JPH096943A - Fault diagnosing method for image processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a fault diagnosing method capable of executing fault diagnosis by using plural test signals for diagnosis and improving diagnostic efficiency by rationally interlocking the switching of the test signals for diagnosis with the switching of corresponding expected values. CONSTITUTION: Two image processors 1 and 3 are connected together with a transmission line 2, and a test signal for the diagnosis of an image processor which is generated and sent out by the image processor 1 is received by the image processor 3 and compared with the expected value corresponding to the diagnostic test signal to diagnose a fault of the image processor. Here, plural kinds of test signals for diagnosis are prepared and when they are sent out, information related to the respective diagnostic test signals is sent out together; and the received information is utilized to compare the respective received diagnostic test signals with the corresponding expected values to diagnose various fault of the image processor.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a failure diagnosis of an image processing apparatus capable of performing a real time failure diagnosis of whether or not the image processing circuit is operating normally while normally using the image processing circuit. It is about the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a failure diagnosis of an image processing circuit included in an image processing apparatus is performed by inputting a diagnostic test signal to the image processing circuit, taking out the diagnostic test signal processed by the image processing circuit as an output signal, and determining a predetermined value. The expected value (reference value corresponding to the test signal) is compared to determine whether the image processing circuit is normal. FIG. 4 shows a schematic block diagram of an image processing apparatus having a conventional diagnostic apparatus. The image processing apparatus having the diagnostic device shown in FIG. 4 transmits a diagnostic test signal from an image processing circuit included in the image processing apparatus A to an image processing circuit included in the image processing apparatus B via a transmission line, It is configured to perform a failure diagnosis from the image processing circuit included in A to the image processing circuit included in the image processing apparatus B.

In FIG. 4, 41 is an image processing apparatus A, 4
3 is the image processing apparatus B, 42 is a transmission path connecting the image processing apparatus A 41 and the image processing apparatus B 43, and 52 is image processing including the image processing apparatus A 41, the image processing apparatus B 43, and the transmission path 42. The device 44 is an image processing device A41.
, 45 is a test signal generating circuit included in the image processing apparatus A 41, and 46 is an image processing apparatus A 4
No. 1 and a timing control circuit for generating a timing signal for controlling the timing of processing, 47 is an image processing circuit included in the image processing apparatus B43, and 48 is a comparison by comparing two input signals included in the image processing apparatus B43. A comparison / determination circuit for outputting the result, 49 is an image processing device B4
An expected value generating circuit for generating an expected value (reference value corresponding to a transmitted test signal) for diagnosis prepared in 3;
Is a timing control circuit that generates a signal in the image processing apparatus B3 and a timing signal that controls the timing of processing, and 51 is a recording circuit that records the determination result of diagnosis and the like.

The operation of diagnosis in the image processing apparatus having the conventional diagnosis apparatus will be described below. Image processing device A41
At B43 and B43, normal image processing, image transmission, and other operations are performed, and the image signal of the main line system is input to the image processing circuit 44, subjected to required processing, and transmitted through the transmission path 42, and the image processing circuit is transmitted. It is input to 47, subjected to required processing, and output to another device as a main line image signal. In the diagnostic operation, first, in the image processing apparatus A 41, the test signal generating circuit 45 generates a diagnostic test signal controlled by the timing signal from the timing control circuit 46, and outputs it to the image processing circuit 44.

The diagnostic test signal separately input to the image processing circuit 44 and the main line image signal is controlled and processed based on the timing signal from the timing control circuit 46 separately input to the image processing circuit 44, and the main line system image signal is obtained. It is inserted at a predetermined position within the vertical blanking period of the image signal. The diagnostic test signal inserted into the main line image signal is subjected to required processing together with the main line image signal in the image processing circuit 44, and is output from the image processing circuit 44 to the image processing device B43 via the transmission path 42. The main line image signal in which the diagnostic test signal transmitted through the transmission line 42 is inserted is input to the image processing circuit 47, and is subjected to required processing in the image processing circuit 47 to obtain the main line image signal (diagnostic test signal Is output to other devices as a state of being inserted or removed, and the comparison and determination circuit 4 is separately provided.
It is also output to 8 (a state of the main line image signal in which the diagnostic test signal is inserted, a state of only the diagnostic test signal, or both are possible).

