For example, an EPG activation (display) key or the like is a common switching request in the device as shown in (a), but (b) when there is an application switching key or the like. Further, the switching command set in the menu on the application is (c). In this case, the application switching requests 901 and 903 are simply events (key codes) for the conventional application management unit 17 and the new application management unit 35. However, both are the same processing. That is, the new application 33 is in a state of receiving an application switching request from the conventional application 11 and performs an application termination process after 905.

  The new application management unit 35 issues an application termination request 905 to the new application NEW-A33. The new application NEW-A33 cancels the use of the resources that have been used, such as the end of drawing and the release of the working memory, and the information of the new application NEW-A33 is obtained for the resources managed by the new application management unit 35. Delete the resource and update the resource as an unused state (907/909).

  When the new application NEW-A 33 terminates processing and releases resources, the new application NEW-A 33 notifies the new application management unit 35 of an application end response (911).

  The new application management unit 35 makes a startup request to the new application NEW-B 37 (913). The new application NEW-B 37 registers information on the new application NEW-B 37 for the resource managed by the new application management unit 35, and updates the resource as a use state (915, 917).

  When the activation of the new application NEW-B 37 is completed, the new application NEW-B 37 sends an activation response of the new application NEW-B 37 to the new application management unit 35 (919). The new application management unit 35 sends a new application activation notification to the conventional application management unit 17 (921). The conventional application management unit 17 presents video / audio to the user (923).

  The second embodiment is a case where a cooperative operation is performed between applications before and after switching between new applications in a single process. This case will be described with reference to a sequence diagram. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram for switching a new application in a single process. As shown in FIG. 10, when an application switching request is received from the user (1001), the conventional application management unit 17 makes an application switching request 1003 to the new application management unit 35.

  Note that, as described in the switching of a new application (single process), the application switching request (1001, 1003, 1005) may be a simple event (key code). The new application management unit 35 issues an application switching request 1005 to the new application NEW-A33.

  The new application NEW-A33 cancels the use of the resources that have been used, such as the end of drawing and the release of the working memory, and the information of the new application NEW-A33 is obtained for the resources managed by the new application management unit 35. Delete the resource and update the resource as an unused state (1007 and 1009).

  When the new application NEW-A terminates processing and releases resources, the new application NEW-A 33 sends an application switching response 1011 to the new application management unit 35. The new application management unit 35 issues an activation request 1013 to the new application NEW-B37.

  The new application NEW-B 37 registers information on the new application NEW-B 37 for the resource managed by the new application management unit 35, and updates the resource as a use state (1015 and 1017).

  When the activation of the new application NEW-B 37 is completed, the new application NEW-B 37 sends a new application NEW-B activation response 1019 to the new application management unit 35, and the new application management unit 35 receives this and the conventional application management unit 17. Is sent a new application activation notification 1021.

  Upon receiving the new application activation notification 1021 from the new application management unit 35, the conventional application management unit 17 presents video / audio to the user (1023).

  The third embodiment is a case where the new application is a separate process from the common application. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic apparatus showing an extension example in another process, and corresponds to FIG. This is an example of adding another process B (5b) having a new application NEW-B (37b) and another process C (5c) having a new application NEW-C (37c) in addition to the process A in FIG. .

  In this case, the communication unit 43 can be commonly used for both the separate process B (5b) and the separate process C (5c).

  The activation of a new application in another process will be described with reference to FIG. When receiving a start request 1201 for a new application NEW-B from the user, the conventional application management unit 17 notifies the end request 1203 to the conventional application CURRENT-A11.

  The conventional application CURRENT-A11 stops the use of the resources that have been used, such as the end of drawing and the release of the working memory, and the information of the conventional application CURRENT-A11 is obtained for the resources managed by the new application management unit 35. Delete the resource and update the resource as an unused state (resource release request 1205 and resource release response 1207). Thereafter, resources such as graphics and working memory can be used in the new application.

