JPH0816508A - Information data sending device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the file transfer speed. CONSTITUTION:Plural AV file data are stored in a HDD 1. AV file data supplied from the HDD 1 is inputted to and outputted from a buffer memory 4 through a HDD interface 2 by the control or a buffer controller 5. A communication control circuit 6 performs the communication control to output AV file data outputted from the buffer memory 4 to a network 7. A CPU 8 indicates data read from the HDD 1 ana the start or communication control of the communication control circuit 6. Since the HDD interface 2, the buffer memory 4, and the communication control circuit 6 are connected by data transmission lines 3a and 3b only for data transmission, data is directly transferred independently of the speed of a CPU bus 10 as the common bus for control and data and the access speed of a RAM 9.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information data transmitting apparatus for distributing a data file consisting of video / audio data to a requester via a communication line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, for example, a large amount of video data files stored as an AV (audio / visual) library are distributed to a plurality of requesters using a communication line. In this case, the AV data file is stored in the hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as H
It is called DD. ) And magneto-optical (hereinafter referred to as MO) disk drives.

Here, an AV information data sending device is used to read an AV data file from the HDD or the like, control the read AV data file, and distribute the AV data file to a plurality of requesters via a communication line. . As shown in FIG. 5, this conventional AV information data transmission device often has the same configuration as a normal computer control circuit. Hereinafter, the conventional information data transmitting apparatus shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to FIG.

The conventional AV information data transmitting device shown in FIG. 5 is a medium-scale device using an AV data file stored in an external storage device, for example, an HDD 51, for example, a large-scale network using an optical fiber or a coaxial cable. Output to a network 56 such as a network. For that purpose, first, the central processing unit (Central Processing Un
it: Hereinafter referred to as CPU. ) 57 is HD as shown in step S12 after the instruction fetch of FIG. 6 (step S11).
A data read command is supplied to D51. HDD5
Reference numeral 1 denotes an external storage device control circuit for transmitting this data read command, such as a small computer system.
Interface (Small computer Systems Interfac
e: Hereinafter referred to as SCSI. 2) and inputs data to the HDD interface 52 according to the data read command.

The HDD interface 52 outputs a data transfer request signal to a direct memory access (DMA) controller 53 using a control line shown by a broken line in FIG. Then, the DMA controller 53 outputs a bus use request signal indicating that the CPU bus 58 is to be used to the CPU 57 by using the control line.

The CPU 57 receives the bus use request signal from the DMA controller 53, permits the bus use,
Random access from HDD interface 52
The read data is transferred to the memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 54. Then, the CPU 57 is informed by the HDD 51 of the end of data reading as shown in step S13.

Next, as shown in step S14, the CPU 57 issues a data output command to the communication control circuit 55 for controlling the communication to the network 56 to output the read data supplied as the DMA data from the RAM 54 to the network 56. Supply. At this time, the communication control circuit 55 outputs a read data transfer request signal to the DMA controller 53 via the control line. And D
The MA controller 53 outputs a bus use request signal to the CPU 57 via the control line.

Therefore, the CPU 57 permits the use of the CPU bus and causes the read data from the RAM 54 to be output to the communication control circuit 55. Then, the communication control circuit 55
The read data is output to the network 56. When the read output is completed, the information of data output completion is supplied to the CPU 57 as in step S15.

[0009]

By the way, the AV data is output from the HDD 51 to the network 56 by such a procedure, while the program of the CPU 57 is R
Since it is placed on the AM 54, the RAM 54 will be accessed three times as shown in FIG.

The data path in the RAM 54 is
It hindered the increase of data transfer speed. In other words, to increase the data transfer speed, RA
This is because it is necessary to increase the speed of the M54 and the speed of the CPU bus 58.

For this reason, it has been considered to increase the speed of the CPU bus 58. However, in the information data transmitting apparatus, increasing the speed of the CPU bus 58 does not need to speed up the arithmetic processing of the information data transmitting apparatus and only requires high-speed transfer of data, which is unbalanced. It is unnecessary.

The present invention has been made in view of the above situation, and is a CPU which is a common bus for control and data.
The file transfer speed can be increased independently of the bus speed and RAM access speed, and even if the number of control objects such as external storage device control means and communication control means increases, only the initial setting and command output processing is performed by the CPU. The purpose is to provide a data transmission device that can effectively use CPU resources.

