JP2011059874A - Information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus that records in a storage means such as an HDD only logs whose amounts do not affect the productivity of a job regarding each basic function of the information processing apparatus. <P>SOLUTION: A log measuring unit 23 performs measurement again based on a recording level changed by a log determining unit 24. When the log determining unit 24 determines that the execution time of a job does not exceed a predetermined threshold, a log recording unit 22 records logs below the changed recording level on a RAM 122, and logs not lower than the recording level on an HDD 220. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a debug log logging technique in an information processing apparatus.

  At present, a large number of information processing devices such as MFPs (Multi Function Printers), which are multifunction devices that also have functions such as image scanners and FAX (Facsimile), are greatly improved during operation for analysis at the time of failure. A debug log is output. In a machine (for low-end use) in which an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), which is a storage medium capable of storing a large amount of data, is not installed, the debug log is often recorded on a memory. Although there is a mechanism for recording in a nonvolatile random access memory (NVRAM), which is a small-capacity nonvolatile storage medium, it is not suitable for the low end because it has a smaller capacity and is more expensive than a memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory).

  However, since the memory such as RAM has a smaller capacity than the HDD and is also a volatile storage medium, the log at the time of failure is immediately overwritten, or the log is lost due to power failure of the information processing apparatus, There are fewer logs than HDDs, and analysis efficiency may be reduced. Although it is for the low-end, the problem is that analysis efficiency is reduced when a market failure occurs.

  Therefore, in an information processing apparatus that can be added with an HDD as an option, when the HDD is added, the log is switched to be saved in the HDD, and when the HDD is disconnected again, the log is recorded in a memory such as a RAM. It is desirable if you can. That is, a log is recorded on the HDD when the optional HDD is present, and a log is recorded on a memory such as a RAM when the optional HDD is not present.

  Here, as a related technology, the added device is detected, information stored in the added device is acquired, image information corresponding to the acquired information is generated, and an image based on the generated image information is output. The technique to do is disclosed (for example, refer patent document 1).

  In addition, as a related technology, when rewriting a log on a memory such as a RAM to a hard disk, if it conflicts with the basic process of the MFP, the performance is improved by temporarily saving to NVRAM and rewriting to the hard disk after the basic process is completed. A technique is disclosed in which a log can be saved without being dropped, and the log remains even when the power is turned off because the NVRAM is a nonvolatile memory (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  However, in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the added device is automatically detected and the information recorded therein is analyzed and reflected in the output image. However, the added device is detected and the data storage destination is detected. Does not switch.

  Further, in Patent Document 2 described above, it is effective only when the log is small, and if it is large, the NVRAM area may overflow. In addition, since three-stage log writing of memory such as RAM, NVRAM, and hard disk occurs, the speed may be somewhat slow.

  In the related technology described above, it is not possible to make the log permanent by detecting the added HDD and switching the data storage destination. That is, in a machine capable of adding an HDD as an option, if an optional HDD is present, a log cannot be recorded on the HDD, and if no optional HDD is present, a log cannot be recorded on a memory such as a RAM.

  However, even if the log is recorded in the HDD with the optional HDD, the log recording in the HDD is very slow compared to the recording in the memory such as the RAM, and all the logs recorded in the memory such as the RAM are all recorded. When recorded in the HDD, there is a risk of greatly affecting jobs related to the basic functions of the information processing apparatus. That is, there is a problem in that log recording consumes the power of a central processing unit (CPU), which is a central processing unit, and productivity may not be achieved.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems of the prior art and to record only an amount of logs in a storage means such as an HDD that does not affect job productivity related to each basic function of the information processing apparatus. Is to provide.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a log measuring unit for acquiring a job log of an information processing apparatus and holding at least a recording level, and measuring a job execution time, and a job measured by the log measuring unit. A log determination unit that switches the recording level when the execution time and the threshold value are compared and the job execution time exceeds a predetermined threshold value, and a log that holds the job recording level of the information processing apparatus on the first storage unit or A log recording unit for recording on the second storage unit, and the log measurement unit performs remeasurement based on the recording level switched by the log determination unit, so that the log determination unit performs a job execution time with a predetermined threshold value. The log recording unit records the log below the switched recording level on the first storage unit, and records the log higher than the recording level on the second storage unit. It is an information processing apparatus according to claim.

  The invention described in claim 2 is the information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second storage means can be added, and a device detection unit for detecting that the second storage means is connected. And a device management unit that changes at least one of the recordable medium and the recording level of the log in accordance with the information of the second storage unit detected by the device detection unit, and the connection of the second storage unit Depending on the presence or absence of the log, the log is switched to be stored not only in the first storage means but also in the second storage means.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the information processing device according to the second aspect, a request processing unit that interprets a log acquisition request from a user and notifies the controller unit that controls the information processing device, and a request to the controller unit And a log acquisition unit that acquires the recorded log from a recording destination based on log recordable media and recording level information.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information processing apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the first storage means has a measurement log area for storing only a log holding a measurement flag, and the log The measuring unit refers to only the log stored in the measurement log area at high speed when measuring the execution time of the job.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to record only an amount of logs that do not affect job productivity related to each basic function of the information processing apparatus in a storage unit such as an HDD and make the logs permanent.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an MFP according to the present embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of an MFP according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a flow of device detection processing at the time of activation of the MFP according to the present embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the recording destination distribution process (with option HDD220) at the time of the log recording which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the recording destination distribution process (no option HDD220) at the time of the log recording which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the flow of the productivity calculation process at the time of the end of the job which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a notification to the operation part which concerns on this Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a notification to the operation part which concerns on this Embodiment.

  An MFP as an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration example of an MFP according to an embodiment of the present invention.
1 includes an external board 110, a controller 120, and an operation unit 130. The log is data that records the usage status of the information processing apparatus.

The external board 110 is a group of boards that operate independently of the controller. Here, as an example, an engine board 111 and an FCU (Facsimile Control Unit) board 112 are given.
The engine board 111 is a single board that manages the engine that is also the core of the MFP. Operation mode and operation mode control, video bus control (magnification, image processing), and the like may be performed. Keep your own engine logs.
The FCU board 112 is a single board that controls FAX communication and data exchange. Indispensable for FAX transmission / reception. Keep FCU log independently.

The controller 120 is a control unit that manages the control of the MFP 100 and the execution of various applications. It consists of H / W (Hard Ware) and S / W (Soft Ware). Here, there are two H / W components, the CPU 121 and the RAM 122.
The CPU 121 is an arithmetic processing unit. A device for executing a program stored in a RAM.
A RAM 122 serving as a first storage unit is a device that stores data and programs in the MFP 100.

  The operation unit 130 is a user interface unit of the MFP. It consists of a hard key that receives a request from the user, a touch panel that displays the result to the user, and the like.

The device 200 includes an SD Card 210 and an optional HDD 220.
The SD Card 210 is an SD card for acquiring a log. The memory card belongs to a flash memory that is a non-volatile semiconductor memory that is rewritable and does not lose data even when the power is turned off.
The option HDD 220 as the second storage means is a hard disk additionally connected as an option, and is removable. In the present embodiment, since the behavior changes depending on the presence or absence of the optional HDD 220, it is an important module.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a software configuration of the MFP according to the embodiment of this invention. Note that some hardware is also mixed for clarity.

Log management units 11 and 12 manage logs of the external board 110. Each of the engine board 111 and the FCU board 112 is uniquely present.
The log storage units 13 and 14 store logs of the external board 110. Each of the engine board 111 and the FCU board 112 is uniquely present.
Each log management unit that manages logs of the engine board 111 and the FCU board 112, which are external boards, and each control unit that communicates with them from the controller 120 and a log outside the controller 120 can also be acquired. By having a certain log acquisition unit 21, the user can acquire the log in the MFP 100 without being conscious of the inside / outside of the controller 120.

