JPH08328908A - Program monitoring device and device driven by program - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] A program monitoring device and a device driven by a program detect a program runaway easily in a short time. A measuring unit 15B that measures time by counting a synchronization signal from a device that is driven by a program and that displays an image on a display device, a storage unit 15D that stores a video signal at each period of the synchronization signal, and a storage unit The comparison means 15E for comparing the video signal stored in the means 15D with the video signal of the next cycle, and the signal change detection means 15C for stopping the measurement of the measurement means 15B when the change of the signal output by the comparison means 15E is detected. .

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a program monitoring device for monitoring a program runaway and the like and a device driven by a program incorporating the program monitoring device. In a device driven by a program, such as a personal computer or a workstation, a test program is provided to detect an endless loop of the program, no response, runaway, etc. However, since it is necessary to develop and incorporate a unique test program for each device, the device development period is long. There is a demand for the development of a program monitoring device that can eliminate such problems and shorten the development period of the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional device driven by a program, there is a computer device as shown in FIG. In FIG. 11, 1 is R of the computer device 2.
It is AM, and the RAM 1 is controlled by the CPU 3. R
Data is temporarily stored in the AM1, and the RAM1 has a function as a work area.

Reference numeral 4 is a ROM, and the ROM 4 is controlled by the CPU 3. A program 5 for driving the computer device 2 and a test program 6 for debugging are stored in the ROM 4, respectively. CPU3 is program 5
Then, the processing written in the program 5 is executed according to.
Further, the test program 6 detects a runaway of the CPU 3 or the like, and debugs.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a display, and the display 7
Are controlled by the CPU 3. C on the display 7
A screen that is changed by the execution of the program 5 by the PU 3 and a still screen are displayed. Reference numeral 8 is a keyboard, and data is input to the CPU 3 from the keyboard 8.
In this way, the test program 6 causes the program 5
However, the contents of the program 5 can be measured by hardware using a logic analyzer.
When a logic analyzer is used, a signal line for detecting an image signal or the like has been drawn from the LSI.

[0005]

However, in a device driven by such a conventional program, it is necessary to incorporate a test program for debugging the program. Since the test program needs to be developed and incorporated for each device and has no versatility, there is a problem that it takes time to develop the device.

Further, when the logic analyzer is used, even if the change of the video signal can be detected, the time until the change of the video signal cannot be measured, and the runaway of the program cannot be detected. could not. Further, when a logic analyzer is used, a signal line for detecting an image signal or the like has to be drawn out from the LSI, which causes a problem that it takes time and effort.

The present invention has been made in view of such conventional problems, and is a program capable of easily detecting runaway of a program in a short time without using a test program or a logic analyzer. An object is to provide a monitoring device and a device driven by a program.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention. The program monitoring device of the present invention is a measuring means 1 for measuring time by counting synchronization signals from a device which is driven by a program and which displays an image on a display device.
5B, a storage unit 15D that stores a video signal for each cycle of the synchronization signal, a comparison unit 15E that compares the video signal stored in the storage unit 15D with a video signal of the next cycle, and a signal that the comparison unit 15E outputs. When a change is detected, measuring means 1
The signal change detecting means 15C for stopping the measurement of 5B is provided.

Further, in the program monitoring apparatus of the present invention, when the signal change detection means 15C detects that the video signal has changed from a repeated signal pattern different from a fixed signal pattern, the time is measured by the measuring means 15B. To do. Further, in the program monitoring device of the present invention,
When the signal change detecting means 15C detects that the video signal has changed from a constant signal pattern to a different repeating signal pattern, the measuring means 15B measures the time.

Further, in the program monitoring apparatus of the present invention, the synchronizing signal and the video signal are inputted from the output connector of the apparatus driven by the program. Further, the device driven by the program of the present invention has a built-in program monitoring device. Further, the device driven by the program of the present invention uses the program monitoring device as an expansion board.

[0011]

According to the program monitoring device of the present invention having such a configuration, the time is measured by counting the synchronization signals from the device which is driven by the program and which displays the image on the display device, and the period of the synchronization signal is measured. The video signal is stored for each, and the stored video signal is compared with the video signal of the next cycle,
Since the measurement is stopped when a change in the signal output by comparison is detected, a program runaway or the like can be detected in a short time and easily, and as a result, the development period of the device can be shortened.

