JPH0437916A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To select an optional one of processing interruption states of the past and to enable a user to resturn to the selected state by providing a selection means which stores those processing interruption states and selects one of plural storage means that hold their storage contents despite of an OFF state of a power supply. CONSTITUTION:Plural storage means 2 are provided to store the processing interruption states and to hold the storage contents despite an OFF state of a power supply. Then a selection means 3 selects one of those processing interruption states stored in the storage means 2. Therefore a user can return to the precedent processing state of his/her own when plural users share a single information processor. Meanwhile the user can return to his/her desired processing state when a single user performs plural processing operations in parallel with each other with use of a single information processor. Thus it is possible to select the optional one of plural processing interruption states stored in the storage means 2 by selecting one of these means. Then the user can return to the selected state.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an information processing device that is capable of selecting and returning to an arbitrary state from among the states at the time of past processing interruption.

[Prior Art] Conventionally, as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 64-67658, an information processing device has a resume function that uses a memory with a backup function and returns to the state before the power switch was turned off when the power switch was turned on. There is.

FIG. 2 shows the configuration of an information processing device equipped with such a resume function.

In Figure 2, 1 is the central processing unit (CPU), 4 is the C
Address bus that transmits address signals output by PtJl to memory and peripheral devices, 5 is a data bus that exchanges data between the CPUI and memory and peripheral devices, and 6 retains memory contents even when the power to the main unit is turned off. can do,
Writable memory (RAM) with a backup function or non-volatile. Further, 7 is a display control unit, 8 is a display address bus that sends an address to the display memory 9, and 10
is a display signal line that sends a display signal to the display device 11.

Upon detecting that the power has been turned off, before terminating the process, an interrupt is generated to the CPUI in order to return to the current state the next time the power is turned on, and the CPUI enters the interrupt process. In the interrupt process, the CPU saves data necessary for returning to the RAM 6, such as the storage contents of the display memory 9, the contents of registers in peripheral devices such as the display control unit 7, and the contents of registers in the CPU 1. .

As shown in FIG. 3, the RAM 6 is a main memory area for saving the contents of the main memory that the CPU is accessing during processing, and the contents of registers in the CPU and registers in peripheral devices. A register area for saving the contents of the display memory and a display memory area for saving the contents of other memories such as the display memory are provided. However, if there are any other memories or peripheral devices such as the display memory 9 that have been backed up, their contents will be transferred to the RA.
There is no need to evacuate to M6.

The next time the power is turned on, the CPUI defaults to R.
By restoring the contents saved in AM6 to the original memory or peripheral device, the internal settings of the information processing device can be returned to the state before the power was turned off, and processing can be resumed.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The above-mentioned conventional technology does not take into consideration the fact that an information processing device is used by a plurality of users.

For example, when user A uses the information processing apparatus and turns off the power in the middle of processing, information to be restored the next time the power is turned on is saved in the memory with a backup function. Thereafter, when user B turns on the power to use the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus returns to the state immediately before user A turned off the power. Therefore, user B
In order to cause the information processing device to perform the processing that the user wants to perform, it is necessary to leave the state used by user A and enter the user's own processing state, which increases the amount of work.

On the other hand, for user A, there is a possibility that user B's own data content may be destroyed due to user B handling user A's processing content.

In order to prevent the above problem from occurring, conventionally, even when using an information processing apparatus with a resume function as described above, the resume function is sometimes not used. In other words, instead of turning off the power in the middle of the process, you can turn off the power only after the process has completely finished, or by resetting the contents of the memory with a backup function, you can Even if a user uses the information processing apparatus, the state before the power is turned off is not restored. However, unless the resume function is used, even if the power is turned on, it will not be possible to return to the state before the power was turned off.

Additionally, even if you use the resume function, if another user uses the information processing device between the time the information processing device is powered off and the time it is used again, you will not be able to return to the previous state. . Furthermore, even if another user does not use the information processing device after turning off the power of the information processing device and before using it next time, if you want to perform a different process from the previous one, you can You need to move from the state to the process you want to perform.

As described above, in the conventional information processing device.

The problem was that the resume function was not fully utilized.

An object of the present invention is to store a plurality of states at the time of processing interruption, and select any state from them to return to.

Another object of the present invention is to protect confidentiality.

The purpose is to prevent other users from returning to the interrupted state.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an information processing device with a plurality of storage means that stores the state at the time of processing interruption and retains the stored contents even when the power is turned off. and a selection means for selecting one of the states stored in the plurality of storage means.

Therefore, in the present invention, when multiple users share one information processing device, they can return to their previous processing state, and one user can perform multiple processes in parallel on one information processing device. In this case, the desired processing state can be restored.

The present invention provides an information processing apparatus that stores a state when processing is interrupted, retains the stored content even when the power is turned off, and has a resume function that restores the state, which stores a plurality of states, One of a plurality of stored states is selected.

Further, a management means for managing the usage status of the plurality of storage means is provided, and when storing the state at the time of processing interruption, the selection means selects the usage status of the plurality of storage means based on the usage status managed by the management means. An unused storage means can be selected from among the storage means.

In addition, a means for storing information indicating the state at the time of interruption of the processing sequence stored in the plurality of storage means, a means for displaying the stored information, and a selection of the displayed information are provided. and receiving means, and the selection means selects a corresponding storage means from among the plurality of storage means based on the received information.

In practice, for example, information such as the user name and title name regarding the state at the time of processing interruption is displayed as a menu on a display device provided in the information processing apparatus.

The user selects arbitrary information from a menu. Note that information indicating that a new process is to be started can also be added while the menu is being displayed.

Further, means for storing information indicating a state at the time of interruption of processing and a password stored in the plurality of storage means;
Providing means for displaying the stored information, means for accepting selections and passwords for any of the displayed information, and means for comparing the received password with the password stored in the storage means, The selection means may select a corresponding storage means from among the plurality of storage means based on the received information and the collated results.

In practice, for example, information such as the user name and title name regarding the state at the time of processing interruption is displayed as a menu on a display device provided in the information processing apparatus.

The user selects arbitrary information from a menu and further inputs a password from an input device such as a keyboard provided in the information processing device.

Alternatively, the user inputs a password, displays information corresponding to the password in a menu, and selects arbitrary information from the menu.

Furthermore, in order to achieve another object of the present invention, the present invention further includes means for storing information indicating the state at the time of interruption of processing stored in the plurality of storage means and a password corresponding to the information, and means for accepting the password. and a means for comparing the received password with the password stored in the storage means, and the selection means selects the password based on the information corresponding to the password if the received password is valid as a result of the comparison. Then, the corresponding storage means can be selected from among the plurality of storage means.

This is actually 1. For example, a password entered from an input device such as a keyboard provided in an information processing device,
The method is to compare the password with a password registered in advance, and if it is determined to be valid, select the storage means corresponding to the password.

Further, in order to achieve another object of the present invention, the information processing apparatus of the present invention is removably provided with external storage means for storing information indicating the storage means selected by the selection means, and the selection means Based on the information stored in the external storage means, a corresponding storage means can be selected from among the plurality of storage means.

Each of the plurality of storage means may be configured to be used as a main memory accessed during processing.

Furthermore, the same address is assigned to each of the plurality of storage means as a lower address, and the selection means selects the information identifying each storage means as the upper address, thereby assigning the same address to each of the plurality of storage means. A configuration may be adopted in which a corresponding storage means is selected from among the means.

Further, a backup power source and a means for monitoring the power supply voltage are provided, and when the monitoring means detects that the power supply voltage has decreased, it switches to the backup power source and adjusts the state at the time of processing interruption to the plurality of above-mentioned conditions. The information can be stored in an unused storage unit in the storage unit.

Furthermore, in order to achieve another object of the present invention, the information processing apparatus is removably provided with external storage means for storing the state at the time of interruption of processing.

This external storage means may have the same configuration as one of the plurality of storage means described above, or may be configured such that it is used as a main memory accessed by the information processing apparatus during processing.

In addition, a plurality of storage means for storing the state at the time of interruption of the processing, a means for storing arbitrary information corresponding to the plurality of storage means, and an external storage means for storing information indicating the storage means selected by the selection means. , and the external storage means for storing the state at the time of interruption of the above-mentioned processing, are constructed of a memory with a backup function or a non-volatile memory.

[Function] By selecting any one of the plurality of storage means using the selection means, it is possible to select any state from among the plurality of states at the time of processing interruption and restore the state.

In addition, by displaying information indicating the state at the time of processing interruption stored in the plurality of storage means and accepting a selection regarding any of the displayed information, the user can freely select the state to which he/she wishes to return. This makes it easier to use.

Furthermore, by inputting a password and verifying the input password, it is possible to prevent another user who does not know the correct password from recovering the password.

Further, by removably providing an external storage means for storing information indicating the storage means selected by the selection means,
It is possible to prevent other users who do not have this external storage means from returning it.

Further, by removably providing an external storage means for storing the state at the time of interruption of the process, it is possible to prevent another user who does not have this external storage means from resuming the process.

[Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a central processing unit (CPU), 2 is a central processing unit (CPU),
is a system memory consisting of read-only memory (ROM) and writable memory (RAM) with non-volatile or backup function, 3 is a memory selection register, 4 is an address bus, 5 is a data bus, and 6 is a memory area with eight memory areas. a divided non-volatile or writable memory (RAM) with a backup function; 7 a display control unit for displaying;
8 is a display address bus that sends a display address to display memory 9; 9 is a display memory that stores information to be displayed; 10
is a display signal line 11 that sends a display signal to the display device 11;
is a display device.

Each memory area in the RAM 5 has the maximum capacity required for the CPU to perform one process, the capacity required to save the contents of the registers of the CPU 1 and peripheral devices, and
The display memory 9 is designed to have a capacity including the capacity required to save the contents of the display memory 9. In this embodiment, the capacity of each memory area is 1 Mbyte, as shown in FIG.

In Figure 4, memory area O is 000000 ()
ri~0FFFFF (l(), memory area 1 is 100
000 (H) to IFFFFF (l(), addresses are assigned in units of 1M byte. Among each address A23 to AO, upper addresses A23 to A2
0 is given by the value set in the address selection register 3, and the lower addresses AI9 to AO are given directly from the CPU via the address bus 4. In other words, the CPU
1 is the upper address A written in the memory selection register 3
With the values 23 to A20, one memory area can be selected from among the eight memory areas in the RAM 6 and accessed.

In addition, each memory area is connected to the CPU, as shown in Figure 3.
A main memory area for saving the contents of the main memory accessed by I during processing, a register area for saving the contents of registers in the CPU I and registers in peripheral devices, and contents of the display memory 9. It consists of a display memory area for saving.

In this embodiment, the main memory area is used as the main memory that the CPUI accesses during processing.

That is, it is possible to eliminate the process of saving the contents of the main memory.

In this embodiment, the RAM 6 is divided into eight memory areas, but the number is not limited to eight and may be any number.

When the information processing apparatus of this embodiment turns off the power during processing, the CPU first stores information such as the name of the user performing the processing and the title of the processing in a table on the system memory 2. Store.

The above table is a table for indicating the usage status of the RAM 6, and as shown in FIG. 7, for each memory area in the RAM 5, a flag indicating whether it is used or not,
If used, its title name or user name is stored.

The information stored in the above table will be displayed as a menu the next time the power is turned on, as will be described later.

