JP2009026226A - Failure notification device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To acquire trouble information of an operating system without impairing information. <P>SOLUTION: When some sort of trouble occurs during operating system operation, error handler processing is started, register information is read (100), and the read register information is written in a VRAM as it is to display a bitmap image according to the information written in the VRAM on a display by a video controller (102). A log file is written into an HDD, and the error handler processing is ended. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a failure notification device.

  If any trouble occurs during the operation of the operating system, the trouble information is left as log information, and the contents of the trouble can be known from the log information.

  In addition, in order to refer to the contents of defects, the operating system defect information (panic information) was written by drawing characters on the console screen for setting the operating system, etc., and the basic functions of the operating system were implemented. Some of them write defect information to the HDD via a buffer in the kernel.

On the other hand, in the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is proposed that when an apparatus bus becomes unavailable, an alarm message storage area inside the apparatus can be accessed from an external debugging means.
JP-A-7-104822

  An object of the present invention is to acquire malfunction information of an operating system without damaging the information.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention described in claim 1 is directed to display means for displaying an image, storage means for storing data for displaying an image on the display means, and the data stored in the storage means. The display control means for controlling the display means so as to display an image based on the data stored in the storage means, and when a malfunction occurs during operation of the operating system, the contents of the malfunction are displayed. And writing means for writing the failure information to be written to the storage means.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the writing unit writes the defect information as it is into the storage unit, whereby a bitmap image representing the defect information is displayed on the display unit. It is characterized by displaying.

  The invention described in claim 3 is the machine according to claim 1, further comprising a conversion means for converting the defect information into machine-readable data, wherein the writing means is converted by the conversion means. A machine-readable image representing failure information is displayed on the display means by writing data in a readable format to the storage means.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the third aspect, the conversion means converts the defect information into machine-readable data of at least one of barcode information and two-dimensional barcode information. It is a feature.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the invention according to the third or fourth aspect, the writing unit writes the defect information as it is into the storage unit, and then converts the defect information into a machine by the conversion unit. A bitmap image representing the defect information and a machine-readable image representing the defect information are displayed on the display unit by converting the data into readable data and writing it to the storage unit.

  The invention according to claim 6 is displayed on the display means in the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the defect information is written to the storage means by the writing means. Readable conversion means for converting an image into human-readable data; and transmission means for transmitting the human-readable data converted by the readable conversion means to a support destination that supports and manages failure repair based on the defect information; Is further provided.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that malfunction information of the operating system can be acquired without damaging the information.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the malfunction information of the operating system can be acquired as a bitmap image.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that failure information of the operating system can be acquired in a machine-readable format.

  According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that it is possible to acquire malfunction information of the operating system by using a barcode reader.

  According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is an effect that the malfunction information of the operating system can be acquired as a bitmap image and a machine-readable image.

  According to the sixth aspect of the invention, there is an effect that failure information is transmitted to a support destination that supports failure repair, and quick failure repair support becomes possible.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

(First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a computer equipped with the function of the failure notification apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  A CPU 12 that controls the operation of the computer 10 is connected to a first PCI bus (1st PCI) 16 via a host PCI bridge (Host to PCI bridge) 14, and the host PCI bridge 14 is used for processing of the CPU 12. A main memory 18 used as a work area or the like is connected.

  The first PCI bus 16 includes a disk controller 22 for controlling a hard disk (HDD) 20, a video controller 26 for controlling a display 24, a first PCI bus 16 and a second PCI. A PCI bridge (PCI to PCI bridge) 30 for connecting the bus 28 is connected. The video controller 26 is connected to a VRAM 32 that stores data for displaying an image on the display 24. When the data is stored in the VRAM 32, the video controller 26 is based on the data stored in the VRAM 32. The display 24 is controlled to display.

  Further, a custom device controller for controlling various devices is connected to the second PCI bus 28. In the present embodiment, a custom device controller A34, a custom device controller B36, and a custom device controller C38 are connected to each custom device controller. A40, device B42, and device C44 are connected, and an NVRAM 48 is connected to the custom device controller C38.

  By the way, when an operating system (hereinafter referred to as OS) is operating and some sort of malfunction occurs and the OS hangs up, there is a system that records malfunction information (panic information) on the console screen or the HDD 20. In this embodiment, recording is also performed on the VRAM 32.

  In this embodiment, the NVRAM 48 is connected to the custom device controller C38 connected to the second PCI bus 28. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the manufacturer can mount the board such as the CPU 12 or the like. In this case, as shown in FIG. 2, the NVRAM 48 may be connected to the first PCI bus 16 and a log file such as defect information may be recorded in the NVRAM 48.

  Next, processing when a problem occurs in the OS of the computer 10 configured as described above will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of an error handler process that starts when some trouble occurs during the OS operation of the computer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

  If any trouble occurs during the OS operation, first, in step 100, the register information is read, and the process proceeds to step 102. That is, the log file related to the defect written in the register is read out.

  In step 102, the read register information is written in the VRAM 32 as it is, and the process proceeds to step 104. That is, the register information is written into the VRAM 32 as bitmap information. At this time, the main memory 18 and the VRAM 32 are viewed from the CPU 12 as an image-delimited area as shown in FIG. 4, so that the register information read in step 100 corresponds to the address corresponding to the VRAM 32. Is written to. As a result, the video controller 26 displays a bitmap image corresponding to the information written in the VRAM 32 on the display 24. For example, data such as a log file is displayed on the display 24 as a bitmap image 50 as shown in FIG.

  In step 104, the log file is written in the HDD 20, and the series of error handler processes is terminated.

  That is, in this embodiment, when some trouble occurs in the OS, the log file is first read out and written in the VRAM 32 as it is, so that the bitmap image 50 corresponding to the log file is displayed by the video controller 26 in FIG. It is displayed as shown in. The recorded contents of the VRAM 32 are not erased unless the power is turned off, and the bitmap image 50 displayed by the video controller 26 is made permanent. Even when the custom board on the bus hangs up and the NVRAM 48 or the like cannot be accessed, the data can be written to the VRAM 32. Therefore, the information written to the VRAM 32 is displayed on the console screen of the OS by the video controller 26. Is displayed. Therefore, it is possible to check the contents of the log file by shooting the bitmap image 50 displayed on the display 24 with a video recording device, a digital camera, or the like, and analyzing the image obtained by shooting.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a failure notification apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration itself of the computer on which the failure notification apparatus is mounted can be applied to the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, when the OS hangs up due to some trouble, the log file is directly written in the VRAM 32. However, in this embodiment, the log file is converted into machine-readable data and written. is there.

  For example, the log file is converted into barcode information and written to the VRAM 32. As a result, as shown in FIG. 6, a barcode image 52 corresponding to the converted barcode information is displayed on the display 24 by the video controller 26.

  Alternatively, the log file may be converted into two-dimensional barcode information such as a QR (Quick Response) code (matrix two-dimensional code) and written to the VRAM 32. As a result, a two-dimensional barcode image 54 corresponding to the converted two-dimensional barcode information is displayed on the display 24 by the video controller 26, as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of an error handler process that starts when some trouble occurs during the OS operation of the computer according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

  If any trouble occurs during the OS operation, first, in step 200, the register information is read, and the process proceeds to step 202. That is, the log file related to the defect written in the register is read out.

  In step 202, the read register information is converted into barcode information, and the process proceeds to step 204. That is, the log file related to the defect written in the register is converted into barcode information.

  In step 204, the log file converted into the barcode information is written in the VRAM 32, and the process proceeds to step 206. As a result, the video controller 26 displays a barcode image corresponding to the information written in the VRAM 32 on the display 24. For example, as described above, a barcode image 52 as shown in FIG. When converted into two-dimensional barcode information, a two-dimensional barcode image 54 is displayed on the display 24 as shown in FIG.

