JP4726543B2 - Electronics - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device including a control circuit that records data in a usable recording area of a recording unit and executes processing, and more particularly, to an electronic device including a control circuit that can operate in a standby state that is shifted from an operating state.

  Systems that dynamically allocate memory areas for recording data used for program execution are widely used in various fields. In a system that dynamically allocates such a memory area, the usable memory area may decrease due to a memory leak, garbage, or the like. In particular, when a system that uses a large amount of memory compared to the recording capacity of a memory or a system that uses a file system database runs for a long time, the usable recording area decreases significantly, causing the system to become unstable. There is a case (for example, refer nonpatent literature 1).

Even if the usable memory area is reduced, the memory is reset (initialized) when the microcomputer that controls the system (hereinafter referred to as microcomputer) is restarted. The area is released, and the usable memory area is expanded to the original state.
Taichi Yuasa, Real-time Garbage Collection, Information Processing, Information Processing Society of Japan, November 15, 1994, Vol. 35 No. 11, P1006-1014

  However, for example, in an electronic device such as a recording device having a reservation recording function, even when the entire device is not in an operating state, some of the microcomputers that are supplied with standby power and control the recording function are in an operating state, so the memory is reset. There is a problem that it is not.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and useful data recorded in a memory is saved when a predetermined condition is satisfied even in a standby state in which standby power is supplied. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device that stabilizes operation by performing reusability processing such as initialization.

  An electronic device according to the present invention includes a control circuit that records data in a usable recording area of a recording unit and executes processing, and the control circuit is an electronic device that can operate in a standby state that is shifted from an operating state. Recording means for evacuation, condition determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined time condition is satisfied when in the standby state, and recording to the recording means when it is determined that the time condition is satisfied Re-use the recording area of the recording means used for recording the data required for processing and the recording means used for recording the data required for the processing of the control circuit to record the data required for the processing being executed. And a means for recording data recorded in the evacuation recording means on a recording means made reusable.

  In the present invention, since the recording area reusability process is executed even in the standby state, the usable recording area can be expanded and the operation can be stabilized. Moreover, since the reusability process is executed during the standby state in which the user is not using the electronic device, the user's use is not hindered.

  The electronic device according to the present invention is characterized in that the condition determining means is configured to determine whether or not an elapsed time from the start of energization exceeds a predetermined time.

  In the present invention, when the elapsed time from the start of energization, such as turning on the main power supply, exceeds a predetermined time, a reusable process is executed, so that a long-term period has elapsed from the start of energization and there is a usable recording area. Since the reusable processing is executed at the reduced stage, it is possible to improve the decrease in the usable recording area due to continuous operation for a long period of time, and to perform the reusable processing more than necessary. It is possible to prevent various harmful effects.

  The electronic device according to the present invention is characterized in that the condition determining means is configured to determine whether or not an elapsed time after transitioning to the standby state exceeds a predetermined time.

  In the present invention, when a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the transition to the standby state, the reusability enabling process is executed, so that the user can perform the transition to the active state immediately after performing the transition to the standby state. Even if it is performed, since the re-enabling process is not executed, it is possible to quickly return to the operating state, so that the operability can be achieved even in a situation where the operation is continuously performed such as when the user performs an erroneous operation. Will not be damaged.

  The electronic device according to the present invention includes means for recording the setting of the operation start time at which the operation is started, and the condition determination means determines whether or not the time until the operation start time exceeds a predetermined time. It is configured.

  In the present invention, when the time until the operation start time such as the start time of the reserved recording is sufficient, it is possible to prevent the execution of the process such as the reserved recording by performing the reusability process. Is possible.

  The electronic device according to the present invention comprises means for capturing external information and means for recording setting of the capture time for capturing external information, wherein the condition determination means is configured to exceed a predetermined time until the capture time. It is characterized by determining whether it exists.

  In the present invention, the execution of the reusability process is performed when there is sufficient time until the operation start time such as the capture time for capturing external information such as an electronic program guide, thereby preventing the execution of external information capture. Can be prevented.

  The electronic device according to the present invention is characterized in that the reusable means is configured to initialize the recording means.

