Abnormal monitoring device, electronic device, abnormal monitoring method, and program

The abnormality monitoring device addresses the challenge of recording and analyzing startup sequence abnormalities by using a CPLD to monitor and log anomalies and a BIOS-driven mechanism to capture this information post-restart, enhancing diagnostic efficiency.

JP7683768B1Active Publication Date: 2025-05-27NEC CORP

Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024025789
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-02-22
Publication Date
2025-05-27
Estimated Expiration
2044-02-22

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing abnormality monitoring systems for industrial devices struggle to accurately record and analyze abnormalities during the startup sequence, making it difficult to determine the cause of issues without physically accessing the device and reproducing the fault.

Method used

An abnormality monitoring device equipped with a CPLD that monitors the startup sequence and records anomaly information, with a BIOS-driven secondary recording mechanism that captures this information after the device restarts, allowing for detailed logging of startup sequence abnormalities.

Benefits of technology

Enables efficient monitoring and recording of startup sequence abnormalities, facilitating quicker analysis and diagnosis of issues without the need for physical device access or reproduction of faults.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

An abnormality monitoring device, electronic device, abnormality monitoring method, and program are provided that are capable of recording information about an abnormality that occurs in a sequence for starting up a monitored device. [Solution] The abnormality monitoring device comprises a memory area and a recording means for monitoring a sequence for starting up a monitored device, and when an abnormality occurs in the sequence, recording information indicating the type of the abnormality in the memory area.
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Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an abnormality monitoring device, an electronic device, an abnormality monitoring method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Industrial computer equipment has a function to save logs of abnormalities (faults) that occur during use of the equipment. The equipment starts collecting logs after the equipment has fully started up or after the OS (Operating System) has started up.

[0003] In the device startup sequence, the device is in a state before power is supplied to the storage unit and startup occurs. Therefore, if an abnormality occurs in the device startup sequence, the status monitoring program installed in the device cannot record a log indicating at which stage of the device startup sequence the abnormality occurred.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a device that identifies a fault by observing a power sequence signal transmitted between a main device and a power supply device when the power supply device that supplies power to the main device is turned on or off. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2018 / 016554 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In order to determine the cause of an abnormality that has occurred in a device, the user must obtain the device on which the abnormality occurred and perform a reproduction test. However, since the user must obtain the device, it takes time to determine the cause, and even if the user can obtain the device, if the same abnormality cannot be reproduced, further investigation is difficult. Therefore, a method for making it easier to determine the cause of an abnormality is desired.

[0007] The device described in Patent Document 1 requires a means for observing a power sequence signal, and the device does not record a log indicating at what stage of the device startup sequence an abnormality occurred.

[0008] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an abnormality monitoring device, an electronic device, an abnormality monitoring method, and a program that solve the above-mentioned problems. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an anomaly monitoring device comprising: a storage area; a recording means for monitoring a sequence for starting up a monitoring target device, and, when an anomaly occurs in the sequence, recording information indicating a type of the anomaly in the storage area; a second storage area different from the storage area, and a second recording means for recording the information in the second storage area by a function of a basic input output system (BIOS) after the monitoring target device is restarted; Equipped with.

[0010] An electronic device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes the abnormality monitoring device described above and a power source.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided an anomaly monitoring method for monitoring a sequence for starting up a monitored device, and when an anomaly occurs in the sequence, a recording unit records information indicating a type of the anomaly in a storage area. After the monitoring target device is restarted, a second recording means records the information in a second storage area different from the storage area by a function of a BIOS (Basic Input Output System). .

[0012] A program according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a recording means for monitoring a sequence for starting up a power source, and when an abnormality occurs in the sequence, recording information indicating a type of the abnormality in a storage area. and , a second storage area different from the storage area, and a second recording means for recording the information in the second storage area by a function of a basic input output system (BIOS) after the monitoring target device is restarted; The computer functions as a Effect of the Invention

[0013] According to the above aspect, it is possible to monitor a sequence for starting up a monitored device and record information about an abnormality that occurs in the sequence. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a computer device according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of a computer device according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a computer device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of a device included in a computer apparatus according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] 1 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a computer device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 1 is a functional block diagram of an abnormality monitoring device according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and common descriptions will be omitted.

[0016] <First embodiment> An embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 shows a hardware configuration of a computer device 100 according to the present embodiment. For example, the computer device 100 is an industrial electronic device.

[0017] The computer device 100 is a computer equipped with various hardware components, such as a central processing unit (CPU) 101, a read only memory (ROM) 102, a random access memory (RAM) 103, other storage devices 104, a display device 105, and the like.