Further, in the program monitoring apparatus of the present invention, when the signal change detecting means 15C detects that the video signal has changed from a repeating signal pattern different from one another to a constant signal pattern, the measuring means 15B measures the time. Therefore, when the image changes, it is possible to detect a program runaway or the like. Further, in the program monitoring apparatus of the present invention, when the signal change detecting means 15C detects that the video signal changes from a constant signal pattern to a different repeating signal pattern, the time is measured by the measuring means 1
Since the measurement is performed at 5B, it is possible to detect a program runaway or the like when the image is stationary.

Further, in the program monitoring apparatus of the present invention, since the synchronizing signal and the video signal are inputted from the output connector of the apparatus driven by the program, the program runaway or the like can be detected without troublesome connection. be able to. Further, since the apparatus driven by the program of the present invention has the built-in program monitoring apparatus, it is possible to easily detect runaway of the program in a short time without depending on the test program.

Further, in the apparatus driven by the program of the present invention, since the program monitoring apparatus is used as an expansion board connected to the expansion connector, the program runaway or the like can be detected without any trouble in connection. be able to.

[0015]

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, 11 indicates a device driven by a program, for example, a computer device. Reference numeral 12 denotes a main body of the device 11 driven by a program, and the main body 12
RAM 13, ROM 14, program monitoring device 15
And a CPU 16 is provided. The program monitoring device 15 is built in the main body 12.

The RAM 13 is controlled by the CPU 16,
The data is temporarily stored and has a function as a work area. ROM14 is controlled by CPU16, RO
A program 14A for driving the device 11 is stored in M14. According to the program 14A, the CPU 16 executes the processing written in the program 14A. The program monitoring device 15 detects runaway of the program 14A.

Reference numeral 17 is a display, and the display 17 is controlled by the CPU 16. On the display 17, a screen changed or a still screen is displayed by the CPU 16 which executes the processing written according to the program 14A. Reference numeral 18 is a keyboard, and the keyboard 18 is controlled by the CPU 16. Keyboard 1
Data is input to the CPU 16 by the operation of 8.

Next, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the program monitoring device 15. In FIG. 3, 15A is a receiving circuit, and the receiving circuit 15A receives a synchronizing signal and a video signal from the CPU 16. As shown in P of FIG. 4, the synchronization signal is composed of pulse signals at regular intervals, and the period from the input of one pulse signal to the input of the next pulse signal is one cycle.

In the period shown by t1, the video signal shown by a is inputted, the video signal shown by b is inputted in the period t2, and the video signal c having the same signal pattern is inputted in the periods t1 to t5. In the case of FIG. 5, video signals d having the same signal pattern are input in the cycles t1 to t3, and video signals e and f having different signal patterns are input in the cycles t4 and t5. In FIG. 3 again, 15B is a counter as a measuring means, and the counter 15B sequentially counts the input synchronizing signals,
Time is measured. That is, the counter 15B starts counting the synchronization signal from the receiving circuit 15A by driving the program 14A, and stops counting by the signal from the signal change detecting circuit 15C as the signal change detecting means,
The time from when the program 14A is driven until the signal changes is measured.

Reference numeral 15D is a memory as a storage means,
A video signal is stored in the memory 15D for each cycle of the synchronization signal. Reference numeral 15E is a comparison circuit as a comparison means. The comparison circuit 15E compares the video signal stored in the memory 15D with the video signal of the next cycle, and outputs a coincidence signal or a non-coincidence signal to the signal change detection circuit 15C. In the case of FIG. 4, the video signal a is input to the memory 15D at the cycle t1, and the comparison circuit 15E compares the video signal a from the memory 15D at the cycle t2 with the video signal b at the cycle t2 at the reception circuit 15A to obtain a mismatch signal. And the video signal b is input to the memory 15D in the cycle t2. At the cycle t3, the comparison circuit 15E compares the video signal b from the memory 15D with the video signal c at the cycle t3 from the receiving circuit 15A and outputs a non-coincidence signal, and at the cycle t3, the video signal c is input to the memory 15D. . At the cycle t4, the comparison circuit 15E causes the video signal c from the memory 15D and the video signal c at the cycle t4 from the receiving circuit 15A.
Are compared and a coincidence signal is output. Signal change detection circuit 15
C detects that the signal has changed from the mismatch signal to the match signal, and stops the counter 15B.

