JP5682007B2 - Electronic equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device that executes processing in accordance with a command from a host device.

  Usually, an electronic device is connected to a host device via a communication line, and executes processing in accordance with a command from the host device. As described above, various communication methods such as the RS232C method, the parallel port method, and the USB connection method are adopted in order to establish communication between the upper device and the electronic device (lower device).

  The conventional connection methods such as the RS232C method and the parallel port method can mount various control lines in addition to the data lines, and can perform fine control according to the lower devices. On the other hand, the USB connection method that has become mainstream in recent years is easy as a de facto standard for external device connection because it can connect external devices regardless of the manufacturer, but the USB standard focuses on power supply and data exchange. Therefore, there is almost no control freedom other than that.

  Therefore, in the conventional connection method, when the host device detects a communication abnormality by some means, it is possible to restore the lower device via various control lines. However, in the USB connection method, the lower device is software-based. Even if an abnormality can be detected, it is impossible to restore the lower device by a command from the higher device with a general-purpose configuration.

  For example, Patent Document 1 includes a dedicated interface circuit that transmits and receives a signal between a host device and a device device via a dedicated line, and realizes restoration of a hang-up by transmitting and receiving a signal via the dedicated line.

  Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-228561 transmits / receives a signal between a host device and a USB device via a USB cable. The USB device executes a reset operation by detecting a bus reset based on the USB standard from the host. .

Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2003-131956 (FIG. 1) Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-352942 (FIG. 1)

  However, in the conventional connection method found in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to provide a dedicated interface circuit for connecting a dedicated line in the upper device and the lower device. In order to execute processing in accordance with a command from the host device, it is necessary to control the lower device by providing a power control circuit for controlling the power of the lower device in the host device. These can cause changes in the configuration of the host device, complicating the configuration, and increasing costs. In particular, the case where the operation stability of the existing apparatus is improved, that is, the case where the electronic apparatus apparatus is stably operated in communication with the host apparatus becomes more remarkable.

  In addition, in the recent mainstream USB connection method found in Patent Document 2, the operation stability of the lower device is not hindered in a good communication environment, but it is exposed to noise due to electromagnetic waves generated by the lower device. Under a communication environment, communication may stop or a communication failure may occur. At this time, it is very difficult to detect from the outside whether the host device has a problem, the lower device has a problem, or a communication problem in the first place, and as a result, the host device Therefore, there is a problem that the system efficiency is lowered.

  In addition, when the upper device and the lower device are connected with a single USB cable, it is impossible to detect a state in which the communication environment is normal and the lower device is defective. Specifically, when using a CPU with a built-in USB function, the response to the USB standard command may be processed in hardware, so the lower-level device malfunctions due to software runaway in the lower-level device. Even if it operates, it cannot be detected from the outside. As a result, there is a problem that it is impossible to monitor whether or not the lower-level device is operating normally.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to stably operate an electronic apparatus device without complicating a communication configuration between a host apparatus and an electronic apparatus apparatus (lower apparatus). It is an object of the present invention to provide an electronic apparatus device that can handle such a situation. Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that can stably operate the electronic device in communication with a host device.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following.

(1) An electronic device that executes processing in accordance with a command from a host device, the first information processing unit having a function of controlling the operation of the electronic device and a function of monitoring the operation state of the electronic device. Between the second information processing means, the first information processing means and the higher-level device, the first versatile communication means for transmitting and receiving various data, and the second information processing means and the higher-level device. A second versatility communication unit that communicates an operation state signal indicating an operation state of the electronic device, and a first reset circuit that generates a reset signal or a power ON / OFF signal for the first information processing unit, or a first power supply circuit, have a, a second reset circuit or the second power supply circuit for generating a reset signal or power ON / OFF signal for the second information processing means, the first information processing means Run in The reset signal or the power ON / OFF signal is based on a command from the second information processing means that has received the reset signal from the second reset circuit or the power ON / OFF signal from the second power circuit. The electronic device apparatus is generated by the first reset circuit or the first power supply circuit .

