Information processing device and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing apparatus equipped with a plurality of processing substrates so as to be efficiently operated, and a program.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus equipped with a plurality of processing substrates includes: acquisition means which acquires, from each of the processing substrates, status information indicating execution status of a process which is executed by the processing substrate; and control means which controls operation mode of the processing substrate on the basis of the status information. The control means switches, when some of the above processing substrates are executing processes, the modes of the other processing substrates to power-saving mode in which power consumption is reduced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing apparatus and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a company or the like that operates a plurality of stores, data collected at each store is transmitted to a server (for example, a cloud server) that aggregates the plurality of stores, and data analysis and processing are centrally executed on the server.

[0003] In recent years, in order to achieve distributed processing of data and reduction of data transmission volume, an information processing apparatus (hereinafter also referred to as an edge gateway) called an edge gateway or an edge server is provided in a store, and data processing and analysis are executed by the edge gateway.

[0004] By the way, in the above-described edge gateway, there is one that mounts a plurality of substrates (hereinafter also referred to as processing substrates) for the purpose of executing a plurality of processes in parallel. In such an edge gateway, different processes can be executed on each processing substrate, but the operating status may be different for each processing substrate. For example, there may be a case where some processing substrates are in a high-load state while another processing substrate is in a low-load state.

[0005] Conventionally, one of a plurality of processing substrates acquires the load state from all the processing substrates, and transmits the power supply amount calculated based on the load state to each processing substrate, so that each of the processing substrates operates at an operation level corresponding to the power supply amount. A technology has been proposed.

[0006] However, in the conventional technology, since each of the processing substrates has a function related to power control, there is a limitation on the available processing substrates, and there is room for further improvement in terms of convenience.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0007] The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide an information processing apparatus and program that can efficiently operate processing boards in an information processing apparatus equipped with multiple processing boards. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The information processing apparatus of this embodiment includes an information processing board comprising multiple processing boards. process The apparatus comprises: an acquisition means for acquiring status information indicating the execution status of a process performed on each of the processing boards; and a control means for controlling the operating mode of the processing boards based on the status information, wherein the control means switches the operating mode of the remaining processing boards to a power-saving mode that reduces power consumption when some of the processing boards are performing a process. When some of the processing boards have completed their processing, the operating mode of the remaining processing boards is switched to the normal operating mode. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a store system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the edge gateway according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the base board and processing board included in the edge gateway of the embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of the functional configuration of the base substrate and processing substrate included in the edge gateway of the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the power management process performed by the base board of the edge gateway according to this embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The information processing device according to this embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings. In the following embodiment, an edge gateway used in a store will be described as an example of an information processing device. However, the invention is not limited by this application example.

[0011] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a store system 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the store system 1 comprises a POS terminal 2, an edge gateway 3, and a server 4. The POS terminal 2 and the edge gateway 3 are connected to each other via network Na. The edge gateway 3 is also connected to the server 4 on network Nb via a communication device 5 such as a router connected to network Na.

[0012] Here, network Na is a network such as a LAN (local area network) established within a store. Network Nb is a network such as the internet, VPN (virtual private network), public communication network, or mobile communication network.

[0013] POS terminal 2 is an example of a product sales data processing device installed in a store. One or more POS terminals 2 are installed in the store and perform sales data processing related to commercial transactions of products purchased by customers.

[0014] Edge Gateway 3 is an example of an information processing device. Edge Gateway 3 receives processing requests from POS terminals 2 and other devices connected to Network Na, and executes various processing (information processing) instructed in those processing requests. Processing requests include, for example, the data to be processed, as well as processing details such as the method of processing.

[0015] Server 4 is a server device that manages multiple stores. Server 4 is located at the headquarters of the company that operates the stores and is connected to each store's edge gateway 3 so that it can communicate with them. Server 4 may be implemented as a single device, or it may be a cloud server (or cloud system) implemented as multiple network-connected devices.

[0016] Next, we will describe an example configuration of the edge gateway 3 mentioned above. First, we will describe the hardware configuration of the edge gateway 3. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the edge gateway 3.

