JP4517006B2 - Clock control device and recording medium therefor - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a clock control device in an information processing device and a recording medium thereof, and changes a system clock of the information processing device according to an operator's use environment (power supply condition, temperature condition, noise condition) and an application to be used. In particular, the present invention relates to a clock control apparatus and a recording medium thereof that can provide an optimum performance to an operator.

In recent years, information processing apparatuses such as personal computers have been improved in performance, and accordingly, high-speed CPUs have been mounted.
However, if a high-speed CPU is installed, the CPU operating clock frequency increases, and the power consumption by the CPU also increases.

For this reason, problems such as energy saving of the power consumption of the information processing apparatus and extension of the battery duration time in a notebook personal computer with a built-in battery, etc. arise.
In order to cope with this problem, various methods have been developed for controlling the clock frequency of the information processing apparatus to lower the CPU operating clock frequency during application execution.

  In these conventional methods, for example, those disclosed in Patent Documents 1, 2, and 3 perform clock control in the information processing apparatus in response to the occurrence of an event from the I / O.

  By the way, loads of a plurality of applications to be executed are different from each other. In an information processing apparatus equipped with a high-speed CPU, for example, even for an application with a low load, the resource management means has an unnecessarily high clock. If this is given, resources are unnecessarily wasted.

  Methods for coping with this are disclosed in Patent Documents 4 and 5 and the like. In these conventional methods, the processing capacity, processing time, and CPU usage are registered in advance in the application corresponding to the processing operation of the CPU in the information processing apparatus, and the processing speed of the application is determined for the CPU processing speed. The CPU clock frequency is variably controlled based on the processing capacity, processing time, and usage. According to these methods, the load status of the application is monitored, and better clock control of the CPU becomes possible.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-237132 JP-A-9-297688 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-305268 JP 10-143274 A Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-194849 JP-A-8-76874 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-11333 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-15552 JP 2000-148279 A JP-A-9-288527 JP-A-5-94228 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-237931

  However, in these conventional methods, when an application is executed by multitasking, the requested resource of the application may exceed the resource of the actual information processing apparatus. In such a case, it is not only impossible to provide optimum performance to the operator, but also the information processing apparatus needs to be upgraded.

However, there is no means for evaluating the performance of the information processing apparatus and notifying the operator automatically. For this reason, the upgrade timing of the information processing apparatus depends only on the operator's feeling, and the system cannot be updated at the optimum timing.
Therefore, it is necessary to obtain a time when the information processing apparatus needs to be updated and automatically alarm the operator.

  In addition, according to the above-described conventional method, for each application to be executed, the CPU selects the processing capacity and time at the time of actual execution based on the pre-registered processing capacity, processing time, and CPU usage. It just calculates the processing speed and changes the system clock. According to this, the processing speed of the CPU is not unnecessarily increased by changing the system clock, and the power consumption is reduced. However, the power supply conditions are severe, and the temperature conditions and noise conditions are also reduced. No consideration is given to the use of the information processing apparatus.

  In the conventional method, not only is there a problem that power is wasted by giving the CPU more clocks than required by the application, for example, the battery life of the notebook personal computer is further shortened, but also the battery When the remaining capacity of the battery becomes small, the optimal performance is not expected, but there is a problem that the remaining capacity is effectively consumed according to the time to be used to make the battery last longer.

  Further, in the conventional method, the heat generated by the information processing apparatus is dealt with by means of forced cooling using a fan or the like. The cooling system of the information processing apparatus usually has a cooling capacity that can cope with the maximum amount of heat that can be predicted in the design stage.

Then, in the information processing device, even if performance that requires forced cooling is not required during actual application execution, forced cooling corresponding to the maximum heat generation is performed, and the heat generation is reduced. Also generates noise. There is no problem when the external noise is large in the environment where the information processing apparatus is used, but there is a problem that noise generated by the information processing apparatus is noticeable when the external noise is small.
The present invention aims to solve the above problems.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides an information processing apparatus capable of executing a plurality of applications, a storage unit that registers, for each of the plurality of applications, a clock frequency required for execution read from each application, and the storage Based on each clock frequency registered in the unit, for each application, the CPU usage rate of the information processing device with respect to the maximum clock frequency that can be taken by the information processing device that executes each application is calculated. In addition, based on the multiplication of the sum of the CPU usage rates for each application and the maximum clock frequency, the system clock frequency of the information processing device is determined, and includes a control unit that sets the system clock frequency, The control unit determines that the determined system clock frequency is When the maximum clock frequency is exceeded, a clock frequency excess alarm is sent, and when the frequency at which the system clock frequency exceeds the maximum clock frequency increases, an upgrade necessity alarm for the information processing apparatus is sent. I did .

