JP2009053880A - Information processor and cpu unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate rewrite of a program stored in a storage element in a CPU device with storage element such as a flash ROM storing a program for making a server device function. <P>SOLUTION: The server device comprises a body casing having a front opening; a sub-substrate mounted within the body casing and having a circuit; a holding unit mounted on the sub-substrate and connected to the circuit of the sub-substrate; and a CPU unit detachably mounted on the holding unit, the CPU unit including a CPU, a rewritable ROM which stores a program in a rewritable manner, and a PC card connector which is connected to the CPU and the storage element, and connected to the connector when the CPU unit is stored in the holding means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a CPU unit.

  With recent development of semiconductor device manufacturing technology and spread of information communication technology, information processing devices such as various server devices have been provided and used. In such an information processing apparatus, a dedicated program suitable for a special application is stored in a storage device such as an EEPROM and mounted on the information processing apparatus.

  The program of this information processing apparatus may be changed as necessary. For example, there is a case where there is a bug in the program and it is necessary to install a program in which this is corrected, or there is a case where a new request is generated and this must be dealt with.

Conventionally, such a program change is made by a technician such as a service engineer, field engineer, etc., bringing dedicated software or a connection cable for rewriting the program in the storage device, and visiting the installation location of the information processing device. The information processing device and the program rewriting terminal device are connected by a dedicated cable or the like, and the program of the storage device in the information processing device is rewritten (for example, Patent Document 1). Alternatively, the user has sent the information processing apparatus itself to a facility that performs rewriting work such as a service center, and has the user rewrite and send it back.
Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2003-296131 (paragraphs [0008] to [000014], FIG. 1)

  However, in order to rewrite the program with a dedicated program, special knowledge and skills are required to handle the tool, so it is difficult to rewrite many information processing device programs in a short time, Moreover, it was difficult for the user himself to rewrite the program.

  Also to avoid the above problem. There is a method to replace the storage device by using a DIP package instead of a flat package, but unfortunately there is little I / O due to package restrictions, so it needs to be versatile It is difficult to use for a unit.

  An object of the present invention is to provide means for solving the above-described problems. Specifically, a CPU device having a storage element such as a flash ROM storing a program for causing an information device to function is provided. An object of the present invention is to easily rewrite a program stored in a storage element.

As means for solving the above problems, the present invention has the following features.
The first aspect of the present invention is proposed as an information processing apparatus (for example, a server apparatus). The information processing apparatus includes a main body housing having a front-side opening, a substrate (for example, a sub-substrate) attached to the inside of the main body housing, a first substrate connected to the circuit of the substrate, and attached to the substrate. A holding unit (for example, a holding unit) having a terminal, a CPU unit that is detachably attached to the holding unit, and a CPU and a storage element (for example, a rewritable ROM) that stores the program in a rewritable manner, And a CPU unit having a second terminal (for example, a PC card connector) connected to the CPU and the storage element and connected to the first terminal when the CPU unit is accommodated in the holding means. .

  According to the information processing apparatus, the CPU unit can be easily taken out from the inside of the information processing apparatus without using a special instrument. A dedicated cable is connected to the connector on the board, and the dedicated cable is connected to a rewrite information processing apparatus such as a PC. By executing a dedicated program for program rewriting with this information processing apparatus, the program stored in the rewritable ROM in the CPU unit can be rewritten.

  Further, in the above information processing apparatus, the holding means has a groove part extending substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate, the CPU unit has a rail part accommodated in the groove part, and the CPU unit is opened from the front side opening of the information processing apparatus. You may employ | adopt the structure which can be inserted / removed to a holding means.

  According to such an information processing apparatus, it is possible to easily take out only the CPU unit without removing the substrate from the information processing apparatus. A dedicated cable is directly connected to the terminal of the CPU unit taken out, or the dedicated cable is connected to a rewriting information processing apparatus such as a PC prepared separately on the connector of the sub-board with the CPU unit mounted. By executing a dedicated program for program rewriting with this information processing apparatus, the program stored in the rewritable ROM in the CPU unit can be rewritten.

  Furthermore, the information processing apparatus further includes a second substrate connected to the substrate so as to be orthogonal to the substrate, and the second substrate has a substrate-side opening for allowing the CPU unit to pass therethrough. May be adopted.

  The information processing apparatus having the above configuration can mount more circuits and units on the second substrate, so that the function and capability of the information processing apparatus are improved and the CPU is connected via the substrate side opening. The unit can be easily taken out, and the program stored in the rewritable ROM in the CPU unit can be rewritten.

  Furthermore, the information processing apparatus may further include a second substrate connected to the substrate so as to be orthogonal to the substrate, and the second substrate may further adopt a configuration that does not prevent the CPU unit from being attached or detached. good.

  Since the information processing apparatus having the above-described configuration can mount more circuits and units on the second substrate, the function and capability of the information processing apparatus are improved, and the second substrate is the CPU unit. Since the removal is not hindered, the CPU unit can be easily removed, and the program stored in the rewritable ROM in the CPU unit can be rewritten.

  A second aspect of the present invention is proposed as a CPU unit that can be attached to and detached from a substrate of an information processing apparatus. The CPU unit includes a CPU, a storage element that stores a program in a rewritable manner, a CPU unit board that includes a light emitting element connected to an output of the CPU, a case that houses the board and has a rail portion on a side part, And the case has an opening for visually confirming whether the light emitting element is turned on or off.

  According to the CPU unit described above, when rewriting a program in the CPU unit, it is possible to send only the CPU unit to a facility such as a service center that rewrites the program. Rewriting can be performed.

  Further, since the operation of the CPU can be observed by the light emitting element that is turned on / off according to the output of the CPU, it is possible to easily check the program and check the operation.

  According to the present invention, a program stored in a storage element can be easily rewritten with respect to a CPU device including a storage element such as a flash ROM storing a program for causing the information apparatus to function.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a server device that is an information processing device according to the present invention, and FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the server device with a front panel attached as viewed from the front side. (B) is the perspective view seen from the back side of this server apparatus, FIG.1 (c) is the perspective view seen from the front side of the server apparatus in the state which removed the front panel and can see the inside.

  The server device 1 has a box-shaped main body housing 10 having a front side opening 30 on the front side, and a front panel 20 fixed to the front opening 30 side of the main body housing 10 with screws or the like. In addition, this server apparatus 1 is accommodated and used so that two or more units may be stacked on the server rack (not shown) which is a vertically long frame-like structure.

  As shown in FIG. 1B, a back opening 40 is formed on the back side of the main body housing 10 to pull out the sub-board provided inside the main body housing 10 from the back side. When replacing or repairing the sub board, the sub board can be pulled out from the back opening 40.

  As shown in FIG. 1C, a mother substrate 50 is attached inside the main body housing 10 so as to be substantially parallel to the front panel 20. A sub-board, which will be described later, is attached to the mother board 50 so as to be substantially orthogonal to the mother board surface. A mother substrate opening 60 for taking out the CPU unit is formed in the mother substrate 50. A CPU unit 70 is detachably mounted on the sub-board. The CPU unit 70 can be pulled out from the front side of the server device 1 through the mother board opening 60 and removed. Further, it can be remounted by being inserted through the mother substrate opening 60.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a positional relationship among the mother board 50, the CPU unit 70, and the sub board. 2A is a view of the mother board 50, the CPU unit 70, and the sub board 90 as viewed from above the server apparatus 10, and FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating the mother board 50, the CPU unit 70, and the sub board 90. FIG. 2C is a view of the mother board 50, the CPU unit 70, and the sub board 90 viewed from the side of the server apparatus 1.

  Note that the mother board 50 and the sub board 90 are boards on which circuits, devices, and the like constituting the server device 1 are mounted. For example, the mother board 50 is mounted with I / O device peripheral circuits and the like. Further, since the mother board 50 is disposed on the front surface of the server apparatus 1, a 7-segment LED or an LCD panel may be mounted. The sub-board 90 is mounted with various circuits for functioning as an I / O board of the CPU unit 70. For example, an interface I / O device that can be connected to the CPU unit, and RS232C, RS422, A LAN board, parallel TTL, OC, relay and the like are mounted. However, which circuit is mounted on which substrate is a matter that can be arbitrarily designed, and the configuration of the present invention is not limited to the above circuit arrangement.

  The sub board 90 is attached to the inner surface of the mother board 50 by connectors 100 and 110. The connector 100 is attached to the inner surface of the mother board 50 and is connected to various circuits provided on the mother board by wiring. The connector 110 is provided at a side end portion of the sub-board 90 and is electrically connected to various circuits provided on the sub-board 90 via wiring.

  Various connectors 120 are provided on the side of the sub board 90 opposite to the connector 110. Various cables can be connected to these connectors 120 through the back opening 40.

  A CPU unit 70 is detachably provided on the upper surface of the sub-substrate 90. The CPU unit is provided at a position where it can be taken out through the mother board opening 60 formed in the mother board 50.

  FIG. 2D shows a configuration example in which the length of the mother substrate 50 is shortened instead of providing the mother substrate opening 60 in the mother substrate 50. In this case, a free space similar to the mother board opening 60 is provided in front of the CPU unit 70 provided on the upper surface of the sub board 90, and the removal of the CPU unit 70 is hindered by the mother board 50. It will never be done. The present invention can be realized even in a configuration in which the mother substrate opening 60 is not provided.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the mother board 50, the CPU unit 70, and the sub board 90.
A holding unit 200 that holds and accommodates the CPU unit 70 is attached on the sub-board 90.

  The holding unit 200 is a U-shaped instrument, and includes two guide parts 201 and a connector part 202 attached between the guide parts 201. The guide part 201 is formed with a groove part 203 for accommodating the rail part 71 provided on both side parts of the PC unit 70. A PC card connector provided at the rear end portion of the CPU unit 70 and a connector portion 202 of the holding unit 200 by pushing the CPU unit 70 in the horizontal direction from the front of the holding unit 200 so that the rail portion 71 is accommodated in the groove portion 203. Join. The connector unit 202 of the holding unit 200 is connected to various circuits provided on the sub-board 90 via wiring. When the CPU unit 70 is housed in the holding unit 200 and the PC card connector provided at the rear end of the CPU unit and the connector 202 of the holding unit 200 are joined, each of the CPU, RAM, ROM, etc. in the CPU unit 70 is connected. The device is electrically connected to various circuits provided on the sub-substrate 90.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the CPU unit 70. The CPU unit 70 turns on an LED in response to an output signal from the CPU device 701, an oscillation circuit 702 that supplies a clock signal to the CPU device 701, a PC card connector 704 connected to the CPU device 701, and an output signal from the CPU device 701. LED display circuit 703 for turning off / off. The LED display circuit 703 has a plurality of LEDs, and each LED is connected to a specific output terminal of the CPU device 701, and the operation state of the CPU is confirmed by observing whether each LED is turned on / off. can do.

  The CPU device 701 is an LSI chip on which a CPU, a RAM, and a rewritable ROM are mounted, for example. The rewritable ROM stores a program for performing an operation required by the server device 1. In order to rewrite this program, the CPU unit 70 is removed from the holding unit 200 to the outside of the server device 1 through the mother board opening 60, and a dedicated cable is directly attached to the PC card connector 703, or the CPU unit 70 is removed. Are mounted on the sub-board 90 and a cable is attached to a connector provided on the sub-board 90, and connected to an information processing device for rewriting such as a separately prepared PC via these cables. By executing a dedicated program for program rewriting with this information processing apparatus, the program stored in the rewritable ROM in the CPU device 701 is rewritten.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the CPU unit 70. The CPU unit 70 includes a lower case 710, a substrate unit 720, and an upper case 730.
Rail portions 71 are provided on both sides of the lower case 710. In the central portion of the lower case 710, a recessed space 711 for accommodating the board portion 720 is provided, and a rear opening 712 for projecting the PC card connector 704 and the LED display circuit 703 are provided as a CPU unit. A full opening 713 is formed so as to be visible from the front of 70.

  A CPU device 701, a PC card connector 702, and an LED display circuit 703 are mounted on the substrate unit 720. The upper case 730 is attached to the lower case 710 and holds the substrate part 720 in the recessed space 711.

  The CPU unit 70 becomes a card-like structure by housing the substrate portion 720 in the lower case 710 and the upper case 730. This makes it possible to protect devices such as CPU, ROM, and RAM from physical and electrical damage.

6 is a view of the assembled CPU unit 70 as seen from the direction D shown in FIG.
The LEDs in the LED display circuit 703 can be seen through the front opening 713. An engineer who rewrites the program of the CPU unit 70 actually operates the CPU unit 70 after the completion of the program rewrite, and confirms the success or failure of the rewrite of the program by observing the lighting state of the LED at that time. be able to. Further, at least one of the LEDs in the LED display circuit 703 may be a power display LED for the CPU unit 70. With this power display LED, it is possible to easily check whether power is supplied to the CPU unit 70.

[Modification]
1. The present invention can also be realized by a configuration in which another sub-substrate is provided on the mother substrate 50 substantially in parallel with the sub-substrate 90 so as to have a U-shaped cross section. In the case of this modification, the CPU unit 70 may be mounted on either sub-board.
2. The internal circuit of the server apparatus 1 may be configured only by the mother board 50 without providing the sub board 90. In this case, the mother board 50 is installed horizontally in the server apparatus 1, and the CPU unit 70 and the holding unit 200 are provided on the mother board 50. It is not necessary to provide the mother substrate opening 60 in the mother substrate 50.

[advantage]
The advantages of the invention are as follows.
1. Since the CPU unit 70 can be removed from the server device 1 and the program correction can be performed, it is possible to perform a large amount of program correction at a time in a short time by sending the CPU unit 70 to a service center or the like.
2. On the user side, the program correction is completed simply by replacing the program unit 70 with a program corrected one, so that no special knowledge or skill is required.
3. Since only the CPU device 701 is made into a card, even if the CPU device 701 is discontinued and it becomes difficult to obtain, only the CPU card portion needs to be redesigned. Since the base board can be used as it is, it can be supplied stably over a long period of time.
4). As a result, the short delivery time and high reliability of the server apparatus 1 can be ensured, and the cost reduction for program correction can be realized.

(A) is the perspective view seen from the front side of the server apparatus in the state where the front panel was attached, b) is the perspective view seen from the back side of the server apparatus, (c) is the state where the front panel is removed and the inside can be seen The perspective view seen from the front side of the server apparatus in (A) is a view of the mother board, CPU unit, and sub board in the server apparatus as viewed from above the server apparatus. (B) is a view of the mother board, CPU unit, and sub board in the server apparatus from the front side of the server apparatus. (C) is a view of the mother board, CPU unit, and sub-board in the server device as seen from the side of the server device, and (d) is a diagram of the mother board instead of providing the mother board opening in the mother board. The figure which shows the structural example which shortened length Disassembled assembly drawing of mother board, CPU unit and sub board Block diagram showing a configuration example of a CPU unit CPU unit exploded view A view of the assembled CPU unit 70 as seen from the direction D shown in FIG.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Server apparatus 10 ... Main body housing 20 ... Front panel 30 ... Front opening 50 ... Mother board 60 ... Mother board opening 70 ... CPU unit 90 ... Sub board

Claims (5)

A main body housing having a front-side opening, a substrate mounted inside the main body housing, and having a circuit;
Holding means mounted on the substrate and having a first terminal connected to a circuit on the substrate;
A CPU unit detachably attached to the holding means, wherein the CPU, a storage element for storing a program in a rewritable manner, the CPU and the storage element are connected, and the CPU unit is accommodated in the holding means An information processing apparatus comprising: a CPU unit including a second terminal connected to the first terminal. The holding means has a groove extending substantially parallel to the surface of the substrate;
The CPU unit has a rail portion accommodated in the groove portion,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the CPU unit can be inserted into and removed from the holding unit through a front-side opening of the information processing apparatus.   The information processing apparatus further includes a second substrate connected to the substrate so as to be orthogonal to the substrate, and the second substrate has a substrate-side opening for allowing the CPU unit to pass therethrough. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a second substrate connected to the substrate so as to be orthogonal to the substrate, wherein the second substrate does not prevent the CPU unit from being attached or detached. A CPU unit that can be attached to and detached from the substrate of the information processing apparatus,
A CPU, a storage element for storing the program in a rewritable manner, and a CPU unit substrate including a light emitting element connected to the output of the CPU;
A case that houses the substrate and has a rail portion on a side portion;
The CPU unit, wherein the case has an opening for visually confirming whether the light emitting element is turned on or off.

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