Screen-generating device and screen-generating method

Abstract

A screen generating device (1) configured to generate an output screen (51) which is a screen output to a display device, comprising: at least a first SoC (11) comprising a plurality of first drawing layers (12) for drawing a screen that is part of the output screen; a second SoC (21) comprising a plurality of second drawing layers (22) for drawing a screen that is part of the output screen and is configured to communicate with at least the one first SoC (11); and an allocation unit (31) configured to define a plurality of overlay sequence layers, which have an overlay sequence and are selected from the plurality of first character layers (12) and the plurality of second character layers (22), to allocate from the plurality of overlay sequence layers a successive overlay sequence layer cluster, which is two or more successive overlay sequence layers in the overlay sequence, to the first SoC (11), and to allocate remaining overlay sequence layers, which are one or more overlay sequence layers different from the successive overlay sequence layer cluster, to the second SoC (21), wherein which includes at least one initial SoC (11) a first drawing unit (13) configured to draw a screen on two or more first drawing layers (12) of the first SoC (11) to which the successive overlay sequence layer cluster is assigned, and a first layer overlay unit (14) configured to overlay the two or more first drawing layers (12) drawn by the first drawing unit (13), and the second SoC (21) includes a second drawing unit (23) configured to draw a screen onto one or more second drawing layers (22) of the second SoC (21), to which the remaining overlay sequence layers are assigned, and a second layer overlay unit (24) configured to produce the output screen by overlaying an overlay result in the first SoC (11) transmitted via communication from the at least one first SoC (11) and the one or more second character layers (22) drawn by the second character unit (23).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a screen generation device and a screen generation method for generating an output screen which is a screen output to a display device. State of the art

[0002] A screen generation device, which creates a screen displayed on a display device, is applied to an on-board vehicle information system and similar applications. The screen generation devices comprise a multitude of system-on-a-chip (SoCs) that function as multiple processors to enhance computing power. In such a screen generation device, the memory of each SoC is allocated individually, and the data generated and processed in the memory of one SoC is designed to be transferred to another SoC via inter-SoC communication. At this point, the SoC to which the data is to be transferred to execute the process (task) is selected from the multitude of SoCs, thus making appropriate use of the multitude of SoCs.

[0003] For example, in JP 2009-245265 A, a screen generation device was proposed which draws a map screen, wherein the map screen is divided into drawing targets, using a plurality of processor cores, and selects a processor core based on constraint conditions regarding an overlay of drawing targets.

[0004] US 2017 / 0154449 A1 concerns a method for displaying and connecting graphic layers. WO 2016 / 073137 A1 concerns an electronic device for mirroring a screen. US 2016 / 0077782 A1 concerns an end device with touch input devices, including a method for displaying the latency between a touch input device and a display device. JP 2013-003005 A concerns a course display and devices that can become easily identifiable markers when the course changes. Summary: Problem statement of the invention

[0005] However, in the configuration described above, as the volume of inter-SoC communication increases, the processor latency also increases. This resulted in a problem with, for example, long response times to user input.

[0006] The present invention was made in consideration of the above problem and has an objective of providing a technique that can reduce the inter-SoC communication volume. Means of solving the problem

[0007] The problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. The dependent claims describe further preferred embodiments. The screen generation device according to the present invention is a screen generation device configured to generate an output screen, which is a screen output to a display device. The image transmission device comprises at least a first SoC, which includes a plurality of first drawing layers for drawing a screen that is part of the output screen; a second SoC, which includes a plurality of second drawing layers for drawing a screen that is part of the output screen and is configured to enable communication with at least one first SoC; and an allocation unit configured to determine a plurality of overlay sequence layers.which have an overlay sequence and are selected from the plurality of first character layers and the plurality of second character layers, assigns a successive overlay sequence layer cluster from the plurality of overlay sequence layers, which is two or more successive overlay sequence layers in the overlay sequence, to the first SoC, and assigns any remaining overlay sequence layers, which are one or more overlay sequence layers outside the successive overlay sequence layer cluster, to the second SoC. The at least one first SoC comprises a first character unit configured to draw a screen onto one or more first character layers of the first SoC to which the subsequent overlay sequence layer cluster is assigned, and a first layer overlay unit configured toto overlay the two or more first character layers drawn by the first character unit. The second SoC comprises a second character unit configured to draw a screen on one or more second character layers of the second SoC, to which the remaining overlay sequence layers are assigned, and a second layer overlay unit configured to produce the output screen by overlaying an overlay result in the first SoC, transmitted from the at least one first SoC via communication, and the one or more second character layers drawn by the second character unit. Effects of the invention

[0008] According to the present invention, the output screen is generated by assigning, from the plurality of overlay sequence layers, a successive overlay sequence layer cluster, comprising two or more successive overlay sequence layers in the overlay sequence, to the first SoC; assigning remaining overlay sequence layers, comprising one or more overlay sequence layers other than the successive overlay sequence layer cluster, to the second SoC, wherein the first SoC draws a screen onto the two or more first drawing layers of the first SoC to which the subsequent overlay sequence layer cluster is assigned; overlaying the two or more drawn first drawing layers, wherein the second SoC draws the screen onto one or more second drawing layers of the second SoC to which the remaining overlay sequence layer layers are assigned.and superimposing (inserting) a superimposition result in the first SoC, which is transmitted from the first SoC via communication, and the one or more drawn second character layers. According to such a configuration, the inter-SoC communication volume can be reduced.

