JPH11306033A - Program control method, data processor and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute plural tasks in time division by executing the 1st and 2nd tasks in time division and controlling the stop timing via the 1st task itself. SOLUTION: A dormant timer of a timer part is started by a signal outlet function, and a system call is issued by the signal outlet function to set a 1st task TSK1 in a dormant state. Thus, the processing of the TSK1 that is being executed by an execution part 21-1 is discontinued and instead a 2nd task TSK2 kept in a dormant state is operated. When the time-out of the dormant timer is detected, the timer outlet function is called to issue a system call and to return the TSK1 of a dormant state to an operating state. Thus, the TSK1 is returned to its operating state from its dormant state and then returned from the signal outlet function. As a result, true part 21-1 restarts execution of the processing of the TSK1 and the TSK2 of lower priority is returned to its dormant state from its operating state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a program control method, a data processing device and a storage medium, and more particularly to a program control method for executing a plurality of tasks in a time-sharing manner.
The present invention relates to a data processing device using such a program control method, and a computer-readable storage medium storing a program for causing the data processing device to perform such a program control.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, information has been frequently transmitted and received between data processing apparatuses such as computers via a network such as a LAN. Usually, when designing a network system composed of a plurality of data processing devices connected to one LAN, it is designed to support one communication procedure (protocol). However, when a device newly added to the network system only supports another protocol, or when the LAN of the network system is connected to another LAN supporting another protocol via a gateway or the like, Need to support multiple protocols.

A data processor such as a printer is provided with a protocol controller for transmitting and receiving information according to a protocol. No problem occurs when such a printer device supports a single protocol, but when a plurality of protocols are supported, it is necessary to perform arbitration between a plurality of protocol controllers corresponding to these protocols.

In the case of a system capable of simultaneously executing a plurality of tasks respectively corresponding to different protocols by a real-time operating system, the plurality of protocol controllers can be operated in parallel. However, a general operating system (monitor) does not support a function of executing a plurality of tasks simultaneously. Therefore, in an operating system that does not support the function of executing a plurality of tasks at the same time, it is necessary to take measures such as assigning priorities to the tasks and executing the tasks in accordance with the priorities. However, in this case, if a high-priority task continues to be executed, a low-priority task cannot be executed, which is not suitable for real-time processing.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a conventional program control method that enables real-time processing when a printer device supports a first task and a second task. The operating system instructs task switching at the timing shown in FIG. This allows
The first task is executed only during the high level (H) period in FIG. 9A, and the second task is executed only during the high level (H) period in FIG. As a result, the first task and the second task are executed in a time-division manner. No tasks are executed during the low level (L) period.

[0006]

However, in the conventional program control method, since the switching timing of the tasks is controlled by the operating system, it is possible to assign a priority between the first task and the second task. There was a problem that it was not possible. Further, since the task switching timing is controlled by the operating system, it is substantially fixed, and it is impossible to weight the first task and the second task unless the operating system itself is changed. There was also a problem.

Further, since the task switching timing is controlled by the operating system, if the number of tasks is further increased to three or more, for example, by increasing the number of protocols supported by the device, the execution time is reduced. The control other than the equal distribution is very complicated, and the operating system itself needs to be changed, which is not realistic.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method for executing a plurality of tasks in a time-division manner by prioritizing the plurality of tasks and switching the plurality of tasks at an arbitrary timing without changing the operating system. It is an object of the present invention to provide a program control method, a data processing device, and a storage medium that perform a program.

[0009]

An object of the present invention is to provide a program control method for executing a first task and a second task having a lower priority than the first task under the control of an operating system. Controlling the second task to a halt state during execution of the first task under the control of the operating system, and causing the second task to execute during halt of the first task, This is achieved by a program control method including a step of executing the first task and the second task in a time-division manner, and a control step of controlling the stop timing of the first task. In this case, a plurality of tasks can be executed in a time-sharing manner by prioritizing the plurality of tasks and switching the plurality of tasks at an arbitrary timing without changing the operating system.