  In step 206, the log file is written in the HDD 20 and the series of error handler processes is terminated.

  That is, in this embodiment, when some trouble occurs in the OS, the log file is first read, converted into barcode information, and written in the VRAM 32. Therefore, the barcode image 52 corresponding to the log file is displayed. Displayed by the video controller 26 as shown in FIGS. The recorded contents of the VRAM 32 are not erased unless the power is turned off, and the image based on the information recorded in the VRAM 32 displayed by the video controller 26 is made permanent. Even if the custom board on the bus hangs up and the NVRAM 48 or the like cannot be accessed, the data can be written to the VRAM 32. Therefore, the information written in the VRAM 32 is displayed on the console screen by the video controller 26. can do. Therefore, it is possible to acquire the contents of the log file by reading the barcode image 52 displayed on the display 24 with a barcode reader. The contents of the log file may be confirmed by photographing with a video recording device, a digital camera, or the like, and analyzing the image obtained by the photographing.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a failure notification apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the configuration itself of the computer on which the failure notification apparatus is mounted can be applied to the same configuration as that of the first embodiment, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  In the first embodiment, when the OS hangs up due to some trouble, the log file is written to the VRAM 32 as it is, and in the second embodiment, the log file is converted to barcode information and then written to the VRAM 32. However, in this embodiment, the log file is directly written into the VRAM 32, and then the log file is converted into barcode information, and the converted information is also written into the VRAM 32.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a flow of an error handler process that starts when some trouble occurs during the OS operation of the computer according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

  If any trouble occurs during the OS operation, first, in step 300, the register information is read, and the process proceeds to step 302. That is, the log file related to the defect written in the register is read out.

  In step 302, the read register information is written in the VRAM 32 as it is, and the process proceeds to step 304. That is, the register information is written into the VRAM 32 as bitmap information. As a result, the video controller 26 displays a bitmap image corresponding to the information written in the VRAM 32 on the display 24. For example, data such as a log file is displayed on the display 24 as a bitmap image 50 as shown in FIG.

  In step 304, the read register information is converted into barcode information, and the process proceeds to step 306. That is, the log file related to the defect written in the register is converted into barcode information. The bar code information may be converted into normal bar code information, or may be converted into two-dimensional bar code information such as a QR code. The conversion into the two-dimensional barcode information may be performed together.

  In step 306, the log file converted into the barcode information is written in the VRAM 32, and the process proceeds to step 308. As a result, the video controller 26 displays a barcode image corresponding to the information written in the VRAM 32 on the display 24. For example, as described above, a barcode image 52 (two-dimensional barcode image 54) as shown in FIG. FIG. 6 shows an example in which both the barcode image 52 and the two-dimensional barcode image 54 are displayed, but only one of them may be displayed.

  In step 308, the log file is written in the HDD 20, and the series of error handler processes is terminated.

  By performing the error handler process in this manner, when the OS has some trouble, the bitmap image 50 representing the trouble information is displayed on the display 24 as in the first embodiment, and the second embodiment is similar to the second embodiment. Similarly, since the barcode image 52 (two-dimensional barcode image 54) is displayed on the display 24, the content of the log file can be confirmed by using the image displayed on the display 24.

  In the present embodiment, there may be a case where the content of the error handler processing increases and the error handler processing itself does not end. However, a bitmap image 50 corresponding to a log file that does not require processing such as barcode conversion is started in the VRAM 32. Therefore, the content of the log file can be confirmed by using at least the bitmap image 50. If the barcode can be converted without any problem, the contents of the log file can be confirmed using the barcode image 52, and the analysis method at the time of failure becomes easy. That is, the recording order in the VRAM 32 is changed by sequentially converting the resource load from the lowest to the higher one and recording it in the VRAM 32 (recording in the order of the bitmap image 50, the barcode image 52, and the two-dimensional barcode image 54). Readability can be improved compared with the case where it is not provided. In addition, by successively drawing the bitmap image 50, the barcode image 52, and the two-dimensional barcode image 54 in order of increasing resource load, it is possible to display information suitable for the degree of OS damage.

