JP4530948B2 - Remote reset device and remote reset method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a remote reset device and a remote reset method for a communication device that performs data communication via a modem connected to a general telephone line.

  There is a remote reset device that can reset (restart) a communication device that performs data communication via a modem connected to a general telephone line from a remote location using network communication. When a remote reset is performed on a communication device from a remote location using network communication, the remote reset can be realized because the microcomputer connected to the modem in the communication device is operating normally and network communication is established. Only if it is. That is, when the microcomputer is running away or hung up, network communication cannot be established, so that there is a problem that remote reset cannot be performed on the communication device.

  In order to solve this problem, for example, when an incoming signal sent through a communication line is received, if the microcomputer does not respond within a predetermined time from reception, there is a reset circuit that initializes the microcomputer. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).

  In addition, for example, there is a device management control method and system by remote access that is realized by using a microcomputer that operates asynchronously with a CPU serving as a control center of a communication device (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

  Further, there is a technique for remotely resetting the terminal display device when the terminal display device provided with the display runs away (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP-A-4-278617 JP 2001-211122 A JP-A-4-240691

  In the remote reset device described in JP-A-4-278617, JP-A-2001-211122, and JP-A-4-240691, incoming calls from the general telephone line are monitored between the general telephone line and the modem. Monitoring is performed using a circuit, and when a state indicating an incoming call continues for a certain period of time, it is determined that the microcomputer cannot respond, and a hardware reset operation is performed. Since the calling signal from the general telephone line is usually ± 200 volts or more, the IC used for the incoming call monitoring circuit must have a withstand voltage corresponding to such a high voltage. However, such a high breakdown voltage IC is large and expensive compared to a general low breakdown voltage IC. When the modem is external to the communication device, the incoming monitoring circuit for monitoring the incoming signal on the general telephone line side as seen from the modem is not limited to a separate circuit separated from at least the remote reset device main body. I do not get. Since it is advantageous in terms of space to include the remote reset device in the housing of the communication device to which the remote reset device is applied, it is not preferable to adopt a device configuration separate from the remote reset device main body.

  Therefore, in view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a remote reset device and a remote reset method capable of remotely resetting the communication device even if the microcomputer connected to the modem is inoperable in the communication device. There is to do.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention realizes a remote reset device that performs the following operation on a communication device that performs data communication via a modem connected to a general telephone line. That is, out of signals communicated between the modem and the main microcomputer in the communication device connected to the modem, the incoming signal sent from the modem to the main microcomputer when the modem arrives is monitored, If the main microcomputer does not respond to the incoming signal even after a predetermined time has elapsed after detection of the incoming signal, the main microcomputer is reset.

  FIG. 1 is a principle block diagram of a remote reset device according to the present invention. Hereinafter, components having the same reference numerals in different drawings mean components having the same functions.

  According to the present invention, a remote reset device 1 for a communication device that performs data communication via a modem 3 connected to a general telephone line communicates between the modem 3 and the main microcomputer 2 in the communication device. Of the received signals, the incoming monitoring means 11 for monitoring the incoming signal sent from the modem 3 to the main microcomputer 2 when the modem 3 arrives, and whether the main microcomputer 2 responded to the incoming signal. Response determining means 12 for determining whether the main microcomputer 2 does not respond to the incoming signal, or a reset executing means 13 for executing a hardware reset operation on the main microcomputer 2 when the response determining means 12 determines that the main microcomputer 2 does not respond to the incoming signal. And comprising. The response determination unit 12 determines that the main microcomputer 2 does not respond when the incoming signal is detected continuously for a predetermined time or more. Further, the reset execution means 13 may execute a hardware reset operation for each of the other ICs 4 in the communication device.

According to the present invention, the remote reset operation can be easily executed even when the main microcomputer in the communication device is inoperable.
According to the present invention, the incoming signal between the modem and the main microcomputer connected thereto is monitored. Since the incoming signal at this time is about several volts, the IC in the incoming monitoring circuit may be of a general low withstand voltage, and a small remote reset device can be realized at low cost.

  In addition, since the incoming call monitoring circuit in the present invention monitors the incoming signal on the main microcomputer side rather than the general telephone line side for the modem, even if the modem is a communication device with a built-in modem or the modem is a communication device. Even when it is externally attached, it can be realized as an integrated remote reset device. Therefore, the remote reset device can be easily accommodated in the same casing of the communication device to which the remote reset device is applied, which is advantageous in terms of space.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a remote reset device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the incoming call monitoring means 11, the response determination means 12 and the reset execution means 13 of FIG. 1 are constituted by a sub-microcomputer 5 that operates independently of the main microcomputer 2. The incoming signal monitored in the present embodiment is an incoming message in a serial data format communicated on the data reception line (RXD) 102 between the modem 3 and the main microcomputer 2 in the communication device. As will be described later, the sub-microcomputer 5 only needs to be able to use the serial data on the data receiving line 102 as input data, and may be configured using a general low voltage IC.

  The modem 3 is connected via a cable 101 to a modular connector 6 that is an interface connector for a general telephone line. When an incoming call is received from a general telephone line, a ringing signal (ringer signal) is received by the modem 3 via the modular connector 6 and the cable 101.

  Next, an incoming message is sent from the modem 3 to the main microcomputer 2 via the data receiving line 102. Generally, this incoming message is generated every time a call signal arrives at the modem 3.

  When the main microcomputer 2 is operating normally, the main microcomputer 2 executes a predetermined incoming response process when receiving an incoming message, but does not respond when it is inoperable. If the main microcomputer 2 does not respond, the incoming message continues to flow on the data receiving line 102. Therefore, in this embodiment, the incoming message on the data receiving line 102 is monitored and the incoming message is detected continuously for a predetermined time or more when the main microcomputer 2 is inoperable and does not respond. It is assumed that the reset operation is started.

  Serial data on the data reception line 102 is input to the sub microcomputer 5 via the incoming call monitoring line 103. The sub microcomputer 5 checks whether there is an incoming message in the input serial data. When the sub-microcomputer 5 detects the incoming message, it measures the time until the main microcomputer 2 starts a response (or the number of times the incoming message has been received before the response is started) using, for example, an internal timer. . Since the sub microcomputer 5 is connected to the main microcomputer 2 via the data communication line 104, the processing in the main microcomputer 2 can be monitored.

  If the sub-microcomputer 5 continuously detects incoming messages for a predetermined time or more (or a predetermined number of times), the sub-microcomputer 5 assumes that the main microcomputer 2 has become inoperable and does not respond, and the reset signal line A reset signal is sent via 106. The main microcomputer 2 is hardware reset when it receives the reset signal. The reset signal may be sent to the other IC 4 in the communication device. In this case, the other IC 4 is also hardware reset together with the main microcomputer 2.

  Using the data communication line 104 provided between the sub-microcomputer 5 and the main microcomputer 2, whether or not the sub-microcomputer 5 can perform the reset operation, and the continuous detection time of the incoming message until the reset operation is started ( Alternatively, the number of consecutive detections) may be arbitrarily set from the main microcomputer 2 side.

  Further, a BUSY signal line 106 may be provided between the sub microcomputer 5 and the main microcomputer 2. The BUSY signal line 106 is controlled from the main microcomputer 2 side. However, when the BUSY signal line 106 is in the BUSY state, it may be set so that the incoming call monitoring operation by the sub microcomputer 5 is not performed.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a remote reset device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the incoming call monitoring means 11, the response determination means 12 and the reset execution means 13 of FIG. 1 are logic circuits that operate independently of the main microcomputer 2, and can detect the potential on the ring indicator signal line. The incoming call monitoring logic circuit 7 is used.

  In general, the ring indicator signal line 107 between the modem 3 and the main microcomputer 2 in the communication device has a so-called space state potential when the modem 3 does not receive an incoming call, and a so-called mark state potential when the modem 3 receives an incoming call. It becomes. In this embodiment, the incoming signal to be monitored is the potential on the ring indicator signal line 107 between the modem 3 and the main microcomputer 2 in the communication device, and is marked from the space state potential when the modem 3 arrives. The potential is switched to the potential.

  When an incoming call is received from a general telephone line, a ringing signal (ringer signal) is received by the modem 3 via the modular connector 6 and the cable 101. Upon arrival of the modem 3, the potential on the ring indicator signal line 107 between the modem 3 and the main microcomputer 2 is switched from the space state potential to the mark state potential. While the call signal arrives at the modem 3, the potential on the ring indicator signal line 107 indicates the mark state potential.

  When the main microcomputer 2 is operating normally, as soon as the mark state potential is detected as the potential of the ring indicator signal line 107, the main microcomputer 2 executes a predetermined incoming call response process, whereby the potential on the ring indicator signal line 107 is The mark state potential is switched to the space state potential. However, when the main microcomputer 2 has become inoperable, no response is made and the potential on the ring indicator signal line 107 remains the mark state potential. Therefore, in this embodiment, the case where the potential of the ring indicator signal line 107 is monitored and the mark state potential is continuously detected for a predetermined time or more is a case where the main microcomputer 2 has become inoperable and does not respond. It is assumed that the reset operation is started.

  An incoming call monitoring line 103 connected to the ring indicator signal line 107 is connected to the incoming call monitoring logic circuit 7. The incoming call monitoring logic circuit 7 monitors the potential of the ring indicator signal line 107. As a result of monitoring, when it is detected that the space state potential is switched to the mark state potential, the time until the main microcomputer 2 starts a response is measured using, for example, an internal timer. The response start of the main microcomputer 2 may be, for example, when the mark state potential is switched to the space state potential again. Since the incoming call monitoring logic circuit 7 is connected to the main microcomputer 2 via the data communication line 104, the processing in the main microcomputer 2 can be monitored.

