JPS62107337A - Program cartridge - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To control many devices by using one small-sized cartridge by containing plural application programs which can be processed by different kinds of operation processors, in a program cartridge. CONSTITUTION:A ROM 13 and a RAM 14 are contained in a program cartridge 1. Two kinds of application programs which are executed by an information processor 2 and an information processor 3 are stored in the RAM 13. As for a COU 18 provided on the information processor 2 and a CPU 24 provided on the information processor 3, its kinds of machines are different from each other, and they are controlled by two kinds of application programs of the ROM 13. Data communication between different kinds can be executed so that when the RAM 14 is rewritten by one kind of machine, it is displayed on the other.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a program cartridge, more specifically, a program cartridge that is removably attached to an information processing device so that the information processing device executes a built-in application program. For example, it is used in a handheld terminal system.

<Prior art> Information processing equipment does not have an application program in the main body of the device, but an external program cartridge is removably attached to the main body, so that the program cartridge runs the built-in application program. There is something. In this system,
This has the advantage that application programs can be easily changed by simply replacing the program cartridge.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG.
00 and multiple handsets 1, 01, 102. It has a base unit 100 and a slave unit 101102. - In a system that shares data processed by handsets 10L and 102°, which are handheld terminals, for example, data is collected by handsets 10L and 102°, and the data is sent to the base unit 10L and 102 through a communication interface, etc.
0, and the base unit 100 transfers the data to the slave units 101, 102 . There is a system that processes the data collected by -. In this case, the base device 100 and the slave devices 101, 102 . - It is necessary to execute the processing specified for each, and for that purpose the base unit 10
0 and slave units 101, 102. - requires an application program that defines processing in each arithmetic processing unit.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> In the above-mentioned system consisting of a parent device and a child device, conventionally, a ROM storing an application program is installed in each parent device and child device, or Each was equipped with its own ROM cartridge. This is because the models of the arithmetic processing units of the parent device and the child device are different due to differences in processing capabilities, hardware configurations, power supply conditions, etc. between the parent device and the child device.

However, in a system in which the parent device and the child device each have an application program stored in ROM, the parent device and the child device can only execute fixed processes. Furthermore, in a system in which dedicated ROM cartridges are installed in each of the parent device and the slave device, operations become complicated and errors are likely to occur, and multiple types of ROM cartridges are required, resulting in increased costs.

Means for Solving the Problems> The present invention provides a program which has a memory storing an application program and is removably attached to an information processing apparatus so that the information processing apparatus executes the application program. The cartridge is characterized by having a memory storing a plurality of types of application programs that can be processed by a plurality of information processing apparatuses having different types of arithmetic processing units.

<Embodiment> FIG. 2 shows the external configuration of an address book management system equipped with a program cartridge of this embodiment. The program cartridge 1 includes a built-in memory (not shown) in which the application program and address book data of the address book management system are written, and is commonly removably attached to the information processing device 2 and the information processing device 3. . This program cartridge 1 has the same shape and size as, for example, a credit card, and can be carried in a pocket. A terminal 4 for connection to an information processing device 2.3 is formed at the end of the program cartridge 1.

When the program cartridge 1 is installed, the information processing device 2 operates according to the application program contained in the program cartridge 1, and reads address book data from the program cartridge 1 and displays it. This information processing device 2 is of a size that can be carried freely,
It has an LCD display device 5 and a key manual section 6 on its surface,
An opening 7 into which the program cartridge 1 is inserted is formed on its side.

When the program cartridge 1 is installed, the information processing device 3 operates according to the application program contained in the program cartridge 1, and performs processing for registering and modifying address book data in the program cartridge 1.

This information processing device 3 includes a CRT display 8. Printer for printing processed data9. It consists of a console 12 having an opening 11 into which a keyboard 10 and a program cartridge 1 are inserted. Since the information processing device 3 registers data, the keyboard 10 includes a large number of keys such as full character keys and function keys, and has advanced processing functions such as data editing.

In this address book management system, first, a program cartridge 1 is installed in an information processing device 3, and a keyboard 10 is installed.
The address book data inputted from the program cartridge 1 is registered in the program cartridge 1. Next, the program cartridge 1 is extracted from the information processing device 3, and the program cartridge 1 is removed from the information processing device 3.
will be installed on the Then, the information processing device 2 reads out the required address book data, and the LCD display device 5 displays this address book data.

FIG. 1 shows the basic configuration of this address book management system. The program cartridge 1 includes a ROM 13 and a RAM 14. Two types of application programs executed by the information processing device 2 and the information processing device 3 are stored in the ROM+3. The CPU 18 of the information processing device 2 and the CPU 24 of the information processing device 3 are different models, and therefore have different instruction systems. For this reason, R.O.
The two types of application programs stored in ~13 are composed of instruction words corresponding to the CPU 18 and the CPU 24, respectively. Registered address book data is written into the RAM 14. In order to hold this address book data, power is supplied from the power supply 15 to the RAJ 14. The connector 16 has a terminal 4 (FIG. 2), and electrically connects the program cartridge 1 and the information processing device 2.3 when the program cartridge 1 is installed in the information processing device 2, 3.

The information processing device 2 includes an LCD display device 5. -Key Human Resources Department 6
Along with the LCD driver 17. CPU IFROM19
．． RAM20. It has a power supply 21 and a connector 22.

The LCD driver 17 drives the LCD display device 5.