The log acquisition unit 21 receives a log acquisition request from the operation unit or the like, and executes log collection and the like. By providing a request processing unit 41 that interprets a log acquisition request from a user and notifies the controller, and a log acquisition unit 21 that acquires a requested log from a storage destination according to filter information, the user can log You can request acquisition without being aware of the storage location.
The log recording unit 22 receives a log recording request from each application, and distributes the log according to the filter information.
The log measurement unit 23 acquires a measurement log from the log area on the RAM 122 and calculates the basic function execution time when executing the basic function.
The log determination unit 24 compares and determines the basic function execution time and the threshold value, and performs processing corresponding to the determination.
The abnormality processing unit 25 receives the abnormality notification and controls / limits the operation of the MFP.
The engine control unit 26 communicates with the engine board 111.
The FCU control unit 27 communicates with the FCU board 112.
The device read / write unit 28 reads / writes data from / to the external device 200.
The device management unit 29 manages external device information and executes each control process.
The device detection unit 30 acquires information about the connected external device.
The filter information 31 stores filtering information (“recording destination”, “recording level”, “measurement flag”) at the time of log recording.
The device information 32 stores information on connected external devices.
The measurement information 33 stores the number of productivity influence measurements in the measurement mode.
The threshold 34 stores a threshold for each basic function and a threshold for the number of measurements.
The RAM 122 stores a log in part. There are a log area 35 for storing normal logs and a measurement log area 36 for storing only logs necessary for measurement.

The request processing unit 41 processes a request from the user and sends a command to the controller 120.
The display processing unit 42 processes a display processing command from the controller 120 or the like and displays it on a panel or the like.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a flow of device detection processing at the time of activation of the MFP according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, immediately after the start of activation by turning on the main power supply, the device detection unit 30 acquires device information connected to the controller (S301).

  Next, the device management unit 29 compares the device configuration information at the previous activation stored inside with the device configuration information detected this time, and checks whether there is a change (S302). If there is a change, the device management unit 29 updates the device information (S304).

  When the option HDD 220 is additionally connected, the device management unit 29 changes the log to be recorded in the HDD (option HDD 220), and further turns on the measurement flag to measure whether there is an influence on the performance. (S307).

  On the other hand, when the device is removed, the device management unit 29 changes the log to be recorded on the RAM 122 (S309).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a flow of recording destination distribution processing (with optional HDD 220) during log recording according to the embodiment of this invention. The following is a flow of processing when a log recording request is made when the option HDD 220 is connected (log storage destination separation flow).

  First, each application transmits a log holding a level, a measurement flag, and a text to the log recording unit (S401). As an example of the log format, it may be composed of a recording level, a measurement flag, and a log body.

  Next, the log recording unit 22 makes a sorting determination from the filter information 31 and the log (S402). That is, the log requested to be recorded via the request processing unit 41 that interprets the log acquisition request from the user and notifies the controller 120 is recorded at three locations ((1) the measurement log area 36 on the RAM 122, (2) on the RAM 122. The log area 35 and (3) the log area 51 on the optional HDD 220) are allocated. By having the log recording unit 22 that performs recording in accordance with the filter information 31, the designer of each application can delegate log recording without being aware of the log recording destination (such as RAM or HDD). Note that the filter information 31 is not read from the storage location every time and is stored in the memory, which is suitable for speeding up.

The log measurement unit 23 determines whether or not the measurement mode is set (S403), and in the measurement mode, when the log requested to be recorded has a measurement flag (S404 / ON), the log is stored in the measurement-specific special area on the RAM 122 (S404 / ON). It is stored in the measurement log area 36) (S406). A separate frame is stored to calculate each processing time from the log.
On the other hand, if there is no measurement flag in the log requested to be recorded (S404 / OFF), it is handled as a normal log.