  When the incoming call monitoring logic circuit 7 detects the mark state potential continuously for a predetermined time or longer, the incoming call monitoring logic circuit 7 assumes that the main microcomputer 2 has become inoperable and does not respond, and passes through the reset signal line 106. Send a reset signal. The main microcomputer 2 is hardware reset when it receives the reset signal. The reset signal may be sent to the other IC 4 in the communication device. In this case, the other IC 4 is also hardware reset together with the main microcomputer 2.

  Note that setting means such as a jumper switch is provided in the incoming call monitoring logic circuit 7 to determine whether the incoming call monitoring logic circuit 7 can perform a reset operation and the continuous detection time of the incoming message until the reset operation is started. You may enable it to set arbitrarily using a setting means.

  Further, a BUSY signal line 106 may be provided between the incoming call monitoring logic circuit 7 and the main microcomputer 2. The BUSY signal line 106 is controlled from the main microcomputer 2 side. However, when the BUSY signal line 106 is in the BUSY state, the incoming call monitoring logic circuit 7 may be set not to perform the incoming call monitoring operation.

  According to the present invention, it can be realized as an integrated remote reset device regardless of whether the communication device has a built-in modem or the modem is externally attached to the communication device. That is, if the sub microcomputer 5 in the first embodiment and the incoming call monitoring logic circuit 7 in the second embodiment are accommodated in the same casing of the communication device in which the main microcomputer 2 and other ICs 4 are accommodated, The remote reset device can be realized by including it in the communication device. Since the remote reset device according to the present invention is small, even if the remote reset device is accommodated in the housing of the communication device, the size of the main body of the communication device is not particularly affected.

  The present invention can be applied to a remote reset device that can reset a communication device that performs data communication via a modem connected to a general telephone line from a remote location using network communication. According to the present invention, the remote reset operation can be easily executed even if the main microcomputer in the communication device is inoperable. The remote reset device according to the present invention is small in size and can be easily accommodated in a housing of a communication device to which the remote reset device is applied, so that it is advantageous in terms of space and can be manufactured at low cost.

  By using the remote reset device according to the present invention, for example, a communication device can be easily reset only by making a call from the outside to the communication device.

It is a principle block diagram of the remote reset apparatus by this invention. 1 is a block diagram of a remote reset device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram of the remote reset apparatus by the 2nd Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Remote reset device 2 Main microcomputer 3 Modem 4 Other ICs
5 Sub-microcomputer 6 Modular connector 7 Incoming monitoring logic circuit 11 Incoming monitoring unit 12 Response determining unit 13 Reset executing unit

Claims (6)

A remote reset device for a communication device that performs data communication via a modem connected to a general telephone line,
Incoming signal monitoring means for monitoring an incoming signal sent from the modem to the main microcomputer when the modem arrives among signals communicated between the modem and the main microcomputer in the communication device;
Response determination means for determining whether or not the main microcomputer responds to the incoming signal;
If the response determination unit determines that the main microcomputer does not respond to the incoming signal, a reset execution unit that performs a hardware reset operation on the main microcomputer;
Equipped with a,
The incoming signal is a ring indicator signal line in potential between the main microcomputer in the modem and the communication device, Ru potential der switched to the mark state potential from space state potential when said modem arrives A remote reset device.   The remote reset device according to claim 1, wherein the response determination unit determines that the main microcomputer does not respond when the incoming signal is continuously detected for a predetermined time or more.   The remote reset device according to claim 1, wherein the reset execution unit executes a hardware reset operation for each IC in the communication device. The incoming call monitoring unit, the response determination unit, and the reset execution unit are logic circuits that operate independently of the main microcomputer and are configured to detect a potential on a ring indicator signal line. remote reset device according to 1. A remote reset method for a communication device that performs data communication via a modem connected to a general telephone line,
The reset device monitors an incoming signal that is communicated between the modem and the main microcomputer in the communication device and that is sent from the modem to the main microcomputer when the modem receives an incoming call. Incoming call monitoring step,
When the incoming signal is detected continuously for a predetermined time or more, a reset execution step in which the reset device performs a hardware reset operation on the main microcomputer;
Equipped with a,
The incoming signal is a ring indicator signal line in potential between the main microcomputer in the modem and the communication device, Ru potential der switched to the mark state potential from space state potential when said modem arrives The remote reset method characterized by the above-mentioned. The remote reset method according to claim 5 , wherein in the reset execution step, the reset device executes a hardware reset operation for each IC in the communication device.

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