JP2009258986A - Content-reproducing device and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technology which can improve adaptability to various kinds of information processing without lowering responsiveness at the time of start-up. <P>SOLUTION: A content-reproducing device 4, which is mounted in a vehicle 2, includes: a device part 6 (7) which reads the data of a recording medium, to which content is recorded, and processes the data; and a processor part 5 which executes a computer program to control the operation of the device part 6 (7) and process the data which the device part 6 (7) reads. The processor part 5 includes: a first processor 5A which operates a first operating system which can execute a computer program for processing data read out by the device part 6 (7); and a second processor 5B which operates a second operating system which can execute a computer program which starts up the device part 6 (7), the second processor 5B starting up the second operating system in a time period shorter than a time period that the first operating system requires to start up the first processor 5A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a content reproduction apparatus and an electronic device.

Audiovisual equipment that handles content such as video and audio is required to have not only content playback and recording functions, but also various functions such as communication functions and copyright management functions. For example, a Blu-ray Disc player that plays a Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark), which is an optical disc standard that uses a blue-violet semiconductor laser, realizes an interactive interactive function and the like. ray Disc Java) is required. Examples of providing an environment for executing such software include Linux (registered trademark), which is an open source OS in which various components such as a network are prepared. As a technique for executing the OS, a technique for executing a plurality of OSs with a single computer has been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 and 2).
JP-A-5-53833 JP 2004-46474 A

An electronic device that operates with an embedded OS (Embedded Operating System) is required to operate with a built-in microcomputer processing information within a predetermined time. As a real-time OS for realizing this, for example, an OS conforming to the specification of ITRON (Industrial TRON) is used.

  Here, when an open source OS such as Linux is used as an embedded OS, it is possible to expect a significant reduction in development man-hours by utilizing the abundant components already prepared. There are concerns about the increase in required time. Such a concern can also occur in an electronic device mounted on a vehicle. On the other hand, when a real-time OS is used as an embedded OS for audiovisual equipment, there is no such concern, but it is necessary to develop and improve all components for realizing a wide variety of functions. It is difficult to follow the technology. If it is a home electronic device, even if the power is turned off, the current can be kept flowing through the memory etc. so that the data can be retained and the startup time when the power is turned on can be shortened. In the case of an electronic device to be used, it is not preferable to consume power during standby because the capacity of the in-vehicle battery is finite. However, in the case of electronic equipment mounted on a vehicle, the power supply of the car is turned on and off by stopping at a convenience store, bank, etc., and startup and stop are performed more frequently than home electronic equipment, so enormous startup processing each time It is troublesome to generate the waiting time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of enhancing adaptability to various information processing without reducing response at the time of activation.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides at least two processors, and one of the processors is configured to operate with an operating system having a fast startup time.

Specifically, it is a content playback apparatus mounted on a vehicle, and includes a device unit that reads and processes data of a recording medium on which content is recorded, and controls the operation of the device unit by executing a computer program. A processor unit that executes processing of data read by the device unit, and the processor unit operates a first operating system capable of executing a computer program that processes data read by the device unit. A second processor in which a processor and a second operating system capable of executing a computer program for starting up the device unit operate, the time required for the first processor to start up the first operating system. The second operating system in a short time It has a second processor for moving, the.

  Since electronic devices mounted on vehicles are more frequently started and stopped than electronic devices used at home and the like, quick response at the time of starting is required. Here, when content is reproduced based on data recorded on a recording medium, the time required for processing varies depending on the content of data to be processed and the content of the processing method. Such a change in processing time is caused by the amount of content data recorded on the recording medium, the scale of the program for data processing, and the like, and varies depending on the content of the content and the content of the computer program to be upgraded. Therefore, it is difficult to obtain a temporal predictability from a processor that manages such processing. However, while it is difficult for a processor that performs such processing to provide temporal predictability, since there is no restriction on task processing time, it is possible to flexibly handle various processing. In other words, it is possible to improve the adaptability of information processing. The first processor is provided to realize such a request, and manages the processing of data of various contents whose contents differ depending on the recording medium. The first processor is a processor on which a first operating system capable of executing various computer programs for processing such content data operates. In addition, the content as used in the field of this invention shows all the information which can be enjoyed by a user, for example, a video, an audio | voice, a game, etc. The device section indicates a single device or a plurality of devices that read and process data on a recording medium on which content is recorded, and includes any device such as an optical disk drive, a communication interface, and a codec that reads an optical disk. It can be illustrated. Note that the device unit in the content playback apparatus is limited to a device that reads and processes data on a recording medium on which content is recorded, but the device unit in the present application is a device that realizes such a function. Without being limited thereto, in an electronic device including a processor, the term “device unit” is used to indicate a component other than the processor. That is, the device unit referred to in the present application refers to components other than the processor among the components of the electronic device. In the present application, the processor includes any electronic circuit that can execute a computer program.

