Log Memory Preservation During Processor Abnormality Reset

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Solution Overview

Problem

In information processing apparatuses, log information stored in a log memory may be undesirably deleted due to finite storage capacity, especially when abnormalities occur in the operation of a log obtaining target device, leading to loss of critical log data.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus with a log memory and a processor that sets a flag indicating an abnormality in the log obtaining target device, stops logging, and maintains existing log information in the log memory before resetting the device, ensuring that log information is preserved during abnormal operations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the log memory continues to store new log information after an abnormality occurs, then the storage capacity is fully utilized, but the log information at the time of abnormality may be deleted due to finite storage capacity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelog information storage capacityVSAvoidlog information deletion

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by stopping log information acquisition at the detection moment of abnormal operation, and preserving the log memory content before reset. This ensures that the log information at the time of abnormality is protected from being overwritten by subsequent log entries, while still allowing the memory to be used for normal operations afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the log memory is reset along with the device, then the device can be restarted cleanly, but the log information stored in the memory is deleted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice reset reliabilityVSAvoidlog information loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the reset operation into two independent parts: resetting the device (processor/peripheral device) and preserving the log memory content. By separating these operations, the device can be restarted cleanly while the log information remains intact in the log memory, avoiding simultaneous deletion of both.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Before performing the device reset, the system takes preliminary action by preserving the log information in the log memory. This ensures that when the reset occurs, the log data is already protected and will not be lost, while still allowing the device to be restarted successfully.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If log information is continuously obtained after abnormality detection, then the monitoring function is maintained, but critical log data at abnormality time may be overwritten

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelog monitoring continuityVSAvoidcritical log data loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

At the moment abnormal operation is detected, the system performs a preliminary action by stopping log information acquisition and preserving the current log memory content. This ensures that critical log data at the time of abnormality is protected from being overwritten by subsequent log entries, while allowing continuous monitoring to resume afterward.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system converts the potential harm of continuous logging (which could overwrite critical data) into a benefit by using the stopping mechanism to preserve the exact state of log information at the time of abnormality. This preserved state becomes valuable diagnostic information, while the ability to continue monitoring afterward maintains productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentUS20240281345A1Information processing apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium

Publication Date: 2024.08.22 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a log memory and a processor configured to obtain log information indicating an operation status of a log obtaining target device, which is at least a monitored processor or a peripheral device, which is a device in the information processing apparatus other than the monitored processor, and store the log information in the log memory, set a flag indicating occurrence of an abnormality in operation of the log obtaining target device in accordance with absence of an initialization signal input from the monitored processor within a certain period or an abnormality signal indicating occurrence of an abnormality in operation of the peripheral device input from the monitored processor, stop, on a basis of the flag, obtaining the log information and cause the log memory to maintain the log information obtained so far before the log obtaining target device in the operation of which the abnormality has occurred is reset, and perform, without resetting the log memory after stopping obtaining the log information, reset control for resetting the log obtaining target device in the operation of which the abnormality has occurred.