[0017] As shown in Figure 2, the edge gateway 3 comprises a base board 31 and a plurality of processing boards 32. The base board 31 includes a computer configuration such as a CPU and memory (see Figure 3), and slots (not shown) for detachably mounting the processing boards 32. The base board 31 controls the supply of power from an external power source to each of the processing boards 32. The base board 31 also communicates with external devices such as POS terminals 2 and controls the exchange of data between the external devices and the processing boards 32.

[0018] Each processing board 32 is equipped with a computer configuration including a CPU and memory, and is capable of operating independently. Each processing board 32 stores basic software such as an OS (operating system), as well as programs and configuration information related to the processing it executes. The number of processing boards 32 connected to the base board 31 is not limited to the illustrated example and may be three or more. Furthermore, the operating systems installed on the processing boards 32 may be of different types or versions.

[0019] Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the base board 31 and the processing board 32 will be described. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the base board 31 and the processing board 32 provided by the edge gateway 3.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the base substrate 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 311, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 312, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 313, a storage unit 314, a communication unit 315, a connection unit 316, a slot unit 317, and the like.

[0021] The CPU 311 is an example of a processor. The ROM 312 stores various programs. The RAM 313 is a workspace for developing programs and various data.

[0022] The CPU 311, the ROM 312, and the RAM 313 are connected via a bus or the like to constitute a control unit 310 of a computer configuration. In the control unit 310, the CPU 311 operates according to a program stored in the ROM 312 or the storage unit 314 and developed in the RAM 313, thereby executing various processes.

[0023] The storage unit 314 is an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory. The storage unit 314 stores various programs executable by the CPU 311 and setting information.

[0024] The communication unit 315 has a communication interface connectable to the networks Na and Nb. The communication unit 315 controls communication with external devices connected to the networks Na and Nb.

[0025] The connection unit 316 is an interface connectable to a display device and various input devices. The connection unit 316 displays various information on the connected display device under the control of the CPU 311. Also, the connection unit 316 outputs information input via an input device such as a keyboard or a pointing device to the CPU 311.

[0026] The slot unit 317 has a plurality of slots on which the processing substrate 32 can be mounted. The slot unit 317 supplies power to each of the processing substrates 32 mounted in the slots and controls the exchange of various information with the CPU 311.

[0027] On the other hand, the processing board 32 includes a CPU 321, ROM 322, RAM 323, storage unit 324, and the like.

[0028] CPU321 is an example of a processor. ROM322 stores various programs. RAM323 is a workspace for displaying programs and various data.

[0029] The CPU 321, ROM 322, and RAM 323 are connected via a bus or the like to form a control unit 320 of the computer configuration. In the control unit 320, the CPU 321 performs various processes by operating according to a program stored in the ROM 322 or memory unit 324 and loaded into the RAM 323.

[0030] The memory unit 324 is an auxiliary storage device such as an HDD or flash memory. The memory unit 324 stores basic software such as the OS, as well as possible programs and configuration information. The memory unit 324 also stores programs and installation information related to the processing executed on its own processing board 32.

[0031] The specifications and configurations of the multiple processing boards 32 may be identical or different. For example, some processing boards 32 may be equipped with dedicated circuits such as ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), accelerators, and other hardware configurations that are not installed on the other processing boards 32. Also, the OS installed on one processing board 32 may be of a different type or version than the OS installed on the other processing boards 32.

[0032] Next, the functional configuration of the base board 31 and the processing board 32 will be described. Figure 4 shows an example of the functional configuration of the base board 31 and the processing board 32 provided by the edge gateway 3.

[0033] As shown in Figure 4, the base board 31 is functionally configured to include a processing assignment unit 3101, a status monitoring unit 3102, and a processing board management unit 3103.

[0034] The functional configuration of the base board 31 is a software configuration realized by the processor of the base board 31 operating according to programs stored in the ROM 312 and the storage unit 314, but is not limited to this. For example, some or all of the functional configuration of the base board 31 may be realized by hardware resources such as dedicated circuits provided by the base board 31.

[0035] The processing assignment unit 3101 is an example of a receiving means and an assignment means. The processing assignment unit 3101 receives processing requests transmitted from external devices such as POS terminals 2 and assigns the received processing requests to each of the processing boards 32. Specifically, the processing assignment unit 3101 assigns processing to the processing boards 32 based on an assignment table that associates the processing content instructed in the processing request with the processing board 32 that will execute the processing content.