[0009] The express purpose, features, phases and advantages of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. Brief description of the characters Fig. 1 a block diagram representing a configuration of a screen generation device according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 a table which presents an example of a plurality of superposition sequence layers according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 a table to represent an assignment by an assignment unit according to embodiment 1. Fig. 4 a table to represent an assignment by the assignment unit according to embodiment 1. Fig. 5 a block diagram representing a configuration of a screen generation device according to embodiment 2. Fig. 6 a table which presents an example of a layer definition according to embodiment 2. Fig. 7 a flowchart illustrating the operation of the screen generation device according to embodiment 2. Fig. 8 a table to represent an assignment by an assignment unit according to embodiment 2. Fig. 9 a table to show the assignment by the assignment unit according to embodiment 2. Fig. 10 a flowchart illustrating the operation of the screen generation device according to embodiment 2. Fig. 11 a block diagram representing a configuration of a screen generating device according to modification 1. Fig. 12 a block diagram representing a configuration of a screen generating device according to modification 1. Fig. 13 a table to represent an assignment by an assignment unit according to modification 1. Fig. 14 a table to represent an assignment by an assignment unit according to modification 2. Fig. 15 a table to show the assignment by the assignment unit according to modification 2. Fig. 16 a table to represent an assignment by the assignment unit according to modification 4. Fig. 17 a block diagram representing a configuration of a screen generation device according to embodiment 3. Fig. 18 a table which presents an example of a layer definition according to embodiment 3. Fig. 19 a flowchart illustrating the operation of the screen generation device according to embodiment 3. Fig. 20 a flowchart illustrating the operation of the screen generation device according to embodiment 3. Fig. 21 a block diagram that represents a device configuration of an allocation unit according to another modification. Fig. 22 a block diagram that represents a device configuration of an allocation unit according to another modification. Description of embodiments<Ausführungsform 1>

[0010] Fig. Figure 1 is a block diagram representing a configuration of a screen generation device 1 according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. The screen generation device 1 is a device that generates an output screen which is output to a display device 51 and is used, for example, on an on-board vehicle information device.

[0011] The screen generating device 1 from Fig. 1 comprises a first SoC 11, a second SoC 21 connected to the display device 51, and an allocation unit 31. Although the number of first SoCs is 11 in Fig. Since 1 equals one, this can be a multitude, as will be described later. Furthermore, although the allocation unit 31 is located outside the second SoC 21 in Fig. If it is arranged in 1, this can be provided for in the second SoC 21.

[0012] The first SoC 11 includes a multitude of initial drawing layers 12 for drawing a screen that is part of the output screen. It is noted that in Fig. Figure 1 shows only one of the many first drawing layers 12. The second SoC 21 includes many second drawing layers 22 for drawing a screen that is part of the output screen. It is noted that Fig. 1 represents only one of the many second character layers 22. In the following description, if the first character layer 12 and the second character layer are not distinguished, they can be referred to as a "character layer". The character layer is a buffer used when screens are overlaid, and the number of character layers is not limited when using an IP core specific to overlay processing in each SoC.

[0013] The second SoC 21 is capable of communicating with the first SoC 11 and exchanges data with it. In the following description, the communication between the first SoC 11 and the second SoC 21 can be referred to as "inter-SoC communication".

[0014] The allocation unit 31 determines a plurality of overlay sequence layers, which have an overlay sequence and are selected from the plurality of first character layers 12 and the plurality of second character layers 22. The overlay sequence layer is a layer for assigning to the allocation unit 31, and the screen does not need to be drawn on the overlay sequence layer itself.

[0015] Fig. Table 12 is an example of a variety of overlay sequence layers. A layer number is a number used to identify an overlay sequence layer or a character layer.

[0016] In the example from Fig. 2. The multitude of overlay sequence layers is selected from all first character layers and second character layers with layer numbers "1s" to "8s". However, as described later, the multitude of overlay sequence layers can be selected from some of the first character layers and second character layers with layer numbers "1s" to "8s".

[0017] The example continues from Fig. 2. Each overlay sequence layer is selected from both the first character layers 12 and the second character layers 22. However, as will be described later, each of the multitude of overlay sequence layers can also be selected from either the first character layers or the second character layers.

[0018] In the description below, the superposition sequence of the multitude of superposition sequence layers is in ascending order of the layer numbers of the multitude of superposition sequence layers, and the smaller the superposition sequence layer numbers are, the higher the layer of superposition sequence layers.

[0019] The allocation unit 31 assigns a multitude of overlay sequence layers, whose overlay sequence is predetermined, to the first SoCs 11 and the second SoCs 21.

[0020] The Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are tables to show the assignment by the assignment unit 31.

[0021] In the examples from the Fig. 3 and Fig. The SoC numbers "1s" are assigned to the first SoCs 11 in the overlay sequence layers. In the example from Fig. 3 are the superposition sequence layers with the consecutive layer numbers "5" to "8" in the superposition sequence from Fig. 2 assigned to the first SoC 11. In the example from Fig. 4 are the superposition sequence layers with the consecutive layer numbers "4" to "7" in the superposition sequence from Fig. 2 is assigned to the first SoC 11. In this way, the allocation unit 31 assigns a successive superimposition sequence layer cluster, which consists of two or more successive superimposition sequence layers in the superimposition sequence, to the first SoC 11 from the multitude of superimposition sequence layers.