In the controlling step, a timer is set, a signal is periodically transmitted to the first task by the timer, and the first task is controlled to a stop state in response to the signal transmission. The stopped first task may be returned to the operating state based on the timer exit function of the first task. The interval of the periodic signal transmission of the first task by the timer may be set longer than the time during which the first task is continuously stopped.

[0011] The timer and the exit function may be variably set. The first task may have the highest priority among a plurality of tasks including the second task. The above-mentioned task includes a first task and the first task.
A processor that executes a second task having a lower priority than that of the second task under the control of the operating system; Control and
Means for causing the processor to execute the first task and the second task in a time-division manner by causing the processor to execute the second task while the first task is stopped; This is also achieved by a data processing device provided with a control means for controlling its own stop timing.
In this case, a plurality of tasks can be executed in a time-sharing manner by prioritizing the plurality of tasks and switching the plurality of tasks at an arbitrary timing without changing the operating system.

The control means includes means for setting a timer, means for periodically transmitting a signal to the first task by the timer, and suspending the first task in response to the signal transmission. Means for controlling;
Said first stopped based on the timer exit function of the task
And means for returning the task to the operating state.

[0013] The interval of the periodic signal transmission of the first task by the timer may be set longer than the time during which the first task is continuously stopped.
The timer and the exit function may be variably set.
The first task may have the highest priority among a plurality of tasks including the second task.

[0014] A data processing apparatus receives a request according to a first protocol and a second protocol different from the first protocol via a network and controls transmission and reception of information via the network. And the first and second tasks may correspond to the first and second protocols, respectively. The data processing device may further include an output device that outputs information based on the first and second tasks.

[0015] The object of the present invention is to control a second task having a lower priority than the first task to a stopped state during execution of the first task under the control of the operating system.
While the first task is stopped, the second task is executed, whereby a computer-readable program storing a program for controlling a data processing device that executes the first task and the second task in a time-division manner is stored. A possible storage medium is also achieved by a storage medium storing a program for causing the data processing device to function as control means for controlling the stop timing of the first task. In this case, by prioritizing multiple tasks and switching between them at any time without changing the operating system,
A plurality of tasks can be executed in a time-sharing manner.

[0016] The control means includes:
Setting a timer, causing the first task to periodically transmit a signal using the timer, controlling the first task to stop in response to the signal transmission, and setting a timer exit of the first task The stopped first task may be returned to an operating state based on a function. The interval of the periodic signal transmission of the first task by the timer may be set longer than the time during which the first task is continuously stopped.

[0017] The timer and the exit function may be variably set. The first task may have the highest priority among a plurality of tasks including the second task.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The principle of operation of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating execution timings of a first task corresponding to the first protocol and a second task corresponding to the second protocol and having a lower priority than the first task. When the first and second protocols are executed under the control of the operating system (monitor), the second task is controlled to be stopped (hereinafter referred to as a pause) while the first task is being executed, While the second task is stopped (hereinafter referred to as sleep), the first task and the second task are executed in a time-division manner by executing the second task. In the present invention, the first task controls its own sleep timing.

Thus, the sleep timing of the first task is controlled by the first task without being directly controlled by the operating system, and the second task can be executed during the sleep of the first task. . Therefore,
By prioritizing the tasks and switching the tasks at an arbitrary timing without changing the operating system, the tasks can be executed in a time-sharing manner.

It is needless to say that the second task does not need to correspond to the second protocol as long as it is a task other than the first task.

[0021]

FIG. 3 shows a program control method according to the present invention;
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a network system to which a data processing device and a storage medium can be applied. In the figure, the first LAN has
Multiple computers 2-1 such as personal computers
2-3 and a plurality of printer devices 3-1 and 3-2 are connected. The printers 3-1 and 3-2 are provided as output devices, and the printer 3-1 is connected to a LAN.
Connected to the first LAN 1 via the adapter 3-1a,
The printer device 3-2 is connected to the first device via the computer 2-2.
LAN1. Also, the first LAN 1
It is connected to a second LAN 5 via a gateway 4.

In such a network system, the computers 2-1 to 2-2 connected to the same first LAN 1
-3, exchange information between computers,
Information can be exchanged via the gateway 4 with computers 1-2 (not shown) connected to 1-2 and the second LAN. In the case of the printer device 3-1, the first
Receives and prints information from the computers 2-1 to 2-3 connected to the first LAN 1 and receives information from a computer or the like connected to the second LAN via the gateway 4 and the first LAN 1. And print it out. In the case of the printer device 3-2, the first LAN 1
2-1 and 2-3 and the second LA connected to the
Receiving and printing information from a computer or the like connected to N via the gateway 4, the first LAN 1 and the computer 3-2, or receiving and printing information from the computer 3-2 directly Can be.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the printer device. For convenience of explanation, FIG.
-1. The printer 3-1 constitutes one embodiment of the data processing device according to the present invention, and employs one embodiment of the program control method according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the printer device 3-1 includes a CPU 11, a memory 12, a ROM 13, and a timer unit 1 connected to a bus 17.
4. It comprises a LAN control unit 15 and a printing unit 16.

The CPU 11 is provided for controlling the operation of the entire printer device 3-1. The memory 12
The program is provided to store a program executed by the CPU 11, intermediate data of an operation executed by the CPU 11, data obtained by expanding received data to be printed by the printing unit 16, and the like. The program stored in the memory 12 is arbitrary. It can be installed at the time. The ROM 13 stores in advance programs and the like executed by the CPU 11 including a boot-up program. The timer unit 14 has a CPU
It is provided to generate a signal exchange timing other than a timing generated by an internal timer (for example, a timer of an operating system) in the communication device 11. L
The AN control unit 15 performs control necessary for transmitting and receiving information via the first LAN 1 under the control of the CPU 11. In this embodiment, the AN control unit 15 includes a LAN adapter 3-1a for convenience. I do. The printing unit 16 includes a well-known printer engine and a well-known printing mechanism, and prints information on a recording medium such as paper under the control of the CPU 11.

In the case of the printer 3-2, the LAN
The control unit 15 is not provided with the LAN adapter 3-1a,
Instead of being directly connected to the first LAN 1, it is connected to the first LAN 1 via the computer 2-2. The computers 2-1 to 2-3 are also printer devices 3-1 and 3-2.
The basic configuration is the same as that of the printer device 3-1 shown in FIG. 4 except that the printing unit 16 is not provided in the case of the computers 2-1 to 2-3.

The above-mentioned computers 2-1 to 2-3 and the printers 3-1 and 3-2 are not limited to the above-described configurations, but may use computers and printers of various well-known configurations. Needless to say. In this embodiment, each data processing device connected to the first LAN 1 supports a plurality of different protocols. For convenience of explanation, in the following description, each data processing device connected to the first LAN 1 supports a first protocol and a second protocol different from the first protocol. Is the printer device 3-
The operation in the case of 1 will be described as an example. The first protocol is, for example, IPX / SPX (for example, known in the product Network of Novell), and the second protocol is, for example, TCP / IP. In this embodiment, as described later, the priority of the first protocol is
It is assumed that it is set higher than the second protocol.

The operating system used in this embodiment can execute only one task at a time. That is, under the control of the operating system, the CPU 11
Executes the first task TSK1 corresponding to the first protocol, or executes the second task TSK2 corresponding to the second protocol. During the execution of the first task TSK1, the second task TSK2 cannot be executed. During the execution of the second task TSK2, the first task TSK1 is not executed.
Can not be performed.

It goes without saying that the second task TSK2 does not need to support the second protocol as long as it is a task other than the first task TSK1. As shown in FIG. 5, the first task TSK1 includes an execution unit 21-1 and an interrupt unit 22-1, and the second task TSK2
Comprises an execution unit 21-2 and an interruption unit 22-2. The execution units 21-1 and 21-2 execute processes corresponding to the tasks, respectively, and the interrupt units 22-1 and 22-2 execute the interrupt processes, respectively. The interrupt includes an interrupt from hardware to software and an interrupt from software to software or hardware. Generally, the latter, that is, the interrupt units 22-1 and 22-2
Data exchange using is called signal communication. Signal communication from the first task TSK1 to the second task TSK2 is performed by the execution unit 21-1 or the interrupt unit 22.
-1 to the interrupt unit 22-2, and the signal communication from the second task TSK2 to the first task TSK1 is performed by the execution unit 21-2 or the interrupt unit 22-2 to the interrupt unit 22-1. Done. That is, the side receiving the signal communication must be the interrupt unit 22-1 or 22-2.
It is. In the present embodiment, the switching between the first task TSK1 and the second task TSK2 is controlled using this signal communication function instead of the timing control by the operating system.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the task switching in this embodiment. In the figure, when a first protocol initialization routine 31 which is a program for generating a task based on an instruction from the operating system is started, a signal exit function is registered and a timer of the timer unit 14 is set. Is started. An “exit function” is a program for performing a process corresponding to a change in a certain event. The first protocol initialization routine 31 includes:
It is started in response to a request according to the first protocol, such as a print request from a request source. In step 32, signal communication is performed periodically in response to an interrupt from the timer.
This signal communication is performed by the first timer exit function F1 to the interrupt unit 22-1 of the first task TSK1, and calls the signal exit function in the interrupt unit 22-1. The first timer exit function F1 is first registered by the initialization routine, and thereafter is registered by the signal exit function after "continue processing" for starting the next timer. The first timer exit function F1 has a first task TS
Belongs to K1. Thus, in step 33, the sleep time timer of the timer unit 14 is started by the signal exit function, and in step 34, a system call for putting the first task TSK1 into the sleep state is issued by the signal exit function. As a result, the processing of the first task TSK1 that is being executed by the execution unit 21-1 is interrupted, the first task TSK1 enters a sleep state, and instead, the second task TSK 1 that is paused is executed.
2 shifts to the operating state. That is, the second task TSK
The second execution unit 21-2 starts executing the processing of the second task TSK2.

When the timeout of the sleep time timer is detected in step 35, the timer exit function is called in step 36, and the timer exit function issues a system call for returning the dormant first task TSK1 to the operating state. . Steps 35 and 36 correspond to the second timer exit function F2
It is performed by The second timer exit function F2 also belongs to the first task TSK1, similarly to the first timer exit function F1. Thereby, the first task TSK1 returns from the sleep state to the operation state, and returns from the signal exit function, so that the execution unit 21-1 resumes the execution of the processing of the first task TSK1. On the other hand, when the first task TSK1 returns to the operation state, the second task TSK2 having a lower priority than the first task TSK1 returns from the operation state to the sleep state. In this manner, similarly, by periodically performing signal communication in response to an interrupt from the timer, the first task TSK1 periodically goes into a sleep state, and the first task TSK1 goes into a sleep state. Only, the second task TSK2 shifts from the sleep state to the operation state,
As a result, the first task TSK1 and the second task TSK
2 are executed alternately.

While the first task TSK1 is in the sleep state, the signal communication is prevented from being performed again before the timeout of the sleep time timer is detected.
The signal communication interval is set longer than the sleep time of the first task TSK1 (timeout of the sleep time timer). For example, if the signal communication interval is several hundred milliseconds,
The sleep time is set to about 1/10 of that.

In this embodiment, the set values of the timer and the sleep time timer can be variably set. For this reason, the execution time and the ratio of the execution time of each of the first task TSK1 and the second task TSK2, that is, the sleep timing and the sleep time of the first task TSK1, can be arbitrarily set.
Also, since the first task TSK1 controls its own sleep timing, the operating system and the first task
And the execution units 22- of the second tasks TSK1 and TSK2
There is no need to change 1,22-2.

Next, the processing of the signal exit function and the timer exit function will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. For example, when the computer 2-1 is a print request source and makes a print request to the printer device 3-1 using, for example, a first protocol, the execution unit 22 of the first task TSK1
-1 indicates that the first task TSK1 is executing the print control process or the like.
Is periodically and forcibly set to the sleep state to execute the second task TSK2, thereby alternately executing the first and second tasks TSK1 and TSK2, so that the first task TSK1 is in the sleep state. It is necessary to take measures so that the allowable time for the request from the computer 2-1 does not time out. Therefore, in the present embodiment, a sleep permission flag is provided between the first task TSK1 and the signal exit function so that the first task TSK1 is not forcibly put into the sleep state during the critical processing. I do. In addition, if the first task TSK1 is always forced to sleep periodically, the load on the network system increases and the performance decreases. However, the execution unit 21-1
Since the part such as the print control processing to be continuously executed in the part can be specified, a sleep permission flag can be provided only during the execution of the specified part to limit the part where the first task TSK1 enters the sleep state. .

In FIG. 7, when the execution of the first task TSK1 is started, a signal exit function is registered in step 41, and a timer is set and activated in step 42. Steps 41 and 42 are included in a first protocol initialization routine. Thereafter, the process of the first task TSK1 is performed, a sleep permission flag is set in step 43, a login / reconnection process or the like is performed in step 44, and the sleep permission flag is cleared in step 45.

In parallel with this, when the timer is started in step 42, in step 51, the interrupt unit 22-1
The process of calling the signal exit function in the communication is started, and in step 52, the signal communication is periodically performed in response to the interruption from the timer. This signal communication is performed with respect to the interrupt unit 22-1 of the first task TSK1, and calls the signal exit function in the interrupt unit 22-1. Thus, in step 57, it is determined whether or not the sleep permission flag is set. If the decision result in the step 57 is NO, the process proceeds to a step 65 and returns to the step 44 for performing the process of the first task TSK1.

On the other hand, if the decision result in the step 57 is YES, a step 58 activates a sleep time timer of the timer 14 by the signal exit function.
A system call for putting the first task TSK1 into a sleep state is issued by a signal exit function. As a result, the execution unit 21
The processing of the first task TSK1 in which −1 is being executed is interrupted, the first task TSK1 goes into a sleep state, and instead, the second task TSK2 that is in a sleep state shifts to an operation state. That is, the execution unit 21-2 of the second task TSK2 starts executing the processing of the second task TSK2.

After step 58, step 61 comprises:
It is determined whether or not a timeout of the sleep time timer has occurred. If the determination result is YES and the timeout of the sleep time timer is detected, a timer exit function is called in step 62. In step 64, a system call is issued by the timer exit function to return the dormant first task TSK1 to the operating state.
Then, the process returns to step 44 for performing the process of the task TSK1. That is, by returning from the signal exit function, the first task TSK1 returns from the sleep state to the operation state, and the execution unit 21-1 resumes the execution of the processing of the first task TSK1.

On the other hand, when the first task TSK1 returns to the operating state, the second task TSK2 having a lower priority than the first task TSK1 is returned from the operating state to the sleep state. In this way, similarly, the first task TS
K1 periodically goes to sleep, and the first task TSK1
The second task TSK2 shifts from the dormant state to the operating state only while is in the dormant state.

As described above, in this embodiment, (i) controlling a task to be in a sleep state, (ii) performing signal communication with the task, and (iii) timer provided in a general operating system. The first task T using the function of calling the timer exit function by setting
SK1 is periodically set to a sleep state, and a second task TSK2 is set.
And time-division execution.

Next, a mechanism by which the second task TSK2 is executed while the first task TSK1 is in the sleep state will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a task switching process of the operating system, and FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state table managed by the operating system in the memory 12 or the like.

In this embodiment, since the operating system is configured to execute only one task at a time, the other tasks are controlled to be in a sleep state while one task is being executed. Such control itself is generally performed in such an operating system.
In FIG. 8, a step 71 is a step of
From the state table 90 shown in FIG. State table 9
0 manages the status of each task and the priority level as shown in FIG. The states of the tasks managed in the state table 90 include a state that is not in sleep / sleep, a state that is not interrupted, and a state of waiting for necessary resources. If each state is satisfied, “1” is satisfied. If not, "0" is set. Not sleeping / dormant,
If the state of not being interrupted and the state of waiting for necessary resources are all “0”, it is assumed that the task is being executed.
In the priority level, the lower the number, the higher the priority. Note that in FIG. 9, the first and second
The state and the priority level of only two tasks TSK1 and TSK2 are managed by the state table 90, but it goes without saying that the states and priority levels of three or more tasks may be managed. .

Step 72 compares the priority levels of the currently executing task and other currently executing tasks using the state table 90, and executes the currently executing task with a higher priority level than the currently executing task. It is determined whether a task exists. If the decision result in the step 72 is NO, the process proceeds to a step 74 described later. On the other hand, if the decision result in the step 72 is YES, a step 73 replaces the execution right of the currently executing task with the execution right of the executing task having a higher priority level in the status table 90, and Proceed to 74. Step 74 is the state table 9
It is determined whether the information of the task retrieved from 0 has been completed. If there is task information that has not been retrieved from the state table 90 and the determination result in the step 74 is NO, the process returns to the step 71. On the other hand, if the determination result in the step 74 is YES, the step 75 is executed. The task is switched to execute the authorized task, and the process ends.

Thus, if the first task TSK1 is in the sleep state and the second task TSK2 is currently being executed, the status table 90 indicates that the first task TSK1 has a higher priority level than the second task TSK2. Since there is no task, in this state, the determination result in step 72 is NO, and the second task TSK2 can be continuously executed.
On the other hand, when the first task TSK1 returns from the sleep state to the operation state, the state information of the first task TSK1 in the state table 90 is rewritten by the operating system in response to the state, and the state is not in the sleep / sleep state and during the interruption. Are not rewritten to "0". As a result, the determination result at step 72 becomes YES, the execution right is switched from the second task TSK2 to the first task TSK1 at step 73, and finally the first task TSK1 having the execution right is executed at step 75. Switch tasks as you do.

Generally, even when the second task TSK2 corresponding to the second protocol does not exist, there exists a task other than the processing corresponding to the protocol.
In addition, there are always tasks such as print processing and message display processing related to the first task TSK1. Therefore, by executing these tasks other than the first task TSK1 during the sleep of the first task TSK1, the processing efficiency of the data processing device can be improved.

The task switching can be realized by rewriting the program counter and the stack pointer of the CPU 11, but the task switching itself is well-known and has no direct relation to the gist of the present invention. Then, the description is omitted. Next, an embodiment of the storage medium according to the present invention will be described. In this embodiment, a program for controlling the sleep timing and the sleep time of the first task as described above is stored in a computer-readable storage medium. The storage medium may be the memory 12 or the ROM 13 shown in FIG. 4, and may be a disk-shaped or card-shaped storage medium such as a semiconductor storage device, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, and a magneto-optical disk. The storage medium is not limited to a specific type as long as the program can store the program in a computer-readable format, and may be a modem or a LAN.
It also includes a storage medium that can be accessed by a computer connected via a communication function or communication means such as. For example, if the storage medium is a CD-ROM, a CD-ROM driver for reading information from this CD-ROM
13 or the like, a program read from a CD-ROM by a CD-ROM driver may be stored in the memory 12.
It may be installed in. Further, the storage medium may store other programs and data in addition to the program for controlling the sleep timing and the sleep time of the first task as described above.

The present invention has been described with reference to the embodiments.
It goes without saying that various modifications and improvements are possible within the scope of the present invention.