[0018] 2 shows a functional configuration of the computer device 100. The computer device 100 includes a power supply 1, a motherboard 2, a storage unit 3, and a display unit 4.

[0019] The power supply 1 converts AC power supplied from a commercial AC power supply into DC power, and supplies the DC power to the motherboard 2 and the storage unit 3. The motherboard 2 functions as an abnormality monitoring device, and includes a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD) 21 and a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) Flash 22.

[0020] The CPLD 21 can operate in parallel with a device startup sequence for starting up the computer device 100 (monitoring target device) including the motherboard 2 and storage unit 3 when the power supply 1 is turned on. The CPLD 21 includes a memory area 211 in which a program for the device startup sequence is stored. The memory area 211 includes a register in which information regarding an abnormality in the device startup sequence is recorded. The computer device 100 may include a device other than the CPLD that can operate in parallel with the device startup sequence.

[0021] The BIOS Flash 22 includes a storage area 221 in which a BIOS program is stored. The storage area 221 includes an area in which an event log indicating an abnormal state (type) in the device startup sequence is recorded. The BIOS starts after the computer device 100 starts and before the OS 31 starts, and manages and controls the hardware mounted on the computer device 100.

[0022] The storage unit 3 holds a program of the OS 31, and starts operating after the computer device 100 starts up and the BIOS finishes POST (Power-On Self-Test). The display unit 4 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The display unit 4 may be a device independent of the computer device 100.

[0023] The CPLD 21, the BIOS, and programs for implementing the respective functions of the BIOS may be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium. The computer system may read and execute the programs recorded in the recording medium. The term "computer system" as used herein includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The term "computer system" also includes a WWW system equipped with a home page providing environment (or display environment). The term "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, optical magnetic disks, ROMs, and CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into a computer system. The term "computer-readable recording medium" also refers to storage devices that hold a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or client when a program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line.

[0024] The above program may also be transmitted from a computer system in which the program is stored in a storage device or the like to another computer system via a transmission medium, or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" that transmits the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) such as the Internet or a communication line (communication line) such as a telephone line. The above program may also be for realizing part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, it may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0025] Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the computer device 100. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the CPLD 21. The operation of the computer device 100 will be described with reference to Figs.

[0026] When a user turns on the power supply 1 and issues an instruction to start up the computer device 100, the computer device 100 starts a device startup sequence. Some kind of abnormality occurs in the device startup sequence (step S101). Due to the occurrence of the abnormality, the startup of the computer device 100 fails (step S102).

[0027] CPLD 21 monitors the device startup sequence. When an abnormality occurs in the device startup sequence, CPLD 21 sets the "PWRSEQ_TO" bit of the "ErrFct2" register in memory area 211 to 1. The "PWRSEQ_TO" bit indicates the occurrence of an abnormality in the device startup sequence. This causes CPLD 21 to record information indicating the occurrence of an abnormality in memory area 211 (step S201). If the value of the "PWRSEQ_TO" bit is 1, the "PWRSEQ_TO" bit indicates that an abnormality has occurred. If the value of the "PWRSEQ_TO" bit is 0, the "PWRSEQ_TO" bit indicates that no abnormality has occurred.

[0028] At the same time, the CPLD 21 records the status information it holds as "PWRSEQ_TO_ST" in the "PSToSts" register in the memory area 211. "PWRSEQ_TO_ST" indicates the status code when an abnormality occurs in the device startup sequence. As a result, the CPLD 21 records information indicating the specific status of the abnormality in the memory area 211 (step S202).

[0029] After the startup of the computer device 100 fails, the user manually forcibly turns off the power supply 1 and then turns it on again. The computer device 100 restarts the device startup sequence to restart the computer device 100 (step S103).

[0030] If the device startup sequence ends normally and the computer device 100 starts (YES in step S104), the BIOS in the BIOS Flash 22 starts and starts the POST (step S105). If the device startup sequence does not end normally (terminates abnormally) and the startup of the computer device 100 fails again (NO in step S104), the BIOS does not start. Therefore, the BIOS does not record information about the abnormality in the device startup sequence in the event log.

[0031] After the BIOS starts the POST, the BIOS checks the value of the "PWRSEQ_TO" bit in the "ErrFct2" register in the memory area 211 during the execution of the POST (step S106). If the value of the "PWRSEQ_TO" bit is 0, the BIOS does not record information about an abnormality in the device startup sequence in the event log.

[0032] If the value of the "PWRSEQ_TO" bit is 1, the BIOS checks "PWRSEQ_TO_ST" in the "PSToSts" register in the memory area 211, and acquires the status code indicated by "PWRSEQ_TO_ST". For example, if the status code indicates "ST_CPU", the status code indicates the occurrence of an abnormality in the CPU 101. The BIOS displays a POST error corresponding to the status code on the display unit 4. For example, the POST error indicates an abnormality in the voltage or temperature of the CPU 101 (step S107). The BIOS also records the POST error in the event log in the memory area 221 (step S108). The order of steps S107 and S108 is arbitrary.

[0033] Thereafter, the OS 31 starts operating, and the user is able to use the computer device 100 .

[0034] Fig. 5 shows a modified example of the overall operation of the computer device 100 shown in Fig. 3. In Fig. 5, the description of the same parts as in Fig. 3 will be omitted, and only the parts different from Fig. 3 will be described.

[0035] After the BIOS starts the POST in step S105, the BIOS executes step S107 without checking the value of the "PWRSEQ_TO" bit in the "ErrFct2" register. Otherwise, FIG. 5 is the same as FIG.

[0036] In the above example, the storage area 211 of the CPLD 21 holds information about abnormalities in the device startup sequence. The information may be held in a storage area of ​​a device other than the CPLD 21. Also, in the above example, the storage area 221 of the BIOS Flash 22 holds an event log. The event log may be held in a storage area of ​​a device other than the BIOS Flash 22.

[0037] The computer device 100 of this embodiment can record information about an abnormality that occurs in the device startup sequence in the storage area 211. In addition, since the BIOS records the abnormality information as an event log in the storage area 221, the user can operate the BIOS menu screen and display the event log on the external display unit of the computer device 100, thereby more quickly analyzing the cause of the abnormality.

[0038] By using the CPLD 21, the computer device 100 can easily record information about an abnormality that occurs during the device startup sequence.

[0039] The CPLD 21 records the abnormality information in the storage area 211 of the CPLD 21. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate storage device for recording the abnormality information.

[0040] The BIOS records the event log in the storage area 221 of the BIOS Flash 22. Therefore, there is no need to provide a separate storage device for recording the event log.

[0041] <Second embodiment> Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 6 shows a functional configuration of an anomaly monitoring device 101 according to the present embodiment.

[0042] The abnormality monitoring device 101 includes a recording means 5 and a memory area 6. It monitors a sequence for starting up a monitored device, and when an abnormality occurs in the sequence, the recording means 5 records information indicating the type of abnormality in the memory area 6. The abnormality monitoring device 101 can record information about an abnormality that occurs in the sequence for starting up a monitored device.

[0043] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by a person skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be appropriately combined with other embodiments.

[0044] A part or all of the above-described embodiments may be described as, but is not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0045] (Appendix 1) A storage area; a recording means for monitoring a sequence for starting up a monitoring target device, and when an abnormality occurs in the sequence, for recording information indicating a type of the abnormality in the storage area; Equipped with Abnormality monitoring device.

[0046] (Appendix 2) a second storage area different from the storage area; a second recording means for recording the information in the second storage area by a function of a basic input output system (BIOS) after the monitoring target device is restarted; Equipped with 2. The anomaly monitoring device according to claim 1.

[0047] (Appendix 3) a display unit that displays the information by a function of a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) after the monitored device is restarted; 3. The abnormality monitoring device according to claim 1 or 2.

[0048] (Appendix 4) The recording means records, in the storage area, first information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality and second information indicating a type of the abnormality; When the first information is recorded in the storage area, the second recording means acquires the second information from the storage area and records the second information in the second storage area. 4. The abnormality monitoring device according to claim 2 or 3.

[0049] (Appendix 5) The recording means is a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD). 5. An abnormality monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0050] (Appendix 6) The storage area is a storage area within the CPLD. 6. The anomaly monitoring device according to claim 5.

[0051] (Appendix 7) before a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is started, the recording means records the information in the memory area; 7. An abnormality monitoring device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

[0052] (Appendix 8) An abnormality monitoring device according to any one of appendixes 1 to 7; Power supply, An electronic device comprising:

[0053] (Appendix 9) a second storage area different from the storage area; a second recording means for recording the information in the second storage area by a function of a basic input output system (BIOS) after the monitoring target device is restarted; Equipped with 9. The electronic device according to claim 8.

[0054] (Appendix 10) a display unit that displays the information by a function of a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) after the monitored device is restarted; 10. The electronic device according to claim 8 or 9.

[0055] (Appendix 11) The recording means records, in the storage area, first information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality and second information indicating a type of the abnormality; When the first information is recorded in the storage area, the second recording means acquires the second information from the storage area and records the second information in the second storage area. 11. The electronic device according to claim 9 or 10.

[0056] (Appendix 12) The recording means is a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD). 12. The electronic device according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

[0057] (Appendix 13) The storage area is a storage area within the CPLD. 13. The electronic device according to claim 12.

