JPS6029858A - Input and output control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce the cost of a system by providing two processing modes to a device which is stored with data from a processor and controls prescribed information, and using an application console as a system console. CONSTITUTION:A printer 30 and a transmitter 40 are connected to the processor 3 which consists of an operation system (OS) 2 and an application program (AS) 1 under the control of the OS2, a composite application console 60 equipped with a system console processing function is connected, and a dedicated system console 50 is detached. The OS2 locks a control part 62a through the starting address space of a common memory 61, stops the function of the application console, and allows the console to function as the system console. When a control part 62a is locked, the original state is entered. Thus, the circuit is simplified and the cost is reduced.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Technical field to which the invention pertains] The present invention provides a system console and an application console that simultaneously have a system console function and an application console function, and can output predetermined data corresponding to each function to the same output device. Regarding input/output control methods.

[Prior art and its problems]

Generally, in a computer system composed of a processing device, 110 devices, memory, etc., in order to monitor application programs, control input/output processing functions, and control the execution status of multiple programs, The operating system (hereinafter simply referred to as
It has a built-in system program called O8.

Under the control of this O8, various 110 devices (keyboards, display devices, printers, auxiliary storage devices,
display (output) error information that occurs on the computer system on the system console.
etc.

On the other hand, the processing results of the application program that is controlled and executed after O8 on the processing device are output to a display device, etc., which is an output device, and instructions from the operator are received from an input device such as a keyboard. The predetermined process continues.

Therefore, in a conventional computer system, for example, a keyboard + display (device) is provided separately for the system console and for the application console, and the processing device exchanges data with these devices independently. It is composed of

By the way, when an application program running on the O8 performs some input/output operation to the 110 device, it first passes the request to the OS. In accordance with the request, the OS sends a command to the control unit of the device 110 to cause it to perform the requested process. In the control operation of the 110 device, the O8 only transfers the operation request between the application program and the r10 device control unit, and is not concerned with the content of the request.

On the other hand, unlike the application console, the system console performs its processing under the control of the O8, and interacts with humans independently of the application program.

The control of the O8 includes, for example, the display of error messages detected by the O8, the display and processing of the internal state of the computer, and the like.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of this type of conventional computer system.

10 is a computer system, which includes a processing device 3;
In this example, the processing device 3 is connected to an application console 20, a printing device 30, a transmission device 40, and a system console 50 via a system hub 4, respectively.

Here, the processing device 3 has a built-in application program l that is controlled and executed under the management of O32 and O32, and predetermined processing is executed based on the application program l.

Further, the application console 20 includes a common memory 21, a control section 22 thereof, a screen memory 23, and an application console section 24 (display + keyboard). Further, the printing device 30 includes a common memory 31, a control section 32 thereof, and a printer 33.

On the other hand, the transmission device 40 includes a common memory 41 and a transmission section 42.
, and a line 43, the system console 50
The system console control register 51, its control unit 52, screen memory 53, and system console unit 5
4 (display + keyboard).

Note that these common memories 21, 31, 41 and system console control register 51 are connected to the processing device 3 via the system bus 4, and predetermined data is written under the control of the O32. , or read.

Here, the common memory 21 of the application console 20 is connected to the control unit 22. Application console part 2
The application console 20 is a display device with a keyboard and a built-in interface circuit. The common memory 21 is commonly accessed by the processing device 3 under the processing of the control unit 22 and O32 (hereinafter, access from the processing device 3 under the processing of O32 is simply referred to as access from the OS 2). ). Further, the common memory 31 of the printing device 30 is also a similar common memory, and has an area accessed by the control unit 32 and O32. Furthermore, the common memory 41 of the transmission device 40 is also a similar common memory, and has an area accessed by the transmission section 42 and O32.

Further, the system console control register 51 of the system console 50 also controls the control unit 52. The system console 50 serves as an interface circuit for the system console unit 54 and the like, and is a display device with a keyboard and a built-in interface circuit.

The system console control register 51 is also a register commonly accessed by the control unit 52 and O32.

Now, data is exchanged with the system console 50 using a so-called byte transfer method in which data is exchanged one byte at a time. The system console control register 51 is here:
For example, 2 bytes of the output data register 51a and output status register 51b for output to the display of the system console unit 54, and 2 bytes of the input data register 51c and input status register 51d for input from the keyboard. Consists of 4 bytes.

On the other hand, data exchange with the application console 20 and the like is a multi-byte block transfer, and the control unit 22 is controlled by 032 in the same format as the other 110 devices. O32 is the application console 20.0 that has been requested by the application program. Common memory 21.31 of the printing device 30° or the transmission device 40
Alternatively, data is exchanged using 41 bidirectionally accessible areas.

As described above, in conventional computer systems, system consoles and application consoles with almost similar functions are provided redundantly.

However, providing the system console and application console redundantly in this way has the disadvantage of increasing the price of the entire system.

Therefore, in order to eliminate this drawback, it may be possible to provide only the application console, but output requests to the system console occur regardless of the state of the application program, so it is not possible to output them to the application console. , is extremely difficult.

As a result, conventionally, an application console and a system console with redundant functions are provided.

Additionally, when outputting to the application console as above, the following problems occur.

(1) Since the OS does not manage the state of the application console, it may not be possible to output it correctly (
(e.g. when the screen is masked by an application program).

(2) Considering the above, if the application console is reset to its initial state and output, information such as screen attributes that have already been set will be erased. As a result, the application program no longer operates properly.

(3) Furthermore, the output to the application console and the output to the system console overwrite each other.

(4) Regarding input from the keyboard, the O8 is always in a state of waiting for input from the keyboard of the system console in order to receive inquiries about the internal status from the operator. However, input requests to the keyboard of the application console cannot be made at the same time.
Since it is not possible to output more than one, if there is no system console, it becomes impossible for an operator from outside to make arrangements.

However, the system console is not necessary when the application program is operating normally, and is often used only during dehasing and maintenance.

In particular, when used during maintenance, the frequency of use is very low, resulting in very poor usage efficiency, which poses a problem in that it is difficult to reduce the price.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention was developed in view of these problems, and it is an object of the present invention to solve these problems and provide an input/output control method that allows an application console to be used as a system console. purpose.

[Key points of the invention]

The input/output control method of the present invention is characterized by having a memory that stores predetermined data sent from a processing device, and a control device that controls output of predetermined information to an output device based on this predetermined data. In the computer system, the control device is provided with a first processing mode corresponding to the processing of the system program of the processing device and a second processing mode corresponding to the processing of the application program of the processing device, and the input device or the processing device According to the information from the first processing mode or the second processing mode, information is selectively output.

[Embodiments of the invention]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and corresponds to FIG. 1.

Therefore, the same components as in FIG. 1 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

The difference from FIG. 1 is that the system console 50 (in the figure,
The dotted line portion) is not connected, and instead of the application console 20, a composite application console 60 having a system console processing function is provided. The system console control register 51 of the system console 50 that is not currently connected is provided with a status register 55 that indicates its connection status, and when the system console 50 is connected, this register is, for example, "FFH". (The subscript H does not represent a hexadecimal number, and all bits are "1").

Here, this composite application console 60 is
It includes a control section 62 having a system console processing function and an application console processing function, a common memory 61 thereof, a screen memory 63, and an application console section 64.

FIG. 3 is an external view of this composite application console 60, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the composite application console 60. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data format that is block transferred to the composite application console 60.

As shown in FIG. 4, the configuration of the common memory 61 is such that the first four addresses of the address space 65 are allocated for system console processing, and the subsequent address space 66 is allocated for application console processing. There is.

The four hides in the first address space 65 serve as an output data register, an output status register, an input data register, and an input status register, and correspond to these registers, and each one byte is , output data memory 61a, output status memory 61b9, manual data memory 61c, and input status memory 61d.

On the other hand, the control unit 62 includes a first control unit 62a for system console processing, a second control unit 62b for application console processing, and a data gate 62c.
and is provided.

Here, the first control section 62a and the second control section 62b refer to information on the O82 side or the application console section 6.
It is selectively switched according to input information from the keyboard 64b of No. 4. Then, O82 and the first control section 62a
Data is transferred in 1-byte units via the first 4-byte address space 65 of the common memory 61,
Block transfer is performed between the O32 and the second control unit 62b via the address space 66 described above.

Further, a data gate section 62 provided in the control section 62
C is a first control unit 62a for system console processing;
This is for stopping the processing of the second control section 62b when the second control section 62b is operating.

Therefore, this data gate 62c is arranged between the common memory 61 and the second control section 62b.

Here, the first control unit 62a receives the data transferred byte from O82 via the common memory 61, processes it,
Predetermined data is written into the screen memory 63, and corresponding information is displayed on the display 64a of the application console section 64.

On the other hand, the second control unit 62b receives block-transferred data created by the application program 1 via the address space 66 of the common memory 61, and processes it.

FIG. 5 shows data format information for block transfer to the second control unit 62b for application console processing, 67 is display command format information, and 68 is input field setting format information. Information and 69 are input data read command format information.

Such information is created by the application program 1, and the O32 stores it in the common memory 61 to the control unit 62b.
It plays a role of passing through the address space 66 of . on the other hand,
The control unit 62b receives this and performs batch processing. As a result, predetermined information is stored in the screen memory section 63, and the information is displayed on the display 64a of the application console section 64 in the screen state shown in FIG.

Note that on the screen in FIG. 3, 64c indicates display information, 64d indicates an input field, and 64e indicates the cursor position.

Here, the information input from the keyboard 64b of the application console section 64 can only be entered in a predetermined input field 64d set on the screen, and regarding this input, the control section 62b that performs application console processing It is controlled independently of the operation of step 1.

For example, when a specific function key on the keyboard 64b is pressed, the application program 1 receives data input into an input field via the address space 66 of the common memory 61, and performs a process of reading the data all at once.

Now, during its operation, the oS2 monitors information in each memory in the first address space 65 as a system console process. Then, it waits for a request as system console processing. On the other hand, as application console processing, the second control unit 62b processes according to the request of the application program 1, and this is not passed to O32.

Here, when predetermined information is detected in the processing of a predetermined application program 1 of the processing device, or when information input from the keyboard 64b corresponds to a specific function key, control unit 6
2a, a lock command is sent to stop the operation of the second control unit 62, and the control unit 62 changes from the second processing mode, which is the application console processing mode, to the first processing mode, which is the system console processing mode. Set to mode. Then, when processing for the system console is finished, an unlock command is issued to release the lock in order to return from the first processing mode, system console processing mode, to the second processing mode, application console processing mode. Send.

By the way, since the screen memory 63 is connected in common, this lock command serves as the mode switching function as well as giving priority to the output from the system console processing side. That is, this serves to prevent the output cage of the application console from being overwritten by the output data of the system console.

Next, this mode switching and the system console function will be specifically explained.

First, for system console processing, for example, when specific function key information is accepted from the keyboard 64b of the application console section 64, or when predetermined information is detected in the internal processing process of the processing device 3, the O
32 moves to system console processing.

At this time, the O 32 first determines whether the system console 50 is connected by referring to the status register 55 showing the system console unit connection identification shown in FIG. If the system console 50 is connected, the information 6FFH, for example, can be obtained from the scale register 55 of the system console, so it is processed as usual and output to the system console unit 54.
Data is exchanged with the system console 50.

However, in the current state where the system console 5o is not connected, the "FFH" information cannot be obtained from the status register 55 of the system console.
The following processing is performed.

The OS 2 sends a lock command to the first control unit 62a via the address space 65 at the beginning of the common memory 61. This lock command is executed by the output status memory 61b.
This is done, for example, by writing "OFH" into the register.

Note that the unlock command for release is performed by writing "FOR" into the output status memory 61b.

When "OF H" is written in the output status memory 61b, the first control section 62a sends a signal to the data gate 62c for the second control section 62b to close it. This causes the input to the second control section 62b to be stopped. Then, the output of the second control unit 62b to the application console unit 64 is locked, the cursor position on the display 64a is evacuated, and the cursor display mode (displaying or erasing) is evacuated. Performs processing to restore the cursor position and cursor mode for system console processing.

Here, when 032 outputs, the output status memory 61b is referred to, and this is, for example, "OOH".
(All bits are "0"). For example, when this is "FFH", no output processing is performed.

At a predetermined timing, the output status memory 61b
When it becomes “OOH”, O32 outputs the output data memory 61.
Write data to output status memory 61b.
Write “FFH”.

When “FFH” is written to the output status memory 61b, the first control unit 62a reads the data from the output data memory 61a and writes predetermined information corresponding to the data to the screen memory unit 63. Then, the corresponding information is displayed on the screen of the display 64a of the application console section 64.

After this output, when the data becomes ready to be accepted, the first control unit 62a stores "OO" in the output status memory 61b.
Write H″.

In this way, multiple bytes of data are written and predetermined information is displayed on the display 64a as system console processing.

On the other hand, regarding the input information G from the keyboard 64b of the application console section 64, the O82 and the first control section 62a operate in the opposite manner to the above through the input data memory 61c and the input status memory 61d. and exchange data.

Then, when the predetermined process for the system console process is completed, ○S2 sends an unlock command to the first control unit 62a. When FOH'' is written in the output status memory 61b as this unlock command, the first control section 62a opens the data gate 62c and starts the operation of the second control section 62b. The output of the control unit 62b to the app cage console unit G4 is unlocked, and the display 64 is
The cursor position on a is saved, the cursor display mode is saved, and processing for restoring the cursor position and cursor mode for application console processing is performed.

Next, when there is a request from the application program 1, the O32 controls the operation at a predetermined timing or the first control unit 62a.
After receiving predetermined processing end data from , the process moves to the application console process, and using the address space 66 after the beginning of the common memory 61, starts the process of delivering data to be block transferred to the second control unit 62b. .

Then, the data created by the application program 1 is transferred in blocks under the execution control of 032, and data is exchanged between the processing device 3 and the control unit 62b.

In this way, the control unit 62 shifts from the application console processing mode to the system console processing mode, and returns from the system console processing mode to the application console processing mode when the system console processing is completed.

FIG. 6 is an external view showing another embodiment of the composite application console, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram thereof.

The difference between the composite application console 70 and the composite application console 60 is that the screen memory
Screen memories 63a and 63b are provided corresponding to the first and second control sections 62a and 62b, and connection switching to the application console section 64 is controlled on the screen memory side. Therefore, the application console section 64 is provided with a changeover switch 71 as a part of the input device, and further includes an LED display 72.
a and 72b are provided.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, switching of the display screen is performed manually using a screen switching switch 71 provided in the application console section 64. However, in this case, the process may be performed automatically when the control unit 62a is switched to the system console processing mode.

By doing this, the data gate 62G becomes unnecessary, and furthermore, the lock command and unlock command are no longer necessary.

By the way, in this embodiment, the first control section 62a and the second control section 62a
The control unit 62b is the processing word W3 or the keyboard 64b.
Both operate under the control of O82 according to input information, and each display information is independently stored in the corresponding screen memory 63a, 63b.

The display information stored in this way can be freely selected by switching the screen changeover switch 1.
It is displayed on the display 64a. In other words, by doing this, it is possible to selectively display information on both the application console side and the system console side while retaining both contents.

By the way, what about the LED display provided in the application console section 64? 2a, 72b (see Figure 6) are
They correspond to the screen memories 63a and 63b, respectively, and when the screen changeover switch 71 is set in the other screen memory 63a or 63b, writing is performed to one screen memory 63b or 63a. When the LED display 72a corresponds to the writing screen memory
Or 72b lights up, indicating that writing has been done.

Then, when the screen changeover switch 71 is switched to the one screen memory side, this LED display 7
2a or 72b is the one that turns off. Note that when writing is performed to the screen memory section corresponding to the currently selected screen, the light 2 does not light up. Note that the above processing is performed by the control unit 62, for example.