The CPU 18 is the ROM 13 of the program cartridge 1.
A process of reading address book data from the RAM 14 of the program cartridge 1 and displaying it on the LCD display device 5 [
Execute. The ROM 19 stores a program that defines the processing of the CPU 18, such as a program consisting of basic subroutines such as controlling peripheral devices. RAM20 is
Temporarily stores data processed by the CPU 18. The power supply 2I supplies power to the information processing device 2. The connector 22 is connected to the connector 16 when the program cartridge 1 is installed, and connects the CPU 1.8 and the ROM 13 and RAM 14 of the program cartridge 1.

The information processing device 3 includes a CRT display 8. printer 9
．． Along with the keyboard 10, the connector 23°・,C
PU24. Display controller 25. ROM26
, RAM27. Key controller 28. It has a printer controller 29 and a power supply 30.

The connector 23 is connected to the connector 16 when the program cartridge 1 is attached to the information processing device 3, and is connected to the CPU 24 and the ROM 1 of the program cartridge 1.
3 and RAM14.

The CPU 24 is the ROM 13 of the program cartridge 1.
It operates according to an application program stored in the computer, writes address book data input from the keyboard 10 into the RAM 14 of the program cartridge 1, and executes processing for registering and modifying the address book data. The display controller 25, key controller 28, and printer controller 29 are connected to the CRT display 8. The keyboard 10 and printer 9 are controlled respectively. R.O.
M26 stores a program that defines the processing of the CPU 24, such as a program consisting of basic subroutines such as controlling peripheral devices. The RAM 27 temporarily stores data to be processed by the CPU 24 . A power supply 30 supplies power to the information processing device 3.

In this system, when the program cartridge 1 is installed in the TN information processing device 2, the CPU 18 of the information processing device 2 is transferred to the ROM 13 according to the key input from the key input section 6.
The application program stored in the CPU 18 is executed, and the address book data held in the RAM 14 is read out and displayed on the LCD display device 5. Further, when the program cartridge 1 is installed in the information processing device 3, the CPU 24 of the information processing device 3 executes the application program corresponding to the CPU 24 stored in the ROM 13 in response to the key input from the keyboard IO, and
Address book data to be registered or modified is written in 14.

Figure 3 shows ROM 1 built into program cartridge 1.
The configuration of No. 3 is shown below. This ROM 13 stores 8-bit data at one address. The index area 31 starts from the OH address, and stores data indicating the CPU 18 and the CPU 24, respectively, and the start addresses of the application programs executed by the CPU 18 and the CPU 24, respectively.

The application program area 32 includes CPU1
Application programs executed by 8 are stored therein. The application program area 33 includes a CPU
The application programs executed by 24 are stored in each case.

FIG. 4 shows the contents of the index area 31, and the alphabetical characters corresponding to the ASCII code are shown in parentheses on the right side of the data. ""CPUA" corresponds to CPU18, "" CPUB
” corresponds to the CPU 24. XXX in the data is the start address of the application program area 32, and ○○○○ is the start address of the application program area 3.
This is the starting address of number 3. That is, the index area 31 contains the CPU 1 of the information processing device 2.3 from the OH address.
The ASCII code indicating 8°24 and the start address of the application program executed by the CPUs 18 and 24 are sequentially stored as data.

The flowchart in FIG.
9 shows the processing procedure of the program stored in 9. First, it is determined whether or not the program cartridge 1 is installed in the information processing device 2. If the program cartridge 1 is installed, the data "CPIJA" is searched in the index area 31 of the ROM 13. Next, address data XXXX next to the data "CPUA" is loaded into the program counter of the CPU 18, and the program is caused to jump to this address XXXX. Thereby, the CPU 18 executes the application program stored in the application program area 32 of the ROM 13.

The flowchart in FIG.
6 shows the processing procedure of the program stored in No. 6. It is determined whether or not the program cartridge I is installed in the information processing bag W3, and if it is installed, data "CPUB" is searched in the index area 31 of the ROM 13. Next, the next address data of data “CPUB” O○○
Load ○ into the program counter of the CPU 24 and make the program jump to this address ○○○○. Thereby, the CPU 24 executes the application program stored in the application program area 33 of the ROM 13.

<Effects of the Invention> As explained above, in the present invention, the program cartridge contains multiple types of application programs that can be executed by different types of arithmetic processing units, so that different types of application programs can be executed using the same program cartridge. Processing can be performed on multiple information processing devices with different types of arithmetic processing units, which simplifies operation and prevents erroneous operations, and reduces system costs by reducing the number of program cartridges. It can be achieved. For example, in a system such as a handheld terminal system that combines a small, battery-powered information processing device and a large, commercial power-powered information processing device, each information processing device may It is essential for system design that the types of arithmetic processing units that are built in are different, but it is important for users to be able to perform processing with the same program cartridge in each information processing device in such a system. This is advantageous in terms of clarifying processing contents and simplifying operations.

Furthermore, the present invention allows data stored in the same program cartridge to be commonly processed by different types of information processing devices, and the configuration of system equipment suitable for an application is not limited by the model of the arithmetic processing unit of each equipment. It also has the advantage of being able to configure the equipment with a degree of freedom.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the basic configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the external configuration of the embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the ROM of the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of the embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional example. 1-Program cartridge 2.3--Information processing device

Claims (1)

[Claims] A program cartridge that has a memory storing an application program and is removably attached to an information processing device so that the information processing device executes the application program, wherein a plurality of pieces of information having different models of arithmetic processing units are provided. A program cartridge characterized by having a memory storing a plurality of types of application programs that can be processed by a processing device.