  According to the present invention, the electronic device is separately connected to the host device by the first versatility communication unit and the second versatility communication unit, and the first versatility communication unit is an electronic device according to a command from the host device. Since the second information processing means is connected to the second information processing means for monitoring the operation state of the electronic equipment apparatus, the second information communication means is connected to the first information processing means for controlling the operation of the equipment apparatus. The second information processing unit can monitor the operation state of the first information processing unit, and the first information processing unit can control the operation of the electronic device according to a command from the host device. Even if a malfunction occurs in the operation, the recovery by the second information processing means is possible, so that the electronic device can be operated stably without depending on the host device.

  (2) The electronic device apparatus, wherein the second information processing unit has a software update function for the first information processing unit.

  According to the present invention, since the second information processing unit can update the software with respect to the first information processing unit, the entire software such as a program executed by the first information processing unit is updated. Even if a malfunction occurs in the operation of the electronic device, the electronic device can be stably operated by installing normal software regardless of the host device.

(3) When the second information processing unit determines that the operation state of the first information processing unit has not been successfully monitored, the second information processing unit sends the first information processing unit to the first information processing unit. An electronic device apparatus, wherein a reset signal is transmitted or a power ON / OFF signal is transmitted to turn on the power of the electronic apparatus device to set the electronic device apparatus to an initial state.

  According to the present invention, when a failure occurs in the operation of the electronic device and the second information processing means is not successfully monitored, the second information processing means sends a reset signal to the first information processing means. Since the electronic device apparatus can be set to the initial state by transmitting, the second information processing means can be restored regardless of the host device, and the electronic device apparatus can be operated stably.

(4) When the first information processing means that has received the reset signal or the power ON / OFF signal determines that the electronic device has not been successfully set to the initial state, it notifies the host device accordingly . and, the second information processing unit is a power of the electronic equipment device in the OFF state by sending a power OFF signal to the first information processing means, by power cycling the electronic apparatus by recovery by the higher-level device An electronic apparatus device characterized by the above.

  According to the present invention, when the electronic device cannot be set to the initial state by the input of the reset signal to the first information processing means, the power ON / OFF signal is transmitted to the first information processing means. Thus, the power of the electronic device can be turned on again, so that the recovery by the second information processing means can be performed regardless of the host device, and the electronic device can be stably operated.

  The electronic device apparatus according to the present invention is capable of self-recovery in the event of an abnormal operation or can be recovered by a recovery operation from the host device, and the host device can be left as it is. This leads to improved operational stability.

  In the electronic device apparatus according to the present invention, since the second information processing unit can control the first information processing unit to the boot mode, the entire software can be updated. This leads to improved operational stability and maintainability.

It is a block diagram which shows the system configuration | structure of the high-order apparatus and electronic device apparatus which concern on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the control function by main CPU of the electronic device apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the operation | movement monitoring function by sub CPU of the electronic device apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the content of the reset process performed with sub CPU of the electronic device apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the content of the power ON / OFF process performed with the sub CPU of the electronic device apparatus which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[Description of functional block]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a host device 10 and an electronic device device 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The host device 10 and the electronic device device 30 are connected to each other by two USB cables 21 and 22. It is connected.

  The host device 10 includes a USB host controller 11 that transmits and receives signals to and from the electronic device device 30 via the USB cables 21 and 22. The host device 10 includes a CPU, RAM, ROM, HDD, etc. (not shown) as a personal computer.

  The electronic device device 30 includes USB device controllers 31 and 35 that transmit and receive signals to the host device 10 via the USB cables 21 and 22.

  The USB cable 21 corresponds to the first versatile communication means of the present invention, and connects the USB host controller 11 and the USB device controller 31 in FIG. The USB cable 22 corresponds to the second versatile communication means of the present invention, and connects the USB host controller 11 and the USB device controller 35 in FIG.

