JP2006155116A - Starting device selection system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To start a control program which meets a user's need from an optimum storage device without loading a complicated burden on a user. <P>SOLUTION: A plurality of storage devices 21-24 store control programs respectively, and each management table 25 holds information on the performance of each storage device and information on the function of the control program stored by the storage device. A starting condition management means 31 holds assigned information received from the user by a starting condition setting means 1, and a program information management means 32 and a device information management means 33 hold information held in each management table 25. A device selecting means 34 selects the best storage device which satisfies user assigned information based on the information, and a program starting means 35 starts the control program stored in the selected storage device. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a technique for selecting and starting a control program for a computer device to execute a predetermined processing operation from among a plurality of storage devices each storing a control program, and in particular, best according to a user's specification. The present invention relates to a technique for starting a control program from a storage device.

Computer devices are used to configure various devices such as a small computer such as a personal computer, a large computer that performs system management, and a computer that constitutes a device such as a copying apparatus or a printer device. . As is well known, a computer device executes a predetermined processing operation by executing a control program such as an operating system (OS) or an application program (AP) by hardware such as a processor or a memory.
The computer device executes a BIOS program when the power is turned on, thereby starting a control program stored in a storage device such as a hard disk (HD).

Here, for example, in order to be able to start a control program even when a hard disk as a storage device fails, a plurality of storage devices each storing a control program are provided in a computer device, and a storage device to be started is provided. A method of starting a control program from another storage device in the case of failure or the like is known.
For example, when priorities are set in advance for a plurality of storage devices and a failure occurs in a certain storage device that stores the operating system (OS) at the time of startup, the OS from the storage device with the next highest priority is assigned. By starting the system, it is possible to cope with the failure and improve the operational reliability of the computer equipment (see Patent Document 1).
JP 2002-215399 A.

  As described above, a storage device is selected from a plurality of storage devices according to a preset priority order, and an operating system (OS) is started from the selected storage device. And no attempt has been made to achieve optimal startup processing.

For example, when there is a difference in function between control programs stored in the storage device, when the user wants to start a control program having a desired function when the power is turned on, the user needs to know the function of each control program in advance. In addition to this, an operation for changing the priority order must be performed in advance.
Also, for example, if the access speed of the storage device is higher, the control program can be started at a higher speed. However, in order to realize the high speed startup, the user needs to know the performance of each storage device in advance. In addition, there is a need to perform an operation for changing the priority in advance.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-described conventional circumstances, and an object thereof is to start a control program that satisfies user needs from an optimal storage device without imposing a burden on the user.

In the present invention, the storage device selection process and the control program activation process are realized as a function of, for example, a BIOS program. A program is a method implemented in the boot device selection system.
In the present invention, the control program is typically a program including an operating system (OS) and an allocation program (AP) executed on the OS. Any program may be used as long as it executes a predetermined processing operation.

In the activation device selection system according to the present invention, each of the plurality of storage devices stores a control program, and the management table stores information on the performance (for example, access speed) of each storage device and the control program stored in the storage device. The start condition management means holds the specified input information related to the processing function of the control program received from the user by the start condition setting means. Selects the best storage device that satisfies the processing function designation information held in the start condition management means based on the information included in the management table, and the program start means stores the control program stored in the selected storage device Start up.
Therefore, a control program having a function that satisfies the user specification is started from the storage device having the best performance.

Here, in the activation device selection system according to the present invention, the device selection means includes the control program so that the management table includes information (for example, version and bug information) related to the reliability of the control program stored in each storage device. The best storage device that satisfies the specification information of the processing function may be selected in consideration of the reliability of the control program in addition to the function of the storage device and the performance of the storage device.
Therefore, a highly reliable control program having a function satisfying the user specification is started from the storage device having the best performance.

In the present invention, the management table may be formed in a memory area different from the storage device, but the management table is stored in each storage device, and each management table relates to the performance of the own device. It is preferable that information and information related to the function of the control program stored in the self device (or information related to the reliability of the control program) be included.
In this way, even when a storage device is exchanged or added, a management table is attached to each storage device, so that creation and updating of each management table can be facilitated.