[0058] (Appendix 14) before a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is started, the recording means records the information in the memory area; 14. The electronic device according to any one of claims 8 to 13.

[0059] (Appendix 15) a sequence for starting up the monitored device is monitored, and when an abnormality occurs in the sequence, a recording means records information indicating the type of the abnormality in a storage area; Anomaly monitoring method.

[0060] (Appendix 16) After the monitoring target device is restarted, a second recording means records the information in a second memory area different from the memory area by a function of a BIOS (Basic Input Output System). 16. The anomaly monitoring method according to claim 15.

[0061] (Appendix 17) After the monitoring target device is restarted, a display means displays the information by a function of a BIOS (Basic Input Output System). 17. The abnormality monitoring method according to claim 15 or 16.

[0062] (Appendix 18) The recording means records, in the storage area, first information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality and second information indicating a type of the abnormality; When the first information is recorded in the storage area, the second recording means acquires the second information from the storage area and records the second information in the second storage area. 18. The abnormality monitoring method according to claim 16 or 17.

[0063] (Appendix 19) The recording means is a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD). 19. An abnormality monitoring method according to any one of appendix 15 to 18.

[0064] (Appendix 20) The storage area is a storage area within the CPLD. 20. The anomaly monitoring method according to claim 19.

[0065] (Appendix 21) before a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is started, the recording means records the information in the memory area; 21. The abnormality monitoring method according to any one of appendix 15 to 20.

[0066] (Appendix 22) a recording means for monitoring a sequence for starting up a monitoring target device, and when an abnormality occurs in the sequence, for recording information indicating the type of the abnormality in a storage area; A program that makes a computer function as a

[0067] (Appendix 23) After the monitoring target device is restarted, the computer is caused to function as a second recording means for recording the information in a second storage area different from the storage area by a function of a Basic Input Output System (BIOS). 23. The program according to claim 22.

[0068] (Appendix 24) After the monitoring target device is restarted, the computer is caused to function as a display unit that displays the information by a function of a Basic Input Output System (BIOS). 24. The program according to claim 22 or 23.

[0069] (Appendix 25) recording, in the storage area, first information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality and second information indicating a type of the abnormality; When the first information is recorded in the storage area, the second information is obtained from the storage area and recorded in the second storage area. 25. The program according to claim 23 or 24.

[0070] (Appendix 26) The information is recorded in the storage area by using a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD). 26. The program of any one of appendix 22 to 25.

[0071] (Appendix 27) The storage area is a storage area within the CPLD. 27. The program according to claim 26.

[0072] (Appendix 28) before a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) is started, the information is recorded in the storage area; 28. The program of any one of appendix 22 to 27. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 1 power supply 2 Motherboard 3. Storage section 4 Display section 5. Recording Method 6,211,221 storage area 21 CPLD 22 BIOS Flash 31 OS 100 Computer equipment 101 Abnormality monitoring device

Claims

1. A storage area; a recording means for monitoring a sequence for starting up a monitoring target device, and when an abnormality occurs in the sequence, recording information indicating a type of the abnormality in the storage area; a second storage area different from the storage area; a second recording means for recording the information in the second storage area by a function of a basic input output system (BIOS) after the monitoring target device is restarted; Equipped with Abnormality monitoring device.

2. a display unit that displays the information by a function of the BIOS after the monitored device is restarted; The abnormality monitoring device according to claim 1 .

3. the recording means records in the storage area first information indicating the occurrence of the abnormality and second information indicating a type of the abnormality; When the first information is recorded in the storage area, the second recording means obtains the second information from the storage area and records the second information in the second storage area. The abnormality monitoring device according to claim 1 .

4. The recording means is a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD). The abnormality monitoring device according to claim 1 .

5. The storage area is a storage area within the CPLD. The abnormality monitoring device according to claim 4.

6. Before the BIOS starts, the recording means records the information in the memory area. The abnormality monitoring device according to claim 1 .

7. The abnormality monitoring device according to claim 1 ; Power supply, An electronic device comprising:

8. monitoring a sequence for starting up a monitoring target device, and when an abnormality occurs in the sequence, a recording means records information indicating the type of the abnormality in a storage area; After the monitoring target device is restarted, a second recording means records the information in a second memory area different from the memory area by a function of a Basic Input Output System (BIOS). Anomaly monitoring method.

9. a recording means for monitoring a sequence for starting up a monitoring target device, and when an abnormality occurs in the sequence, for recording information indicating the type of the abnormality in a storage area; a second storage area different from the storage area; a second recording means for recording the information in the second storage area by a function of a basic input output system (BIOS) after the monitoring target device is restarted; A program that makes a computer function as a

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