[0013]

An information data transmitting device according to the present invention is an information data transmitting device for transmitting information data via a communication line, and an external storage device storing a plurality of file data, and the external device described above. External storage device control means for controlling the storage device, input / output means for inputting / outputting data supplied from the external storage device via the external storage device control means, and communication of data output from the input / output means Communication control means for performing communication control for outputting to the line, reading data from the external storage device, and instructing start of communication control of the communication control circuit,
Central control means, so-called CP, connected to the above-mentioned respective parts via a common bus for control and data, so-called CPU bus
The above problem is solved by connecting the external storage device control means, the input / output means, and the communication control means with a U via a data transmission path dedicated to data transmission and performing direct data transfer.

In this case, the address of the data input / output to / from the input / output means is controlled by the input / output controller.

When there are a plurality of communication control means, it is preferable that the data switching means is caused to switch data to each communication control means.

Further, when there are a plurality of external storage devices, it is preferable that the data switching means is caused to switch the data from each external storage device.

[0017]

Since the external storage device control means, the input / output means and the communication control means are connected by a data transmission path dedicated for data transmission and direct data transfer is performed, the speed of the CPU bus which is a common bus for control and data is connected. The file transfer speed can be increased regardless of the RAM access speed.

Also, when there are a plurality of external storage devices, external storage device control means, communication lines, communication control means, etc., a switching means is provided in the middle, so that the CPU is allowed to perform only processing such as initial setting and command output. I'm fine, so C
PU resources can be used effectively.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of an information data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

This embodiment is an AV information data transmitting apparatus for distributing a large amount of AV data files stored as an AV (audio / visual) library to a plurality of requesters using a communication line.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of this AV information data transmission device. This AV information data transmission device is provided with a plurality of A
For example, a hard disk device (hereinafter, referred to as HDD) 1 that stores V file data, an HDD interface 2 that controls the HDD 1, and AV file data supplied from the HDD 1 via the HDD interface 2 in a buffer controller 5 A buffer memory 4 that inputs and outputs according to control, a communication control circuit 6 that performs communication control for outputting the AV file data output from the buffer memory 4 to the network 7, and an HDD 1
The CPU bus 1 for control and data is instructed to read data from the memory and start communication control of the communication control circuit 6.
Central processing unit (hereinafter, referred to as CPU) connected to the HDD 1, the HDD interface 2, the buffer memory 4, and the communication control circuit 6 via 0.
Say. ) 8 and. Also, this CPU 8
Via the CPU bus 10, a random access memory (hereinafter, R) for storing the programs stored in the HDD 1
It is called AM. ) 9 is also connected.

The HDD interface 2 is an interface for controlling the HDD 1, and is, for example, a small computer system interface (Small comp
uterSystems Interface: Hereinafter referred to as SCSI. ) Is typical.

As the network 7, for example, a large-scale network using an optical fiber or a medium-scale network using a coaxial cable can be applied. Therefore, also as the communication control circuit 6, an interface for these networks can be applied.

Next, in this AV information data transmitting device, H
The operation of transmitting the AV data file stored in the DD1 to the network 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, the CPU 8 reads the program from the HDD 1 using the CPU bus 10 and writes it in the RAM 9 at the time of fetching the instruction in step S1. The AV information data transmitting device operates according to the program in the RAM 9.

After the instruction fetch in step S1, the CPU 8
Sets the buffer memory 4 for data input as shown in step S2. Next, the CPU 8 supplies a data read command to the HDD 1 using the CPU bus 10 as shown in step S3. The HDD 1 receives this data read command via the HDD interface 2 and inputs the above data to the HDD interface 2 in accordance with the command.

The HDD interface 2 is a direct memory access (Direct) using the data transmission line 3a.
Memory Access: Hereinafter referred to as DMA. ) AV by processing
The data is stored in the buffer memory 4. Here, a control signal such as an address for the buffer memory 4 is supplied from the buffer controller 5.

When the CPU 8 is notified by the HDD 1 that the reading of data is completed (step S4), the CPU 8 sets the buffer memory 4 for data output as shown in step S5. Then, the buffer memory 4 outputs the read data to the communication control circuit 6 under the control of the buffer controller 5 using the data transmission path 3b.

Next, the CPU 8 sends the read data supplied as DMA data from the buffer memory 4 to the network 7 to the communication control circuit 6, as shown in step S6.
Supply a data output command to output to. Therefore, the communication control circuit 6 outputs the read data to the network 7. When the read output is completed, the data output completion information is supplied to the CPU 8 as in step S7.

In this way, the AV information data transmission device outputs the AV data file stored in the HDD 1 to the network 7. Here, the CPU bus 10 is used only during the period in which the processes of step S1 to step S3, step S4 to step S6, and step S7 are performed, and the period of T ₁ and T ₂ is not used. Not not. Therefore, the CPU 8 can process other tasks.
That is, the data processing during the period of T ₁ and T ₂ is performed by the CPU 8
Since each interface and each controller perform this independently of the above, the CPU 8 and the RAM 9 are not required to have high speed.