[0036] Furthermore, when the processing assignment unit 3101 obtains processing results from the processing board 32, it transmits the obtained processing results to the requesting external device or server 4. For example, if the processing content specifies an output destination, it transmits the processing results to the specified output destination.

[0037] The type of processing requested is not restricted. For example, the requested processing could include aggregating sales data based on a day's worth of transaction data, or demand forecasting that analyzes purchasing trends and inventory levels. It could also include image analysis processing from surveillance cameras that capture images within the store, or processing related to the creation of machine learning models for image analysis. The assignment table is assumed to be pre-configured.

[0038] The status monitoring unit 3102 is an example of an acquisition method. The status monitoring unit 3102 monitors the status of each processing board 32 installed (connected) to the slot unit 317. Specifically, the status monitoring unit 3102 acquires status information from each processing board 32, indicating the load status and power consumption status of the processing board 32, either continuously or at predetermined time intervals.

[0039] Here, the load status of the processing board 32 indicates the execution status of the processing performed on the processing board 32, such as the usage rate of the CPU 321 or the memory usage rate. The power consumption status of the processing board 32 refers to the power consumption of the processing board 32, and indicates the execution status of the processing performed on the processing board 32 from the perspective of power consumption. For example, a high load status indicates that processing is in progress, and a low load status indicates that processing is not in progress. Similarly, a high power consumption status indicates that processing is in progress, and a low power consumption status indicates that processing is not in progress.

[0040] The load state and power consumption state may be represented by a scale divided into multiple levels according to a predetermined standard. For example, they may be represented by a two-level classification of high and low. The state monitoring unit 3102 may acquire both the load state and the power consumption state, or it may acquire either one of them.

[0041] The processing board management unit 3103 is an example of a control means. Based on the status information of each processing board 32 acquired by the status monitoring unit 3102, the processing board management unit 3103 controls the operating mode of each processing board 32.

[0042] Specifically, the processing board management unit 3103 controls the operating mode of each processing board 32 based on the status information of each processing board 32, so that power is preferentially supplied to the processing board 32 that is currently performing processing.

[0043] For example, if some processing boards 32 are performing processing and the remaining processing boards 32 are not, the processing board management unit 3103 reduces power consumption by operating the remaining processing boards 32 in power-saving mode. Here, power-saving mode refers to a standby state such as suspend or standby.

[0044] As a result, the base board 31 can switch to power-saving mode, allowing it to allocate surplus power to the processing board 32 that is currently performing processing. Therefore, the processing board management unit 3103 can effectively utilize its limited power supply while prioritizing the power supply to the processing board 32 that is currently performing processing.

[0045] Furthermore, if all processing boards 32 are performing processing, the processing board management unit 3103 will operate each processing board 32 in an operating mode (hereinafter also referred to as normal mode) with normal power consumption. This allows the processing board management unit 3103 to perform processing on all processing boards 32, thereby enabling efficient operation of the processing boards 32.

[0046] Furthermore, if some of the processing boards 32 that were in the process of executing a process complete their processing and become inactive, the processing board management unit 3103 switches the remaining processing boards 32 that were operating in power-saving mode to normal mode. As a result, when a processing request is received by any of the processing boards 32, the processing board management unit 3103 can quickly execute the processing corresponding to that request, thereby enabling efficient operation of the processing boards 32.

[0047] Furthermore, when the processing assignment unit 3101 receives a processing request assigned to the processing board 32 operating in power-saving mode, the processing board management unit 3103 switches the processing board 32 to normal mode, making it ready to execute processing. As a result, when a processing request is received for the processing board 32 operating in power-saving mode, the processing board management unit 3103 can cause the processing board 32 to execute the processing corresponding to the processing request, thereby enabling efficient operation of the processing board 32.

[0048] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 4, the processing board 32 is functionally configured to include a processing execution unit 3201 and an operation mode switching unit 3202.

[0049] The functional configuration of the processing board 32 is a software configuration realized by the processor of the processing board 32 operating according to programs stored in the ROM 322 and the storage unit 324, but is not limited to this. For example, some or all of the functional configuration of the processing board 32 may be realized by hardware resources such as dedicated circuits provided by the processing board 32.

[0050] The processing execution unit 3201 executes the processing assigned to its own processing board 32 by the processing assignment unit 3101. Once the processing execution unit 3201 has executed the processing assigned to its own processing board 32, it outputs the processing result to the processing assignment unit 3101 of the base board 31.

[0051] The operation mode switching unit 3202 switches the operation mode of its processing board 32 to either normal mode or power-saving mode in response to instructions from the processing board management unit 3103. Specifically, when the operation mode switching unit 3202 receives instructions from the processing board management unit 3103 to switch to power-saving mode, it switches the operation mode of its processing board 32 from normal mode to power-saving mode, putting it into standby mode. Also, when the operation mode switching unit 3202 receives instructions from the processing board management unit 3103 to switch to normal mode, it switches the operation mode of its processing board 32 from power-saving mode to normal mode, making the processing execution unit 3201 operational.

[0052] The operating mode switching unit 3202 may implement a power-saving mode using the suspend or standby functions of the OS installed on its own processing board 32. In this case, for example, the processing board management unit 3103 may instruct the processing board 32 to switch operating modes by outputting commands to the processing board 32 that instruct it to transition to a power-saving mode defined by the OS installed on each of the processing boards 32 and to return from a power-saving mode.

[0053] The following describes an example of the operation of the edge gateway 3. Figure 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the power management process performed by the base board 31 of the edge gateway 3. It should be noted that, as a prerequisite for this process, all processing boards 32 are operating in normal mode.

[0054] First, the status monitoring unit 3102 acquires status information from the first processing board and the second processing board (step S11). For example, the status monitoring unit 3102 acquires status information transmitted from the first processing board and the second processing board by requesting status information from each of them. Alternatively, for example, the status monitoring unit 3102 may acquire status information transmitted from the first processing board and the second processing board in a push-type manner.

[0055] Next, the processing board management unit 3103 determines whether or not there is a processing board currently performing processing based on the status information of the first processing board and the second processing board (step S12). If there is a processing board 32 currently performing processing (step S12; Yes), the processing board management unit 3103 determines whether or not all processing boards 32 are currently performing processing (step S13).

[0056] If some of the processing boards 32 are performing processing (step S13; No), the processing board management unit 3103 switches the processing boards 32 that are not performing processing to power-saving mode (step S14) and proceeds to step S17. If all of the processing boards 32 are performing processing (step S13; Yes), the processing board management unit 3103 keeps each of the processing boards 32 operating in normal mode and proceeds to step S17.

[0057] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S12 that there is no processing board currently performing processing (step S12; No), the processing board management unit 3103 determines whether or not there is a processing board 32 operating in power-saving mode (step S15).

[0058] If there is a processing board 32 operating in power-saving mode (step S15; Yes), the processing board management unit 3103 switches the processing board 32 operating in power-saving mode to normal mode (step S16) and proceeds to step S17. If there is no processing board 32 operating in power-saving mode (step S15; No), the processing board management unit 3103 proceeds to step S17 with each of the processing boards 32 operating in normal mode.

[0059] Next, the processing board management unit 3103 determines whether the processing assignment unit 3101 has received a processing request assigned to the processing board 32 operating in power-saving mode (step S17). If a processing request has been made to the processing board 32 operating in power-saving mode (step S17; Yes), the processing board management unit 3103 switches the processing board 32 that received the processing request to normal mode (step S18) and returns the process to step S11. As a result, the processing board 32 that received the processing request can execute the requested processing by operating in normal mode.

[0060] Furthermore, if there is no processing request for the processing board 32 operating in power-saving mode (step S17; No), the processing board management unit 3103 returns to step S11.

[0061] As described above, the edge gateway 3 of this embodiment is an information processing device equipped with a plurality of processing boards 32, which acquires status information indicating the execution status of the processing performed on each processing board 32, and controls the operating mode of the processing boards 32 based on the acquired status information. Furthermore, if some of the plurality of processing boards 32 are currently performing processing, the edge gateway 3 switches the operating mode of the remaining processing boards 32 to a power-saving mode that reduces power consumption.

[0062] As a result, in this embodiment, the edge gateway 3 can redirect the surplus power generated by switching to power-saving mode to the processing board 32 that is currently performing processing. Therefore, the edge gateway 3 can effectively utilize its limited power while prioritizing the supply of power to the processing board 32 that is currently performing processing, thereby enabling efficient operation of the processing board 32. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the base board 31 to which multiple processing boards 32 are connected comprehensively controls the operating mode of each processing board 32. Therefore, there is no need for each processing board 32 to be equipped with its own control function, thereby improving the versatility of the usable processing boards 32.

