JP2008287585A - Data processing equipment and method for handling power failure - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To certainly restore an intial state when power failure is recovered, even if data of a data file is destroyed by unexpected power failure. <P>SOLUTION: The data processing equipment provides a non-volatile memory part with a back-up area while storing a plurality of data files corresponding to each application respectively in a data file area. When either of application is selected from among application menus, the data processing equipment copies a data file corresponding to the application to the back-up area before starting data processing of the application. The data file corresponding to the application is deleted from the back-up area whenever data processing of the application is completed. The data processing equipment determines whether a data file is stored in the back-up file or not at the start-up. When determined that a data file is stored, the data file is restored in the data file area as a data file corresponding to the application using the data file. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus used as an office computer or the like and a power failure countermeasure method for the apparatus.

  Computers that support paperwork such as invoice creation and invoicing, so-called office computers, have a built-in battery, and switch to power supply from the battery when a main power supply such as a commercial power supply fails. Therefore, a technique for preventing the data being processed from being lost even in the event of an unexpected power interruption has already been implemented. In this case, since the data being processed can be protected during the battery lasting time (about 3 to 5 minutes), the operator who has confirmed the warning message of the occurrence of a power failure should take measures such as ending the work at a good timing. Take it.

Also, in such a data processing device having a power backup function, if a power failure of the main power supply is detected, various data in the memory are automatically written and stored in the external storage device, and when the main power supply is subsequently turned on, Generally, data before a power failure is restored by loading data in a storage device onto a memory. However, the data in the memory may be destroyed due to the occurrence of a power failure.In such a case, the destroyed data is stored in the external storage device, so the destroyed data is loaded after the power failure is restored. There is a bug that ends up. Therefore, conventionally, there has been known a power failure countermeasure method in which data in a memory is checked in response to detection of a power failure of the main power source and the data is stored in an external storage device only when the data is valid (for example, Patent Document 1) reference).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-69420

  However, in the conventional power failure countermeasure method described above, although legitimate data can be restored when a power failure occurs, the data destroyed due to the occurrence of a power failure cannot be restored to the state before destruction.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances. The purpose of the present invention is to ensure that even if the data file data is destroyed due to an unexpected power failure, the data file can be reliably restored to its original state when the power failure is restored. An object of the present invention is to provide a highly reliable data processing apparatus and a power failure countermeasure method thereof.

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus that executes data processing of a business selected from various business menus and updates a data file corresponding to the business, and a plurality of data files corresponding to each business are data files. If a non-volatile storage unit that stores data in an area and has a backup area is provided, and a job is selected from the job menu, the data file corresponding to the job is processed before data processing for that job is started. Is copied to the backup area, the data file corresponding to the job is deleted from the backup area each time business data processing is completed, and it is determined whether the data file is stored in the backup file when the power is turned on. If it is determined that the data file is stored, the data file is Yl is obtained so as to restore the data file area as a data file corresponding to the business to use.

  According to the present invention in which such measures are taken, even if the data in the data file is destroyed due to an unexpected power failure, it is possible to reliably return to the state before the destruction at the time of power failure recovery, and to improve the reliability Play.

The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
This embodiment is a case where the present invention is applied to an office computer which is an aspect of a data processing apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of an office computer according to the present embodiment. The office computer includes a main body 2 having a built-in HDD (Hard Disk Drive) device 1 as a non-volatile storage, a power source 3 as a drive source of the main body 2, and a keyboard 4 mounted on the main body 2. The display 5 and the various input / output devices of the printer 6 are configured.

  The main unit 2 has a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20 constituting a main control unit, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 21 in which fixed data such as a program is stored, and a data area in which the CPU 20 can freely write and read data. A formed RAM (Random Access Memory) 22, an HDD controller 23 that accesses the HDD device 1 to control writing and reading of data, an auxiliary storage device driver 24 that drives an auxiliary storage device such as an optical disk and a magneto-optical disk, A communication interface 25 that controls data communication with an external device connected via a network, a keyboard controller 26 that controls the energization of the keyboard 4 and captures key signals corresponding to operation keys, and an energization of the display 5 The display controller 27 for displaying the screen and the energization of the printer 6 Gyoshi, and a printer controller 28 or the like for printing operation. The CPU 20, ROM 21, RAM 22, HDD controller 23, auxiliary storage device driver 24, communication interface 25, keyboard controller 26, display controller 27, and printer controller 28 are electrically connected by a bus line 29 such as an address bus or a data bus. Has been.

  The power supply unit 3 includes a power supply circuit 30, a power failure detection circuit 31, and a battery 32. The power supply circuit 30 is supplied with power from the commercial power supply 7 by turning on a power switch (not shown), generates a predetermined drive voltage V and supplies it to the main body 2, and charges the battery 32. The power failure detection circuit 31 monitors the drive voltage V supplied from the power supply circuit 30 and considers that a power failure has occurred when the drive voltage V drops below a certain voltage and outputs a power failure signal S to the CPU 20 of the main body 2 (power failure detection). Means), the battery 32 is discharged. The battery 32 has a capacity that can guarantee the operation of the main body 2 for about 3 minutes when discharging is started in a fully charged state.

  An office computer with such a configuration is a data processing device specialized in supporting the creation of slips and forms related to management of invoices, invoices, sales books, etc. It is possible to perform various tasks such as a monthly tabulation task, a monthly update task, a closing date counting task, and a closing date updating task.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the HDD device 1 stores a program area 11 for storing various business programs created for each business, and data for storing a plurality of data files respectively formed for each business. The file area 12 is formed.

  For example, for a delivery note creation job, the data file for storing and storing detailed records such as customer name, customer identification code, product name, quantity, unit price, amount of money, total amount of the created delivery note is the data. It is formed in the file area 12. In addition, for monthly tabulation work, the monthly sales book is calculated by summing up the amount by customer identification code from the records for the specified month among the detail records stored in the data file corresponding to the above delivery document creation work. Is formed in the data file area 12.

  The HDD device 1 also has a file backup area 13, a business management table area 14, and a power failure flag area 15. In the business management table area 14, as shown in FIG. 3, the file name of the data file used in the business, the target of power failure countermeasures, corresponding to the business name of various business that can be executed by the office computer. Is stored in the business management table 8 in which a power failure storage flag (1: target, 0: not target) is recorded.

Here, an outline of the power failure countermeasure of the office computer in this embodiment will be described.
In the present embodiment, when any business is selected from various business menus, only when the business is a power failure countermeasure target, that is, when the power failure storage flag is set to “1”. Before starting business data processing, a data file corresponding to the business is copied to the backup area 13 of the HDD device 1 (copying step). Each time data processing for the business is completed, the data file corresponding to the business is deleted from the backup area 13 (deletion step).

  Further, when the operating voltage is applied from the power supply circuit 30 to the main body 2 and the main body 2 is started, it is determined whether or not a data file is stored in the backup area 13 (determination step). If the data file is stored, the data file is restored to the data file area 12 as a data file corresponding to a job that uses the data file (restoration step).

  Therefore, even if a power failure occurs during data processing of a business and the data file becomes abnormal, if that business is designated as a business that is subject to power failure countermeasures, the data will be lost when the power is restarted after that. The file is restored to the state before the start of the previous operation, that is, the normal state.

  In order to realize such a power failure countermeasure, the office computer according to the present embodiment is configured such that the CPU 20 executes the processing of the procedure shown in the flowcharts of FIGS.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a power failure setting job for setting the power failure storage flag of the job management table 8. CPU20 will start this process, if execution of the power failure setting work is commanded by the key operation of the keyboard 4. First, the business management table 8 in the business management table area 14 is opened as ST (step) 1. That is, the business management table 8 can be accessed. Then, as ST2, the power failure setting screen 50 is displayed on the display 5 based on the data of the business management table 8.

  A display example of the power failure setting screen 50 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, the power failure setting screen 50 includes a list 51 of business names stored in the business management table 8 and data file names corresponding to the business names, together with check boxes 52 provided corresponding to the respective business names. It is displayed. In addition, a “setting update” button 53 and a “close” button 54 are displayed on the screen. Here, the check box 52 corresponding to the business name of the business that is subject to the power failure countermeasure is “1”, that is, the business name that is not subject to the power failure countermeasure. The check box 52 corresponding to the name is not checked. Therefore, the operator can determine whether it is a power failure countermeasure target or not based on the presence or absence of a check.

  The CPU 20 of the office computer on which the power failure setting screen 50 is displayed waits for the “close” button 54 to be input as ST3 or the “setting update” button 53 to be input as ST4. During this time, if a check box 52 that is not checked is checked, the check box 52 is checked. If a check box 52 that is checked is checked, the check box 52 is unchecked. .

  When the “close” button 54 is input by the key operation of the keyboard 4 (YES in ST3), the CPU 20 proceeds to the process of ST10. That is, the business management table 8 is closed. That is, the business management table 8 is made inaccessible. Thus, the power outage setting process is completed.

  On the other hand, when the “update setting” button 53 is input instead of the “close” button 54 (YES in ST4), the CPU 20 selects business names in order from the business management table 8 as ST5. Each time a business name is selected, it is determined whether or not the check box 52 corresponding to the business name is checked on the power failure setting screen 50 as ST6. Is set to “1”, and if the check is not checked, the power failure storage flag corresponding to the business name in the business management table 8 is set to “8”. Reset to 0 "(setting means).

  The CPU 20 repeatedly executes the processing of ST6, 7 or ST6, 8 every time a business name is selected from the business management table 8. If the above-described processing is executed for the final business name in ST9, the CPU 20 closes the business management table 8 in ST10, and ends this power failure setting business processing.

  Therefore, the operator can easily set whether or not the above-described power outage target is performed for each business by executing the power outage setting business.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a normal processing procedure after the power is turned on. When the operating voltage is applied from the power supply circuit 30 to the main body unit 2 to start up the main body unit 2, the office computer according to the present embodiment executes a power supply start-up process described later. Then, when the startup process is started normally, the normal process routine is entered.

  When the normal process is started, first, the CPU 20 displays a business menu screen on the display 5 as ST11. In this state, the CPU 20 waits for “end” to be input as ST12 or to select any task as ST13.

  When the menu screen is operated via the keyboard 4 and any one of the various business menus is selected (YES in ST13), the CPU 20 searches the business management table 8 as ST14, Acquires the file name of the data file used for the selected job. If the file name is acquired, the CPU 20 opens the data file having the file name from the data file area 12 as ST15. That is, this data file can be accessed.

  Next, the CPU 20 further searches the business management table 8 at ST16 and checks the power failure storage flag corresponding to the selected business. When the power failure storage flag is “1”, that is, when it is determined that a business subject to power failure countermeasures has been selected, the CPU 20 copies the data file opened in ST17 to the file backup area 13 (copying means). On the other hand, when it is determined that the power failure storage flag is “0”, that is, a business that is not subject to power failure countermeasures is selected, the data file is not copied.

  Thereafter, the CPU 20 executes processing according to the selected business program. In this process, the data in the open data file is read out and rewritten as appropriate.

  During execution of this business process, the CPU 20 monitors whether or not the power failure signal S is input from the power failure detection circuit 31 as ST19. When the business process being executed is completed without input of the power failure signal S (YES in ST20), the CPU 20 refers to the power failure storage flag as ST21, and the business that has completed this process is a countermeasure for power failure. Determine whether it was the target job. If it is a business subject to power failure countermeasures, the CPU 20 deletes the data file copied to the file backup area 13 as ST22 (file deletion means).

  Thereafter, the CPU 20 closes the data file that was in the open state in ST23. Then, returning to the processing of ST11, the business menu screen is displayed again on the display 5.

  When “end” is input by operating the keyboard 4 while the business menu screen is displayed, the CPU 20 deletes the business menu screen as ST24. Then, this normal processing routine is terminated.

  On the other hand, when it is detected that the power failure signal S is input from the power failure detection circuit 31 while the selected business process is being executed, the CPU 20 executes a power failure interruption process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 6 as ST25. .

  That is, the CPU 20 sets a power failure flag as power failure information to “1” in the power failure flag area 15 as ST31 (power failure processing means). In ST32, a message screen for notifying the operator of the occurrence of a power failure is displayed on the display 5. Since this screen is provided with a “close” button for operator confirmation, the CPU 20 waits for the input of the “close” button as ST33. When the “close” button is input by operating the keyboard 4, the CPU 20 deletes the power failure occurrence notification screen in ST34.

  This is the end of the power failure interrupt process. Thereafter, the CPU 20 returns to the business process being executed. In this way, when an unexpected power failure occurs during the execution of the business process, the power failure flag “1”, which is power failure information, is set in the power failure flag area 15.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the power is turned on. When the operating voltage is applied to the main body 2 from the power supply circuit 30 and the main body 2 starts up, the office computer according to the present embodiment executes the illustrated power-on process.

  That is, the CPU 20 first executes startup processing such as RAM check and initialization of each controller in ST41. Next, the CPU 20 determines whether or not the power failure flag “1” is stored in the power failure flag area 15 in ST42 (power failure determination means). When the power failure flag “1” is not stored, the routine proceeds to the normal processing routine shown in FIG.

