WO2016098408A1

WO2016098408A1 - Information processing device and startup method

Info

Publication number: WO2016098408A1
Application number: PCT/JP2015/076112
Authority: WO
Inventors: 敬志上村; 丸山　清泰; 正英小池
Original assignee: 三菱電機株式会社
Priority date: 2014-12-15
Filing date: 2015-09-15
Publication date: 2016-06-23

Abstract

The present invention is provided with: a recording system program memory unit (121) which stores a first program for performing a first process and a second program which is of a different version than the first program; a recording system CPU (124) which starts up the first program or the second program and performs the first process; and a program startup control unit (140) which controls startup processing in the recording system CPU (124). The program startup control unit (140) is connected to the recording system CPU (124) by a first signal line which sends a control signal and a second signal line which sends a response signal to the control signal. The recording system CPU (124) responds to the program startup control unit (140) by turning the response signal ON or OFF on the second signal line.

Description

Information processing apparatus and activation method

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an activation method, and more particularly, to an information processing apparatus including a plurality of processes and an activation method thereof.

In general, a surveillance recorder which is a video recording / playback apparatus in a surveillance system includes a recording system for recording video data transmitted from a camera in a large-capacity memory and a playback system for playing back video data recorded in the large-capacity memory. .

Especially, it is important for the surveillance recorder to keep recording video data transmitted from the camera. For this reason, a recording system CPU (Central Processing Unit) that is a recording system processor and a playback system CPU that is a playback system processor are provided separately and independently so that the recording system CPU is not affected by the playback system CPU. Can continue to operate.

In the surveillance recorder, it is necessary to update the program in order to respond to security threats that change from moment to moment. On the other hand, in order to exchange video data between the recording system CPU and the reproduction system CPU, the programs operating on the recording system CPU and the reproduction system CPU need to be associated with each other.

When a program update process is performed, if the program is not updated correctly and the new program is damaged, or if the versions of the newly updated programs for each CPU are different, etc. When started with a new program, data may not be exchanged with each other and may not operate normally as a monitoring recorder. Therefore, there is a method of saving the old program before being updated and restarting using the old program when the program cannot be started.

For example, in the multi-CPU system described in Patent Document 1, when a plurality of CPUs notify the other CPU of their own program version at the time of startup and determine that they are different, the CPU started up with a new program is old. Switch to the program and restart.

JP 2003-16047 A

However, in the multi-CPU system described in Patent Document 1, in order to confirm the version of the program, first, the self version is read from the memory and transmitted according to a specific communication protocol, and the version transmitted from the other CPU Must be received and compared. In order to perform such processing at the time of startup, a startup program or an OS (Operating System) needs to be normally started. If an error occurs during startup of the startup program or the OS, the CPU cannot check the program version of the other CPU, and cannot be adjusted to either version even after restarting.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem. Even when one processing unit fails to start the program, all the processing units are re-executed with compatible versions of the program. The purpose is to enable activation.

An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a storage unit that stores a first program for performing a first process, and a second program of a version different from the first program, A first processing unit that activates the first program or the second program to perform the first process; and a program activation control unit that controls the activation process in the first processing unit, The program activation control unit transmits a control signal for controlling activation processing in the first processing unit to the first processing unit, and a response signal based on the control signal is transmitted to the first processing unit. The first processing unit is connected to the first processing unit by a second signal line received from the processing unit, and the first processing unit turns on or off the response signal to the program activation control unit. Special feature to make a response To.

According to an activation method of one embodiment of the present invention, a first program for performing a first process or a second program of a version different from the first program is activated by a first signal line. Then, a control signal for controlling the startup process of the first processing unit that performs the first process is transmitted from the program startup control unit to the first processing unit, and the control signal is transmitted through the second signal line. By turning on or off a response signal based on the above, the first processing unit responds to the program activation control unit.

According to one aspect of the present invention, even when one of the processing units fails to start the program, all the processing units can be restarted with a compatible version of the program.

1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a surveillance recorder that is a video recording / reproducing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a program stored in a recording system program storage unit in Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a program stored in a reproduction system program storage unit in Embodiment 1. FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a program activation control unit in the first embodiment. 4 is a flowchart showing a start control operation of a program start control unit in the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart showing a start-up operation of a playback unit in the first embodiment. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a connection example of a recording system CPU and a reproduction system CPU according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a start-up operation of a recording unit in the first embodiment. (A) And (B) is a timing chart which shows an example of communication between the program starting control part in Embodiment 1, and reproduction | regeneration system CPU. It is a block diagram which shows roughly the structure of the monitoring recorder which concerns on Embodiment 2. FIG. FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a program activation control unit in the second embodiment.

Embodiment 1 FIG.
Next, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, the drawings are schematic and ratios of dimensions and the like are different from actual ones. Accordingly, specific dimensions and the like should be determined in consideration of the following description. Moreover, it is a matter of course that portions having different dimensional relationships or ratios are included between the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a configuration of a monitoring recorder 110 that is an information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, a monitoring system 100 including a monitoring recorder 110 includes a plurality of

cameras

150A, 150B, and 150C as monitoring cameras and a display device 160 as a video display device in addition to the monitoring recorder 110.

The surveillance camera includes a first camera 150A, a second camera 150B, and a third camera 150C, each of which is connected to the surveillance recorder 110. Note that the first camera 150A, the second camera 150B, and the third camera 150C are referred to as the camera 150 when it is not necessary to distinguish between them. The camera 150 transmits video data obtained by photographing the monitoring target to the monitoring recorder 110. For example, the camera 150 may be installed at a location away from the monitoring recorder 110.

The monitoring recorder 110 functions as a video recording / reproducing device that receives and records video data transmitted from the camera 150.
The display device 160 is an output device connected to the monitoring recorder 110 and displays a recorded video based on the video data recorded on the monitoring recorder 110 or a current video based on video data generated by shooting by the camera 150. . Although the number of cameras 150 is three here, it goes without saying that the number is not limited to three. For example, it may be one, two, or four or more. The connection between the camera 150 and the monitoring recorder 110 may be either a wired or wireless connection method as long as data can be exchanged, or a mixed connection method. Moreover, the connection via a network or another relay device may be used.

As shown in FIG. 1, the monitoring recorder 110 includes a communication interface (I / F) unit 111, an output I / F unit 112, a connection I / F unit 113, and a recording system as a first system. Unit 120, a playback unit 130 that is a playback system as the second system, a program activation control unit 140, and a notification unit 145.

The communication I / F unit 111 is an interface that performs communication with the camera 150. For example, the communication I / F unit 111 receives video data transmitted from the camera 150.
The output I / F unit 112 is an interface that performs communication with the display device 160. For example, the output I / F unit 112 outputs reproduction data to the display device 160.
The connection I / F unit 113 is an interface for connecting the external storage device 170.

The recording unit 120 acquires video data from the camera 150 via the communication I / F unit 111 and performs recording. The recording unit 120 includes a recording system program storage unit 121, a recording system work memory 122, an information storage unit 123, and a recording system CPU 124.

The recording system program storage unit 121 is a storage unit (memory) that stores a program to be executed when the power of the monitoring recorder 110 is turned on and the recording system CPU 124 starts a startup process. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the program executed by the recording CPU 124 is a boot loader, an OS, and a recording application.

The boot loader is a program that executes processing for starting the OS. For example, the boot loader specifies an OS to be executed, initializes a working memory, acquires a start log, and the like. Furthermore, the boot loader has limited functions compared to the OS, and generally cannot process a plurality of processes in parallel.
The OS is basic software for managing the entire recording unit 120.
The recording system application program is, for example, a program that receives video data transmitted from the camera 150 and records it in the information storage unit 123. The recording application program can start processing after the OS is started. Moreover, after the OS is started, a plurality of the same application programs can be executed simultaneously, and a plurality of different application programs can be executed simultaneously.
In other words, the OS and the recording system application program are programs for the recording system CPU 124 to perform predetermined processing.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a program stored in the recording system program storage unit 121.
As shown, the recording system program storage unit 121 includes a recording system boot loader 121a, a recording system first OS 121b, a recording system first application program 121c, a recording system second OS 121d, and a recording system second application program 121e. .

The recording system OS and the recording system application program used in the recording unit 120 are updated in consideration of security and the like.
The program is updated by rewriting a recording system OS and a recording system application program different from the recording system OS and the recording system application program being executed. For example, when the recording system CPU 124 executes the recording system first OS 121b and the recording system first application program 121c, the recording system second OS 121d and the recording system second application program 121e are rewritten with new programs. In this case, the recording system first OS 121b and the recording system first application program 121c are programs of an older version of the recording system second OS 121d and the recording system second application program 121e. The old version of the program has already been processed, and is a program that can be stably executed and is compatible with the playback unit 130 described later. Therefore, at the time of activation, the recording system CPU 124 is activated by the previously activated recording system first OS 121b and the recording system first application program 121c, or by the newly updated recording system second OS 121d and recording system second application program 121e. You will choose to do it.
Hereinafter, the recording system first OS 121b and the recording system first application program 121c may be referred to as a recording system first program, and the recording system second OS 121d and the recording system second application program 121e may be referred to as a recording system second program.

The program is updated by connecting the external storage device 170 to the monitoring recorder 110 and reading the data. The external storage device 170 may be a storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be an information processing device connected to a network.

Here, the camera 150 can perform power-on control from the monitoring recorder 110, and starts activation by a control signal transmitted from the recording unit 120 during the activation process after power-on of the monitoring recorder 110.

Returning to FIG. 1, the recording system work memory 122 is a memory used by the recording system CPU 124 as a work area. The recording work memory 122 is, for example, a RAM (Random Access Memory). The recording CPU 124 reads the OS or application program from the recording work memory 122 and executes it, and controls the operation of the recording unit 120.

The information storage unit 123 is an information storage unit that records video data of video captured by the camera 150. The information storage unit 123 is configured by a storage medium such as a flash memory or an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), for example. Note that the information storage unit 123 may be configured independently by being separated from the outside of the recording unit 120 or the outside of the monitoring recorder 110. The information storage unit 123 may be configured to be detachable from the monitoring recorder 110.

The recording system CPU 124 is a recording system processing unit that activates the recording system first program or the recording system second program stored in the recording system program storage unit 121 and controls processing in the recording unit 120.
When the power of the monitoring recorder 110 is turned on and an instruction for starting the activation process is issued from the program activation control unit 140, the recording system CPU 124 sequentially executes the activation process according to the instruction.
In addition, the recording system CPU 124 has a function of controlling the activation of the camera 150, for example, in addition to its own activation process. The recording system CPU 124 has a function of outputting not only its own activation status but also information indicating the activation status of what the recording system CPU 124 performs activation control to, for example, the program activation control unit 140 or the information storage unit 123.
Further, when the monitoring recorder 110 is powered on, the recording system CPU 124 reads out an OS or an application program from the recording system program storage unit 121 to the recording system work memory 122 and executes it, thereby controlling the activation operation of the recording unit 120. .

