JP4517274B2 - Information processing apparatus and power supply method in information processing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for reducing power consumption by reducing standby power of a device to zero in an information processing apparatus such as a computer.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As an auxiliary storage device used in a computer system, various recording / reproducing devices using a disk-shaped recording medium are used. For example, a portable computer equipped with an optically readable disk drive or a hard disk drive (second hard disk or the like) is known.
[0003]
The following methods have been proposed as power saving measures.
[0004]
A mode for discriminating between when using an AC power source and when using a battery and switching the drive device to a low-speed operation mode when using the battery to save power (for example, see Patent Document 1).
-In the power saving mode, the communication between the control units is cut off, and the control unit that detects the cut off of communication cuts off the power supply to each unit and the control unit itself shifts to the sleep mode (for example, Patent Documents) 2).
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-8-87818 (paragraph number 0017, FIG. 2)
[Patent Document 2]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-290802 (paragraph number 0041, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional apparatus has a problem that power is consumed when a device (auxiliary storage device or the like) is on standby, that is, when the user is not using it. In particular, in a device that is frequently used by battery drive in a configuration in which the device is built in the main body, the use time of the battery is shortened.
[0007]
In the case of a configuration form (so-called removable type) in which the device can be removed from the apparatus, it is possible to reduce power consumption by removing the device. This is troublesome in that it must be removed one by one.
[0008]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to reduce power consumption during device standby in an information processing apparatus, and to avoid impairing user convenience.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention includes the following constituent elements.
[0010]
A determination unit that determines whether to permit or reject the transition between the usage state and the power saving state of the device.
[0011]
When receiving a command from the judging means and shifting the device to the power saving state, the power supply to the device is cut off, and the device is temporarily stopped in a reversible state, and then the device is used. Power supply control means for returning to the original state at the time of shut-off by supplying power when shifting to.
[0012]
Therefore, according to the present invention, since the power supply to the device is cut off in the power saving state of the device, useless power is not consumed. In addition, when a device is desired to be used, the device can be quickly returned to a usable state by restarting power supply and returning the device to the original state at the time of shutting down.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to reduce the standby power of an apparatus by creating a state of zero power consumption by shutting off the power supply of the device while achieving consistency between the device (power saving target device) and the apparatus system. To do.
[0014]
In the present specification, the “power saving target device” is a device that consumes standby power, and means a device that is a target of power saving control in the present invention. For example, in application to computer equipment, drive devices for optical media (optical discs, magneto-optical discs, etc.), magnetic recording / reproducing devices such as hard disk drives (HDD), storage devices such as tape streamers, modems and networks A communication device such as a connection device may be used.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing the basic configuration of the present invention.
[0016]
The information processing apparatus 1 includes a determination unit 2 and a power supply control unit 3.
[0017]
The determination unit 2 determines whether or not the transition between the usage state and the power saving state related to the power saving target device 4 is permitted. For example, it is determined whether or not the power saving target device 4 is being used, and the device is not used for the time being, or when the setting is not made due to a user operation or the like. Transition from state to power saving state is allowed.
[0018]
The power supply control means 3 controls the power supply to the power saving target device 4, and whether or not to supply the power supply voltage from the power supply unit 5 (for example, a battery or an AC power source) to the power saving target device 4. It prescribes. In FIG. 1, the power saving target device 4 is an auxiliary storage device using the information recording medium 4a. The detecting means 4b for detecting the presence or absence of the information recording medium 4a and the eject button of the information recording medium 4a An operation unit 4c including the above is provided.
[0019]
The power supply control means 3 receives the instruction from the determination means 2 and performs control as follows.
[0020]
(A) In a case where a power saving target device is shifted to a power saving state, the power supply to the device is cut off (the device is temporarily stopped in a recursive state).
[0021]
(B) When the power saving target device is shifted to the use state after the power supply is cut off, power is supplied to the device to restore the original state at the time of the cut-off.
[0022]
That is, in (A), when the state is shifted to the power saving state, if the power supply to the power saving target device 4 is simply cut off, there is a possibility that inconvenience may occur when the device is subsequently used. For example, since the power of the device is turned off, the system cannot recognize the device, or the system needs to be restarted when the device is to be used.
[0023]
Therefore, as shown in (B) above, when power supply is resumed, it is necessary to restore the power saving target device to the original state at the time of shutting down (this point will be described in detail later).
[0024]
Below, the example which applied this invention to the computer apparatus is demonstrated. The application of the present invention is not limited to a specific operating system (hereinafter referred to as “OS”), but “Windows” (trademark of Microsoft Corporation) is taken as an example for the sake of concrete description. I will explain.
[0025]
FIG. 2 shows a main part of a configuration example related to hardware, and has the following elements (the numbers in parentheses indicate the reference numerals given to the respective parts).
[0026]
CPU (6)
・ First control unit (7)
・ Main memory (8)
・ Graphic card (9)
・ Second control unit (10)
Third control unit (11)
・ Hard disk drive device (12, 12)
・ Optical disk drive device (13, 13)
・ Device controller (14)
・ AC adapter (15)
-Battery pack (16).
[0027]
In the figure, various devices such as an input operation device (keyboard, mouse, etc.) and a display device (liquid crystal display, cathode ray tube (CRT), etc.) are omitted. Further, as auxiliary storage devices, magnetic disk drive devices such as hard disks and optical disk drive devices (optical read disk drive devices such as optical disks and magneto-optical disks) are shown. CD-ROM, DVD-RAM and the like.
[0028]
The first to third control units (7, 10, 11) are distinguished from each other by assigning numbers in ascending order from the CPU (central processing unit) 6.
[0029]
First, the first control unit (MCH) 7 is a chip set (LSI: large-scale integrated circuit) having functions such as memory control and a link with a system bus, and is called a so-called “system controller”. The AT compatible machine is called “north bridge” and has a role of connecting the CPU 6 to the main memory 8, the graphic card 9, and various buses (PCI, AGP, etc.).
[0030]
The second control unit (ICH) 10 is a chip set for performing device bus link and power control. It is called “South Bridge” in AT compatible machines (also known as “PCI to ISA bridge”). A bus connected to the North Bridge (PCI: Peripheral Component Interconnect bus) is a low speed bus (ISA: Industry Standard Architecture bus, etc.) It has a built-in circuit unit having a function of bridging and having functions such as an ISA controller and an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) controller.
[0031]
In the figure, for convenience of explanation, the hard disk drive device 12 and the optical disk drive device 13 are connected to the IDE controller “IDE HC” of the second control unit 10, and the hard disk drive device is connected to the device control unit 14. 12 and the optical disk drive device 13 are connected. The device control unit 14 controls devices supported in accordance with the “IEEE 1394” standard (defining hardware specifications for adding a serial device to a computer), and is connected to the second control unit 10. ing.
[0032]
The third control unit 11 is an “EC” (Embedded Controller) in this example, and controls power supply to various devices. For example, the EC has a role of detecting and grasping the connection and mounting state of the battery pack 16 using the AC adapter 15 or a secondary battery.
[0033]
Regarding the power supply control of the power saving target device, there are the following two forms.
[0034]
(I) A mode that respects the setting of the power saving function by the user and performs control such as power interruption when a predetermined condition is satisfied.
(II) A mode in which the power saving state, usage state, etc. of the device are controlled behind the scene without making the user aware of it at all.
[0035]
The “predetermined condition” in the form (I) is, for example, when power is supplied from a battery, or a power saving target device is an auxiliary storage device using an information recording medium, and information is recorded in the device. For example, a case where no medium is mounted. That is, in a situation where the power supply capacity is limited, such as when the battery is driven, it is preferable to shift the device to the power saving state with reference to the setting by the user. This also applies to the case where the user does not plan to use the power saving target device for the time being.
[0036]
In the above form (II), the control is automatically performed without requiring any setting by the user. That is, no user operation or involvement is required, and the user is not bothered by distinguishing between control modes.
[0037]
The forms (I) and (II) are not contradictory, and can be arbitrarily set or changed according to the situation, user's preference, and the like.
[0038]
In the following, a drive device for optical media (for example, CD-ROM / DVD-ROM / CD-R / RW) will be described as an example of a power saving target device. Since the device is not limited to a device built in the apparatus main body, for example, even if the device is provided outside the housing of the apparatus main body, the main body is configured by communication connection means capable of controlling power supply. The present invention can be applied when connected to the power supply control means in the unit.
[0039]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a main part of a system configuration example related to the embodiment (I), and basically includes two control blocks (numbers in parentheses indicate symbols).
[0040]
・ Power control unit (17)
・ Logical device controller (18)
The power control unit 17 (which constitutes the power supply control means 3) includes a utility 19, a driver 20, a GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output) 21, and a power supply unit (Power Supply Circuit) connected thereto. 22 is comprised.
[0041]
The utility (program) 19 and the driver 20 constitute a software hierarchy, and the control command from the utility 19 is passed to the GPIO 21 via the driver 20, and the actual power supply or cutoff is performed by the power below the hardware. This is a supply unit 22. The GPIO 21 is provided in the EC or ICH.
[0042]
The logical device control unit 18 includes a utility 19, a control API (Application Program Interface) 23 provided from an OS (Operating System), and a bus controller (Bus Controller) that controls a bus to which the device is connected via the API. 24. In this example, an optical media drive device 13 such as an optical disk is connected by IDE, IEEE1394, USB (Universal Serial Bus), or the like.
[0043]
In this example, there are three states as shown in the state transition diagram of FIG.
[0044]
·Normal state
・ Power saving trial state
-Power saving state.
[0045]
First, the “normal state” is a state in which power is supplied to a power saving target device, for example, a state in which the device is used for access and power is consumed. That is, the usage state of the device and the state where it can be used even if it is not actually used (usable state) are included.
[0046]
The “power saving state” is a state in which the power consumption of the device is made zero by cutting off the power supply to the power saving target device while maintaining the state of the apparatus system. That is, the device is in a state where the power is turned off and temporarily stopped in a state where the device can be recursed, and power consumption is suppressed when viewed as the entire system or the entire device.
[0047]
The “power saving trial state” is a state in the middle of shifting from the normal state to the power saving state. For example, when a power saving request is received from the user, the state is changed to the power saving trial state and the state is shifted to the power saving state. If successful, the power saving state is entered, but if the transition to the power saving state fails, the normal state is restored.
[0048]
When a use request for a power saving target device is made in the power saving state, the state shifts to a normal state.
[0049]
As described above, the “normal state” in which the power saving target device can be used, the “power saving trial state” in the middle of the transition to the power saving state, and the power saving target device being turned off. There exists a “power state”, and a transition is made between the states in accordance with a power saving request from a user, a device use request, and a success or failure of a power saving attempt.
[0050]
In the present embodiment (I), the operation is performed mainly by the utility 19 (see FIG. 3) (the determination means 2 is constituted by the CPU 6 and the utility 19), and the logical device control unit. A power saving function is realized by controlling the power control unit 18 and the power control unit 17.
[0051]
First, the transition from the normal state to the power saving trial state includes the following two forms.
[0052]
(1) A mode in which state transition is performed in response to a power saving request by a profile on a resident utility
(2) In the above (1), the presence / absence of a used medium is further detected, and the state transition is performed when the medium is not attached.
[0053]
The basic form (1) will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0054]
FIG. 5 schematically shows an example of a display screen when the on / off state can be set by an explicit operation by the user regarding the transition to the power saving state in the profile on the resident utility. .
[0055]
That is, one of the profiles is provided with a “setting for enabling or disabling transition to the power saving state”, for example, transition to this profile when the battery is driven. In other words, in the situation where the device is supplied with power from the AC adapter, there is no need to make a transition to the power saving state, but in the situation where the device is driven by a battery, the above profile is obtained by detecting the state. And when the setting is valid (transition to the power saving state), the normal state is changed to the power saving trial state.
