WO2017113330A1 - Multi-core embedded processor-based display method and device, and embedded apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A multi-core embedded processor-based display method and device, and an embedded apparatus, which can continuously display user-defined pictures during an embedded system starting process. The method comprises: when needing to start a system, a processor (301) loads a bootloader, and the bootloader runs in the system; the processor (301) loads display firmware solidified in the processor (301), and the display firmware does not run on the system; the processor (301) sends a first picture display instruction to a display (303) by means of the display firmware, so as to enable the display (303) to display a first picture; after a display program running in the system is loaded, the processor (301) sends a second picture display instruction to the display (303) by means of the display program, so as to enable the display (303) to display a second picture. By means of the display method, pictures are displayed by display firmware that is synchronized with the system but does not run on the system, so that the pictures can be continuously displayed, the problems such as blue screen, blank screen, and splash screen are avoided, thereby improving user experience.

Description

Display method, device and embedded device based on multi-core embedded processor Technical field

The present invention relates to the field of embedded processors, and in particular, to a display method, apparatus, and embedded device based on a multi-core embedded processor.

Background technique

Since the birth of the microprocessor, the embedded system has developed rapidly, and the core part of the embedded processor is directly related to the performance of the entire embedded system. Under normal circumstances, embedded processors are considered to be the general term for computing and controlling core devices in embedded systems. There are more than 1000 processors with embedded features in the world. The popular architecture includes more than 30 series including MCU (Microcontroller Unit) and MPU (Microprocessor Unit). Because the embedded system has a very broad development prospect, the company's self-designed processor has become a major trend in the future embedded field, from microcontroller, DSP (Digital Signal Process) to FPGA (Field-Programmable). GateArray (Field Programmable Gate Array) has a wide variety of products, with faster and faster performance and more and more performance.

Among them, embedded SoC (System on Chip) is widely used in embedded systems. However, due to the limitation of the startup order and startup time of the embedded SoC, the display program will be loaded at a certain stage, so that the current multi-core embedded SOC processor will have a long black screen, blue screen or splash time in the startup process. . For example, when the bootloader boots the kernel, there will be a splash screen; during the kernel loading of the file system, a blue screen will appear; when the file system memory allocation is loaded with the dedicated processor firmware, a black screen will appear; the file system display program Psplash replaces the display image of the kernel. A splash screen will appear during the process; the display will cause a poor user experience.

Summary of the invention

The embodiment of the invention provides a display method, device and embedded device based on a multi-core embedded processor, which can continuously display user-defined pictures in the startup process of the embedded system, avoiding blue screen, black screen and Problems such as splash screens improve the user experience.

In view of this, the first aspect of the present invention provides a display method based on a multi-core embedded processor, including:

When the system needs to be booted, the processor loads the boot loader bootloader, and the bootloader runs in the system;

The processor loads the display firmware that is solidified in the processor, and the display firmware is not running in the system;

The processor sends a first picture display instruction to the display through the display firmware, so that the display displays the first picture;

After the display program running in the system is loaded, the processor sends a second picture display instruction to the display through the display program to cause the display to display the second picture.

With reference to the first aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, in a first implementation manner of the first aspect of the embodiment, the processor sends the first picture display instruction to the display by using the display firmware, and the processor passes the display program. Before sending the second picture display instruction to the display, the method further includes:

The operating system kernel kernel of the processor booting system;

The processor starts the file system, and the file system runs in the system;

The processor releases the display firmware;

The processor loads the display program.

With reference to the first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention or the first embodiment of the first aspect, in the second implementation manner of the first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, after the processor loads the boot loader bootloader Before the processor loads the display firmware that is solidified in the processor, it also includes:

The processor selects a picture to be displayed and a configuration of the picture through a command of the bootloader and/or a command of the system;

The processor reboots the system and loads the bootloader.

With reference to the first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, any one of the first to second embodiments of the first aspect, in the third embodiment of the first aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, the processor releases After the firmware is displayed, before the processor loads the display program, it also includes:

The processor performs a delay debounce operation, and the duration of the debounce operation is no more than 5 milliseconds.

A second aspect of the invention provides an apparatus comprising:

a first startup module for starting the system;

The first loading module is configured to load the bootloader, and the bootloader runs in the system;

a second loading module, configured to load display firmware that is solidified in the processor, and the display firmware is not running in the system;

a first sending module, configured to send a first picture display instruction to the display by using the display firmware, so that the display displays the first picture;

a third loading module, configured to load a display program running in the system;

And a second sending module, configured to send a second picture display instruction to the display by the display program, so that the display displays the second picture.

With reference to the second aspect of the embodiments of the present invention, in a first implementation manner of the second aspect of the embodiments, the method further includes:

The second startup module starts the operating system kernel kernel of the system;

The third startup module starts the file system, and the file system runs in the system;

Release the module to release the display firmware.