  When the conventional application CURRENT-A11 terminates processing and releases resources, the conventional application CURRENT-A11 notifies the conventional application management unit 17 of an application end response 1209. The conventional application management unit 17 makes a new application NEW-B activation request 1211 to the new application management unit 35.

The new application management unit 35 receives a new application activation request 1211 from the conventional application management unit 17, acquires a resource (1213), adds resource information, and issues a activation request to the new application NEW-B (37b) ( 1215).
The new application NEW-B (37b) initializes resources if necessary (1217 and 1219).

  Thereafter, the new application NEW-B (37b) can perform processing such as communication and calculation using the work memory, and can start drawing on the graphic plane.

  When the activation of the new application NEW-B (37b) is completed, the new application NEW-B (37b) sends a new application NEW-B activation response 1221 to the new application management unit 35. In response, the new application management unit 35 sends a new application activation response 1223 to the conventional application management unit 17.

  Next, processing execution of a new application in another process will be described with reference to FIG. Here, paying attention to the working memory area (RAM) and graphics as resources, when a user performs some operation, processing until the new application performs processing and calculation and displays some information on the display device Will be described.

  A user event 1301 generated by a user operation is notified to the new application NEW-B (37b) via the conventional application management unit 17 and the new application management unit 35 (1303 and 1305). The new application NEW-B (37b) performs calculation 1307 and drawing preparation 1309, and makes a drawing request 1311 to the new application management unit 35. The new application management unit 35 converts the drawing request into the API of the firmware 31 that is exclusively controlled (1313), and notifies the firmware (1315).

  When the process is completed, the firmware 31 performs a drawing completion notification 1317. The drawing completion notification is converted by the new application management unit 35 (1319) and notified to the new application NEW-B (37b) (1321).

  Here, only the necessary processing is performed, and when all the drawing completion notifications are notified from the firmware 31 (1321), the new application NEW-B (37b) performs screen update preparation 1323, and the new application management unit A screen update request 1325 is made to 35. The new application management unit 35 converts the screen update request into the API of the firmware 31 that is exclusively controlled (1327), and notifies the firmware (1329).

  When the processing is completed, the firmware 31 performs a screen update completion notification 1331, and the screen update completion notification is notified to the new application NEW-B (37b) via the new application management unit 35 (conversion 1333) (1335). . In this manner, a screen (some updated if necessary) is displayed by a user operation.

  FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram when a new application of another process is terminated. Upon receiving a termination request 1401 for a new application NEW-B (37b) from the user, the conventional application management unit 17 issues an application termination request 1403 to the new application management unit 35.

  Here, as described in the termination of the new application of a single process, the application termination requests 1401, 1403, and 1405 may be simply events (key codes).

  In response to the application termination request from the conventional application, the new application management unit 35 issues an application termination request 1405 to the new application NEW-B (37b).

  The new application NEW-B (37b) stops using the resources that have been used, such as the end of drawing and the release of the working memory, and notifies the new application management unit 35 of an application end response 1407. The new application management unit 35 deletes the information of the new application NEW-B (37b) for the resource managed by the new application management unit 35, and updates the resource as an unused state (resource release 1409). Thereafter, resources such as graphics and working memory can be used in conventional applications.

  When the new application management unit 35 releases the resources 1409, the new application management unit 35 sends an application end notification 1411 to the conventional application management unit 17, and the conventional application management unit 17 presents video / audio to the user. (1413).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 15, a new application spontaneous termination (abnormal system) of another process will be described. When an abnormality occurs in a new application, the new application may be terminated regardless of the user's intention.

  When a spontaneous termination event occurs, for example, the new application NEW-B (37b) makes an application termination request issue request 1501 to the new application management unit 35, and the new application management unit 35 Application termination request issuance request 1503. Thereafter, the end process is performed in the same manner as the normal new application end process (1403 to 1313).

  Next, switching of a new application in another process will be described with reference to FIG. First, upon receiving an application switching request 1601 from the user, the conventional application management unit 17 sends an application switching request 1603 to the new application management unit 35. Here, as described in the switching of a new application in a single process, the application switching request (1601, 1603, 1605) may be a simple event (key code).