Furthermore, in the information processing apparatus according to the present invention, a clock frequency necessary for execution read from each application is registered for each of the plurality of applications, and based on each clock frequency registered in the storage unit. For each application, the CPU usage rate of the information processing device with respect to the maximum clock frequency that can be taken by the information processing device that executes each application is calculated, and the calculated CPU usage rate for each application is calculated. A control unit configured to determine a system clock frequency of the information processing apparatus based on multiplication of the total sum and the maximum clock frequency, and to set the system clock frequency; However, if the frequency exceeding the maximum clock frequency increases , It was sending an upgrade need alarm of the information processing apparatus.

In addition, when a plurality of applications are executed on the recording medium on which the program according to the present invention is recorded, the first clock frequency at which the application operates comfortably in the execution and the application is the minimum necessary for operation. The second clock frequency is registered, registered for each of the plurality of applications, and based on the registered clock frequencies, the maximum clock frequency that can be adopted by the information processing system that executes each application for each application CPU usage rate in the information processing system is calculated, and a system clock frequency of the information processing system is determined based on multiplication of the calculated sum of the CPU usage rates for each application and the maximum clock frequency And the cis When the system clock frequency is set and the determined system clock frequency exceeds the maximum clock frequency, a clock frequency excess alarm is issued, and the frequency at which the system clock frequency exceeds the maximum clock frequency increases. The information processing system upgrade necessity alarm is sent out .

Furthermore, when a plurality of applications are executed on the recording medium on which the program according to the present invention is recorded, the first clock frequency at which the application operates comfortably in execution and the application is at least necessary for operation. The second clock frequency is registered, registered for each of the plurality of applications, and based on the registered clock frequencies, the maximum clock frequency that can be adopted by the information processing system that executes each application for each application CPU usage rate in the information processing system is calculated, and a system clock frequency of the information processing system is determined based on multiplication of the calculated sum of the CPU usage rates for each application and the maximum clock frequency And the Set Temu clock frequency, the determined system clock frequency, if the frequency exceeding the maximum clock frequency increases, it was decided to perform the sending an upgrade need alarm of the information processing system.

  As described above, according to the present invention, as the clock frequency necessary for execution related to each application, the clock frequency at which the application operates comfortably and the clock frequency at which the application is minimum necessary for operation are registered, CPU usage rates corresponding to these can be obtained. Therefore, the system clock of the information processing apparatus can be changed according to the use conditions of the power supply condition, the temperature condition, and the noise condition and the application to be used, and the optimum performance can be provided to the operator.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of resource management means in the information processing apparatus. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a first management table provided in the resource management means. FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the resource management means shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the resource management unit in the case of alarming the necessity of upgrade related to the information processing apparatus. FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram of resource management means for changing the system clock of the information processing apparatus in accordance with the power supply conditions. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a second management table provided in the resource management means. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the resource management means shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of resource management means for changing the system clock of the information processing apparatus according to the remaining battery capacity. FIG. 9A is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the resource management means shown in FIG. FIG. 9B is a continuation of the flowchart for explaining the operation of the resource management means shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 10 is a schematic block diagram of resource management means for changing the system clock of the information processing apparatus according to the temperature condition. FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the resource management means shown in FIG. FIG. 12 is a schematic block diagram of resource management means for suppressing noise generated from the information processing apparatus in accordance with the use environment. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a third management table provided in the resource management means. FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the resource management means shown in FIG.

  Before describing an embodiment according to the present invention, a mode serving as a basis of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an outline of a part related to resource management of resource management means in an information processing apparatus, for example, a personal computer (PC).

  The PC shown in FIG. 1 includes a CPU 1 and is configured so that various applications can be executed by an OS such as WINDOWS (registered trademark). In order to drive the PC, resource management means 2 for managing resources of the OS and various applications is prepared.

  In FIG. 1, AP1 and AP2 are schematically shown as the applications 4 and 5, but a plurality of applications APn are usually stored in the PC. In particular, FIG. 1 shows that two applications AP1 and AP2 are executing in multitasking.

  The resource management means 2 includes a storage unit 21 and a control unit 22, and information necessary for resource management is stored in the storage unit 21, and the control unit 22 controls driving of the PC based on the resource management information. To do. Further, the control unit 22 has a function of monitoring and measuring the CPU usage rate of the CPU 1 under the system clock.

  The PC is provided with a CPU clock control circuit that generates a system clock and supplies the system clock to the CPU 1, and the generated clock frequency is variably controlled according to an instruction from the control unit 22.

  The storage unit 21 captures and stores the clock frequency of comfortable operation for each application as one of the resource management information. The comfortable operation clock frequency is a clock frequency specific to the application that the operator feels as a comfortable operation of the PC during execution of the application.

  This is pre-written in the application in consideration of how comfortable the application vendor is. Then, when driving the PC, the clock frequency of the comfortable operation written in each application is extracted from each of the applications involved in the multitask, and the first management table shown in FIG. 2 is created and stored in the storage unit 21. .