  In the second and third embodiments, as shown in FIG. 11, a barcode reader 56 that reads a barcode image 52 (or a two-dimensional barcode image 54) displayed on the display 24, and a barcode A failure notification system including a storage device 58 for storing the barcode image 52 read by the reader 56 and a support center 62 connected to the storage device 58 and a network 60 such as the Internet may be used. That is, the barcode image 52 (including the two-dimensional barcode image 54) displayed on the display 24 is read by the barcode reader 56, stored in the storage device 58, and transmitted to the support center 62 or the like via the network 60. Then, it may be possible to transmit from the support center 62 to a portable device (for example, a mobile phone, a PDF terminal, etc.) of a support person in charge 64 such as maintenance inspection. As a result, accurate and detailed information can be transmitted to the support staff 64 such as maintenance and inspection without human intervention. Further, instead of the barcode reader 56, information displayed on the display 24 by a digital camera or the like may be photographed, and the photographed image may be stored in the storage device 58 and transmitted to the support center 62.

  In each of the above embodiments, the log file is written to the HDD 20 at the end of each error handler process. However, the log file may be written to the NVRAM 48 instead of the HDD 20, or after being written to the NVRAM 48. You may make it write.

It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the computer carrying the function of the failure notification apparatus concerning each embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows schematic structure of the modification of the computer carrying the function of the failure notification apparatus concerning each embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the error handler process started when a certain malfunction generate | occur | produces during OS operation | movement of the computer concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an image when the main memory and VRAM are seen from CPU. It is a figure which shows an example which displayed the bitmap image showing a log file. It is a figure which shows an example which displayed the barcode image showing a log file. It is a figure which shows an example which displayed the two-dimensional barcode image showing a log file. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the error handler process started when a certain malfunction generate | occur | produces during OS operation | movement of the computer concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the error handler process started when a certain malfunction generate | occur | produces during OS operation | movement of the computer concerning 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example which displayed both the bitmap image, barcode image, and two-dimensional barcode image showing a log file. It is a figure which shows schematic structure of a failure notification system.

Explanation of symbols

10 Computer 20 HDD
24 display 26 video controller 32 VRAM
50 Bitmap Image 52 Barcode Image 54 2D Barcode Image 56 Barcode Reader 58 Storage Device 60 Network 62 Support Center

Claims (6)

Display means for displaying an image;
Storage means for storing data for displaying an image on the display means;
Display control means for controlling the display means to display an image based on the data stored in the storage means when the data is stored in the storage means;
A writing means for writing defect information representing the contents of the defect in the storage means when a defect occurs during operation of the operating system;
A failure notification device comprising:   2. The failure notification apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the writing unit displays the bitmap information representing the defect information on the display unit by writing the defect information as it is in the storage unit. Further comprising conversion means for converting the defect information into machine-readable data;
The writing means displays the machine-readable image representing the defect information on the display means by writing the machine-readable data converted by the converting means to the storage means. The failure notification device described.   The failure notification device according to claim 3, wherein the conversion unit converts the failure information into machine-readable data of at least one of barcode information and two-dimensional barcode information.   The writing unit writes the defect information as it is into the storage unit, and then converts the defect information into machine-readable data by the conversion unit and writes the data into the storage unit to represent the defect information. The failure notification device according to claim 3 or 4, wherein an image and a machine-readable image representing the defect information are displayed on the display means. Readable conversion means for converting the image displayed on the display means into data in a human readable format by writing the defect information to the storage means by the writing means;
Transmitting means for transmitting data in a human-readable format converted by the readable conversion means to a support destination that supports and manages failure repair based on the defect information;
The failure notification device according to claim 1, further comprising: