Network system, distributed processing method and information processing apparatus

Network system, distributed processing method, information processing device

The present invention relates to a network system, a distributed processing method, and an information processing device that can be executed by using a plurality of information processing devices connected via a network to decentralize processing.

Recently, Grid Computing has attracted attention. The so-called grid computing is a technology that enables multiple information processing devices connected to the network to coordinate their actions to achieve high computing performance. Such technologies include, for example, Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, Patent Document 3, Patent Document 4, and Patent Document 5.

In these known technologies, the processor in the information processing device can access the data in the main memory of its own information processing device and other information processing devices, and read the data to the dedicated near-end storage area of the sub-processor. handle. In addition, by using the Software Cell, the program body and data can be transmitted between the information processing devices. Therefore, when you want the application to process within a certain period of time, you can send the application to the desired Within a number of sub-processors and order data to be transmitted, the processing can be distributed.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-342165 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-351850 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-358289 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-366533 No. [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-366534

<p>However, generally speaking, the communication speed between information processing devices varies with the congestion of the network or the usage of hardware resources in each information processing device. Therefore, if an information processing device that allows an application program to execute is specified by considering only the specifications of its available hardware resources, it may be required to process the application program within a certain period of time.</p><p>In view of the above facts, the present invention aims to provide a network system, a distributed processing method, and an information processing device that can improve the overall processing speed of the system.</p>

<p>In order to solve the above problems, the network system of the present invention belongs to a network system that can distribute processing on plural information processing devices connected via a network. It is characterized in that each information processing device mentioned above has: master/slave Setting means, set one of the information processing devices connected to the pre-recorded network as the master (Master), and the other as the slave (Slave); and the device information management means, when it is set as the pre-recorded master by the pre-recorded master/slave setting means At the time, the relevant information about the available hardware resources of each pre-recording information processing device connected to the pre-recording network is managed as device information; and the communication speed management means, when the pre-recording master/slave setting means is set to When recording the host, it manages the communication speed of each of the recording information processing devices connected to the network; and distributing the processing request means, according to the information managed by the recording device information management means, the recording communication speed management means, and specifically issuing it One or more information processing devices that are performing processing request the execution of the processing.</p><p>According to the present invention, the device information of each information processing device and the communication speed between each information processing device can be managed, and one or more information processing devices to be processed can be specified based on the information, thereby achieving The purpose of improving the overall processing speed of the system.</p><p>In addition, the network system of the present invention can also be a pre-recording information processing device, which is further equipped with: data communication speed management means. When the pre-recording master/slave setting means is set as the pre-recording host, the pre-recording processing is executed. The communication speed of the processing data of the information processing device is managed.</p><p>In this way, by managing the communication speed of the processing data of the pre-processing information processing device in the execution of the pre-processing, in addition to grasping the progress or completion of the processing in the execution, the decrease in the data communication speed or the unnecessary increase of the data communication speed can be used as an opportunity to perform The reconfiguration of the network system caused by the increase or decrease of the information processing device for distributed processing can be carried out.</p><p>Furthermore, in the network system of the present invention, the aforementioned information processing device may be further equipped with: a communication speed measurement command sending means, which periodically sends the communication speed measurement command containing the information of the sending time to Other information processing devices connected via the pre-recorded network; and communication speed response means, when the pre-recorded communication speed measurement command is received, the communication speed is calculated based on the reception time and the transmission time contained in the pre-recorded communication speed measurement command. And respond to the information processing device set as the host in the previous note.</p><p>According to the present invention, each information processing device connected by the network will exchange communication speed measurement commands with each other, and the communication speed calculated on each information processing device will be responded to the information processing device of the host, thereby each information processing The communication speed between the devices will be periodically collected by the host information processing device, which makes the management of the communication speed easier. In addition, since the communication speed between the information processing devices is periodically obtained, the latest communication speed information can always be kept on the host information processing device.</p><p>In addition, in the network system of the present invention, the aforementioned information processing device has more than one sub-processor for scheduling management by the processor; the aforementioned distributed processing requirement means is based on the predetermined communication speed and requirements. The number of sub-processors is related, and more than one information processing device to be processed is specified.</p><p>With this, it is possible to consider the number of sub-processors as one of the specifications required for the processing to be executed within the determined time, and to specify more than one information processing device to execute the processing.</p><p>In addition, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the distributed processing method based on another viewpoint of the present invention belongs to a method of distributing processing on a plurality of information processing devices connected via a network. One is set as the master (Master), the other is set as the slave (Slave); the information processing device that is set as the master, except for the available hardware of the information processing devices connected to the network Resource-related information is managed as device information. At the same time, the communication speed of each front-end information processing device connected to the front-end network is managed; according to the information managed by the front-end device information management method and the front-end communication speed management method, Specify more than one information processing device to be processed and request the execution of the processing.</p><p>According to the present invention, the device information of each information processing device and the communication speed between each information processing device can be managed, and based on this information, more than one information processing device to be processed can be specified, thereby enabling To achieve the purpose of improving the overall processing speed of the system.</p><p>In addition, in the distributed processing method of the present invention, the prescripting information processing device may be configured to manage the communication speed of the processing data of the prescripting information processing device during the prescripting process when it is set as the prescripting host.</p><p>In this way, by managing the communication speed of the processing data of the pre-processing information processing device in the execution of the pre-processing, in addition to grasping the progress or completion of the processing in the execution, the decrease in the data communication speed or the unnecessary increase of the data communication speed can be used as an opportunity to perform The reconfiguration of the network system caused by the increase or decrease of the information processing device for distributed processing can be carried out.</p><p>Furthermore, in the distributed processing method of the present invention, the pre-recorded information processing device may periodically send the communication speed measurement command containing the information of the transmission time to other information processing devices connected via the pre-recorded network; When receiving the pre-recorded communication speed measurement command, calculate the communication speed according to the receiving time and the transmission time contained in the pre-recorded communication speed measurement command, and respond to the pre-recorded information processing device set as the host.</p><p>According to the present invention, each information processing device connected by the network will exchange communication speed measurement commands with each other, and the communication speed calculated on each information processing device will be responded to the information processing device of the host, thereby each information processing The communication speed between the devices will be periodically collected by the host information processing device, which makes the management of the communication speed easier. In addition, since the communication speed between the information processing devices is periodically obtained, the latest communication speed information can always be kept on the host information processing device.</p><p>In addition, in the distributed processing method of the present invention, the pre-recorded information processing device may have one or more sub-processors for scheduling management by the processor; when it is set as the pre-recorded host, according to the pre-determined, The communication speed is related to the number of required sub-processors, and more than one information processing device to be executed is specified.</p><p>With this, it is possible to consider the number of sub-processors as one of the specifications required for the processing to be executed within the determined time, and to specify more than one information processing device to execute the processing.</p><p>Furthermore, in order to solve the above-mentioned problem, an information processing device based on another viewpoint of the present invention is characterized by having: a communication means to communicate with other information processing devices through a network; and a master/slave setting means Among the information processing devices connected to the pre-recorded network, set it as the only master (Master) or other slave (Slave); and the device information management means. When the pre-recorded master/slave setting means is set as the pre-recorded master, the relevant connection is The relevant information of the available hardware resources of each front-end information processing device on the front-end network is managed as device information; and the communication speed management method, when the front-end master/slave setting means is set to the front-end host, it will be connected Manage the communication speed of each pre-recorded information processing device on the pre-recorded network; and distributed processing request means, according to the information managed by the pre-recorded device information management method and pre-recorded communication speed management method, specify more than one to be processed The information processing device requires the execution of the processing.</p><p>According to the present invention, the device information of each information processing device and the communication speed between each information processing device can be managed, and based on this information, more than one information processing device to be processed can be specified, thereby enabling To achieve the purpose of improving the overall processing speed of the system.</p><p>In addition, the information processing device of the present invention may also be further equipped with: data communication speed management means, when the pre-recording master/slave setting means is set as the pre-recording master, the processing data of the pre-recording information processing device in the execution of the pre-recording process The communication speed is managed.</p><p>In this way, by managing the communication speed of the processing data of the pre-processing information processing device in the execution of the pre-processing, in addition to grasping the progress or completion of the processing in the execution, the decrease in the data communication speed or the unnecessary increase of the data communication speed can be used as an opportunity to perform The reconfiguration of the network system caused by the increase or decrease of the information processing device for distributed processing can be carried out.</p><p>Furthermore, in the information processing device of the present invention, it can also be further equipped with: a communication speed measurement command sending means, which periodically sends the communication speed measurement command containing the information of the sending time to the network connected through the preface Other information processing devices; and communication speed response means. When receiving the pre-recorded communication speed measurement command, calculate the communication speed according to the receiving time and the transmission time contained in the pre-recorded communication speed measurement command, and respond to the pre-recorded setting The information processing device for the host.</p><p>According to the present invention, each information processing device connected by the network will exchange communication speed measurement commands with each other, and the communication speed calculated on each information processing device will be responded to the information processing device of the host, thereby each information processing The communication speed between the devices will be periodically collected by the host information processing device, which makes the management of the communication speed easier. In addition, since the communication speed between the information processing devices is periodically obtained, the latest communication speed information can always be kept on the host information processing device.</p><p>In addition, the information processing device of the present invention has more than one sub-processor for scheduling management by the processor; the aforementioned distributed processing request means is based on the correlation between the communication speed and the required number of sub-processors. , And specify more than one information processing device to be processed.</p><p>With this, it is possible to consider the number of sub-processors as one of the specifications required for the processing to be executed within the determined time, and to specify more than one information processing device to execute the processing.</p>