[0056]
In FIG. 5, “use of built-in CD / DVD drive” is set to “off” as indicated by a broken line frame as a lower layer of the item shown in the display frame on the right side. When the transition from the power saving trial state to the power saving state is successful, the power supply to the optical media drive device is cut off.
[0057]
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the resident utility process (the main part of the profile switching process).
[0058]
First, in step S1, it is determined whether or not the apparatus is in a battery drive state (in FIG. 3, the EC grasps the connection and mounting state of the AC adapter 15 and the battery pack 16). When the battery is driven, the process proceeds to step S2, but when the battery is not driven (AC drive), the process proceeds to step S3.
[0059]
In step S2, the profile is switched to the battery (drive) profile. Thereby, if the above-mentioned effective setting is made, the state transits to the power saving trial state. Note that the reason for not suddenly shifting to the power saving trial state when switching to the battery profile is that the user may not be able to use the power saving target device (for users who cannot understand the reason for shifting to the power saving state). You can avoid confusion.)
[0060]
In step S3, the profile is switched to the AC drive profile. At the time of supplying commercial AC power, it may be configured so that settings relating to power saving can be performed, or it may be always invalid (when power saving is not performed).
[0061]
In the above form (2), it is basically the same as in the case of form (1). However, when the power saving target device is not used, it does not unconditionally shift to the power saving state. When the target device is a device that uses a medium, the difference is that the presence / absence of the medium (whether it is attached to a drive) is used as a trigger.
[0062]
That is, in the form (1), when the battery is driven, the transition to the power saving trial state is made only by the “setting to enable or disable the transition to the power saving state” being valid. ), When the setting is valid and a medium such as a compact disc (CD) is not in the drive device, the state transits to the power saving trial state.
[0063]
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating the process of the resident utility, and shows an example in which media detection and ejection detection are triggered.
[0064]
First, in step S11, it is determined whether or not the setting for transition to the power saving state in the profile is valid. If the setting is valid, the process proceeds to next step S12 to determine the presence or absence of media. (Media loading is detected using an optical sensor or the like. For example, see the detecting means 4b in FIG. 1).
[0065]
If no media is loaded in the drive device, the process proceeds to S13 to shift to a power saving trial state. If a medium is loaded, the process proceeds to step S14 to determine whether the power saving state is set. .
[0066]
If it is currently in the power saving state, the process proceeds to the next step S15. If it is not in the power saving state, the process returns to step S11.
[0067]
In step S15, it is checked whether or not the eject button of the drive device has been pressed. If the button is pressed, the process proceeds to step S16. If the button is not pressed, the process returns to step S11.
[0068]
In this example, in the “transition from the power saving state to the normal state”, it is detected that the eject button has been pressed, and the power is turned on to the power saving target device simultaneously with the operation request by the operation of the eject button.
[0069]
In step S16, media ejection processing is performed. That is, when there is a media ejection mechanism, a process of opening the opening / closing lid or the like is performed.
[0070]
In S17, the state is changed to the normal state. In this case, since power supply to the device has already been performed, a bus connection process or the like is performed.
[0071]
Next, an example of utility processing at the time of transition from the power saving trial state to the power saving state will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.
[0072]
In this example, since it is assumed that the power saving target device is connected to the IDE bus, the power supply to the device is cut off after the bus is disabled at the time of transition to the power saving state. When returning from the power saving state to the normal state, the bus is enabled after the power is turned on.)
[0073]
First, in step S21, the IDE controller is invalidated. In other words, the IDE controller disable process is performed. However, the process is not limited to IDE, and in the case of IEEE1394 or USB, a disable process related to the host controller to which the device is connected is performed. The actual processing is performed, for example, by calling an API provided by a software layer called “Configuration Manager” of OS (Windows) (function call).
[0074]
In the next step S22, it is determined whether or not the bus controller is successfully invalidated. That is, if the result of calling the API is a failure (such as when the power saving target device is in use), the power saving trial state returns to the normal state. At this time, if necessary, as shown in step S24, after notifying the user that the transition to the power saving state has failed, the process returns to the normal state of S25. Note that the number of trials in this case is not limited to one, and the retry may be repeated as many times as necessary.