  By the way, electronic devices mounted on vehicles require quick response because they are frequently started and stopped. Requesting the first processor for quick response inhibits the adaptability of information processing. To do. That is, since the first operating system that can handle various information processing is generally complicated, it takes a long time to start the operating system. When the system is required to be responsive at the time of startup, use of such an operating system is not preferable, but it is difficult for a simple operating system that can be started up in a short time to cope with various information processing. Therefore, in order to satisfy such a requirement, the content reproduction apparatus includes a second processor on which a second operating system that can be activated in a shorter time than the first operating system operates. This processor is for starting up the device unit in a short time, and such a function executes, for example, a computer program related to the start-up process of the device unit by a second processor operating under a real-time operating system. This can be realized. This makes it possible to shorten the time required for the start-up process among the processes related to the control of the device of the electronic device that operates under the so-called embedded operating system. It becomes possible to improve adaptability to various information processing.

  In addition, since the second processor requires less processing amount to start up than the first operating system, the first processor starts up the first operating system. The second operating system may be started up in a time shorter than the time required for. Since the second operating system requires less processing to start than the first operating system, the second processor can start the operating system in a shorter time than the first processor.

  The first processor starts the first operating system when the content playback apparatus is turned on, and then executes a computer program for processing data read by the device unit. The processor may execute a computer program for starting the device unit after starting the second operating system when the power of the content reproduction apparatus is turned on. As a result, the computer program that controls the device unit is executed preferentially, so that even if the computer program that processes the data read by the device unit takes a long time to start, the device unit operates quickly. It becomes possible to make it.

  In addition, the second processor may execute a computer program for starting the device unit by starting the second operating system before the first processor completes starting the first operating system. You may make it perform. This makes it possible to quickly start processing data on the recording medium when a computer program that processes data read by the device unit is executed.

  Here, the device unit includes a reading device that reads data of the recording medium, and the second processor starts up the second operating system when the content playback device is turned on, and then You may make it run the computer program which starts a reader.

  Since a reading device that reads data on a recording medium requires drive mechanisms for reading data, the drive mechanisms need to be activated quickly. This is because the start of data processing is delayed. Therefore, when the second processor executes the reading device startup process that greatly affects the startup speed of the content playback device, it is necessary to start up the content playback device that operates under a so-called embedded operating system. The time can be shortened.

  In addition, the device unit includes a communication interface that communicates with an audiovisual apparatus that reproduces the content based on data processed by the first processor, and the second processor includes a power source of the content reproduction apparatus. When turned on, after starting the second operating system, a computer program for starting the communication interface may be executed.

  A content playback apparatus mounted on a vehicle often has an operation unit shared with other electronic devices installed in the passenger compartment because the area of the operation surface is limited. Therefore, when cooperating with such audiovisual equipment as a peripheral device via a communication interface, a communication interface for communicating with these audiovisual equipment is quickly activated, so It is possible to prevent wrinkles from occurring in communication. Note that the audiovisual device is a device that can use content processed by the content reproduction device as a shared resource by cooperating with the content reproduction device, for example, a communication interface of the content reproduction device. Is an electronic device that requires that a communication line be established within a certain time.

  The second operating system may be a real time operating system. Here, the real-time operating system refers to an operating system for an arithmetic processing unit that controls a device, which is a component constituting an electronic device, that processes a task within a certain time. When the second processor executes the task under such an operating system, it is possible to provide a predictability of the processing time required for the startup process.

  The present invention further includes a device unit that executes predetermined processing and a processor unit that controls processing executed by the device unit by executing a computer program, and the processor unit is executed by the device unit. A first processor that operates a first operating system capable of executing a computer program that controls processing, and a second operating system that operates a second operating system capable of executing a computer program for starting the device unit A second processor that activates the second operating system in a shorter time than the time required for the first processor to activate the first operating system. Good. Moreover, you may combine suitably the component described in description of each said content reproduction apparatus.

  A first processor that can flexibly adapt to various types of information processing when a control of one or a plurality of devices constituting the electronic apparatus is executed by the processor, and a second processor that operates with an operating system with a fast startup time By coordinating and controlling these devices, it becomes possible to improve adaptability to various information processing without reducing the response at the time of activation.

  It is possible to improve adaptability to various information processing without reducing the response at the time of activation.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described by way of example. Embodiment shown below is an illustration and this invention is not limited to these.

<System configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a BD player system 1 (BD: Blu-ray Disc (registered trademark)) to which a content playback apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in FIG. 1, the BD player system 1 is mounted on a vehicle 2 and includes a host 3 and a deck 4. The host 3 and the deck 4 are connected to a power source of the vehicle 2, and power is supplied when a user (occupant) turns on a key switch (accessory power switch) of the vehicle 2.

The host 3 is a main unit that provides the user with a car navigation function and an audiovisual function, and is connected to a display unit, a television antenna, a speaker, a GPS antenna (GPS: Global Positioning System), and the like (not shown). Also, the host 3 is C
It has an interface for connecting peripheral devices such as a D changer (CD: Compact Disc) and a portable music player. The host 3 accepts user operations by displaying various operation screens on the display unit, thereby accepting operations of peripheral devices connected to the interface in addition to the car navigation function and the audiovisual function.

The deck 4 is a BD player that plays back an optical disc that is a recording medium on which content such as video and sound is recorded, and is connected to the interface of the host 3. As shown in FIG. 1, the deck 4 includes two CPUs 5 </ b> A and B (Central Processing Unit), a memory, a communication interface 6 for connecting to the host 3, and an optical disk drive 7 that can read an optical disk such as a BD, CD, and DVD. Is provided.

  The CPUs 5A and 5B execute each computer program recorded in the memory, thereby controlling each device constituting the deck 4 such as the optical disk drive 7 and the communication interface 6, and controlling the data recorded on the optical disk. Circuit. When the user turns on the key switch of the vehicle 2, the CPU 5 reads an OS (Operating System) program, which is basic software recorded in the CPU 5 or a memory, and executes control of each device and data processing. An environment for executing the application program is constructed. The two CPUs 5A and 5B are configured to read different OS programs. The CPU 5A reads Linux (registered trademark), which is a general-purpose OS, and the CPU 5B reads an OS compliant with ITRON. Linux is an open source OS, and various functions can be realized by compiling abundant component programs provided on the Internet or the like. For example, Blu-ray, which is a BD standard, requires implementation of BD-J (BD-Java) (Java: registered trademark) to realize interactive content, and Linux executes such a program. Enable. On the other hand, ITRON is an OS (hereinafter simply referred to as ITRON) standard that aims to provide a predictability of processing time that can process a task within a specified time. Scheduling rules are defined so that protection is a top priority. Itron is characterized by a simpler operating system configuration and less processing required for startup than Linux. In other words, it can be said that the OS has a short startup time. The CPU 5B can be activated in a shorter time than the CPU 5A by operating in ITRON conforming to such a standard.

  The communication interface 6 is a device that is connected to the interface of the host 3 via a communication line and exchanges data between the host 3 and the deck 4. The communication interface 6 is controlled by the CPUs 5A and 5B for communication data packet flow, communication line synchronization, and the like. A component program or the like used when the CPUs 5A and 5B control the communication interface is stored in the memory in advance.

  The optical disk drive 7 is a device that can read data recorded on an optical disk such as a BD, DVD, or CD as a recording medium, a drive mechanism such as a spindle motor that rotates the optical disk, an actuator that moves an optical pickup, an optical pickup, or the like. AFE (Analog Front End) that converts the reflected light read in step 1 into an electrical signal, DSP (Digital Signal Processor) that converts an AFE analog signal into a digital signal, and the like. The optical disk drive 7 is controlled by the CPUs 5A and 5B. Note that middleware and the like for the CPUs 5A and 5B to control the optical disc drive 7 are stored in the memory in advance. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a conventional BD player system. As shown in FIG. 2, in the BD player system according to the conventional example, a deck is constituted by one CPU.

<Processing flow>
Next, the processing flow of the deck 4 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart of processing executed by each CPU 5 when the deck 4 is activated, and FIG. 4 is a ladder sequence showing the flow of information. Hereinafter, the processing flow of the deck 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 3, in order to easily understand the difference in activation time from the conventional example, the processing flow is illustrated in parallel with the processing flow of the conventional example.

