JP2009059018A - Information processing system, information processor and data transfer method for information processing system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce time required for data transfer to a first device from a third device through a second device. <P>SOLUTION: This information processing system 10 has: a computer 100 having a first host device; a printer 210 having a first target device connected to the first host device through a USB (Universal Serial Bus), and having a second host device; a memory card drive 260 having a second target device connected to the second host device through a USB; a transfer instruction means 290 for instructing data transfer to the printer 210 from the memory card drive 260 and data transfer to the computer 100 from the printer 210; and a transfer completion detection means 280 for detecting completion of the data transfer to the computer 100 from the printer 210. The transfer instruction means 290 instructs the transfer of data to be next transferred to the printer 210 without waiting the completion of the data transfer to the computer 100. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing system, an information processing apparatus, and a data transfer method for the information processing system.

  USB (Universal Serial Bus) is known as an interface standard for connecting a computer and a peripheral device. USB has high expandability, easy function implementation, and high compatibility and affinity between different devices. Therefore, in addition to connections that can be interrupted by the user, such as between a computer and peripheral devices, peripheral devices It is also used for connection between different unit devices. In such information data transfer by USB, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, “command” by CBW (Command Block Wrapper), “data”, and “status” by CSW (Command Status Wrapper) Protocols consisting of three phases are defined, and a large amount of data is transferred according to these protocols. The CSW is a command for returning a status as to whether or not the data transfer has been normally performed.

JP 2002-344538 A

  However, when data is sequentially transferred between the three devices, the data is transferred between the devices in accordance with the above protocol. Since the transfer between the devices starts, when the amount of data to be transferred is large, it takes a long time to transfer the data.

  SUMMARY An advantage of some aspects of the invention is to solve at least a part of the problems described above, and the invention can be implemented as the following forms or application examples.

[Application Example 1]
An information processing system according to this application example includes a first apparatus having a first host device, a first target device connected to the first host device via a serial bus, and a second host device having a second host device. Two devices, a third device having a second target device connected to the second host device via a serial bus, a data portion from the third device to the second device, and transfer of the data portion First instruction means for instructing transfer of status information, second instruction means for instructing transfer of a data portion from the second apparatus to the first apparatus, and from the third apparatus to the second apparatus Detection means for detecting completion of transfer of the data portion, and the first instruction means issues an instruction to transfer one data portion and status information related to the transfer of the one data portion. In this case, the second instruction means instructs the transfer of the first data part when the detection means detects the completion of the transfer of the first data part, and the first instruction means. Is configured to instruct transfer of status information related to transfer of the first data part without waiting for completion of transfer of the first data part to the first device.

  According to such a configuration, the data transferred from the third device to the first device is first transferred from the third device to the second device, and is transferred to the second device by the detection means. After completion is detected, the next data is transferred from the second device to the first device, and the data to be transferred next is transferred to the third device without waiting for completion of the transfer to the first device. To the second device. Accordingly, since data transfer from the second device to the first device and data transfer from the third device to the second device can be executed in parallel, the third device passes through the second device and passes through the second device. The time required for sequential transfer to one apparatus can be shortened.

[Application Example 2]
In the information processing system according to the application example, the serial bus may be a USB.

[Application Example 3]
In the information processing system according to the application example, the status information related to the transfer of the data portion may be CSW.

[Application Example 4]
An information processing apparatus according to this application example is an information processing apparatus connected to a computer having a first host device, the first target device connected to the first host device via a serial bus, and the second An information processing means comprising a host device; a data reading means comprising a second target device connected to the second host device via a serial bus; a data section from the data reading means to the information processing means; A first instructing unit for instructing transfer of status information relating to the transfer of the data unit; a second instructing unit for instructing transfer of the data unit from the information processing apparatus to the computer; Detecting means for detecting completion of transfer of the data part to the information processing means, and the first instruction means The second instruction means detects the completion of the transfer of the first data section when the transfer instruction of status information related to the transfer of the data section and the first data section is performed. In addition to instructing transfer of the one data portion, the first instruction means does not wait for completion of transfer of the one data portion to the computer, and status information relating to transfer of the one data portion It is characterized by instructing the transfer.

  According to such a configuration, the data transferred from the data reading unit to the computer is first transferred from the data reading unit to the information processing unit, and after completion of transfer to the information processing unit is detected by the detection unit, Next, the data is transferred from the information processing means to the computer, and the data to be transferred next is transferred from the data reading means to the information processing means without waiting for completion of the transfer to the computer. Therefore, since the data transfer from the information processing means to the computer and the data transfer from the data reading means to the information processing means can be executed in parallel, the time required for the sequential transfer from the data reading means to the computer via the information processing means Can be shortened.