[0022] In the examples from the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are SoC number "2s" assigned to the overlay sequence layers, which are assigned to the second SoC 21. In the example from Fig. The remaining overlay sequence layers with layer numbers "1" to "4", except for the successive overlay sequence layer cluster, are assigned to the second SoC 21. In the example from Fig. The remaining overlay sequence layers with layer numbers "1" to "3" and "8", excluding the sequential overlay sequence layer cluster, are assigned to the second SoC 21. In this way, the allocation unit 31 assigns the remaining overlay sequence layers, which are one or more overlay sequence layers other than the sequential overlay sequence layer cluster, to the second SoC 21 from the multitude of overlay sequence layers.

[0023] The first SoC 11 comprises a multitude of first character layers 12, a first character unit 13 and a first layer overlay unit 14.

[0024] The first drawing unit 13 draws a screen onto two or more first drawing layers 12 of the first SoC 11, to which the successive overlay sequence layer cluster is assigned. The first drawing unit 13 can be drawn in one program, such as a map display program, or it can be drawn in a variety of programs.

[0025] The first layer overlay unit 14 overlays two or more first character layers 12, which are drawn by the first character unit 13. The result obtained by the overlay is then referred to as the overlay result in the first SoC 11. The overlay result in the first SoC 11 is transmitted from the first SoC 11 to the second SoC 21 via inter-SoC communication.

[0026] The second SoC 21 comprises a multitude of second character layers 22, a second character unit 23 and a second layer overlay unit 24.

[0027] The second drawing unit 23 draws a screen onto one or more of the second drawing layers 22 of the second SoC 21, to which the remaining overlay sequence layers are assigned. The second drawing unit 23 can draw in one program, such as a map display program, or it can draw in a variety of programs.

[0028] The second layer overlay unit 24 generates the output screen to be displayed to the display device 51 by overlaying the overlay result in the first SoC 11, which is transmitted via communication from the first SoC 11, and one or more of second character layers 22, which are drawn by the second character unit 23. <Zusammenfassung von Ausführungsform 1>

[0029] In the configuration where the first SoC 11 and the second SoC 21 work together to overlay a large number of character layers in the overlay sequence, a configuration is assumed in which the first SoC 11 overlays two or more non-consecutive character layers in the overlay sequence. In such a configuration, to perform the overlay of two or more non-consecutive character layers in the overlay sequence, the necessary character layers must be exchanged between the first SoC 11 and the second SoC 21 before the overlay is executed in order to arrange the character layers in the overlay sequence. For this reason, inter-SoC communication is relatively extensive in such a configuration.

[0030] In contrast, in the screen generation device 1 according to embodiment 1, the first SoC 11 superimposes two or more first character layers 12 belonging to the successive superimposition sequence layer cluster in the superimposition sequence; therefore, the volume of inter-SoC communication can be reduced, as described above. Furthermore, in embodiment 1, the first SoC 21 generates the output screen by superimposing the superimposition result in the first SoC 11, which is transmitted from the second SoC 11 via communication, and one or more second character layers 22. Such a configuration allows the output screen to be output directly from the second SoC 21 to the display device 51, thus reducing unnecessary data exchange. <Ausführungsform 2>

[0031] Fig. Figure 5 is a block diagram representing a configuration of a screen-generating device 1 according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. The components according to embodiment 2 are assigned the same or similar reference numerals as the same or similar components described above, and mainly different components are described.

[0032] The first SoC 11 according to embodiment 2 comprises a first layer management unit 15 and a first communication unit 16 in addition to the first character unit 13 and the first layer overlay unit 14. The first character unit 13 and the first layer overlay unit 14 are identical to the first character unit 13 and the first layer overlay unit 14 described in embodiment 1.

[0033] The first layer management unit 15 comprises the first character layers 12 (first character layers 12-1 to 12-n) of n (n ≥ 2) and a first layer definition 17. The first character layers 12 are identical to the first character layers 12 described in embodiment 1.

[0034] Fig. Figure 6 is a table that presents an example of a layer definition (the first layer definition 17, a second layer definition 27) according to embodiment 2. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 6, the first layer definition 17 is information through which feature elements provided in the first SoC 11 use the first n character layers 12 (n = 8 in Fig. 6), and includes an entry formed from the shift numbers “1” to “n” and the SoC numbers “1s” and “2s”.

[0035] In contrast to the tables of the multitude of overlay sequence layers from the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 are in the table of the first layer definition 17 from Fig. Six invalid values ​​were set for the SoC numbers of the unused character layers. From the character layers in Fig. 6. The character layers with the layer numbers "2", "4", "6", "8", which are used as the multitude of overlay sequence layers in the Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 selected. Invalid values ​​include, for example, values ​​other than the SoC numbers "1" and "2".

[0036] The first communication unit 16 is suitable for communicating with the second SoC 21. The first communication unit 16 of the first SoC 11, which does not include the allocation unit 31, exchanges information necessary for executing the process with the allocation unit 31, which is included in the second SoC 21.

