JP2008293366A - Data processor - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to surely perform shut-down processing even at power failure of a main power source. <P>SOLUTION: An elapsed time period is measured after detection of power failure of the main power source. If the measured time period reaches a predetermined time period, shut-down processing is performed to terminate a system normally. In addition, a remaining time period before the shut-down processing will be started is indicated on a display. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus capable of continuing data processing by switching to an auxiliary power source upon detection of a power failure of a main power source.

  Computers that support paperwork such as invoice creation and invoicing, so-called office computers, have a built-in battery as an auxiliary power source. A technique for preventing the data being processed from being lost even when the power supply is switched to 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.

Conventionally known data processing apparatuses having such a power backup function have an automatic shutdown function that turns off the power in response to a command from the CPU after the data processing is completed when the CPU detects a power failure of the main power supply. (For example, see Patent Document 1).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-207586

  However, the conventional automatic shutdown function provided in this type of data processing apparatus does not turn off the power in response to an instruction from the CPU unless the data processing is completed. There is a possibility that the power supply stops before the shutdown process is executed due to the capacity drop.

  If the power supply is stopped without performing the shutdown process, the system is not terminated normally, and the data being processed may be lost or the data file may be destroyed.

  The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and the purpose of the present invention is to ensure that the shutdown process can be performed even in the event of a power failure of the main power supply, such as data loss and data file destruction. It is an object of the present invention to provide a data processing apparatus that can prevent the above-mentioned problem.

  The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus capable of continuing data processing by switching to an auxiliary power supply by detecting a power failure of the main power supply, a time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time since the power failure detection of the main power supply, and a measuring time by the time measuring means. Is provided with an automatic shutdown means for performing a shutdown process for normally terminating the system when a predetermined time is reached, and a display means for displaying a remaining time until the shutdown process is started.

  According to the present invention in which such measures are taken, it is possible to provide a data processing apparatus that can reliably perform a shutdown process even in the event of a power failure of the main power supply and can prevent problems such as data loss and data file destruction. .

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.

  In addition, a timer oscillator 200 is provided in the main body 2, and a timer signal having a constant period is input from the timer oscillator 200 to the CPU 20.

  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 to 5 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.

  The HDD device 1 has a program area for storing various business programs created for each business and a data file area for storing a plurality of data files formed for each business. .

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

  The office computer includes the power failure detection circuit 31 and the battery 32 in the power supply unit 3 as described above. When the power failure detection circuit 31 detects a power failure of the commercial power supply 7 as the main power source, the power supply source Can be switched to the battery 32 as an auxiliary power source, and data processing can be continued while the battery 32 is maintained. Therefore, while the power is being backed up by the battery 32, the user ends the work being executed and executes a shutdown process for ending the system. By doing so, the opened data file is closed, so that the data being processed is not lost or the data file is not destroyed.

  Now, in the present embodiment, in order to more efficiently perform the processing after the occurrence of a power failure as described above, a function for notifying that a power failure has occurred when a power failure has occurred in the main power supply, It has a function of automatically executing a shutdown process after a certain time from the occurrence to terminate the system and turning off the power. In order to realize this automatic shutdown function, as shown in FIG. 2, storage areas of the power failure flag F1, the automatic shutdown setting flag F2, the automatic shutdown elapsed time counter T1, and the power failure elapsed time counter T2 are formed in the RAM 22. ing.

  The power failure flag F1 is a flag for identifying whether or not a power failure has occurred in the commercial power supply 7 as the main power source, and is set to “1” during the occurrence of a power failure. The automatic shutdown setting flag F2 is a flag for identifying whether or not to enable the automatic shutdown function, and is set to “1” when it is enabled.

  These storage areas are all cleared to “0” in the initialization process after the power is turned on. That is, when the power is turned on, the automatic shutdown function is disabled. Therefore, the user executes a shutdown setting job when the automatic shutdown function is enabled.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a main processing procedure of the CPU 20 when the shutdown setting job is activated. That is, when the CPU 20 detects that the shutdown setting job is selected by operating the keyboard 4 from various setting job menus (YES in ST1), the CPU 20 selects whether to enable or disable the automatic shutdown function. A shutdown setting screen prompting the operator is displayed on the display 5 (ST2).

  If a selection operation for enabling the automatic shutdown function is performed by key operation on the keyboard 4 (YES in ST3), the automatic shutdown setting flag F2 is set to “1” (ST4) and disabled. Is selected (NO in ST3), it is reset to “0” only when the automatic shutdown setting flag F2 is set to “1” (ST5: invalidating means).

  Here, the time from the occurrence of a power failure to the start of the shutdown process may be as long as possible and within a time during which the power can be backed up by the battery 32. For example, as in the present embodiment, when the power backup time by the battery 32 is rated at 3 to 5 minutes, it is desirable to set the longest 3 minutes (180 seconds) as the time that can be reliably backed up. Therefore, in the present embodiment, this time is set to 180 seconds in advance in the power failure monitoring program.

  The power failure monitoring program is resident in the office computer according to the present embodiment. After the main body is activated, the CPU 20 repeatedly executes the power failure monitoring process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 according to the power failure monitoring program.

