Electronic device and display device

Abstract

To provide an electronic device and display device that can display fault locations and other information even when the power supply is cut off.SOLUTION: An electronic device of an embodiment includes: a monitoring unit configured to monitor its own operating state; a recording unit configured to record, as a log, monitoring results of the monitoring unit; a display information generation unit configured to generate display information including fault information indicating its own fault location based on the log; and a non-volatile display unit configured to be able to maintain its display even without any power supply so as to display the display information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to an electronic device and a display device. [Background technology]

[0002] Electronic devices, such as computers used in the industrial field, have the function of displaying their operating status using LEDs, display panels, etc. When a malfunction occurs in an electronic device, the LEDs, display panels, etc. notify the user of the malfunction. The user or maintenance personnel can identify the location of the malfunction based on the contents displayed by the LEDs or display panels and perform repair or maintenance work.

[0003] However, LEDs and display panels require a power source to operate. In other words, if the power to an electronic device is turned off or the device has stopped functioning, the operating status cannot be displayed. Therefore, if an electronic device is turned off due to a malfunction, it is necessary to turn the power on and start the device in order to identify the malfunction.

[0004] However, if the power supply system of an electronic device is faulty, the LEDs and display panel cannot be driven. In particular, turning on an electronic device with a faulty power supply system without any modification poses a safety risk. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-93484 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-154215 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 4-152734 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 8-83199 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As described above, conventional electronic devices and display devices display their operating status using LEDs or display panels that require power supply, and therefore have the problem of not being able to display the operating status if the power supply is cut off due to a malfunction, etc. The electronic device and display device of the embodiment have been made to solve this problem, and have an object to provide an electronic device and display device that can display the location of a malfunction, etc., even if the power supply is cut off. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The electronic device of the embodiment includes a monitoring unit that monitors its own operating status, a recording unit that records the monitoring results of the monitoring unit as a log, a display information generation unit that generates display information including failure information indicating the location of the failure based on the log, and a non-volatile display unit that is configured to be able to maintain the display without receiving a power supply and displays the display information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of an electronic device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an outline of the appearance of a nonvolatile display unit of the electronic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 1 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an electronic device according to a first embodiment. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic device according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an electronic device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a display device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an outline of the appearance of a display device according to a second embodiment. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic device and the display device according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] (First embodiment) The electronic device of the first embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the electronic device of the first embodiment. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of the appearance of a nonvolatile display unit of the electronic device of the first embodiment. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the electronic device of the first embodiment.

[0010] As shown in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 of this embodiment has a housing 10a having, for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The housing 10a is a case including a front panel 10b, side panels 10c, a top panel 10d, and a back panel and a bottom panel (not shown). The front panel 10b is a panel that appears on the front side when the electronic device 1 is housed in a rack. The front panel 10b may be provided with, for example, an opening for housing devices such as an operation switch or a hard disk drive. The front panel 10b may also be provided with an LED display unit that indicates the operating status of the electronic device 1.

[0011] A display window 10e is provided on the top panel 10d of the electronic device 1 of the embodiment. The display window 10e is a transparent window that allows the user to refer to displayed information during maintenance and inspection of the electronic device 1. The display window 10e is provided in a position that allows the user to refer to the information when the top panel 10d is exposed during maintenance and inspection. The position of the display window 10e is not limited to the top panel 10d. The display window 10e may also be provided on the front panel 10b.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 2, the display window 10e is disposed in a position where the nonvolatile display unit 109 can be seen. The nonvolatile display unit 109 is a display device configured to be able to maintain a display without receiving a power supply, and an example of such a display device is electronic paper. The nonvolatile display unit 109 consumes almost no power except when rewriting the display, and does not require a power supply to maintain the display.

[0013] In the example shown in FIG. 2, non-volatile display unit 109 displays main body information indicating the model number of electronic device 1, fault location (information) indicating the location where a malfunction or failure has occurred in electronic device 1 and its details, main body status (information) indicating the status of electronic device 1, and fault date and time (information) indicating the date and time when the malfunction or failure occurred. Examples of fault location information include "RAID controller stopped" and "fan stopped." Examples of main body status information include "temperature information." Non-volatile display unit 109 maintains its display even when electronic device 1 is not operating.

[0014] 3, the electronic device 1 includes a calculation unit 101, a main memory unit 102, a status monitoring unit 103, an auxiliary memory unit 104, an input unit 105, an output unit 106, a display information generation unit 107, a display control unit 108, and a non-volatile display unit 109. The electronic device 1 can be realized by, for example, a computer device.