In addition, the CPUI stores the contents of the display memory 9, the contents of the registers in the CPUI, and the contents of the registers in the peripheral devices.
After saving the data to the memory area in the RAM 5 used for processing, turn off the power.

On the other hand, when the information processing apparatus of this embodiment is powered on, C
The PUI initializes the values of registers in peripheral devices such as the display control unit 7 using a program stored in the system memory 2 .

Also, by referring to the table above, if there is one in which the interrupted process is saved among the eight memory areas in RAM 6, information such as the user name and title name for that memory area is read and displayed. A menu is displayed on the device 11.

An example of the menu display screen is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 8, title names rAAAJ to rDDDJ of the processes stored in the table and "New" indicating that a new process is to be performed are displayed in a menu.

If a process that the user wants to restart exists in the menu, the user selects the process by manually pressing a key or the like.

For example, if the process selected by the user is to save to memory area 1, the CPU writes "OOO" in memory selection register 3 so that memory area 1 can be accessed.
The setting value of the memory selection register 3, which sets the value 1", corresponds to A23 to A20 of the address bus 4, so when the CPU accesses the RAM 6, "0001'' is output as the upper address A23 to A20. and the CPUI is 100000 (H) ~ in RAMe
The address range of IFFFFF (H) will be accessed. That is, the CPUI accesses memory area 1.

After setting the value in memory selection register 3, the CPU
The information saved in the register area and display memory area of memory area 1 is returned to its previous location. As a result, the state seen from CPtJl becomes the same state as when the process saved in memory area 1 was last performed, and the above process can be completely restored.

This operation is fast because it is performed only by accessing the memory and registers within the information processing device. Also, if any of the registers in the display memory 9 or peripheral devices have been backed up, that information can be transferred to the RAM.
There is no need to retreat to 6.

Furthermore, when there is no process that the user wants to restart in the memory area in the RAM 6 and he wants to start a new process, he selects "new" from the menu.

In this case, the CPUI refers to the above table and
To be able to access unused memory areas in e,
Set the value of memory selection register 3.

As described above, according to this embodiment, it is possible to select any state from among a plurality of interrupted states and restart the process.

Further, in this embodiment, a flag indicating whether or not to save the process being executed when the power is turned off is provided in the system memory 2, and the user can set the flag to indicate whether or not to save the process being executed when the power is turned off. may be set. This allows the user to decide whether or not to save the process. In this case, when the power is turned off, the CPUI refers to the flag and performs the save process according to its contents.

Further, in this embodiment, the processing may be interrupted by an input from a keyboard or a switch, and the information may be saved in a memory area in RAMe without turning off the power.

In addition, in this embodiment, since the memory area is also used as the main memory of the main storage area, seven of the eight memory areas can actually save the interrupted process. It is. The remaining memory area cannot be used for storage but can be used as a normal main memory.

Therefore, when "New j" is selected on the menu, if the number of memory areas storing processes is 6 or less, the new process can be saved.

Also, before displaying the menu, a password may be entered, and only the information corresponding to the entered password may be displayed in the menu, or the password corresponding to the information selected in the menu may be further entered. You may also do so.

Furthermore, a menu for erasing processes stored in an arbitrary memory area may be added to the menu display screen of FIG. 8. In this case, the CPUI clears the memory area in which the process to be erased is stored, and sets the flag for the memory area in the table to be unused. In addition, to prevent unnecessary deletion, it is possible to input and verify a password.

Note that the password is entered by the user using a keyboard or the like before turning off the power, as described later.

It is assumed that the above table is written.