  The main CPU 32 forms the core of the first information processing unit that comprehensively controls the control function of the operation of the electronic device 30, and executes a reset command for the electronic device 30 based on the reset signal from the reset circuit 33. . Also, based on the power ON / OFF signal from the power circuit 34, the power ON / OFF command for the electronic device 30 is executed. Further, a reset signal is transmitted to the reset circuit 37 and a power ON / OFF signal is transmitted to the power circuit 38. In the embodiment of the present invention, the main CPU 32 can transmit a boot mode setting signal to the sub CPU 36 to execute a boot mode setting command.

  The reset circuit 33 receives a reset signal from the sub CPU 36, applies a hard reset to the entire electronic device device 30 including the main CPU 32, and initializes the CPU 32. The power supply circuit 34 turns on / off the entire electronic device 30 including the main CPU 32 based on the power ON / OFF signal from the sub CPU 36.

  The sub CPU 36 is the core of the second information processing unit that controls the monitoring function of the operation state of the electronic device device 30, and transmits a reset signal to the reset circuit 33 based on the reset signal from the reset circuit 37, A power ON / OFF signal is transmitted to the power circuit 34 based on the power ON / OFF signal from the circuit 38. In the embodiment of the present invention, the sub CPU 36 transmits a boot mode setting signal to the main CPU 32, and the software of the electronic device 30 can be rewritten by the boot mode setting.

  According to the above configuration, the main CPU 32 is provided to demonstrate the original function (main function) of the electronic device apparatus 30, and the sub CPU 36 exhibits a function (operation monitoring function) of monitoring the operation state of the electronic apparatus device 30. Therefore, the operation of the electronic device 30 can be comprehensively controlled by the reset circuit 33 including the main CPU 32 and the power supply circuit 34 according to the status of the operation monitoring by the sub CPU 36. The operating state refers to a state in which the function expected by the electronic device device 30 can be realized.

  According to the embodiment of the present invention, in the electronic apparatus device 30, the main CPU 32 and the sub CPU 36 each have a boot mode setting function. Therefore, the sub CPU 36 transmits a boot mode setting signal to the main CPU 32, whereby the main CPU 32 can be shifted to the boot mode to update the software (update). Further, the main CPU 32 transmits a boot mode setting signal to the sub CPU 36, whereby the sub CPU 36 can be shifted to the boot mode to update the software. Thereby, the maintainability of software can be improved by the synergistic effect by main CPU32 and sub CPU36. In addition, when updating, the update software itself can be updated because the main CPU 32 and the sub CPU 36 can be controlled in the boot mode without making the update software resident in a storage unit such as a flash memory. This makes it possible to update the entire software instead of partially updating it, thereby improving the maintainability of the software.

[Control function by main CPU]
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining a control function by the main CPU 32 of the electronic device 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  When power is supplied to the electronic device device 30 in the host device 10 and the electronic device device 30 connected by the USB cable 21, the main CPU 32 causes the electronic device device 30 defined in the USB standard to be enumerated. A startup process when connected to the host device 10 is executed to determine whether the process is completed (step S201). More specifically, in this emulation, for example, when the host device 10 and the electronic device device 30 are connected by the USB cable 21, the host device 10 is given a unique number for identifying the electronic device device 30. Based on this unique number, communication or the like is performed between the host device 10 and the electronic device device 30. The enumeration is a communication establishment procedure defined by the USB standard, and a specific procedure is known, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted here.

  After the completion of the emulation process, the main CPU 32 of the electronic device 30 is initialized. Here, the initialization refers to an operation for preparing the electronic device device 30 so that the electronic device device 30 can be used. This initialization operation is performed when the electronic device device 30 is turned on, before the start of work, or at a predetermined time. This is done after error processing. For example, it refers to software processing such as ROM / RAM check, port setting, variable setting, etc. in the electronic apparatus device 30. After initialization, an initialization completion signal is set (step S202), and the output port of the CPU is turned ON (High).

  When the enumeration and initialization are completed, the main CPU 32 executes processing of the main function of the electronic device 30 in accordance with a command from the host device 10 (step S203). For example, when a card reader is employed as the electronic apparatus device 30, the main function processing exhibits all the functions associated with card reading / writing, such as a card reading function and a taking-in function.

  The main CPU 32 determines whether or not the survival confirmation signal from the sub CPU 36 is set (step S204). If it is determined that the survival confirmation signal is set, the survival confirmation signal is cleared (step S205). If it is determined that is not set, the process returns to step S203 to execute the main function process of the electronic device 30. For example, the sub CPU 36 transmits a survival confirmation signal to the main CPU 32, and the main CPU 32 is in a state in which the survival confirmation signal is set, and a predetermined abnormality determination time has elapsed since this survival confirmation signal was set (transmitted). Until then, if a predetermined response signal to the survival confirmation signal is received from the main CPU 32, the sub CPU 36 is in a cleared state, and the sub CPU 36 determines that the operation of the main CPU 32 is normal. If the response signal cannot be received within the abnormality determination time, the sub CPU 36 determines that an abnormality such as a runaway or failure has occurred in the main CPU 32.

[Monitoring function by sub CPU]
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation monitoring function by the sub CPU 36 of the electronic device 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In the host device 10 and the electronic device device 30 connected by the USB cable 22, the sub CPU 36 executes the above-described emulation and determines whether or not the processing is completed (step S301). Next, after the sub CPU 36 is initialized, an initialization completion signal is set (step S302).

  When the enumeration and initialization are completed, the sub CPU 36 determines whether or not the power of the electronic device 30 is turned on (step S303), and if it is determined that the power is not turned on, the sub CPU 36 is turned on. The process of step S303 is repeated until. If it is determined in step S303 that the power of the electronic device 30 is ON, an initialization monitoring timer is set to, for example, 5 seconds (step S304).

  When the setting of the initialization monitoring timer by the sub CPU 36 is completed, it is determined whether or not the initialization of the main CPU 32 is completed (step S305). If it is determined that the initialization is completed, the process proceeds to step S309, while If it is determined that the initialization has not been completed, the sub CPU 36 determines whether or not the initialization monitoring timer has expired (step S306). If the sub CPU 36 determines that the initialization is completed in step S305, the main CPU 32 is notified of this, and the main CPU 32 sets an initialization completion signal (step S202 in FIG. 2).

  If it is determined in step S306 that the initialization monitoring timer has not expired, that is, the exemplified 5 seconds have not elapsed, the process returns to step S305 to determine whether or not initialization of the main CPU 32 has been completed. to decide. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S306 that the initialization monitoring timer has timed up, that is, the exemplified 5 seconds have elapsed, a reset process (step S307) and a power ON / OFF process (step S308) described later are executed. .

  In step S309, the sub CPU 36 sets a survival confirmation timer to 1 second, for example. Next, the sub CPU 36 sets a survival confirmation signal to the main CPU 32 (step S310). Whether or not the survival confirmation signal is set in the main CPU 32 is determined in step S204 of FIG.

  Next, the sub CPU 36 determines whether or not the survival confirmation signal has been cleared (step S311). In step S205 in FIG. 2, when the main CPU 32 clears the survival confirmation signal, the sub CPU 36 determines that the survival confirmation signal has been cleared, and returns the process to step S309.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S311 that the survival confirmation signal is not cleared, the sub CPU 36 determines whether or not the survival confirmation timer has expired (step S312). If it is determined in step S306 that the survival confirmation timer has not expired, that is, the one second exemplified above has not elapsed, the process returns to step S311 and whether or not the survival confirmation signal has been cleared in the main CPU 32. Judging. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S312 that the survival confirmation timer has expired, that is, the above-exemplified 1 second has elapsed, a reset process (step S313) and a power ON / OFF process (step S314) described later are executed.

  As described above, the sub CPU 36 having the operation monitoring function monitors whether or not the initialization of the main CPU 32 is completed, and when the initialization is not completed normally, or monitors the survival confirmation of the main CPU 32 to survive. If the confirmation cannot be performed, the main CPU 32 can be reset or the power can be turned on / off. Therefore, even if a communication failure or functional failure of the electronic device 30 occurs, the host device 10 is restarted or shut down. Since the electronic device 30 itself can perform self-recovery without attempting recovery by the host device 10, the electronic device can be operated stably.

[Reset processing]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the contents of the reset processing (step S307, step S313) executed by the sub CPU 36 of the electronic device apparatus 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, a reset signal is input to reset the electronic device 30, that is, to reset the main CPU 32 (step S 401). The reset signal is generated by the reset circuit 33 according to a command from the sub CPU 36 and then input to the main CPU 32.

  Next, an initialization monitoring timer is set to 5 seconds, for example (step S402). When the setting of the initialization monitoring timer by the sub CPU 36 is completed, it is determined whether or not the initialization of the main CPU 32 is completed (step S403), and when it is determined that the initialization is completed, this subroutine is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the initialization has not been completed, the sub CPU 36 determines whether or not the initialization monitoring timer has expired (step S404).

  If it is determined in step S404 that the initialization monitoring timer has not expired, that is, the above exemplified 5 seconds have not elapsed, the process returns to step S403 to determine whether initialization of the main CPU 32 has been completed. to decide. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S404 that the initialization monitoring timer has timed up, that is, the above-exemplified 5 seconds have elapsed, the host device 10 is notified of the abnormality and the power of the electronic device 30 is turned off. (Step S405). This subroutine ends.

[Power ON / OFF processing]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the contents of the power ON / OFF processing (steps S308 and S314) executed by the sub CPU 36 of the electronic device 30 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, in order to turn on the power of the electronic device 30 again, the power to the main CPU 32 is turned off and an ON power signal is input (step S501). The power ON / OFF signal is generated by the power circuit 34 according to a command from the sub CPU 36 and then input to the main CPU 32.

  Next, an initialization monitoring timer is set to 5 seconds, for example (step S502).

  When the setting of the initialization monitoring timer by the sub CPU 36 is completed, it is determined whether or not the initialization of the main CPU 32 is completed (step S503), and when it is determined that the initialization is completed, this subroutine is terminated. On the other hand, if it is determined that the initialization has not been completed, the sub CPU 36 determines whether or not the initialization monitoring timer has expired (step S504).

  If it is determined in step S504 that the initialization monitoring timer has not expired, that is, the above exemplified 5 seconds have not elapsed, the process returns to step S503 to determine whether initialization of the main CPU 32 has been completed. to decide. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S504 that the initialization monitoring timer has timed up, that is, the above-exemplified 5 seconds have passed, the host device 10 is notified of the abnormality and the power of the electronic device 30 is turned off. (Step S505).

[Main effects of the embodiment]
As described above, since the electronic device 30 itself can execute the power ON / OFF processing by the power ON / OFF processing from the sub CPU 36 to the main CPU 32, a communication failure or a functional failure of the electronic device 30 occurs. Even so, the electronic device 30 itself can perform self-recovery without attempting recovery by the host device 10 such as restart or shutdown of the host device 10. For this reason, an electronic device apparatus can be operated stably. If the main CPU 32 cannot be recovered by reset processing or power ON / OFF processing from the sub CPU 36, the host device 10 is notified of the abnormality of the electronic device device 30, and the power of the electronic device device 30 is turned off. By doing so, it is possible to attempt recovery by the host device by restarting or shutting down the host device 10. That is, not only the host device 10 monitors the state of the electronic device 30 but also the electronic device device 30 monitors the state of the host device 10 to realize mutual complementation of the monitoring state. When the abnormality of the device 30 is detected, the electronic device 30 can be restarted. When the abnormality of the host device 10 is detected, the electronic device 30 notifies the host device 10 using the second versatile communication means.