[0047]

According to the present invention, a plurality of tasks are executed in a time-division manner by prioritizing the plurality of tasks and switching the plurality of tasks at an arbitrary timing without changing the operating system. It becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a conventional program control method that enables real-time processing when a printer device supports a first task and a second task.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing task execution timing for explaining the operation principle of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a network system to which a program control method, a data processing device, and a storage medium according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a printer device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a task.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating task switching in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating processing of a signal exit function and a timer exit function.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a task switching process of the operating system.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state table managed by an operating system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1,5 LAN 2-1 to 2-3 Computer 3-1 and 3-2 Printer 3-1a LAN adapter 11 CPU 12 Memory 13 ROM 14 Timer unit 15 LAN control unit 16 Printing unit 17 Bus 21-1 and 21- 2 Execution unit 22-1, 22-2 Interrupt unit

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A program control method for executing a first task and a second task having a lower priority than the first task under the control of an operating system, comprising: The second task is controlled to be in a stopped state during the execution of the first task, and the second task is executed while the first task is stopped, so that the first task and the second task are executed. A program control method, comprising: a step of executing the first task in a time-division manner; and a control step of controlling a stop timing of the first task. 2. The control step includes setting a timer,
The timer periodically transmits a signal to the first task, controls the first task to a stop state in response to the signal transmission, and stops the first task based on a timer exit function of the first task. 2. The program control method according to claim 1, wherein the first task is returned to an operation state. 3. The program according to claim 2, wherein an interval of the periodic signal transmission of the first task by the timer is set longer than a time during which the first task is continuously stopped. Control method. 4. The program control method according to claim 2, wherein said timer and said exit function are variably set. 5. The program control method according to claim 1, wherein the first task has the highest priority among a plurality of tasks including the second task. 6. A processor executing a first task and a second task having a lower priority than the first task under the control of an operating system; and controlling the first task under the control of the operating system. The second task is controlled to a halt state during execution of the task, and the second task is executed during the halt of the first task, so that the processor causes the processor to execute the first task and the second task. A data processing device comprising: means for executing a task in a time-division manner; and control means for controlling a stop timing of the first task. 7. The control means includes: means for setting a timer; means for periodically transmitting a signal to the first task by the timer; and stopping the first task in response to the signal transmission. 7. The data processing apparatus according to claim 6, comprising: means for controlling to a state; and means for returning the stopped first task to an operation state based on a timer exit function of the first task. 8. The data according to claim 7, wherein an interval of the periodic signal transmission of the first task by the timer is set longer than a time during which the first task is continuously stopped. Processing equipment. 9. The data processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said timer and said exit function are variably set. 10. The data processing device according to claim 6, wherein the first task has a highest priority among a plurality of tasks including the second task. 11. A network unit for receiving a request according to a first protocol and a second protocol different from the first protocol via a network, and controlling transmission and reception of information via the network. The data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the first and second tasks correspond to the first and second protocols, respectively. 12. An apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an output device for outputting information based on said first and second tasks.
The data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4. 13. Under the control of an operating system, a second task having a lower priority than the first task is controlled to be stopped during execution of the first task, and
A computer-readable storage storing a program for controlling a data processing device that executes the first task and the second task in a time-division manner by executing the second task while the first task is stopped. A storage medium storing a program for causing the data processing device to function as control means for controlling the timing at which the first task stops itself. 14. The control means causes the data processing device to set a timer, causes the first task to periodically transmit a signal by the timer, and responds to the signal transmission by the first task. Control the task to a suspended state,
14. The storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the stopped first task is returned to an operation state based on a timer exit function of the first task. 15. The storage according to claim 14, wherein an interval of the periodic signal transmission of the first task by the timer is set longer than a time during which the first task is continuously stopped. Medium. 16. The storage medium according to claim 14, wherein said timer and said exit function are variably set. 17. The storage medium according to claim 13, wherein the first task has a highest priority set among a plurality of tasks including the second task.