<p>According to the network system, distributed processing method, and information processing device of the present invention, the processing speed of the entire system can be improved when multiple information processing devices are used to decentralize and execute processing.</p>

Basic structure of network system and information processing equipment: Figure 1~Figure 4

FIG. 1 is an example of the network system of the present invention, which is formed by connecting a plurality of information processing devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 through a network 9.

(Information processing device and information processing controller)

The information processing devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 are respectively various AV (Audio and Visual) machines or portable machines described later.

If represented by the information processing device 1, the information processing device 1 is provided with an information processing controller 11 as a computer function unit. The information processing controller 11 has a main processor 21-1, sub-processors 23-1, 23-2, 23-3, DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller) 25-1 and DC (Disc Controller) 27-1.

The main processor 21-1 is used for scheduling management of program execution (data processing) caused by the sub-processors 23-1, 23-2, and 23-3, and the information processing controller 11 (information processing device 1) Overall management. However, the main processor 21-1 is configured so that programs other than those required for management can operate. At this time, the main processor 21-1 series also functions as a sub-processor. The main processor 21-1 has an LS (Local Storage) 22-1.

Although one sub-processor may be sufficient, it is desirable to have a plurality of sub-processors. In this example, there are multiple cases.

The sub-processors 23-1, 23-2, and 23-3 are controlled by the main processor 21-1 to execute programs in parallel and independently. Furthermore, depending on the situation, the programs in the main processor 21-1 are configured to be able to cooperate with the programs in the sub-processors 23-1, 23-2, and 23-3. The function program described later is also a program that operates in the main processor 21-1. Each sub-processor 23-1, 23-2, 23-3 also has LS (Local Storage) 24-1, 24-2, and 24-3.

DMAC25-1 is the one that accesses programs and data stored in the main memory 26-1 formed by DRAM (dynamic RAM) connected to the information processing controller 11, and DC27-1 is connected to the information The external recording unit 28-1, 28-2 of the processing controller 11 accesses them.

The external recording part 28-1, 28-2 can use fixed discs (hard disks), removable discs, or optical discs such as MO, CD±RW, DVD±RW, etc., and memory Body disc, SRAM (static RAM), ROM, etc. Therefore, although DC27-1 is called a disc controller, it belongs to the external recording unit controller.

As shown in the example of FIG. 1, the information processing controller 11 is constituted in such a way that the external recording unit 28 can be connected to the information processing controller 11 in plural.

The main processor 21-1, the sub-processors 23-1, 23-2, 23-3, DMAC 25-1 and DC 27-1 are connected by a bus 29.

On the information processing controller 11, there is an identifier for the information processing device 1 equipped with the corresponding information processing controller 11 to be uniquely identified on the entire network as an information processing device ID.

The same applies to the main processor 21-1 and the sub-processors 23-1, 23-2, and 23-3, and their identifiers can be specified separately, which are assigned as the main processor ID and the sub-processor ID.

The information processing controller 11 is ideally configured as a single chip IC (Integrated Circuit).

The other information processing devices 2, 3, and 4 are also constructed in the same way. Here, units with the same parent number are regarded as having the same function unless otherwise specified, even if the sub-numbers are different. In addition, in the following description, when the minor number is omitted, it is considered that there will be no difference even if the minor number is different.

(Access from each sub-processor to the main processor)

As mentioned above, each sub-processor 23 in an information processing controller executes programs and processes data independently, but when different sub-processors simultaneously read or write to the same area in the main memory 26 In time, it will lead to unconformity of data. Therefore, the access from the sub-processor 23 to the main memory 26 is performed by the following procedure.

As shown in FIG. 2(A), the main memory 26 is composed of memory locations that can specify multiple addresses. The additional section used to store the data indicating the state of the data is allocated to each memory location. The additional section contains the F/E bit, the sub-processor ID and the LS address (Local Storage Address). In addition, in each memory location, an access key is also allocated as described later. The F/E bit is defined as follows.

The F/E bit = 0, the processing data read by the sub-processor 23, or invalid data that is not the latest data because it is in a blank state, means that it cannot be read. In addition, the F/E bit = 0, which means that the data should be writable in the memory location, and it will be set to 1 after writing.

The F/E bit = 1, which means that the data at the current memory location has not been read by the sub-processor 23, indicating that it is the latest unprocessed data. When the data in the memory location can be read, it will be set to 0 after being read by the sub-processor 23. In addition, the F/E bit = 1, which means that the memory location should not be able to write data.

Furthermore, in the state where the F/E bit = 0 (unreadable/writeable), the read reservation can be set for the current memory location. When making a read reservation for the memory location with the F/E bit=0, the sub-processor 23 writes the sub-processor ID and LS address of the current sub-processor 23 as read reservation information to the read Take the reserved memory location in the additional section.

After that, the processor 23 on the data reading side writes the data into the memory location of the read reservation, and when the F/E bit=1 is set, it will be used as the read reservation information in advance. The sub-processor ID and LS address written to the additional section will be read out.

When it is necessary to perform multi-stage processing of data by multiple sub-processors, the sub-processor 23 that performs pre-processing by controlling the reading/writing of data in each memory location in this way can complete the processing. After the data is written to a predetermined location on the main memory 26, the other sub-processors 23 performing post-processing will read the pre-processed data immediately.

As shown in FIG. 2(B), the LS24 in each sub-processor 23 is also composed of memory locations that can specify multiple addresses. To each memory location, additional sectors are similarly allocated. The additional section contains busy bits.

When the sub-processor 23 reads the data in the main memory 26 to the memory location of its own LS24, it sets the corresponding busy bit to 1 and makes a reservation. Other data cannot be stored in the memory location where the busy bit is set to 1. After reading to the memory location of LS24, the busy bit becomes 0 and can be used for any purpose.

As shown in FIG. 2(A), the main memory 26 connected to each information processing controller contains a plurality of sandboxes. The sandbox system is used to fix the domain in the main memory 26, and each sandbox system is assigned to each sub-processor 23, which can be used exclusively by the sub-processor. In other words, although each sub-processor 23 can use the sandbox assigned to it, access to data beyond this area cannot be performed.

Although the main memory 26 is composed of a plurality of memory locations, the sandbox is a collection of these memory locations.

Furthermore, in order to achieve exclusive control of the main memory 26, the key management table shown in FIG. 2(C) is used. The key management table is stored in a relatively high-speed memory such as SRAM in the information processing controller, and is associated with DMAC25. Each entry in the key management table contains the sub-processor ID, the sub-processor key, and the key mask.

The processing when the main memory 26 is used by the sub-processor 23 is as follows. First, the sub-processor 23 outputs a read or write command to the DMAC 25. The instruction contains its own sub-processor ID and the address of the main memory 26 that is the destination of the use request.

Before executing the command, DMAC25 first refers to the key management table to investigate the sub-processor key of the sub-processor of the source of the request. Secondly, DMAC25 will check the sub-processor key from the source of the use request and the access key assigned to the memory location shown in Figure 2(A) in the main memory 26 as the destination of the use request. Make a comparison and execute the above command only when the two keys are the same.

The key mask on the key management table shown in Figure 2(C) is assigned a relatively hard bit related to the sub-processor key of the key mask because its arbitrary bit is 1. Yuan is 0 or 1.