(Step S <b> 101) When the user turns on the key switch of the vehicle 2 and the supply of power to the BD player system 1 is started, the host 3 and the deck 4 each start a startup process. That is, in the deck 4 for which power supply has been started by a user operation, the CPUs 5A and 5B start reading an application (such as an OS or middleware) recorded in the memory. As a result, the CPU 5A starts the Linux boot process, and the CPU 5B starts the ITRON boot process. Here, since ITRON was originally developed for industrial use, it has a faster rise time than Linux and rises within about 500 msec. On the other hand, since Linux is a general-purpose OS, the startup time is slower than that of ITRON, and it takes several seconds to several tens or hundreds of seconds from the start of startup until the OS starts up.

  (Step S102) The following processing is executed in the CPU 5B in which ITRON has been promptly started up. At this time, the startup process of Linux is still being executed in the CPU 5A. The CPU 5B having started up ITRON reads and executes the operation control program of the communication interface 6 stored in the memory, and starts the activation process of the communication interface 6. Note that the target processing time is specified in advance in this program, and the CPU 5B schedules the task so that the processing is completed within the specified processing time. When the CPU 5B completes the task of the operation control program of the communication interface 6, a communication line is established between the host 3 which is the host device of the deck 4 and the communication interface 6. As a result, a command can be received from the host 3, and various commands and disk information can be notified. When a communication line is established between the host 3 and the communication interface 6, the CPU 5B notifies the host 3 accordingly.

  (Step S103) The CPU 5B that has established a communication line with the host 3 starts accepting commands sent from the host 3 side, and reads and executes the middleware of the optical disc drive 7 stored in the memory. Then, initialization of the optical disk drive 7 (for example, start-up of the spindle motor and adjustment of the position of the optical pickup) is started. It is assumed that the Linux of CPU 5A has not yet started up at this time. The target processing time is specified in advance in this program, and the CPU 5B schedules the task so that the processing is completed within the specified processing time. When the CPU 5B completes the control program task of the optical disk drive 7, the optical disk drive 7 is ready to read the optical disk.

  (Step S104) The CPU 5B that has completed initialization of the optical disk drive 7 reads and executes a program for determining the position information of the optical disk and the type of the optical disk stored in the memory, and the disk inserted in the optical disk drive 7 Get location and type information. The CPU 5B transmits the acquired information to the host 3 via the communication interface 6. As a result, when the deck 4 is activated, tasks such as a communication interface activation process and an optical disk drive 7 activation process that should be completed promptly are quickly performed.

(Step S <b> 105) When the startup of Linux is completed, the CPU 5 </ b> A realizes an interactive function of the BD by executing an application for reproducing the data of the BD content or executing an application such as BD-J. To do. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the flow of processing of a command sent from the host 3. When the processing of step S105 is completed and both the OSs of the CPUs 5A and 5B start up, a command flow as shown by the solid line in FIG. 5 is established. Until the OS of the CPU 5A starts up, the command flow is bypass controlled as shown by the broken line in FIG. When a command related to reproduction of the optical disk or the like is received from the host 3, the optical disk drive 7 is controlled by middleware related thereto. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, a Blu-type process (that is, a reproduction process of an optical disc that is read at a short wavelength such as BD) with a large load on the CPU is processed by the CPU 5A with a low load on the CPU (that is, a red-type process) , When the CPU 5B is assigned to control the reproduction of an optical disk read at a long wavelength, such as a CD or a DVD, and it is assumed that the middleware management of the drive control is performed by the CPU 5A. However, the CPU 5B can execute the Red middleware without waiting for the startup of the OS of the CPU 5A and control the drive, thereby obtaining the disk drive status and securing the communication path without waiting for the completion of the startup of the OS of the CPU 5A. It becomes. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, when it is assumed that middleware management of drive control is performed independently by the CPUs 5A and B, a program for managing Red middleware is immediately executed. A CD or DVD can be played back without waiting for the completion of the OS startup of the CPU 5A. Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, even if the application that controls the optical disk drive 7 and the application that executes communication with the host 3 are executed by different CPUs, the Red system and the Blu system are used. It is possible to communicate with the host 3 without waiting for completion of the middleware activation.