[0037] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 5, the second SoC 21 according to embodiment 2 comprises a second layer management unit 25, a second communication unit 26, and the allocation unit 31, in addition to the second character unit 23 and the second layer transmission unit 24. The second character unit 23, the second layer overlay unit 24, and the allocation unit 31 are identical to the second character unit 23, the second layer transmission unit 24, and the allocation unit 31 described in embodiment 1. The second layer management unit 25, the second communication unit 26, and the second layer definition 27 are identical to the first layer management unit 15, the first communication unit 16, and the first layer definition 17. <betrieb>

[0038] Fig. Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the allocation unit 31 according to embodiment 2. It is noted that the process is started in the second SoC 21.

[0039] In step S1, the assignment unit 31 records a shift number for a new process. In step S2, the assignment unit 31 records a shift definition (the second shift definition 27). An example is described below where the shift number "7" is recorded in step S1 and the second shift definition 27, as in Fig. 6 is shown, which is recorded in step S2.

[0040] In step S3, the allocation unit 31 extracts the shift number and the SoC numbers of the character layer to be used, based on the second layer definition 27, which is captured in step S2. Additionally, the allocation unit 31 adds the shift number captured in step S1 to the extracted shift numbers and the layer, and sets "2" to the SoC number belonging to that shift number, thereby defining a variety of overlay sequence layers. For example, if the shift number "7" is captured in step S1 and the second layer definition 27, as in Fig. As shown in step 6, in step S2 a multitude of overlay sequence layers are captured, which are in Fig. Figure 8 is defined by step S3. The superposition sequence of the multitude of superposition sequence layers in Fig. 8 is the sequence of shift numbers “2”, “4”, “6”, “7” and “8”.

[0041] In step S4, the assignment unit 31 determines, for the multitude of overlay sequence layers, whether the SoC numbers of the first SoC 11 in the overlay sequence of the multitude of overlay sequence layers are consecutive or not. If it is determined that the SoC numbers of the first SoC 11 are consecutive, the process continues with step S6, and if it is determined that they are not consecutive, the process continues with step S5.

[0042] In the multitude of superimposed sequence layers made up of Fig. The 8 are the SoC numbers that correspond to layer numbers "6", "7", "8", which are "1", "2", "1". That is, in the multitude of overlay sequence layers in Fig. 8 are the SoC numbers of the first SoC 11, non-consecutive at shift number "7", which is recorded in step S1. Therefore, in this example, it runs out. Fig. 8 the process continues with step S5.

[0043] In step S5, the assignment unit 31 changes the non-consecutive SoC numbers of the first SoC 11 to a different SoC number. In embodiment 2, the assignment unit 31 changes the non-consecutive SoC numbers of the first SoC 11 to "1". The process then returns to step S4.

[0044] For example, the multitude of overlay sequence layers in Fig. 8 changed to the multitude of overlay sequence layers that are in Fig. The numbers 9 shown are from step S5. This means that the SoC number belonging to shift number "7", recorded in step S1, is set to "1". As a result, the SoC numbers of the first SoC 11 are consecutive in shift numbers "6" to "8".

[0045] When the process progresses from step S4 to step S6, the assignment unit 31 updates the layer definition (second layer definition 27) with the multitude of superimposed sequence layers at that time. The first layer definition 17 and the second layer definition 27 are synchronized with each other, and the update of the second layer definition 27 also updates the first layer definition 17. Then the operation is completed. Fig. 7 completed.

[0046] After the operation ended Fig. 7 The assignment unit 31 identifies the successive two or more overlay sequence layers in an overlay sequence, such as the overlay sequence layers with layer numbers "6" to "8", which in the example from Fig. Figure 9 shows the first SoC 11 as the successive overlay sequence layer cluster. The allocation unit 31 assigns one or more overlay sequence layers other than the successive overlay sequence layer cluster, such as the overlay sequence layers with layer numbers "2" and "4" in the example from... Fig. 9, to the second SoC 21 as the remaining overlay sequence layers.

[0047] After the allocation by allocation unit 31 is complete, information necessary for executing the process is exchanged between the first communication unit 16 of the first SoC 11 and the second communication unit 26 of the second SoC 21, based on the instruction from allocation unit 31. Then, processes such as drawing are executed in the first SoC 11 and the second SoC 21. These processes are described below.

[0048] Fig. Figure 10 is a flowchart depicting the operations of the first SoC 11 and the second SoC 21, specifically processes such as drawing in the first SoC 11 and the second SoC 21. The operation from Fig. 10 is executed by any SoC at any given time.

[0049] In step S11, the first drawing unit 13 draws a screen onto two or more first drawing layers 12 of the first SoC 11, to which the successive overlay sequence layer cluster is assigned. In step S2, the first layer transfer unit 14 captures the first layer definition 17 from the first layer management unit 15.

[0050] In step S13, the first layer transfer unit 14 overlays two or more drawn first drawing layers 12. In the example from Fig. In step 9, the first character layer 12 with layer numbers "6" to "8" is superimposed by step S13. In embodiment 2, the data size of the superimposition result in the first SoC 11, obtained by the superimposition, is the same as the data size of the single character layer.

[0051] In step S14, the first communication unit 16 performs an inter-SoC communication with the second communication unit 26 to transfer the superposition result in the first SoC 11 to the second SoC 21.

[0052] Steps S15 and S16 are executed in parallel with steps S11 to S13.

[0053] In step S15, the second drawing unit 23 draws a screen onto one or more second drawing layers 22 of the second SoC 21, to which the remaining overlay sequence layer is assigned. In step S16, the second layer transfer unit 24 captures the second layer definition 27 from the second layer management unit 25.