  In recent PCs, the speed is generally increasing, and a clock having a speed higher than the clock frequency of the comfortable operation of the application to be executed is used. Therefore, even if the CPU operates at such a high-speed clock frequency, the CPU itself does not actually operate, such as waiting for the keyboard operation by the operator or storage access in a CD-ROM or the like. The overall CPU usage rate has been reduced. Setting the clock frequency for comfortable operation for each application also addresses this decrease in CPU utilization.

  In FIG. 2, since the applications AP1 and AP2 are executed as shown in FIG. 1, 30 MHz from the application AP1 and 60 MHz from the application AP2 are extracted and stored in the table. In addition, 30 MHz is stored in the “resource management” application field as a comfortable operation for the OS.

  The application vendor writes the clock frequency for comfortable operation in the application in advance, but the operator may store the clock frequency for comfortable operation in the first management table for each application.

  Next, based on the clock frequency stored in the first management table, the control unit 22 calculates the CPU usage rate when driving the CPU with the clock of comfortable operation for each application, and stores the CPU usage rate in the table. For this calculation, the maximum clock frequency that can be taken by the currently used PC is used. This is usually a clock frequency representing the performance related to the operating speed of the PC.

  The example shown in FIG. 2 shows a case where the maximum clock frequency that can be taken by the PC is 300 MHz. Since the clock frequency of the comfortable operation of the application AP1 is 30 MHz, the CPU usage rate during execution of the application AP1 is Since the application AP2 is 60 MHz, the CPU usage rate is 20%. Similarly, the CPU usage rate for resource management is 10%.

  Therefore, since each application is executed by multitasking, the CPU usage rate as a PC is the sum of the CPU usage rates for each application to be executed. According to the example of FIG. 2, the total CPU usage rate is 40%.

  Therefore, even if the system clock frequency is 300 MHz, it is sufficient for the PC to operate at a clock frequency corresponding to 40% of this clock frequency, and the operator feels that the PC is being operated comfortably. be able to. 300 MHz × 40% = 120 MHz, and the PC system clock frequency may be changed from 300 MHz to 120 MHz.

The control unit 22 obtains the PC system clock frequency from the sum of the CPU usage rates, and issues an instruction to the CPU clock control circuit 3 to change from 300 MHz to 120 MHz. Then, the CPU clock control circuit 3 supplies the changed 120 MHz clock to the CPU 1.
As described above, the clock frequency is obtained from the total CPU usage rate by grasping the clock frequency of the comfortable operation for each application according to the load amount of the PC, that is, according to the application to be executed. Then, the clock frequency is determined as the system clock frequency.

  Next, the operation of the resource management means 2 shown in FIG. 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  When the execution of each application is started by multitasking, the resource management means 2 extracts the clock frequency of the comfortable operation from each application APn related to the execution, and creates and stores the first management table shown in FIG. Then, the CPU usage rate for each application APn is obtained based on the clock frequency for each application APn stored in the table (step S101). The CPU usage rate is calculated based on the maximum clock frequency that can be taken by the PC at this time.

  After the CPU usage rate for each application APn is obtained, the resource management means 2 obtains the sum of the CPU usage rates for each application APn, and obtains and sets the system clock frequency at which the PC can perform comfortable operation based on the maximum clock frequency. Then, the CPU clock control circuit 3 controls the change to the obtained system clock frequency and supplies this system clock to the CPU 1 (step S102).

  When the PC operates at the newly set system clock frequency, the resource management unit 2 measures the CPU usage rate of the CPU currently operating (step S103).

  At this time, it is determined whether or not the measured CPU usage rate is 100% (step S104). This is because if the CPU usage rate is 100%, the CPU 1 may be driven slower to execute a plurality of applications APn at the set system clock frequency.

  If the measured CPU usage rate is 100% in step S104 (Y), the process returns to step S101, the CPU usage rate for each of the plurality of applications APn is obtained, the process proceeds to step S102, and the system clock frequency is reset.

  On the other hand, if the measured CPU usage rate is not 100% in step S104 (N), it is determined whether the CPU is operating in a state where the measured CPU usage rate is close to 100% (step S105). The state close to 100% is 100% or less, for example, 95 to 100%, which means that the operation of the CPU has some margin and is operating most efficiently. .

Here, when the measured CPU usage rate is close to 100% (Y), it is sufficient to continue driving the CPU at the set clock frequency, so the process returns to step S103 to measure the CPU usage rate. And continue monitoring.
In step S105, when the measured CPU usage rate is far from 100% (N), the process returns to step S101 to reset the system clock frequency.

  In this way, the system clock frequency is obtained from the comfortable operation clock frequency for each application according to a plurality of applications to be executed, and this is set to the PC system clock, so that the operator can use the application comfortably. Can do.

  Up to now, the resource management means 2 shown in FIG. 1 has made it possible for an operator to comfortably use an application when a plurality of applications are executed. However, when many applications are executed, if the maximum clock frequency that the PC can take is originally low, the PC is overloaded even if the clock frequency of the comfortable operation of each application is smaller than the maximum clock frequency. There is a possibility. In other words, the performance is insufficient to execute many applications.

  In such a state, it cannot be said that the operator can use the application comfortably, and if the operator can alarm that the comfortable operation is not performed due to insufficient PC performance, the operator needs to upgrade the PC. You can easily notice sex.

  The resource management means 2 used for this may have the block configuration shown in FIG. 1, but an alarm means that operates according to the determination result by adding to the control unit 22 a function capable of determining insufficient performance of the CPU 1. Is connected. As an alarm means, blinking of a lamp or the like, or a message display on a PC screen can be used.

  The operation of the resource management means 2 in this case will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 is basically the same as the operation from step S101 to step S105 of the flowchart shown in FIG. 3, but is characterized in that the operation of step S203 is inserted. . Here, the description of the operation part similar to FIG. 3 is omitted.

  In step S203, it is determined whether the system clock frequency set in step S202 is lower than the maximum clock frequency that the PC can take. Here, if the set system clock frequency is lower than the maximum clock frequency (Y), it cannot be said that the performance of the CPU 1 is insufficient, so the process proceeds to step S204, and the subsequent operation is performed from step S103 in FIG. The operation is the same as that in S105.

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step S203 that the set system clock frequency is higher than the maximum clock frequency (N), there is a possibility that the performance of the CPU 1 is insufficient, so the CPU performance is recorded in the log (step S207). ).

  However, if the determination result indicating that the performance of the CPU 1 is insufficient is, for example, only a few times, the performance is temporarily insufficient, and there is a possibility that the upgrade is not sufficient. For this reason, if the determination result that the performance of the CPU 1 is insufficient frequently occurs, it is determined that the upgrade is necessary (step S208).

  If it is determined in step S208 that the performance is insufficient (N), there is no need for upgrade, so the process returns to step S201 to proceed to the operation of resetting the system clock frequency. If insufficient performance frequently occurs (Y), an alarm is issued because there is a need for upgrade due to insufficient performance of the CPU 1 (step S209).

  By adding such an operation to the resource management means 2, it is possible to alarm that the comfortable operation is not performed due to insufficient PC performance, and the operator can easily notice the necessity of upgrading the PC. .

  According to the resource management means 2 described above, the PC system clock is set lower than the maximum clock frequency to increase the CPU usage rate of the entire PC so that the operator can use the application comfortably.

  In addition to controlling the system clock frequency by grasping the clock frequency of the comfortable operation for each application according to the application to be executed, the remaining capacity of the battery is reduced so that the operator can use the application comfortably. Changing and controlling the system clock frequency based on the power supply conditions when the battery power decreases, the temperature conditions corresponding to the heat generation amount of the CPU, and the environmental conditions for suppressing noise generated from the PC corresponding to the use environment Thus, the operator can use the application more comfortably.

  Therefore, the usage environment of the operator will be described below with reference to FIGS. 5 to 14 according to power supply conditions, temperature conditions, and environmental conditions.

[When power supply conditions are met]
The resource management unit 2 shown in FIG. 5 is different from the resource management unit 2 shown in FIG. 1 in that the control unit 22 can acquire information on the remaining battery capacity from the power supply control circuit 6. is there. A battery 61 is connected to the power supply control circuit 6 and holds a database relating to battery usage. In addition, the resource management table stored in the storage unit 21 can store a minimum operation clock in addition to a comfortable operation clock for each of the plurality of applications APn.

FIG. 6 shows a second management table that can store a minimum operation clock in addition to the comfortable operation clock. The basic configuration of the second management table is the same as that of the first management table of FIG. 2, but a minimum operation clock can be further stored for each application.
The minimum operating clock means a minimum required clock frequency that an operator cannot comfortably use an application but can withstand practical use. This is written in advance in the application by the application vendor for each application.

  When the application is executed, the resource management means 2 takes out the clock frequency of the minimum operation together with the written clock frequency of the comfortable operation, stores it in the storage unit 21, and creates the second management table. .

  According to the example shown in FIG. 6, the minimum operating clock frequency is 10 MHz for the application AP1, 20 MHz for the application AP2, and 10 MHz for the resource management. The control unit 22 calculates the CPU usage rate during the minimum operation based on these minimum operation clock frequencies. Here, when the maximum clock frequency that can be taken by the PC is 300 MHz, and the CPU usage rate during the minimum operation is obtained for each application, the application AP1 is 3.3%, the application AP2 is 6.6%, and Resource management is 3.3%.

  Since the CPU usage rate during the entire minimum operation is the sum of the CPU usage rates of the applications, in the example of FIG. 6, the sum is 13.3%. When the maximum clock frequency that can be taken by the PC is 300 MHz, the system clock frequency at the minimum operation is 300 MHz × 13.3% = 40 MHz.

  By setting the clock frequency obtained in this way as the system clock frequency, the CPU power consumption can be greatly reduced when shifting to the minimum operating time compared to the case of a 300 MHz system clock. When the remaining capacity of the battery decreases, the operation time of the PC can be extended.

  Next, the operation of the resource management means 2 in FIG. 5 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG.

  When the execution of each application is started by multitasking, the resource management means 2 extracts the clock frequency of the comfortable operation and the clock frequency of the minimum operation from each application APn related to the execution, and performs the second management shown in FIG. Create and store a table. Then, based on the clock frequency for each application APn stored in the table, the CPU usage rate for the optimum operation and the CPU usage rate for the minimum operation are obtained for each application APn (step S301). Those CPU usage rates are calculated based on the maximum clock frequency that can be taken by the PC at this time.

The resource management unit 2 obtains the CPU usage rate during the optimum operation and the minimum CPU usage rate during the minimum operation for each application APn, and then obtains the sum of the CPU usage rates corresponding to each operation.
Here, the controller 22 reads the remaining battery capacity data from the power supply control circuit 6 and measures the remaining battery capacity (step S302).

  A system clock frequency is set in advance corresponding to the size of the remaining battery capacity. For example, when the remaining battery capacity is 50 to 100%, the clock frequency during comfortable operation, when it is 50 to 25%, the intermediate clock frequency between the comfortable operation and the minimum operation, and when it is 25% or less, the minimum operation time The selection criteria are set so that the system clock can be changed in stages according to the remaining battery capacity. It may be set more finely in multiple stages. Of course, the CPU clock control circuit 3 is also designed so that it can supply the system clock in response to this stepwise change in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 22.

In accordance with the remaining battery capacity measured in step S301, a system clock frequency to be supplied to the CPU is obtained with reference to the above selection criteria (step S302).
It is determined whether or not the system clock frequency obtained here is equal to or higher than the minimum clock frequency necessary for operation (step S304). This is because the minimum remaining clock frequency indicates that the remaining battery capacity is considerably reduced, and therefore there is a high possibility that the battery will run out while using the application.

  If the clock frequency obtained in step S303 is higher than the minimum operating clock frequency (Y), the obtained clock frequency is set as the PC system clock (step S305). The operations from step S306 to step S308 after step S305 are the same as the operations from step S103 to step S105 in FIG.

  However, in the operation shown in FIG. 7, since the clock frequency is obtained corresponding to the remaining battery capacity, the remaining battery capacity is monitored when the measured CPU usage rate is close to 100% (Y in step S308). Therefore, the process returns to step S302.

  On the other hand, when the clock frequency obtained in step S303 becomes the minimum operation clock frequency (N in step S304), the obtained clock frequency, that is, the minimum operation clock frequency is set as the PC system clock. (Step S309). Therefore, if the minimum clock frequency is set as the PC system clock, it means that the remaining battery capacity is small. Since there is a high possibility that the battery will run out while the operator is operating the application, an alarm is sent to the operator that there is a possibility that the battery will run out (step S310). If the operator notices this alarm, the operation of the application can be stopped or battery charging can be started.

  After notifying the alarm, the process returns to step S301 to reset the system clock frequency.

  As described above, since the PC system clock frequency is changed according to the load of the PC and according to the remaining battery capacity, not only the operator can use the application comfortably but also the PC usage time can be reduced. It can be extended for a long time. Then, it is possible to grasp in advance that the battery has been exhausted while using the application.

  In the embodiments described above with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7, the remaining battery capacity and application information (clock frequency for performing comfortable operation to minimum required) are not considered without considering the actual scheduled use time of the operator. By changing the clock according to the clock frequency), we aimed to balance battery life and comfortable performance. However, in an actual notebook PC usage environment, for example, it is only necessary to be able to operate during airplane movements, or to operate only during the meeting time, etc. I can't answer the desire to make it possible.

  Therefore, the actual use scheduled time is input in advance by the operator to the resource management unit 2 in FIG. 5, and the resource management unit uses the remaining battery capacity and the actual use scheduled time as a base unit time for each CPU clock. By accessing the per-battery battery usage database, it is possible to calculate the clock frequency that provides the most comfortable performance during the actual usage of the operator.

  FIG. 8 shows resource management means capable of inputting the actual scheduled use time, but has the same configuration as the resource management means shown in FIG.

  The resource management means 2 shown in FIG. 8 is different from the resource management means 2 in FIG. 5 in that the input means 7 is connected to the control unit 22. Specifically, the input means 7 is a keyboard, mouse, or the like attached to the notebook computer, but has a function that allows an operator to input the actual scheduled use time in advance to the resource management means 2 before executing the application. is there.

  Next, the operation of the resource management means 2 in FIG. 8 will be described with reference to the flowcharts in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

Steps S401 and S402 in FIG. 9A are similar to steps S301 and S302 in FIG. 7, and the second management table shown in FIG. 6 is created, and then the remaining battery capacity is measured.
Here, before using the application, the operator confirms whether or not the scheduled time has been input (step S403).