[Application Example 5]
A data transfer method of an information processing system according to this application example includes a first device having a first host device connected to one serial bus, and a first target device connected to the one serial bus, A data transfer method for an information processing system comprising: a second device having a second host device connected to the other serial bus; and a third device having a second target device connected to the other serial bus. A step of transferring one data held in the third device and transferred to the first device to the second device, and a step of detecting completion of the transfer of the first data to the second device; , When the completion of the transfer is detected, a step of transferring the first data transferred to the second device to the first device; and a step of transferring the first data to the first device Without waiting for completion of the transfer, characterized in that it comprises a step of transferring the next data to be transferred is held in the third device to the first device to the second device.

  According to such a method, data transferred from the third device to the first device is first transferred from the third device to the second device, and is transferred to the second device by the detecting means. After completion is detected, the next data is transferred from the second device to the first device, and the data to be transferred next is transferred to the third device without waiting for completion of the transfer to the first device. To the second device. Accordingly, since data transfer from the second device to the first device and data transfer from the third device to the second device can be executed in parallel, the third device passes through the second device and passes through the second device. The time required for sequential transfer to one apparatus can be shortened.

  Hereinafter, the information processing system 10 will be described with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing system 10. In the information processing system 10, a computer 100 and a printer 200 as an information processing apparatus are connected via a USB cable 125 so as to be intermittent by a user. This computer 100 functions as a first device and includes USB host means 110 as a host device having a host function that takes the initiative in the USB communication protocol, and a USB cable 125 is connected via a root port 120. . Further, the operation of the computer 100 is managed by a predetermined OS (Operating System), and the user can instruct the computer 100 via the operation instruction means 130 such as a mouse. The USB cable 125 may be a serial bus such as IEEE1394.

  The printer 200 includes a printing apparatus 210 as information processing means, a USB hub 250 as data relay means, a memory card drive 260 as data reading means, and a control means 270. The printing apparatus 210 functions as a second apparatus, has a function of printing information on printing paper, has USB device means 215 having a device function for one USB, and a host function for the other USB USB host means 220 having The USB device unit 215 is capable of USB connection with an external device as a target device according to the host unit that takes the initiative in the USB communication protocol. In this embodiment, the USB device unit 215 is connected to the computer 100 via the USB cable 125. The USB host unit 220 is connected to the USB hub 250 via the root port 230.

  The USB hub 250 has a plurality of ports (255A to 255D), and a memory card drive 260 including USB device means 268 is connected to one port 255A. The memory card drive 260 functions as a third device and is configured so that a predetermined memory card 265 can be attached. Therefore, the computer 100, the printing apparatus 210, and the memory card drive 260 configure the file system using the respective USB mass storage classes, so that the data of the memory card 265 that is one of the storage devices is transferred to the computer 100. Can be transferred.

  The control unit 270 controls each function of the printer 200 and functions as a transfer completion detection unit 280 that functions as a detection unit that detects completion of data transfer, and as a first instruction unit and a second instruction unit that instruct data transfer. And a transfer instruction means 290 that functions. The transfer completion detection unit 280 detects completion of data transfer between the printing apparatus 210 and the memory card drive 260. The information detected by the transfer completion detection unit 280 is sent to the transfer instruction unit 290. Further, the transfer instruction unit 290 instructs data transfer from the memory card drive 260 to the printing apparatus 210 and data transfer from the printing apparatus 210 to the computer 100 in accordance with the information sent from the transfer completion detection unit 280 and the like. .

  In this embodiment, the printer 200 employs an inkjet printing method and assumes a printer multifunction machine further provided with an image input unit and an image copy unit (not shown). However, the mode and the printing method are not limited. No. The functions of the computer 100 and the printer 200 are assigned to hardware resources such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a RAM (Random Access Memory), an electronic circuit, and the like (not shown), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the like. It may be realized by organically cooperating with various stored software. For example, the USB host units 110 and 220 and the USB device units 215 and 268 are logic circuits, and a USB controller as hardware, a USB controller driver as software, each class driver, a USB application driver, and the like cooperate. Each may function.