For example, suppose the sub-processor key is 1010. Usually, only the sandbox with the 1010 access key can be accessed by the sub-processor key. However, when the key mask associated with the sub-processor key assignment is set to 0001, only the key mask is set to 1 digits, the sub-processor key and the access key will be consistent with each other. Being shielded, with the sub-processor key, you can access the sandbox with either 1010 or 1011 access key.

As above, the sandbox exclusivity of the main memory 26 can be realized. That is, when the data needs to be processed in multiple stages by multiple sub-processors in one information processing controller, with the above configuration, only the sub-processors that perform the previous stage processing and the processing The sub-processors processed in the later stage can access the located address of the main memory 26 and can protect data.

For example, consider the following. First, immediately after the information processing device is started, the value of the key mask is all zero. It is assumed that the program in the main processor is executed and acts in coordination with the program in the sub-processor. The processing result data output by the first sub-processor will be temporarily stored in the main memory. When you want to input to the second sub-processor, it should be in the main memory area. Of course, it must be able to be accessed by the sub-processor. . In this case, the program in the main processor will appropriately change the value of the key mask and set the main memory area that can be accessed by multiple sub-processors, thereby making the sub-processors Multi-stage processing becomes possible.

More specifically, it means "data from other information processing devices processing by the first sub-processor first main memory area processing by the second sub-processor second main memory area When such a program is used for multi-stage processing, if it is directly set as: the first sub-processor's sub-processor key: 0100, the first main memory area's access key: 0100, the second sub-processor's key The sub-processor key: 0101, the access key of the second main memory area: 0101, then the second sub-processor cannot access the first main memory area. Therefore, by changing the K main memory of the second sub-processor to 0001, the access to the first main memory area by the second sub-processor becomes possible.

(Generation and composition of soft cells)

In the network system of Figure 1, for distributed processing among the information processing devices 1, 2, 3, and 4, software is transmitted between the information processing devices 1, 2, 3, and 4. That is, the main processor 21 included in the information processing controller in an information processing device generates a software cell (Software Cell) containing instructions, programs, and data, and sends it to other information processing devices via the network 9. , By which the processing can be dispersed.

Figure 3 shows an example of the structure of the software cell. The software cell of this example is composed of the sending source ID, sending target ID, response target ID, cell interface, DMA command, program and data as a whole.

The sending source ID contains the network address of the information processing device as the sending source of the software cell and the information processing device ID of the information processing controller in the corresponding device, and also the information processing device ID in the information processing device. Identifiers (main processor ID and sub-processor ID) of the main processor 21 and the sub-processor 23 of the information processing controller.

The sending target ID and the response target ID respectively contain the same information about the information processing device that is the sending target of the software cell and the information processing device of the response target that is the execution result of the software cell.

The cell interface is the information necessary for the software cell to use. It is composed of the global ID, necessary sub-processor information, the size of the sandbox, and the previous software cell ID.

The global ID, which can uniquely identify the software cell across the entire network, is based on the source ID and the time (date and time) when the software cell created or sent the message.

The necessary information processing device information is to set the number of information processing devices necessary for the execution of the software cell. The sandbox size is to set the amount of memory in the main memory 26 and the LS24 in the sub-processor 23 necessary for the execution of the software cell.

The last software cell ID is the identifier of the last software cell in a group of software cells that require serial execution such as streaming data.

The execution session of the software cell is composed of DMA commands, programs and data. The DMA instruction contains a series of DMA instructions necessary for program startup; the program contains the sub-processor program executed by the sub-processor 23. The data here is the data processed by the program containing the sub-processor program.

Furthermore, the DMA instruction also contains a load instruction, a kick instruction, a function program execution instruction, a status request instruction, and a status return instruction.

The load instruction is an instruction to load the information in the main memory 26 to the LS24 in the sub-processor 23. In addition to the load instruction itself, it also contains the main memory address, the sub-processor ID, and the LS address. The main memory address indicates the source of information loading, that is, the address of a predetermined field in the main memory 26. The sub-processor ID and the LS address indicate the load target of the information, that is, the identifier of the sub-processor 23 and the identifier of the LS24.

The kick instruction is the program execution start instruction. In addition to the kick instruction itself, it also contains the sub-processor ID and the program counter. The sub-processor ID is used to identify the sub-processor 23 to be kicked off, and the program counter is assigned the address required by the program counter for program execution.

The function program execution command, as described later, is a command that a certain information processing device requests the execution of a function program to other information processing devices. The information processing controller in the information processing device that receives the function program execution command uses the function program ID described later to identify the function program to be activated.

The status request command is to send device information about the current operating state (status) of the information processing device indicated by the sending target ID to the sending request command of the information processing device indicated by the response target ID. Although the functional program will be described later, in the software configuration diagram memorized in the main memory 26 of the information processing controller shown in FIG. 6, the program is classified by the functional program. The functional program is loaded into the main memory 26 and executed by the main processor 21.

The status return command is a command for the information processing device that received the status request command above to respond its own device information to the information processing device indicated by the response target ID contained in the status request command. The status return command is to store device information in the data field during the execution session. Figure 4 illustrates the structure of the data field of the software cell when the DMA command is a state echo command.

The information processing device ID is used to identify the identifier of the information processing device equipped with the information processing controller, and is the ID of the information processing device that indicates the sending status return command. The ID of the information processing device is based on the main processor 21 contained in the information processing controller in the information processing device when the power is turned on, based on the time of day when the power is turned on, the network address of the information processing device, and the information processing device Is generated by the number of sub-processors 23 contained in the information processing controller.

The type ID of the information processing device contains a value representing the characteristics of the information processing device. The characteristics of the information processing device, for example, a hard disk video recorder, PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), a portable CD (Compact Disc) player, etc. described later. In addition, the type ID of the information processing device may also represent the function of the information processing device such as audiovisual recording and audiovisual reproduction. The value representing the characteristic or function of the information processing device is determined in advance. By reading the type ID of the information processing device, the characteristic or function of the corresponding information processing device can be grasped.

MS (Master/Slave, master/slave) status, as described later, represents whether the information processing device is operating in the host device or the slave device, so when it is set to 0 here, it means it is the host The identity of the device is operating. When it is set to 1, it means that the identity of the slave device is operating.

The operating frequency of the main processor represents the operating frequency of the main processor 21 in the information processing controller. The main processor utilization rate refers to the utilization rate on the main processor 21 regarding all programs currently in operation on the main processor 21. The main processor utilization rate is a value representing the ratio of the processing power in use to the full processing power of the target main processor. For example, it is calculated in units of MIPS, the unit used to evaluate the processing power of the processor, or Calculated based on the processor usage time per unit time. The same applies to the usage rate of the sub-processors described later.

The number of sub-processors represents the number of sub-processors 23 possessed by the information processing controller. The sub-processor ID is used to identify the identifiers required by each sub-processor 23 in the information processing controller.

The state of the sub-processors represents the state of each sub-processor 23, including unused, reserved, busy and other states. unused, it means that the sub-processor is not used now, and there is no reservation for use. Reserved means that although it is not used now, there is already a reservation status. Busy means that it is currently in use.

The usage rate of the sub-processor is related to the usage area of the sub-processor that is currently being executed on the sub-processor or the program that has been scheduled for execution on the sub-processor. That is, when the sub-processor status is busy, the sub-processor usage rate indicates the current usage rate; when the sub-processor status is reserved, it indicates the predetermined estimated usage rate that will be used later.

The sub-processor ID, sub-processor status, and sub-processor usage rate are set for one sub-processor 23 in one group, and the number of groups corresponding to the sub-processor 23 in one information processing controller is set.

The total capacity of the main memory and the usage of the main memory respectively represent the total capacity of the main memory 26 connected to the information processing controller and the capacity currently in use.

The number of external recording units represents the number of external recording units 28 connected to the corresponding information processing controller. The external recording unit ID is used to uniquely identify the external recording unit 28 connected to the corresponding information processing controller. The type ID of the external recording unit represents the type of the external recording unit (for example: hard disk, CD±RW, DVD±RW, memory disk, SRAM, ROM, etc.).

The total capacity of the external recording unit and the usage amount of the external recording unit respectively represent the total capacity of the external recording unit 28 identified by the external recording unit ID and the capacity currently in use.

The external recording unit ID, the external recording unit type ID, the total capacity of the external recording unit, and the usage amount of the external recording unit are set for one external recording unit 28, and only those corresponding to the information processing controller connected The number of sets of the number of external recording units 28. That is, when an information processing controller is connected to a plurality of external recording units, each external recording unit is assigned to a different external recording unit ID, and the external recording unit type ID, the total capacity of the external recording unit, and the external The usage of the recording department is also managed separately.

