Information processing device and information processing system

Abstract

To provide an information processing device or information processing system that stably operates and has high reliability.SOLUTION: An information processing device comprises: a program management part 11 which determines whether a memory is insufficient; an unnecessary program detection part 12 which detects an unnecessary program; and a program processing part 13 which displays a list showing in-execution program names and used memory amounts, and an input / output field for letting a user select end or restart operation processing for programs being executed respectively, and executes program processing in response to a user's selecting operation, unnecessary programs being emphasized and displayed in the list.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device and an information processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] In information processing devices, multiple programs are usually executed simultaneously, but a lack of memory can sometimes prevent stable operation. In response to this, an information processing device has been proposed that detects the resources (memory) used when each program starts and the resources available for the program, and displays each program in a size that corresponds to the ratio of resources used by each program (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-230236 A (paragraph 0018, Figure 1, paragraph 0104, Figure 7) Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the above-mentioned technology, if the memory usage increases during program execution, memory shortages may occur, and it is not possible to reliably stabilize operation.

[0005] The present application discloses a technique for solving the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide an information processing device or information processing system that is stable in operation and highly reliable. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The information processing device disclosed in the present application is characterized by comprising an input / output unit that accepts input / output operations from a user; a program management unit that monitors the memory usage and remaining memory of programs executed on the device and determines whether there is a memory shortage; an unnecessary program detection unit that, when it is determined that there is a memory shortage, detects, based on definition data, programs that can be terminated or restarted from among the running programs as unnecessary programs; and a program processing unit that, when it is determined that there is a memory shortage, displays on the input / output unit a list that shows the program names and memory usage amounts of each of the running programs, highlighting the programs detected as unnecessary programs, and an input / output field that allows the user to select an operation to terminate or restart each of the running programs, and executes program processing in accordance with the user's selection operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the information processing device of the present disclosure, it is possible to cope with a case where remaining memory decreases due to an increase in memory usage, and therefore it is possible to obtain an information processing device or information processing system that operates stably and is highly reliable. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a block diagram for explaining a configuration of a plant monitoring and control system configured using a plurality of information processing devices according to a first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a coping input / output processing step when a memory shortage is detected in the information processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a program list dialog displayed on the information processing device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information processing device according to the second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the information processing device according to the second embodiment when a memory shortage notification is received from another device. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating an operation when a memory shortage occurs in an information processing device in an information processing system constructed by linking a plurality of information processing devices according to a second embodiment via a network. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Embodiment 1 Figures 1 to 6 are intended to explain the configuration and operation of an information processing device according to embodiment 1, an information processing system constructed so that a plurality of information processing devices are connected to a network to work together, and a plant monitoring and control system constructed so that the information processing system and equipment used for monitoring and controlling the plant are connected to a network. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device that constitutes the plant monitoring system, and Figure 2 is a block diagram for explaining the configuration of an information processing system constructed so that a plurality of information processing devices shown in Figure 1 are connected to a network to work together, and a plant monitoring and control system constructed so that a plurality of plant control devices that control a plurality of equipment that constitutes the plant are connected to the above-mentioned network.

[0010] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device, Fig. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the information processing device, Fig. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the input / output processing step for dealing with a memory shortage when a memory shortage is detected, and Fig. 6 is a diagram showing a program list dialog displayed on the display screen of the information processing device.

[0011] The information processing device 1 of the present disclosure is what is called a computer, terminal, or the like, and can be used alone, but for example, as shown in Fig. 2, a plurality of devices can be connected via a network 30 to cooperate with each other to form an information processing system 10. Furthermore, for example, the information processing device 1 can be connected via the network 30 to a device (plant control device 21) that controls each device constituting a plant such as a thermal power plant, and used to form a plant monitoring and control system 200.

[0012] The information processing system 10 includes an information processing device 1 -1 , 1 ―2 , , 1 -n In this way, a plurality of information processing devices 1 are linked together, but when there is no need to distinguish between them, they are simply referred to as information processing devices 1. Similarly, in the plant monitoring and control system 200, there are plant control devices 21 corresponding to a plurality of plant devices. -1 ,twenty one ―2 ,···,twenty one -m Thus, a plurality of plant control devices 21 are provided, but when there is no need to distinguish between them, they are simply referred to as plant control devices 21. By connecting the plurality of plant control devices 21 and the plurality of information processing devices 1 via a network 30, bidirectional transmission of monitoring information and control commands is realized. However, in the first embodiment, processing by one information processing device 1 will be described, regardless of whether or not there is cooperation between the plurality of devices via the network 30.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 3, the information processing device 1 may be configured as a single piece of hardware 100 including a processor 101 and a storage device 102. Although not shown, the storage device 102 includes a volatile storage device such as a random access memory and a non-volatile auxiliary storage device such as a flash memory. Alternatively, a hard disk auxiliary storage device may be included instead of the flash memory. The processor 101 executes a program input from the storage device 102. In this case, the program is input to the processor 101 from the auxiliary storage device via the volatile storage device. The processor 101 may output data such as a calculation result to the volatile storage device of the storage device 102, or may store the data in the auxiliary storage device via the volatile storage device.

