JPH0283644A - Electronic equipment using nonvolatile memory - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a system from going down by writing information representing abnormality when it occurs in the storage content of a setting table on the prescribed address of the setting table, and rewriting information data by selecting a null setting table based on the presence/absence of the information. CONSTITUTION:A nonvolatile memory 1 as a storage means is constituted to be divided into plural setting tables, and stores and holds every kind of information required for a prescribed processing. A control means 2 is provided with a data discrimination means 5, an abnormality information write means 6, an abnormality information discrimination means 7, and a setting table designation means 8. When the abnormality occurs in the storage content of the setting table and the table is judged as an abnormal table, the information representing the fact of the abnormality is written on the prescribed address of the table, and the null setting table is selected based on the presence/absence of the information, then, the rewrite of the information data is performed. In such a way, it is possible to prevent system down from occurring due to operation defect such as a write error, etc., and to easily perform the rewrite and the read-out of every kind of information data stored in the inside.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an electronic device using a non-volatile memory such as an EEFROM for storing various information data necessary for performing predetermined processing. be.

[Prior Art] For example, when performing a predetermined process in an electronic device, a RAM, which is a volatile memory, is generally used to store various information data necessary for the process. An advantage of using this RAM is that information data can be stored and retained by using a backup source, and the data can be rewritten as necessary.

However, when this RAM is used, the information data is stored and retained by the backup power supply, so if the backup Tf and the signal from the source are cut off by an external signal, all the information data will be lost. However, there was a problem in that the 1A contact system went down.

In order to solve this problem, for example, an EEPROM, which is a non-volatile memory that does not require a backup power source and can store and retain information data, is used. When using this memory to rewrite the information data stored internally, write the new information data that you want to store, and after completing this old data, read out the contents and check whether it was written correctly or not. We are currently checking.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] By the way, the above-mentioned non-volatile memory has a finite writing life (for example, about 10,000 times in the case of EEPROM), and since the lifespan varies depending on the parts, it is not actually guaranteed. If the memory reaches its end of life before it reaches its end and is used as is in a device, a write error may occur when rewriting information data, and there is a risk of malfunction.

In addition, this type of memory may cause write errors due to the influence of ambient temperature conditions (for example, when the ambient temperature is high), so if this memory is used as a memory whose internal information data is rewritten like RAM, When used, there is a problem that essential information data that affects processing may be lost due to the above-mentioned write error, leading to a system down.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to rewrite and read various information data stored internally without causing a system down due to malfunctions such as write errors. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device using nonvolatile memory that can be easily implemented.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, an electronic device using a nonvolatile memory according to the present invention divides a setting table that stores various information data necessary for performing predetermined processing into a plurality of parts. In preparation for this, when an abnormality occurs in the storage contents of the setting table, input information indicating this to a predetermined address in one of the setting tables, and select the setting table based on the presence or absence of the information. This feature is characterized in that the information data is rewritten by the user.

[Operation] When an abnormality occurs in the stored contents of the setting table and the table is determined to be an abnormal table, information indicating the abnormality is written to a predetermined address of the table. below,
Based on the presence or absence of this information, an empty setting table is selected and the information data is rewritten.

[Implementation@] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an electronic device using a nonvolatile memory according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a table structure inside the nonvolatile memory.

The electronic device according to this embodiment stores various information data necessary for performing predetermined processing inside the device in a non-volatile memory 1 consisting of a plurality of setting tables. When an abnormality occurs, enter information indicating this abnormality in one of the setting tables,
The setting table is selected according to the presence or absence of this information and the information data is rewritten.
It has a general configuration including a display means 4.

The nonvolatile memory 1 as a storage means is, for example, EEPR.
It is composed of OM, divided into a plurality of setting tables, and stores and holds various information necessary for predetermined processing. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, if one setting table is 256 bytes, this memory 1 is composed of eight tables, and each table is divided into table information, settings, etc. from the first address, for example. It is divided into flags, line types, various data, function classifications, and BCCs.

Here, abnormality information N is written to the table information when an abnormality occurs in the information data stored in the table. It is made up of multiple bytes, in this case 3 bytes, to prevent it from being judged as normal.

The control means 2 includes a data discrimination means 5, an abnormality information writing means 6,
The system includes an abnormality information determining means 7 and a setting table specifying means 8.

The data determining means 5 determines whether the information data stored in the setting table of the memory 1 is correct or not, and reads out the information data stored in the memory 1 in order and stores them in the LRC and BCC. By comparing the information with the data, it is possible to make this determination.

Note that, in addition to the above-described method of discrimination using LRC, a method using a checksum or the like may be used.

The abnormality information writing means 6 writes information to the information data stored in a predetermined setting table in the memory 1 when an abnormality occurs.
This setting table is determined to be an abnormality table, and abnormality information N is written to a predetermined address in the table information of the setting table as information indicating this abnormality.