  2A shows a configuration of data transferred by USB from the printing apparatus 210 to the computer 100, and FIG. 2B shows a configuration of data transferred by USB from the memory card drive 260 to the printing apparatus 210. As is well known, USB Bulk-Only transfer is capable of transferring a large amount of data between a host and a device. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2A, first, a command is transmitted from the host to the device by a CBW composed of 31 bytes (command transport). For example, when the computer 100 on the host side acquires data held in the printing apparatus 210 on the device side, the CBW instructed by the address of the data to be read, the data length (L), etc. It is sent to the USB device means 215. Subsequently, the USB device unit 215 of the printing apparatus 210 analyzes the sent CBW, reads data for the data length L from the instructed data address, and transmits the data to the USB host unit 110 of the computer 100 (data transport). ). Further, the USB device unit 215 of the printing apparatus 210 indicates the validity of the data transmitted to the computer 100 and transmits a 13-byte CSW to the USB host unit 110 of the printing apparatus 210 (status transport).

  On the other hand, when the same data as in FIG. 2A is transferred by USB between the printing apparatus 210 and the memory card drive 260, the data length read in the CBW is halved as shown in FIG. L / 2) CBW is transmitted (command transport), data is transmitted (data transport), and CSW is returned (status transport). A series of steps is performed twice. In this case, since the USB host unit 220 and the USB device unit 215 of the printing apparatus 210 are independent logic circuits and can be processed in parallel, the data to be transferred is divided into two as shown in FIG. The CBW2 and data 2 transmission from the memory card drive 260 to the printing apparatus 210 and the data 1 transmission process from the printing apparatus 210 to the computer 100 are processed in parallel over the TL, thereby enabling data transfer. It is known to be accelerated. The method for transferring data in this way is omitted because it is not the gist of the present invention (see, for example, JP 2006-215891 A).

FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the flow of data transfer processing by the information processing system 10. In this case, for example, the memory card 265 is mounted in the memory card drive 260, and predetermined data held in the memory card 265 is transferred to the computer 100 by an operation instruction from the operation instruction unit 130 by the user. Assume that the data is transferred.
First, at T0, a task for controlling transfer between the computer 100 and the printing apparatus 210 (hereinafter abbreviated as one task) receives CBW0 transmitted from the computer 100, analyzes the command, and at T1, A message is sent to the task that controls the transfer between the printing apparatus 210 and the memory card drive 260 (hereinafter abbreviated as the other task). Subsequently, the other task creates one CBW1 in which the data length specified in CBW0 is halved (L / 2), and sends it to the memory card drive 260. The CBW 1 instructs to transfer one of the data 1 and the data 2 obtained by dividing the data into two from the memory card drive 260 to the printing apparatus 210. Subsequently, at T2, according to this instruction, data 1 stored in the designated area of the memory card 265 is transmitted to a predetermined buffer area of the printing apparatus 210.

  Subsequently, at T <b> 3, the transfer completion detection unit 280 detects the completion of transmission of data 1 to the printing apparatus 210 and notifies the transfer instruction unit 290 of the completion. Upon receiving this notification, the transfer instruction unit 290 instructs the other task to transfer the data 1 held in the predetermined buffer area of the printing apparatus 210 to the computer 100. That is, the transfer instruction unit 290 instructs the other task to send a message to the other task that there is data to be sent from the printing apparatus 210 to the computer 100. In the present embodiment, this message indicates that transmission from the memory card drive 260 to the printing apparatus 210 has been completed, a data address where the transmitted data is stored, and the like.

  One task receives a message sent from the other task, starts transmission of data 1 held in the printing apparatus 210 to the computer 100, and sends a message to the other task that the transmission is started at T4. send. Here, since the USB device means 215 for transferring data to the computer 100 and the USB host means 220 can perform parallel processing, the other task does not wait for the end of transmission of the data 1 to the computer 100, After receiving a message from the task, the memory card drive 260 instructs the printing apparatus 210 to transmit CSW1.

Subsequently, at T5, the transmission of CSW1 is completed, and the other task sends the transmission result included in CSW1 as a message to one task. One task determines the validity of the data 1 from the transmission result, and reflects it in a flag indicating the validity of the data 1, for example.
Subsequently, at T6, the other task creates the other CBW2 in which the data length designated in CBW0 is halved (L / 2), and based on the created CBW2, the other data 2 is stored in the memory card drive 260. From the printer to the printing apparatus 210. Next, at T7, according to this instruction, the data 2 stored in the designated area of the memory card 265 is transmitted to a predetermined buffer area of the printing apparatus 210.