<Effect>
As described above, according to the deck 4, a general-purpose OS such as Linux is used as an embedded OS of an electronic device, such as ensuring early communication with devices other than the deck 4 constituting the system. When it is necessary to complete a predetermined process immediately within a predetermined time after startup, there is no need for information processing such as reduction or improvement of development man-hours by using a general-purpose OS without deteriorating responsiveness at the time of unit startup. It becomes possible to increase adaptability to changes in content. In other words, by enabling effective use of middleware and other software resources already used in general-purpose OSs such as Linux, interactive functions and communication functions that are required to be installed in the Blu-ray specifications can be easily realized. It becomes possible. In addition, processing that requires completion within a certain time is processed within a specified time on an OS such as ITRON that has a fast start-up time and a high predictability of processing time. It becomes possible to improve the cooperation with other devices to be configured. For example, when other peripheral devices constituting the system, such as the host 3 that is the host device, request a response for processing such as startup within a predetermined time, these are caused by delay in the startup processing of the embedded OS. It is possible to eliminate communication traps with other peripheral devices. As a result, it becomes possible to mount more applications that were not installed from the viewpoint of shortening the startup time and the like, and it is possible to provide an electronic device capable of realizing more advanced functions. Such an effect is effective for a device that is frequently turned on and off, and is extremely useful particularly in an electronic device applied to an in-vehicle environment. In particular, in the case of an in-vehicle environment, the power that can be consumed during standby is significantly limited as compared with consumer products for home use. When the present invention is applied to an electronic device (for example, the host 3) used in such a usage environment where a complete stop of the CPU is required in the standby mode, the above-described effect is exhibited extremely effectively.

<Other application examples>
In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a BD player has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to such an embodiment, and it is necessary to quickly operate an actuator when a brake operation or the like is performed, for example, for any electronic device that requires quick response to the startup process. A control unit that numerically controls the operation of a transportation device such as an automobile, a rice cooker that requires the heater of the rice cooker to be turned off when a predetermined time has elapsed even during application upgrade, and an electronic program guide (EPG) ) Even if data is received and processed, digital lines, BD recorders, HDD recorders, game software, and music playback software that require smoothness of the displayed video and audio are being executed periodically. It can be applied to a mobile phone or the like that needs to be connected to the PC and checked for incoming calls. In the embodiment described above, the processing when the deck 4 is activated has been mainly described. However, a task that requires processing within a certain time is not limited to the task related to such activation processing, and is a dedicated OS. The CPU 5B operating under ITRON is related to display processing of received data related to disaster prevention broadcasts and the like such as emergency earthquake warnings that are preferably provided to the user as soon as they are received, in addition to the startup processing of the communication interface 6 and the optical disk drive 7, for example. A task may be processed.

The schematic block diagram of a BD player system. Schematic configuration diagram of a BD player system (conventional example). The processing flow figure at the time of deck starting. The ladder sequence diagram which shows the flow of information at the time of deck starting. The block diagram which shows the flow of a command process. The block diagram which shows the flow of a command process. The block diagram which shows the flow of a command process.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... BD player system 2 ... vehicle 3 ... host 4 ... deck 5A, B ... CPU
6: Communication interface 7: Optical disk drive

Claims (8)

A content playback device mounted on a vehicle,
A device unit that reads and processes data of a recording medium on which content is recorded;
A processor unit for executing control of the operation of the device unit and processing of data read by the device unit by executing a computer program;
The processor unit is
A first processor on which a first operating system capable of executing a computer program for processing data read by the device unit operates;
A second processor on which a second operating system capable of executing a computer program for starting the device unit operates, wherein the first processor takes less time than the time required for starting the first operating system; A second processor for booting the second operating system;
Content playback device. The second processor requires the first processor to start the first operating system because the second operating system requires less processing to start than the first operating system. Boot the second operating system in less time than the time;
The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1. The first processor executes a computer program for processing data read by the device unit after starting the first operating system when the power of the content reproduction apparatus is turned on,
The second processor executes a computer program for starting the device unit after starting the second operating system when the power of the content reproduction apparatus is turned on.
The content reproduction apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The second processor executes a computer program that activates the second operating system and activates the device unit before the first processor completes activation of the first operating system. ,
The content reproduction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The device unit includes a reading device that reads data of the recording medium,
The second processor executes a computer program for starting the reading device after starting the second operating system when the power of the content reproduction device is turned on.
The content reproduction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4. The device unit includes a communication interface that communicates with an audiovisual apparatus that reproduces the content based on data processed by the first processor;
The second processor executes a computer program for starting the communication interface after starting the second operating system when the power of the content reproduction apparatus is turned on.
The content reproduction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The second operating system is a real-time operating system;
The content reproduction apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6. A device unit for executing a predetermined process;
A processor unit that controls processing executed by the device unit by executing a computer program,
The processor unit is
A first processor on which a first operating system capable of executing a computer program for controlling processing executed by the device unit operates;
A second processor on which a second operating system capable of executing a computer program for starting up the device unit operates, and the first processor is shorter than the time required for starting up the first operating system. A second processor that boots the second operating system in time,
Electronics.

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