  That is, the CPU 20 determines whether or not a power failure is detected by the power failure detection circuit 31 in ST11. Here, when the signal S from the power failure detection circuit 31 is “0” and it is determined that the power failure has not been detected, the CPU 20 checks the power failure flag F1 as ST12. Normally, since the power failure flag F1 is reset to “0”, in this case, the current process is terminated.

  On the other hand, if the signal S from the power failure detection circuit 31 is “1” and it is determined that a power failure is being detected, the CPU 20 checks the power failure flag F1 as ST13. If the power failure flag F1 has been reset to “0”, the power failure flag F1 is set to “1” as ST14. Furthermore, a power failure notification process, which will be described later, is executed as ST15, and the current process is terminated. On the other hand, if the power failure flag F1 is set to “1”, the power failure notification processing has already been executed, and the current processing is immediately terminated.

  Although the power failure is detected by the power failure detection circuit 31 and the signal S is replaced with “1”, the signal S may return to “0” after the power failure. In such a case, the power failure flag F1 is set to “1” in ST12. Therefore, the CPU 20 resets the power failure flag F1 to “0” in ST16. In addition, a timer monitoring process, which will be described later, is terminated as ST17, and the current process is terminated.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a main part processing procedure of the power failure notification process. That is, when entering the power failure notification processing routine, the CPU 20 first determines whether or not a power failure has occurred during the execution of some work as ST21. If a power failure occurs while the business menu screen is displayed on the display 5, since the business is not being executed, the CPU 20 checks the automatic shutdown setting flag F2 as ST22. Here, when the automatic shutdown setting flag F2 is reset to “0”, that is, when the automatic shutdown function is set to be invalid, the CPU 20 corresponds to no automatic shutdown function and no business execution as ST23. The first power failure notification screen G1 is displayed on the display 5.

  On the other hand, when the automatic shutdown setting flag F2 is set to “1”, that is, when the automatic shutdown function is set to be valid, the CPU 20 responds to ST24 with the automatic shutdown function and no business execution. The second power failure notification screen G2 is displayed on the display 5.

  On the other hand, if a power failure occurs while the processing screen for the business selected from the various business menus is displayed, the business is being executed, so the CPU 20 checks the automatic shutdown setting flag F2 as ST25. To do. Here, when the automatic shutdown setting flag F2 is reset to “0”, that is, when the automatic shutdown function is disabled, the CPU 20 initializes the power failure elapsed time counter T2 to “0” as ST26. In addition to the setting, in ST27, the third power failure notification screen G3 corresponding to the absence of the automatic shutdown function and the execution of business is displayed on the display 5. On the other hand, when the automatic shutdown setting flag F2 is set to “1”, that is, when the automatic shutdown function is enabled, the CPU 20 sets the automatic shutdown elapsed time counter T1 to “180” as ST28. Initial setting.

  Next, in the job being executed as ST29, it is determined whether there is data that is not stored in the data file. If there is no unsaved data, a fourth power failure notification screen G4 corresponding to the presence of the automatic shutdown function, the execution of business, and the absence of unsaved data is displayed on the display 5 as ST30. On the other hand, if there is unsaved data, a fifth power failure notification screen G5 corresponding to the presence of an automatic shutdown function, the presence of business execution, and the presence of unsaved data is displayed on the display 5 as ST31.

  If any of the power failure notification screens G1 to G5 is displayed in this way, the CPU 20 starts a timer monitoring process as ST32. This timer monitoring process is executed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG.

  First, the CPU 20 checks the automatic shutdown setting flag F2 as ST41. If the automatic shutdown setting flag F2 is “1”, that is, if the automatic shutdown function is valid, the CPU 20 displays the value of the automatic shutdown elapsed time counter T1 on the guidance line of the screen as ST42 (display means). . On the other hand, when the automatic shutdown setting flag F2 is “0”, that is, when the automatic shutdown function is disabled, the CPU 20 displays the value of the power failure elapsed time counter T2 on the guidance line as ST43 (display means). .

  After that, the CPU 20 counts 1 second by a signal from the timer oscillator 200 in ST44. Each time one second is counted, the processes of ST45 to ST49 are repeatedly executed.

  That is, the CPU 20 checks the automatic shutdown setting flag F2 (ST45), and if it has been reset to “0” (NO in ST45), the value of the power failure elapsed time counter T2 is incremented by “1” (ST46). ). Then, the value of the power failure elapsed time counter T2 displayed on the guidance line is updated (ST49). Thereafter, it waits for the next one second to be timed (ST44).

  On the other hand, when the automatic shutdown setting flag F2 is set to “1” (YES in ST45), the CPU 20 counts down the value of the automatic shutdown elapsed time counter T1 by “1” (ST47: time measuring means) ). Then, it is determined whether or not the value of the automatic shutdown elapsed time counter T1 after the countdown has become “0” (ST48). When the value of the automatic shutdown elapsed time counter T1 is larger than “0” (NO in ST48), the value of the automatic shutdown elapsed time counter T1 displayed on the guidance line is updated (ST49). Thereafter, the CPU 20 waits for the next one second to be timed (ST44).