[0075]
If the invalidation is successful in step S22, the process proceeds to step S23, and after a predetermined waiting time, the process proceeds to step S26 to disconnect the data bus. Then, in the next step S27, the power of the power saving target device is cut off, and the power saving state of S28 is entered.
[0076]
As an actual power-off process of the power saving target device, for example, the utility 19, the driver, the system BIOS (Basic Input / Output System), AML (model-specific intermediate language is saved as a part of the system BIOS, and Windows This is done by calling an ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) mechanism such as a program that is interpreted and executed. That is, in the driver, the system BIOS, and the AML, the power supply and the power supply circuit can be controlled by setting the output of the GPIO 21 connected to the power supply circuit 22 in FIG. 3 to a high level and a low level. It is possible to realize control of blocking.
[0077]
ACPI is an interface for performing power management of a computer. In addition, by compiling a source file of the system description language ASL (ACPI Source Language), an intermediate language AML (ACPI Machine Language) code (intermediate code) is created, and the main body of the ACPI mechanism that interprets and executes the code The part is “ACPI.SYS” in Windows. An AML program (a method related to device power on / off processing is included) is included as part of the BIOS, and consults with ACPI.SYS from a utility program via a predetermined driver. Thus, the method of the AML description is processed. The use of AML is preferable from the viewpoint of hardware abstraction, and can hide the peculiarity of the device configuration. However, the GPIO 21 may be accessed without being hidden via the utility 19 and the driver 20 as shown in FIG.
[0078]
In step S26 of FIG. 8, when the bus is disconnected, the data bus (Data Bus) is set to “Hi-Z” (high impedance state), but this is included for safety reasons. . That is, although this is not essential, for example, in the case of a power saving target device connected to the IDE bus, by changing the setting of the IDE host controller (IDE Host Controller) or via the bus SW (switch) Settings can be made, and can be realized by using a driver, system BIOS, and AML in the same manner as the power supply and shut-off control described above (for example, in FIG. 3, it can be set by a control command from the driver 20 to the bus controller 24. ).
[0079]
A description will be given of each of the above-described forms (1) and (2) regarding the processing in the case where the power saving target device is changed to the power saving state by powering off the device and then transitions from the power saving state to the normal state in response to a request to use the device. To do.
[0080]
First, in the form (1), the transition from the power saving state to the normal state includes, for example, the following method.
[0081]
-When the AC adapter is connected, power is supplied from the adapter to the device, and the power saving setting becomes invalid, such as when switching to the AC drive profile (AC drive profile), transition to the normal state How to make
・ Displays icons, etc. in the notification area to the user on the display screen (for example, the area called `` task tray ''), notifies the user that the power saving target device will be used later, and returns to the normal state via the menu. How to transition to.
[0082]
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing example of the utility when transitioning from the power saving state to the normal state.
[0083]
First, in step S31, the power state of the power saving target device is confirmed via the driver, the system BIOS, and the AML. In the next step S32, when the power of the power saving target device is off, the process proceeds to step S33, and the power saving target device is turned on (turned on) via the driver, system BIOS, and AML. Then, the process proceeds to step S35 after a waiting time in next step S34.
[0084]
When the power of the power saving target device is on in step S32, the process proceeds to step S35 and the data bus is connected. Specifically, in the power saving trial state, as described above, the process of returning the data bus set to the Hi-Z (high impedance) state to the original state is performed. This process is required when considering the safety measures in the power saving state as described above, but of course, it is unnecessary if the bus is not put into the Hi-Z state when shifting to the power saving state.
[0085]
When access to the power saving target device becomes possible, the process proceeds to step S36 and the bus controller is validated. For example, the IDE controller is validated via “Configuration Manager”, and the process shifts to the normal state of S37.
[0086]
Note that the application of the present invention is not limited to the use of an IDE controller. Therefore, the host controller (IEEE1394, USB, etc.) of the bus to which the power saving target device is connected may be enabled and enabled. .