  The new application management unit 35 issues an application termination request 1605 to the new application NEW-C (37c). The new application NEW-C (37c) stops using the resources that have been used, such as the end of drawing and the release of the working memory, and notifies the new application management unit 35 of an application end response 1607. The new application management unit 35 receives the application end response from the new application NEW-C (37c), deletes the information of the new application NEW-C (37c) for the resource managed by the new application management unit 35, and The resource is updated as unused (resource release 1609).

  Thereafter, information on the new application NEW-B (37b) is registered, the resource is updated as a use state (resource registration 1611), and an activation request 1613 is made to the new application NEW-B (37b). When the activation of the new application NEW-B (37b) is completed (1615, 1617), the new application NEW-B (37b) sends a new application NEW-B (37b) activation response 1619 to the new application management unit 35. . The new application management unit 35 sends a new application activation notification 1621 to the conventional application management unit 17. The conventional application management unit 17 provides video / audio to the user (1623).

  Next, a case where the new application is a separate process from the common application and resource management is further performed in the new application will be described. FIG. 17 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the electronic apparatus according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, a new application framework 39 is provided in a process B5 different from the process A3. The new application framework 39 is connected to a new application management unit 35 and a new application NEW-B ( 37b), which is connected to the new application NEW-C (37c).

In the above configuration, the operation is performed as follows. With reference to FIG. 18, the activation of a new application in the new application framework will be described.
When receiving a start request 1801 of the new application NEW-B (37b) from the user, the conventional application management unit 17 notifies the end request 1803 to the conventional application CURRENT-A11.

  The conventional application CURRENT-A11 stops the use of the resources that have been used, such as the end of drawing and the release of the working memory, and the information of the conventional application CURRENT-A11 is obtained for the resources managed by the new application management unit 35. Delete the resource and update the resource as an unused state (1805 and 1807). Thereafter, resources such as graphics and working memory can be used in the new application.

  When the conventional application CURRENT-A11 terminates processing and releases resources, the conventional application CURRENT-A11 notifies the conventional application management unit 17 of an application end response 1809. The conventional application management unit 17 makes a request 1811 for starting a new application NEW-B (37b) to the new application management unit 35.

  The new application management unit 35 receives a new application activation request 1811 from the conventional application management unit 17, acquires a resource (1813), adds resource information, and issues an activation request 1815 to the new application framework 39.

  The new application framework 39 initializes resources if necessary (1817, 1819), and issues a startup request 1821 to the new application NEW-B (37b).

  Thereafter, the new application NEW-B (37b) can perform processing such as communication and calculation using the work memory, and can start drawing on the graphic plane.

When the activation of the new application NEW-B (37b) is completed, the new application NEW-B (37b) sends an activation response 1823 of the new application NEW-B (37b) to the new application framework 39. The new application framework sends a new application activation response 1825 to the new application management unit 35. The new application management unit 35 sends a new application activation response 1827 to the conventional application management unit 17.
Thereby, a new application can be started.

  Next, a new application execution process in the new application framework will be described with reference to FIG. Here, focusing on the working memory area (RAM) and graphics as resources, when a user performs some operation, the new application performs processing and computation, and processing until some information is displayed on the display device Will be described.

  A user event 1901 generated by a user operation is notified to the new application NEW-B (37b) via the conventional application management unit 17, the new application management unit 35, and the new application framework 39 (1903 and 1905) ( 1907). The new application NEW-B (37b) performs calculation 1909 and drawing preparation 1911, and makes a drawing request to the new application management unit 35 via the new application framework 39 (1913 and 1915).

  The new application management unit 35 converts the drawing request 1915 into an API of firmware under exclusive control (1917) and notifies the firmware 31 (1919).

  When the processing is completed, the firmware 31 performs a drawing completion notice 1921. The drawing completion notice 1921 is sent to the new application management unit 35 (the conversion 1923 is performed here), and via the new application framework 39 (1925). It is notified to NEW-B 37b (1927). When only the necessary processing is performed and all the drawing completion notifications are notified from the firmware 31, the new application NEW-B (37b) performs screen update preparation 1929 and manages the new application via the new application framework 39. A screen update request is sent to the unit 35 (1931, 1933).