Further, by providing a power supply monitoring circuit and a backup power source such as a battery in this embodiment, it becomes possible to save the processing being executed in the event of a power outage. When the power supply monitoring circuit detects a drop in the power supply voltage, it switches the system power supply to a backup power supply and simultaneously interrupts the CPUIo. C
When the PUI receives an interrupt, the PUI saves information necessary for recovery to the RAM 6 and turns off the backup power supply in the same way as when the power switch is turned off. Thereby, after a power failure circuit, the processing before the power failure can be resumed. In this way, in addition to cases where the user turns off the power voluntarily, it is also possible to save the processing being executed in cases where the power is turned off against the user's will, such as due to a power outage. Become.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described using FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 5, this information processing apparatus has a configuration in which an IC card interface 12 is added to the information processing apparatus of the first embodiment, and this IC card interface 12 has an IC card 14 that can be read and written. can be connected.

When the information processing apparatus of this embodiment turns off the power during processing, the CPUI inputs the number of the memory area in RAMe used in the processing, or the memory selection register for the CPUI to access the memory area. The setting value of step 3 is sent from the IC card interface 12 through the IC card signal line 13, either as is or encrypted.
Write to C card 14. Also, the RA used in processing
The contents of display memory 9 and the CPU are stored in the memory area in M6.
The contents of the registers in I and the contents of registers in the peripheral device are saved in the same way as in the first embodiment.

On the other hand, when the power of the information processing apparatus of this embodiment is turned off, C
Through the IC cart interface 12, the PUI
The process can be resumed by reading the information written in the C card 14, setting a value in the memory selection register 3 according to the content, and returning the saved information to its original location6. According to this embodiment, since the IC card 14 is required to restore the process, another person who does not have the IC card 14 cannot restore the process. Therefore, even if the processing contents cannot be seen by others and multiple users share the information processing apparatus of this embodiment, the processing can be resumed by connecting the IC card 14 corresponding to the processing to be resumed. can be done.

As mentioned above, in addition to writing the memory area number or the setting value of the memory selection register 3 to the IC card 14, the password, user name, or process title entered from the keyboard etc. can be written as is, or It may be written in encrypted form.

In this case, for verification, I
It is necessary to store the same information as the C card 14 or information necessary to identify the IC card 14.

Note that the card is not limited to the IC card 14, and may be a magnetic card or an optical memory card.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In this embodiment, in the first embodiment, the user inputs the password from the keyboard or the like before turning off the power, and the CPU writes the input password in the table. do.

Then, when the power is turned on, the user enters a password from the keyboard, etc., and the CPUI checks the entered password with the password written in the table above, and if there is one that is the same, the user enters the password. The process is restored by setting a value in the memory selection register 3 so that the process corresponding to the process can access the memory area where it has been saved, and returning the information that was saved to the memory area to its original location. Something happens.

According to this embodiment, since the process cannot be resumed unless the password is input, confidentiality can be maintained. Further, even if multiple users share the information processing device, the desired process can be resumed. Also, 1
It is also possible for a user to save multiple processes by using multiple passwords.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 6, 1 is a CPU, 2 is a system memory consisting of a ROM and a non-volatile RAM or a RAM with a backup function, 4 is an address bus, 5 is a data bus, 7 is a display control unit that performs display, and 8 is a display memory. A display address bus 9 sends a display address, and a display memory 9 stores information to be displayed.

10 is a display signal line that sends a display signal to the display device 11;
11 is a display device, and 15 is a removable memory card with a backup function or a nonvolatile readable/writable memory card.

The memory cart 15 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 3, and normal processing is performed in the main storage area within the memory card 15.

During processing in the information processing apparatus of this embodiment, when the power is turned off, the CPUI saves the contents of the display memory 9, the contents of the registers in the peripheral devices such as the display control unit 7, and the contents of the registers in the CPUI. It is saved in the display memory area and register area in the card 15.

On the other hand, when the information processing apparatus of this embodiment is powered on, C
The PUI uses a program stored in the system memory 2 to return information saved in the memory card 15 to peripheral devices, display memory 9, and the like. This makes it possible to restore the processing state before the power was turned off.

According to this embodiment, even if multiple users share the process, it is possible to restore the process that the user wants to restart, and one user can save multiple interrupted process states and restore the process that the user wants to restart. becomes possible.