In the case of FIG. 5, the video signal d is input to the memory 15D at the cycle t1, and the comparison circuit 15E compares the video signal d from the memory 15D with the video signal d at the cycle t2 from the receiving circuit 15A at the cycle t2. , Output a match signal,
At the cycle t2, the video signal d is input to the memory 15D. At the cycle t3, the comparison circuit 15E compares the video signal d from the memory 15D with the video signal d at the cycle t3 from the receiving circuit 15A, and outputs a coincidence signal, and at the cycle t3, the video signal d.
Input to the memory 15D. Comparison circuit 15E at cycle t4
Compares the video signal d from the memory 15D with the video signal c having the cycle t4 from the receiving circuit 15A and outputs a non-coincidence signal. The signal change detection circuit 15C detects that the signal has changed from the coincidence signal to the non-coincidence signal, and stops the counter 15B.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the program 14A whose screen changes. First, it is assumed that the program 14A is driven in step S1 and the CPU 16 writes the program 14A and starts the process. The synchronizing signal and the video signal from the CPU 16 are received by the receiving circuit 15A of the program monitoring device 15.

Next, in step S2, the counter 15B starts counting the synchronizing signal from the receiving circuit 15A, and at the same time, in step S3, the video signal from the receiving circuit 15A is input to the memory 15D. Taking the case of FIG. 4 as an example, the video signal a is input to the memory 15D in the cycle t1. Next, in step S4, the comparison circuit 15E compares the video signal a from the memory 15D with the video signal b having the cycle t2 from the reception circuit 15A. Since the video signal a from the memory 15D and the video signal b from the reception circuit 15A have completely different signal patterns, the comparison circuit 15E outputs a mismatch signal to the signal change detection circuit 15C. Also in the cycle t3, the comparison circuit 15E outputs the mismatch signal to the signal change detection circuit 15
Output to C.

In the cycle t4, the comparison circuit 15E causes the memory 1
The video signal c from 5D and the cycle t4 from the receiving circuit 15A
The video signals c of are compared. In this case, since the signal patterns are the same, the comparison circuit 15E outputs the coincidence signal to the signal change detection circuit 15C. Therefore, step S5
Then, the signal change detection circuit 15C detects the signal change from the mismatch signal to the match signal and stops the counter 15B.

As described above, the video signal had a completely different signal pattern for each cycle, but at a certain cycle,
When repeating a fixed pattern, the time for the fixed pattern is measured by the counter 15B. Next, FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the program 14A whose screen is stationary.

From step S11 to step S13,
Since it is the same as step S1 to step S3 in FIG. 6, description thereof will be omitted. In step S14, the comparison circuit 15E compares the video signal from the memory 15D with the video signal of the next cycle from the reception circuit 15A. Taking the case of FIG. 5 as an example, the comparison circuit 15E compares the video signal d from the memory 15D with the video signal d from the reception circuit 15A at the cycle t2 at the cycle t2. In this case, since the signal patterns are the same, the comparison circuit 15E outputs a coincidence signal to the signal change detection circuit 15C. Also in the cycle t3, the comparison circuit 15E outputs the coincidence signal to the signal change detection circuit 15C. Cycle t4
Then, the comparison circuit 15E compares the video signal d from the memory 15D with the video signal e of the cycle t4 from the reception circuit 15A. In this case, since the signal patterns are different, the comparison circuit 15E outputs a mismatch signal to the signal change detection circuit 15C.

Therefore, in step S15, the signal change detection circuit 15C detects the signal change from the coincidence signal to the non-coincidence signal and stops the counter 15B. Counter 15B
, The video signal repeats a constant signal pattern, but measures the time when it stops repeating at a certain cycle. Thus, the runaway of the program 14A can be detected easily in a short time without using a test program or a logic analyzer. As a result, the development period of the device can be shortened.