  At this time, when the scheduled time is not input (N), the CPU clock frequency corresponding to the remaining battery capacity may be set as in the operation after step S303 in FIG. In the flowchart, the minimum clock frequency required for the operation is obtained from the second management table of FIG. 6 as the CPU clock, and the system clock of the PC is set (step S404).

  Since the operation from step S405 to step S407 after the PC system clock is set is the same as the operation from step S103 to step S105 in FIG. 3, the description thereof is omitted.

  On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step S403 that the operator has input the scheduled operation time (Y), the CPU clock frequency is obtained from the measured remaining battery capacity and the input scheduled time (step S408).

  For example, if the CPU clock frequency is determined, the CPU power consumption per unit time can be obtained. Therefore, by using the CPU power consumption per unit time, the operation possible time can be obtained from the measured remaining battery capacity, and the CPU clock frequency at this time can be specified.

Therefore, the CPU clock frequency is obtained so that the obtained operable time becomes longer than the inputted scheduled time.
Since the CPU clock frequency obtained here must be the minimum clock frequency necessary for the operation, it is determined whether or not the obtained CPU clock frequency exceeds the minimum operation clock frequency (step S409).

  If the determined CPU clock frequency exceeds the minimum operating clock frequency (Y), the determined CPU clock frequency is set as the system clock (step S410). The subsequent operations from step S411 to step S413 are the same as the operations from step S405 to step S407, but are executed when the measured CPU usage rate is far from 100% (N in step S413). For the application, it indicates that there is a possibility that the clock frequency can still be increased. Therefore, the process returns to step S408 to reset the clock frequency.

  On the other hand, if the obtained CPU clock frequency is the minimum operation clock frequency (N) in step S409, the operation proceeds to the operations in step S414 and step S415, but the operations in steps S309 and S310 in FIG. Similarly, a minimum operating clock frequency is set as the system clock, and an alarm indicating the possibility of running out of battery is notified to the operator.

  In this way, because the operator can input the scheduled operation time, it is possible to execute the optimum performance according to the remaining battery capacity within the scheduled time, cope with the battery exhaustion, and the battery duration time. Extension is also possible.

[Depending on temperature conditions]
In the above, it was a viewpoint to enable comfortable application use according to the remaining battery capacity, but the embodiment described here is to enable comfortable application use according to the temperature of the PC. Based on perspective.

  In general, when an application is executed, the amount of heat generated from the CPU increases as the CPU clock frequency increases, and the amount of heat generated from the CPU decreases as the CPU clock frequency decreases. Therefore, in a recent high-performance PC, a high clock frequency is fixedly set as a system clock, and the amount of heat generated is considerably large. It is necessary to suppress the calorific value.

  In this embodiment, for example, a temperature sensor is installed in the vicinity of the CPU so that the temperature of heat-sensitive components, heat-generating components, etc. in the PC can be measured, and according to the temperature measured by the temperature sensor. Thus, the system clock is changed so as to suppress the heat generation amount of the CPU while executing a comfortable application.

FIG. 10 shows resource management means used in this embodiment.
The configuration of the resource management unit shown in FIG. 10 is the same as that of the resource management unit of FIG. 5, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. However, in the resource management means 2 of FIG. 10, a temperature sensor 8 is added in the vicinity of the CPU 1, and the temperature in the vicinity of the CPU 1 can be measured by the control unit 22.

  The operation of the resource management unit 2 shown in FIG. 10 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the execution of each application is started by multitasking, the resource management means 2 determines the clock frequency of the comfortable operation and the clock frequency of the minimum operation from each application APn related to the execution, as in step S301 of FIG. And the second management table shown in FIG. 6 is created and stored. Then, based on the clock frequency for each application APn stored in the table, the CPU usage rate for the optimal operation and the CPU for the minimum operation are determined for each application APn based on the maximum clock frequency that can be taken by the PC at this time. Each usage rate is obtained (step S501).

Next, the resource management unit 2 measures the temperature in the vicinity of the CPU 1 using the temperature sensor 8 and acquires temperature information of the heat-generating component (step S502).
It is determined whether or not the measured temperature is operating within a range in which the CPU 1 does not malfunction (step S503). Usually, since this range of electronic device parts is designed with a rating of 10 ° C. to 60 ° C., this range is set to a temperature that does not cause malfunction.

  Here, when the measured temperature is out of this range, for example, exceeds 60 ° C. (N), there is a high risk that the CPU 1 will malfunction, so the CPU clock frequency is lowered and the CPU 1 generates heat. It is necessary to reduce the amount. For this reason, a minimum clock frequency required for operation is set as a system clock in executing the application (step S504), and the amount of heat generated from the CPU 1 is reduced.

