JPH03225545A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the need to update constitution information when an extended equipment is connected by a user unlike before by switching read objects of a storage means stored with constitution information automatically between when a system is put in basic constitution and in extended constitution. CONSTITUTION:When the information processor is used in transportation state, only the main body side is used. At this time, when a CPU 1 generates a read address so as to read the system constitution information, an address decoder 3 generates a CS signal in response to the address. Further, a switch 5 is turned off, so a gate circuit 4 sends the CS signal from the decoder 3 to a nonvolatile memory A2 as it is. Thus, a memory A2 is selected and read and written by the CPU 1. When this information processor is used by expansion at an installa tion, the processors is constituted as shown in the entire figure. At this time, when the CPU 1 generates an address to read system constitution information, the decoder 3 and an address decoder 7 react to generate CS signals respective ly. The switch 5 is on, so the CD signal generated by the decoder 3 is cut off by the circuit 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to an information processing device that stores information indicating the contents of a system configuration.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, there have been computer devices that store information indicating the system configuration contents such as the number of memories, assigned addresses, memory capacity, etc. in nonvolatile memory and use this information during operation. Are known.

For example, in a portable computer device, system configuration information is used to use only the internal memory when being transported, and when the computer is being left stationary, the storage device is used in an expanded configuration such as a fixed disk device.

[Problem to be solved by the invention]

However, conventional information processing apparatuses of this type have had the disadvantage that the user has to update the stored contents of the nonvolatile memory every time there is a change in the system configuration, and the instruction operation is complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that can simplify the process of updating the contents of a user's memory.

[Means to solve the problem]

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus that uses configuration information indicating the contents of the equipment constituting the information processing apparatus to control the operation of the equipment, when an expansion equipment is connected. a first storage means for storing configuration information; a second storage means for storing the configuration information when the expansion device is not connected; a detection means for detecting whether or not the expansion device is connected; When the means detects the connection of the expansion device, reading of the configuration information of the first storage means is permitted, and when the detection means detects that the expansion device is not connected, the configuration information of the second storage means is read. It is characterized by comprising a storage control means for permitting reading.

(Function 1 According to the present invention, the first
．． The storage means from which the configuration information in the second storage means is to be read is switched.

Therefore, the user does not need to update the configuration information when connecting an expansion device, unlike in the past.

[Example] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the circuit configuration of a computer device employing the present invention.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a central processing unit (CPU),
Each device connected to the system bus 9 is generally controlled.

A non-volatile memory (second storage means) 2 stores basic system configuration information written by the old CP.

3 is an address decoder, and when the address generated by the CPUI corresponds to nonvolatile memory A,
Generates chip select signal (CS).

4 is a gate circuit that combines logic circuits, and depending on the state of the switch 5, CS
The signal line is opened and closed as a storage control means.

The switch 5 detects whether or not an expansion device is attached. The switch 5 is a mechanical switch that is turned on when connected, or an electrical switch that detects attachment of the expansion device based on the potential difference between the connectors.

A non-volatile memory (first storage means) 6 stores system configuration information at the time of system expansion.

Reference numeral 7 denotes an address decoder, which generates a CS signal when the address generated by the CPUI corresponds to the nonvolatile memory B6. However, in the case of this embodiment, nonvolatile memory A2 and nonvolatile memory B6 are assigned to the same address.

Reference numeral 8 denotes various expansion devices, which are connected to the system bus 9 on the main body side through an expansion system bus 10.

In a computer device configured in this manner, only the basic part of the main body side is used during transportation. At this time, when the CPU generates a read address in an attempt to read system configuration information, the address decoder 3 generates a C5 signal in response to this address. Also, since the switch 5 is off, the gate circuit 4 directly transfers the C3 signal from the address decoder 3 to the nonvolatile memory A2.
send to

The nonvolatile memory A2 is now selected, and reading and writing from and to the CPUI is performed.

On the other hand, when the system is expanded and used when it is stationary, the entire configuration shown in FIG. 1 is used. At this time, when the CPLII attempts to read the system configuration information and generates an address, both address decoder 3 and address decoder 7 respond and each generate a CS signal. However, since switch 5 is on, C3 generated by address decoder 3
The signal is blocked by gate circuit 4. Then, the C5 signal generated by the address decoder 7 selects the nonvolatile memory B6, and reads and writes from and to the CPUI.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for the C3 signal of the gate circuit 4. Step S1 in Figure 2
Now, the state of the C3 signal line from the address decoder 3 is read, and if there is no C8 signal in step S2, this procedure ends. Next, in step S3, the state of the switch 5 is read, and in step S4, if the switch is on, it is in the extended configuration state, so this procedure is immediately terminated. Conversely, if the switch is off, it is in the basic configuration state - in step S5, C8 is stored in the nonvolatile memory A2.
Send a signal and end the l cycle.

As described above, in this embodiment, the configuration information is switched depending on the presence or absence of the expansion device, so there is no need for the process of rewriting the user's configuration information.

Additionally, in the past, addresses for internal memory and expansion memory were assigned separately, but in this embodiment, configuration information can be automatically switched, so when expansion memory is not connected to the expansion memory allocation address, It is also possible to use the address space of 1, and the address space can be used effectively.

C. Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the user's instruction operation can be controlled by automatically switching the reading target of the storage means storing the configuration information between the basic configuration and the expanded configuration of the system. It is possible to simplify it.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of a computer device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operating procedure of the gate circuit 4 of FIG. 1. 1...CPU, 2...Nonvolatile memory, 3...Address decoder, 4...Gate circuit, 5...Switch, 6...Nonvolatile memory, 7...Address decoder , 8...Various expansion devices, 9...System bus, IO...Extension system bus.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] In an information processing device that controls the operation of devices using configuration information indicating the contents of the devices constituting the information processing device, there is provided an information processing device that stores the configuration information when an expansion device is connected. a second storage means for storing the configuration information when the expansion device is not connected; a detection device for detecting whether or not the expansion device is connected; and a second storage device for storing the configuration information when the expansion device is not connected; storage control means that permits reading of the configuration information of the first storage means when the detection means detects that the expansion device is not connected; and storage control means that permits the reading of the configuration information of the second storage means when the detection means detects that the expansion device is not connected An information processing device characterized by comprising: