JPS62274435A - Diagnostic system for computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To quickly find a trouble and cope with it if the trouble occurs during control, by storing a control program and a diagnostic program in a memory and executing the diagnostic program by an interruption while executing the control program to perform the diagnosis and the processing of a computer. CONSTITUTION:A computer system 1 is provided with a central processing unit 2, a readable and writable memory (RAM) 3 where various control data are stored, and a ROM 4 where the control program and the diagnostic program are stored. When the power source of the system 1 is turned on in case of the malfunction of R/W (read/write) of the RAM 3 in this system 1, the central processing unit 2 starts executing instructions in order from address 0 of the ROM 4. The control is started to find the abnormality in a certain address by checking R/W of the RAM, and the processing which copes with it is performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention 3. Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a diagnostic method for computer systems, and particularly to a diagnostic method for microcomputers incorporated in various control systems.

[Prior art]

Recently, microcomputers equipped with memories storing various control programs have been incorporated into various control devices using digital circuits. The control device performs various controls by executing a control program. Due to the nature of such control equipment, it is necessary to diagnose whether or not the microcomputers are operating correctly.

Conventionally, there are two types of diagnostic methods for such microcomputers.

One of the diagnostic methods is to preload a diagnostic program into the computer system, apply a certain signal from the outside, use that signal to allow the control program to transition to the diagnostic program, and run the diagnostic program. It is used to diagnose computers.

Another diagnostic method is to forcibly change the data bus from outside the computer system and transfer the processing to an externally prepared diagnostic program to diagnose the computer system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a system configuration for the latter computer system diagnosis.

In the figure, 21 is a control device using a microcomputer, and 22 is a computer diagnostic section provided externally. The control device 21 includes a central processing unit 21-1 and a ROM (read-only memory) 21-2 in which various control programs are stored, and the computer diagnostic section 22 is connected to the central processing unit 21-1 of the control device 21. It includes a checker 22-1 for forcibly commanding diagnosis, a ROM 22-2 in which a diagnostic program is stored, and the like. Changing the data bus 23 by the signal from the checker 22-1,
Diagnosis is performed by directly executing a diagnostic program stored in the ROM 22-2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing another example of the system configuration for the latter computer system diagnosis. In this figure, parts given the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 2 indicate the same parts. The control device 21 includes a temporary storage unit (RAM (random access memory)) 2 that temporarily stores a diagnostic program.
1-3, and the computer diagnostic section 22 is equipped with a ROM 22-3 for storing a transfer program. Chetsu 2
In response to the signal from F-22-1, the transfer program stored in the ROM 22-3 is executed and the diagnostic program stored in the ROM 22-2 is transferred to the temporary storage section 21-3, and then the temporary storage section 21-3 is transferred. Jump to the diagnostic program stored in 3 and execute the diagnostic program to perform diagnosis.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, in the former method, if the computer system has a diagnostic program, there is a risk that control will be lost if the computer system enters the diagnostic program by mistake. - Of the latter, when directly executing a diagnostic program prepared externally as shown in Figure 2, the data bus 23 must be connected, and depending on the diagnostic conditions (temperature, humidity), etc. The disadvantage was that it sometimes could not be removed. In addition, as shown in Fig. 3, the temporary storage section 2
Similarly to the former case, when the diagnostic program is transferred to the computer 1-3 and executed, there is a risk that control will be lost if the diagnostic program is entered by mistake. However, all of the conventional diagnostic methods described above have the disadvantage that even if a malfunction occurs during control, it cannot be recognized.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and the problem is that the diagnostic program is run by mistake and becomes uncontrollable.
To provide a diagnostic method for a computer system that is not affected by the environment such as temperature and humidity, and can quickly discover and deal with any malfunction that may occur during control.

[Means for solving problems]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is a method for diagnosing a computer system that is equipped with a memory that stores various programs.The present invention includes a diagnostic program at an appropriate location in the control program that performs the original control and executes the control program. However, it is now possible to perform diagnosis without interfering with control.

r Tsuno 1-IT? 1. With the configuration as described above, the problem is that the diagnostic program may run incorrectly as in the conventional example described above, resulting in loss of control, or diagnosis may become impossible due to the influence of the environment such as temperature and humidity. Points are removed and any faults/occurrences are detected during control.
You can quickly detect and deal with emergencies.
7. [Embodiment] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer system to which the computer system diagnosis method according to the present invention is applied. In the figure, 1 is a computer system typified by a microcomputer used in various control devices, and the computer system includes a central processing unit 2.
, a readable/writable memory (RAM) 3 for storing various control data, and a ROM 4 for storing control programs and diagnostic programs. Central processing unit 2
, RAM3, and ROM4 are connected by a bus 5, and are also provided with an input/output interface (not shown).

In the computer system with the above configuration, if the computer system 1 is currently operating normally, when the power is turned on (step 101) as shown in FIG.
Instructions begin to be executed sequentially from address 0 of M4. Since the control program and the diagnostic program are stored together in the ROM 4, the control programs 1 to 3 are executed as shown in steps 103 to 105. In step 106, it is determined whether or not the control of the computer system 1 is busy. If it is busy, the control is given priority and the control is continued; however, if it is not busy, in step 107,
Run the diagnostic program.

Now, for example, R/W of RAM3 of computer system 1
Suppose that (read/write) is malfunctioning. When the computer system 1 is powered on in the same way as described above, the central processing unit 2 starts executing instructions sequentially from address O of the ROM 4. Then, control is started, and an abnormality is found by checking the R/W of the RAM existing at a certain address, and a countermeasure is taken to deal with it.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, a control program and a diagnostic program are stored in a memory in a mixed manner, and the diagnostic program is executed by an interrupt while the control program is being executed, thereby diagnosing and processing the computer. This eliminates the conventional problem of the diagnostic program running incorrectly, resulting in loss of control, or the diagnosis becoming impossible due to the influence of the environment such as temperature and humidity. This has an excellent effect in that even if a problem occurs, it can be quickly discovered and dealt with.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the processing flow of a diagnostic method of a computer system according to the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are block diagrams showing a conventional computer diagnostic system,
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a computer system to which the computer system diagnosis method according to the present invention is applied. In the figure, 1...computer system, 2...central processing unit, 3...RAM, 4...ROM, 5
····bus.

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a diagnostic method for a computer equipped with a memory for storing various programs, a control program and a diagnostic program are stored in the memory in a mixed manner, and the diagnostic program is executed by an interrupt while the control program is being executed. A diagnostic method for a computer system characterized by performing diagnosis and processing.