Next, FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 8, reference numeral 12 denotes a main body of the device 11 driven by a program, and an expansion board 19 which is a program monitoring device is built in the main body 12.
A program is provided in the main body 12, and the CPU executes processing according to the program. The main body 12 is provided with an extension connector 20, and the extension connector 20 has an extension board 1
9 is connected.

The expansion board 19 constitutes a program monitoring device, and as shown in FIG. 3, the reception circuit 15A for receiving the synchronization signal and the video signal from the expansion connector 20 and the synchronization signal received by the reception circuit 15A are counted. Counter 15B that measures the time until the signal pattern changes
And a memory 15D that stores the image signal received by the receiving circuit 15A for each cycle, and a video signal stored in the memory 15D and the video signal of the next cycle from the receiving circuit 15A are compared to output a match signal or a mismatch signal. Comparing circuit 15E
And a signal change detection circuit 15C that detects a change in the signal output from the comparison circuit 15E and stops the counter 15B. Also in this embodiment, a program runaway or the like can be detected easily in a short time, and the development time of the device can be shortened.

Next, FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the program monitoring device is configured as a device independent of the device driven by the program. In FIG. 9, 21 is a device driven by a program, 22 is a display device for displaying a changing image or a detected image, and a program monitoring device 23 is connected between these devices 21 and 22. It

As shown in FIG. 10, the program monitoring device 23 is connected to an output connector 21B provided on the main body 21A of the device 21, and receives a synchronizing signal and a video signal from the output connector 21B. As shown in FIG. 3, the program monitoring device 23 includes a reception circuit 15A, a counter 15B, a memory 15D, a comparison circuit 15E, and a signal change detection circuit 1.
It is composed of 5C. As shown in FIG. 4, the program monitoring device 23 has a completely different pattern of the video signal. However, when a certain signal pattern is repeated at a certain cycle, the program monitoring device 23 measures the time for repeating the certain pattern.

As shown in FIG. 5, the program monitoring circuit 23 repeats a signal pattern in which the video signal is constant. However, at a certain period, the signal pattern at the time when the repetition is stopped changes. To measure the time. Therefore, a program runaway or the like can be detected easily in a short time. The program monitoring device 23 of this embodiment is an independent device, and is an output connector 21B of the main body 21A of the device 21 driven by a program.
You can easily monitor the program just by connecting to.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, the video signal stored in the storage means is compared with the video signal of the next cycle, and when the signal pattern of the video signal changes, it is detected. Since it measures the time until the signal changes, it is possible to easily detect program runaway etc. in a short time without using a test program or logic analyzer, resulting in shortening the development period. You can

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a program monitoring device.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing a sync signal and a video signal.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing another sync signal and a video signal.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the operation.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating another operation.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing still another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing connection of a program monitoring device.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11, 21: Device driven by program 12, 21A: Main body 13: RAM 14: ROM 14A: Program 15, 23: Program monitoring device 15A: Reception circuit 15B: Counter (measuring means) 15C: Signal change detection circuit (signal Change detection means) 15D: Memory (storage means) 15E: Comparison circuit (comparison means) 16: CPU 17: Display (display device) 18: Keyboard 19: Expansion board 20: Expansion connector 21B: Output connector 22: Display device

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A measuring means for measuring time by counting a synchronizing signal from a device which is driven by a program and which displays an image on a display device, and a storing means for storing a video signal at each period of the synchronizing signal. Comparing means for comparing the video signal stored in the storage means with the video signal of the next cycle, and signal change detecting means for stopping the measurement of the measuring means when a change in the signal output by the comparing means is detected. A program monitoring device characterized in that 2. The measuring means measures the time when the signal change detecting means detects that the video signal has changed from a different repeated signal pattern to a constant signal pattern. The program monitoring device described. 3. The measuring unit measures the time when the signal change detecting unit detects that the video signal has changed from a constant signal pattern to a different repeating signal pattern. The program monitoring device described. 4. The program monitoring device according to claim 1, wherein the synchronizing signal and the video signal are input from an output connector of a device driven by a program. 5. An apparatus driven by a program, characterized in that the program monitoring apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is incorporated in an apparatus which is program driven and displays an image on a display device. 6. An apparatus driven by a program, wherein the program monitoring apparatus according to claim 1 is used as an expansion board of an apparatus having an expansion connector.