[0087]
In the mode (2), in addition to the profile switching in the mode (1), as described above, the pressing of the eject button provided in the media drive device may be detected to make a transition to the normal state. In other words, since the medium is not loaded in the drive in the power saving state, pressing the eject button suggests that the user intends to use the medium while wearing it.
[0088]
In step S41 of FIG. 10, when the eject button of the drive device is pressed in the power saving state, the process proceeds to the next step S42, and it is determined whether or not the power supply of the device is on.
[0089]
The processes in steps S42 to S46 in FIG. 10 are the same as those in steps S32 to S36 in FIG. 9. When the power of the device is off, the device is turned on in step S43. To Step S45 through the waiting time in Step S44.
[0090]
If the power of the device is on, the process proceeds from step S42 to step S45, and after the data bus is connected, the bus controller is validated in step S46. In the next step S47, when there is an eject mechanism for the medium, processing such as opening the lid is performed, and the process proceeds to the normal state in S48.
[0091]
As described above, even when the system is notified that the eject button has been pressed even in the power saving state, it is necessary to turn on the power saving target device, and at that time, the media by the user In view of the high probability of mounting, it is preferable to shift to the normal state.
[0092]
In the above-described form (I), when the utility profile is switched at the time of battery driving or the like, the state transits to the power saving trial state, and when the trial is successful, the state transits to the power saving state. At that time, if the user does not know that it has switched to the power saving state, or if the user wants to use the device, the user has intentionally switched to the power saving state. It is necessary to perform an operation to transition to the state.
[0093]
Therefore, in the form (II), in order that the user does not need to be aware of the power saving state or the like, the situation where the user is not using the power saving target device is automatically detected to detect the power of the device. Is provided (transition to the power saving state), and in a situation where the user wants to use the device, a mechanism for automatically returning the device (transition to the normal state) is provided. Note that the non-use state of the power saving target device can be determined when a use request for the device does not arrive for a predetermined time or more, as will be described later.
[0094]
In the case of Windows (OS) as an example, a drive device such as a CD is recognized by the system through the configuration shown in FIG.
[0095]
In this example, the case of a CD-ROM drive is shown and is as follows.
[0096]
"CDROM.SYS"=> Driver that makes the system recognize the CD-ROM drive.
[0097]
・ "Class PnP"=> Processing related to Plug & Play (Plug & Play), and is interposed between "CDROM.SYS" and "Port Driver".
[0098]
“Port Driver” => A driver of the bus to which the CD-ROM drive is connected, and recognizes and issues a SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) command to the device.
[0099]
Note that “plug and play” is a device interface standard that allows peripheral devices to be added to a computer and automatically recognized by the system without requiring manual settings by the user.
[0100]
In the form (II), even if the power supply to the power saving target device is cut off, it is assumed that the device is connected in the same manner as the use state. This is to prevent the absence of a power saving target device, and the device is always “existing” in appearance (not a physical existence, but can be used from an apparatus system, an OS, or the like). As a means of mimicking as such, an intermediate driver interposed between a plurality of drivers related to device control (hereinafter referred to as “filter driver”). Is used. This driver serves to prevent the absence of the device when viewed from the user or application side.
[0101]
In practice, for example, the following forms may be mentioned.
[0102]
(II-1) Filter processing for port driver (Port Driver)
(II-2) A form in which the filter processing for the device driver (CDROM.SYS) is performed.
[0103]
First, in the form (II-1), as shown in FIG. 12, the filter driver 25 for the port driver is created as an intermediate layer driver, and this is interposed between the Port Driver and Class PnP. That is, the processing between the two is mediated by the filter driver 25, and processing for the Port Driver, information filtering from the Port Driver, and the like can be performed. Although the filter driver itself is realized as software processing, FIG. 12 shows the control unit 25a and the state and information for each drive that is a power saving target in consideration of easy understanding. The storage unit (state / information storage unit) 25b is assumed to be included.
[0104]
FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a specific processing example in the filter driver.
