Function addition apparatus and function addition method
A function addition apparatus allows an added function to be started-up immediately after a computer has been powered on or reset. A function expansion program stored in a program storage section is called, before a start-up program starts-up an operating system, by the start-up program and is executed by the CPU. The functional expansion program controls a functional section. Under a first condition, the CPU is prevented from returning to execution of the start-up program after the function expansion program has been completed by the CPU. Under a second condition, the CPU is returned to execution of a start-up program after the function expansion program has been completed by the CPU so that the operating system is started-up. When the operating system is started-up after the CPU has returned to execution of the start-up program, the operating system or the like controls the functional section.
1. A function addition apparatus that adds a function to a computer provided with a first CPU, comprising:
a functional section that comprises a second CPU, and
a program storage section that stores a function expansion program,
wherein said function expansion program is called, before a start-up program starts-up an operating system, by the start-up program executed at the start-up time of the computer and is executed by the first CPU; and
wherein, when the computer and the function addition apparatus are in a condition such that the computer and the function addition apparatus can communicate each other, said first CPU issues instructions to said second CPU so that said functional section is controlled, whereby functions of said functional section are added to the computer.
2. The function addition apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the function expansion program executed by the CPU not only controls the functional section but also accesses a peripheral equipment.
3. The function addition apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the function expansion program executed by the CPU not only controls the functional section but also communicates with an external equipment through a network interface.
4. The function addition apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the functional section can also be controlled by a program other than the function expansion program.
5. The function addition apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising means for preventing the CPU from returning to execution of a start-up program after the function expansion program has been completed by the CPU.
6. The function addition apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising means for returning the first CPU to execution of the start-up program after the function expansion program has been completed by the CPU.
7. The function addition apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein
the functional section can also be controlled by an operating system started-up after the first CPU has returned to execution of the start-up program or by an application program operating on the operating system.
8. The function addition apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the functional section includes a sub-CPU which communicates with the CPU that executes the function expansion program.
9. The function addition apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the functional section is a TV reception section, a radio reception section, or a data reception section.
10. The function addition apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein
the function addition apparatus is a function expansion board that can be attached to a bus of the computer.
11. A function addition method that adds a function to a computer provided with a first CPU, comprising:
a step in which a function expansion program stored in a program storage section is called, before a start-up program starts-up an operating system, by the start-up program executed at the start-up time of the computer and the function expansion program is executed by the first CPU; and
a step in which, when the computer and the function addition apparatus are in a condition such that the computer and the function addition apparatus can communicate each other, said first CPU issues instructions to a second CPU included in a functional section so that said functional section is controlled, whereby functions of said functional section are added to the computer.
12. The function addition method according to claim 11 , further comprising a step in which the function expansion program executed by the CPU accesses to a peripheral equipment.
13. The function addition method according to claim 11 , further comprising a step in which the function expansion program executed by the CPU communicates with an external equipment through a network interface.
14. The function addition method according to claim 11 , further comprising a step in which a program other than the function expansion program controls the functional section.
15. The function addition method according to claim 11 , further comprising a step of preventing the CPU from returning to execution of the start-up program after the function expansion program has been completed by the CPU.
16. The function addition method according to claim 11 , further comprising a step of returning the first CPU to execution of the start-up program after the function expansion program has been completed by the first CPU.
17. The function addition method according to claim 16 , further comprising a step in which an operating system started-up after the first CPU has returned to execution of the start-up program or an application program operating on the operating system controls the functional section.
18. The function addition method according to claim 11 , further comprising a step in which a sub-CPU provided in the functional section communicates with the CPU that executes the function expansion program.
19. The function addition method according to claim 11 , wherein
the functional section is a TV reception section, a radio reception section, or a data reception section.
20. The function addition method according to claim 11 , wherein
the program storage section and functional section are provided in a function expansion board that can be attached to a bus of the computer.