Method and apparatus for dynamic configuration of multiprocessor system

摘要

A multiprocessor system used in a car, home, or office environment includes multiple processors running multiple real-time applications. A dynamic configuration system includes a device manager, configuration manager, and a data manager running on one of the processors. The device manager detects and adds devices to the multiprocessor system, and the configuration manager reconfigures which processors run the applications. The data manager identifies the data type generated by the devices and which devices in the multiprocessor system are able to process the data.

主权项

1. A system of multiple processors used in a vehicle, comprising:
(a) one or more of the multiple on-board processors coupled together through multiple links into a multiprocessor network; (b) a dynamic configuration system that enables new processors or devices to be automatically added and removed from the car multiprocessor system and automatically reconfigures the applications running on different processors according to user inputs, monitored conditions or system processing requirements that includes:
(i.) a device manager that automatically detects and establishes communications with new devices that are to be incorporated into the multiprocessor system and adds new hardware devices to the on-board system of multiple processors;(ii.) a configuration manager that dynamically moves applications between different processors according to user inputs and monitored conditions in the multiprocessor system, and(iii.) a data manager that identifies a type of data input or output by a new processor and identifies other processors or devices in the multiprocessor system that can output data from the new device or input data to the new device; (c) a display processor showing new hardware devices detected or added to the system of multiple processors and that further includes a user input system configured to allow the user to direct the operation of multiple processors; (d) an executive processor in the multiprocessor system operating the dynamic configuration system configured to:
(i.) use the device manager to operate a transceiver configured to detect and establish communication between at least one processor in the multiprocessor network and at least one new device brought into or next to the vehicle, and selectively connect the new device to the multiprocessor network,(ii.) use the data manager to identify a particular type of data used in the new device and processed with a first software application controlled and operated by the new device,(iii.) use the configuration manager to identify a second software application from among multiple different software applications located in a memory in the multiprocessor network, wherein the second software application is currently not loaded in or operated by any of the on-board processors, and the second software application is also configured to process the same particular type of data processed by the first software application controlled and operated by the new device,(iv.) use the configuration manager to select a particular one of the on-board processors for operating the second software application selected from the memory and automatically move the second software application from the memory in the multiprocessor network to the particular one of the on-board processors selected by the configuration manager;(v.) use the configuration manager to configure the particular one of the on-board processors to run the second software application moved from the memory, wherein running the second software application causes the particular one of the on-board processors to operate the new device; and(vi.) initiate transfer of the data from the new device to the particular one of the on-board processors and initiate processing of the particular type of data received from the new device with the second software application running on the particular one of the on-board processors.