  In the present invention, the device selection unit may perform the selection process by directly referring to the information from the management table. However, the information selection unit that reads and holds the information included in the management table is the device selection unit. Is preferably provided in the memory area used by the computer, thereby speeding up the selection process.

In the present invention, the corresponding management table may be updated according to the activation process.
In this case, for the information on the activated storage device, the device performance investigation means investigates the actual performance (performance) of the storage device from the activation processing operation of the selected storage device, and the table update means responds to the investigation result. To update the information held in the corresponding management table. As for the information of the activated control program, the program function investigation means investigates the actual function (performance) of the control program activated from the selected storage device, and the table update means responds according to the investigation result. Update the information held in the management table.

In the present invention, the corresponding management table may be updated according to function addition or update processing such as version upgrade or update of the control program.
In this case, the program changing unit adds a function addition or update to the control program stored in the storage device, and the table updating unit updates the information held in the corresponding management table according to the change contents.

In the present invention, in addition to the selection process as described above, the activation process may be performed based on an external input such as a user input, and the corresponding management table may be updated accordingly. This process can be used to update the control program and the table information of the storage device at an arbitrary time, and can also be used to create a management table as an initial operation.
In this case, the external activation unit selects the designated storage device according to the input from the outside and activates the control program, and the device performance investigation unit executes the execution of the storage device from the activation processing operation of the selected storage device. The performance is investigated, and the table updating means updates the information held in the corresponding management table according to the investigation result. Further, the program function investigation unit investigates the actual function of the control program activated from the selected storage device, and the table update unit updates the information held in the corresponding management table according to the investigation result.

  Note that the startup device selection program according to the present invention is typically executed by a computer so that the computer stores information related to the performance of each of the plurality of storage devices that store the control program and the storage device. The best storage device that satisfies the processing function of the control program input by the user based on the management table including information related to the function of the control program being operated (or information related to the reliability of the control program) Device selecting means for selecting the storage device from the plurality of storage devices, and program starting means for starting the control program stored in the selected storage device.

  In addition, the activation device selection method according to the present invention typically includes information relating to the performance of a plurality of storage devices each storing a control program in a computer, and the functions of the control program stored in the storage device. The best storage device that satisfies the processing function of the control program input by the user is selected based on the management table including the information related to (or information related to the reliability of the control program). Then, the computer activates the control program stored in the selected storage device.

According to the present invention, the best storage device that satisfies the processing function of the control program input by the user is selected from the plurality of storage devices, and the control program stored in the selected storage device is started. The control program that satisfies the user needs can be started from the optimum storage device without forcing the user to make a complicated burden such as prior understanding of the control program function, storage device performance, and the like and setting operation of the storage device to be started.
Furthermore, according to the present invention, since the management table is updated, information management can be performed in accordance with changes in the control program function and storage device performance, and other newly stored storage devices can be stored in other storage devices. Like the device, it can be selected and activated.

The present invention will be specifically described based on an example.
This is an embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a multifunction machine having a plurality of functions such as a copy function, a scanner function, a facsimile function, and a printer function, and the multifunction machine executes a predetermined processing operation by executing a program by computer hardware. Is a computer device that executes
Then, by causing the multi-function device to execute the storage device selection program according to the present invention, a functional unit that selects a storage device and starts a control program stored in the storage device is configured.

FIG. 1 shows a functional configuration provided in the multifunction machine of this example. Note that the present invention can be applied to various computer devices regardless of the multifunction peripheral.
The multifunction machine of this example includes a user interface 1 having operation keys, a menu screen, and the like as a start condition setting unit that receives a designation input related to a processing function of a control program from a user, and a plurality of storage devices each storing a control program A hard disk memory (HD) 21, a flash memory 22, a memory disk (CD-ROM) 23, a floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) 24, and a BIOS program module as a processing unit for selecting a storage device, starting a control program, etc. 3 is provided.