With reference to the second aspect of the embodiments of the present invention and the first implementation manner of the second aspect, in a second implementation manner of the second aspect of the embodiments, the method further includes:

The selection module is configured to select a picture to be displayed and a configuration of the picture by using a command of the bootloader and/or a command of the system;

Restart the module to restart the system.

In combination with the second aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, the first embodiment of the second aspect, and the second embodiment of the second aspect, the third embodiment of the second aspect of the embodiment of the present invention Also includes:

The delay debounce module is configured to perform a delay debounce operation, and the duration of the delay debounce operation is no more than 5 milliseconds.

A third aspect of the present invention provides an embedded device, including: a processor, a memory, and a display, where the processor is configured to perform the following method:

When the system needs to be booted, the processor loads the boot loader bootloader, and the bootloader runs in the system;

The processor loads the display firmware that is solidified in the processor, and the display firmware is not running in the system;

The processor sends a first picture display instruction to the display through the display firmware, so that the display displays the first picture;

After the display program running in the system is loaded, the processor sends a second picture display instruction to the display through the display program to cause the display to display the second picture.

It can be seen from the above technical solutions that the embodiments of the present invention have the following advantages:

The present invention solidifies the display firmware in the processor for displaying a picture that does not need to be run in the system, so the display firmware can be executed in parallel with the system. Because the display firmware is executed in parallel with the system, the display firmware can operate the display to display the user-defined map before the display function module of the system is loaded. sheet. When the display function module of the system is loaded, the display firmware will be released by the server, and the display function module will control the display of the display image, so that the user-defined image can be continuously displayed at various stages throughout the system startup process, thereby improving the user. Experience.

DRAWINGS

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings to be used in the embodiments will be briefly described below. It is obvious that the drawings in the following description are merely embodiments of the present invention. One of ordinary skill in the art can also obtain other drawings based on the drawings provided without the inventive effort.

1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a display method based on a multi-core embedded processor according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of an embedded device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

detailed description

The embodiment of the invention provides a display method based on a multi-core embedded processor, which is capable of continuously displaying user-defined pictures in the startup process of the embedded system.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention are clearly and completely described in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present invention. It is an embodiment of the invention, but not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of the present invention.

The terms "first", "second", "third", "fourth", etc. (if present) in the specification and claims of the present invention and the above figures are used to distinguish similar objects without having to use To describe a specific order or order. It is to be understood that the data so used may be interchanged where appropriate so that the embodiments described herein can be implemented in a sequence other than what is illustrated or described herein. In addition, the terms "comprises" and "comprises" and "the" and "the" are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, for example, a process, method, system, product, or device that comprises a series of steps or units is not necessarily limited to Those steps or units may include other steps or units not explicitly listed or inherent to such processes, methods, products or devices.

In the embodiment of the present invention, after the system is started, since the display firmware is not running in the system, the system can be synchronized with the system, so that the user-defined map can be continuously displayed continuously during the running of the system. The film below shows the specific workflow of the firmware.

Referring to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a display method based on a multi-core embedded processor according to an embodiment of the present invention includes:

Step 101: The processor starts the system, and enters a startup process.

The processor starts the operating system under the direction of the user and starts to enter the startup process of the system. The processor here refers to an embedded processor, specifically a multi-core embedded SoC processor, which may include a plurality of different processor cores. The processor usually includes a main processor core for operating an operating system, such as an ARM processor core; a coprocessor core for running some applications, such as a DSP core, an FPGA core; and a dedicated processor, a dedicated processor. It is used as a processor for processing large data streams such as embedded graphics cards and voice functions.

In a practical application, the system may be one of Linux, Windows CE, and Tiny OS or other systems, and is not specifically limited herein.

Step 102: The processor loads a bootloader.

In the process of starting the system of the processor, the processor first loads the bootloader, and the bootloader can initialize the hardware device and establish a memory space map to bring the system hardware and software environment to a suitable state. The bootloader here can be U-boot or other bootloader, which is not specifically limited here.

Step 103: The processor selects a picture and a configuration by using a bootloader and/or a system command.

The processor can select the pictures to be displayed and adjust the configuration of the pictures by commands in the bootloader stage and/or commands of the system.

In practical applications, the commands in the bootloader stage can be U-boot commands or other bootloader commands. The system commands can be Linux SHELL commands or other system commands, depending on the bootloader and system selected. limited.

Step 104: The processor restarts the system.

After selecting the image and the corresponding configuration, the processor needs to restart the system for the selected configuration to take effect, after which the bootloader will be reloaded.

It should be noted that in practical applications, steps 103 and 104 need to be performed when a picture needs to be selected or a picture is changed. After performing one time, if it is not necessary to change the displayed picture, steps 103 and 104 may not be performed.

Step 105: The processor loads the display firmware.

The processor loads the display firmware and the display firmware is not running on the system. The display firmware is solidified in the on-chip flash of the main processor core or the EEPROM in the peripheral of the main processor core, or the two methods are not used, and only need to be run on the system after being powered on, and can be independently operated. There is no specific limit.

The display firmware is connected to the display pin of the display, so the display function of the display can be directly controlled. The processor assigns a divided clock of the system clock to the state machine that displays the firmware so that the display firmware can issue a synchronized and correct display command at the appropriate stage of system startup. In practical applications, the display firmware will work later than the main processor core.

In actual use, there is a certain storage space in the display firmware for storing pictures, and the user can call these pictures in step 103 to display different pictures as needed.

Step 106: The processor sends a first picture display instruction.

When the display firmware is successfully loaded, the processor will send a picture display command, and the command display firmware controls the display to display the picture. Since the display firmware is not running in the system, the processor directly controls the display firmware for image display. The displayed image may be a static JPEG format or a dynamic GIF format image, or may be other formats, which are not specifically limited herein.

Step 107, the processor loads the system kernel;

After the bootloader boots, the processor loads the kernel kernel of the operating system. The kernel is the core part of most operating systems. It consists of those parts of the operating system that manage memory, files, peripherals, and system resources. The operating system kernel usually runs processes and provides communication between processes.

Because the image needs to be displayed, in the actual application, the kernel will modify the configuration of the configuration menu menuconfig at compile time, so that the system adds the graphic LOGO display.

Step 108: The processor starts a file system.

During the startup phase of the system, the file system is started after the processor loads the kernel. The file system is a prerequisite for the related display program to run. The file system is running under the operating system.

Step 109: The processor releases the display firmware.

After the processor starts the file system, since the work of displaying the picture is carried out by the subsequent display program, the display firmware does not need to work, the processor will release the display firmware, and the display firmware enters the waiting state. The processor prepares for subsequent loading of the display program and loads the display driver.

Step 110: The processor performs a delay debounce operation;

When the display driver is loaded, since both the display firmware and the display driver call the same display, the pins that need to be operated are also shared, so operation conflicts occur and a handover process is required. The transfer of the general pin will be completed in the millisecond period. The image captured by the human eye changes more than 20 milliseconds, so the human eye can not feel the change of the displayed image. The operation of the handover is the delay debounce operation, and the delay The debounce operation usually takes place from both software and hardware, and functions as a voltage stabilizer. In practical applications, the duration of the delayed debounce operation does not exceed 5 milliseconds, and the specific duration is not specifically limited herein.

Step 111: The processor loads the display program.

After the delay debounce operation, the processor loads the display program, and the display program runs in the system to display the picture. After the display program is loaded, the work of displaying the picture is changed from the display firmware to the display program.

Step 112: The processor sends a second picture display instruction.

After the processor loads the display program, the display program can operate the display to display the image, and the display program can be a Psplash or other display program, which is not specifically limited herein.

It should be noted that, at this time, the second picture display instruction is sent to display the second picture, and in step 106, the first picture display instruction is sent to display the first picture, and the second picture and the first picture may be the same picture. It can be a different picture and is not specifically limited here.

The display method based on the multi-core embedded processor in the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, and the device in the embodiment of the present invention is described below.

Referring to FIG. 2, an embodiment of an apparatus in an embodiment of the present invention includes:

The first startup module 201, the first loading module 202, the second loading module 203, the first sending module 204, the third loading module 205, the second sending module 206, the second starting module 207, the third starting module 208, and the releasing module 209. Select module 210, restart module 211, and delay debounce module 212.

The first startup module 201 is configured to start the system.

The first loading module 202 is configured to load a bootloader, and the bootloader runs in the system.

The second loading module 203 is configured to load display firmware that is solidified in the processor, and the display firmware is not running in the system.

The first sending module 204 is configured to send a first picture display instruction to the display by using the display firmware, so that the display displays the first picture.

The third loading module 205 is configured to load a display program running in the system.

The second sending module 206 is configured to send a second picture display instruction to the display through the display program, so that the display displays the second picture.

The second startup module 207 is configured to start an operating system kernel kernel of the system.

The third startup module 208 is configured to start the file system, and the file system runs in the system.

The release module 209 is configured to release the display firmware.

The selection module 210 is configured to select a picture to be displayed and a configuration of the picture by using a command of the bootloader and/or a command of the system.

The module 211 is restarted for restarting the system.

The delay debounce module 212 is configured to perform a debounce operation, and the duration of the debounce operation is no more than 5 milliseconds.