Further, in the comparison / determination circuit 48, a test signal generated by an expected value generation circuit 49 which is separately controlled by a timing signal from a timing control circuit 50 is added together with the main line image signal in which the diagnostic test signal is inserted. The corresponding expected value is entered. The comparison / determination circuit 48 corresponds to a case where the diagnostic test signal input to, processed and output to the image processing circuits 44 and 47 and the diagnostic test signal from the normal image processing circuits 44 and 47 are output. The expected value output from the expected value generation circuit 49 is compared and determined, and the determination result is output to the recording circuit 51. Recording circuit 51
Records the judgment result from the comparison and judgment circuit 48 and other data. The timing control circuit 46 in the image processing apparatus A41 and the timing control circuit 50 in the image processing apparatus B43 are synchronously controlled.

[0007]

The image processing apparatus equipped with the conventional diagnostic device may perform not only one characteristic diagnosis but also different characteristic diagnosis, and it is necessary to generate and switch a plurality of types of diagnostic test signals. There is. In this case, it is easy to generate and switch a plurality of diagnostic test signals by the test signal generating circuit in the first image processing apparatus A, but in the second image processing apparatus B connected by the transmission line 2. In the expected value generation circuit, it is not easy to generate an expected value corresponding to a plurality of diagnostic test signals. The image processing apparatuses A and B are phase-synchronized with respect to horizontal and vertical cycles, but only one type of diagnostic test signal can be inserted in one vertical blanking signal period in consideration of the amount of data.

Therefore, in order to switch and diagnose N kinds of diagnostic test signals, it is necessary to construct a phase synchronization circuit at a cycle at least N times the cycle of the vertical blanking signal, resulting in a large circuit scale. It will also affect the stability of the synchronization. Due to such a problem, conventionally, a fixed diagnostic test signal has been used, and it has been difficult to improve the diagnostic efficiency.
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention rationalizes the switching of a plurality of types of diagnostic test signals and the switching of corresponding expected values, and realizes a fault diagnosis using a plurality of types of diagnostic test signals. However, it is an object of the present invention to provide a failure diagnosis method for an image processing apparatus, which improves the diagnosis efficiency.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention relates to an image processing apparatus which connects two image processing apparatuses via a transmission line and which is generated and sent out by the one image processing apparatus. The diagnostic test signal is received by the other image processing apparatus, is compared with an expected value corresponding to the diagnostic test signal, and the diagnostic test signal is compared with an expected value corresponding to the diagnostic test signal in the image processing apparatus. Prepare a plurality of types, and when sending each, send together the identification information for identifying each diagnostic test signal or the corresponding expected value, and use the received relevant identification information or the corresponding expected value to receive Each diagnostic test signal is compared with each corresponding expected value, and various failure diagnoses of the image processing apparatus are performed. When a diagnostic error is detected, the failure diagnostic analysis CPU provided in each of the image processing devices selects a diagnostic test signal necessary for identifying the cause of the diagnostic error, and the selected diagnostic test signal is selected. A failure diagnosis test request based on the above is sent to the one image processing apparatus, and after receiving the test request,
The diagnostic error is analyzed by a diagnostic test signal corresponding to the identification of the cause of the diagnostic error.

[0010]

As a result, even when a plurality of types of failure diagnosis are performed, the identification information for identifying each of the diagnostic test signals or the corresponding expected value is also transmitted when the plurality of types of diagnostic test signals are transmitted. Since it is transmitted, by using the received identification information or expected value, it is possible to generate an expected value corresponding to each diagnostic test signal received, and to perform various failure diagnosis of the image processing apparatus. It can be carried out. When a diagnostic error is detected, the CPU for failure diagnosis and analysis provided in each image processing device
A diagnostic test signal necessary for specifying the cause of the diagnostic error is selected, a failure diagnosis test request based on the selected diagnostic test signal is sent to one of the image processing devices, and thereafter, by receiving the test request, Since the diagnostic error is analyzed by the diagnostic test signal corresponding to the identification of the cause of the diagnostic error, the cause of the diagnostic error can be automatically analyzed.