  In the present invention, the recording area that was in an unusable state is released, and the usable recording area can be expanded to the original state.

  When the electronic device of the present invention is in a state in which the entire apparatus is in operation and is in a state of transition to a standby state in which only some functions are operated, Useful data recorded in the recording means required for control of the control circuit is recorded in the evacuation recording means, and reusability processing such as initialization (reset) is performed to make the recording area of the recording means reusable. After that, the data recorded in the evacuation recording unit is written back to the recording unit.

  With this configuration, in the present invention, since the recording area can be reusable even in the standby state, the usable recording area can be expanded and the operation can be stabilized. There is an effect. Moreover, since the reusability process is executed during the standby state in which the user is not using the electronic device, the usable recording area can be expanded without hindering the user's use. Etc. have excellent effects.

  Furthermore, the electronic device of the present invention can be used after a long period of time has elapsed since the start of energization by executing a reusable process when the elapsed time from the start of energization, such as turning on the main power supply, exceeds a predetermined time. Since the reusability process is executed when the recording area is reduced, it is possible to improve the reduction in the usable recording area due to continuous operation over a long period of time. In addition, the present invention has excellent effects such as preventing various harmful effects caused by performing the reusability process more than necessary.

  Furthermore, the electronic device of the present invention is put into an operating state immediately after the user performs an operation to make a transition to the standby state by executing a reusability process when a predetermined time or more has elapsed since the transition to the standby state. Even when an operation to make a transition is made, because the re-enabling process has not been executed, it is possible to quickly return to the operating state. Excellent effects such as no loss of operability even underneath.

  Furthermore, the electronic device of the present invention can be used for reservation recording when applied to recording devices such as VTR (Video Tape Recorder), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), HD (Hard Disc), and STB (Set Top Box). When the time until the operation start time such as the start time exceeds the predetermined time, it is determined that the time until the start is sufficient, and the reusable processing is executed, thereby executing the processing such as the scheduled recording It is possible to prevent the hindrance from being hindered.

  Furthermore, the electronic device of the present invention determines that the time until the start is sufficient when the time until the operation start time such as the capture time for capturing external information such as an electronic program guide exceeds a predetermined time, By performing the reusability process, it is possible to prevent the external information from being hindered from being executed.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings illustrating embodiments thereof.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of an electronic device according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an electronic apparatus of the present invention using a recording device such as a VTR (Video Tape Recorder), a DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) recorder, an HD (Hard Disc) recorder, or an STB (Set Top Box). The electronic device 1 is controlled by receiving a control unit 11 that controls the entire apparatus, an operation unit 12 that includes mechanical and electrical mechanisms and operates as a main part of the apparatus, and external power such as a commercial power source and a dry battery. The power supply part 13 which supplies electric power to the part 11 and the operation part 12 is provided.

  The control unit 11 performs processing of a main microcomputer 111 (hereinafter referred to as a main microcomputer) that is a main body of control, a main memory 112 such as a flash memory that records data generated when processing is performed by the main microcomputer 111, and processing of the main microcomputer 111. Sub-microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as sub-microcomputer) 113 which is the control means of the present invention to be supplemented, sub-memory 114 such as a flash memory for recording data generated during execution of processing by sub-microcomputer 113, and sub-memory 114 A evacuation memory 115 is used for saving useful data. Further, the control unit 11 includes various circuits such as a capture circuit 116 such as a tuner mechanism and a clock circuit 117 that capture external information such as an electronic program guide (EPG: Electronic Programming Guide) transmitted wirelessly or by wire. Yes.