[0063] The programs executed in each of the above-described embodiments (and modifications) are provided pre-installed in ROM, storage, etc. The programs executed in each of the above-described embodiments may also be provided as files in an installable or executable format, recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0064] Furthermore, the programs executed by each of the above-described embodiments may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Alternatively, the programs executed by each of the above-described embodiments may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0065] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments and their variations can be implemented in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, changes, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0066] 1 Store System 2 POS terminals 3. Edge Gateway 4 servers 31 Base board 32 Processing boards 310 Control Unit 3101 Processing Assignment Unit 3102 Status Monitoring Unit 3103 Processing Board Management Department 320 Control Unit 3201 Processing Execution Unit 3202 Operation Mode Switching Unit [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0067] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-173926

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus comprising multiple processing boards, An acquisition means for acquiring state information indicating the execution status of the processing performed on each of the processing boards, A control means for controlling the operating mode of the processing board based on the aforementioned state information, Equipped with, The control means is an information processing device that, when some of the processing boards among the plurality of processing boards are performing processing, switches the operating mode of the remaining processing boards to a power-saving mode that reduces power consumption, and when some of the processing boards have completed processing, switches the operating mode of the remaining processing boards to a normal operating mode.

2. An information processing apparatus comprising a plurality of processing boards, An acquisition means for acquiring state information indicating the execution status of the processing performed on each of the processing boards, A control means for controlling the operating mode of the processing board based on the aforementioned state information, Equipped with, The control means, when some of the plurality of processing boards are performing processing, switches the operating mode of the remaining processing boards to a power-saving mode that reduces power consumption, and when all of the plurality of processing boards are performing processing, operates each of the processing boards in a normal operating mode.

3. An information processing apparatus comprising a plurality of processing boards, A means for receiving processing requests to be executed from external devices, An assignment means for assigning the processing instructed in the processing request to one of the multiple processing boards, An acquisition means for acquiring state information indicating the execution status of the processing performed on each of the processing boards, A control means for controlling the operating mode of the processing board based on the aforementioned state information, Equipped with, The control means is an information processing device that, when some of the plurality of processing boards are performing processing, switches the operating mode of the remaining processing boards to a power-saving mode that reduces power consumption, and when the processing board to which the processing is assigned is in power-saving mode, switches the operating mode of that processing board to a normal operating mode.

4. The system further comprises a base board for connecting the aforementioned multiple processing boards, The base substrate is The acquisition means and the control means are provided, The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A computer in an information processing device equipped with multiple processing boards, An acquisition means for acquiring state information indicating the execution status of the processing performed on each of the processing boards, A control means for controlling the operating mode of the processing board based on the aforementioned state information, and make it work The control means is a program that, when some of the processing boards among the plurality of processing boards are performing processing, switches the operating mode of the remaining processing boards to a power-saving mode that reduces power consumption, and when some of the processing boards have completed processing, switches the operating mode of the remaining processing boards to a normal operating mode.

6. A computer of an information processing device comprising a plurality of processing boards, An acquisition means for acquiring state information indicating the execution status of the processing performed on each of the processing boards, A control means for controlling the operating mode of the processing board based on the aforementioned state information, and make it work The control means is a program that, when some of the processing boards among the plurality of processing boards are performing processing, switches the operating mode of the remaining processing boards to a power-saving mode that reduces power consumption, and when all of the plurality of processing boards are performing processing, operates each of the processing boards in a normal operating mode.

7. A computer of an information processing device comprising a plurality of processing boards, A means for receiving processing requests to be executed from external devices, An assignment means for assigning the processing instructed in the processing request to one of the multiple processing boards, An acquisition means for acquiring state information indicating the execution status of the processing performed on each of the processing boards, A control means for controlling the operating mode of the processing board based on the aforementioned state information, and make it work The control means is a program that, when some of the processing boards among the plurality of processing boards are performing processing, switches the operating mode of the remaining processing boards to a power-saving mode that reduces power consumption, and when the processing board to which the processing is assigned is in power-saving mode, switches the operating mode of that processing board to a normal operating mode.

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