[0011]

【Example】

[Embodiment 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus including a diagnostic device according to the present invention.
In FIG. 1, 1 is an image processing apparatus A, 3 is an image processing apparatus B, 2 is a transmission line connecting the image processing apparatus A1 and the image processing apparatus B3, and 15 is an image processing apparatus A1 and the image processing apparatus. Image processing device composed of B3 and transmission path 2, 4
Is an image processing circuit included in the image processing apparatus A1, 8 is a timing control circuit for generating timing signals for controlling the timing of signals and processing in the image processing apparatus A1, and 6 is a timing signal from the timing control circuit 8 sequentially. A test signal generating circuit 7 for generating a plurality of types of diagnostic test signals to be switched is sequentially switched by a timing signal from a timing control circuit 8 to identify a plurality of types of diagnostic test signals generated by the test signal generating circuit 6. A test number signal generating circuit 5 for generating a test number signal for use is a multiplexing circuit for multiplexing the diagnostic test signal from the test signal generating circuit 6 and the test number signal from the test number signal generating circuit 7.

Reference numeral 9 is an image processing circuit provided in the image processing apparatus B3, 14 is a timing control circuit for generating signals in the image processing apparatus B3 and timing signals for controlling processing timing, and 10 is an input from the image processing circuit 9. A separation circuit for separating the diagnostic test signal and the test number signal from the generated signal, and 11 is an expected value generator that generates and outputs an expected value corresponding to the diagnostic test signal identified by the test number signal input from the separation circuit 10. The circuit, 12 is a comparison / determination circuit for comparing and comparing the diagnostic test signal input from the separation circuit 10 and the expected value corresponding to the diagnostic test signal from the expected value generating circuit 11, and 13 is a comparison determination result or the like. A recording circuit for recording is shown.

The operation of failure diagnosis in the image processing apparatus equipped with the diagnosis apparatus of the present invention will be described below. In the first image processing device A1 and the second image processing device B3,
Normal image processing, image transmission, etc. are performed,
The image signal of the main line system is input to the image processing circuit 4, subjected to the required processing, transmitted through the transmission line 2, input to the image processing circuit 9 and subjected to the required processing, and output to another device as the image signal of the main line system. ing. The diagnostic operation is first controlled by the timing signal from the timing control circuit 8 in the image processing apparatus A1, and the test signal generation circuit 6 repeatedly generates a plurality of types of diagnostic test signals that are sequentially switched at the cycle of the vertical blanking signal. And outputs it to the multiplexing circuit 5. Similarly, it is controlled by the timing signal from the timing control circuit 8 and is sequentially switched at the cycle of the vertical blanking signal to correspond to a plurality of types of diagnostic test signals generated by the test signal generation circuit 6, The test number signal for identifying is repeatedly generated in the test number signal generating circuit 7 and output to the multiplexing circuit 5. When a plurality of types of diagnostic test signals generated by the test signal generating circuit 6 include identification information in advance, the test number signal generating circuit 7 and the multiplexing circuit 5 are unnecessary.

The multiplexing circuit 5 multiplexes the diagnostic test signal from the test signal generating circuit 6 and the test number signal from the test number signal generating circuit 7 and outputs the multiplexed signal to the image processing circuit 4. The multiplex signal separately input to the image processing circuit 4 separately from the main line image signal is controlled and processed based on the timing signal separately input to the image processing circuit 4, and a predetermined position within the vertical blanking period of the main line image signal. Inserted in. FIG. 2 shows a configuration in which a multiple signal composed of a diagnostic test signal and a test number signal is inserted at a predetermined position within the vertical blanking period of the main line image signal. The multiplexed signal inserted in the main line image signal is processed by the image processing circuit 4
Then, the necessary processing is performed together with the main line image signal, and the image signal is output from the image processing circuit 4 to the image processing apparatus B3 via the transmission path 2.

The main line image signal in which the multiplex signal transmitted through the transmission line 2 is inserted is input to the image processing circuit 9 and subjected to required processing in the image processing circuit 9 to obtain the main line image signal (multiplexed signal It is output to another device as an inserted state or a removed state, and is also output to the separation circuit 10 separately (state of main line image signal in which multiplex signal is inserted, state of multiplex signal only) , Both are possible). The separation circuit 10 separates the test number signal and the diagnostic test signal from the multiplexed signal inserted in the input main line image signal, and outputs the test number signal from the expected value generation circuit 11
To output a diagnostic test signal to the comparison and determination circuit 12.
The expected value generation circuit 11 recognizes the separated diagnostic test signal based on the input test number signal, identifies and selects the corresponding expected value, and compares the selected expected value with the comparison / determination circuit 12.
Output to

The comparison / determination circuit 12 receives the diagnostic test signal input from the separation circuit 10 and processed and output by the image processing circuits 4 and 9, and the diagnostic test signal input from the expected value generation circuit 11. The corresponding expected value is compared and determined, and the determination result is output to the recording circuit 13. The recording circuit 13 records the determination result and other data. The timing control circuit 8 in the image processing apparatus A1 and the timing control circuit 14 in the image processing apparatus B3 are synchronously controlled, and each circuit included in each of the image processing apparatuses A1 and B3 has its own timing control. It is controlled by the circuit.