Based on the video data recorded in the information storage unit 123 in the recording unit 120, the playback unit 130 generates playback data that plays back the video, sends the playback data to the display device 160, and the video based on the video data. Is displayed on the display device 160. The playback unit 130 can also display the video based on the video data captured by the camera 150 on the display device 160 in real time. The playback unit 130 includes a playback system program storage unit 131, a playback system work memory 132, and a playback system CPU 133.

The reproduction system program storage unit 131 is a storage unit (memory) that stores a program to be executed when the monitoring recorder 110 is turned on and the reproduction system CPU 133 starts a startup process. In the first embodiment, it is assumed that the program executed by the reproduction system CPU 133 is a boot loader, an OS, and a reproduction system application.

As described above, the boot loader is a program that executes processing for starting the OS.
The OS is basic software for managing the entire playback unit 130.
The reproduction system application program is a program that, for example, reads a plurality of video data recorded in the information storage unit 123 and displays a plurality of videos side by side on the display device 160 based on the plurality of read video data. The playback application program can start processing after the OS is started. Moreover, after the OS is started, a plurality of the same application programs can be executed simultaneously, and a plurality of different application programs can be executed simultaneously.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a program stored in the reproduction system program storage unit 131.
As illustrated, the playback system program storage unit 131 includes a playback system boot loader 131a, a playback system first OS 131b, a playback system first application program 131c, a playback system second OS 131d, and a playback system second application program 131e. .

The playback system OS and playback system application program used by the playback unit 130 are updated in consideration of security and the like.
The program is updated by rewriting a playback system OS and playback system application program different from the playback system OS and playback system application program being executed. For example, when the playback system CPU 133 executes the playback system first OS 131b and the playback system first application program 131c, the playback system second OS 131d and the playback system second application program 131e are rewritten with new programs. In this case, the reproduction-system first OS 131b and the reproduction-system first application program 131c are older versions of the reproduction-system second OS 131d and the reproduction-system second application program 131e. The old version of the program is a program that has already been processed and is compatible with the recording unit 120 and can be stably executed. Therefore, the playback system CPU 133 is started up by the previously started playback system first OS 131b and playback system first application program 131c, or by newly updated playback system second OS 131d and playback system second application program 131e. You will choose to do it.
Hereinafter, the playback system first OS 131b and the playback system first application program 131c may be referred to as playback system first programs, and the playback system second OS 131d and playback system second application programs 131e may be referred to as playback system second programs.

Program update is performed by connecting the external storage device 170 to the monitoring recorder 110 and reading the data. The external storage device 170 may be a storage medium such as a USB memory, or may be an information processing device connected to a network.

Returning to FIG. 1, the reproduction system work memory 132 is a memory used by the reproduction system CPU 133 as a work area. The reproduction work memory 132 is, for example, a RAM. The reproduction system CPU 133 reads the OS or application program from the reproduction system work memory 132 and executes it, and controls the activation operation of the reproduction unit 130.

The reproduction system CPU 133 is a reproduction system processing unit that activates the reproduction system first program or the reproduction system second program stored in the reproduction system program storage unit 131 and controls processing in the reproduction unit 130.
When the power of the monitoring recorder 110 is turned on and a start command for starting processing is issued from the program start control unit 140, the playback system CPU 133 sequentially executes the start processing according to the command.

The program activation control unit 140 controls the activation process in the monitoring recorder 110, in other words, the activation process in the recording system CPU 124 and the reproduction system CPU 133.
For example, when the monitoring recorder 110 is turned on, the program activation control unit 140 checks the activation status of the recording system CPU 124 and the reproduction system CPU 133. Then, the program activation control unit 140 issues an activation process start command to each. The program activation control unit 140 has in advance a CPU activation information table as information on activation operations of the recording CPU 124 and the reproduction CPU 133, for example, activation information in which the order of activation processing is described. Referring to, the activation status is confirmed so that the activation operation proceeds correctly in that order, and an activation processing command is issued.
Note that the recording system CPU 124 and the playback system CPU 133 also have a CPU activation information table in which information on their own activation operations, for example, the order of activation processing is described, and these contents are the CPUs that the program activation control unit 140 has. Same as the contents of the startup information table.

The program activation control unit 140 measures an elapsed time after the recording system CPU 124 and the reproduction system CPU 133 notify the activation status, and a predetermined time elapses until the next activation status is notified. In this case, a reset signal for restarting the recording system CPU 124 and the reproduction system CPU 133 is output.
Further, when the monitoring recorder 110 is restarted, the program start control unit 140 adjusts the version of the program that the recording system CPU 124 and the playback system CPU 133 restart. When the recording system CPU 124 fails to start the recording system second program that is the latest version, or the playback system CPU 133 fails to start the playback system second program that is the latest version. In this case, the recording system CPU 124 restarts the old version of the recording system first program, and the playback system CPU 133 restarts the old version of the playback system first program.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the program activation control unit 140.
As illustrated, the program activation control unit 140 includes a version control unit 141, a version storage unit 142, a time measurement unit 143, and a restart control unit 144. As shown in the figure, the recording system CPU 124, the playback system CPU 133, and the program activation control unit 140 are connected by signal lines L11 to L20.

The version control unit 141 notifies the start of the next process in the startup process by a control signal according to the startup status of the recording system CPU 124 and the playback system CPU 133 and the measurement time by the time measurement unit 143.