  In this example, the management table 25 is stored in each of the storage devices 21 to 24. As will be described later, each management table 25 stores information relating to the performance of the storage device and the storage device. Information relating to the function of the control program being stored, and information relating to the reliability of the control program stored in the storage device.

  Further, the MFP of this example investigates the actual performance of the storage device from the activation processing operation of the selected storage device and stores the investigation device 4 that investigates the actual function of the selected and activated control program. Program changing means 5 for changing the control program to be upgraded, adding functions, etc., external starting means 6 for selecting a storage device designated in accordance with an external input such as user input, and investigating means 4 Management table updating means 7 for updating information held in the corresponding management table in accordance with the result of the investigation and the contents changed by the program changing means 5.

  The BIOS program module 3 includes an activation condition management unit 31 that holds user-specified information input from the activation condition setting unit 1, information related to the function of the control program included in the management table 25 of each storage device, and the reliability of the control program Program information management means 32 for reading and holding information on the device, device information management means 33 for reading and holding information on the performance of the storage devices included in the management table 25 of each storage device, program information management means 32, and Based on the information held in the device information management means 33, the device selection means 34 for selecting the best storage device storing the control program satisfying the user-specified processing function held in the start condition management means 31, the selection The control program stored in the specified storage device Have that program start-up means 35.

In this example, the activation condition management unit 31, the program information management unit 32, and the device information management unit 33 are provided. The user designation information input from the activation condition setting unit 1 and the information stored in each management table 25 are provided. Based on the above, the device selection unit 34 may perform the selection process.
Further, in this example, the device selection unit 34 and the program activation unit 35 are configured by the computer executing the device selection program according to the present invention, but other functional units (inspection unit 4, program change unit 5, external activation) The means 6, the management table update means 7, etc. may be configured similarly.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control program of this example includes an operating system (OS) and an application program AP. As an application program required for processing of the multifunction peripheral, a program (C) related to a copy function, a scanner function The program (S), the program (F) related to the facsimile function, and the program (F) related to the printer function are included.
Here, in this example, when the control programs stored in the storage devices 21 to 24 are exactly the same, or when there is a difference between these control programs, the best control program according to the user designation is To be launched. For example, when there is a difference in OS or AP version between control programs stored in different storage devices as shown in FIG. 3, or between control programs stored in different storage devices as shown in FIG. When there is a difference in the functions of the AP, the best control program that satisfies the function specified by the user is started.

FIG. 5 shows details of information held in the management table 25 of this example.
The management table 25 holds device performance information 25c including device performance such as a sequential access speed and a random access speed as information related to the performance of the storage device storing the management table. The sequential access speed is used as a performance index for the OS read speed, and the random access speed is used as a performance index for the read speed of each AP.
That is, for example, the management table 25 of the storage device 21 includes the performance information of the hard disk device (HD) 21.

In addition, the management table 25 holds OS and AP size 25a and function (AP function) information 25b of each application program as information relating to the functions of the control program stored in the same storage device together with the management table. ing. The OS and AP sizes 25a are used as parameters for measuring the sequential access speed and the random access speed.
That is, for example, in the case of the management table 25 of the storage device 23, the function information included in each application program (C, S, F, P) stored in the disk memory (CD-ROM) 23 is included.

  As described above, the configuration and functions of the control program vary among storage devices. For example, the chair control program including all types of application programs (C, S, F, P), and these application programs There is a difference such as a control program that does not include a part of the control program. Furthermore, even in the same type of application program, for example, an application (C) having all functions A and B, and an application (C) having function A but not function B (C) ).

In addition, the management table 25 includes OS version information, each AP version information, and program reliability information including bug information of these programs as information related to control program reliability stored in the same storage device together with the management table. 25d.
That is, for example, the management table 25 of the storage device 24 includes information related to the reliability of the OS and each AP stored in the floppy (registered trademark) disk (FD) 24.

Next, control program selection activation processing according to this example will be described. This process is performed, for example, when the multifunction device is turned on.
First, the activation condition management means 31 holds the user designation information input from the activation condition setting means 1 as shown in FIG. 6, and the program information management means 32 stores information 25a related to the control program from each management table 25, 25b and 25d are read and identified and stored for each storage device as shown in FIG. 7, and the device information management means 33 reads the information 25c related to the storage device from each management table 25 as shown in FIG. Identify and hold each storage device.
Note that these holding processes may be performed in advance and held, or may be performed when the multifunction device is turned on. In short, it may be held before the following selection process is performed.

Then, the device selection unit 34 is based on the information 25a, 25b, 25d related to the control program held by the program information management unit 32 and the information 25c related to the storage device held by the device information management unit 33. The storage device 2 that stores the best control program that satisfies the user-specified information held by the start condition management means 31 is selected.
For example, a control program including all the functions designated by the user based on each AP function information 25b is specified, and further, a storage device 2 having a high access speed is specified from each program size information 25a and each device performance information 25c. The storage device having the fastest access speed is selected from the storage devices that store the control program that satisfies the specified function condition.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when a copy function AP (C) having functions A and B, a scanner function AP (S) having function G, and a print function AP (P) having function M are designated by the user. The storage device having the fastest access speed is selected from among the storage devices storing the control program including the allocation program having these functions.

Here, in this example, the device selection unit 34 further takes into account the reliability information 25d of the control program in addition to the above selection process, and when a plurality of control programs including all the functions specified by the user are specified, A new version of the program is specified, and a program having a bug is excluded from selection.
Therefore, a highly reliable control program that satisfies the specified function condition is selected.

As described above, when the best storage device 2 is selected by the device selection means 34, the program activation means 35 accesses the selected storage device 2 and activates the stored control program.
Therefore, when the user inputs and sets the designated function condition, a highly reliable control program that satisfies the condition is quickly activated, and desired operation processing can be realized in the multifunction peripheral.

In this example, when the storage device is selected and the control program is started as described above, the investigating unit 4 performs the actual operation performance (sequential access speed, random access speed) of the accessed storage device. , And the actual functional performance (executability of various functions of the AP) of the activated control program is measured.
Then, the management table update means 7 updates the corresponding information held in the management table 25 based on the result measured by the investigation means 4. For example, when the control program of the hard disk (HD) 21 is activated, the information held in the management table 25 of the hard disk 21 includes the access speed information in the actual operation of the hard disk 21 and the function in the actual operation of the control program. Updated with information and updated.

Next, the management table update process related to the change of the control program according to this example will be described.
For example, when the program changing means 5 changes a control program stored in a certain storage device or when a new storage device storing a control program is connected to the multifunction peripheral, the change contents Then, the management table update unit 7 updates the information held in the corresponding management table 25.
That is, when any change is made to the control program, information corresponding to the control program is updated and held in the corresponding management table 25.

Next, a management table update process related to the activation of an arbitrary control program according to this example will be described.
When a control program stored in a certain storage device is activated by the external activation means 6, as described above, the investigation means 4 determines the actual operation performance of the accessed storage device and the activated control program. The actual functional performance is measured, and the management table updating unit 7 updates (creates if there is no information) stored in the corresponding management table 25 based on the result measured by the investigation unit 4.
For example, when the management table stored in the storage device is initially created, the management table can be created in the corresponding storage device by performing the above processing.

It is a figure which shows the starting device selection system which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the control program which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the control program which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the application program which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the holding information of the management table which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the holding information of the starting condition management means which concerns on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the holding information of the program information management means based on one Example of this invention. It is a figure explaining the holding information of the device information management means based on one Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

1: start condition setting means, 2, 21-24: storage device,
3: BIOS module, 4: Investigation means,
5: Program changing means, 6: External starting means,
7: Management table update means 25: Management table
25a: program size information, 25b: application function information,
25c: device performance information, 25d: program reliability information,
31: Startup condition management means, 32: Program information management means,
33: Device information management means 34: Device selection means
35: Program starting means,

Claims (14)