  The log determination unit 24 compares the log level requested to be recorded with the filter level (S405), and if it is an important log higher than the filter level, it is made permanent on the option HDD 220 (S408). Otherwise, it is circularly stored in the log area 35 on the RAM 122 (S407).

That is, when the measurement mode (filter information.measurement flag = ON) and the measurement flag of the log requested to be recorded are ON, the log is stored in (1).
When the measurement mode (filter information. Measurement flag = ON) and the measurement flag of the log requested to be recorded is OFF, it is handled as a normal log recording request.
In the case of a normal log recording request, the filter information. If it is above the level, it is permanently saved in (3), otherwise it is cyclically saved in (2).

  FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a flow of recording destination distribution processing (without option HDD 220) at the time of log recording according to the embodiment of the present invention. A flow of processing when a log recording request is made when the option HDD 220 is not connected (log storage destination separation flow) is shown below.

  First, each application transmits a log holding a level, a measurement flag, and a text to the log recording unit (S501). As an example of the log format, it may be composed of a level, a measurement flag, and a log body.

  Next, the log recording unit 22 makes a sorting determination from the filter information 31 and the log (S502). That is, since there is no option HDD 220, the log requested to be recorded is distributed to two locations ((1) the measurement log area 36 on the RAM 122 and (2) the log area 35 on the RAM 122). Note that the filter information 31 is not read from the storage location every time and is stored in the memory, which is suitable for speeding up.

The log measurement unit 23 determines whether or not the measurement mode is selected (S503). In the measurement mode, when the log requested to be recorded has a measurement flag (S504 / ON), the log is stored in a special measurement area (dedicated to measurement on the RAM) (S504 / ON). It is stored in the measurement log area 36) (S505). A separate frame is stored to calculate each processing time from the log.
On the other hand, if there is no measurement flag in the log requested to be recorded (S504 / OFF), it is handled as a normal log. It is circularly stored in the log area 35 on the RAM 122 (S407).

  That is, when the measurement mode (filter information.measurement flag = ON) and the measurement flag of the log requested to be recorded are ON, the log is stored in (1). Otherwise, it is stored cyclically in (2).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of productivity calculation processing at the end of each job, which is each basic function of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment of this invention. The flow of processing for calculating the influence on job execution time (productivity) when each job (copy, FAX, printer, etc.) is executed is shown below.

  The process is started upon receiving the job completion notification. First, the log measurement unit 23 checks the measurement flag in the filter information 31 (S601). If not in measurement mode, do nothing.

  In the measurement mode, the log measurement unit 23 compares the measurement count of the measurement information 33 with the threshold 34 (S603).

  The log measurement unit 23 acquires the job log from the measurement log area 36 on the RAM 122, and calculates the job execution time (S604).

  The log determination unit 24 compares the execution time with the threshold 34 of the job (S605).

  When execution time> threshold (S606 / TRUE), that is, when the productivity of the job is affected, the log determination unit 24 increases the recording level of the filter information 31 by one rank (S607).

  When the recording level is not higher than the maximum level (S608 / FALSE), the log measurement unit 23 clears the measurement count of the measurement information 33 (S609).

  The log determination unit 24 notifies the display processing unit 42 of the operation unit 130 that the log recording level has been increased (S610). An example of notification to the operation unit 130 is shown in FIG. When the recording level is increased by one step, a belt-like alert level as shown in FIG. 7 may be used.

On the other hand, when the recording level is greater than the maximum level (S608 / TRUE), the log determination unit 24 notifies the display processing unit 42 of the operation unit 130 of an error in which the log cannot be recorded in the option HDD 122 (S611). An example of notification to the operation unit 130 is shown in FIG. If the recording level exceeds the maximum and log recording cannot be performed, an error display as shown in FIG. 8 may be displayed.
That is, when the productivity is affected, the recording level of the filter information 31 is increased and measurement is continued, and when the recording level exceeds the prescribed maximum level, error processing is performed.

  The recording level of the filter information 31 is set to a value higher than the maximum level (S612), the log measurement unit turns off the measurement flag in the filter information 31 (S613), and the log measurement unit 23 produces the abnormality processing unit 25. Delegation error processing is delegated (S614).

  When the execution time is not greater than the threshold value (S606 / FALSE), that is, when there is no influence on the productivity of the job, the log measurement unit 23 increments the number of measurements of the measurement information 33 (S615).

If the number of measurements is not greater than the threshold value (S616 / FALSE), the measurement mode ends when the specified number of measurements is completed.
On the other hand, when the number of times of measurement> the threshold value (S616 / TRUE), the log measuring unit 23 turns off the measurement flag in the filter information 31 to turn off the measurement mode (S617).

  Log recording to the HDD is much slower than recording to the memory, and if all the logs recorded in the memory are recorded in the HDD, the basic functions of the information processing apparatus may be greatly affected. Until now, the CPU power was consumed for log recording, and productivity could not be achieved. However, according to the above-described embodiment, an amount of log that does not affect the productivity of each basic function is found and recorded in the HDD. That is, when the HDD is added, the productivity of each basic function is measured using a previously prepared log. If productivity cannot be achieved, increase the log level to be recorded and re-measure. Those below the recording log level are recorded on the memory, and those above the log level are recorded on the HDD. By repeating this, it is possible to determine an optimum level within a range in which productivity can be achieved. As a result, logs with high importance are permanently stored in the HDD, and those with low importance are circularly recorded in the memory.

  Each embodiment described above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and various modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, processing for realizing the functions of the apparatus may be performed by causing the apparatus to read and execute a program for realizing the functions of the information processing apparatus. In addition, the program is transmitted by a transmission wave via a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory) or magneto-optical disk as a computer-readable recording medium, or via the Internet or a telephone line as a transmission medium. May be transmitted to other computer systems. Further, a mode in which functions are distributed by an additional device is also within the scope of the present invention.

100 MFP
110 External board 120 Controller 130 Operation unit 111 Engine board 112 FCU board 121 CPU
122 RAM
200 devices 210 SD Card
220 Option HDD

JP 11-348380 A JP 2008-166899 A

Claims (6)

A log measurement unit that acquires a log of information processing apparatus jobs and retains at least a recording level, and measures a job execution time;
A log determination unit that compares and determines a job execution time measured by the log measurement unit and a threshold, and switches a recording level when the job execution time exceeds a predetermined threshold; and
A log recording unit that records a log that holds a recording level of a job of the information processing apparatus on the first storage unit or the second storage unit;
The log measurement unit re-measures based on the recording level switched by the log determination unit, and the log recording unit when the log determination unit determines that the execution time of the job does not exceed a predetermined threshold The information processing apparatus is characterized in that a log lower than the switched recording level is recorded on the first storage means, and a log higher than the recording level is recorded on the second storage means. . An information processing apparatus capable of adding the second storage means,
A device detector for detecting that the second storage means is connected;
A device management unit that changes at least one of the recordable medium of the log and the recording level according to the information of the second storage means detected by the device detection unit;
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein switching is performed so that the log is stored not only in the first storage unit but also in the second storage unit depending on whether or not the second storage unit is connected. A request processing unit that interprets a log acquisition request from a user and notifies a controller unit that controls the information processing apparatus;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: a log acquisition unit that acquires a log requested from the controller unit from a recording destination based on the recordable medium of the log and the information of the recording level. The first storage means has a measurement log area for storing only a log holding a measurement flag;
The information according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the log measurement unit refers to only the log stored in the measurement log area at high speed when measuring the execution time of a job. Processing equipment.   5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a display processing unit that notifies a user that the log affects the execution time of the job. Provided outside the controller unit that controls the own information processing apparatus, and includes an external board having a log management unit that manages the log of the own external board,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the log measurement unit acquires a log of the external board from the log management unit and measures a job execution time.

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