[0015] The calculation unit 101 is a functional element, such as a CPU, that executes programs and performs various controls. The main memory unit 102 is a functional element, such as a volatile memory, that temporarily stores programs executed by the calculation unit 101 and provides a program execution area for the calculation unit 101.

[0016] The status monitoring unit 103 is a functional element that monitors the operating status of the entire electronic device 1 and each functional element. The status monitoring unit 103 can be realized by, for example, a function such as an event log or a crash log provided by an operating system (OS). The status monitoring unit 103 records the monitoring results in the auxiliary storage unit 104, which will be described later. The monitoring results of the status monitoring unit 103 include at least information indicating the location of a failure when the electronic device 1 crashes, etc., and examples of such information include main unit information, failure location information, main unit status information, and failure date and time information.

[0017] The auxiliary storage unit 104 is a functional element, such as a hard disk drive or a semiconductor drive, that stores programs and data executed by the calculation unit 101. The auxiliary storage unit 104 stores the monitoring results of the status monitoring unit 103 as an event log or a crash log.

[0018] The input unit 105 is an input interface that receives information sent from a user or other devices. Examples of the input unit 105 include a keyboard, a mouse, an external drive device, and a network device.

[0019] The output unit 106 is an output interface that sends information to a user or other devices. Examples of the output unit 106 include an external display device, a printer, an external drive device, and a network device.

[0020] The display information generation unit 107 is a functional element that generates display information to be displayed by the non-volatile display unit 109 based on the monitoring results of the status monitoring unit 103 and the monitoring results recorded in the auxiliary storage unit 104. The display information generation unit 107 may generate the display information in real time based on the monitoring results of the status monitoring unit 103, or may generate the display information based on the monitoring results recorded in the auxiliary storage unit 104 at a predetermined timing. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the display information includes fault location information, main body status information indicating the status of the electronic device 1, and fault date and time information indicating the date and time when the relevant situation, such as a fault, occurred. The display information may further include information useful for maintenance, such as an error code.

[0021] The display control unit 108 is a functional element that causes the nonvolatile display unit 109 to generate display information. The display control unit 108 functions as a driver that causes the nonvolatile display unit 109 to function as an external display device.

[0022] Nonvolatile display unit 109 is a display device configured to be able to maintain a display without receiving a power supply. Nonvolatile display unit 109 displays display information under the control of display control unit 108. Nonvolatile display unit 109 consumes power when displaying new display information, but once the display information is displayed, it does not consume power to maintain the display unless the display information changes. In other words, nonvolatile display unit 109 can be realized by so-called electronic paper.

[0023] The nonvolatile display unit 109 functions as an external display device. That is, the nonvolatile display unit 109 has a pixel addressing function that enables rewriting of the display. The display method of the nonvolatile display unit 109 can employ various conventionally proposed methods. Examples include an electrophoretic method, an electronic liquid powder method, an electrowetting method, and a cholesteric liquid crystal method.

[0024] Next, an example of the operation of the electronic device 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic device according to the first embodiment.

[0025] When the electronic device 1 is in an operating state, the status monitoring unit 103 monitors the operation and status of each element constituting the electronic device 1 (S110). The status monitoring unit 103 records the monitoring results as a system log or a crash log in the auxiliary storage unit 104 (S120). The monitoring results may be recorded in a storage area within the system as a function of the operating system.

[0026] The display information generation unit 107 generates display information to be displayed on the non-volatile display unit 109 based on the monitoring results of the status monitoring unit 103 (S130). The display information may be generated in real time directly from the monitoring results of the status monitoring unit 103, or may be generated at a predetermined timing from the monitoring results recorded in the auxiliary storage unit 104. The display information includes information indicating at least the location of a failure in the components of the electronic device 1. The display information generated by the display information generation unit 107 may be stored in the auxiliary storage unit 104. The display information generation unit 107 may update the display information to new display information every time a change occurs in the display information, or may generate new display information by adding information about the changed part to past display information. In other words, the display information may include past history depending on the display size of the non-volatile display unit 109.

[0027] The display control unit 108 displays the display information on the non-volatile display unit 109 (S140). The non-volatile display unit 109 may display the latest display information every time the display information is updated, or may add new display information to the past display information as a history and display it.

[0028] If there is no abnormality in the system and the electronic device 1 is operating normally (No in S150), the status monitoring unit 103 monitors the status and records the log, the display information generating unit 107 generates display information, and the display control unit 108 displays the information (S110 to S140).

[0029] If the power supply to the electronic device 1 is cut off due to a system failure, or if the electronic device 1 is not operating normally due to a system failure or runaway (Yes in S150), the nonvolatile display unit 109 continues to display the display information as is (S160). That is, even if the display information generation unit 107 and the display control unit 108 stop functioning due to a power loss or system malfunction of the electronic device 1, the last updated display information and its history continue to be displayed on the nonvolatile display unit 109.

[0030] In this way, the electronic device 1 of this embodiment generates display information based on the event log and crash log generated by the status monitoring unit 103, and displays the display information on the non-volatile display unit 109. When the electronic device 1 stops functioning due to a crash or the like, the non-volatile display unit 109 continues to display the latest event log or crash log or the latest event log or crash log at a predetermined timing.

[0031] Even if the power to the electronic device 1 is turned off due to a system crash (or if the system goes out of control and stops operating), the non-volatile display unit 109 continues to display the contents of the last displayed event log or crash log. This allows the user to infer the cause of the failure from the display without having to start or restart the electronic device 1. Because the event log or crash log contains information indicating at least the location of the system failure, the user can immediately begin repairing the electronic device 1 or arranging for the failed parts.

[0032] Furthermore, the electronic device 1 of this embodiment can inform the user of the cause and location of the failure without turning on the power supply or the system, thereby preventing a situation in which the system is started without identifying the location of the failure, thereby expanding the location of the failure.

[0033] (Second embodiment) Next, an electronic device and a display device according to a second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Figs. 5 to 7. In this embodiment, a nonvolatile display unit is configured to be detachable from the electronic device according to the first embodiment. In the following description, elements common to the first embodiment are designated by common reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions will be omitted. Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an electronic device according to the second embodiment. Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a display device according to the second embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an outline of the appearance of a display device according to the second embodiment.

[0034] 5, the electronic device 1a of this embodiment differs from the electronic device 1 of the first embodiment in that it does not include a nonvolatile display unit 109 but includes an interface (I / F) unit 106a, but other functional configurations of the electronic device 1a are common to the electronic device 1 of the first embodiment. The electronic device 1a is configured to be connectable to a display device 2 via the interface unit 106a. The display device 2 has the function of the nonvolatile display unit 109 in the first embodiment.

[0035] The interface unit 106a is an external interface connected to the output unit 106. The interface unit 106a is configured to be connectable to the display device 2. The interface unit 106a can be realized by an interface that can connect external devices, such as those conforming to the USB (registered trademark) standard or various bus standards.

[0036] The display device 2 is a display device configured to be connectable (detachable) to the electronic device 1a. As shown in Fig. 6, the display device 2 includes a calculation unit 201, a storage unit 202, an input unit 205, a touch panel unit 206, a display information generation unit 207, a display control unit 208, a power supply unit BT, and a non-volatile display unit 209.

[0037] The calculation unit 201 is a functional element that executes input processing of the touch panel unit 206 and the like, and realizes the functions in cooperation with a main memory unit and an auxiliary memory unit (not shown).

[0038] The storage unit 202 is a functional element capable of storing the execution results of the programs executed by the calculation unit 101 of the electronic device 1a, and can be realized by, for example, a non-volatile memory. The storage unit 202 can store the monitoring results of the status monitoring unit 103 of the electronic device 1a as a log.

[0039] The input unit 205 is an input interface that can receive information sent from the electronic device 1a. The input unit 205 has a protocol that allows communication with the electronic device 1a via the interface unit 106a of the electronic device 1a.

[0040] The touch panel unit 206 is an input interface that can receive information from a user. The touch panel unit 206 may be configured integrally with a display panel of the nonvolatile display unit 209, which will be described later.

[0041] The display information generation unit 207 is a functional element (information addition unit) that generates display information to be displayed by the non-volatile display unit 209 based on the information received by the touch panel unit 206 and the display information generated by the display information generation unit 107 of the electronic device 1a. The non-volatile display unit 209 displays the display information generated by the display information generation unit 107 of the electronic device 1a, but when the touch panel unit 206 receives information, it can combine the display information generated by the display information generation unit 107 with the display information received by the touch panel unit 206 to generate new display information.

[0042] The display control unit 208 is a functional element that causes the nonvolatile display unit 209 to display display information, and corresponds to and has common functions with the display control unit 108 of the first embodiment. The display control unit 208 functions as a driver that causes the nonvolatile display unit 209 to function as an external display device.

[0043] The nonvolatile display unit 209 is a display device configured to be able to maintain display without receiving a power supply, and corresponds to and has common functions with the nonvolatile display unit 109 of the first embodiment. The display of the nonvolatile display unit 209 may be controlled by the display control unit 108 of the electronic device 1a, or may be controlled by the display control unit 208 of the display device 2.

[0044] The power supply unit BT is a power supply source that drives the calculation unit 201 and the touch panel unit 206. If the touch panel unit 206 can acquire information without a power supply, the power supply unit BT is unnecessary. An example of the power supply BT is a battery. Instead of being provided with the power supply unit BT, the display device 2 may receive a power supply via the interface unit 106a.

[0045] Next, an example of the operation of the electronic device 1a and the display device 2 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 7 and 8. Figure 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the electronic device and the display device according to the second embodiment.

[0046] When the electronic device 1a is in an operating state, the status monitoring unit 103 monitors the operation of the elements that make up the electronic device 1a (S110). The status monitoring unit 103 records the monitoring results as a system log or a crash log in the storage unit 202 of the display device 2 (S121). The status monitoring unit 103 may also record the monitoring results in the auxiliary storage unit 104.

[0047] The display information generation unit 107 generates display information to be displayed on the non-volatile display unit 209 based on the monitoring results of the status monitoring unit 103 recorded in the storage unit 202 (S131). The display information may be generated in real time or at a predetermined timing. The display information includes at least information indicating the location of a failure in the components of the electronic device 1a. The display information generated by the display information generation unit 107 may be stored in the storage unit 202 or the auxiliary storage unit 104. The display information generation unit 107 may replace the display information with new display information every time a change occurs in the display information, or may generate new display information by adding information about the change to past display information. In other words, the display information may include past history depending on the display size of the non-volatile display unit 209.

[0048] The display control unit 108 displays the display information on the nonvolatile display unit 209 (S141). The nonvolatile display unit 209 may display the latest display information every time the display information is updated, or may add new display information to display past display information as history. The display control unit 208 may display the display information on the nonvolatile display unit 209 instead of the display control unit 108.

[0049] If there is no abnormality in the system and the electronic device 1 is operating normally (No in S150), the status monitoring unit 103 monitors the status and records the log, the display information generating unit 107 generates display information, and the display control unit 108 displays the information (S110 to S141).

[0050] When the power supply to the electronic device 1a is cut off due to a system failure, or when the electronic device 1a is not operating normally due to a system failure or runaway (Yes in S150), the non-volatile display unit 209 continues to display the display information (S161). That is, even if the display information generation unit 107 and the display control unit 108 stop functioning due to a power loss or system malfunction of the electronic device 1a, the last updated display information and its history continue to be displayed on the non-volatile display unit 209. The user can perform maintenance work by referring to the non-volatile display unit 209.

[0051] Touch panel unit 206 waits for information input from the user (S170). That is, as a result of the user referring to nonvolatile display unit 209, the user can input work records and the like into display device 2 through touch panel unit 206. If there is no input, nonvolatile display unit 209 continues to display the display information (No in S170, S161).

[0052] When touch panel unit 206 accepts input of information (Yes in S170), display information generation unit 207 of display device 2 generates display information according to the input content (S180). Display information generation unit 207 may update the display information generated by display information generation unit 107 and stored in storage unit 202, or may add the input content to the display information generated by display information generation unit 107 to generate new display information.

[0053] Examples of information received by the touch panel unit 206 include details of maintenance work corresponding to the displayed information, checkbox checkbox information, and memo information. The touch panel unit 206 is driven by the power supply unit BT. Therefore, it can receive user input even when the display device 2 is detached from the electronic device 1a. FIG. 7 shows the non-volatile display unit 209 of the display device 2. In the example shown in FIG. 7, the displayed information includes main unit information, fault location information, main unit status information, and fault date and time information. The checkbox function of the touch panel unit 206 is also shown, and a check mark is displayed in the displayed information in response to an input into the checkbox by the user. That is, the information input through the touch panel unit 206 is displayed on the non-volatile display unit 209.

[0054] The user can connect the display device 2 to an interface unit of another electronic device (not shown) (S190). The storage unit 202 records the monitoring results of the status monitoring unit 103. That is, the other electronic device to which the display device 2 is connected can read the contents of the event log and crash log, including information indicating the location of the failure, from the storage unit 202 of the display device 2.