An apparatus in the embodiment of the present invention is described above from the perspective of a modular functional entity. An embedded device in the embodiment of the present invention is described below from a hardware perspective.

Referring to FIG. 3, an embodiment of an embedded device in an embodiment of the present invention includes:

Processor 301, memory 302 and display 303.

The processor 301 is configured to perform the following methods:

When the system needs to be booted, the processor loads the boot loader bootloader, which runs in the system.

The processor 301 loads the display firmware that is solidified in the processor 301, and the display firmware is not running in the system.

The processor 301 transmits a first picture display instruction to the display 303 through the display firmware to cause the display 303 to display the first picture, the first picture being stored in the memory 302.

When the display program running in the system is loaded, the processor 301 sends a second picture display instruction to the display 303 through the display program to cause the display 303 to display the second picture.

A person skilled in the art can clearly understand that for the convenience and brevity of the description, the specific working process of the system, the device and the unit described above can refer to the corresponding process in the foregoing method embodiment, and details are not described herein again.

In the several embodiments provided by the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed system, apparatus, and method may be implemented in other manners. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For example, the division of the unit is only a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be another division manner, for example, multiple units or components may be combined or Can be integrated into another system, or Some features can be ignored or not executed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interface, device or unit, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separated, and the components displayed as units may or may not be physical units, that is, may be located in one place, or may be distributed to multiple network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present invention may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit. The above integrated unit can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of a software functional unit.

The integrated unit, if implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as a standalone product, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the present invention, which is essential or contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium. A number of instructions are included to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in various embodiments of the present invention. The foregoing storage medium includes: a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, and the like, which can store program codes.

The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to be limiting; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that The technical solutions described in the embodiments are modified, or the equivalents of the technical features are replaced by the equivalents of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims (10)

A display method based on a multi-core embedded processor, comprising: When the system needs to be booted, the processor loads the boot loader bootloader, and the bootloader runs in the system; The processor loads display firmware that is cured in the processor, the display firmware not running in the system; The processor sends a first picture display instruction to the display through the display firmware, so that the display displays the first picture; After the display program running in the system is loaded, the processor transmits a second picture display instruction to the display through the display program to cause the display to display the second picture. The multi-core embedded processor-based display method according to claim 1, wherein the processor sends a first picture display instruction to the display through the display firmware, and the processor passes the display program Before the second picture display instruction is sent to the display, the method further includes: The processor starts an operating system kernel kernel of the system; The processor starts a file system, the file system running in the system; The processor releases the display firmware; The processor loads the display program. The multi-core embedded processor-based display method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein after the processor loads the boot loader bootloader, the processor loads the display firmware that is solidified in the processor, Also includes: The processor selects a picture to be displayed and a configuration of the picture by using a command of the bootloader and/or a command of the system; The processor restarts the system and loads the bootloader. The display method of the multi-core embedded processor according to claim 3, wherein after the processor releases the display firmware, before the processor loads the display program, the method further includes: The processor performs a delayed debounce operation, and the duration of the delayed debounce operation is no more than 5 milliseconds. The display method of the multi-core embedded processor according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises: The display firmware is solidified in a flash memory of the processor; or, The display firmware is cured in an electrically erasable programmable read only memory EEPROM of the processor. A device, comprising: a first startup module for starting the system; a first loading module, configured to load a bootloader, where the bootloader runs in the system; a second loading module, configured to load display firmware solidified in the processor, the display firmware not running in the system; a first sending module, configured to send, by using the display firmware, a first picture display instruction to the display, so that the display displays the first picture; a third loading module, configured to load a display program running in the system; And a second sending module, configured to send, by the display program, a second picture display instruction to the display, so that the display displays the second picture. The device according to claim 6, wherein the device further comprises: a second startup module, configured to start an operating system kernel kernel of the system; a third startup module, configured to start a file system, where the file system runs in the system; And a release module, configured to release the display firmware. The device according to claim 6, wherein the device further comprises: a selection module, configured to select a picture to be displayed and a configuration of the picture by using a command of the bootloader and/or a command of the system; Restart the module to restart the system. The device according to claim 6, wherein the device further comprises: The delay debounce module is configured to perform a delay debounce operation, and the duration of the delay debounce operation is no more than 5 milliseconds. An embedded device, comprising: a processor, a memory, and a display, wherein the processor is configured to perform the following method: When the system needs to be booted, the processor loads the boot loader bootloader, and the bootloader runs in the system; The processor loads display firmware that is cured in the processor, the display firmware is not in the Running in the system; The processor sends a first picture display instruction to the display through the display firmware, so that the display displays the first picture; After the display program running in the system is loaded, the processor transmits a second picture display instruction to the display through the display program to cause the display to display the second picture.

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