[0014] In other words, the information processing device 1 has a finite amount of memory, and in order to execute a program, also called a process, it is necessary to allocate the necessary memory from that finite amount. As explained in the background art, the memory used by a program changes during execution. Therefore, even if there is no problem when the program is started, memory may run out during execution, causing the program to become unstable and, in some cases, to stop.

[0015] 1, the information processing device 1 of the present disclosure includes a program management unit 11 that constantly monitors changes in memory usage and remaining memory according to the execution status of programs and determines whether or not there is a shortage of remaining memory.The information processing device 1 of the present disclosure also includes an unnecessary program detection unit 12 that, upon receiving information from the program management unit 11 that the remaining memory has fallen below the limit, detects, from among the running programs, programs that can be terminated or restarted based on definition data (unnecessary programs).

[0016] Furthermore, the device includes a program processing unit 13 that executes program restart and termination processing based on information about the program execution status output from the program management unit 11 and information about the unnecessary program (unnecessary program information) output from the unnecessary program detection unit 12. The device also includes an input / output unit 14 that, in response to commands from the program processing unit 13, displays a warning to the user and receives input / output via the input / output device of the device itself, or communicates with other devices.

[0017] The definition data includes data on memory thresholds, data indicating candidates for unnecessary programs, data indicating what to display to the user, and data indicating terminals (other devices) to communicate with, and is stored in the definition data database 15. The memory threshold is a threshold used by the program management unit 11 to determine whether or not there is a shortage of remaining memory. The threshold is not necessarily fixed to a single value, but may be set according to the type of program being run.

[0018] The content to be displayed to the user is data for displaying a warning to the user when memory is insufficient, for example, a "program list dialog" to be described later. The data of other devices is data indicating targets to be notified of the status of the own device when multiple devices work in cooperation with each other, as will be described in the second embodiment.

[0019] Regarding unnecessary programs, for example, if a program is used in a plant monitoring and control system, a program that can be temporarily terminated or restarted in the monitoring and control of the plant is defined as a candidate. However, the target may change depending on the plant situation, and a candidate list may be stored according to the operating situation of the plant, for example.

[0020] Furthermore, in the operation history, programs that have been restarted or terminated in the past are also defined as programs that can be restarted or terminated without causing any problems, i.e., as candidates for unnecessary programs. Note that "restart or termination" in the operation history does not refer to a normal shutdown of the information processing device 1, but rather to a restart or termination process performed as a countermeasure against a memory shortage, and is a process selected in the "program list dialog" described below. Alternatively, it is also possible to define programs that were terminated a certain period of time before the shutdown of the information processing device 1, or programs that were restarted multiple times while the information processing device 1 was running, without using the "program list dialog." Furthermore, the definition data for unnecessary program candidates may be recorded in association with supplementary information such as the reason for being selected as a candidate and the date.

[0021] The program management unit 11 periodically acquires program information and memory usage information. It then calculates the remaining memory from the acquired memory usage and determines whether there is a memory shortage by comparing it with a threshold value read from the definition data database 15. If it determines that there is a memory shortage, it outputs the determination result and information on the program operation status (program operation information) to the unnecessary program detection unit 12 and the program processing unit 13.

[0022] When the unnecessary program detection unit 12 receives a determination result indicating a memory shortage from the program management unit 11, it extracts, from among the programs listed in the program operation information, those programs that match the candidate list of unnecessary programs read from the definition data database 15. It outputs information on the extracted candidate list (unnecessary program information) to the program processing unit 13.

[0023] The program processing unit 13 has a function of forcibly restarting or terminating a running program based on the processing selected via the input / output unit 14. To this end, based on the unnecessary program information and the program operation information, it creates information for an input / output screen that allows the user to select processing (restart or terminate) of the unnecessary program, outputs this to the input / output unit 14, and processes the running program based on the selection information received from the input / output unit 14.

[0024] The input / output unit 14 presents the above-mentioned input / output screen based on instructions from the program processing unit 13, and outputs information input by the user to the program processing unit 13. It also has a function of notifying the other device of the status of its own device when data from the other device is available. Alternatively, it has a function of displaying the status of the other device on its own device when it receives a notification from the other device that a memory shortage has occurred in the other device.

[0025] Next, assuming the above-described configuration, the operation of the information processing device 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 4. When the OS (Operating System) of the information processing device 1 is started, the unnecessary program detection unit 12, the program management unit 11, and the input / output unit 14 first read the above-described definition data from the definition data database 15 (step S100).

[0026] Next, the program management unit 11 starts monitoring the execution status of the program in the device, periodically acquires program information (step S200), calculates memory usage and remaining memory (step S210), and determines whether the remaining memory is equal to or greater than a threshold based on the loaded definition data (step S300).

[0027] If the remaining memory is equal to or greater than the threshold ("Yes" in step S300), the process proceeds to step S200 and the subsequent steps are repeated. On the other hand, if the remaining memory is less than the threshold ("No" in step S300), the process proceeds to a countermeasure input / output processing step (step S400) by the unnecessary program detection unit 12, program processing unit 13, and input / output unit 14.

[0028] The countermeasure input / output processing step will be described with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 5. When the program management unit 11 receives information from the program management unit 11 indicating that the remaining memory is less than the threshold, i.e., that there is a memory shortage, the unnecessary program detection unit 12 detects programs that are unnecessary from the program information (step S410).

[0029] Based on the unnecessary program information from the unnecessary program detection unit 12 and the program operation information from the program management unit 11, the program processing unit 13 creates data (display data) for input / output display that prompts the user to take action, and outputs the data to the input / output unit 14. When the input / output unit 14 receives the display data and its own device is the display target, the input / output unit 14 displays, for example, a program list dialog D as shown in Fig. 6 on the display device of its own device so that the user can select processing for each program (step S420).

[0030] The program list dialog D has rows L1, ... for each of a number of programs below an item name row L0, and each row is displayed according to a selection column C1, a program name column C2, and a memory usage column C3, and can be scrolled using a scroll button B4. For example, if program 1 displayed in row L1 is an unnecessary program, program 1 is displayed (highlighted) to be more prominent than the other programs. In the illustration, while the others are displayed in black text on a white background, program 1 may be displayed in bold white text on a black background, or it may be made to blink.

[0031] In addition, if supplementary information such as the reason for being a candidate for unnecessary program, the date and time, etc. is linked to the definition data, the supplementary information may be displayed together with the highlighted display. Alternatively, the supplementary information may be displayed as a pop-up by placing the cursor on the program name.

[0032] In other words, the program list dialog D is not simply a status display, but a display with a user interface function that assists the user in selecting the optimal process to resolve the memory shortage and makes it possible to visually execute that process. In this case, if unnecessary programs whose memory usage exceeds the remaining memory shortage are displayed more emphasized than other unnecessary programs, the user can easily select the process to resolve the memory shortage with the minimum number of processes.

[0033] Then, when the operator (user) checks the selection column C1 of row L1 displaying program 1 and presses the restart button B1 or the end button B2, program 1 can be restarted or ended, and the user can select the processing operation of the program. The program processing unit 13 executes processing to restart or end the target program according to the selected processing operation (selected processing) (step S440). Note that the program list dialog D continues to be displayed until the close button B3 is pressed.

[0034] When the user presses the close button B3, the display of the program list dialog D is closed. At this time, if the program to be processed is not in the candidate list of definition data ("Yes" in step S450), the program processing unit 13 adds a definition according to the processing and records it in the definition data database 15 (step S460). Then, the definition to which the data has been added is reloaded (step S470), and the process ends. For example, this applies when a program that is not highlighted is selected as the processing target. Or, this applies when a highlighted program has supplementary information and it is found to be on the candidate list for a reason other than the current processing.

[0035] Embodiment 2 In the information processing device according to the first embodiment, an example has been described in which a memory shortage state of the own device is displayed on the display device of the own device. In the second embodiment, an example will be described in which when a memory shortage occurs in the own device, the state is displayed on another device.

[0036] Figures 7 to 9 are intended to explain the configuration and operation of an information processing device according to the second embodiment, an information processing system constructed so that a plurality of information processing devices are connected via a network to work together, and a plant monitoring and control system constructed by connecting an information processing system and equipment used for plant monitoring and control via a network. Figure 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when a memory shortage occurs in a device in an information processing system in which a plurality of devices are connected via a network to work together. Figure 8 is a flowchart for explaining the operation when a memory shortage occurs in another device and a memory shortage notification is received. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the operation of an information processing device when a memory shortage occurs in the information processing device, and of another information processing device that is connected via a network to work together with the information processing device.

[0037] The configurations of the information processing device, information processing system, and plant monitoring and control device, as well as the input / output processing process for resolving memory shortages, are the same as those described in embodiment 1, and Figures 1 to 3 and Figure 5 used in embodiment 1 will be used, and explanations of overlapping content will be omitted.

[0038] The operation when a memory shortage occurs in one information processing device 1 (own device) and the operation when a memory shortage notification is received from another information processing device 1 (other device) will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS. 7 and 8, respectively. Here, it is assumed that the target to be notified of the memory shortage is recorded in the definition data. In FIG. 7, the operation from steps S100 to S300 when a memory shortage occurs in the own device is the same as that described in FIG. 4 of the first embodiment. However, if the remaining memory is less than the threshold ("No" in step S300), step S390 is executed to notify the other device of the memory shortage in the own device before proceeding to the countermeasure input / output processing step (S400).

[0039] Specifically, the input / output unit 14 notifies the defined target (other device) that there is a memory shortage in the own device in accordance with an instruction from the program processing unit 13. This notification may simply notify that there is a memory shortage, but, for example, it may also be configured to send data to the other device for displaying the program list dialog D in the same way as the own device.

[0040] 8, when the input / output unit 14 receives a notification of a memory shortage from another device ("Yes" in step S500), the fact that the other device is experiencing a memory shortage (a warning display) is displayed on the display device of the own device (step S510). In this case, too, it is possible to simply display the fact that the other device is experiencing a memory shortage, but if necessary data has been received from the other device, it is also possible to display the program list dialog D in the same way as the own device, so that it can be distinguished as being from another device.

[0041] Here, the device (own device) where the memory shortage occurred is the information processing device 1. ―A The device (other device) that received the notification of the memory shortage is the information processing device 1. ―B The operation described in FIG. ―A 8 is executed in the information processing device 1. ―B When executed, the linked operation shown in FIG. 9 is realized.

[0042] This allows the user (operator) to easily determine from the display screen of one information processing device 1 whether or not any of the multiple devices in the system is experiencing a memory shortage, without having to look around at all of the information processing devices 1. Of course, it is also possible to designate one information processing device 1 as a master device and the others as slave devices, with the master device processing programs on the slave devices. However, in the monitoring and control of a plant, it is essential that important programs are not stopped due to malfunctions via communications. It is also essential that the system is not subject to unauthorized manipulation by external attacks. For this reason, it is considered appropriate to limit the display to memory shortages in other devices, as in the second embodiment.

[0043] In the second embodiment, an example has been described in which all information processing devices 1 in the system have the function of notifying other devices of their own memory shortage and the function of displaying the status of the other devices in response to notifications from the other devices, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, at least one information processing device 1 in the system may have the function of displaying the status of the other devices in response to notifications from the other devices, but may not have the function of notifying the other devices, and at least one other information processing device 1 may only have the function of notifying the other devices.

[0044] Furthermore, at least one information processing device 1 may have a function to notify other devices that there is a memory shortage on the device itself when there is a memory shortage on the device itself, and at least another information processing device 1 may have a function to display on the device itself that there is a memory shortage on the other device when it receives a notification from the other device.

[0045] Although various exemplary embodiments and examples are described in this disclosure, the various features, aspects, and functions described in one or more embodiments are not limited to the application of a particular embodiment, but may be applied to the embodiments alone or in various combinations. Therefore, countless modifications not illustrated are contemplated within the scope of the technology disclosed in this specification. For example, this includes cases where at least one component is modified, added, or omitted, or where at least one component is extracted and combined with components of another embodiment.

[0046] As described above, the information processing device 1 of the present disclosure includes an input / output unit 14 that accepts input / output operations from a user, a program management unit 11 that monitors the memory usage and remaining memory of programs executed on the device and determines whether a memory shortage exists, an unnecessary program detection unit 12 that detects, based on definition data, programs that can be terminated or restarted as unnecessary programs among the running programs, and a program processing unit 13 that, when a memory shortage is determined, displays on the input / output unit 14 a list showing the program names and memory usage amounts of each running program and an input / output field (collectively, a program list dialog D) that allows the user to select whether to terminate or restart each running program, and executes program processing in response to the user's (operator's) selection. The program processing unit 13 is configured to display the list so that programs detected as unnecessary programs are emphasized more than other programs. This allows the user to easily select programs to terminate or restart in order to reduce memory usage and execute program processing, even when the remaining memory is insufficient.

