JP2016192011A - Electronic apparatus and memory management program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an electronic device and a memory management program capable of appropriately executing a multitask function even with a small memory capacity.
A control unit that executes a job including a plurality of processes, a memory that secures a work area for executing the process, a memory management part that secures the work area on the memory, The amount of the work area necessary for execution of each process is grasped, and the work area necessary for the process to be executed is secured in the memory management unit, and after the completion of one process, execution of the next process is performed. And a job management unit that instructs the memory management unit to adjust the amount of the work area that has already been secured in the completed processing to the amount necessary for the next processing.
[Selection] Figure 6

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that performs processing using a memory and a memory management program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in electronic devices that perform information processing, particularly embedded devices, there are various ways to perform processing efficiently in a situation where there is little memory capacity to secure an area for processing (memory resources are not sufficient). Have been devised.

  For example, in the technology disclosed in Patent Document 1, in an information processing apparatus in which a plurality of tasks share a certain amount of memory and perform multitask processing, when a task requests memory, there is no free space in the memory. A memory release request is issued to another task that has already secured an area in memory, and the released memory area is immediately allocated to the task that requested the memory.

  For this reason, the information processing apparatus using the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 can execute the multitask function even when the memory capacity is small.

JP 9-62566 A

  However, in the technique of Patent Document 1, when Task 1 secures an area on the memory and performs processing, Task 2 newly requests a work area on the memory, and Task 1 used the area. Is released and assigned to task 2, task 2 can start processing, but task 1 cannot be processed.

  For this reason, in order for task 1 to resume processing, it has been necessary to wait until the processing of task 2 is completed and memory is allocated to task 1 again.

  In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a memory management program capable of appropriately executing a multitask function even with a small memory capacity.

  To achieve the above object, an electronic device according to an aspect of the present invention includes a control unit that executes a job including a plurality of processes, a memory that secures a work area for executing the processes, and the memory On top of this, a memory management unit that secures the work area, grasps the amount of the work area necessary for execution of each process, and allows the memory management part to secure the work area necessary for the process to be executed, After the completion of one of the processes, the memory management unit adjusts the amount of the work area already secured in the completed process to the amount necessary for the next process when the next process is executed. A job management unit for instructing Therefore, the multitask (multijob) function can be appropriately executed even with a small memory capacity.

  In order to achieve the above object, a memory management program according to an aspect of the present invention secures a work area for executing a process on the memory when a job including a plurality of processes is executed on the control unit. , Grasp the amount of the work area necessary for execution of each process, and after the completion of one of the processes, the amount of the work area already secured in the completed process when the next process is executed Then, the computer is caused to execute a procedure for adjusting to an amount necessary for the next processing.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the multitask function can be appropriately executed even with a small memory capacity.

1 is a configuration diagram of an electronic device 10. It is a figure which shows the functional block implement | achieved by CPU11. It is a figure which shows the condition where each job uses memory by typical technique. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the memory management performed by a typical technique. It is a figure which shows the condition where each job uses memory by the technique of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the flow of the memory management performed by the technique of this invention.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  In the following description, the configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described first, then the memory management method according to a typical technique and the flow of processing by the management method will be described, and finally A memory management method in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a flow of processing by the management method will be described.

  In the above description, one process is referred to as a task and multiple processes are referred to as multitasking in connection with performing a plurality of processes in parallel. In the following description, one process is referred to as a multitask. Calling a job and processing in parallel are called multi-jobs.

  For example, when an electronic apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is realized as an image forming apparatus (MFP, Multifunction Peripheral), a copy process for scanning a paper document, editing an image, and printing, a PC (Personal Computer), or the like A print process for printing data received from the host computer is a single job.

  Copy processing can be broadly divided into input processing until a paper document is scanned and read into memory, and editing processing that is performed after the input processing is completed and the image data read into memory is edited and printed. I can do it.

  In the image forming apparatus, for example, a copy process and a print process can be simultaneously performed as a multi-job.

  In the following description, it is assumed that an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention performs a copy process (hereinafter referred to as job 1) for performing an input process and an edit process, and a print process (hereinafter referred to as job 2). ,explain.

[Constitution]
Next, the configuration of the electronic device 10 will be described. FIG. 1 shows a configuration diagram of the electronic device 10.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an operation input unit 14, a communication unit 15, a display unit 16, and A storage unit 17 is provided, and these blocks are connected via a bus 18. Note that the RAM 13 and the memory are the same.

  The ROM 12 stores a plurality of programs and data such as firmware for executing various processes. The RAM 13 is used as a work area for the CPU 11 and temporarily holds an OS (Operating System), various applications being executed, and various data corresponding to jobs being processed.

  The storage unit 17 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a flash memory, or other nonvolatile memory. The storage unit 17 stores an OS, various applications, and various data.

  The communication unit 15 is connected to a network for exchanging information with an external PC or the like.

  The CPU 11 expands a program corresponding to a command given from an external PC or the operation input unit 14 among the plurality of programs stored in the ROM 12 or the storage unit 17 in the RAM 13, and displays the display unit according to the expanded program. 16 and a control unit that appropriately controls the storage unit 17.

  The operation input unit 14 is, for example, a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, and other operation devices.

  The display unit 16 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, an EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, a plasma display, or the like.

  Next, functional blocks realized by executing a program in the CPU 11 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating functional blocks realized by the CPU 11.

  Functional blocks implemented in the CPU 11 of the electronic device 10 are a job management unit 11a and a memory management unit 11b.

  The job management unit 11 a manages each job executed by the CPU 11. Each job may consist of a plurality of processes. More specifically, execution of each process included in a job designated by the user is started or ended. In addition, when the input process executed first in the copy process, for example, the copy process is completed, the job management unit 11a receives a completion notification from the job and recognizes which process in each job is executed. May be possible.

  The memory management unit 11b receives a request to secure a work area of the memory to be used from each process of each job, and secures the requested amount of work area in the memory to be used by the job. In addition, the memory management unit 11b adjusts the amount of the work area to be secured to the amount necessary for the next process of the job when the work area is already secured for the processing with the job, A work area release request is accepted, and a specified amount of work area is released.

  The configuration of the electronic device 10 has been described above.

[About memory usage by typical technology]
Next, a case where each job uses a memory according to a typical technique will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a situation in which each job uses a memory according to a typical technique.

  In a typical technique, the job 1 that has been executed first secures a work area 13a used for input processing and a work area 13b used for editing processing in advance.

  Therefore, the work area 13c that can be used by the job 2 is the remainder obtained by subtracting the input process work area 13a and the edit process work area 13b from the entire RAM 13, and is considerably reduced.

  If the work area that can be used by job 2 is too small, job 2 may not be performed concurrently with job 1 in some cases.

  The case where each job uses a memory has been described above using typical techniques.

[Flow of memory management by typical technology]
Next, the flow of memory management performed by a typical technique will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of memory management performed by a typical technique.

  First, the job management unit 11a requests the memory management unit 11b for a work area required for job 1 input processing and editing processing, and the memory management unit 11b is necessary for all processing of job 1 on the RAM 13. A work area is secured (step S1).

  Next, the job management unit 11a causes the job 1 to execute input processing (step S2).

  Next, the job management unit 11a determines whether or not the input process for the job 1 has been completed (step S3).

  If the input process for job 1 has not been completed (N in step S3), the job management unit 11a returns to step S2 and causes job 1 to continue the input process.

  When the input process for job 1 has been completed (Y in step S3), the job management unit 11a causes job 1 to execute an editing process that is the next process for job 1 (step S4).

  Next, the job management unit 11a determines whether or not the editing process for the job 1 is completed (step S5).

  If the editing process for job 1 has not been completed (N in step S5), the job management unit 11a returns to step S4 and causes job 1 to continue the editing process.

  If the editing process for job 1 has been completed (Y in step S5), the job management unit 11a requests the memory management unit 11b to release the work area reserved for job 1, and the memory The management unit 11b releases the work area reserved for job 1 (step S6).

  The flow of memory management performed by a typical technique has been described above.

  In the above description, the operations of the job management unit 11a and the memory management unit 11b are described when a typical technique is used, and the electronic device 10 according to the present embodiment is described. The original operations of the job management unit 11a and the memory management unit 11b are not described. The original operations of the job management unit 11a and the memory management unit 11b will be described later.

[Use of memory by the technology of the present invention]
Next, a case where each job uses a memory according to the technique of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a situation in which each job uses a memory according to the technique of the present invention.

  In the technique of the present invention, unlike the typical technique described above, the amount of work area secured on the RAM 13 changes as the processing of job 1 progresses.

  Initially, when job 1 performs input processing, the memory management unit 11b has a work area 13a used in input processing as a work area reserved for job 1 on the RAM 13, as shown on the left side of FIG. Only to ensure.