[Other embodiments]
According to the embodiment of the present invention, the USB connection is used as the second versatile communication means. However, by changing the USB connection to the Ethernet (registered trademark) connection, the state monitoring function via the network Is also possible. For example, when a plurality of electronic device devices 30 are connected based on the host device 10, it is possible to collectively manage the status monitoring of the plurality of electronic device devices 30 via the network.

  In the above description, the sub CPU 36 has been described mainly focusing on the status monitoring of the electronic device 30 that monitors the status of the main CPU 32. However, the main CPU 32 adds a function of monitoring the status of the sub CPU 36 and performs mutual monitoring. Thus, the operational stability can be further improved. That is, in the mutual monitoring, the main CPU 32 and the sub CPU 36 monitor the state of each other, and perform the survival confirmation described above. In this case, the reset signal is generated by the reset circuit 37 by a command from the main CPU 32 and then input to the sub CPU 36, and the power ON / OFF signal is generated by the power circuit 38 by a command from the main CPU 32. Input to the sub CPU 36.

  Further, since the sub CPU 36 is mounted for power ON / OFF control and reset control of the electronic device 30 and further for software update control, the power ON / OFF of the electronic device 30 can be requested in response to a request from the host device. The main CPU 32 can be reset.

  The sub CPU 36 from the host device 10 can be controlled as a virtual COM port or an HID device. When the sub CPU 36 is mounted as a virtual COM port, the sub CPU 36 can be used as it is in the conventional connection method, and can be used as an HID device. When implemented, it is possible to control by implementing a separate command system.

  In this embodiment, the host device and the electronic device are connected on a one-to-one basis. However, the host device may be a one-to-many device such as a plurality of electronic device devices, and is not limited to a USB connection. It may be a connection.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention is useful as an electronic device apparatus that improves operational stability using general-purpose communication means and further improves operational stability by realizing mutual complementation of monitoring states.

10 Host device 11 USB host controller 21, 22 USB cable 31, 35 USB device controller 32 Main CPU
33, 37 Reset circuit 34, 38 Power supply circuit 36 Sub CPU

Claims (4)

An electronic device that executes processing according to a command from a host device,
First information processing means having a function of controlling the operation of the electronic device;
Second information processing means having a function of monitoring the operating state of the electronic device,
First versatility communication means for transmitting and receiving various data between the first information processing means and the host device;
Second versatility communication means for communicating an operation state signal indicating an operation state of the electronic apparatus device between the second information processing means and the host device;
A first reset circuit or a first power supply circuit for generating a reset signal or a power ON / OFF signal for the first information processing means;
A second reset circuit or a second power supply circuit for generating a reset signal or a power ON / OFF signal for the second information processing means;
I have a,
The reset signal or the power ON / OFF signal executed by the first information processing means is the first signal that has received the reset signal from the second reset circuit or the power ON / OFF signal from the second power circuit. The electronic device apparatus is generated by the first reset circuit or the first power supply circuit based on a command of the second information processing means .   The electronic apparatus apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the second information processing unit has a software update function for the first information processing unit. When the second information processing unit determines that the operation state of the first information processing unit has not been successfully monitored, the second information processing unit resets the first information processing unit. 3. The electronic apparatus apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electronic apparatus apparatus is set to an initial state by transmitting a signal or transmitting a power ON / OFF signal to turn on the electronic apparatus apparatus again . When it is determined that the first information processing means that has received the reset signal or the power ON / OFF signal has not been successfully set to the initial state of the electronic device, it notifies the host device to that effect, the second information processing means and the power of the electronic apparatus in the OFF state by sending a power OFF signal to the first information processing means, and characterized by power cycling the electronic apparatus by recovery by the higher-level device The electronic device apparatus according to claim 3.

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