Subsequently, at T <b> 8, the transfer completion detection unit 280 detects completion of transmission of the data 2 to the printing apparatus 210 and notifies the transfer instruction unit 290. Upon receiving this notification, the transfer instruction unit 290 instructs the other task to transmit the data 2 held in the predetermined buffer area of the printing apparatus 210 to the computer 100. That is, the transfer instruction unit 290 instructs the other task to send a message to the one task that there is data to be transmitted from the printing apparatus 210 to the computer 100.
One task receives the message sent from the other task, starts transmission of the data 2 held in the printing apparatus 210 to the computer 100, and sends a message to the other task that transmission is started at T9. . The other task receives a message from one task without waiting for the end of transmission of data 1 to the computer 100, and then receives the message from one task, that is, the memory card drive 260 sends the CSW2 to the printing apparatus 210. Instruct to send.

Subsequently, at T10, transmission of CSW2 is completed, and the other task sends the transmission result included in CSW2 as a message to one task. One task determines the validity of the data 2 from the transmission result and reflects it in a flag indicating the validity of the data 2.
Finally, at T11, one task creates CSW0 from the flag indicating the validity of the data 1 and the flag indicating the validity of the data 2, and transmits it to the computer 100, whereby the data transfer in the information processing system 10 is performed. The process ends. Note that data held in a predetermined buffer area of the printing apparatus 210 is appropriately deleted.
In this way, the computer 100 can read the data stored in the memory card 265 attached to the memory card drive 260 of the printer 200 at high speed, so that the processing per unit time of the information processing system 10 can be performed. In addition to realizing higher speed, it is possible to reduce the time that the computer 100 waits until the computer 100 reads the data in the memory card 265.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to this embodiment, and includes design changes and the like within a scope not departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the information processing apparatus is not limited to the printer 200 and may be an electronic device including the USB host unit 220.

The figure which shows the function structure of the information processing system which concerns on embodiment. (A) shows the configuration of data transferred from the printing apparatus to the computer by USB, and (b) shows the configuration of data transferred from the memory card drive to the printing apparatus by USB. The timing diagram explaining the flow of the process of the data transfer by an information processing system. The timing diagram explaining the flow of processing of the conventional data transfer.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information processing system, 100 ... Computer, 110, 220 ... USB host means, 120, 230 ... Root port, 125 ... USB cable, 130 ... Operation instruction means, 200 ... Printer, 210 ... Printing device, 215, 268 ... USB Device means 250 ... USB hub, 255A to 255D ... port, 260 ... memory card drive, 265 ... memory card, 270 ... control means, 280 ... transfer completion detection means, 290 ... transfer instruction means.

Claims (5)

A first device having a first host device;
A second device having a first target device connected to the first host device via a serial bus and having a second host device;
A third apparatus having a second target device connected to the second host device via a serial bus;
First instruction means for instructing transfer of a data part from the third apparatus to the second apparatus and status information relating to the transfer of the data part;
Second instruction means for instructing transfer of a data portion from the second device to the first device;
Detecting means for detecting completion of transfer of the data portion from the third device to the second device;
When the first instruction unit issues an instruction to transfer one data part and status information related to the transfer of the one data part, the second instruction unit is configured such that the detection unit is the first data part. When the completion of transfer is detected, the transfer of the data portion of 1 is instructed,
The first instruction means directs transfer of status information related to transfer of the first data part without waiting for completion of transfer of the first data part to the first device. Processing system. The information processing system according to claim 1,
The information processing system, wherein the serial bus is a USB. The information processing system according to claim 2,
The status information related to the transfer of the data part is a CSW. An information processing apparatus connected to a computer having a first host device,
Information processing means comprising a first target device connected to the first host device via a serial bus, and a second host device;
Data reading means comprising a second target device connected to the second host device via a serial bus;
First instruction means for instructing transfer of a data portion from the data reading means to the information processing means and status information relating to the transfer of the data portion;
Second instruction means for instructing transfer of a data portion from the information processing apparatus to the computer;
Detecting means for detecting completion of transfer of the data portion from the data reading means to the information processing means,
When the first instruction unit issues an instruction to transfer one data part and status information related to the transfer of the one data part, the second instruction unit is configured such that the detection unit is the first data part. When the completion of transfer is detected, the transfer of the data portion of 1 is instructed,
The first instructing unit instructs transfer of status information related to transfer of the first data part without waiting for completion of transfer of the first data part to the computer. . A first apparatus having a first host device connected to one serial bus; a first target device connected to the one serial bus; and a second host device connected to the other serial bus. A data transfer method for an information processing system comprising: a second device; and a third device having a second target device connected to the other serial bus,
Transferring one data held in the third device and to be transferred to the first device to the second device;
Detecting completion of transfer of the first data to the second device;
If the completion of the transfer is detected, transferring the first data transferred to the second device to the first device;
Transferring the next data held in the third device and transferred to the first device to the second device without waiting for completion of the transfer of the first data to the first device. A data transfer method for an information processing system.

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