  The new application management unit 35 converts the screen update request 1933 into an API of firmware under exclusive control (1935) and notifies the firmware 31 (1937).

  When the process is completed, the firmware 31 performs a screen update completion notification 1939. The screen update completion notification is sent to the new application management unit 35 (the conversion 1941 is performed here), via the new application framework 39 (1943). The application NEW-B (37b) is notified (1945). Through the above processing, a screen (some updated if necessary) is displayed by a user operation.

  Next, termination of a new application in the new application framework will be described with reference to FIG. First, when receiving a termination request 2001 for a new application NEW-B (37b) from the user, the conventional application management unit 17 sends an application termination request 2003 to the new application management unit 35.

  As described in the end of the new application of a single process, the application end request (2001, 2003, 2005) may be a simple event (key code).

  The new application management unit 35 receives the application end request 2003 from the conventional application management unit 17 and makes an application end request 2005 to the new application framework 39. The new application framework 39 makes an application termination request 2007 to the new application NEW-B (37b).

  The new application NEW-B (37b) stops the use of the resources used, such as the end of drawing and the release of the working memory, and notifies the application end response to the new application framework 39 (2009). The new application framework 39 notifies the new application management unit 35 of an application end response 2011.

  The new application management unit 35 deletes the information of the new application framework 39 for the resource managed by the new application management unit 35 and updates the resource as an unused state (2013). Thereafter, resources such as graphics and working memory can be used in conventional applications.

  When the new application management unit 35 releases the resources 2013, the new application management unit 35 sends an application end notification 2015 to the conventional application management unit 17. As a result, the video / audio can be presented to the user (2017).

  Next, a new application voluntary termination (abnormal system) process in the new application framework will be described with reference to FIG. When an abnormality occurs in a new application, the new application may be terminated regardless of the user's intention. When a spontaneous termination occurrence event occurs, the new application NEW-B (37b) makes an application termination request issue request 2101 or 2103 to the new application management unit 35 via the new application framework 39, and the new application management unit 35 Makes an application termination request issue request 2105 to the conventional application management unit 17. Thereafter, the end process is performed in the same manner as the normal new application end process (2003-2017).

  Next, switching processing of a new application in the new application framework will be described with reference to FIG. Upon receiving an application switching request 2201 from the user, the conventional application management unit 17 issues an application switching request 2203 to the new application management unit 35. Here, as described in the new application switching of a single process, the application switching request (2201, 2203, 2205, 2207) may be a simple event (key code).

  The new application management unit 35 makes an application switching request 2205 to the new application framework 39. The new application framework 39 makes an application termination request 2207 to the new application NEW-B (37b).

  The new application NEW-B (37b) stops the use of the resources that have been used, such as the end of drawing and the release of the working memory, and notifies the application end response 2209 to the new application framework 39.

  The new application framework 39 initializes resources if necessary (2211, 2213), and issues an application activation request 2215 to the new application NEW-C (37c). When the activation of the new application NEW-C (37c) is completed, the new application NEW-C (37c) sends a new application NEW-C (37c) activation response to the new application management unit 35 via the new application framework 39. Send (2217/2219). The new application management unit 35 sends a new application activation notification 2221 to the conventional application management unit 17. The conventional application management unit 17 can present video / audio to the user (2223).

  As described above, in the electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention, by adding a new application management unit (resource management function), resource management can be performed with an existing conventional (common) application management unit. And resource management between new applications. In other words, hierarchical resource management between existing applications and new applications reduces the number of management items compared to the case where new applications are managed by the existing common application management unit. There is an advantage that the property increases.

  In addition, the functions provided in the device by dividing the module are divided into a new application part, a common application part, and a system part. By doing this in the application management unit, the system unit is separated from the effects of adding and changing functions, and the stability is increased for hardware that is frequently changed due to technology development and cost reduction requests.

  That is, there is an advantage that common functions essential to the product category can be separated from the effect of adding a new function that affects the added value of the product, and the stability can be improved.

  The present invention is applicable to electronic devices.

It is a functional block diagram which shows the basic structural example of the electronic device by one embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows one structural example of the general electronic device with which the operation system (OS) and the application were united. It is a figure which shows each functional block in more detail with respect to FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an extension example in a single process according to Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram related to application activation of a single process illustrated in FIG. 9 in the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram illustrating a new application execution (single process) process in the first embodiment. It is a figure which shows completion | finish (single process) of the new application in Example 1. FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the process of the abnormal system which the new application in Example 1 terminates spontaneously. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a new application switching (single process) process according to the first exemplary embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of switching a new application in a single process in the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic device illustrating an extension example in another process according to the third embodiment, corresponding to FIG. 1. In this example, another process B having a new application NEW-B and another process C having a new application NEW-C are added to the process A in FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram in a case where a new application of another process in the third embodiment is activated. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram when executing a new application of another process according to the third embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram in a case where a new application of another process in the third embodiment is terminated. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram in a case where a new application of another process in Example 3 is voluntarily terminated (abnormal system). FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of switching processing of a new application in another process according to the third embodiment. It is a functional block diagram which shows the example of 1 structure of the electronic device in the case where a new application becomes a different process from a common application, and when resource management is further performed in the new application according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram of processing when a new application is activated in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram of processing when a new application is executed in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram of processing when a new application is terminated in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram of processing when a new application is spontaneously terminated (abnormal system) in the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram of a new application switching process according to the fourth embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of graphic resource switching by application switching. It is a schematic diagram which shows the problem regarding the resource exclusive control in the electronic device shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows one simple structural example in the case of managing a conventional application by the conventional application management part. FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating a relationship of resource exclusive control before and after transition in the configuration of FIG. 25. It is a figure which shows a mode that the new application management part was newly added with respect to the structure of FIG. It is a figure which shows the relationship of the resource exclusive control before and after a transition in the structure of FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... System, 3 ... Main-body part, 11 ... Conventional application (CURRENT-A), 15 ... Conventional application (CURRENT-B), 17 ... Conventional application management part, 21 ... Communication part, 23 ... Working memory area (RAM) , 25 ... voice playback unit, 27 ... non-volatile RAM unit, 31 ... graphic unit (firmware), 33 ... new application NEW-A, 35 ... new application management unit, 37 ... new application NEW-B, 39 ... new application frame Work, 41 ... library Z, 43 ... communication unit, 51 ... display.

Claims (9)

An electronic device capable of operating multiple applications,
An operation system unit (hereinafter referred to as a “system unit”) that collects basic functions in the operation of the electronic device and a hardware operation that realizes the first function for characterizing the electronic device are separated from the system unit. In an electronic device characterized by having a common application unit with a conventional application management unit for controlling
An electronic apparatus comprising a first new application management unit for managing a new application newly added and responsible for realizing a second function different from the first function.   The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the conventional application management unit manages the resource management as a higher hierarchy with respect to the new application management unit.   The common application management unit performs management so as to regard addition of a new application in the first new application management unit as only addition of the first new application management unit, regarding resource management. Item 3. The electronic device according to Item 1 or 2.   The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first new application management unit is provided in the common application unit.   Furthermore, a new application unit for controlling a new application newly added and responsible for realizing the second function different from the first function is provided separately from the common application unit. The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   The second new application management unit that mediates between the first new application management unit and the new application added to the first new application unit is provided in the new application unit. Item 6. The electronic device according to Item 5.   7. The first new application management unit performs resource management with the common application management unit and performs resource management with the second new application management unit. The electronic device described.   8. The first new application management unit includes an exclusive control unit that performs exclusive control so that control on certain hardware does not occur simultaneously. Electronic equipment.   The second new application management unit performs resource management with the first new application management unit, and performs resource management with the new application. Electronics.

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