JPS60175158A - Contents retrieval processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute continuously contents retrieval processing and to shorten the required for contents retrieval by providing plural buffers, and switching the storage buffer while continuing the contents retrieval processing, transferring and processing rhe retrieved result. CONSTITUTION:A contents retrieving circuit 4 reads out a data group in a secondary storage device 1 and retrieves the contents of the data group. The data of the contents retrieved result are stored in a buffer 10-1. If the contents retrieved results in the buffer 10-1 reaches a prescribed capacity before the end of the retrieval, the buffer 10-1 is switched to a buffer 10-2 by a switching circuit 13 to continue the retrieval processing and the buffer 10-2 is coupled with a body deivce 9. During the contents retrieval processing, an I/O interface control part 5 transfers the retrieved result stored in the buffer to the body device 9, and after the end of the transfer, releases the coupled state with the bode device 9 while the contents retrieving circuit 4 continues the retrieval processing.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Field of Application of the Invention) The present invention provides content that matches a search condition specified by a command from a main device from among a huge group of data stored in a secondary storage device. The present invention relates to a content search processing device that searches only a data group and transfers it to a main unit, and particularly relates to control for transferring search result data to the main unit.

[Prior art]

In the field of search processing, particularly when searching for necessary data based on its contents from a huge group of data stored in a large number of secondary storage devices.

In order to save the processing time required for the main unit to search the contents of a huge data group, the contents search processing function is placed near the control circuit of the secondary storage device, and the search is executed in synchronization with reading from the secondary storage device. method has been implemented. Such conventional technology will be explained below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first configuration example of a conventional content search processing device, in which 1 is a secondary storage device for storing data groups, 2 is a content search processing device, 8 is an I10 interface, and 9 is a main device. be. Of these, the 1°8.9 is similar to the configuration of the secondary storage device, I10 interface, central processing unit, etc. in large-scale general-purpose computer systems that are currently widely used. The content search processing device 2 uses a secondary storage control unit 3 that controls reading and writing of data to the secondary storage device 1, and extracts data whose contents match the search conditions specified by the command from the main device 9 from among the read data group. A content search circuit 4 that searches for the data, an I10 interface control unit 5 that controls communication with the main unit @ 9 via the I10 interface 8, a register 6 that temporarily stores the searched data, and a register 6 that controls the overall control of these. It is composed of a common control unit 100.゛The operation flow of the content search processing device 2 in FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. After receiving the search conditions from the main device 9 via the I10 interface 8 by the first command (step 1 (1'l), the channel/
A device completion report is performed (step 102), and a command chain is requested for the second command. In the second command, the content search process and the search result transfer process are repeated until the content search is completed (steps 103.10/I, 1
05).

That is, under the control of the common control unit 100, data is read from the secondary storage device 1 via the secondary storage control unit 3,
Searching the content of the read data using the content search circuit 4,
Data matching the search conditions is set in register 6.

Every time data is set in this register 6, it is
10 to the main device 9 via the interface control unit 5. When a series of searches are completed in this way, a channel/device completion report is sent to the main unit 9 (step 1).
06), all operations are completed. The time relationship between the content search process (S) and the search result transfer process (T) in this second command is shown in FIG.

As is clear from FIG. 3, in the conventional example shown in FIG. 1, each time the content search circuit 4 retrieves data that matches the search conditions, it is transferred to the main device 9, so one content search device is used. During operation, one I10 interface will be used exclusively.

By the way, this type of content search processing device is used to perform high-speed content searches on huge data groups, and in this case, it is often necessary to operate a large number of content search processing devices at the same time. It is common to do this. Therefore, the first conventional example shown in FIG. 1 has the disadvantage that it requires the same number of ■/○ interfaces and channel devices of the main device as content search processing devices.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a second configuration example of a conventional content search processing device, in which data of content search results is buffered and transferred all at once to the main unit. In Figure 4,
2a and 2b are content search processing devices, which differ from FIG. 1 in that they have a buffer 7 instead of a register 6.

FIG. 5 shows the operation flow of the content search processing devices 2a and 2b in FIG. 4. After receiving the search conditions from the main unit 9 via the I10 interface 8 in response to the first command (step 201), and reporting the end of channel 98 on the main unit '3A (step 202), Release the binding state. Then, content search processing is started, and data matching the search conditions are sequentially stored in the buffer 7 (step 203). Thereafter, when the series of content searches is completed or the buffer 7 becomes full (step 204), the result with the I10 interface 8 is restarted to report the device termination for the first command (step 205), and the second command request a command chain. The second command transfers the voice test results in the buffer 7 to the main device 9 (step 206), reports the end of the channel/device, and ends the operation (step 207).

Content search processing (S), buffer storage processing (BI), and readout processing from the buffer (B) in the conventional example shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 shows the time relationship between transfer processing (T) and transfer processing (T). As is clear from Fig. 6, the second
In the conventional example, while a certain content search processing device is executing search processing, the search results are buffered and the I10 interface is not used. During this time, other content search processing devices use the same I10 interface to perform transfer processing. It is possible to use the - set of I/'O interfaces in a time-sharing manner by a plurality of content search processing devices. In FIG. 4, for convenience, two content search processing devices 2a,
2b is connected to a set of I10 interfaces 8.

However, in the case of the conventional example shown in Fig. 4, the content search process is interrupted every time the buffer becomes full, and one main unit determines whether the search has ended, and if it is interrupted, the content search is restarted using a command. need to be instructed. Therefore, there is a drawback that it takes a long time to search the contents of the entire data group.

As described above, the conventional technology has drawbacks such as requiring the same number of I10 interfaces and channel devices of the main unit as content search processing devices, and the inability to execute content search processing continuously.

[Purpose of the invention]

An object of the present invention is to multiplex use a set of ■/○ interfaces by a plurality of content search processing devices in a time-sharing manner, and
It is an object of the present invention to provide a content search processing device that can execute content search processing continuously without interruption.

[Summary of the invention]

The key point of the present invention is to provide a plurality of buffers for temporarily storing data of content search results, and to continue content search processing by switching buffers every time the data in the buffer reaches a certain amount. I/< only when it reaches
) The interfaces are combined to transfer the search results of the five government buffers to the main unit, and at the same time, a command chain is created to prepare for the next data transfer process.

[Embodiments of the invention]

FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of the present invention.

For convenience, FIG. 7 shows two content search processing devices 2a.

2bfJ<I10 The interface 8 is used for time sharing, but of course it is not necessary to use two.

In FIG. 7, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 are given the same reference numerals. Note that the common control unit 100 is omitted.

Each content search processing device 2a, 2b is equipped with two sets of buffers 10-1°lo-2 for temporarily storing data of search results. There is no need to provide two sets of buffers, and generally N sets (N is an integer of 2 or more) are provided. 11 is a counter that counts the amount of data stored in the buffers 10-1 and 10-2, and 12 is a transfer capacity register that indicates the amount of data transferred at one time. Further, 13 indicates a switching circuit that switches the buffer for storing search result data when the count value of the counter 11 reaches a predetermined capacity of the register 12, and 14 indicates a switching circuit that switches the buffer for storing search result data. 2 shows a selection circuit that selects that buffer.

FIG. 8 shows the operational flow of the embodiment shown in FIG.

First, the content search processing devices 2a and 2b transfer the search conditions from the main device 9 using the first command (step 30).
1). The single divided transfer capacity specified as part of this search condition is set in the transfer capacity register 12, and the other search conditions are set in the content search circuit 4. When the above preparations are completed, under the control of the common control unit, the I10 interface control unit 5 reports the end of the channel to the main unit 9, releases the connection with the main unit 9, and makes the I10 interface 8 available for use elsewhere. state (step 302).

The content search circuit 4 reads the data group from the secondary storage device @1 via the secondary storage control unit 3, and performs content search processing on the data group (step 303). Then, while storing the content search result data in the buffer 10-1, the counter 11 counts its capacity.

When the content search within the range specified by the search conditions is completed,
The I10 interface control unit 5 requests connection with the main unit 9, and when the connection is permitted, the first
Reports the end of the command and requests a command chain to the second command (steps 304, 307).On the other hand, if the content search results in the buffer 10-1 reach a predetermined capacity while the content search is not completed, , the switching circuit 14 switches the buffer storing the search results to 10-2 to continue the content search process, while the I10 interface control unit 5
requests connection with the main device 9, and when the connection is permitted,
When the device ends, the end of the first command is reported, and the second
Request command chain to command (step 30)
4,305,306).

In the second command, if the content search has already been completed, the I10 interface control unit 5 sends the buffer 10-
The search results stored in 1 or 10-2 are transferred to the main device 9, and after the transfer is completed.

The end of the second command is reported by channel end and device end (steps 308, 309, 310). On the other hand, if the content search process continues, the I10 interface control unit 5 causes the buffer 10-1 or 10
Transfer the search results stored in -2 to the main device 9,
After the transfer ends, the content search circuit 4 reports the end of the channel and releases the connection state with the first main unit 9, while continuing the content search process (steps 308, 311, 312).

Thereafter, when the content search process is completed, the I10 interface control unit 5 requests connection with the main device 9, and when the connection is permitted, reports the end of the second command by device termination, and returns to the second command. A command chain is requested (steps 313 and 316). On the other hand, when the search results in one buffer reach a predetermined capacity while the content search is not completed, the switching circuit 14 switches the buffer storing the search results to the other buffer and continues the content search process.
The 0 interface control unit 5 requests connection with the main device 9, and when the connection is permitted, reports the end of the second command due to device termination, and requests a command chain to the second command again (step 313. 314, 315)
. Thereafter, the second commands are executed one after another from the command chain, and the final transfer process is performed with the command next to the command for which the content search process has been completed, and all operations are completed.

FIG. 9 shows the relationship among content search processing, buffer storage processing, and transfer processing to the main device in this embodiment. In the figure, Sa indicates content search processing in one of the content search processing devices 2a, BIa, BIa
2 are two buffers of the same device 2a, respectively. 10-1.
10-2, Boa, and +Boa2 indicate the output and transfer processing of the search results stored in the buffers 10-1 and 10-2, respectively. Also, Sb, BIb,
, BIb2. Bob, BOb2 each indicate the corresponding processing in the other content search processing device 2b. Ta,
, Tb, , Ta2. Tb2 are Boa, BOb, respectively
, , Boa, , transfer processing on the I10 interface corresponding to BOb2 is shown. Content retrieval processing is performed continuously as in Sa, and storage in the buffer is switched to rows t'1, . Transfer processing of search results is performed in a buffer-based manner, such as Boa', Boa.

In content search processing, only data that matches the search conditions from one main device is transferred to the main device, so generally the amount of data transferred to one main device is equal to the amount of data read from the secondary storage device. Fewer. Also, generally 2
Since the reading speed from the next storage device and the data transfer speed of the I10 interface are set in a balanced manner, the time required for BO is shorter than the time required for BI.

Therefore, after the transfer processing BIa, BOa2 of the l buffer is completed, by canceling the use of the ■10 interface, the transfer processing BIb, , of other content search processing devices is completed.
[30b2 can be done. In this way, the I10 interface is time-divisionally connected to the content search processing devices 2a and 2b.
Transfer processing from T a I ITb + r T a
21 T b 2 can be performed.

In the embodiment, the switching capacity of the buffer is specified by a command from the main unit, but the buffer may be switched when the storage capacity of the buffer reaches a predetermined capacity without doing so.

[Results of invention]

As explained above, the present invention includes a plurality of buffers for temporarily storing content search result data, and each time the data stored in one buffer reaches a predetermined capacity, the storage buffer is switched to continue content search processing. However, since the search result transfer process is performed using a command chain, the content search process can be executed continuously without interruption. Also,
After the content search processing device transfers the search results of one buffer, it releases the connection with the main unit and makes the I10 interface usable, so multiple content search processing devices
/○ interface can be used in a time-sharing manner, and a large number of content search processing devices can be connected to one L10 interface and operated simultaneously. As described above, the present invention has the advantage that the time required for content search can be shortened by connecting a large number of content search processing devices using the minimum number of I10 interfaces.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing a first configuration example of a conventional content search processing device, Fig. 2 is an operation flow diagram of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 is a timing diagram of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 is a conventional content search processing device. Second search processing device
5 is an operation flow diagram of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a timing diagram of FIG. 4, and FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the content search processing device of the present invention. 8 is an operation flow diagram of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a timing diagram of FIG. 7. 1...Secondary storage device, 2a, 2b...Content search processing device, 3'...Secondary storage control unit, 4...Content search circuit, 5...I10 interface control unit. 10-1.1.0-2...Buffer, 8...I10
Interface, 9...Main device, 11...Counter, 12...Divided transfer capacity register, 13...Switching circuit, 14...Selection circuit. Figure 1 Figure 3 Figure 2 Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Content search processing device that searches the contents of the data group read from the secondary storage device and transfers the data group whose contents match the search conditions specified by the command from the main device to the main device via the I10 interface. , a plurality of buffers for temporarily storing search result data; a switching circuit that switches a storage destination to another buffer each time data stored in one of the plurality of buffers reaches a predetermined capacity; and a selection circuit that selects one of the main devices and sends the data to the I10 interface, and once the search condition is received from the main device by the first command, the connection with the main device is temporarily released. Content search processing is started, search result data is stored in one of the plurality of buffers, and when the data in the buffer reaches a predetermined capacity, the storage destination buffer is switched by the switching circuit and content search processing is performed. While continuing, reconnecting with the main device and reporting the completion of the first command;
A function that requests a command chain to a second command, and when chained to the second command, transfers the search result data stored in the buffer to the main unit,
When the transfer is completed, the connection with the main device is released again, and after that, when the search result data stored in the buffer reaches a predetermined capacity due to the ongoing content search process, the switching circuit reconnects the main device. While changing the storage destination buffer and continuing the content retrieval process, it reconnects with the main unit, reports the completion of the second command, requests the command chain to the next second command again, and thereafter . A content search processing device characterized by having a function of repeatedly executing the second command one after another in a command chain until the content is completed.