Furthermore, since the memory card 15 is removable, if the user who performed the processing stores it, other people will not be able to return to it, and one secrecy can be completely maintained.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, there is an effect that an arbitrary state can be selected from a plurality of interrupted processing states and returned to.

Therefore, even if one information processing device is shared by multiple users, the desired process can be resumed, and one user can perform multiple processes in parallel on one information processing device. Even if the process you want to restart can be restored.

Furthermore, since other users are prevented from restoring the interrupted processing state, there is an effect that confidentiality can be maintained.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional information processing device, and FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional information processing device. Memory configuration diagram, FIG. 4 is a memory configuration diagram of this embodiment,
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the structure of a table showing the usage status of the memory area in the RAM, and FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a menu display screen. l... Central processing unit (CPU), 2... System memory, 3... Memory selection register, 4... Address bus, 5... Data bus, 6... RAM, 7
...Display control unit, 8...Display address bus, 9...
・Display memory, 10...Display signal line, 11...Display device, 12...IC card interface, 13...
・IC card signal line, 14...IC card, 15...
·Memory card.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A plurality of storage means for storing the state at the time of interruption of processing and retaining the stored contents even when the power is turned off, and a selection means for selecting one of the plurality of storage means. An information processing device characterized by: 2. A management means is provided for managing the usage status of the plurality of storage means, and when storing the state at the time of processing interruption, the selection means selects the usage status of the plurality of storage means based on the usage status managed by the management means. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an unused storage means is selected from among the storage means. 3. Storage means for storing information indicating the state at the time of interruption of processing stored in the plurality of storage means, means for displaying the stored information, and selection of any of the displayed information. and a means for accepting the selection means.
Claim 1, wherein a corresponding storage means is selected from the plurality of storage means based on the received information.
or the information processing device according to 2. 4. A means for storing the information indicating the state at the time of processing interruption and a password stored in the plurality of storage means, a means for displaying the stored information, and selection of any of the displayed information. and means for accepting a password, and means for comparing the accepted password with the password stored in the storage means, and the selection means includes:
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a corresponding storage means is selected from among the plurality of storage means based on the received information and the comparison result. 5. means for storing information indicating a state at the time of interruption of processing stored in the plurality of storage means and a password corresponding to the information; means for accepting the password; and means for storing the received password and the storage means; If the received password is valid as a result of the verification, the selection means selects a corresponding one from among the plurality of storage means based on information corresponding to the password. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a storage means is selected. 6. A backup power supply and a means for monitoring the power supply voltage are provided, and when the monitoring means detects that the power supply voltage has decreased, it switches to the backup power supply and adjusts the state at the time of processing interruption to the above-mentioned plurality of conditions. 6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus stores the information in an unused storage means in the storage means. 7. Detachable external storage means for storing information indicating the storage means selected by the selection means, and the selection means, based on the information stored in the external storage means,
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a corresponding storage means is selected from among the plurality of storage means. 8. The same address is assigned to each of the plurality of storage means as a lower address, and the selection means selects one of the plurality of storage means by setting information identifying each storage means as an upper address. Claims 1, 2, 3, 4, characterized in that the corresponding storage means is selected from
8. The information processing device according to 5, 6 or 7. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or 8, wherein each of the plurality of storage means is used as a main memory accessed in processing. 10. An information processing device characterized by being detachably equipped with external storage means that stores the state at the time of interruption of processing and retains the stored contents even when the power is turned off. 11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the external storage means is used as a main memory accessed during processing. 12. An external storage device connected to an information processing device and used as a main memory accessed by the information processing device during processing, which stores the state when the information processing device interrupts processing;
An external storage device that retains stored contents even when the power is turned off. 13. In an information processing device that has a resume function that stores the state at the time of interruption of processing, retains the stored contents even when the power is turned off, and restores the state, the information processing device stores a plurality of states, and An information processing device characterized by selecting one of a plurality of states.