As described above, by transmitting the test number signal for identifying the test signal together with the diagnostic test signal, it is possible to identify a plurality of types of transmitted diagnostic test signals, and a plurality of diagnostic test signals can be identified. Sequential switching of diagnostic test signals and corresponding sequential switching of expected values can be linked, and diagnosis of image processing circuits including transmission paths by multiple types of diagnostic test signals can be realized. it can. Further, if the test number signal is recorded together with the determination result in the recording circuit, for example, when a diagnostic error occurs, the type of the diagnostic test signal to be targeted becomes easy to understand, and an appropriate countermeasure can be taken. . In this embodiment, the test number signal is sent to identify the diagnostic test signal, but other identification information such as a code may be used as long as it can be identified, and it corresponds to the test signal. The expected value itself may be sent. In this case, the expected value generating circuit 11 becomes unnecessary. Further, when there are a plurality of transmission lines between the image processing apparatuses A and B, it is possible to send the test number signal by another line without multiplexing it with the diagnostic test signal.

[Embodiment 2] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a second embodiment of an image processing apparatus equipped with a diagnostic device according to the present invention. The image processing apparatus including the above-described diagnostic apparatus according to the first embodiment described with reference to FIG. 1 performs all the generation, switching, and determination of the diagnostic test signal and the expected value by the processing by the combination of hardware. However, in the second embodiment described with reference to FIG. 3, a CPU is further added to the image processing apparatus including the diagnostic device shown in the first embodiment, and C
This is a combination of the judgment functions of the PU. When a diagnostic error occurs by adding a CPU, the CPU analyzes and judges the error content and identifies the cause of the error from multiple types of diagnostic test signals that are output repeatedly in a fixed sequence of hardware. Therefore, it is possible to switch to the diagnostic test signal necessary for output and output it for diagnosis.

In FIG. 3, reference numeral 16 is a test signal generating section which is the same as the timing control circuit 8, test signal generating circuit 6, test number signal generating circuit 7 and multiplexing circuit 5 shown in FIG. CP for controlling the processing device A1
Reference numerals U and 18 are the same as the timing control circuit 14, the expected value generating circuit 11, the comparison / determination circuit 12, the separation circuit 10 and the recording circuit 13 shown in FIG. 1, and the comparison / determination unit 19 controls the image processing apparatus B3. CPU to be used. In addition, the same reference numerals as those in FIG.
The description is omitted because they are the same.

The operation of failure diagnosis in the image processing apparatus equipped with the diagnosis apparatus of the present invention will be described below. The image processing apparatus A1 and the image processing apparatus B3 are connected by bidirectional transmission via the transmission line 2, and the CPU 17 in the image processing apparatus A1 is connected.
And the CPU 19 in the image processing apparatus B3 mutually transmit data. First, the normal operation will be described. In the first image processing apparatus A1, the main line image signal is input to the image processing circuit 4, and the multiplex signal of the diagnostic test signal and the test number signal generated in the test signal generation unit 16 is separately input to the image processing circuit 4. To do.

Under the control of the CPU 17, the image processing circuit 4 inserts a multiplexed signal in which the diagnostic test signal and the test number signal are multiplexed at a predetermined position in the vertical blanking period of the main line image signal, The main line image signal in which the multiplex signal is inserted is subjected to required image processing and output to the image processing apparatus B3 via the transmission line 2. In the second image processing device B3,
The main line image signal in which the multiplex signal input via the transmission line 2 is inserted is input to the image processing circuit 9, is subjected to required image processing in the image processing circuit 9, and is output to another device as a main line image signal. The comparison and determination unit 18
Is also output to

The comparison / determination unit 18 separates the input multiplexed signal into a diagnostic test signal and a test number signal, and the expected test value corresponding to this diagnostic test signal is identified and selected by the separated test number signal. The expected value and the separated diagnostic test signal are compared and determined, and the determination result is output and recorded. In the image processing apparatus B3, the CPU 19 regularly monitors the determination result of the above-described normal operation. Next, the operation when a diagnostic error occurs will be described. When a diagnostic error occurs, the CPU 19 starts to analyze the content of the diagnostic error and selects a diagnostic test signal necessary for specifying the cause of the diagnostic error based on the analysis. Then, the image processing device A1
In response to the request, the test number signal corresponding to the selected diagnostic test signal is transmitted to the CPU 17 of the image processing apparatus A1.