[0047] If the definition data defines programs that have been terminated or restarted as candidates for unnecessary programs, unnecessary programs can be easily selected. Furthermore, the definition data can be automatically updated when a program is terminated or restarted to deal with a memory shortage.

[0048] Furthermore, if the program processing unit 13 is configured to display a list (program list dialog D) of unnecessary programs in such a way that those programs whose memory usage is greater than the memory shortage value are emphasized more than other unnecessary programs, the user's effort (burden) in dealing with memory shortages can be further reduced.

[0049] Furthermore, the information processing system 10 of the present disclosure includes a plurality of the above-described information processing devices 1 and a network 30 that connects the plurality of information processing devices 1 to operate in cooperation with each other, and is configured such that the input / output unit 14 of at least one of the plurality of information processing devices 1 has a function of notifying the other devices of a memory shortage in the information processing device 1 when the information processing device 1 experiences a memory shortage in the information processing device 1, and the program processing unit 13 of at least another of the plurality of information processing devices 1 has a function of displaying on the input / output unit 14 of the information processing device 1 that the other device has a memory shortage when the information processing device 1 experiences a memory shortage in the other device. This allows a user to check which information processing device 1 has a memory shortage from one information processing device 1 without having to attach to each of all the information processing devices 1 in the system.

[0050] In particular, the notification includes the program name and memory usage information for each running program, and if the input / output unit 14 of the other information processing device 1 is configured to display a table for other devices corresponding to the list, it is possible to grasp the memory shortage situation of the other information processing device 1 in more detail from one information processing device 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0051] 1: Information processing device, 10: Information processing system, 11: Program management unit, 12: Unnecessary program detection unit, 13: Program processing unit, 14: Input / output unit, 15: Definition data database, 200: Plant monitoring and control system, 21: Plant control device, 30: Network, D: Program list dialog (list display).

Claims

1. an input / output unit that accepts input / output operations from a user; A program management section that monitors the memory usage and remaining memory of programs executed on the device and determines whether there is a memory shortage; an unwanted program detection unit that detects, based on the definition data, programs that can be terminated or restarted among the running programs as unwanted programs; and a program processing unit that, when it is determined that there is a memory shortage, displays on the input / output unit a list showing the program name and memory usage amount for each of the running programs and an input / output field that allows the user to select an operation process of terminating or restarting each of the running programs, and executes program processing in response to a selection operation by the user; The information processing apparatus is characterized in that the program processing unit displays the list so that the programs detected as unnecessary programs are emphasized more than other programs.

2. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the definition data defines, as the candidate for the unnecessary program, a program that has a history of being terminated or restarted.

3. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the program processing unit displays the list so that, among the unnecessary programs, unnecessary programs whose memory usage amount is greater than the memory shortage value are emphasized more than other unnecessary programs.

4. A plurality of the information processing devices according to claim 1 or 2; a network that connects the plurality of information processing devices to operate in cooperation with each other; the input / output unit of at least one of the information processing devices among the plurality of information processing devices has a function of notifying other devices of a memory shortage in the information processing device when the memory shortage in the information processing device occurs in the information processing device itself; An information processing system characterized in that the program processing unit of at least another information processing device among the multiple information processing devices has a function of, when receiving the notification from another device, displaying on the input / output unit of its own device that there is a memory shortage in the other device.

5. a plurality of the information processing devices according to claim 3; and a network that connects the plurality of information processing devices to operate in cooperation with each other; the input / output unit of at least one of the information processing devices among the plurality of information processing devices has a function of notifying other devices of a memory shortage in the information processing device when the memory shortage in the information processing device occurs in the information processing device itself; An information processing system characterized in that the program processing unit of at least another information processing device among the multiple information processing devices has a function of, when receiving the notification from another device, displaying on the input / output unit of its own device that there is a memory shortage in the other device.

6. The information processing system described in claim 4, characterized in that the notification includes information about the program name and memory usage for each of the running programs, and the input / output unit of the other information processing device displays a table about the other device corresponding to the list.

7. The information processing system described in claim 5, characterized in that the notification includes information about the program name and memory usage for each of the running programs, and the input / output unit of the other information processing device displays a table about the other device corresponding to the list.

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