The abnormality information determining means 7 searches for abnormality information N written in a predetermined address in the setting table by the abnormality information writing means 6, and searches for abnormality information N in order from the first address of the first setting table. There is.

The setting table specifying means 8 is for specifying a setting table when performing 8 changes of information data depending on the presence or absence of abnormality information N written in the information table in the setting table of 1,000, and is for specifying a setting table for performing 8 changes of information data. The tables are searched in order and the highest setting table without abnormality information N is designated.

The setting means 3 rewrites information data (including setting new data) in the setting table specified by the setting table specifying means 8. For example, the setting means 3 rewrites information data (including setting new data) in the setting table specified by the setting table specifying means 8. Based on human power.

The display means 4 displays various messages such as a setting completion display, a setting display, and a failure display according to the results of each process described above.

In addition to the display means 4, there is also provided a printing means 9, such as a printer, for notifying each of the above-mentioned rooms.

Next, the operation of the apparatus configured as described above will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

When the power supply 10 is turned on (STI), the first address of the first setting table n is specified (Sr1). In this state, a search is made to see if there is abnormality information N in the table information (Sr3), and if there is abnormality information N, the process moves to the next setting table (Sr1). And the setting table is M
If it is not ax (Sr1), the operation returns to Sr3. If the setting table is Max (Sr1), a display indicating a failure is made (Sr1).

On the other hand, if there is no abnormality information N in the table information (Sr3)
, it is determined whether the settings stored in the setting table are correct (Sr1).

Here, if the settings are correct, a display indicating that the settings are complete is displayed to prompt the next operation (Sr8).

If the settings are incorrect, clear all settings (5T9) and display a message indicating that the settings are not registered (ST
IO).

Next, if the data cannot be set with the display indicating that the setting is complete or W&H not yet completed (ST11), the data is written to the designated address (ST12). Then, if this data is written correctly, so to speak (S
T13), then move on to setting the next data (STII). If there is an error in writing the data at this time (ST13
), the abnormality information N is inserted into the head address m of the table information in the setting table (ST14).

Then, when the m-regular information N is obtained (ST15), the process returns to the operation of Sr1. If the abnormality information N cannot be included (ST
15), Write the 5'4 regular information to the next address of the table information (ST16), at this time, the address is Max
If not (ST17), the process returns to the operation of ST14. if,
If the address is M a x (ST17), a display indicating a failure is made (Sr1).

As explained below, in this embodiment, when rewriting the information data stored in the setting table, the presence or absence of abnormal information N is searched in order from the upper setting table.
Since various information data is stored in the table by efficiently using the empty setting table, the information data can be rewritten without directly depleting the life of the memory, and the old data that previously occurred can be saved. It is possible to prevent system breakdowns due to malfunctions such as programming errors.

By the way, in the embodiment related to -, a 256-byte setting table using EEPROM is used as a non-volatile memory l.
EEPROM
The number of bytes of each setting table and the number of setting tables can be arbitrarily set depending on the capacity of the memory used.

Also,. In the embodiment described above, when an abnormality occurs in the information data stored in the setting table, the abnormality information N is written in the table information in that table. However, when an abnormality occurs in the storage of the information data, this information The configuration may be such that information specifying a setting table in which data is to be stored is written instead of the above-mentioned abnormality information N.
In this case, the setting table specifying means 8 in the above-described embodiment can be omitted, and the configuration can be further simplified.

Furthermore, although the above-described embodiments are particularly applied to non-volatile memories, even volatile memories such as RAM can be used when the signal from the pack-a-knob power supply is not disconnected and the non-volatile state is maintained. If a write error or the like occurs due to an external signal, the same effect as in the above-described embodiment can be obtained.

[Effect of the invention] As explained above, according to an electronic device using an uninvented nonvolatile memory, when an abnormality occurs in the stored contents of a setting table, information indicating this abnormality is stored in the setting. Information data can be rewritten by writing to a predetermined address in the table and selecting an empty setting table based on the presence or absence of this information, which prevents system downs due to malfunctions such as write errors and prevents information data from being stored. reliability can be improved. Furthermore, information data can be rewritten without being directly affected by the lifespan of the memory.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of an electronic device using a nonvolatile memory according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a table structure inside the nonvolatile memory, and FIG. 3 is the same diagram. FIG. 3 is a flowchart diagram showing a series of operations of the device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Nonvolatile memory (storage means), 2... Control means, 3... Setting means, 5... Data discrimination means, 6.
... Abnormal information infiltration means, 7... Sensible information discrimination means, 8
...Setting table specification means. Figure 3 Loaf

Claims (1)

[Claims] A setting table that stores various information data necessary for performing a predetermined process is divided into multiple parts, and when an abnormality occurs in the stored contents of the setting table, a predetermined table in one of the setting tables is 1. An electronic device using a non-volatile memory, characterized in that information indicating this is input into an address, a setting table is selected based on the presence or absence of the information, and the information data is rewritten.