JP4877195B2 - Information processing apparatus and data transfer method - Google Patents

Description

  According to the present invention, when an interrupt process occurs during a data transfer process from a memory to a CPU (Central Processing Unit), the interrupt process is preferentially executed and the processing time is reduced while suppressing power consumption in the data processing unit. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a data transfer method that suppress an increase in data.

  The performance of the camera function of the portable terminal is approaching that of a digital still camera (hereinafter referred to as DSC), and image quality and operability equivalent to those of the DSC are required. However, the portable terminal with a camera is unique to the portable terminal. It is necessary to design in consideration of many control scenes different from DSC, such as considerations for processing (call-in / out-call processing, etc.), high-speed processing in consideration of the influence of radio, and existence of processing other than the camera to be prioritized .

  In recent years, the cameras of mobile terminals have further increased in pixel count, and even cameras of the 5 megapixel class have already been installed. Similarly, CPUs in portable terminals are becoming higher in function and higher in speed, but it cannot be said that sufficient processing capacity is secured for higher pixels in cameras.

  Therefore, the increase in the number of pixels of the camera is not equivalent to the increase in the function and speed of the CPU, and the transfer speed and the like tend to increase the image processing time and the data transfer time due to restrictions on wireless characteristics.

  In contrast to DSC and the like, the mobile phone has the highest priority for control of incoming call operations, so interrupt handling such as incoming calls is entered even during camera operation, and design considerations and processing when interrupt processing occurs Optimization of the method is necessary.

  If the camera is only active (live view), it can be dealt with by stopping the camera function or performing standby control for the interrupt operation, and then restarting the camera function or performing standby release control after completion of the interrupt processing. .

  However, if an interrupt process occurs while shooting data immediately after shooting is being transferred to the mobile terminal CPU side, a process different from this must be performed.

As processing in such a case, the processing methods of A to C in FIG. 6 are common.
The processing method A continues the current process (shooting data transfer process) even when an interrupt process to be prioritized occurs, and shifts to the interrupt process when the shooting data transfer process is completed. That is, it waits for the data transfer to be completed and the data dumped to the CPU on the mobile terminal side, and then shifts to an interrupt process. This process is not an optimal process because a process that should be prioritized (such as an incoming call process) is postponed. In addition, since the time required for transfer increases as the image size increases, the shift to interrupt processing such as incoming calls becomes even slower as the performance of the camera increases.

  The processing method B forcibly ends the current process (shooting data transfer process) when the interrupt process occurs, and shifts to the interrupt process. However, in many portable terminal cameras, the core power source of the camera DSP (Digital Signal Processor) and the power source of the memory in the DSP are shared, and when the power is turned off, the memory in the camera DSP is initialized. The captured data in the memory will be lost. Therefore, when interrupt processing occurs, the current processing is forcibly terminated, and processing such as shifting to interrupt processing is performed. Since it is deleted in the DSP, the data of the image taken by the user is lost. In other words, as in processing method B, if interrupt processing is prioritized and the camera function is in a standby state or stopped, the shooting data in the camera DSP is deleted, and the data shot by the user cannot be guaranteed. End up.

  The processing method C is a process using a camera capable of standby control while retaining data. When an interrupt occurs, the processing method C shifts to the interrupt process, and starts the data transfer process from the beginning again after the process is completed. With this processing method, shooting data can be secured and processing can be started with the highest priority for interrupt processing. However, since data transfer processing partially overlaps, it takes time to restore the camera. In other words, as in processing method C, it is possible to prioritize interrupt processing, continue the standby state or start-up state in which the data is held in the camera, and transfer data again from the beginning after completion of interrupt processing. Overlapping processing leads to increased processing time and power consumption. That is, even if the shooting data can be held in the memory in the camera DSP, if the shooting data is transferred again from the beginning after an interruption process such as an incoming call, the processing is duplicated, so that the processing time and power consumption increase. turn into.

  As described above, since the camera function is an additional function in the mobile terminal, there are other processes that should be processed with the highest priority, such as incoming calls, but when such processes are interrupted during data transfer. The problem is that data taken by the user is lost and operability (slowness of return) when returning to the original process.

  There are Patent Literature 1 and Patent Literature 2 as technologies related to a portable terminal with a camera function. Patent Documents 1 and 2 give priority to either camera image processing or incoming call processing when there is interrupt control such as incoming call. In other words, Patent Documents 1 and 2 simply allow the communication function and the camera function to be used exclusively and selectively, and the data being transferred is lost when interrupt processing is executed during the data transfer. It does not solve the above problem that the operability when returning to the original processing is deteriorated.

  As a technique related to interrupt control in a camera-equipped mobile terminal, there is Patent Literature 3. The invention disclosed in Patent Document 3 is a control method for transferring data from a mobile phone terminal to an external memory. The processing content of image processing performed on a captured image is divided into a plurality of processing units. Image processing is performed for each process, and the presence / absence of an incoming call is determined every time the division process is completed.

Patent Document 4 discloses interrupt processing in a device level macro configuration. The invention described in Patent Document 2 relates to processing in the case where an interrupt occurs in the transmission side device during data transfer from the transmission side device to the reception side device.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-102241 JP 2005-333296 A JP 2007-194808 A JP 2006-163712 A

  However, in the invention described in Patent Document 3, if there is an incoming call in the middle of the division process, the incoming process is performed after the division process being completed is completed. The incoming call processing will be delayed (it will not switch to incoming call processing immediately). In addition, since the CPU of the entire mobile phone terminal originally performs batch writing control to the external memory, the incoming processing is started only by dividing the control within the CPU as in the invention described in Patent Document 3. Even if the time until the time is shortened, the effect of reducing power consumption during interrupt processing cannot be obtained. Further, if the incoming call processing is to be performed before all the division processing is completed, the processing time is the same as the processing method C described above, because the data being processed is discarded and the processing is performed again after the call is ended. In addition, power consumption increases.

  In addition, in the data transfer from the camera module to the CPU inside the camera-equipped mobile terminal, the situation “when an interrupt occurs in the transmission side device during the data transfer from the transmission side device to the reception side device” Since this is not the case, it is difficult to apply the invention described in Patent Document 4 assuming data transfer between the DSC and the printer to a mobile terminal with a camera. In addition, the invention described in Patent Document 4 sets the interrupt processing period as time, and temporarily stops data transfer only during that period. Therefore, when time is not available (such as incoming call processing in a mobile phone terminal). It is difficult to apply. Moreover, since all the devices are in the activated state even during the interruption period, power consumption increases.

  In this way, when interrupt processing occurs during data transfer processing from the module having the memory to the CPU, priority is given to the interrupt processing, and the module processing time can be reduced while suppressing power consumption in the module. A data transfer method that suppresses the increase has not been realized.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and when an interrupt process occurs during a data transfer process from a module having a memory to a CPU, the interrupt process is preferentially executed and consumed by the module. It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus and a data transfer method that suppress an increase in processing time of a module while suppressing power.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides, as a first aspect, a data processing means for performing arbitrary data processing, a memory for storing data processed by the data processing means, a data processing means, and a memory The CPU stores the data stored in the memory, and when the interrupt processing having a higher priority than the processing of the data transferred from the memory occurs, the CPU transfers the data from the memory to itself. When the completed memory address is recorded and the interrupt process is being executed, the amount of power supplied to the data processing means is reduced, and after the interrupt process is completed, the recorded memory address is referred to and the data from the memory to itself It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus characterized by resuming the transfer of data.

  In order to achieve the above object, as a second aspect, the present invention controls a data processing means for performing arbitrary data processing, a memory for storing data processed by the data processing means, and a data processing means. A data transfer method in an information processing apparatus having a CPU to which data stored in a memory is transferred, and when interrupt processing having a higher priority than processing of data transferred from the memory occurs in the CPU The memory address at which data transfer from the memory to the CPU is completed is recorded, and during the interruption process, the power supply amount to the data processing means is reduced, and after the interruption process is completed, the recorded memory address is The data transfer method is characterized by restarting the transfer of data from the memory to the CPU.

  According to the present invention, when an interrupt process occurs during a data transfer process from a module having a memory to a CPU, the interrupt process is preferentially executed, and the module process is performed while reducing power consumption in the module. It is possible to provide an information processing apparatus and a data transfer method that suppress an increase in time.

[First Embodiment]
A first embodiment in which the present invention is suitably implemented will be described.
FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment.

  The data processing unit 12 is connected to the memory 13 and the device CPU (and power source) 18 and performs predetermined data processing. The processed data is temporarily stored in the memory 13 and then transmitted to the device CPU 18.

  The memory 13 is connected to the data processing unit 12 and temporarily stores data processed by the data processing unit 12.

  The data line 14 is a data transfer line.

  The power supply lines 15 and 16 are digital power supply lines. Each power line supplies power to the data processing module from the power supply on the terminal side. In the present embodiment, the power supply lines 15 and 16 are separated for the data processing unit and the memory, respectively, in order to perform standby control holding the processing data.

  The device CPU 18 includes an address recording unit 181, a power control unit 182, and a transfer resuming unit 183. The address recording unit 181 records a memory address up to the point where the data transfer is completed when an interrupt process that has priority over the function realized by the data processing unit 12 occurs during the transfer of the processing data. The power control unit 182 shifts the data processing module to the standby state during the interrupt process, and reduces the power consumption in the data processing unit 12. The transfer resuming unit 183 restores the data processing module from the standby state when the interrupt process is completed.

FIG. 2 shows a flow of data transfer and interrupt processing of the camera-equipped mobile terminal according to the present embodiment.
In the above configuration, when an interrupt process that is prioritized over the function realized by the data processing unit 12 occurs during the transfer of the processing data, the address recording unit 181 records the memory address until the data transfer is completed, When the recording of the memory address is completed, the power control unit 182 shifts the immediate data processing module to the standby state. Even in the standby state, power is supplied to the memory 13 via the power supply line 16, so that the processing data is held in the memory 13 even in the standby state. By shifting the data processing module to a standby state with low power consumption during interrupt processing, the power consumption of the information processing apparatus as a whole can be minimized.
When the interrupt process is completed, the transfer resuming unit 183 returns the data processing module from the standby state. When the data processing module returns from the standby state, the data processing unit 12 resumes the data transfer from the continuation of the memory address where the data transfer has been completed before the interrupt process.

  Control to record the memory address that has been transferred before interrupt processing will be added to general data transfer processing, but because large processing data can be transferred continuously before and after interrupt processing, Effective for shortening data transfer time. Furthermore, even if interrupt processing is performed before data transfer is completed, the processing data can be retained without being deleted.

  That is, in the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment, in the interrupt processing, the data processing module temporarily stores the memory address for which the data transfer has been completed for the interrupt processing generated during the data transfer, and retains the processing data To the standby state. Then, after the interrupt process is completed, the data transfer process is resumed from the continuation of the data that has been transferred just before the interrupt process. By performing such operations, interrupt processing can be processed with the highest priority, and power consumption can be reduced by shifting the data processing module to the standby state during interrupt processing, which is also wasteful for data transfer processing. There is no (overlapping), and the time required for the data processing module to return to the standby state can be shortened compared to general interrupt processing.

As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment has a general hardware configuration such as a data processing module and a CPU. Data transfer including interrupt processing can be performed only by changing a control method by software processing. Can be optimized. Thereby, it is possible to shorten the transfer processing time while retaining the processing data and to provide a comfortable operability to the user.
Moreover, what is newly required as a change in the control method is the recording of the memory address for which the transfer has been completed before the interrupt processing, and other than that, it can be realized by connecting general controls.
By optimizing the interrupt processing and data transfer processing, not only the processing time can be shortened but also the increase in power consumption can be prevented.

[Second Embodiment]
A second embodiment in which the present invention is suitably implemented will be described.
FIG. 3 shows a functional configuration of the camera-equipped mobile terminal according to the present embodiment.

  The sensor 1 is a solid-state imaging device such as a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) or a charge coupled device (CCD). The sensor 1 is connected to and controlled by the camera DSP2, and the imaging data generated by the sensor 1 is processed by the camera DSP2.

  The camera DSP 2 performs image processing of the camera, is connected to the sensor 1 and the memory 3, and the device CPU (and power source) 8, acquires the image data from the control of the sensor 1 and the sensor 1, and the image processed data is stored in the memory 3. Once stored, it is transmitted to the device CPU 8.

  The memory 3 is connected to the camera DSP 2 and temporarily stores image data processed by the camera DSP 2. The capacity of the memory 3 varies depending on the camera, and many of the cameras for mobile phones do not have a capacity capable of storing image data for one screen, but in this embodiment, image data for one screen can only be temporarily stored. It is assumed that the capacity is provided.

  The data line 4 is a transfer line for image data.

  The power supply lines 5 and 6 are digital power supply lines, and the power supply line 7 is an analog power supply line. Each power line supplies power to the camera from the power source on the terminal side. Many of the cameras for portable terminals use a common power line for the DSP 2 and the memory 3 as in the power line 9 of FIG. 4, but in this embodiment, standby control is performed with image data stored. Therefore, the power supply lines 5 and 6 are separated for DSP and memory, respectively.

  The device CPU 8 includes an address recording unit 81, a power control unit 82, and a transfer resuming unit 83. The address recording unit 81 records a memory address up to the point where the data transfer is completed when an interrupt process that has priority over the camera function occurs during the transfer of the photographing data. The power control unit 82 shifts the camera to the standby state during the interrupt process, and reduces the power consumption in the camera DSP 2. The transfer restarting unit 83 returns the camera from the standby state when the interrupt process is completed.

FIG. 5 shows a flow of data transfer and interrupt processing of the camera-equipped mobile terminal according to the present embodiment.
In the above configuration, when an interrupt process (such as an incoming call) that has priority over the camera function occurs during the transfer process of the photographic data, the address recording unit 81 records the memory address until the data transfer is completed, When the address recording is completed, the power control unit 82 immediately shifts the camera to the standby state. Even in the standby state, power is supplied to the memory 3 via the power supply line 6, so that the photographing data is held in the memory 3 even in the standby state. By shifting the camera to a standby state with low power consumption during interrupt processing, the power consumption of the entire portable terminal can be minimized.
When the interrupt process is completed, the transfer resuming unit 83 returns the camera from the standby state. When the camera returns from the standby state, the camera DSP 2 resumes the data transfer from the continuation of the memory address where the data transfer has been completed before the interrupt process.

  Control to record the memory address that has been transferred before the interrupt process will be added to the general data transfer process, but because the shooting data with a large amount of data can be transferred continuously before and after the interrupt process, Effective for shortening data transfer time. Further, even if an interruption process is performed before the data transfer is completed, the captured image data can be retained without being deleted.

  That is, the camera-equipped mobile terminal according to the present embodiment, during the interrupt process, temporarily records the memory address at which the data transfer is completed with respect to the interrupt process that occurred during the data transfer process, and then holds the captured data while Transition to the state. Then, after the interrupt process is completed, the data transfer process is resumed from the continuation of the data that has been transferred just before the interrupt process. By performing such operations, interrupt processing can be given the highest priority (switching to interrupt processing immediately), and power consumption can be reduced by shifting the camera to the standby state during interrupt processing. Also, there is no waste (duplication) in the data transfer process, and the time to return to the camera (preview) can be shortened compared to the general interrupt process (A to C processes).

As described above, the camera-equipped portable terminal according to the present embodiment has a general hardware configuration of the camera and the portable terminal CPU, and data including interrupt processing is simply changed by a control method by software processing. Transfer can be optimized. Thereby, it is possible to shorten the processing time and to provide a user with comfortable operability while holding the shooting data.
Moreover, what is newly required as a change in the control method is the recording of the memory address for which the transfer has been completed before the interrupt processing, and other than that, it can be realized by connecting general controls.
By optimizing the interrupt processing and data transfer processing, not only the processing time can be shortened but also the increase in power consumption can be prevented.

In addition, the said embodiment is an example of suitable implementation of this invention, and this invention is not limited to this.
For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where an interrupt process occurs when data is transferred from the camera module to the CPU has been described as an example. However, the camera is not necessarily a camera, and may be a module including a memory.
In the above-described embodiment, the sensor 1, the DSP 2, the memory 3, and the like are collected as a camera. However, it is not necessary to be an integral module, and the DSP and the memory may be mounted on a terminal-side board.
Thus, the present invention can be variously modified.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the information processing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment which implemented this invention suitably. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the data transfer of the information processing apparatus which concerns on 1st Embodiment, and an interruption process. It is a figure which shows the structure of the portable terminal with a camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment which implemented this invention suitably. It is a figure which shows the structure of the portable terminal with a camera by which the power supply line was made common by DSP and memory of a camera. It is a figure which shows the procedure of the data transfer of the portable terminal with a camera which concerns on 2nd Embodiment, and an interruption process. It is a figure which shows the general procedure of a data transfer and an interruption process.

Explanation of symbols

1 Sensor 2 DSP
3, 13 Memory 4, 14 Data line 5, 6, 9, 15, 16 Power line (digital)
7 Power line (analog)
8, 18 CPU
81, 181 Address recording unit 82, 182 Power control unit 83, 183 Transfer resumption unit

Claims (7)

Data processing means for performing arbitrary data processing;
A memory for storing data processed by the data processing means;
A CPU for controlling the data processing means and transferring data stored in the memory;
The CPU
When an interrupt process having a higher priority than the process of data transferred from the memory occurs, record the memory address where the data transfer from the memory to itself is completed,
While executing the interrupt processing, reduce the amount of power supply to the data processing means,
An information processing apparatus that resumes data transfer from the memory to itself by referring to a recorded memory address after completion of the interrupt processing. The data processing means and the memory are configured as an integral module,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein power is supplied to the data processing unit and the memory independently.   3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the memory has a capacity larger than a data amount processed by the data processing unit at a time. The data processing means includes
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising: an imaging unit that generates imaging data; and a control unit that controls the imaging unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the imaging unit is a solid-state imaging device, and the control unit is a digital signal processor.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a portable terminal having portability. Data processing means for performing arbitrary data processing;
A memory for storing data processed by the data processing means;
A data transfer method in an information processing apparatus that controls the data processing means and includes a CPU to which data stored in the memory is transferred,
When an interrupt process having a higher priority than the process of data transferred from the memory occurs in the CPU, the memory address at which the data transfer from the memory to the CPU is completed is recorded,
While executing the interrupt processing, reduce the amount of power supply to the data processing means,
A data transfer method, comprising: resuming data transfer from the memory to the CPU with reference to a recorded memory address after completion of the interrupt process.

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