JP3401384B2 - Computer - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer, and more particularly, to a microcomputer, and more particularly to an external memory switching circuit and an input / output switching circuit connected to a plurality of microprocessors and a built-in microcomputer. And a microcomputer provided with an external device switching circuit. In addition, the present invention relates to a general-purpose microcomputer capable of performing different types of work at the same time. 2. Description of the Related Art A microcomputer is provided with a power supply, a main storage device and an input / output channel device in a central processing unit, is housed in a case, and is provided with a display, an auxiliary storage device and a keyboard. It is used in various fields such as measurement equipment, machine control equipment, medical equipment, communication equipment, office equipment, and home electric appliances. In order to perform such many operations in a short time, a microcomputer equipped with a plurality of microprocessors is used. [0003] However, in such a computer, when one computer performs an operation while performing another operation, the operation of the microcomputer currently being operated is performed. To interrupt and operate other microcomputers to start work, when one operator operates multiple computers, the microcomputer that always works is activated,
The operation of other microcomputers is interrupted, and peripheral devices attached to the respective microcomputers whose operation has been interrupted play, which is a problem. Also,
Such a plurality of peripheral devices require a lot of space and are expensive, which is problematic. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve a problem related to a peripheral device of a computer having a plurality of conventional computers capable of performing various operations at the same time in parallel. According to the present invention, a connector for an external storage device, a connector for an external control device, and a connector for an input / output device are provided on a board in a computer case, and operate independently of each other. a plurality of microprocessors, an external storage device connected via a switching circuit for external storage device to a connector for an external storage device of the microprocessor, the switching circuit for external control device to an external control device connector of the microprocessor An external control device connected via the I / O device, an input / output device connected to a bus connector of each microprocessor via a relay circuit and an input / output device connector, and connected to the switching circuit and the relay circuit, respectively. the switching circuit and the relay circuit, and supplies an output enable signal of the central processing unit, the switching circuit and relay circuit A built-in microcomputer for switching control, the built-in microcomputer includes a switch for selecting each microprocessor,
By the operation of the switch for selecting the microprocessor,
Switching control of the switching circuit and the relay circuit , and exclusive connection between the input / output device and the plurality of microprocessors and exclusive connection between the external storage device or the external control device and the plurality of microprocessors. Features a computer. In the present invention, two or more microprocessors are mounted on a board in a computer case, and the microprocessors are provided so as to operate independently of each other. Each microprocessor has a connector for external storage and a connector for input / output, and the external storage connector and the input / output control connector each have a switching circuit for connecting to an embedded computer. In the present invention, the switching circuit can supply a signal of a microprocessor to be used to an external device by an output permission signal from a microcontroller of the built-in microcomputer. In the present invention, a switching circuit is provided for each external device to which a signal is sent.
Printer switching circuit, CD-ROM switching circuit, CRT display device switching circuit, keyboard switching circuit, PS / 2
There are a mouse port switching circuit, a serial port switching circuit, a speaker output switching circuit, and the like. In the present invention, switching of each switching circuit can be performed by a command signal from a microcontroller. In the present invention, a plurality of external devices such as a floppy disk device (FDD), a printer, a C
D-ROM NCRT display device, keyboard, P
The S / 2 mouse port, the serial port, and the speaker each include a switching circuit, and the switching circuit replaces the processor in which the external device has been used so far with another specified processor among the plurality of processors. The processor operates to switch the connection by the microcontroller, thereby effectively using the external device. In the present invention, each of the switching circuits of a plurality of external devices is connected to an input side from among a plurality of processors.
In order to be able to selectively electrically connect one processor used for the moment to the external device, it has a plurality of input connectors connected to one output connector of each of the plurality of processors, and on the output side, A connection line for connecting to the external device is provided. In the present invention, each of the switching circuits of the plurality of external devices is provided on the input side with a switching circuit for selecting a processing device to be used for a while from among the plurality of processing devices. In the present invention, the processor can be connected to a mouse via a mouse switch when using a pointing device such as a mouse in addition to the keyboard of the input / output device. it can. Further, an LED controller can be provided to display the number of the processing device selected by the switch on the display device. In the present invention, computer peripheral devices such as an input / output device such as a keyboard and a mouse, and a display device such as a monitor can be appropriately provided according to the purpose of use. According to the present invention, at least an external storage device, an external control device, and a plurality of microprocessors are connected to a board in a computer case and a connector of each microprocessor via a switch having a switching circuit. _{And /} or an input _/ output device and a built-in microcomputer for switching control connected to the switching circuit of each switch and supplying the central processing unit output permission signal to the switching circuit. When a new job comes in while using one processor, the switching circuit is switched by the microcontroller to switch the connection from the processor in use to the other processor, and keep the operation of the processor in use as it is. Interrupt,
You can start a new job using other processors. Then, as soon as this new work is completed, the switching circuit is switched again by the microcontroller, and the interrupted work can be continued as it is. Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited by the following examples and descriptions. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows the CD-ROM in the embodiment of FIG.
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram illustrating an example of a ROM drive switching circuit. FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an example of the FDD switching circuit in the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an example of a rotation speed control signal circuit of the FDD switching circuit in the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG.
It is a schematic circuit diagram showing an example of a desk exchange signal circuit of an FDD switching circuit. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the printer switching circuit in the embodiment of FIG. 1 to 6, corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a computer 1 has three microprocessors 3
4, 5 are mounted. A CD-RO connected to a CD-ROM switching circuit 6 is provided on the front surface of the computer 1 of this embodiment.
An M drive 7, an FDD 9 connected to the FDD switching circuit 8, and a printer 11 connected to the printer switching circuit 10 are provided.
It is connected via 13 and 14 to a microcontroller 15 of an embedded microcomputer provided in the wall 2. In this example, the microcontroller has a serial communication function, and can perform external communication using a keyboard. In this embodiment, a main switch 16 for selectively connecting the microprocessors 3 to 5 to a keyboard, a monitor, a communication device, a mouse (none of which is shown), and the like is provided on the back of the computer 1. Have been.
The main switch 16 includes relay circuits 17, 18, and 19 corresponding to the microprocessors 3 to 5, respectively.
Each relay circuit includes a keyboard connection terminal 20, a monitor connection terminal 21, a communication device connection terminal 22, a mouse connection terminal 23, and a connection board 27 including a reset switch 24, a key lock switch 25, and a speaker 26.
Connected to The main switch 16 is connected to a bus connector 29, 3 of a microprocessor via a bus 28.
0, 31 and each relay circuit 17 of the main switch 16
19 to 19 are connected to the microcontroller 15 via a signal line 32, and control the relay circuits 17 to 19 to control the microprocessor bus 28 according to the command signal of the microcontroller 15 to control, for example, a keyboard. One can be selectively connected to one of the microprocessors, and the other microprocessor can be selectively connected to, for example, a monitor. The microcontroller 15 includes a selection switch 33 for the microprocessor 1, a selection switch 34 for the microprocessor 2 and a selection switch 35 for the microprocessor 3, and is connected to the keyboard connector 20 and the key lock switch 25. Keyboard connector 20 and key lock switch 2
5 can be entered. Further, the microcontroller 15 has a communication port 36 for selecting a microprocessor so that the microprocessors 3 to 5 can be selected from the outside. In this example, the key lock switch 25 is usually used to prevent keyboard input to the microprocessor, but in this example, the operation of the microcontroller 15 can also be suppressed by the key lock switch 25. By turning on the key lock switch 25 by this function, all the switching circuits are fixed, and malfunctions due to unexpected operations, data corruption on the microprocessor, and the like can be prevented.
In this case, it is desirable that a lock be used for the key lock switch 25 . These switches are where one of the processors is used,
Used when using other microprocessors,
Interrupt the operation of the microprocessor in use,
You can start a new job using other processors. The microprocessor 3 is a CD-ROM
The microprocessor 4 includes a drive terminal R ₁ , an FDD terminal F _1, and a printer terminal P _1. Similarly, the microprocessor 4 includes a CD-ROM drive terminal R ₂ , an FDD terminal F _2, and a printer terminal P ₂ The microprocessor 5 includes a CD-ROM drive terminal R ₃ ,
And a FDD terminals _{F 3} and the terminal _{P 3} printer. The keyboard terminals R ₁ , R ₂ and R ₃ of the microprocessors 3 to 5 are connected to the input units 37, 38 and 39 of the CD-ROM drive switching circuit 6, respectively.
FDD terminals F ₁ , F for microprocessors 3 to 5
₂ and F ₃ are input units 40 of the switching circuit 8 for FDD, respectively.
Microprocessor 3 connected to 41 and 42
The printer terminals P ₁ , P _2, and P ₃ are input terminals 43, 44, and 45 of the printer switch 10, respectively.
(See FIG. 1). This embodiment is configured as described above.
Now, microprocessor 3 is switched to CD-
When a new job is requested while connected to the ROM drive 7, the FDD 9 and the printer 11, when a new job is requested, the switch 34 is pressed to transfer the microprocessor 4 to the CD-ROM drive 7, the FDD 9 and the printer 11. The connection is made, new work is performed, and the work of the microprocessor 3 is kept suspended. When the work by the microprocessor 4 has been completed, the switch 33 is pressed to replace the microprocessor 3 with the CD-ROM.
Connect to drive 7, FDD 9 and printer 11,
Continue doing what you were doing before. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a CD-ROM drive switching circuit. A signal line 12 from the microcontroller 15 is a signal line 12 ₁ for selecting the microprocessor 3 and a signal line for selecting the microprocessor 4.
It is made from the signal line 12 ₃ for selecting a line 1 2 ₂ and microprocessor 5. The access request signal 46 output from each microprocessor enters an AND circuit 48, which outputs whether or not the access request signal has been accessed. In this case, the microprocessor in use indicated by the microcontroller 15 indicates that the microprocessor is being accessed, but an access rejection signal is issued for the other microprocessors.
When the microprocessor is not connected to the CD-ROM drive 7, the
When an access request is output to the ROM drive, the CD
-In order to prevent an error from occurring due to no response from the ROM drive, a microprocessor which is not connected to the CD-ROM drive transmits the CD-
When an access request is issued to the ROM drive, it is necessary to add a circuit for returning an access rejection signal to the microprocessor. FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram showing an example of the FDD switching circuit. The FDD used is the microcontroller 15
And can be controlled separately from the main switch circuit 16. Since both the microprocessor and the FDD have open-collector output circuits, it is necessary to add a pull-up resistor to the input terminal of the switching circuit 8. An open collector output element is used for the output terminal.
In this example, the signal line 13 from the microcontroller 15 is a signal line 13 for selecting the microprocessor 3.
₁ , the signal line for selecting the microprocessor 4 is 13 ₂
And it consists of the microprocessor 5 to 13 ₃ selected. This switching circuit is a three-state buffer gate. In this example, when the input of the control input terminal 49 is “H”, the switching circuit operates as a buffer, but when the input of the control input terminal 49 is “L”, The output terminal 50 is disconnected from the internal circuit and becomes high impedance. The signal sent from the FDD 9 to the OR circuit 51 is a standardized signal 52 in the standard FDD. FIG. 4 shows an FDD rotation control signal generation circuit. The FDD rotation control signal 51 from the microcontroller 15 is input into the OR circuit 53 together with the signal 52 from the switching circuit 8, and when any of them is “H”, the FDD 9 is driven, and the signal is transmitted through the LED driving circuit 54. LED 55
Is turned on, and the LED indicates that the FDD is in a driving state, that is, the current state of the rotational speed control signal. A signal for controlling the number of rotations of the disk (300 rpm / 360 r
By generating (pm switching) from the microcontroller 15, it is possible to cope with two kinds of rotation speeds without adding another switch or the like. FIG. 5 shows a disk exchange signal generating circuit. Standard FDD, when the disk is replaced,
It is stored internally, and the next time it is accessed, a disk exchange signal is generated to notify the microprocessor. By detecting this signal, the microprocessor can know that the disk has been replaced. However, since the disk exchange signal is not generated only once immediately after the disk is replaced, as in this example, when using the FDD switching circuit, turn FDD after accessing replace the disk <br In other words, the switching destination microprocessor does not generate a disk generation signal and cannot know that the disk has been replaced. For most software running on microprocessors, the failure to correctly detect a disk change will cause some errors, so to use FDD with a switch, this problem must be solved. is necessary. Therefore, in this example, F
By adding a circuit 56 for generating a disk exchange signal in a simulated manner each time the DD is switched, it appears to the microprocessor that the disk has been exchanged,
Solved the above problem. The pseudo-exchange signal generating circuit 56 internally generates a pseudo-disk exchange signal in response to a generation request from the microcontroller 15, and outputs a signal to the microprocessor only when an access request is received from the microprocessor for the first time thereafter. The pseudo disk exchange signal is erased when the access request from the microprocessor is completed, and does not generate a signal until the next generation request from the microcontroller 15. However, the original disk exchange signal generated on the FDD side is transmitted to the microprocessor as it is. Usually the microprocessor has two FDs
Since D (drive A and drive B) can be connected, the present embodiment is configured to generate a pseudo disk exchange signal separately for each FDD. In this example, the drive A access 57 is input to the reset side of the flip-flop circuit 58, and the drive B access 57 'is input to the reset side of the flip-flop circuit 59. The printer switching circuit 10 switches automatically so that the microprocessor that has output the data is connected to the printer 11. When there is a data output request from any of the microprocessors, the switching control circuit 6
The output request signal of each of the microprocessors 3 to 5 is stored in 0, and a connection signal is generated so that the microprocessor that has requested the output is connected to the printer 11. The microcontroller 15 can control whether to output data from each of the microprocessors 3 to 5 or not. As a result, if output is permitted to all the microprocessors, the printer 11 is automatically switched. If the output is permitted to only one of the microprocessors, the permitted microprocessor can occupy the printer 11. When an output request is input from the microprocessor, the printer switching control circuit 60
1 stores an output request signal from each of the microprocessors 3 to 5 and outputs it as a connection signal. When two or more microprocessors request output at the same time, the two microprocessors simultaneously
If there are two or more output requests at the same time, none of the microprocessors can be connected. Switching control circuit 6
A value of 0 activates the timer circuit 62 when data is output from the microprocessor 3, for example, and inhibits switching of the printer 11 for a certain period of time. During that time, the data output from the microprocessor is output to the printer 11 as it is, but the data of the other microprocessors 4 and 5 are not output to the printer 11. Microprocessor 3
When data is continuously output from the printer, since the timer circuit continues to operate, the switching of the printer remains prohibited. Thereafter, when the timer circuit 62 stops, the switching of the printer 11 is permitted, and the state returns to the automatic switching state. Since software such as a word processor tends to output a large amount of data at one time, this function can prevent output data from another microprocessor from being mixed during data output, and obtain a correct output result. This function uses a microcontroller 15 instead of a timer circuit.
Can also be realized by controlling the microprocessor output permission signal. According to the present invention, there is provided at least an external storage device connected to a plurality of microprocessors and a connector of each microprocessor via a switch provided with a switching circuit on a substrate in a computer case. since comprises an external control device and _'or output device, connected to the switching circuit of each switching device and a switching patronage of embedded microcomputer for supplying the central processing unit output enable signal to該切circuit, the conventional Compared with a computer, control of the CD-ROM switching circuit can be centralized in one microcontroller, so that the number of components can be reduced and control from the keyboard can be enhanced. Further, as compared with the conventional computer, time and waste in using the processing device are reduced, and the computer is economically and efficiently.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a CD-ROM drive switching circuit in the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 3 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an example of an FDD switching circuit in the embodiment of FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an example of a rotation speed control signal circuit of an FDD switching circuit in the embodiment of FIG. 2; FIG. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram showing an example of a desk exchange signal circuit of an FDD switching circuit in the embodiment of FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a printer switching circuit in the embodiment of FIG. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Computer 2 Crossing body 3, 4, 5 Microprocessor 6 CD-ROM switching circuit 7 CD-ROM drive 8 FDD switching circuit 9 FDD 10 Printer switching circuit 11 Printers 12, 13, and 14 Signal lines 12 ₁ , signal lines ₁₃ for selecting the 12 ₂ and 12 ₃ microprocessor 3 1, 13 for ₂ and 13 ₃ microprocessor 3 a signal line 15 the microcontroller 16 main switches 17, 18 and 19 relay circuit 20 keyboard connection terminal 21 monitors for selection selection of the connection terminal 22 communication device connecting terminals 23 mouse connection terminal 24 a reset switch 25 keylock switch 26 speaker 27 connection board 28 buses 29, 30 and 31 bus connectors 32 signal line 33 for the selected microprocessor 1 switches 34 the microprocessor 2 Switch 35 switching circuit communication ports 37, 38 and 39 CD-ROM drive for selecting switch 36 Microprocessor selection microprocessor 3
6 input sections 40, 41 and 42 input of FDD drive switching circuit 8
Access request emanating from the input section 46 respectively of the microprocessor of the power unit 43, 44 and 45 printer switching circuit 10
Signal 48 AND circuit 49 Control input terminal 50 Output terminal 51 and 53 OR circuit 52 Standardized signal 54 in standard FDD 9 LED driving circuit 55 LED 56 Circuit for generating pseudo disk exchange signal 57 Drive A access 57 'drive B access 58 and 59 flip-flop circuit 60 switching control circuit 61 latch circuit 62 timer circuit R ₁ , R ₂ and R ₃ CD-ROM drive terminals F ₁ , F ₂ and F ₃ FDD terminals P ₁ , P ₂ and P ₃ Printer terminal

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-4-205160 (JP, A) JP-A-1-206450 (JP, A) JP-A-63-759 (JP, A) JP-A-4-138510 (JP) JP-A-2-176985 (JP, A) JP-A-2-220121 (JP, A) JP-A-3-44734 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB G06F 3/00 G06F 13/10-13/14 G06F 15/16-15/177

Claims (1)

(1) A plurality of connectors which are provided on a substrate in a computer case and which are provided with a connector for an external storage device, a connector for an external control device, and a connector for an input / output device, and which operate independently of each other. A microprocessor, an external storage device connected to the external storage device connector of each microprocessor via a switching circuit for the external storage device, and an external control device connector of each microprocessor via the switching circuit for the external control device. An external controller connected to the microprocessor, an input / output device connected to a bus connector of each microprocessor via a relay circuit and an input / output device connector, and each of the switching circuits connected to the switching circuit and the relay circuit, respectively. and the relay circuit, and supplies an output enable signal of the central processing unit, a set of switching patronage of the switching circuit and relay circuit And a look microcomputer, wherein the embedded microcomputer, provided with a switch for selecting the microprocessor, the microprocessor
The selection circuit activates the switching circuit and relay circuit.
A computer for controlling the switching of a path to perform an exclusive connection between an input / output device and a plurality of microprocessors and an exclusive connection between an external storage device or an external control device and a plurality of microprocessors.