[0054] In step S17, the second communication unit 26 performs an inter-SoC communication with the first communication unit 16 to receive the superposition result in the first SoC 11, which is transmitted from the first SoC 11.

[0055] In step S18, the second layer management unit 25 stores the received overlay result in the first SoC 11 in a second character layer 22. For example, the second layer management unit 25 stores the overlay result in the second character layer 22 with a layer number that is identical to the smallest layer number (layer number "6" in the example from Fig. 9) of the layer numbers of the successive superimposed sequence layer cluster.

[0056] In step S19, the second layer transfer unit 24 generates the output screen by superimposing the stored overlay result in the first SoC 11 and the one or more drawn second drawing layers 22. In the example from Fig. In step S19, the superposition result is stored in the first SoC 11, which is stored in the second character layer 22 with the layer number "6" (the superposition result of the layer numbers "6" to "8"), and the second character layer 22 with the drawn layer numbers "2", "4" are superimposed.

[0057] In step S20, the second layer transfer unit 24 outputs the generated output screen to the display device 51. Then the operation is completed. Fig. 10 completed. <Zusammenfassung von Ausführungsform 2>

[0058] The image transmission device 1 according to embodiment 2, as described above, is designed similarly to the screen generation device 1 according to embodiment 1; therefore, the inter-SoC communication volume can be reduced as in embodiment 1. <Modifikation 1>

[0059] Although the number of first SoCs 11 in embodiment 2 is one, a plurality of first SoCs 11 can also be provided. Fig. Figure 11 is a block diagram representing a configuration of a screen generation device 1 according to modification 1. The screen generation device 1 from Fig. 11 comprises first SoCs 11a and 11b, and the first SoCs 11a and 11b are each similar to the first SoC 11. That is, the first character units 13a and 13b, the first layer overlay units 14a and 14b, the first layer management unit 15a and 15b, and the first communication unit 16a and 16b are each similar to the first character unit 13, the first layer transfer unit 14, the first layer management unit 15, and the first communication unit 16, which are each described in embodiment 2. Although not shown, the first layer management unit 15a and 15b each comprise a plurality of first character layers 12 and a first layer definition 17, as in the first layer management unit 15.

[0060] The second communication unit 26 of the second SoC 21 is capable of communicating with the first communication unit 16a of the first SoC 11a and the first communication unit 16b of the first SoC 11b via a bus 36. It should be noted that a communication means is not limited to bus 36, as in Fig. 12 for example, where the second communication unit 26 of the second SoC 21 is suitable to communicate with the first communication unit 16a of the first SoC 11a and the first communication unit 16b of the first SoC 11b via a hub 37.

[0061] Next, the main operations of the screen generation device 1 according to modification 1 are described, which differ from the operations of the screen generation device 1 according to embodiment 2, which are described in the Fig. 7 and Fig. 10 are shown. The determination process from step S4 from Fig. Step 7 is executed for each of the SoCs 11a and 11b. This occurs in the communication process from step S14. Fig. 10 transmits, when the superposition result in the first SoC 11 is transmitted to the second SoC 21, the first communication units 16a and 16b respectively transmit the SoC numbers to distinguish the first SoCs 11a and 11b from each other.

[0062] Fig. Figure 13 is a table for representing the assignment by the assignment unit 31 according to modification 1. In the example from Fig. 13. The SoC numbers “1A” and “1B” are each assigned to the overlay sequence layers that are assigned to the first SoCs 11a and 11b, and the SoC number “2s” is assigned to the overlay sequence layer that is assigned to the second SoCs 21.

[0063] The allocation unit 31 assigns a multitude of successive superimposition sequence layer clusters from the multitude of overlay sequence layers to the corresponding first SoCs 11a and 11b. In the example from Fig. 13. Assignment unit 31 assigns the consecutive overlay sequence layers with layer numbers "2" to "4" in the overlay sequence to the first SoC 11a as a consecutive overlay sequence layer cluster and assigns the consecutive overlay sequence layers with layer numbers "6" and "7" in the overlay sequence of the first SoC 11b as a consecutive overlay sequence layer cluster. Then, assignment unit 31 assigns the overlay sequence layers with layer numbers "1", "5", and "8", except for the consecutive overlay sequence layer cluster, to the second SoC 21 as the remaining overlay sequence layers.

[0064] The inter-SoC communication volume in the screen generation device 1 can be reduced according to the above modification 1 as well as in embodiment 2. <Modifikation 2>

[0065] In embodiment 2, the example is described in which the first layer definition 17 and the second layer definition 27 consist of Fig. 6. The shift number for the new process, that is, the shift number added to the multitude of superimposed sequence layers, is shift number "7". It is assumed that the shift number for the new process is shift number "5" instead of shift number "7".

[0066] In this case, if the overlay sequence layer with layer number "5" is assigned to the first SoC 11, the overlay sequence layers with the consecutive layer numbers "5", "6", and "8" are assigned in the overlay sequence as shown in Fig. Figure 14 shows that when the overlay sequence layer with layer number “5” is assigned to the second SoC 21, the overlay sequence layers with consecutive layer numbers “6” and “8” are assigned in the overlay sequence, as shown in Fig. 15 shown.

[0067] In this way, in every case, as in Fig. 14 or Fig. 15. Assignment unit 31 to a successive superimposition sequence layer cluster, that is, successive two or more superimposition sequence layers in the superimposition sequence, to the first SoCs 11. That is, from the multitude of superimposition sequence layers, the superimposition sequence layer with layer number "5" is a superimposition sequence layer that can be included either in an open subsequent superimposition sequence layer cluster or in a remaining superimposition sequence layer, and that can be assigned either to one SoC or to the other SoC in the first SoC 11 and the second SoC 21.

[0068] Based on the resources used by the first SoC 11 and the resources used by the second SoC 21, the allocation unit 31, according to modification 2, assigns an overlay sequence layer, such as the overlay sequence layer with layer number "5", to either the SoC 11 or the second SoC 21. The resources include, for example, the character layer numbers and the utilization rate of a central processing unit (CPU).

[0069] For example, allocation unit 31 can compare the number of drawing layers used by the first SoC 11 with the number of drawing layers used by the second SoC 21 and assign an overlay sequence layer to either the first SoC 11 or the second SoC 21 with the fewer number of drawing layers used. Similarly, allocation unit 31 can compare the CPU utilization rate of the first SoC 11 with the CPU utilization rate of the second SoC 21 and assign an overlay sequence layer to either the first SoC 11 or the second SoC 21 with the lower utilization rate. With such a configuration, resource utilization can be distributed evenly, which makes it possible to expect an improvement in the processing capacity of the entire screen-generating device 1.

[0070] Modification 2 can be applied to Modification 1. That is, if it is possible for the allocation unit 31 to assign an overlay sequence layer from the multitude of overlay sequence layers to one of the first SoC 11a and the first SoC 11b, the allocation unit 31 can assign an overlay sequence layer to one of the first SoC 11a and / or the first SoC 11b based on the resources used by the first SoC 11a and the resources used by the first SoC 11b. <Modifikation 3>

[0071] In embodiment 2, the assignment unit 31 performs an assignment such that the SoC numbers of the first SoC 11 are consecutive in the superposition sequence, especially for the shift numbers for the new process (shift number "7" in the example from Fig. 6) However, this is not limited to that, and the allocation unit 31 can perform an allocation such that the SoC numbers of the first SoC 11 are consecutive in an overlay sequence, for the shift number of the existing (current) process. Furthermore, at this point, the allocation unit 31 can perform the allocation taking into account the resources being used, as in modification 2. <Modifikation 4>

[0072] Each overlay sequence layer consists of Fig. 2 or something similar is selected from both the first character layers 12 and the second character layers 22. That is, the allocation units 31 according to embodiments 1 and 2 assign the successive superimposition sequence layer cluster not only to the first character layers 12, but also to the second character layers 22, and assign the remaining superimposition sequence layers and the superimposition result in the first SoC 11 not only to the second character layers, but also to the first character layers.

[0073] In this case, for example, in Fig. 9, if the overlay sequence layers with layer numbers “6” to “8” are assigned to the first character layers 12 as a successive overlay sequence layer cluster, the state in which the second character layers 22 with layer numbers “6” to “8” are not available to the process. In this way, for example, in Fig. 9, if the overlay sequence layers with layer numbers “2” and “4” are assigned to the second character layers 22 as remaining overlay sequence layers, the state in which the first character layers 12 with layer numbers “2” and “4” are not available to the process.

[0074] Therefore, as in Fig. As shown in Figure 16, the multitude of overlay sequence layers can each be selected from either the first character layers 12 or the second character layers 22.

[0075] In view of this, the allocation unit 31 according to modification 4 is designed such that the allocation unit 31 assigns the successive overlay sequence layer clusters to the first character layers 12 without assigning to the second character layers 22, and assigns the remaining overlay sequence layer and the overlay result in the first SoC 11 to the second character layers 22 without assigning to the first character layers 12.

[0076] Fig. Figure 16 is a table for representing the assignment by the assignment unit 31 according to modification number 4. In the example from Fig. The sequential overlay sequence layer cluster comprises the overlay sequence layers with layer numbers "8" to "10", "14", and "15" and is assigned to the first character layers with layer numbers "1" to "3", "7", and "8". The remaining overlay sequence layers comprise the overlay sequence layers with layer numbers "1", "2", "6", and "7" and are assigned to the second character layers with layer numbers "1", "2", "6", and "7". The overlay result in the first character layers with layer numbers "1" to "3", "7", and "8", that is, the overlay result of the first SoC 11, is assigned to the second character layer 22 with layer number "8".

[0077] In the example from Fig. As described above, the overlay sequence layers with layer numbers "1" to "15" are defined without being superimposed. As described above, according to modification 4, the first character layers 12 and the second character layers 22 can be effectively used. <Ausführungsform 3>

[0078] Fig. Figure 17 is a block diagram representing a configuration of a screen-generating device 1 according to embodiment 3. Below, the components according to embodiment 3 are assigned the same or similar reference numerals to the same or similar components as those described above, and mainly different components are described.

[0079] In embodiment 3, the second SoC 21 of the screen generation device 1 is connected to a plurality of display devices 51 (display devices 51a and 51b), and the screen generation device 1 generates output screens for the plurality of display devices 51 (display devices 51a and 51b).

[0080] Furthermore, it is assumed that each first character layer 12 of the first SoC 11 has a memory size sufficient for screens to be drawn simultaneously with sufficient resolution for the plurality of display devices 51 before an overlay. Accordingly, the first character unit 13 can draw screens before an overlay onto each first character layer 12 for one or more display devices 51, and the first layer overlay unit 14 can perform overlay processing on the one or more display devices 51 collectively.

[0081] Fig. Figure 18 is a table that presents an example of a layer definition, that is, the first layer definition 17 and a second layer definition 27 according to embodiment number 3. The display device number is a number for identifying the plurality of display devices 51. In the example from Fig. Figure 18 shows the screen for display device 51a drawn on the character layers with layer numbers "6" and "8", which are set for display device number "51A". On the other hand, the screens for display devices 51a and display device 51b are shown on the character layers with layer numbers "2", "3", and "4", which are set for display devices numbers "51A" and "51B".

[0082] The Fig. 19 and Fig. Figure 20 are flowcharts illustrating the operation of the screen-generating device 1 according to embodiment 3. The flowchart from Fig. 19 is similar to a flowchart, where step S1 in the flowchart is made up of Fig. 7 has been changed to step S31. The flowchart from Fig. 20 is similar to a flowchart, where step S32 to Fig. 10 has been added and steps S14, S17 and S18 of the flowchart are from Fig. Section 10 has been amended to include steps S33, S34, and S35. Therefore, the following description mainly focuses on steps S31 to S35.

[0083] In step S31 from Fig. In step 19, the allocation unit 31 records the shift numbers for the new process and also records the display device numbers for the multitude of display devices 51. Then the same processes as in steps S2 to S13 are carried out. Fig. 10 executed.

[0084] After step S13 from Fig. In step S32, the first shift management unit 15 determines for each display device 51 an area that must be transferred to the second SoC 21 in the superposition result in the first SoC 11.

[0085] Then, in step S33, the first communication unit 16 performs inter-SoC communication with the second communication unit 26 to transmit the superposition result in the first SoC 11 to the second SoC 21 for each display device 51. For example, if the layer definition is as in Fig. If the first communication unit 16 is set to display device 18 and the screens of display devices 51a and 51b are set to be superimposed in the second SoC 21, the first communication unit 16 transmits the superimposition result in the first SoC 11 to the second SoC 21. On the other hand, if a screen of a display device other than display devices 51a and 51b is set to be superimposed in the second SoC 21, the transmission of the superimposition result in the first SoC 11 is not performed.

[0086] After the same processes as step S15 and S16 from Fig. In step S34, the second communication unit 26 performs inter-SoC communication with the first communication unit 16 to receive the superposition result for each display device 51 in the first SoC 11, which is transmitted from the first SoC 11. In step S35, the second layer management unit 25 stores the received superposition result in a second layer 22 in the first SoC 11.

[0087] Then the same processes are executed as from step S19 onwards. If the layer definition is as in Fig. With 18 set, the second layer overlay unit 24 performs the overlay processing for the display devices 51a and 51b collectively in step S19. <Zusammenfassung von Ausführungsform 3>

[0088] The screen generation device 1 according to embodiment 3 above can reduce the data size of inter-SoC communication per unit of time. Additionally, it increases flexibility in processes such as drawing. <Andere Modifikation>

[0089] The allocation unit 31, described above, is implemented by a processing circuit 81, as shown in Fig. Figure 21 is shown. That is, the processing circuit 81 comprises the allocation unit 31, which is configured to define a plurality of overlay sequence layers, each having an overlay sequence and selected from the plurality of first character layers 12 and the plurality of second character layers 22. From this plurality of overlay sequence layers, the allocation unit assigns a sequential overlay sequence layer cluster, consisting of two or more sequential overlay sequence layers in the overlay sequence, to the first SoC 11, and assigns any remaining overlay sequence layers, which are one or more overlay sequence layers other than the sequential overlay sequence layer cluster, to the second SoC 21. Dedicated hardware can be applied to the processing circuit 81, or a processor executing a program stored in memory can be applied.For example, the processor is part of a central processing unit, a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, a digital signal processor (DSP), or something similar.

[0090] When the allocated hardware is applied to the processing circuit 81, the processing circuit 81 belongs to a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a combination thereof. Each of the functions of the allocation unit 31 can be implemented by any shared processing circuit of the processing circuit, or it can be implemented by a processing circuit in which the functions of the corresponding parts are integrated.

[0091] When the allocated hardware is applied to the processing circuit 81, the processing circuit 81 belongs to a single circuit, a compound circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or a combination thereof. Each of the functions of the allocation unit 31 can be implemented by a split processing circuit of the processing circuit, or it can be implemented by a processing circuit in which each of the functions of the corresponding parts is integrated.

[0092] If the processing circuit 81 is a processor, the functions of the line unit 31 are implemented through a combination with software or something similar. It should be noted that the software or something similar includes, for example, software, firmware, or a combination of both. The software or something similar is described as a program and stored in memory. As in Fig. As shown in Figure 20, a processor 82, which is applied to the processing day 81, implements the functions of the allocation unit 31 by reading and executing the program stored in a memory 83.That is, the screen-generating device 1 includes the memory 83 for storing the program, in which a step is finally performed to define a plurality of overlay sequence layers, which have an overlay sequence and are selected from the plurality of first character layers 12 and the plurality of second character layers 22, assigns from the plurality of overlay sequence layers a successive overlay sequence layer cluster, which is two or more successive overlay sequence layers in the overlay sequence, to the first SoC 11, and assigns remaining overlay sequence layers, which are one or more overlay sequence layers other than the overlay sequence layer cluster following the overlay sequence, to the second SoC 21. In other words, the program can be said to cause a computer to execute the procedure and process of the allocation unit 31.In this context, the memory 83 can be, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as main memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) or something similar, a hard disk drive (HDD), a magnetic floppy disk, a flexible floppy disk, an optical floppy disk, a compact disk, a minidisk, a digital versatile disk (DVD) and a drive for it, or any storage medium used in the future.

[0093] The configuration in which each function of the allocation unit 31 is implemented by either hardware or software has been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which part of the allocation unit 31 is implemented by dedicated hardware and another part is implemented by software or something similar can be assumed. As described above, the processing unit 31 can implement the functions described above by hardware, software, or something similar, or a combination thereof.

[0094] It should be noted that embodiments and modifications of the present invention can be combined as desired and can be suitably modified or omitted without deviating from the scope of protection of the invention. Explanation of reference symbols 1 Screen generating device 11,11a,11b first SoC 12,12-1,12-n first character layers 13 first character unit 14 first layer superposition unit 21 second SoC 22,22-1,22-n second character layer 23 second character unit 24 second layer superposition unit 31 Assignment unit 51, 51a, 51b Display device< / betrieb>

Claims

[1] A screen generating device (1) configured to generate an output screen (51) which is a screen output to a display device, comprising: at least a first SoC (11) comprising a plurality of first drawing layers (12) for drawing a screen that is a part of the output screen; a second SoC (21) comprising a plurality of second drawing layers (22) for drawing a screen that is part of the output screen and is configured to be able to communicate with at least the one first SoC (11); and an assignment unit (31) configured to define a plurality of overlay sequence layers having an overlay sequence and selected from the plurality of first character layers (12) and the plurality of second character layers (22), to assign, from the plurality of overlay sequence layers, a consecutive overlay sequence layer cluster that is two or more consecutive overlay sequence layers in the overlay sequence to the first SoC (11), and to assign remaining overlay sequence layers that are one or more overlay sequence layers different from the consecutive overlay sequence layer cluster to the second SoC (21), wherein which comprises at least a first SoC (11) a first drawing unit (13) configured to draw a screen on two or more first drawing layers (12) of the first SoC (11) to which the consecutive overlay sequence layer cluster is assigned, and a first layer superimposing unit (14) configured to superimpose the two or more first character layers (12) drawn by the first character unit (13), and the second SoC (21) includes a second drawing unit (23) configured to draw a screen on one or more second drawing layers (22) of the second SoC (21), to which the remaining overlay sequence layers are assigned, and a second layer superimposing unit (24) configured to generate the output screen by superimposing an overlay result in the first SoC (11) transmitted from the at least one first SoC (11) via the communication and the one or more second drawing layers (22) drawn by the second drawing unit (23). [2] Screen generating device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the at least one first SoC (11) comprises a plurality of first SoCs, and the allocation unit (31) is configured to allocate the plurality of consecutive overlay sequence layer clusters from the plurality of overlay sequence layers to the corresponding first SoCs (11). [3] The screen generating device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the allocation unit (31) is configured to allocate, from the plurality of overlay sequence layers, an overlay sequence layer that can be included in either the consecutive overlay sequence layer cluster or the remaining overlay sequence layers and that can be allocated to either one SoC or another SoC in the first SoC (11) and the second SoC (21), to any one of the one SoC and the other SoC based on a resource used by the one SoC and a resource used by the other SoC. [4] Screen generating device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the assignment unit (31) is configured to assign the consecutive overlay sequence layer cluster not only to the first character layers but also to the second character layers and to assign the remaining overlay sequence layers and the overlay result in the first SoC (11) not only to the second character layers (22) but also to the first character layers (12). [5] Screen generating device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the screen generating device is configured to generate the output screen for a plurality of display devices (51a, 51b), and the at least one first SoC (11) is configured to transmit the superposition result in the first SoC (11) to the second SoC (21) for each display device. [6] A screen generation method for a screen generation device (1) configured to generate an output screen that is a screen output to a display device (51), wherein the screen generating device (1) comprises at least one first SoC (11) comprising a plurality of first drawing layers (12) for drawing a screen that is a part of the output screen, and a second SoC (21) comprising a plurality of second drawing layers (22) for drawing a screen, which is part of the output screen and is designed to be able to communicate with the at least one first SoC (11), the screen generation process includes the steps: Defining a plurality of overlay sequence layers having an overlay sequence and selected from the plurality of first character layers (12) and the plurality of second character layers (22), assigning, from the plurality of overlay sequence layers, a consecutive overlay sequence layer cluster that is two or more overlay sequence layers in the overlay sequence to the first SoC, and assigning remaining overlay sequence layers that are one or more overlay sequence layers different from the consecutive overlay sequence layer cluster to the second SoC (21); wherein the at least one first SoC (11) draws a screen on two or more first character layers (12) of the first SoC (11), to which the consecutive overlay sequence layer cluster is assigned and overlays the two or more drawn first character layers; and the second SoC (21) draws a screen on one or more second character layers (22) of the second SoC (21) to which the remaining overlay sequence layers are assigned, and generates the output screen by overlaying an overlay result in the first SoC (11) transmitted from the at least one first SoC (11) via the communication and the one or more drawn second character layers (22).

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