(Execution of software cell)

The main processor 21 included in the information processing device in a certain information processing device will generate the software cells with the above structure, and send signals to other information processing devices and the information processing controller in the corresponding device via the network 9. The information processing device of the sending source, the information processing device of the sending target, the information processing device of the response target, and the information processing controller in each device are respectively based on the above-mentioned sending source ID, sending target ID and response The target ID is used to identify it.

The main processor 21 included in the information processing controller in the information processing device that receives the software cell stores the software cell in the main memory 26. Then, the host processor 21 of the sending target reads out the software cell and processes the DMA instructions contained in it.

Specifically, the main processor 21 of the sending target first executes the load instruction. Thereby, according to the main memory address indicated by the load command, the sub-processor ID contained in the load command and the LS address specified in the LS address will load the information in the specified area of the LS24 in the sub-processor. The information loaded here is the sub-processor program or data contained in the received software cell, or other instructed data.

Secondly, the main processor 21 will similarly output the kick instruction, together with the program counter contained in the kick instruction, to the sub-processor indicated by the sub-processor ID contained in it.

The instructed sub-processor executes the sub-processor program in accordance with the kick instruction and the program counter. Then, after the execution result is stored in the main memory 26, the main processor 21 is notified of the execution completion event.

In addition, in the information processing controller in the information processing device of the sending target, the processor that executes the software cell is not limited to the sub-processor 23, but the main processor 21 can also be designated to execute the functional program contained in the software cell. The main memory of the program is used.

At this time, the information processing device of the sending source is not sending the sub-processor program to the information processing device of the sending destination, but instead sending a program containing the main memory to be processed by the main memory program The DMA command is a software cell that loads the command, so that the main memory 26 stores the program for the main memory and the data to be processed by it. Secondly, the sending source information processing device sends to the sending target information processing device a host processor ID, the host memory address, and the main memory address of the information processing controller in the sending target's information processing device to identify the host. The memory program requires the identifiers of the function program ID and the program counter described later, and the DMA command is a software cell that kicks the command or the function program executes the command, so that the main processor 21 executes the program for the main memory.

As mentioned above, in the network system of the present invention, the sending source information processing device not only sends the sub-processor program or the main memory program through the software cell to the sending target information processing device, but also makes the sub-processing The processor program is loaded into the sub-processor 23 included in the information processing controller in the transmission target information processing device to prompt the sub-processor program or the main memory program to be executed on the transmission target information processing device.

In the information processing controller in the sending target information processing device, when the program contained in the received software cell is a sub-processor program, the sub-processor program is made to be loaded into the designated sub-processor. Then, the sub-processor program or the main memory program contained in the software cell is started to execute.

Therefore, even if the user does not operate the transmission target information processing device, he can automatically make the sub-processor program or the main memory program execute on the information processing controller in the transmission target information processing device.

As such information processing apparatus, when the self-based information processing controller in the apparatus having no sub-processor program or the main function of the program memory and the like used when the program is waiting, may be taken from other information processing apparatus is connected on the web they. In addition, the data transfer between the sub-processors is carried out in a DMA mode. Moreover, by using the above-mentioned sandbox, even when the data needs to be processed in multiple stages in an information processing controller, it can perform high-speed and high-speed processing. High-security processing.

[As a distributed processing of the network system: Figure 5~Figure 15]

The results of the distributed processing caused by the use of software cells, as shown in the upper part of Fig. 5, are the plural information processing devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 connected to the network 9, as shown in the lower part of Fig. 5, so One virtual information processing device 7 operates in a manner. However, in order to do so, it is necessary to perform the following processing with the following configuration.

(System software composition and program loading)

FIG. 6 illustrates the composition of the software stored in the main memory 26 of each information processing controller. These software (programs) are recorded in the external recording unit 28 connected to the information processing controller before the information processing device is powered on.

Each program is categorized into control programs, function programs, and device drivers according to functions or features.

The control program is the same for each information processing controller, and is executed by the main processor 21 of each information processing controller, and therefore contains the MS (Master/Slave) manager and the capability exchange program described later.

The functional program is executed by the main processor 21, so with each information processing controller and each information processing device, there are programs for recording, reproducing, material retrieval, etc.

The device driver uses the input/output (transmission) of the information processing controller (information processing device). It is equipped with broadcast reception, screen output, and bit string along with each information processing device of each information processing controller. Programs for streaming I/O, network I/O, etc.

Once the cable is plugged in, the information processing device is physically connected to the network 9, and power is put into the information processing device so that the information processing device is electrically and functionally connected to the network 9. Then, the main processor 21 of the information processing controller of the information processing device loads the programs belonging to the control program and the programs belonging to the device driver into the main memory 26.

As a loaded program, the main processor 21 first reads the program from the external recording unit 28 by making the DC27 execute the read command, and then writes the program into the main memory by making the DMAC25 execute the write commandbody26.

Regarding each program belonging to the functional program, it can be configured to load the necessary program only when necessary, or it can also be configured to load each program immediately after the main power is turned on, just like the programs belonging to other categories.

Here, each program belonging to the functional program does not need to be recorded in the external recording unit 28 of all information processing devices connected to the network, but as long as it is recorded in the external recording unit 28 of any information processing device, it can be The aforementioned method can be used to load from other information processing devices. As a result, as shown in the lower part of FIG. 5, the function program is executed in the manner of a hypothetical information processing device 7.

Here, as described above, the function program processed by the main processor 21 sometimes cooperates with the sub-processor program processed by the sub-processor 23. Therefore, when the main processor 21 reads the function program from the external recording unit 28 and writes it to the main memory 26, there is a sub-processor program that cooperates with the function program that is the target of writing. When the sub-processor program is connected and written to the main memory 26, the sub-processor program is also connected. At this time, the number of cooperative sub-processor programs may be one or plural. In the case of plural, all coordinated sub-processor programs are written to the main memory 26. The sub-processor program written into the main memory 26 will be written to the LS24 in the sub-processor 23 and coordinated with the function program to be processed by the main processor 21 thereafter.

As shown in the software cell in Figure 3, in the function program, the identifier that can uniquely identify each program is assigned as the function program ID. The function program ID is determined based on the creation date or the ID of the information processing device during the creation stage of the function program.

Then the sub-processor program is also assigned with a sub-processor program ID, so that the sub-processor program can be uniquely identified. The assigned sub-processor program ID can be an identifier related to the function program ID of the function program that is the target of the coordinated action, for example, the function program ID is the parent number and the sub-number is added at the end, etc., It may also be an identifier that is not related to the function program ID of the function program that is the target of the coordinated action. Either way, when the functional program and the sub-processor program are to work in coordination, both must memorize the program ID that is the identity of each other in the self-program. When the function program is coordinated with a plurality of S programs, the function program will memorize all the sub-processor program IDs of the plurality of sub-processor programs.

The main processor 21, in the main memory 26, secures a field for storing device information (information about the operating state) of the information processing device operating by itself, and presents the information in the form of the device information table of the own device. record. The device information here is the information below the information processing device ID shown in FIG. 4.

(Master/Slave decision in the system)

In the above-mentioned network system, when an information processing device is powered on, the main processor 21 of the information processing controller of the information processing device loads the master/slave manager (hereinafter referred to as "MS manager") to Main memory 26, and execute it.

MS Manager, once it detects that the information processing device of its own action is connected to the network 9, it will confirm the existence of other information processing devices connected to the same network 9. The "connection" or "existence" here is the same as above, not only that the information processing device is physically connected to the network 9, but also means that the information processing device is connected to the network 9 both electrically and functionally.

In addition, the information processing device acting by itself is called "self device", and other information processing devices are called "other device". "Due device" also means "due information processing device".

The method for MS Manager to confirm the existence of other information processing devices connected to the same network 9 is as follows.

MS Manager_，A DMA command is generated as a status request command, the sending source ID and the response target ID are the software cell with the information processing device and the unspecified sending target ID, and sent to the network connected to the information processing device, and set the network The timer for connection confirmation. The timeout time of the timer, for example, set to 10 minutes.

When other information processing devices are connected to the network system, the other devices are software cells that receive the status request command above, and send a DMA command to the information processing device that has issued the status request command specified by the response target ID above. The state returns a command, and as the data is a software cell that contains device information of itself (other devices). The software cell for which the state returns the command contains at least the information (information processing device ID, main processor-related information, sub-processor related information, etc.) that specifies the other device and the MS state of the other device.

The MS Manager of the information processing device that has issued the status request command will monitor the software for status feedback commands sent from other devices on the network until the timer for network connection confirmation above expires. Cell reception. As a result, when a status return command indicating MS status = 0 (host device) is received, the MS status in the device information table of the own device is set to 1. In this way, the current device becomes a slave device.

On the other hand, when the above-mentioned network connection confirmation timer has expired and the status return command has not been received at all, or the status return command indicating MS status = 0 (host device) has not been received, then Set the MS status in the device information table of the own device to 0. In this way, the appropriate device becomes a master device.

That is, in a state where no device is connected to the network 9 or a host device does not exist on the network 9, once a new information processing device is connected to the network 9, the current device is automatically set as the host. On the other hand, when a host device already exists on the network 9, if a new information processing device is connected to the network 9, the corresponding device will be automatically set as a slave device.

Regardless of the host device or the slave device, the MS manager will check the status information by periodically sending status request commands to other devices on the network 9 to monitor the status of other devices. As a result, when the main power of the information processing device connected to the network 9 is turned off, or the information processing device is disconnected from the network 9, the result is that there is no source of information from a specific other within the predetermined time for the judgment set in advance. When the status of the device returns a command, or when a new information processing device is connected to the network 9, when the connection status of the network 9 changes, the information will be notified to the capability exchange program described later.

(Obtain the device information on the host device and the slave device)

The main processor 21 executes the capability exchange program once it receives a notification from the MS manager that the verification of other devices on the network 9 and the setting of the MS status of the own device are completed.

The capability exchange program will obtain the device information of all other devices connected to the network 9 when the own device is the master device, that is, obtain the device information of each slave device.

The acquisition of device information of other devices is as described above, by generating a DMA command as a status request command and sending it to the other device, and then receiving a DMA command from the other device as a status return command and containing the status of the other device. Device information can be used as a software cell for data.

The capability exchange program is the same as the device information table of the own device as the host device. In the main memory 26 of the own device, it is used to store all other devices (each slave device) connected to the network 9 The field required for device information, and record these information as the device information table of other devices (slave devices).

That is, in the main memory 26 of the host device, the device information of all the information processing devices connected to the network 9 of the slave device is recorded in the form of a device information table.

On the other hand, the capability exchange program will obtain the device information of all other devices connected to the network 9 when the own device is a slave device, that is, obtain the device information of the host device and each slave device other than the own device , Record the information processing device ID and MS status contained in the device information in the main memory 26 of the own device.

That is, in the main memory 26 of the slave device, in addition to the device information of the own device, which is recorded as a device information table, there is also information processing about the host device and each slave device connected to the network 9 other than the own device. The device ID and MS status are recorded in another device information table.

In addition, regardless of the host device and the slave device, the capability exchange program will obtain the device information of the information processing device when there is a notification from the MS manager that a new information processing device is connected to the network 9 as described above. And it is recorded in the main memory 26 as described above.

In addition, the MS manager and the capability exchange program are not limited to be executed by the main processor 21, but can also be executed by any sub-processor 23. In addition, the MS manager and the capability exchange program are ideally resident programs that operate permanently while the main power of the information processing device is turned on.

(When the information processing device is disconnected from the network)

Regardless of the host device and the slave device, the capability exchange program is as described above from the MS manager as if the main power of the information processing device connected to the network 9 is turned off, or the information processing device is disconnected from the network 9. In the event of an event, the device information of the information processing device will be deleted from the main memory 26.

Furthermore, if the information processing device disconnected from the network is a host device, the following method is used to re-determine the host device.

Specifically, for example, for the information processing device that is not disconnected from the network 9, the information processing device IDs of the own device and other devices are replaced with numerical values, and the information processing device ID of the own device and the information processing device of the other device are replaced. ID comparison, when the information processing device ID of the target device is the smallest of the information processing devices that have not been disconnected from the network 9, the slave device will become the master device, and the MS status will be set to 0, as the master device , As described above, obtain the device information of all other devices (each slave device) connected to the network 9 and record it in the main memory 26.

(Distributed processing based on device information)

In order to allow the plural information processing devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 connected to the network 9 to operate as a virtual information processing device 7, as shown in the lower part of Figure 5, the host device must grasp the user The operation and the action status of the slave device.

Fig. 7 shows the operation of 4 information processing devices in the manner of a hypothetical information processing device 7. The information processing device 1 is the master device, and the information processing devices 2, 3, and 4 are slave devices A and B. , C way to move.

When the user operates the information processing device connected to the network 9, if the operation object is the host device 1, the operation information is directly grasped on the host device 1; if the operation object is the slave device, the operation information is Will be sent from the slave device to the host device. That is, even if it is unknown whether the user's operation target is the master device 1 or the slave device, the operation information is constantly grasped by the master device 1. The operation information is sent by, for example, a software cell that sends the operation information through a DMA command.

Then, the main processor 21-1 included in the information processing controller 11 in the host device 1 will select the function program to be executed according to the operation information. At this time, if necessary, the main processor 21-1 included in the information processing controller 11 in the host device 1 will function from the external recording unit 28-1 and 28-2 of the device by the above method. The program is loaded into the main memory 26-1, but other information processing devices (slave devices) can also send the functional programs to the host device 1.

The function program specifies the type ID of the information processing device, the processing capacity of the main processor or sub-processor, the amount of main memory used, and the external Requirements and specifications (spec) related to the device, including the conditions of the recording department, and so on.

The main processor 21-1 included in the information processing controller 11 in the host device 1 reads the required specifications mentioned above for each function program. In addition, the device information table recorded in the main memory 26-1 is referred to in advance through the capability exchange program, and the device information of each information processing device is read. The device information here refers to the information below the information processing device ID shown in FIG. 4, that is, information related to the main processor, sub-processor, main memory, and external recording unit.

The main processor 21-1 contained in the information processing controller 11 in the host device 1 is to record the device information of each information processing device connected to the network 9 and the specifications required to execute the function program, in order Compare.

Then, for example, when the function program requires a recording function, only the information processing device with the recording function is specified and extracted according to the information processing device type ID. Furthermore, the slave device that can ensure the processing capacity of the main processor or sub-processor, the amount of main memory used, and the conditions related to the external recording unit necessary to execute the functional program will be specified as an execution request candidate device. Here, when a plurality of execution request candidate devices are specified, one execution request candidate device will be specified and selected from the current candidate devices.

If the slave device for executing the request is specified, the main processor 21-1 contained in the information processing controller 11 in the host device 1 will process the information from the device for the specified slave device. The device information of the slave device recorded in the main memory 26-1 contained in the controller 11 is updated.

Furthermore, the main processor 21-1 contained in the information processing controller 11 in the host device 1 generates a DMA command as a software cell that executes the function program. In the cell interface of the software cell, set information about the function The information and sandbox (refer to Figure 3) of the sub-processors necessary for the program are sent to the slave devices that have been requested to execute the above.

A slave device that is required to execute a functional program will not only execute the functional program, but also update the device information table of its own device. At this time, if necessary, the master processor 21 included in the information processing controller in the slave device uses the above method to slave the external recording unit 28 of the slave device to the function program and the child that cooperates with the local function program. The processor program is loaded into the main memory 26.

The system can also be configured as follows: When the external recording unit 28 of the slave device that is requested to execute the functional program does not record the necessary functional program or the sub-processor program that cooperates with the functional program, it is processed by other information The device sends the local functional program or sub-processor program to the slave device that is requested to execute the functional program.

Regarding the sub-processor program, the aforementioned load command and kick command can also be used to make other information processing devices execute it.

After the execution of the functional program is completed, the master processor 21 included in the information processing controller in the slave device that has executed the functional program will not only send an end notification to the master included in the information processing controller 11 in the master device 1. The processor 21-1 will also update the device information table of its own device. The main processor 21-1 included in the information processing controller 11 in the host device 1 receives the end notification and updates the device information table of the slave device that has executed the functional program.

The main processor 21-1 contained in the information processing controller 11 in the host device 1 may also select itself as the information processing capable of executing the local function program based on the reference result of the device information table of the own device and other devices Device. At this time, the host device 1 executes the functional program.

In the example of FIG. 7, when the user operates the slave device A (information processing device 2), the function program in response to the operation is executed by the other slave device B (information processing device 3), as shown in FIG. 8 It is an example of the above decentralized processing.

In the example of FIG. 8, the user starts the distributed processing of the entire network system including the slave device A by operating the slave device A. First, the slave device A sends the device information in step 81 Message to host device 1.

The host device 1, in step 72, receives the operation information, and then enters step 73 to investigate the operation status of each information processing device based on the device information table of the own device and other devices recorded in the main memory 26-1 of the own device , Select an information processing device that can execute a function program in response to the received operation information. This example is the case where slave device B is selected.

Next, the master device 1 requests the selected slave device B to execute the function program in step 74.

The slave device B receives the execution request in step 95, and then enters step 96 to execute the function program requested to be executed.

As mentioned above, by operating only one information processing device and not having to operate other information processing devices, the user can make multiple information processing devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 as a hypothetical information processing device 7. Come move.

(Specific examples of each information processing device and system)

The information processing devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 connected to each other through the network 9 are basically those that perform information processing by the above-mentioned information processing controllers 11, 12, 13, and 14, no matter what Either way, Figure 9 shows an example of it.

In this example, the information processing device 1 equipped with the information processing controller 11 is a hard disk video recorder, as shown in FIG. The recording section 28-1, and capable of loading DVD±R/RW, CD±R/RW, Bluray-Disc (registered trademark) and other optical discs as the external recording section 28-2 shown in Figure 1, and still in the information processing control The bus 31-1 connected to the bus 29-1 of the device 11 is connected to the broadcast receiving unit 32-1, the video input unit 33-1, the sound input unit 34-1, the video output unit 35-1, The sound output unit 36-1, the operation panel unit 37-1, the remote control light receiving unit 38-1, and the network connection unit 39-1.

The broadcast receiving unit 32-1, the video input unit 33-1, and the sound input unit 34-1 receive broadcast signals, or convert video signals and audio signals from the external book of the information processing device 1 into digital data in a predetermined format. The data is sent to the bus 31-1 for processing by the information processing controller 11; the image output unit 35-1 and the sound output unit 36-1 are sent from the information processing controller 11 to the bus 31-1 The video data and audio data are processed directly as digital data or converted into analog signals and sent to the outside of the information processing device 1. The remote control light-receiving unit 38-1 receives the remote control (remote Operation) Infrared signal.

As shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 10, a screen display device 41 and a speaker device 42 are connected to the image output unit 35-1 and the sound output unit 36-1 of the information processing device (HDD video recorder) 1.

The information processing device 2 equipped with the information processing controller 12 in the example of FIG. 9 is also a hard disk video recorder, and its structure is the same as that of the information processing device 1, which is indicated by reference symbols in parentheses in FIG. 10. However, as shown in FIG. 9, for example, the information processing device (hard disk video recorder) 2 is not connected with a screen display device and a speaker device.

Information processing devices (hard disk video recorders) 1 and 2, that is, the software composition of information processing controllers 11 and 12, are shown in Figure 11, with MS manager and capability exchange program as the control program, with video and audio Programs required for recording, video and sound reproduction, material retrieval, and program reservation recording are used as functional programs, with programs required for broadcast reception, video output, sound output, external recording unit input and output, and network input and output. Device driver.

The information processing device 3 equipped with the information processing controller 13 in the example of FIG. 9 is a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants), as shown in FIG. The external recording section 28-5 shown in FIG. 1 is also connected to the bus 51 connected to the bus 29-3 of the information processing controller 13 with the liquid crystal display section 52, the sound output section 53, the camera section 54, and the sound The input unit 55, the keyboard unit 56, and the network connection unit 57.

In addition, the internal information processing controller 13 is omitted in FIG. 1, and is equipped with: main processor 21-3, sub-processors 23-7, 23-8, 23-9, DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller, direct memory storage Take controller) 25-3, DC (Disc Controller) 27-3 and bus 29-3; its main processor 21-3 has LS (Local Storage, near-end storage area) 22-3; Each sub-processor 23-7, 23-8, and 23-9 has LS (Local Storage) 24-7, 24-8, and 24-9.

The software structure of the information processing device (PDA) 3, that is, the information processing controller 13, as shown in Figure 13, has an MS manager and a capability exchange program as a control program, with audiovisual recording, audiovisual reproduction, and telephone Programs required for notebooks, word processing and spreadsheets, as well as a web browser as functional programs, with programs required for image output, sound output, photographic image input, microphone sound input, and network input and output as device drivers .

The information processing device 4 equipped with the information processing controller 14 in the example of FIG. 9 is a portable CD player, as shown in FIG. The external recording unit 28-6 shown in 1 is also connected to the bus 61 connected to the bus 29-4 of the information processing controller 14, and connected to the liquid crystal display unit 62, the sound output unit 63, the operation button unit 64 and the networkRoad junction65. Path connection part 65.

In addition, the internal information processing controller 14 is omitted in FIG. 1, and it is equipped with: main processor 21-4, sub-processors 23-10, 23-11, 23-12, DMAC (Direct Memory Access Controller, direct memory storage Take controller) 25-4, DC (Disc Controller) 27-4 and bus 29-4; its main processor 21-4 has LS (Local Storage, near-end storage area) 22-4; Each sub-processor 23-10, 23-11, 23-12 has LS (Local Storage) 24-10, 24-11, 24-12.

The information processing device (portable CD player) 4, that is, the software configuration of the information processing controller 14, as shown in Figure 15, is equipped with an MS manager and a capability exchange program as a control program, and is required for music reproduction The program is used as a functional program, and the programs required for audio output, CD control, and network input/output are used as device drivers.

For example, in the network system shown in Figure 9 above, the information processing devices 1, 3, and 4 are connected to the network 9, the information processing device 1 is set as a host device (MS status = 0), and the information processing devices 3 and 4 Set as a slave device (MS status = 1).

In this state, once the new information processing device 2 is connected to the network 9, the MS manager executed by the main processor 21-2 contained in the information processing controller 12 in the information processing device 2 will be executed by the above method. It will check the MS status of other information processing devices 1, 3, and 4, realize that the information processing device 1 already exists as a master device, and set the self device (information processing device 2) as a slave device (MS status = 1). In addition, the information processing device 1 set as the host device collects device information of each device including the newly added information processing device 2 and updates the device information table in the main memory 26-1.

In this state, the figure shows the situation when the user performs a 2-hour reservation recording operation of the broadcast program on the information processing device (PDA) 3 as a slave device.

At this time, the information processing device (PDA) 3, which is a slave device, accepts the input of the scheduled recording information including the recording start time, the recording end time, the recording target broadcast channel, the recording quality and other information from the user, and generates a The software cell containing the reserved recording information and the reserved recording command as a DMA command sends a message to the information processing device 1 which is a host device.

The main processor 21-1 contained in the information processing controller 11 in the software cell of the information processing device 1 that receives the DMA command as the reserved recording command, not only reads the reserved recording command, but also refers to the main memory 26- The device information table in 1 specifies the information processing device that may execute the scheduled recording command.

First, the main processor 21-1 reads the information processing device category IDs of the information processing devices 1, 2, 3, 4 contained in the device information table, and can execute the information of the function program corresponding to the scheduled recording command The processing device is withdrawn. Here, the information processing devices 1 and 2 representing the category ID of the information processing device with the recording function are designated as candidate devices, and the information processing devices 3 and 4 are excluded from the candidate devices.

Secondly, the main processor 21-1 contained in the information processing controller 11 in the information processing device 1 as the host device will refer to the device information table and compare the main processors or sub-processors of the information processing devices 1 and 2 The processing capacity, memory related information, and other relevant device information are read out, and it is judged whether the information processing devices 1 and 2 meet the necessary specifications necessary to execute the function program corresponding to the scheduled recording command. It is assumed here that the information processing devices 1 and 2 all meet the necessary specifications required to execute the function program corresponding to the scheduled recording command.

Furthermore, the main processor 21-1 refers to the device information table, reads out the relevant information of the external recording unit of the information processing devices 1, 2 and determines whether the space capacity of the external recording unit meets the capacity necessary for the execution of the scheduled recording command . Since the information processing devices 1 and 2 are hard disk video recorders, the difference between the total capacity and usage of each hard disk 28-1 and 28-3 is equivalent to its space capacity respectively.

At this time, it is assumed that the space capacity of the hard disk 28-1 of the information processing device 1 is converted into a recording time of 10 minutes, and the space capacity of the hard disk 28-3 of the information processing device 2 is converted into a recording time of 20 hours.

At this time, the main processor 21-1 contained in the information processing controller 11 in the information processing device 1 as the host device will be able to ensure the information processing of the 2 hours of space necessary for the execution of the scheduled recording command. Device, specified as the target slave device for the execution request.

As a result, only the information processing device 2 is selected as the target slave device for the execution request. The master processor 21-1 contained in the information processing controller 11 in the information processing device 1 as the master device will be the slave device from the user The information processing device 3 sent by the operated information processing device 3 contains the scheduled recording information and the scheduled recording instruction is sent to the information processing device 2 to request it to perform the scheduled recording of the above 2 hours broadcast program.

Then, the main processor 21-2 contained in the information processing controller 12 in the information processing device 2 parses the reservation recording command, and loads the function program necessary for recording from the hard disk 28-3, which is an external recording unit. To the main memory 26-2, perform recording according to the scheduled recording information. As a result, the image data of the two-hour broadcast program scheduled for recording will be recorded in the hard disk 28-3 of the information processing device 2.

In this way, in the network system in the example of Fig. 9, the user can operate the information processing devices 1, 2, 3, and 4 It operates as a hypothetical information processing device 7.

Here, there may be differences in the communication speed between the information processing devices depending on the network connection status. For example, when communication or execution requests of functional programs and sub-processor programs are performed between information processing devices with very slow communication speeds, it may not necessarily become a network system that can be distributed by multiple information processing devices connected. , But must consider that the overall processing speed of the system cannot reach the level intended by the user.

Therefore, the communication speed between the information processing devices of the network system is managed, and the communication speed should be used for distributed processing, thereby improving the overall processing speed of the system. The embodiment for this is described below.

The configuration diagram of the software stored in the main memory of the information processing controller in each information processing device included in the network system of FIG. 16 is shown in FIG. 17. Compared with Figure 6, the network communication management program has been newly added as a program classified as a control program.

The network communication management program is a program that is executed after the MS manager and the ability exchange program are executed. Ideally, it is the same as the MS manager and the ability exchange program, which will always operate when the main power of the information processing device is turned on. Resident program.

The network communication management program, regardless of whether the information processing device operated by itself is a host device or a slave device, will periodically send to all other information processing devices included in the same network as a software cell for network communication speed measurement commands. . The network communication speed measurement command contains the sending time Ts of the software cell as data, and the size of the software cell used as the network communication speed measurement command is fixed to Cs. The information processing device that has received the instruction to measure the speed of the network communication calculates the communication speed based on the receiving time Tr and the communication speed=Cs/(Tr-Ts).

After that, the calculated communication speed is included as data and sent to the host device as a software cell that responds to the command of the network communication speed. The network communication speed response command is shown in Figure 19, and it contains the measurement command to send the source ID in addition to the data. The so-called "measurement command sending source ID" refers to the information processing device ID of the information processing device that has sent the network communication speed measurement command to its own device. Among all the information processing devices included in the network, the network communication management program collects all the communication speeds between the information processing devices in the host device through the above actions.

The network communication management program on the host device records all communication speeds in the network into a network communication speed management table as shown in Figure 20, for example. In (device 1) in FIG. 20, the information processing device ID of the information processing device 1 is stored. The communication speed from the information processing device 1 to the information processing device 2 is "300".

Also, as mentioned above, the network communication management program is a resident program that periodically sends network communication speed measurement commands to all other information processing devices, and also sends corresponding network communication speed response commands to the host Therefore, the network communication speed management table in the host device will also be updated frequently, and the latest communication speed information is managed.

The state shown in FIG. 16 still illustrates a situation where a user performs a 2-hour reservation recording operation of a broadcast program on an information processing device (PDA) 3 as a slave device.

At this time, the information processing device (PDA) 3, which is a slave device, accepts the input of scheduled recording information from the user including the recording start time, the recording end time, the recording target broadcast channel, the recording quality and other information, and generates a The software cell containing the reserved recording information and the reserved recording command as a DMA command sends a message to the information processing device 1 which is a host device.

The main processor 21-1 contained in the information processing controller 11 in the software cell of the information processing device 1 that receives the DMA command as the reserved recording command, not only reads the reserved recording command, but also refers to the main memory 26- The device information table in 1 specifies the information processing device that may execute the scheduled recording command.

First, the main processor 21-1 reads the information processing device category IDs of the information processing devices 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 contained in the device information table, and will be able to execute the information corresponding to the reservation recording command The information processing device of the functional program is extracted. Here, the information processing devices 1, 2, and 6 representing the category ID of the information processing device with the recording function are designated as candidate devices, and the information processing devices 3, 4, and 5 are excluded from the candidate devices.

Secondly, the main processor 21-1 contained in the information processing controller 11 in the information processing device 1 as the host device will refer to the device information table to compare the main processors or sub-processors of the information processing devices 1, 2, and 6. The processing capacity of the processor, the related information of the main memory, and other relevant device information are read to determine whether the information processing devices 1, 2, and 6 meet the necessary specifications required to execute the functional program corresponding to the scheduled recording command. It is assumed here that the information processing devices 1, 2, and 6 all meet the necessary specifications necessary to execute the function program corresponding to the scheduled recording command.

Furthermore, the main processor 21-1 refers to the device information table, reads the information related to the external recording section of the information processing devices 1, 2, and 6, and determines whether the space capacity of the external recording section meets the requirements for the execution of the scheduled recording command.of. The amount. The capacity. Since the information processing devices 1, 2, and 6 are all hard disk video recorders, the difference between the total capacity and usage of each hard disk 28-1, 28-3, 28-8 is equivalent to its space capacity.

At this time, assuming that the space capacity of the hard disk 28-1 of the information processing device 1 is converted into a recording time of 10 minutes, and the space capacity of the hard disk 28-3 of the information processing device 2 is converted into a recording time of 20 hours, and The space capacity of the hard disk 28-8 of the information processing device 6 is converted into a recording time of 20 hours.

At this time, the main processor 21-1 contained in the information processing controller 11 in the information processing device 1 as the host device should be able to ensure the 2 hours of space necessary for the execution of the scheduled recording command. The information processing device is specified as the target slave device for the execution request. However, here, the information processing devices 2 and 6 are first selected as candidates for the target slave device for the execution request.

In the function program here, the required specifications for the information processing device that are required by each execution unit are specified as the information shown in FIG. 4. The main processor 21-1 contained in the information processing controller 11 in the host device 1 should compare the above-mentioned request specifications with the device information of each information processing device in sequence as described above, and specify the target slave device for the execution request. However, the function program further specifies the necessary number of sub-processors due to the communication speed as shown in Figure 21. The main processor can read the necessary number of sub-processors due to the communication speed from each function program. . The meaning of FIG. 21 is, for example, assuming that the function program necessary to execute the scheduled recording command is the program represented by ID=1. At this time, the number of sub-processors necessary to make the functional program run at a predetermined processing speed, such as 100MIPS or more, is when the communication speed between the information processing devices in the network is less than 50, and 3 is required Meaning. If the speed is higher than 50 and less than 200, only two are needed.

When the main processor 21-1 included in the information processing controller 11 in the host device 1 specifies the target slave device for the execution request, in addition to performing the required specifications of the information processing device and the device information of each information processing device By comparison, the network communication speed management table shown in FIG. 20 is compared with the number of sub-processors required for each function program shown in FIG. 21, so that more efficient execution processing can be realized.

More specifically, as the aforementioned information processing device that can execute the scheduled recording command, when the information processing devices 2 and 6 are candidates, in order to execute the scheduled recording command, the information processing device 2 or 6 must be from the information processing device The TV broadcast tuner indicated in 5 receives the recorded content. Here, the main processor 21-1 contained in the information processing controller 11 in the host device 1 reads the necessary subroutine shown in FIG. 21 from the function program represented by ID=1 that is necessary for executing the scheduled recording command. Number of processors. Then the main processor 21-1 compares the number of necessary sub-processors that have been read with the network communication speed management table shown in Figure 20, and specifies the information processing device 2 as the one to execute the scheduled recording command In the case of an information processing device, based on the communication speed from (device 5) to (device 2) being 100, it is recognized that 2 sub-processors are required. Similarly, when the information processing device 6 is specified, based on the communication speed from (device 5) to (device 6) of 300, it is recognized that a sub-processor is required.

According to the above, by specifying the information processing device 6 as the information processing device to execute the scheduled recording instruction, more efficient execution processing can be realized. Here, the identification of the information processing device caused by the difference in communication speed is based on other judgment factors such as processor processing capability, and can also be done when the identification cannot be completed.

In this way, the host device requests the specified information processing device to perform processing. At this time, it is considered that the specified information processing device does not have the necessary functional programs or sub-processor programs to perform processing. If the host device has these programs, the load command can be sent, but when the host device does not have these programs, the host device sends a remote load command as shown in FIG. 22 to the specified information processing device.

A remote load command is a command for an information processing device to load a program or data from another information processing device that is not a remote load command source. In FIG. 22, the load source information processing device ID is the information processing device ID of the load source, and the load source memory/recording unit ID is the memory/recording portion ID of the information processing device as the load source. For example, ID=0 means the main memory, ID=1 means the first external recording unit, and ID=2 means the second external recording unit. The load source address is the memory/recorded program or data, which is the address of the load source; the load size is the size of the program or data that is the target of the load. The load target memory/recording part ID is the memory/recording part ID in the information processing device that is the load target. For example, ID=0 means the main memory, ID=1 means the first external recording unit, and ID=2 means the second external recording unit.

The load target address is to memorize/record the program or data, which is the address of the LS in the main memory or sub-processor as the load target. The information processing device that receives the remote load command from the host device will obtain the necessary function programs or sub-processor programs from other information processing devices indicated by the load source information contained in the remote load command. And load it to the memory address of the own device shown in the load target information. After the remote loading command ends, the host device sends a kick command or a function program execution command to the specified information processing device, thereby causing these programs to operate.

The information processing device 6 follows the reservation recording instruction, and receives the recorded content from the TV broadcast tuner indicated by the information processing device 5 once the reservation time is reached. Then, the sub-processor performs decryption processing, decoding processing, and other necessary processing for recording, and records 2 hours of broadcast programs in the hard disk 28-8 in the own device. Here is the same as the foregoing, the network communication management program is a resident program, as a result, the network communication speed management table shown in Figure 20 is also frequently updated to manage the latest communication speed, so even in the information processing device 6 After being specified as the information processing device to execute the scheduled recording command, it is still possible to change the information processing device to execute the scheduled recording command due to changes in the network communication speed.

Furthermore, the information processing device 6 sends the software cell as the network communication status report command shown in FIG. 23 to the information processing device 1 as the host device during the recording process. In Fig. 23, the processor ID is the ID of the main processor or the ID of the sub-processor that is communicating with other information processing devices in the own device (information processing device 6). The communication type is the type of communication, which is 0 when data is read, and 1 when data is written. The ID of the information processing device of the communication object is the ID of the information processing device of the communication object for reading or writing data; the ID of the memory/recording part of the communication object is the ID of the communication object for reading or writing data The ID of the memory/recording unit in the information processing device. For example, ID=0 means the main memory, ID=1 means the first external recording unit, and ID=2 means the second external recording unit. The address of the communication object is the address in the memory/recording section that memorizes/records the communication data; the communication size is the size of the communication data. The communication option ID is only used when data is written. Therefore, when any post-processing such as encryption or compression of the communicated data is required, it is the ID used to specify which post-processing must be performed. The communication speed Dspt is the communication speed when data is read or written. The calculation method is as follows.

First, when the main processor or sub-processor of the information processing device 6 reads data from the main memory or external recording unit in the slave device or other information processing device, it will memorize the start time Tro of the execution of the reading. After that, the data is read from the read source, and the end time Trc of the data memory to the read target is also memorized. Similarly, when writing data to the main memory or external recording unit in the self device or other information processing device, the start time Two of the execution of the writing will also be memorized.

After that, the data is read from the read source, and the end time Twc of the end of data storage/recording to the write destination is also memorized. As the communication speed Dspt of the reading speed, if the size of the read data is Drs, then Dspt=Drs/(Trc-Tro); as the communication speed Dspt of the writing speed, if the size of the written data is Dws , Then Dspt=Dws/(Twc-Two).

In this way, the information processing device 6 sends the network communication status report command contained in the calculated communication speed Dspt as data to the information processing device 1 as a host device. In addition, the transmission of the network communication status report command to the information processing device 1 as the host device is not performed every time data communication is performed, but may be, for example, one time for 5 data communication. The ratio is set and can be changed.

In addition, Fig. 24 is the network communication status report command when reading, and Fig. 25 is the network communication status report command when writing. The information processing device 1 as a host device receives network communication status report commands from various information processing devices on the network, and the received communication status is recorded as, for example, the network communication status management shown in Figure 26 surface. The table shown in FIG. 26 illustrates the sub-processor (ID=000058) in the information processing device 6 as a hard disk video recorder, which records from the outside in the information processing device 5 as a TV broadcast tuner Section 28-7, the event of reading out the recorded content with a data size of 1024 bytes is the end, and the communication speed Dspt at this time is 40.

Similarly, the illustration shows the sub-processor (ID=000058) in the information processing device 6, after performing the processing necessary for recording, such as decryption processing and decoding processing, to the external recording unit 28-8 in the device. The event of writing video content with a data size of 1024 bytes is the end, and the communication speed Dspt at this time is 30. The ones listed on the network communication status management table shown in Fig. 26 mean those who should have finished the data communication.

The host device can grasp the progress of the running function program or sub-processor program by using the network communication status management table. For example, by monitoring the network communication status management table, if it is confirmed that the processing of the function program or the sub-processor program has been completed, the software cell shown in Figure 27 as the program stop command is sent to the information processing device that has been executed. In this way, the functional program or sub-processor program can be terminated immediately.

In addition, the host device uses the communication status management table shown in FIG. 26, so that the entire network system can execute processing more efficiently. That is, by monitoring the communication speed Dspt as the reading speed or the communication speed Dspt as the writing speed in the communication status management table, for example, when the reading communication speed Dspt or the writing communication speed Dspt decreases, It can be reconstituted into a higher speed or more efficient network system. At this time, the network communication speed management table shown in Figure 20 can also be used together. Conversely, by monitoring the communication status management table, for example, when it is determined that the read communication speed Dspt or the write communication speed Dspt has increased unnecessarily, a sufficient network system can be constructed again. At this time, the network communication speed management table shown in Figure 20 can also be considered and used.

In addition, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned illustrated examples, and of course various changes can be added as long as they do not depart from the gist of the present invention.

<p>1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. . . Information processing device</p><p>7. . . 1 hypothetical information processing device</p><p>11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. . . Information Processing Controller</p><p>21-1~21-4. . . Main processor</p><p>22-1~22-4. . . LS in the main processor (near end storage area)</p><p>23-1~23-12. . . Sub-processor</p><p>24-1~24-12. . . LS in the sub-processor (near end storage area)</p><p>25-1~25-4. . . DMAC</p><p>26-1~26-4. . . Main memory</p><p>27-1~27-4. . . DC</p><p>28-1~28-9. . . External Recording Department</p>

[Figure 1] An illustration of an example of the network system of the present invention.

[Figure 2] An explanatory diagram of the information processing controller included in the information processing device of the present invention.

[Figure 3] An illustration of an example of a software cell.

[Figure 4] The data field of the software cell when the DMA command is a status echo command.

[Figure 5] An illustration of how a plurality of information processing devices operate as a hypothetical information processing device.

[Figure 6] An illustration of an example of the software configuration of the information processing controller.

[Figure 7] An illustration of the appearance of four information processing devices operating as one hypothetical information processing device.

[Fig. 8] An example diagram of distributed processing in the system of Fig. 7.

[Figure 9] Illustrations of specific examples of each information processing device and system.

[Figure 10] Figure 9 shows the hardware structure of the hard disk video recorder.

[Figure 11] Figure 9 shows the software structure of the hard disk video recorder.

[Figure 12] Figure 9 shows the hardware configuration of the PDA.

[Figure 13] Figure 9 shows the software structure of the PDA.

[Figure 14] Figure 9 shows the hardware configuration of the portable CD player.

[Figure 15] Figure 9 shows the software composition of the portable CD player.

[Figure 16] An illustration of a specific example of distributed processing in response to communication speed.

[Figure 17] A diagram showing an example of the software configuration of the information processing controller in the distributed processing network system that responds to the communication speed.

[Figure 18] The DMA command is an icon of the software cell when the network communication speed measurement command is used.

[Figure 19] The DMA command is an icon of the software cell when the network communication speed responds to the command.

[Figure 20] The diagram of the network communication speed management table managed by the host device.

[Figure 21] The diagram of the number of sub-processors required by each functional program.

[Figure 22] The DMA command is an icon of the software cell when the command is loaded remotely.

[Figure 23] The DMA command is an icon of the software cell when the network communication status is reported.

[Figure 24] The network communication status report command in Figure 23 is the icon when it is read.

[Figure 25] The network communication status report command in Figure 23 is the icon when writing.

[Figure 26] The diagram of the network communication status management table managed by the host device.

[Figure 27] The DMA command is an icon of the software cell when the program is stopped.