From the above, the AV information data transmitting apparatus of this embodiment is capable of transferring the data read from the HDD 1 to the C
Since the buffer memory 4 is shared by the HDD interface 2 and the communication control circuit 6 so that the data transmission paths 3a and 3b are used instead of the PU bus 10, the file is irrelevant regardless of the CPU bus speed or the RAM access speed. The transfer speed can be increased.

The information data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, when there are a plurality of networks and a plurality of communication control means, the switching means may be used to supply data to each communication control means. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, when two communication control circuits 17 and 21 are provided, the switcher 14, which is a switching means, switches the HDD interface 12 to the data transmission line 13.
The read data supplied via the data transmission line 1
Buffer memory 1 via 3b or data transmission path 13d
5 or the buffer memory 19 may be switched and supplied. Except for the switcher 14, each part is the same as each part shown in FIG. 1, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.
Further, the processing of the data after being switched by the switcher 14 is the same as the processing described using FIG. 2 above, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here.

Further, in the information data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention, even when there are a plurality of external storage devices and a plurality of external storage device control means, and also when there are a plurality of networks and a plurality of communication control means, the switching means is used. The external storage device control means and each communication control means may be switched. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the two HDD interfaces 32 and 34 are provided and the two communication control circuits 39 and 43 are provided, the switcher 36 that is a switching unit causes the HDD interface 32 or the HDD The read data from the interface 33 is switched and inputted, and the buffer memory 37 or 4
The output may be switched to 1. Except for the switcher 36, each part is the same as each part shown in FIG. 1, and therefore the description thereof is omitted here. Further, the processing of the data after being switched by the switcher 36 is the same as the processing described with reference to FIG.

As described above, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, when there are a plurality of external storage devices, external storage device control means, networks, communication control means, etc., a switcher as a switching means is provided in the middle. Parallel processing is possible,
Since it is only necessary for the CPU to perform processing such as initial setting and command output, CPU resources can be effectively used.

The switcher as the switching means may be arranged between the buffer memory and the communication control circuit.

As the external storage device, a magneto-optical (M
O) A disk device may be used.

[0037]

The information data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention is an information data transmitting apparatus for transmitting information data via a communication line, and controls an external storage device storing a plurality of file data and the external storage device. External storage device control means, input / output means for inputting / outputting data supplied from the external storage device via the external storage device control means, and data output from the input / output means to the communication line. Communication control means for performing communication control for instructing to read data from the external storage device and instructing start of communication control of the communication control circuit, and being connected to each of the above parts via a common bus for control and data. The external storage device control means, the input / output means, and the communication control means are connected by a data transmission path dedicated to data transmission, and a direct control means is provided. Since the data transfer can be increased irrespective file transfer speed control, and the common bus of the CPU bus is the speed and RAM access speed data.

Since the information data transmitting apparatus according to the present invention has the data switching means for switching the data from the plurality of external recording apparatuses and the data for the plurality of communication control means, the parallel processing is performed. It is possible to perform CP only for processing such as initial setting and command output.
It is sufficient for U to do so, and CPU resources can be effectively used.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an AV information data transmission device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the AV information data transmission device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an AV information data transmitting device of another embodiment of the present invention having a plurality of communication control circuits.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an AV information data transmission device of another embodiment of the present invention having a plurality of external storage devices and communication control circuits.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a conventional AV information data transmission device.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the conventional AV information data transmission device shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Hard Disk Drive 2 Hard Disk Drive Interface 3a, 3b Data Transmission Line 4 Buffer Memory 5 Buffer Controller 6 Communication Control Circuit 7 Network 8 Central Processing Unit 9 Random Access Memory 10 CPU Bus

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. An information data transmission device for transmitting information data via a communication line, comprising: an external storage device for storing a plurality of file data; external storage device control means for controlling the external storage device; Input / output means for inputting / outputting data supplied from the external storage device via the storage device control means, and communication control means for performing communication control for outputting the data output from the input / output means to the communication line. A central control means for instructing the reading of data from the external storage device and the start of communication control of the communication control circuit and being connected to the respective parts via a common bus for control and data, An external storage device control means, the input / output means, and the communication control means are connected by a data transmission path dedicated to data transmission to directly transfer data. Information data transmission device. 2. The information data transmitting device according to claim 1, wherein the address of the data input / output to / from the input / output means is controlled by an input / output controller. 3. An information data transmitting apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a data switching means for switching data to a plurality of said communication control means. 4. The information data transmitting device according to claim 1, further comprising a data switching means for switching data from a plurality of the external storage devices.