  On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the value of the automatic shutdown elapsed time counter T1 has become “0” (YES in ST48), the CPU 20 terminates the system such as closing the opened data file. A shutdown process is performed and the power is turned off (ST50: automatic shutdown means).

  As described above, in the office computer according to the present embodiment, when a power failure occurs in the commercial power source 7 that is the main power source, the power supply source is switched to the battery 32 that is the auxiliary power source. Then, a power failure notification screen that informs the operator that a power failure has occurred is displayed on the display 5.

  At this time, when the business is not being executed and the automatic shutdown function is disabled, the first power failure notification screen G1 is displayed. Further, when the business is not being executed and the automatic shutdown function is set to be effective, the second power failure notification screen G2 is displayed. On the other hand, when the business is being executed and the automatic shutdown function is disabled, the third power failure notification screen G3 is displayed. Further, when the automatic shutdown function is set to be effective, the fourth power failure notification screen G4 is displayed when there is no unsaved data, and when there is unsaved data, the fifth A power failure notification screen G5 is displayed.

  FIG. 7 shows a display example of the first power failure notification screen G1, FIG. 8 shows a display example of the second power failure notification screen G2, FIG. 9 shows a display example of the third power failure notification screen G3. A display example of the power failure notification screen G4 is shown in FIG. 10, and a display example of the fifth power failure notification screen G5 is shown in FIG.

  As shown in the figure, pop-up windows M1 and M3 showing predetermined power failure notification messages notifying the occurrence of a power failure are displayed on the power failure notification screens G1 and G3 corresponding to the absence of the automatic shutdown function. In addition, on the guidance lines L1 and L3, the value of the power failure elapsed time counter T2 is displayed in seconds.

  The pop-up windows M1 and M3 are closed in response to the operation of the clear key. The value of the power failure elapsed time counter T2 is counted up every time 1 second elapses. That is, the elapsed time since the occurrence of a power failure is displayed. Therefore, the operator can execute the manual shutdown process while checking the elapsed time from the occurrence of the power failure.

  On the other hand, on the power failure notification screens G2, G4, and G5 corresponding to the presence of the automatic shutdown function, pop-up windows M2, M4, and M5 showing predetermined power failure notification messages for notifying that the automatic shutdown function is activated when a power failure occurs are displayed. The In addition, the value of the automatic shutdown elapsed time counter T1 is displayed in seconds on the guidance lines L2, L4, and L5.

  The pop-up windows M2, M4 and M5 are closed in response to the operation of the clear key. The value of the automatic shutdown elapsed time counter T1 is counted down every time 1 second elapses. That is, the remaining time until the automatic shutdown function is displayed. Therefore, the operator can execute necessary operations such as ending the work while checking the remaining time until the automatic shutdown function is activated. As a result, there is no possibility that the shutdown process is automatically performed during the execution of the business and the data is not lost.

  Thus, according to the present embodiment, the shutdown process can be reliably performed even in the event of a power failure of the main power supply, so that problems such as data loss and data file destruction can be prevented in advance.

  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-described embodiment, the value of the power failure elapsed time counter T2 is displayed on the guidance lines L1 and L3 on the power failure notification screens G1 and G3 corresponding to the absence of the automatic shutdown function. Since it suffices to notify the information prompting the user to immediately execute the end task (shutdown task) as a message notifying the occurrence, the embodiment of the present invention does not necessarily display the value of the power failure elapsed time counter T2. It can be played.

  The present invention is not limited to an office computer, and can be applied to all data processing apparatuses capable of continuing data processing by switching to an auxiliary power source upon detection of a power failure of the main power source.

  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 RAM of an office computer in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the principal part procedure of the shutdown setting work process which CPU of an office computer performs in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the principal part procedure of the power failure monitoring process which CPU of an office computer performs in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the principal part procedure of the power failure notification process which CPU of an office computer performs in the embodiment. The flowchart which shows the principal part procedure of the timer monitoring process which CPU of an office computer performs in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows one display example of the 1st power failure notification screen displayed on the display of an office computer in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows one display example of the 2nd power failure notification screen displayed on the display of an office computer in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows one display example of the 3rd power failure notification screen displayed on the display of an office computer in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows one display example of the 4th power failure notification screen displayed on the display of an office computer in the embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows one display example of the 5th power failure notification 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, 20 ... CPU, 30 ... Power supply circuit, 31 ... Power failure detection circuit, 32 ... Battery, 200 ... Timer oscillator .

Claims (2)

In a data processing device that can continue to process data by switching to an auxiliary power source when a main power failure is detected,
A time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time from detection of a power failure of the main power source,
Automatic shutdown means for performing a shutdown process when the time measured by the time measuring means reaches a predetermined time;
Display means for displaying a remaining time until the shutdown process is started;
A data processing apparatus comprising: Further comprising invalidating means for invalidating the function of shutdown processing by the automatic shutdown means,
2. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the display means displays an elapsed time since a power failure detection of the main power supply when the function of the shutdown process by the automatic shutdown means is invalidated.

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