The version storage unit 142 notifies the recording system CPU 124 and the playback system CPU 133 of the OS and application program to be started. That is, the version information indicating which of the OS and the application program stored in the recording system program storage unit 121 and the playback system program storage unit 131 is used is notified.

The time measuring unit 143 measures the time after the version control unit 141 outputs the start start notification to the recording system CPU 124 or the reproduction system CPU 133. When the predetermined time is exceeded, the version control unit 141 is notified of that. For example, the time measuring unit 143 determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed based on response signals from the recording system CPU 124 and the reproduction system CPU 133.

The restart control unit 144 outputs a reset signal to the recording system CPU 124 and the playback system CPU 133 when the startup process of either the recording system CPU 124 or the playback system CPU 133 is not normally completed, and performs the restart process. Let it run.

The recording CPU 124 according to the first embodiment is connected to a version control unit 141, a version storage unit 142, a time measurement unit 143, and a restart control unit 144. The recording system CPU 124, the version control unit 141, the version storage unit 142, and the time measurement unit 143 may be connected by separate signal lines or may be connected by a common signal line. .

The reproduction system CPU 133 according to the first embodiment is connected to the version control unit 141, the time measurement unit 143, and the restart control unit 144. The reproduction system CPU 133 may be connected to the version control unit 141 and the time measurement unit 143 through separate signal lines, or may be connected through a common signal line.

The recording system CPU 124 and the reproduction system CPU 133 are connected so that information can be notified from the recording system CPU 124.

Returning to FIG. 1, the notification unit 145 includes, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) and notifies that a start-up error has occurred due to the lighting thereof.

Hereinafter, the operation of the monitoring recorder 110 according to the first embodiment, that is, the activation control method of the monitoring recorder 110 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a start control operation of the program start control unit 140 of the monitoring recorder 110 according to the first embodiment.
After the monitoring recorder 110 is powered on, the version control unit 141 of the program activation control unit 140 issues a boot loader activation start command to the recording system CPU 124 and the reproduction system CPU 133 (S10). When such a command is issued, the time measurement unit 143 of the program activation control unit 140 starts time measurement.

Next, the time measuring unit 143 determines whether or not the recording system CPU 124 has completed the boot loader activation within a predetermined time (S11). For example, the time measuring unit 143 makes this determination based on whether or not a boot loader start notification is received from the recording system CPU 124 within a predetermined time. If a notification of completion of boot loader activation is not received from the recording CPU 124 even after a predetermined time has elapsed (No in S11), the process proceeds to step S12. If a notification of boot loader activation completion is received from the recording system CPU 124 within a predetermined time (Yes in S11), the process proceeds to step S14.

In step S12, the time measuring unit 143 determines whether or not the playback CPU 133 has completed booting of the boot loader within a predetermined time after issuing the boot loader starting start command in step S10. For example, the time measuring unit 143 makes this determination based on whether or not a boot loader activation completion notification has been received from the playback CPU 133 within a predetermined time. If the notification of completion of boot loader activation is not received from the reproduction system CPU 133 even after a predetermined time has elapsed (No in S12), the process proceeds to step S13. If a notification of completion of boot loader activation is received from the playback system CPU 133 within a predetermined time (Yes in S12), the process proceeds to step S21.
In step S <b> 13, the time measurement unit 143 causes the notification unit 145 to notify the outside as an error process at startup.

In step S14, the version storage unit 142 determines whether the recording system CPU 124 is activated by the recording system first program or the recording system second program, and the playback system CPU 133 determines that the recording system CPU 124 is the playback system first. The version of the program to be started is designated by notifying version information indicating whether to start with the program or the reproduction system second program. The recording system CPU 124 notifies the playback system CPU 133 of version information indicating which of the playback system first program and the playback system second program is activated.

After designating the program to be activated in step S14, the time measurement unit 143 confirms the activation failure of the reproduction system CPU 133 after the completion of activation of the boot loader of the reproduction system CPU 133 or after a certain period of time has elapsed from the start of activation. The unit 141 issues a start command for starting the recording OS and the recording application program (hereinafter also referred to as a recording program) (S15). When such a command is issued, the time measurement unit 143 starts time measurement.

Next, whether or not the time measurement unit 143 has completed the start of the predetermined application program within the predetermined time since the time start unit 143 has issued the start instruction for starting the recording system program in step S15. Is determined (S16). For example, the time measuring unit 143 makes this determination based on whether or not a notification that a predetermined application program has started up is received from the recording system CPU 124 within a predetermined time. If the recording system CPU 124 receives a notification that a predetermined application program has started up within a predetermined time (Yes in S16), the process proceeds to step S17. On the other hand, if the recording system CPU 124 has not received a notification that the predetermined application program has started up within a predetermined time (No in S16), the process proceeds to step S21. Here, for example, the predetermined application program is an application for acquiring the activation log of the reproduction system CPU 133.

In step S17, the version control unit 141 issues a start command for starting the playback system OS and application program (hereinafter also referred to as a playback system program) to the playback system CPU 133. When such a command is issued, the time measurement unit 143 starts time measurement.

Next, the time measuring unit 143 determines whether or not the recording system CPU 124 has started the recording system program within a predetermined time after issuing the recording system program start start command in step S15. (S18). For example, the time measuring unit 143 makes this determination based on whether or not the recording system CPU 124 has received a notification that the recording system program has started up within a predetermined time. When the recording system CPU 124 receives a notification that the recording system program has started up within a predetermined time (Yes in S18), the process proceeds to step S19. On the other hand, if the recording system CPU 124 has not received a notification that the recording system program has started within a predetermined time (No in S18), the process proceeds to step S22.

Then, the time measuring unit 143 determines whether or not the reproduction system CPU 133 has completed the activation of the reproduction system program within a predetermined time after issuing the reproduction system program activation start command in step S17 ( S19). For example, the time measuring unit 143 makes this determination based on whether or not the reproduction system CPU 133 has received a notification that the reproduction system program has started up within a predetermined time. If the playback system CPU 133 receives a notification that the playback system program has been started up within a predetermined time (Yes in S19), the monitoring recorder 110 has been successfully started up, and the process ends. To do. On the other hand, if the playback system CPU 133 has not received a notification that the playback system program has started within a predetermined time (No in S19), the process proceeds to step S20.

In step S20, the version control unit 141 notifies the recording system CPU 124 that the playback system program is not operating normally in the playback system CPU 133. Receiving such notification, the recording CPU 124 executes a startup error process. For example, the recording system CPU 124 moves the activation log of the reproduction system CPU 133 from the recording system work memory 122 to the recording system program storage unit 121 or the information storage unit 123 or instructs the program activation control unit 140 to notify the notification unit 145 of an error. Process to notify the occurrence of
In addition, the version control unit 141 changes the description in the version storage unit 142 so that the recording CPU 124 and the reproduction system CPU 133 are started by another version of the program at the next startup. Then, the version control unit 141 instructs the restart control unit 144 to restart the monitoring recorder 110. Upon receiving such an instruction, the restart control unit 144 transmits a reset signal to the recording system CPU 124 and the reproduction system CPU 133.

When the start of the playback system boot loader is completed within a predetermined time in step S12 (Yes in S12), or when the start of the recording system program is not completed within a predetermined time in step S16 In (No in S16), the process proceeds to step S21. In step S21, the version control unit 141 issues a reproduction system program forced start start command to the reproduction system CPU 133. It should be noted that whether or not it is a forced activation start command may be recognized by the version control unit 141, and a normal reproduction system program activation start command is output to the reproduction system CPU 133. When such a command is issued, the time measurement unit 143 starts time measurement. Then, the process proceeds to step S22.

In step S22, the time measurement unit 143 determines whether or not the reproduction system CPU 133 has completed the activation of the reproduction system program within a predetermined time after issuing the reproduction system program activation start command in step S21 or S17. Judging. For example, the time measuring unit 143 makes this determination based on whether or not the reproduction system CPU 133 has received a notification that the reproduction system program has started up within a predetermined time. If the reproduction system CPU 133 receives a notification that the reproduction system program has started up within a predetermined time (Yes in S22), the process proceeds to step S23, and the reproduction system CPU 133 within the predetermined time. If the notification that the playback system program has started up is not received (No in S22), the process proceeds to step S24.

In step S23, the version control unit 141 notifies the reproduction system CPU 133 that has started normally that the activation of the recording system CPU 124 has not been completed. Receiving such notification, the playback CPU 133 executes error processing. For example, the reproduction system CPU 133 moves the activation log of the recording system CPU 124 from the reproduction system work memory 132 to the reproduction system program storage unit 131 or instructs the program activation control unit 140 to notify the notification unit 145 of the occurrence of an error. Process. Also, the version control unit 141 changes the description in the version storage unit 142 so that the recording system CPU 124 and the playback system CPU 133 are started with a different version program at the next startup. Then, the version control unit 141 instructs the restart control unit 144 to restart the monitoring recorder 110. Upon receiving such an instruction, the restart control unit 144 transmits a reset signal to the recording system CPU 124 and the reproduction system CPU 133.

On the other hand, in step S24, the time measuring unit 143 recognizes the occurrence of an error in both the recording system CPU 124 and the reproduction system CPU 133. For this reason, the version control unit 141 changes the description in the version storage unit 142 so that the recording system CPU 124 and the reproduction system CPU 133 are activated by a different version program at the next activation. Then, the version control unit 141 instructs the restart control unit 144 to restart the monitoring recorder 110. Upon receiving such an instruction, the restart control unit 144 transmits a reset signal to the recording system CPU 124 and the reproduction system CPU 133.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the starting operation of the playback unit 130 of the monitoring recorder 110 according to the first embodiment.
First, when the version control unit 141 of the program activation control unit 140 issues a boot loader activation start command to the reproduction system CPU 133, the reproduction system CPU 133 performs processing written in the reproduction system boot loader stored in the reproduction system program storage unit 131. Is executed (S30).

When the reproduction system boot loader has been activated, the reproduction system CPU 133 notifies the time measurement unit 143 of the program activation control unit 140 of the completion of activation of the boot loader (S31).

The reproduction system CPU 133 can perform arbitrary processing after the boot loader is activated until the recording system OS and a predetermined application are activated in the recording system CPU 124 (S32). For example, the arbitrary processing is acquisition of a start log of the recording system CPU 124. Generally, since the boot loader executes the OS startup process, the recording CPU 124 cannot acquire its own startup log while executing the OS startup process. The activation log is necessary for debugging when the CPU does not operate normally. If the activation log cannot be acquired, the cost for debugging increases. The arbitrary processing includes, for example, initialization of peripheral devices. When the display device 160 in FIG. 1 needs to be initialized before the image is output, the time from power-on to the image output can be shortened by performing initialization with the boot loader.

If there is a start notification of the playback system program from the version control unit 141 (S33), the playback system CPU 133 displays version information indicating which of the playback system first program and the playback system second program is started from the recording system CPU 124. Obtain (S34).
Then, the reproduction system CPU 133 activates the reproduction system program indicated by the acquired version information (S35).

Even if the recording system CPU 124 is not normally activated, the program activation control unit 140 may notify the activation start of the reproduction system program in step S33.
In such a case, for example, the signal line L20 for notifying the version of the program from the recording system CPU 124 to the reproduction system CPU 133 is configured as shown in FIG. 7, and the signal on the signal line L20 is Low or High. On the other hand, if the version of the program is notified, the reproduction system CPU 133 can grasp which version should be activated. In this case, since the recording system CPU 124 is not operating, the reproduction system CPU 133 cannot correctly read the version of the program notified from the program activation control unit 140 to the recording system CPU 124. However, in such a case, the reproduction system CPU 133 is urgently activated, and there is no problem regardless of which version is activated from the viewpoint of causing the reproduction system CPU 133 to perform error processing.

Returning to FIG. 6, upon completion of the activation of the reproduction system OS and the reproduction system application program, the reproduction system CPU 133 notifies the time measurement unit 143 of the completion of activation (S36).

Next, the reproduction system CPU 133 determines whether or not the activation notification of the recording system OS and the recording system application program has been received from the version control unit 141 (S37). If such a notification is received (Yes in S37), the monitoring recorder 110 completes its startup normally and ends the process. If such a notification has not been received (No in S37), the process proceeds to step S38.

In step S38, the reproduction system CPU 133 executes error processing when the activation of the recording system CPU 124 is not normally completed, and waits until the restart process is performed by the program activation control unit 140. It should be noted that the case where the recording-system OS and the recording-system application program start completion notification is not received includes the case where the recording-system CPU 124 has not completed the boot loader startup.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the starting operation of the recording unit 120 of the monitoring recorder 110 according to the first embodiment.
First, when the version control unit 141 of the program start control unit 140 issues a boot loader start start command to the recording system CPU 124, the recording system CPU 124 performs processing written in the recording system boot loader stored in the recording system program storage unit 121. Is executed (S40).

When the activation of the recording system boot loader is completed, the recording system CPU 124 notifies the time measurement unit 143 of the program activation control unit 140 of the completion of activation of the boot loader (S41).

Next, the recording system CPU 124 acquires the version of the program to be activated from the version control unit 141 (S42), and starts activation of the recording system program (S43).

Next, the recording system CPU 124 notifies the playback system CPU 133 of the version of the program to be activated acquired from the version control unit 141 (S44). At this time, the version notified to the reproduction system CPU 133 may be the same as that of the recording system CPU 124 or may be set so that a different version can be designated from the version control unit 141.

When the activation of the recording system OS and the predetermined application program is completed, the recording CPU 124 notifies the time measuring unit 143 to that effect (S45).
Then, the recording system CPU 124 executes an arbitrary process by executing the activated application program (S46). For example, the recording CPU 124 performs processing such as acquisition of a start log of the reproduction CPU 133.

Next, the recording system CPU 124 notifies the time measuring unit 143 of the completion of the activation of the recording system program (S47).

Thereafter, the recording system CPU 124 determines whether or not the start notification of the playback system OS and the playback system application program has been received from the version control unit 141 (S48). When such a notification is received (Yes in S48), the monitoring recorder 110 has been normally activated and ends. If such a notification has not been received (No in S48), the process proceeds to step S49.

In step S49, the recording system CPU 124 executes an error process when the playback system CPU 133 has not been activated normally, and waits until the program activation control unit 140 performs a restart process.

FIGS. 9A and 9B are timing charts showing an example of communication between the program activation control unit 140 and the reproduction system CPU 133.
When the program activation control unit 140 performs activation control of the reproduction system CPU 133, the signal line L 16 connecting the version control unit 141 and the reproduction system CPU 133 shown in FIG. 4, the time measurement unit 143, the reproduction system CPU 133, and Control is performed only with the two signal lines of the signal line L17 connecting the two. The reproduction system OUT shown in FIG. 9A is a response signal that the reproduction system CPU 133 controls the signal and notifies the program activation control unit 140. The time measurement unit 143 and the reproduction system shown in FIG. This is a signal of a signal line L17 connecting the CPU 133. The playback system IN shown in FIG. 9B is a control signal that the program activation control unit 140 controls the signal and notifies the playback system CPU 133, and the version control unit 141 and the playback system shown in FIG. This is a signal of the signal line L16 connecting the CPU 133.

After the power is turned on, the version control unit 141 changes the signal of the reproduction system IN from Low (off) to High (on) as shown in FIG. Notify start-up.
Receiving such a notification, the reproduction system CPU 133 changes the signal of the reproduction system OUT from Low to High as shown in FIG. 9A to indicate that the boot loader has actually started. The measurement unit 143 is notified. By receiving this notification, the time measuring unit 143 measures the time corresponding to the activation of the playback system boot loader.

When the activation of the boot loader is completed, the reproduction system CPU 133 notifies the time measurement unit 143 of the completion of activation of the boot loader by changing the signal of the reproduction system OUT from High to Low, as shown in FIG. 9A. . By receiving this notification, the time measuring unit 143 ends the time measurement from the boot loader activation. Here, the description will be continued on the assumption that the boot loader has been started within a predetermined time.

When the boot loader of the recording system CPU 124 completes activation, the version control unit 141 changes the signal of the reproduction system IN from High to Low as shown in FIG. The playback system CPU 133 is notified of the start of the recording system program. Receiving such a notification, the reproduction system CPU 133 performs arbitrary processing, for example, acquisition of a start log of the recording system CPU 124.

When the activation of the recording system OS and the predetermined application program is completed, the version control unit 141 reproduces by changing the signal of the playback system IN from Low to High, as shown in FIG. 9B. The reproduction system CPU 133 is notified of the start of the system program.

When starting the playback system program, the playback system CPU 133 starts the playback system program by measuring the start time of the playback system program by changing the signal of the playback system OUT from Low to High as shown in FIG. 9A. Notification to the unit 143. By receiving this notification, the time measuring unit 143 measures the time corresponding to the start of the reproduction system program.

When the activation of the recording system program of the recording system CPU 124 is completed, the version control unit 141 reproduces that by changing the signal of the reproduction system IN from High to Low as shown in FIG. 9B. The system CPU 133 is notified.

When the reproduction system CPU 133 completes the activation of the reproduction system program, the reproduction system OUT signal is changed from High to Low, as shown in FIG. 9A, so that the time measurement unit 143 is notified. To do.

By operating as described above, the program activation control unit 140 and the reproduction system CPU 133 can notify each other. The time measuring unit 143 in the program activation control unit 140 measures the time from the start of activation, and can determine that the activation completion is not notified even if a predetermined time has elapsed.
In addition, the version control unit 141 and the time measurement unit 143 can determine the stage of the activation process by storing the number of times the signal rises and falls, for example, in the version storage unit 142 or the like.

Note that the above notification operation is an example, and notification may be performed by other methods. In the above, notification is performed using two signal lines, but the number of signal lines is not limited to two. Further, for the notification method, for example, a communication unit having a signal such as a clock may be used.

In addition to the configuration shown in FIG. 1, other devices may be related to the startup operation. For example, a remote delivery device having a function of delivering video data to a video output device at a remote location by wireless communication is connected to the playback unit 130, and the startup process of the remote delivery device is the startup operation of the monitoring recorder 110. May be included.

According to the monitoring recorder 110 according to Embodiment 1 described above, the following effects (1) to (8) can be obtained.

(1) Since the monitoring recorder 110 collectively manages the versions of programs to be activated by the program activation control unit 140, a plurality of CPUs are activated by different incompatible versions of the programs after power-on. It is possible to avoid a situation where the system cannot operate normally.

(2) The monitoring recorder 110 can restart the program started last time when one of the CPUs for which the startup program has been updated fails to complete the startup.

(3) The program activation control unit 140 can store at which stage of activation the activation failed when any of the installed CPUs fails in the activation process and no response is received.

(4) In communication between the program activation control unit 140 and the reproduction system CPU 133 during the activation operation, only two signal lines are required, and the board area can be reduced.

(5) The communication between the program start control unit 140 and the reproduction system CPU 133 does not require a clock and a synchronization process, and only needs to be able to control GPIO (General Purpose I / O) and depends on the hardware interface. It can be implemented without.

(6) The communication between the program activation control unit 140 and the reproduction system CPU 133 does not need to be directly connected to the reproduction system CPU 133 and the recording system CPU 124. Can be avoided.

(7) When the recording system CPU 124 is not normally started, the program activation control unit 140 can cause the reproduction system CPU 133 to perform error processing even if the version information is not accurately notified to the reproduction system CPU 133. It can be activated in a safe state.

(8) The program activation control unit 140 can grasp and control the activation stage with respect to one mounted CPU by using at least two signal lines, so that the number of parts of the monitoring recorder 110 can be reduced. It can be carried out.

Embodiment 2. FIG.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the monitoring recorder 210 which is the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 10, a monitoring system 200 including a monitoring recorder 210 includes a plurality of

cameras

150A, 150B, and 150C as monitoring cameras and a display device 160 as a video display device in addition to the monitoring recorder 110.
As shown in FIG. 10, the monitoring recorder 210 includes a communication I / F unit 111, an output I / F unit 112, a connection I / F unit 113, a recording unit 220, a playback unit 230, and program activation control. Unit 240 and a notification unit 145. The configuration of the monitoring recorder 210 according to the second embodiment is the same as that of the monitoring recorder 210 according to the first embodiment, except for the recording unit 220, the reproduction unit 230, and the program activation control unit 240.

The recording unit 220 includes a recording system program storage unit 121, a recording system work memory 122, an information storage unit 123, and a recording system CPU 224. The configuration of the recording unit 220 in the second embodiment is the same as that of the recording unit 120 in the first embodiment except for the recording system CPU 224.
The playback unit 230 includes a playback system program storage unit 131, a playback system work memory 132, and a playback system CPU 233. The configuration of the playback unit 230 in the second embodiment is the same as that of the playback unit 130 in the first embodiment except for the playback system CPU 233.
As shown in FIG. 10, in the monitoring recorder 210 according to the second embodiment, the recording system CPU 224 and the reproduction system CPU 233 are not directly connected.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the program activation control unit 240 according to the second embodiment.
As illustrated, the program activation control unit 240 includes a version control unit 141, a version storage unit 242, a time measurement unit 143, and a restart control unit 144. As shown in the figure, the recording system CPU 224, the reproduction system CPU 233, and the program activation control unit 240 are connected by signal lines L11 to L19 and a signal line L21.
The version storage unit 242 of the program activation control unit 240 in the second embodiment is connected to the reproduction system CPU 233 in addition to the recording system CPU 224.
Thereby, in the second embodiment, the version storage unit 242 notifies the playback system CPU 233 of the version information of the program to be started in addition to the recording system CPU 224.
Accordingly, the playback system CPU 233 acquires version information directly from the version storage unit 242 without acquiring version information of the program to be started from the recording system CPU 224.
Further, the recording system CPU 224 does not have to perform a process of notifying the playback system CPU 233 of version information.

Therefore, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5, in step S14, the version storage unit 242 specifies version information not only for the recording system CPU 224 but also for the playback system CPU 233. The playback system CPU 233 does not need to refer to the version information from the version storage unit 242 at the moment when the version information is notified, and may refer to it when the playback system boot loader is started and the playback system program is started. Note that the version storage unit 242 needs to continue to notify the version information until the playback system CPU 233 starts to start the playback system program.

In the flowchart shown in FIG. 6, the reproduction system CPU 233 acquires version information from the version storage unit 242 in step S34.
Furthermore, in the flowchart shown in FIG. 8, the recording system CPU 224 does not notify the version information of the activation program in step S44.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, in addition to the effects (1) to (8) in the first embodiment, the following effects (9) and (10) can be obtained. .
(9) The reproduction system CPU 233 and the recording system CPU 224 may not be directly connected, and may not have an interface that can be connected to each other.
(10) When the recording system CPU 224 does not complete the activation of the recording system OS or the recording system application program, the program activation control unit 240 notifies the reproduction system CPU 233 of the forced activation of the reproduction system program (FIG. 5). In step S21), since the version of the activation program can be directly specified to the reproduction system CPU 233, the reproduction system CPU 233 can be activated by a program according to the purpose such as error processing.

In the first and second embodiments, the functions of the program

activation control units

140 and 240 may be realized only by hardware resources such as an electronic circuit, or may be realized by cooperation of hardware resources and software resources. Good. When realized by the cooperation of hardware resources and software resources, the functions of the program

activation control units

140 and 240 are realized, for example, by a computer executing a corresponding computer program. More specifically, the functions of the program

activation control units

140 and 240 are realized by calling a computer program stored in a storage medium such as a ROM to a main storage device such as a RAM and executing it by the CPU. The computer program may be provided by being stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as an optical disk, or may be provided via a communication circuit such as the Internet.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the above-described first and second embodiments, and can be changed to various modes within a range not departing from the gist of the present invention.

The apparatus to which the present invention can be applied is not limited to the monitoring recorder of the video recording / reproducing apparatus. If there is a predetermined order in the activation operation of the plurality of CPUs, and at least a device having a function capable of exchanging information between the plurality of CPUs by any method, other than the monitoring recorder Various types of video recording and playback devices, television receivers with recording and playback functions, personal computers, printers with video storage and printing functions, portable information terminals such as smartphones or tablet terminals, and game machines It can be applied to a device.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the number of CPUs required for the configuration. Although the first and second embodiments have been described with two CPUs, the present invention can be applied to the apparatus even when there are three CPUs, for example. In that case, except for the reset signal for restart, the signal lines necessary for connection between each CPU and the program start

control units

140 and 240 are configured in six in the first embodiment and nine in the second embodiment. Is possible. The same configuration is possible even when there are four or more CPUs.

The connection examples of the

recording system CPUs

124 and 224, the

playback system CPUs

133 and 233, and the program

activation control units

140 and 240 shown in FIGS. 4 and 11 are one example, and are not limited to this example. For example, the

recording system CPUs

124 and 224 and the

reproduction system CPUs

133 and 233 may be connected in reverse to the program

activation control units

140 and 240. In such a case, the

reproduction system CPUs

133 and 233 are activated before the

recording system CPUs

124 and 224, and the

reproduction system CPUs

133 and 233 notify the

recording system CPUs

124 and 224 of the version information. The control as shown is performed between the

recording CPUs

124 and 224 and the program

activation control units

140 and 240.

100, 200 monitoring system, 110, 210 monitoring recorder, 111 communication I / F unit, 112 output I / F unit, 113 connection I / F unit, 120, 220 recording unit, 121 recording system program storage unit, 122 recording system work Memory, 123 information storage unit, 124, 224 recording system CPU, 130, 230 playback unit, 131 playback system program storage unit, 132 playback system work memory, 133,233 playback system CPU, 140, 240 program start control unit, 141 version Control unit, 142,242 version storage unit, 143 time measurement unit, 144 restart control unit, 145 notification unit, 150 cameras, 160 display device.

Claims

A storage unit for storing a first program for performing the first process and a second program of a different version from the first program;
A first processing unit that activates the first program or the second program to perform the first processing;
A program activation control unit for controlling the activation process in the first processing unit,
The program activation control unit transmits a control signal for controlling activation processing in the first processing unit to the first processing unit, and a response signal based on the control signal is transmitted to the first processing unit. Connected to the first processing unit by a second signal line received from one processing unit;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first processing unit responds to the program activation control unit by turning the response signal on or off.
The first processing unit notifies the program activation control unit by a third signal line that notifies the program activation control unit of version information indicating which of the first program and the second program is activated. Connected,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first processing unit notifies the program activation control unit of the version information by turning on or off a signal of the third signal line. .
A second processing unit for starting the third program for performing the second processing and performing the second processing;
The program start control unit restarts the first processing unit and the second processing unit when the first processing unit fails to start the first program or when restarting is required. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:
The first signal line is used to start the first program for performing the first process or the second program of a version different from the first program to perform the first process. A control signal for controlling the startup processing of the processing unit is transmitted from the program startup control unit to the first processing unit,
An activation method comprising: responding to the program activation control unit from the first processing unit by turning on or off a response signal based on the control signal in a second signal line.