The CPU 17 recognizes that the test request has been transmitted, controls the test signal generator 16, and sequentially switches a plurality of types of diagnostic test signals generated.
The diagnostic test signal corresponding to the request test number transmitted from the CPU 19 is switched and output. The CPU 17 and the CPU 19 repeat a series of processes until the cause of the diagnostic error can be identified, and display the analysis result on a display unit (not shown). From the occurrence of the diagnostic error, the selection of the diagnostic test signal necessary for identifying the diagnostic error, the analysis result, and the like can be recorded in the comparison / determination unit 18.

[0024]

According to the present invention, the switching of a plurality of types of diagnostic test signals and the switching of corresponding expected values are rationally performed to realize fault diagnosis by a plurality of types of diagnostic test signals. Thus, it is possible to provide a failure diagnosis method for an image processing apparatus, which improves diagnosis efficiency. Further, according to the present invention, when a diagnostic error occurs, the diagnostic error content is analyzed, a diagnostic test signal necessary for identifying the cause of the diagnostic error is selected based on the analysis, and the diagnostic by the specific diagnostic test signal is performed. It is easy to identify the cause by performing.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a first embodiment of an image processing apparatus including a diagnostic device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of a multiplexed signal inserted in a main line image signal used in an image processing apparatus including a diagnostic device according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram showing a second embodiment of an image processing apparatus including a diagnostic device according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram showing an image processing apparatus including a conventional diagnostic apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 41 ... Image processing apparatus A, 2, 42 ... Transmission path 3, 4,
3 ... Image processing device B, 4, 9, 44, 47 ... Image processing circuit, 5 ... Multiplexing circuit, 6, 46 ... Test signal generating circuit, 7
... Test number signal generation circuit, 8, 14, 46, 50 ... Timing control circuit, 10 ... Separation circuit, 11, 49 ... Expected value generation circuit, 12, 48 ... Comparison determination circuit, 13, 51 ...
Recording circuit, 15, 52 ... Image processing device, 16 ... Test signal generation unit, 17, 19 ... CPU, 18 ... Comparison determination unit.

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Two image processing devices are connected by a transmission line,
The diagnostic test signal of the image processing apparatus generated and transmitted by the one image processing apparatus is received by the other image processing apparatus and compared with an expected value corresponding to the diagnostic test signal, In an image processing device for performing a failure diagnosis of a processing device, a plurality of types of the diagnostic test signals are prepared,
At the time of each transmission, information related to each diagnostic test signal is also transmitted, and the received relevant information is used to compare each received diagnostic test signal with each corresponding expected value, A method of diagnosing a failure of an image processing apparatus, comprising performing various kinds of failure diagnosis of the image processing apparatus. 2. The fault diagnosis method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information related to each diagnostic test signal is used as identification information for identifying each diagnostic test signal, and the received identification. Identify the received diagnostic test signal based on the information, generate an expected value corresponding to the diagnostic test signal, and compare the identified diagnostic test signal with the generated expected value. A method for diagnosing a failure in an image processing apparatus, comprising: 3. The failure diagnosis method for an image processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information related to each diagnostic test signal is an expected value corresponding to the diagnostic test signal, and the received diagnostic test signal is A method of diagnosing a failure of an image processing apparatus, comprising: comparing the received expected value corresponding to the diagnostic test signal with each other to perform various kinds of failure diagnosis of the image processing apparatus. 4. The fault diagnosis method for an image processing device according to claim 1, wherein when a diagnostic error is detected, a C for fault diagnosis analysis is provided in each image processing device.
The PU selects a diagnostic test signal necessary for specifying the cause of the diagnostic error, sends a failure diagnostic test request based on the selected diagnostic test signal to the one image processing apparatus, and outputs the test request A failure diagnosis method for an image processing apparatus, characterized in that after the reception, the diagnosis error is analyzed by a diagnostic test signal corresponding to the identification of the cause of the diagnosis error.