A startup device selection system that selects a storage device that stores a control program that causes a computer device to execute a predetermined processing operation, and starts a control program stored in the selected storage device,
A plurality of storage devices each storing a control program;
A management table including information related to the performance of each storage device and information related to the function of the control program stored in the storage device;
An activation condition setting means for accepting a designation input related to the processing function of the control program from the user;
An activation condition management means for holding the received processing function designation information;
Device selection means for selecting the best storage device that satisfies the processing function designation information held in the start condition management means based on the information included in the management table;
Program starting means for starting a control program stored in the selected storage device;
A boot device selection system comprising: The boot device selection system according to claim 1,
The management table is stored in each storage device, and each management table includes information on the performance of the self device and information on the function of the control program stored in the self device. And boot device selection system. In the boot device selection system according to claim 1 or 2,
The management table includes information related to the reliability of the control program stored in each storage device,
The device selecting means selects the best storage device that satisfies the specified information of the processing function, taking into consideration the reliability of the control program in addition to the function of the control program and the performance of the storage device. Device selection system. The boot device selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Comprising information management means for reading and holding information contained in the management table;
The device selection means selects the best storage device that satisfies the processing function designation information held in the activation condition management means based on the information held in the information management means. Selection system. The boot device selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
Device performance investigation means for investigating the actual performance of the selected storage device from the startup processing operation of the selected storage device;
In accordance with the investigation result by the device performance investigation means, table update means for updating the information held in the corresponding management table;
A boot device selection system comprising: The boot device selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A program function investigating means for investigating an actual function of a control program started from the selected storage device;
Table updating means for updating the information held in the corresponding management table in accordance with the investigation result by the program function investigation means;
A boot device selection system comprising: The boot device selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 6,
Program changing means for changing the control program stored in the storage device;
Table updating means for updating the information held in the corresponding management table in accordance with the update contents by the program changing means;
A boot device selection system comprising: The boot device selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 7,
An external activation means for selecting a storage device designated in accordance with an external input and activating the control program;
Device performance investigation means for investigating the actual performance of the storage device from the startup processing operation of the selected storage device;
In accordance with the investigation result by the device performance investigation means, table update means for updating the information held in the corresponding management table;
A boot device selection system comprising: The boot device selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 8,
An external activation means for selecting a storage device designated in accordance with an external input and activating the control program;
Program function investigation means for investigating the actual function of the control program started from the selected storage device, and table update means for updating information held in the corresponding management table according to the investigation result by the program function investigation means; ,
A boot device selection system comprising: The boot device selection system according to any one of claims 1 to 9,
An activation device selection system, wherein the control program includes an operating system and an application program. A startup device selection program for selecting a storage device for storing a control program for causing the computer to execute a predetermined processing operation by causing the computer to execute, and starting a control program stored in the selected storage device,
The control program input by the user based on a management table that includes information related to the performance of the plurality of storage devices each storing the control program and information related to the function of the control program stored in the storage device. Device selecting means for selecting the best storage device satisfying the processing function from the plurality of storage devices;
Program starting means for starting a control program stored in the selected storage device;
A boot device selection program, comprising: In the boot device selection program according to claim 11,
The management table includes information related to the reliability of the control program stored in each storage device,
The computer comprises device selection means for selecting the best storage device that satisfies the processing function, taking into account the reliability of the control program in addition to the function of the control program and the performance of the storage device. Boot device selection program to be executed. A startup device selection method in which a computer selects a storage device and performs a process of starting a control program for causing the computer of the host stored in the selected storage device to execute a predetermined processing operation,
The computer is input by a user based on a management table including information related to performance of a plurality of storage devices each storing a control program and information related to functions included in the control program stored in the storage device Selecting the best storage device satisfying the processing function of the control program from the plurality of storage devices;
An activation device selection method, wherein the computer activates a control program stored in the selected storage device. The boot device selection method according to claim 13,
The management table includes information related to the reliability of the control program stored in each storage device,
The computer selects a best storage device that satisfies the processing function, considering the reliability of the control program in addition to the function of the control program and the performance of the storage device.

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