As described above in detail, the control unit 62 (first control unit 62a
, second control unit 62b) and screen memory 63.63a or 63b are one specific example of the control device in the present invention.

By the way, in the embodiment, the system console.

Each of the application consoles and the like has a built-in common memory and a control unit, but the common memory or the common memory and the control unit may be provided on the processing device side.

Further, the first control unit for system console processing and the second control unit for application console processing only need to be in a processing mode corresponding to O8 processing or application program processing, respectively, as shown in the embodiment. Of course, the configuration is not limited to the two control units.

In the embodiment, the system console is also connected, and it is determined whether it is connected or not, and system console processing is started in the composite application console. However, the system console connection status can be determined arbitrarily. It is only necessary to provide it in the above, and it is not necessary in this invention.

Furthermore, although the application console section in the composite application console is described as having a display + keyboard, it may also be other so-called general output devices or input devices, and is not limited to such devices. It's not something you can do.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As can be understood from the above description, the present invention includes a memory that stores predetermined data sent from a processing device, and a control device that controls output of predetermined information to an output device based on the predetermined data. In a computer system having an input device or Since information in the first processing mode or the second processing mode is selectively output according to the information from the processing device, it is possible to have the function of a system console with one application console. It can also be used as a system console.

As a result, it is possible to reduce the price of the computer system, improve efficiency in terms of product management, and contribute to miniaturization.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional computer system, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an external view of the composite application console in FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of this composite application console, FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a data format that is block transferred for application console processing, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the composite application console. The external view shown in FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the application console corresponding to FIG. 1 - Application program. 2- Operation system (O3>. 3...-Processing unit, 4...-System bus. 10- Computer system. 20- Application console. 21.31, 41, 61 - Common memory. 22. 32, 42, 52 .62 - Control unit. 23.53 - Screen memory unit. 24 - Application console unit. 30 - Printing device, 33 - Printer. 40 - Transmission device, 4 - 3 - Line. 50 - - - System console. 51 - System console control register. 54 - System console section. 60.7 (1 - Application console. 61 a - Output data memory. 61b - Output status memory. 61C - Input Data memory. 61d--Manual status memory. 62a-First control section, 62b-Second control section,
62c - Datagate. 63.63a, 63b - Screen memo 1 Hello 4 - Application console section. 71 - Screen changeover switch. 72 a,? 2 b-LED Display Patent Applicant Fuji Electric Manufacturing Co., Ltd. Agent Patent Attorney Tetsuya Mori Patent Attorney 1 Fuji Kuruma Patent Attorney Shimizu Masaru Patent Attorney Hide Shinze Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A processing device, an output device, a memory that stores predetermined data sent from the processing device, and a control device that controls output of predetermined information to the output device based on the predetermined data. , an input device, and the control device has a first mode as a processing mode corresponding to processing of a system program of the processing device, and a second mode as a processing mode corresponding to processing of an application program of the processing device. and selectively outputs the predetermined information according to the first mode or the second mode to the output device according to information from the input device or the processing device. control method. (2) The first mode corresponds to byte transfer, the second mode corresponds to block transfer, and the memory corresponds to the byte transfer accessed by the processing unit by the system program. 2. The input/output control method according to claim 1, wherein the input/output control system has a storage area for storing input data and input status information, and stores input data and output status information, respectively. (3) The output device is a display, and the input device is
The control device is a keyboard, and includes a first control section corresponding to the hide transfer mode and a second control section corresponding to the block transfer mode, and the control device is configured to control the first control section according to the IRR information from the keyboard or the processing device. 3. The input/output control method according to claim 2, wherein either one of the first control section and the second control section operates. (4) The output device is a display, and the input device is
The control device is a keyboard, and the control device includes a first control section corresponding to a hide transfer mode, a first screen memory for storing display information from the first control section, and a second control section corresponding to a block transfer mode. and a second screen memory for storing display information from the second control section,
3. The input/output control system according to claim 2, wherein the screen memory and the second screen memory are selectively switched and connected to the display.