  Then, returning to step S501 and step S502, the temperature in the vicinity of the CPU 1 is measured again, and it is monitored whether the temperature is in a range where no malfunction occurs.

  On the other hand, even in the case where the measured temperature is within the range where no malfunction occurs in step S503 (Y), it may be close to the boundary of the range where no malfunction occurs, and the malfunction occurs. There is no guarantee that it will not. Therefore, it is determined whether the operation is performed with a sufficient temperature margin (step S505). If the range in which malfunction does not occur is 10 ° C to 60 ° C, the range having a sufficient temperature margin is set to 15 ° C to 55 ° C.

  Then, if the temperature measured in step S502 is within a range having a sufficient temperature margin (Y), the CPU 1 still generates heat even if it is operated at a clock frequency higher than the currently set system clock frequency. Since the amount is low, the system clock frequency is increased by, for example, 10 MHz in a predetermined step, and this frequency is set as the system clock (step S506).

  Further, when the temperature measured in step S502 exceeds the range having a sufficient temperature margin (N), if the operation is continued at the currently set system clock frequency, the temperature causes a malfunction. There is a possibility of approaching the limit value of no range. Therefore, it is safer to operate at a lower clock frequency. In this case as well, the system clock frequency is lowered by a predetermined step, for example, by 10 MHz, and this is used as the system clock. It sets (step S507).

  As described above, in this embodiment, the temperature in the vicinity of the CPU is measured, and the CPU clock frequency is set based on the temperature in consideration of a range where no malfunction occurs and a range having a sufficient temperature margin. Therefore, not only can a comfortable application be executed, but also the amount of heat generated from the CPU can be suppressed, and the influence on heat-sensitive components can be reduced, and the operation of the PC can be optimized.

[In case of noise conditions]
In the above-described embodiment, the CPU clock frequency is controlled according to the temperature information of the temperature sensor attached to the heat-sensitive component and the application information (the clock frequency for performing comfortable operation, the minimum required clock frequency). This is intended to balance the heat generation amount of the CPU and the operation environment at a comfortable CPU clock frequency within a range in which the PC does not malfunction.

By the way, for example, in a PC installed in an office, there is usually noise due to various factors in the office, and noise generated by the PC itself may be buried in the PC.
In such a case, it is better to provide a performance that can be used comfortably by the operator even if a certain amount of noise is generated from the PC. In other words, to provide comfortable performance, the CPU clock frequency is increased to some extent.

However, as the clock frequency increases, the amount of heat generated from the CPU increases accordingly. Therefore, it is necessary to set the system clock frequency so that the PC can perform a comfortable operation of the application within a range in which malfunction due to temperature does not occur.
Conversely, when the noise in the office is low, it is desirable to suppress the noise generated from the PC as much as possible.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, a sound collecting device represented by a microphone or the like is provided in the PC, and the resource management means collects not only noise generated in the PC but also noise due to external noise. The CPU clock frequency that can be accessed by the resource management means and the collected noise database are used to determine the CPU clock frequency based on application information (clock frequency for comfortable operation, minimum required clock frequency) within the allowable range of noise level. The cooling fan is also controlled accordingly.

The configuration of the resource management means according to this embodiment is shown in FIG.
The resource management unit shown in FIG. 12 is based on the resource management unit shown in FIG. 10, and the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the resource management unit 2 in FIG. 12, the microphone 9 is disposed in the vicinity of the PC, and the control unit 22 acquires data regarding noise collected by the microphone 9.

  As shown in the third management table of FIG. 13, an allowable CPU clock frequency is selected for each noise level as a PC system clock frequency suitable for the noise level, and stored in the storage unit 21. This allowable CPU clock frequency is the maximum clock frequency that the PC can take for each external noise level.

  A corresponding allowable CPU clock frequency is obtained from the third management table according to the noise level collected by the microphone 9. Depending on the level of the external noise level, the clock frequency of the PC also changes. For example, if the external noise level increases, the clock frequency also increases, and therefore the noise generated by the PC itself increases.

  Next, the operation of the resource management unit of FIG. 12 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In the flowchart of FIG. 14, for the sake of simplicity, the operation related to external noise is mainly shown, and the operation of the flowchart of FIG. 14 can be incorporated into the operation of the flowchart of FIG. 11 according to the temperature condition.

  First, when the execution of each application is started by multitasking, the resource management unit 2 determines the comfortable operation clock frequency and the minimum operation clock frequency from each application APn related to the execution, as in step S501 of FIG. And the second management table shown in FIG. 6 is created and stored. Then, based on the clock frequency for each application APn stored in the table, the CPU usage rate of the optimum operation and the minimum are determined for each application APn based on the maximum clock frequency (300 MHz) that can be taken by the PC at this time. The CPU usage rate of the operation is obtained (step S601).

  Here, the resource management means 2 measures the external noise of the PC from the microphone 9 (step S602), and whether the noise level generated by the PC itself is within an allowable range as compared with the measured external noise level. It is determined whether or not (step S603).

  When the noise level generated by the PC itself is outside the allowable range (N), it means that the noise generated by the PC itself is larger than the external noise, so the PC system clock frequency needs to be lowered. Therefore, the minimum operating clock frequency is obtained, and the clock frequency is set as the system clock (step S604).

  On the other hand, if the noise level generated by the PC itself is within the allowable range (Y) in step S603, it means that the noise generated by the PC itself is smaller than the external noise. This means that it can be increased. Therefore, based on the third management table stored in the storage unit 21, it is determined whether or not the external noise is higher than the allowable clock frequency when the CPU clock operates comfortably (step S605).

  When the external noise is higher than the noise level corresponding to the allowable clock frequency when the CPU clock operates comfortably (Y), the system clock frequency at the clock frequency that operates comfortably is obtained and set as the system clock. (Step S606).

  If the external noise is lower than the noise level corresponding to the allowable clock frequency when the CPU clock operates comfortably (N), an allowable CPU clock for external noise is obtained and set as a system clock (step S606). ).

  After the operation of step S606 or step S606, the process returns to step S601 and step S602, and proceeds to the operation of resetting the system clock according to the level of the external noise.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, external noise is measured. Therefore, application information (a clock frequency at which a comfortable operation is performed, a minimum required clock is set within a range that does not cause a malfunction according to the external noise). The CPU clock frequency can be changed based on the permissible clock frequency corresponding to the frequency) and the noise level, and a performance that can comfortably use the application can be provided even under noise conditions.

  As described above, according to the present invention, in the clock control of an information processing apparatus such as a PC, the clock frequency is controlled according to the requirements from multiple applications executed in the actual multitask and the use environment conditions. It can be carried out.

  For this reason, the CPU clock can be changed within a range in which the operator can comfortably operate the application, and the amount of heat generated by the information processing apparatus can be suppressed, thereby enabling stable operation.

  In addition, since it is always possible to check whether the information processing equipment can meet the performance application requirements, the operator can be alerted in a timely manner when the information processing equipment needs to be upgraded. Can also notify when the battery is dead.

Claims (4)

An information processing apparatus capable of executing a plurality of applications,
A storage unit for registering a clock frequency necessary for execution read from each application for each of the plurality of applications;
Based on each clock frequency registered in the storage unit, for each application, calculate the CPU usage rate of the information processing apparatus with respect to the maximum clock frequency that can be taken by the information processing apparatus that executes each application, A control unit that determines a system clock frequency of the information processing apparatus based on multiplication of the calculated CPU usage rate for each application and the maximum clock frequency, and sets the system clock frequency; ,
The controller sends a clock frequency excess alarm when the determined system clock frequency exceeds the maximum clock frequency, and when the frequency at which the system clock frequency exceeds the maximum clock frequency increases, An information processing apparatus for sending an upgrade necessity alarm for the information processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus capable of executing a plurality of applications,
A storage unit for registering a clock frequency necessary for execution read from each application for each of the plurality of applications;
Based on each clock frequency registered in the storage unit, for each application, calculate the CPU usage rate of the information processing apparatus with respect to the maximum clock frequency that can be taken by the information processing apparatus that executes each application, A control unit that determines a system clock frequency of the information processing apparatus based on multiplication of the calculated CPU usage rate for each application and the maximum clock frequency, and sets the system clock frequency; ,
The information processing apparatus that sends an upgrade necessity alarm for the information processing apparatus when the frequency at which the determined system clock frequency exceeds the maximum clock frequency increases. When executing a plurality of applications, the first application reads the first clock frequency at which the application operates comfortably and the second clock frequency required for the application to operate at a minimum. Register every time,
Based on each registered clock frequency, for each application, calculate the CPU usage rate in the information processing system for the maximum clock frequency that can be taken by the information processing system that executes each application,
Based on the multiplication of the calculated CPU usage rate for each application and the maximum clock frequency, determine the system clock frequency of the information processing system, set the system clock frequency,
When the determined system clock frequency exceeds the maximum clock frequency, a clock frequency exceeded alarm is sent,
A recording medium on which a program for executing sending out an upgrade necessity alarm of the information processing system when the frequency at which the system clock frequency exceeds the maximum clock frequency increases is recorded. When executing a plurality of applications, the first application reads the first clock frequency at which the application operates comfortably and the second clock frequency required for the application to operate at a minimum. Register every time,
Based on each registered clock frequency, for each application, calculate the CPU usage rate in the information processing system for the maximum clock frequency that can be taken by the information processing system that executes each application,
Based on the multiplication of the calculated CPU usage rate for each application and the maximum clock frequency, determine the system clock frequency of the information processing system, set the system clock frequency,
A recording medium on which is recorded a program for executing sending out an upgrade necessity alarm of the information processing system when the frequency at which the determined system clock frequency exceeds the maximum clock frequency increases.

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