  On the other hand, if the power failure flag “1” is stored, an unexpected power failure has occurred in the previous normal processing routine, and therefore the CPU 20 stores the data file backed up in the file backup area 13 as ST43. It is determined whether or not the file is stored (file determination means). If the data file is not saved, the power is not down during the business process, so the process proceeds to ST50, and after the power failure flag is cleared from the power failure flag area 15, the process proceeds to the normal processing routine.

  On the other hand, when the data file is stored in the file backup area 13, since the power supply was down during the business process last time, the CPU 20 displays the restoration processing screen 60 on the display 5 as ST44.

  One display example of the restoration processing screen 60 is shown in FIG. As shown in the figure, on the restoration processing screen 60, a message indicating that the data restoration processing for power failure is being executed and the type of the business that was being executed when the power was shut down and a message prompting the re-execution of the business are displayed. Displayed (message output means). At this time, the OK button 61 on the screen 60 cannot be input.

  When the restoration process screen 60 is displayed, the CPU 20 next executes a restoration process of the data file. That is, the data file stored in the file backup area 13 is read and overwritten with the data file having the same file name in the data file area 12. Thus, the data file stored in the file backup area 13 is restored to the data file area 12 as a data file corresponding to a job that uses the data file (file restoring means).

  When the restoration of the data file is completed in ST46, the CPU 20 deletes the data file from the file backup area 13 in ST47. In ST48, the display screen is switched to the restoration process completion screen. This restoration processing completion screen is a state in which the “OK” button 61 can be input on the restoration processing screen 60 of FIG. 9.

  Therefore, the CPU 20 waits for an “OK” button 61 to be input in ST49. If it is detected that the “OK” button 61 has been input by operating the keyboard 4, the CPU 20 clears the power failure flag from the power failure flag area 15 in ST50, and then proceeds to the normal processing routine.

  As described above, in the business computer according to the present embodiment, when any one business is selected from the business menu, a data file corresponding to the business is opened. Further, when this business is a power failure countermeasure target, that is, when the power failure storage flag corresponding to the business is set to “1”, the data file is copied to the backup area 13. That is, the contents of the data file before starting the business are backed up.

  Thereafter, the selected job process is executed. By executing this processing, the data file in the open state is updated. However, the data file in the backup area 13 is not updated.

  When the business process ends, the data file that was in the open state is closed. Further, the data file backed up in the backup area 13 is deleted.

  When a power failure occurs during business processing, a power failure flag is set in the power failure flag area 15. In addition, a power failure occurrence notification screen is displayed on the display 5. Even if a power failure occurs, the operating power supply is backed up by the battery 32 for several minutes, so that the data in the open data file is protected.

  Therefore, the operator who confirms the power failure occurrence notification screen inputs the “OK” button and immediately ends the operation. By doing so, it is possible to protect the data of the data file in the open state.

  However, if the business cannot be terminated for some reason, the battery 32 is gradually discharged and the operating voltage cannot be maintained. If this happens, the power is forcibly cut off, and data in the data file that is in the open state cannot be guaranteed.

  In such a case, in this embodiment, since the power failure flag is checked and set when the power is turned on thereafter, the file backup area 13 is checked and the data file is stored. The data file in the area 13 is overwritten with the data file having the same file name in the data file area 12. In other words, the data file stored in the file backup area 13 is restored to the data file area 12 as a data file corresponding to a job that uses the data file.

  Thus, even if an event that cannot guarantee the data of the data file that was open due to an unexpected power failure occurs, the data file is restored to the state before the start of the work that was being performed when the power failure occurred. Since it is restored, it can be restored to normal data.

  By the way, in this embodiment, it is possible to select whether or not to make a power failure countermeasure target for each business. In the case of a power failure countermeasure target, a processing step is required to copy the corresponding data file to the file backup area 13 every time the business starts and to delete the data file in the file backup area 13 every time the business is finished. When excluded from the target, such a processing step becomes unnecessary and efficiency is high.

  Therefore, operations that the operator performs while inputting data by operating the keyboard, such as invoice creation operations, can be terminated while the power is backed up by the battery 32 even if a power failure occurs. Since operations that are automatically executed without an operator, such as monthly tabulation operations, may not be immediately available when a power failure occurs, operations that are targeted for power failure countermeasures can be easily taken.

  In the present embodiment, a message prompting the re-execution of the business related to the data file is output on the restoration processing screen 60 displayed on the display 5 when the file restoration unit restores the data file. . Therefore, the operator can simply execute the work whose execution is prompted after the restoration is completed.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage.

