JPH03265915A - Estimating device for end time of data transfer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To estimate an accurate data transfer end time by obtaining an actual data transfer rate and calculating the data transfer end time from the data transfer rate the remaining amount of data. CONSTITUTION:A transfer rate counter 4 measures an actual transfer rate, and a remaining amount counter 5 measures the remaining amount of data. Then a data transfer end time computing means 2 calculates the data transfer end time from the transfer rate and the remaining amount of data which are actually measured. Thus the data transfer end time is obtained from the measured transfer rate and data remaining amount. Then it is possible to estimate an accurate data transfer end time despite the variance of conditions of the data transfer side, a data transfer path, and the data transfer destination side respectively.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a data transfer end time prediction device, and more particularly to a device that predicts and outputs the time required to end data transfer.

[Prior Art] In principle, the time required to complete data transfer can be determined by dividing the amount of data to be transferred by the transfer speed.

For example, the transfer time (download time), which is one of the PDS title data, is the value obtained by dividing the program size by the communication speed.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] In principle, the value obtained by dividing the data amount by the transfer speed is used as the data transfer end time, but in reality, the transfer speed is uncertain because it depends on the transfer conditions. . For example, when data is transferred using a telephone line, the transfer speed depends on how busy the telephone line is. Also, when transferring data from a computer to a printer, it depends on the type of software on the computer, the performance of the printer, and the content of the data to be transferred (character data, image data, or a mixture of these). Transfer speed is affected.

For this reason, in the past, there was a problem in that it was not possible to obtain an accurate data transfer end time.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a data transfer end time prediction device that can obtain a more accurate data transfer end time.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The data transfer end time prediction device of the present invention includes a transfer rate measuring means for obtaining a transfer rate by measuring the amount of data transferred during a predetermined time or the transfer time of a predetermined amount of data; The configuration further comprises a remaining amount measuring means for measuring the remaining amount of data to be transferred, and a data transfer end time calculation means for calculating the required time until the end of data transfer based on the transfer rate and the remaining amount. This is the characteristic of

[Operations] In the data transfer end time prediction device of the present invention, the transfer rate measuring means measures the actual transfer rate. Further, the remaining amount measuring means actually measures the remaining amount of data. Then, the data transfer end time calculation means calculates the data transfer end time based on the actually measured transfer rate and the remaining amount of data.

In this way, the data transfer end time is obtained from the actually measured transfer rate and remaining capacity, so even if the conditions of the data transfer source, data transfer path, and data transfer destination change, the data transfer end time can be accurately determined. Be able to do 11.

[Examples] The present invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to examples shown in the drawings. Note that this invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of main parts of a computer system including an embodiment of the data transfer end time prediction device of the present invention.

A hard disk H, a display D, a keyboard, and a printer P are connected to the computer C as peripheral devices.

Computer C has a CPU 2 and a timer 3.

It includes a transfer amount counter 4, a remaining amount counter 5, and a printer buffer B.

The CPU 2 operates according to a program stored in a memory (not shown).

The timer 3 interrupts the CPU 2 at predetermined intervals.

The transfer amount counter 4 receives a control signal (for example, a shift-in signal or a strobe signal) output from the printer buffer B.
count. This count value represents the amount of data transferred.

The remaining amount counter 5 counts up in response to a control signal input to the printer buffer B (for example, a shift-in signal or a strobe signal), and counts down in response to a control signal output from the printer buffer B. Therefore, this count value represents the remaining amount of data in printer buffer B.

Printer buffer B is, for example, a FIFO with a sufficiently large capacity that has a spooler function, holds data to be transferred to printer P, and sends out a predetermined amount of data each time printer P becomes ready.

Next, the operation of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

FIG. 2 shows the operations performed in the main routine. C.P.
U2 reads the count value of the remaining amount counter 5 and checks whether there is any remaining amount (step SL). If there is a remaining amount, exit this process without doing anything, and if there is no remaining amount, turn off the internal transfer flag (step S2
).

FIG. 3 shows the operations performed every time an interrupt is received from timer 3. First, the count value of the remaining amount counter 5 is read out to check whether there is any remaining amount (R1). If there is no remaining amount, the internal transfer flag is turned OFF (step R2). If there is a remaining amount, read the count value of transfer amount counter 4 and divide it by the period of timer 3 (
Step R3). This quotient represents the transfer speed.

After reading the count value of the transfer amount counter 4, the CPU 2 clears the transfer amount counter 4. Next, CPU2
sets an internal transfer flag to ON (step R4).

FIG. 4 shows the operation performed by an interrupt that occurs when the operator operates the "transfer end time display key" on the keyboard. First, the CPU 2 checks whether the internal transfer flag is ON or not (step Ql).
. If the transfer flag is not ON, a display indicating that transfer is not in progress is displayed on display D (step Q2). If the transfer flag is ON, the count value of the remaining capacity counter 5 is read out, and the count value is divided by the previously calculated transfer rate (step Q3). Next, this quotient is displayed on display D as the transfer end time (step Q4).

With the above operation, the actual transfer speed is measured every cycle of the timer 3, and each time the operator operates the "transfer end time display key", the predicted time from that time to the end of data transfer is displayed.

This invention can be applied to a network as shown in FIG. That is, when terminal a transfers data to another terminal, terminal A has a magnetic tape as a peripheral device, terminal C has a hard disk as a peripheral device, and terminal d has a printer as a peripheral device. For,
The transfer speed for each is different. However, even in such a case, by applying the present invention, terminal a can know the accurate data transfer end time for any data transfer to any terminal. In addition, LANα and LANβ are connected via gateway e and gateway f.
is connected, from terminal a of LANα to LANβ
Data may be transferred to terminal g or terminal 2, but the transfer speed varies depending on how busy the line is. Even in such a case, since the data transfer end time is obtained by actually measuring the transfer speed at terminal a, it becomes possible to accurately predict the data transfer end time.

As another embodiment, instead of interrupting the timer 3 at predetermined intervals, the transfer amount counter 4 interrupts the CPU 2 every time a predetermined transfer amount is reached, and the time interval at that time is measured, and the data is One example is one that calculates the transfer rate of .

[Effects of the Invention] According to the data transfer end time prediction device of the present invention, the actual data transfer rate is obtained and the data transfer end time is calculated from that transfer rate and the remaining amount of data, so that data transfer can be performed accurately. Be able to predict the end time. Therefore,
There is no need for the operator to check whether data transfer has been completed at an appropriate time, and the time until data transfer is completed can be effectively utilized. In addition, the accurate data transfer end time can be determined regardless of the data transfer program, transfer path, or conditions of the transfer partner.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a computer system including an embodiment of the data transfer end time prediction device of the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 4 are flowcharts of the operation according to the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is a schematic diagram of a network to which the present invention can be applied. (Explanation of symbols) 2... CPU 3... Timer 4... Transfer amount counter B... Printer buffer C... Computer D... Display H... Hard disk K... Keyboard P. ...Printer.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. Transfer rate measuring means for obtaining a transfer rate by measuring the amount of data transferred during a predetermined time or the transfer time of a predetermined amount of data; and a remaining amount for measuring the remaining amount of data to be transferred. A data transfer end time prediction device, comprising: a measuring means; and a data transfer end time calculation means for calculating the required time until the data transfer ends based on the transfer rate and the remaining amount.