  Therefore, the remaining work area 13d that can be used in job 2 is larger than the remaining work area 13c in the case of using a typical technique, and job 2 is likely to be executed in parallel.

  Next, when job 1 performs an editing process, the memory management unit 11b stores a work area 13b used in the editing process on the RAM 13 as a work area reserved for the job 1, as shown on the right side of FIG. Only to ensure.

  Specifically, the memory management unit 11b temporarily releases the work area 13a and secures the work area 13b. Alternatively, the memory management unit 11b secures the work area 13b by releasing an area other than the area necessary for the editing process of the job 1 in the work area 13a.

  For example, in an image forming apparatus, in an input process for reading a paper document, the user does not know in advance what size paper is to be read, so it is necessary to secure an input work area that matches the maximum size paper. is there. However, in the editing process for printing the read data, it is sufficient to secure the work area by an amount corresponding to the actual paper size, so the amount of work area to be secured may be reduced from the amount necessary for the input process. Many.

  Therefore, the remaining work area 13e that can be used in job 2 is from the remaining work area 13c when a typical technique is used or the remaining work area 13d when an input process is performed using the technique of the present invention. And the job 2 is likely to be executed simultaneously in parallel.

  The case where each job uses a memory according to the technology of the present invention has been described above.

[Flow of memory management by the technology of the present invention]
Next, the flow of memory management performed by the technique of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of memory management performed by the technique of the present invention.

  First, the job management unit 11a requests only the work area necessary for the input process of job 1 from the memory management part 11b, and the memory management part 11b requests the work area necessary for the input process of job 1 on the RAM 13. Secure (step S10).

  Next, the job management unit 11a causes the job 1 to perform input processing (step S11).

  Next, the job management unit 11a determines whether or not the input process for the job 1 is completed (step S12).

  If the input process for job 1 has not been completed (N in step S12), the job management unit 11a returns to step S11 and causes job 1 to continue the input process.

  If the input process for job 1 has been completed (Y in step S12), the job management unit 11a requests the memory management unit 11b for a work area necessary for the editing process for job 1, and the memory management unit 11b Then, the work area for job 1 secured on the RAM 13 is adjusted to the amount of work area required for the editing process (step S13).

  Next, the job management unit 11a causes the job 1 to execute editing processing that is the next processing of the job 1 (step S14).

  Next, the job management unit 11a determines whether or not the editing process for the job 1 is completed (step S15).

  If the editing process for job 1 has not been completed (N in step S15), the job management unit 11a returns to step S14 and causes job 1 to continue the editing process.

  If the editing process for job 1 has been completed (Y in step S15), the job management unit 11a requests the memory management unit 11b to release the work area reserved for job 1, and the memory The management unit 11b releases the work area reserved for job 1 (step S16).

  The flow of memory management performed by the technique of the present invention has been described above.

[Additional notes]
Note that as a typical technique different from the typical technique described above, first, only the input processing memory 13a is secured in the job 1, and in the next editing process, the work area 13a secured for input processing. There is also a method of using as it is.

  In that case, although the possibility that the job 2 can be executed is higher than the memory management method according to the typical technique described above, the possibility that the job 2 can be executed is lower than the memory management method according to the present invention.

  In addition, this invention is not limited only to the above-mentioned embodiment, Of course, various changes can be added within the range which does not deviate from the summary of this invention.

10 ... Electronic equipment 11 ... CPU
11a ... Job management unit 11b ... Memory management unit 12 ... ROM
13 ... RAM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Operation input part 15 ... Communication part 16 ... Display part 17 ... Memory | storage part 18 ... Bus

Claims (2)

A control unit that executes a job consisting of a plurality of processes;
A memory in which a work area for executing the processing is secured;
A memory management unit for securing the work area on the memory;
Grasp the amount of the work area required for execution of each process,
The memory management unit secures the work area necessary for the processing to be executed,
After the completion of one of the processes, the memory management unit adjusts the amount of the work area already secured in the completed process to the amount necessary for the next process when the next process is executed. An electronic device with a job management section that directs When a job consisting of multiple processes is executed on the control unit,
A work area for executing the processing is secured on a memory,
Grasp the amount of the work area required for execution of each process,
After the completion of one process, when the next process is executed, the computer is caused to execute a procedure for adjusting the amount of the work area already secured in the completed process to an amount necessary for the next process. Memory management program.

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