  For example, in the above embodiment, in the power-on process shown in FIG. 7, it is determined whether or not the power failure flag is set as ST42, but this determination process step is omitted, and the data is stored in the file backup area 13 after the startup process. It is determined whether or not the file is backed up. If the file is backed up, the data file may be restored to the data file area 12 as a data file corresponding to a job that uses the data file. . However, by using the power failure flag as in the above-described embodiment, it is determined whether or not the data file is backed up in the file backup area 13 only when a power failure has occurred. If the data file remains undeleted from the file backup area 13 in spite of the completion of the process, the data file is restored to the data file area 12 and the data file is returned to the state before starting the work. It can be prevented from returning.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although it was set for every business whether it was a power failure countermeasure object, it is good also considering all the business as a power failure countermeasure object. In this case, the power failure setting work shown in FIG. 4 can be omitted. Further, the determination processing of ST16 and ST21 of the processing steps shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 can be omitted.

  In the above embodiment, one data file is copied to the file backup area 13 corresponding to the selected job, but a plurality of data files may be used. If there are multiple data files corresponding to the selected job, copy all the data files at once and restore them at the same time when the power supply is restarted after a power failure. Can be taken.

  In the above embodiment, the present invention is applied to an office computer. However, the present invention executes data processing of a job selected from various job menus and data corresponding to the job. The present invention can be applied to all data processing devices that update files.

  In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, the constituent elements over different embodiments may be combined.

The block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the office computer which is one embodiment of this invention. The schematic diagram which shows the main memory areas formed in the HDD apparatus of the office computer in the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a data structure of a business management table stored in a business management table area in FIG. 2. The flowchart which shows the principal process procedure of the power failure setting work which CPU of the office computer in the embodiment performs. The flowchart which shows the principal part process sequence of the normal process routine which CPU of the office computer in the embodiment performs. The flowchart which shows the principal part process sequence of the power failure interruption process routine which CPU of the office computer in the embodiment performs. The flowchart which shows the principal process procedure of the power-on process which CPU of the office computer in the embodiment performs. The schematic diagram which shows one display example of the power failure setting screen displayed on the display of an office computer in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows one display example of the power failure processing screen displayed on the display of an office computer in the embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... HDD apparatus, 2 ... Main-body part, 3 ... Power supply part, 4 ... Keyboard, 5 ... Display, 6 ... Printer, 8 ... Business management table, 11 ... Program area, 12 ... Data file area, 13 ... File backup area, DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Business management table area | region, 15 ... Power failure flag area | region, 20 ... CPU, 30 ... Power supply circuit, 31 ... Power failure detection circuit, 32 ... Battery.

Claims (5)

In a data processing device that executes data processing of a business selected from various business menus and updates a data file corresponding to the business,
A non-volatile storage unit that stores a plurality of data files corresponding to each business in a data file area and includes a backup area;
When any job is selected from the job menu, a file copying unit that copies a data file corresponding to the job to the backup area before starting data processing for the job;
File deletion means for deleting a data file corresponding to the job from the backup area every time the data processing of the job is completed,
File determination means for determining whether or not a data file is stored in the backup file at power-up;
When it is determined by the file determining means that the data file is stored, a file restoring means for restoring the data file to the data file area as a data file corresponding to a job that uses the data file;
A data processing apparatus comprising: While providing a power failure information area in the nonvolatile storage unit,
A power failure detection means for detecting a main power failure,
A power failure processing means for writing power failure information in the power failure information area according to the power failure detection by the power failure detection means,
A power failure determination means for determining whether or not power failure information is stored in the power failure information area when the power is turned on;
2. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the power failure determination means determines that the power failure information is stored, the power failure information is cleared and the file restoration means is executed. Setting means for setting whether to execute backup processing for each job of the job menu;
When any job is selected from the job menu, the file copying unit determines whether or not backup processing is set for the job, and only when the job is set. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a data file corresponding to is copied to the backup area.   3. The data according to claim 1, further comprising message output means for outputting a message prompting re-execution of a business related to the data file when the file restoring means restores the data file. Processing equipment. A power failure countermeasure method for a data processing device that executes data processing of a business selected from various business menus and updates a data file corresponding to the business,
When one of the tasks is selected from the task menu, a copy step of copying a data file corresponding to the task to the backup area of the nonvolatile storage unit before starting the data processing of the task;
A deletion step of deleting a data file corresponding to the business from the backup area each time the business data processing is completed;
A determination step of determining whether or not a data file is stored in the backup area when the power is turned on;
When it is determined that the data file is stored by this determination step, a restoration step of restoring the data file as a data file corresponding to a job that uses the data file;
A power failure countermeasure method for a data processing device.

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