  The electronic device 1 has at least two types of operation states, that is, an operation state and a standby state. In the operation state in which the entire apparatus is in operation, both the main microcomputer 111 and the sub-microcomputer 113 of the control unit 11 are operated. When a transition is made to a standby state in which only some functions are activated, only the sub-microcomputer 113 is activated. The main microcomputer 111 controls the operation unit 12 to execute operations such as recording and reproduction by recording and executing data in a usable recording area of the main memory 112. In addition, the sub-microcomputer 113 controls the processes that should be executed at all times, such as management of reserved recording and management of capturing external information, by recording and executing data in a usable recording area of the sub-memory 114. For example, the acquisition of external information by the acquisition circuit 116 is performed twice a day with reference to the clock circuit 117 under the control of the sub-microcomputer 113 at the time recorded in advance in the sub-memory 114 as the acquisition time. The acquired external information, for example, an electronic program guide, is recorded in the sub memory 114. Information such as the contents of reserved recording, that is, information such as setting of an operation start time for starting operation to start reserved recording is also recorded in the sub memory 114. As described above, the sub-microcomputer 113 operates in both the operating state and the standby state, but the main microcomputer 111 operates only in the operating state, and at the start of the operation, processing such as initialization of the main memory 112 is performed. Done.

  Next, processing of the electronic device 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing processing of the electronic apparatus 1 of the present invention. The electronic device 1 according to the present invention determines whether or not the standby state is changed from the operating state under the control of the sub-microcomputer 113 (step S1).

  If it is determined in step S1 that the electronic device 1 is in the standby state (step S1: YES), the electronic device 1 controls the sub-microcomputer 113 so that the elapsed time from the start of energization is recorded in the sub-memory 114 in advance. Is determined (step S2). The elapsed time from the start of energization is the time from when the power supply unit 13 starts to receive external power. For example, the time when the power plug is inserted into the outlet of the commercial power supply, the time when the main power is turned on, which will be described later. This is the time from the time such as the time when the initialization process of the sub memory 114 was executed last time. The predetermined time in step S2 is set based on the time-dependent decrease in the usable recording area of the sub memory 114 in order to avoid unstable operation, and a period of, for example, two weeks is set.

  If it is determined in step S2 that the elapsed time from the start of energization exceeds the predetermined time (step S2: YES), the electronic device 1 has changed from the operating state to the standby state under the control of the sub-microcomputer 113. It is determined whether or not the elapsed time exceeds a predetermined time previously recorded in the sub memory 114 (step S3). If the user who operates the electronic device 1 performs an operation for shifting to the standby state due to, for example, an erroneous operation, the user is likely to perform an operation for immediately shifting to the operating state after performing the operation for shifting to the standby state. Therefore, in step S3, execution of an initialization process, which will be described later, is prohibited for a predetermined time even after the transition to the standby state in order to quickly respond to a user's continuous operation. Note that the predetermined time in step S3 is set to a time such as 6 minutes, for example, as a time when the user is considered not to perform the operation continuously.

  In step S3, when it is determined that the elapsed time since the transition to the standby state has exceeded the predetermined time (step S3: YES), the electronic device 1 displays the current time indicated by the clock circuit 117 under the control of the sub-microcomputer 113. It is determined whether the time from the time to the operation start time recorded in the sub memory 114 exceeds a predetermined time recorded in advance in the sub memory 114 (step S4). The operation start time recorded in the sub-memory 114 is, for example, the time at which reserved recording is started. If the reserved recording start time is reached during the initialization process described later, the reservation starts from the set start time. There arises a problem that recording cannot be performed. Therefore, in step S4, by comparing with a predetermined time set based on the time required for the initialization process, there is sufficient time margin for completion by the operation start time even if the initialization process is executed. It is determined whether or not.

  If it is determined in step S4 that the time until the operation start time exceeds the predetermined time (step S4: YES), the electronic device 1 controls the sub-microcomputer 113 from the current time indicated by the clock circuit 117. It is determined whether or not the time until the capture time recorded in the memory 114 exceeds a predetermined time previously recorded in the sub memory 114 (step S5). The capture time recorded in the sub memory 114 is a time set as a time when external information is captured by the capture circuit 116, and when the capture time is reached during the initialization process described later This causes a problem that external information cannot be captured at the set capture time. Therefore, in step S5, by comparing with a predetermined time set based on the time required for the initialization process, there is a sufficient time margin for completion by the capture time even if the initialization process is executed. It is determined whether or not.

  If it is determined in step S5 that the time until the capture time exceeds the predetermined time (step S5: YES), the electronic device 1 starts the initialization process of the sub memory 114 under the control of the sub microcomputer 113. .

  As initialization processing of the sub memory 114, the electronic device 1 reads useful data recorded in the sub memory 114 under the control of the sub microcomputer 113 (step S6), and records the read data in the save memory 115. (Step S7). Further, the electronic device 1 performs initialization (reset) to erase the recorded contents so that the recording area of the sub memory 114 can be reused under the control of the sub microcomputer 113 (step S8), and records it in the save memory 115. Data is read (step S9), and the read data is recorded in the sub-memory 114 that can be reused (step S10). The useful data read in step S6 is data required for the processing being executed, specifically, data that may be referenced using a pointer from a program being executed by the sub-microcomputer 113. It is data excluding unnecessary data such as. By initializing in step S8, useless data that has been used for recording data required for the processing previously executed by the sub-microcomputer 113 but is not used for the processing currently being executed is erased. Thus, the recording area from which unnecessary data has been erased can be reused for recording data required for the processing currently being executed. After completing the initialization process of the sub memory 114 shown as steps S6 to S10, the process returns to step S1 as the original standby state, and the subsequent processes are repeated.

  If it is determined in step S1 that it is not in the standby state (step S1: NO), if it is determined in step S2 that the elapsed time from the start of energization does not exceed the predetermined time (step S2: NO), the standby state is entered in step S3. When it is determined that the elapsed time since the transition does not exceed the predetermined time (step S3: NO), when it is determined in step S4 that the time until the operation start time does not exceed the predetermined time (step S4: NO) ) Or when it is determined in step S5 that the time until the capture time does not exceed the predetermined time (step S5: NO), the electronic device 1 executes the initialization process of the sub memory 114 shown in steps S6 to S10. Without returning to step S1, the subsequent processing is repeated.

  In the above-described embodiment, the form in which the recording area of the sub-memory is initialized as reusable processing has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the garbage collection for releasing the recording area occupied by unnecessary data is performed. It can be expanded to various processes such as collection.

  In the above-described embodiment, the operation start time and the capture time are set in the sub memory. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be expanded to various methods such as using a memory other than the sub memory. It is possible.

  Furthermore, in the said embodiment, although the form which uses a recording device as an electronic device was shown, this invention is not limited to this, It applies to the various electronic devices which change to two or more operation states, an operation state and a standby state. Is possible.

  The conditions until the initialization process shown in steps S2 to S5 can be set as appropriate according to various factors such as the function, purpose, and usage method of the electronic device.

It is a block diagram which shows the structural example of the electronic device of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the process of the electronic device of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1 Electronic Device 11 Control Unit 111 Main Microcomputer (Main Microcomputer)
112 Main memory 113 Sub-microcomputer (Sub-microcomputer)
114 Sub-memory 115 Evacuation memory 116 Capture circuit 117 Clock circuit

Claims (6)

A control circuit that records data in a usable recording area of the recording means and executes processing, the control circuit in an electronic device that can operate in a standby state that has transitioned from an operating state,
Evacuation recording means;
Condition determining means for determining whether or not a predetermined time condition is satisfied when in a standby state;
When it is determined that the time condition is satisfied,
Means for recording useful data recorded in the recording means in the evacuation recording means;
Reusability enabling means for enabling the recording area of the recording means used for recording data required for the processing of the control circuit to be reused for recording data required for the processing being executed;
An electronic apparatus comprising: means for recording data recorded in the evacuation recording means in a recording means that can be reused. The electronic device according to claim 1 , wherein the condition determination unit is configured to determine whether or not an elapsed time from the start of energization exceeds a predetermined time. 3. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the condition determining unit is configured to determine whether or not an elapsed time after transitioning to the standby state exceeds a predetermined time. 4. machine. It has a means to record the setting of the operation start time when it becomes an operation state,
The electronic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the condition determination unit is configured to determine whether or not a time until an operation start time exceeds a predetermined time. machine. Means to capture external information;
Means for recording the setting of the capture time for capturing external information,
The electronic apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the condition determination unit is configured to determine whether or not a time until an acquisition time exceeds a predetermined time. machine. The reusable means is the electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that are configured to perform the initialization of the recording means.

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