[0055] In this way, the electronic device 1a of this embodiment generates display information based on the event log and crash log generated by the status monitoring unit 103, and displays the display information on the non-volatile display unit 209 of the display device 2. When the electronic device 1a stops functioning due to a crash, the display device 2 can be removed from the electronic device 1a, and the non-volatile display unit 209 of the display device 2 continues to display the latest event log or crash log at a predetermined timing.

[0056] Even when the display device 2 is removed from the electronic device 1a, the non-volatile display unit 209 continues to display the contents of the last displayed event log or crash log. This allows the user to infer the cause of the failure from the display without having to start or restart the electronic device 1a. Because the event log or crash log contains information indicating at least the location of the system failure, the user can immediately begin repairing the electronic device 1a or arranging for the failed parts.

[0057] Furthermore, the electronic device 1a of this embodiment can inform the user of the cause and location of the failure without turning on the power supply or the system, thereby preventing a situation in which the system is turned on without identifying the location of the failure, thereby expanding the location of the failure.

[0058] Furthermore, since the display device 2 of this embodiment is equipped with a touch panel unit 206 and a display information generating unit 207, it is possible for the user to input (record) information corresponding to a malfunction even when the electronic device 1a is not functioning. This record is displayed on the non-volatile display unit 209 of the display device 2, so the display can be maintained even when the display device 2 is detached from the electronic device 1a. This makes it possible to prevent oversights and mistakes in maintenance work.

[0059] Furthermore, in the display device 2 of this embodiment, an event log and a crash log containing information indicating the location of the failure in the electronic device 1a are recorded in the storage unit 202. If the display device 2 is connected to another electronic device, the other electronic device can access the storage unit 202 of the display device 2. In other words, the display device 2 functions as a storage medium for the event log and the cache log, making it possible to check the location of the failure in the electronic device 1a and its details from the other electronic device. Furthermore, when the electronic device 1a is restored, the logs stored in the storage unit 202 can be recorded in the auxiliary storage unit 104 of the electronic device 1a, and the logs before and after the failure can be compared, which can be useful for future maintenance work.

[0060] In the above description, the monitoring results of the status monitoring unit 103 of the electronic device 1a are recorded in the storage unit 202 of the display device 2, but this is not limiting. The monitoring results of the status monitoring unit 103 may also be recorded in the auxiliary storage unit 104 of the electronic device 1a. In the above description, the display device 2 is described as having a monitoring result recording function by the storage unit 202, a display information generation function by the display information generation unit 207, and a display control function by the display control unit 208, but this is not limiting. For example, the display device 2 may be configured to have only the non-volatile display unit 209, and the display device 2 having only the display function may be configured to be detachable from the electronic device 1a.

[0061] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0062] 1, 1a...electronic device, 2...display device, 10a...housing, 10b...front panel, 10c...side panel, 10d...top panel, 10e...display window, 101, 201...arithmetic unit, 102...main memory unit, 103...status monitoring unit, 104...auxiliary memory unit, 105, 205...input unit, 106...output unit, 106a...interface unit, 107, 207...display information generation unit, 108, 208...display control unit, 109, 209...non-volatile display unit, 202...storage unit, 206...touch panel unit, BT...power supply unit

Claims

1. a monitoring unit that monitors its own operating state; a recording unit that records the monitoring result of the monitoring unit as a log; a display information generating unit that generates display information including failure information indicating a failure location of the device itself based on the log; a nonvolatile display unit configured to be able to maintain display without receiving power supply and display the display information; Electronic equipment equipped with

2. 2. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the nonvolatile display unit is configured to be removable from the electronic device while maintaining the display of the information.

3. 3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein the recording unit is configured to be removable from the electronic device together with the nonvolatile display unit.

4. the nonvolatile display unit includes an input unit capable of receiving information corresponding to the display information; The display information generation unit generates, as the display information, information further including the information received by the input unit.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2,

5. A display device connectable to an electronic device, the display device comprising: a monitoring unit that monitors its own operating state; a recording unit that records the monitoring results of the monitoring unit as a log; and a display information generating unit that generates display information including failure information indicating a failure location of the electronic device based on the log, A display device comprising a nonvolatile display unit configured to be able to maintain a display without receiving a power supply and displaying the display information.

6. 6. The display device according to claim 5, further comprising a storage unit capable of storing the log.

7. an input unit capable of receiving information corresponding to the display information; an information addition unit that adds the information received by the input unit to the display information; 6. The display device according to claim 5, further comprising:

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