[0105]
First, in step S51, it is determined whether or not a request (processing request such as IRP) is received from the upper layer (that is, “Class PnP”) to the Port Driver. If a request to the Port Driver is received, the process proceeds to step S54. If no request is received, the process proceeds to step S52, where a certain period of time is awaited. In other words, by having an internal timer, the elapse of a certain time is measured, and the process returns to step S51 until this time (waiting time) has not elapsed. Turn off the device (turn it off).
[0106]
As described above, when the request for the power saving target device does not arrive for a certain time or more and the state where no processing is performed continues, the device transits to the power saving state (in step S53, to the device). Is turned off and the process returns to step S51).
[0107]
In step S54, it is checked whether or not power is being supplied to the power saving target device. If it is determined that the power is on, the process proceeds to step S55. If it is determined that the power is off, Proceed to step S57.
[0108]
In step S55, the request from the upper layer (that is, “Class PnP”) is transferred to the Port Driver as it is, and in the next step S56, necessary data is cached (that is, the filter driver 25 simply passes the request to the Port Driver. It ’s just relaying.) Then, the process returns to step S51.
[0109]
In step S57, since the power-saving target device is turned off, it is impossible to access the device. Therefore, can the information be returned in response to the request even when the power is turned off? Judge whether or not. That is, when a processing request is received in a state where the power supply of the device is cut off, there is information that can be returned even in the power cut-off state. If this is stored in the state / information storage unit 25b, the information Can be retrieved and responded to the processing request.
[0110]
Information until immediately before the power saving target device is turned off is stored in the state / information storage unit 25b. If the requested information can be returned even when the power is off, the process proceeds to step S58, and the upper layer As a response to, the process returns to step S51 after returning necessary information.
[0111]
For information that cannot be returned unless the power-saving target device is turned on, the process proceeds to step S59, and after the power of the device is turned on, the process proceeds to next step S60 to return a status of “Busy” (working). (That is, necessary information cannot be obtained immediately even when the power is turned on from the power-off state.) Then, the process returns to step S51.
[0112]
In this form, a filter driver for the port driver is created and viewed from the upper layer side of the software layer, it is assumed that the power saving target device is always present and operating (a case where no filter driver is provided can be considered. As you can see, there is no response when the device is powered off.) In addition, when the filter driver has a timer and the device has not been processed for a predetermined time or more, it automatically transitions to the power saving state, and then a processing request (including a usage request). ) Is returned to the normal state simultaneously with the request. Therefore, when viewed from the user, application, etc., it will always appear as if there is a device to save power, and there is an advantage that it can be used without being aware of the power saving state or normal state at all (power saving target) Controls such as power supply and shutdown for devices and validation / invalidation of bus controllers are hidden because the filter driver is processing under the surface of the water).
[0113]
Next, the form (II-2) will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0114]
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, a filter driver 26 for CDROM.SYS is created as an intermediate layer driver, and this is interposed between CDROM.SYS and API, so that processing for CDROM.SYS can be performed. The return information can be filtered. In FIG. 14, for the sake of easy understanding, the control unit 26a of the filter driver 26 and a storage unit (state / information storage unit) for storing the status and information for each drive to be saved. 26b is specified.
[0115]
The difference from the above (II-1) is the position on the layer where the filter driver is provided, and the basic processing contents are the same.
[0116]
In the flowchart shown in FIG. 15, the difference from each step shown in FIG. 13 is as follows.
[0117]
In step S61, it is determined whether a request (I / O control request) to CDROM.SYS has been received.
-In step S65, the request in step S61 is passed directly to CDROM.SYS.
In step S68 or S70, the status (status) or information is returned to the upper layer through the API.
[0118]
In addition, it branches from step S61 to S62, S64, and branches to S65, S67 in S64. The process branches to S68 and S69 in S67, but S62, S63, S64, S66, S67, S69, and S70 are the same as steps S52, S53, S54, S56, S57, S59, and S60 in FIG. Therefore, their description is omitted to avoid duplication.)
[0119]
Also in this embodiment, when a request to the power saving target device does not come for a certain period of time or longer, the state automatically shifts to the power saving state, and when a processing request (including a use request) comes after that, At the same time as the request, the device returns from the power saving state to the normal state. Therefore, when viewed from the user, application, etc., it is assumed that there is always a power saving target device.
[0120]
Therefore, according to the above-described configuration, the following advantages can be obtained.
[0121]
-Power consumption can be reduced to zero by shutting off the power supply to the power saving target device in the power saving state. In particular, power saving can be realized by applying the above configuration to a device (such as an IDE-connected optical media drive) that has not been provided with a power reduction function by the OS.
[0122]
-By cutting the power supply itself to the power saving target device, the power consumption can be further reduced than the power consumption in the standby state of the device. Therefore, for example, in a device driven by a battery, by reducing wasteful power consumption, the battery can be used for a long time, so that convenience for the user is improved.
[0123]
-While the state of the system using the power saving target device is maintained, the power saving state can be returned to the normal state, and the system consistency is not hindered. In other words, even if the power supply to the device is cut off, it is assumed that the device is always present, and during that time, processing is performed so that it can be detected from the system side that the device is in use By doing so, it is possible to cope with the system consistency. Further, in the above-described form (II), the user can use the system without being particularly aware of the transition to the power saving state or the return to the normal state.
[0124]
The above-described embodiments can be applied to various devices and are useful for the power saving technology of the entire apparatus.
[0125]
-Users do not need to remove the device to save power. Therefore, it is possible to realize power saving for devices with a built-in body without providing a mechanism for removal (addition of a small electric circuit and use of software), so in terms of cost and mechanical arrangement space It is advantageous.
[0126]
【The invention's effect】
As is apparent from the above description, according to the invention according to claim 1, since the power supply to the device is cut off in the power saving state, the power consumption of the device becomes zero and the device is used. If it is desired, the power supply can be resumed to return to the original state at the time of shut-off, and the device can be quickly used. Therefore, convenience for the user can be improved. Furthermore, wasteful power can be prevented from being consumed in a situation where no information recording medium is loaded in the auxiliary storage device.
[0133]
Claim 2 According to the invention, the power saving function can be realized in a state where the device body and the auxiliary storage device are incorporated in the apparatus main body.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a basic configuration example according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a main part of a system configuration example.
FIG. 4 is a state transition diagram showing a relationship between three states.
FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a profile on a resident utility;
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing example of a resident utility.
FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a case where media detection and ejection detection are performed in the resident utility process.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of transition from a power saving trial state to a power saving state.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of transition from a power saving state to a normal state.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in a case where the pressing of the eject button of the drive device is detected and a transition to a normal state is performed.
FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a driver configuration.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a driver configuration when a filter driver is used.
13 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the filter driver of FIG.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a driver configuration when a filter driver is used.
15 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the filter driver of FIG.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing apparatus, 2 ... Determination means, 3 ... Power supply control means, 4 ... Device, 4a ... Information recording medium, 25 ... Driver, 25b ... Storage part, 26 ... Driver, 26b ... Storage part

Claims (2)

In an information processing apparatus that includes or is connected to a device that consumes standby power,
The above device is an auxiliary storage device using an information recording medium connected to a bus controller ,
A normal state in which power is supplied and usable with respect to the auxiliary storage device, a power saving state in which power supply is interrupted, and a power saving state in the middle of transition from the normal state to the power saving state A trial state exists,
It is determined whether or not the information recording medium is attached to the auxiliary storage device. When the information recording medium is not attached, the transition to the power saving trial state is promoted, and when the information recording medium is attached. Determine whether the power saving state is present, determine whether the eject button has been pressed if the power saving state is present, and determine whether the information recording medium is mounted again if not the power saving state. When the eject button is pressed, the information recording medium is ejected, and then the transition from the power saving state to the normal state is promoted. When the eject button is not pressed, the information recording is performed again. Determining means for determining whether or not a medium is mounted ;
When the bus controller invalidation process is performed in response to an instruction prompting the transition to the power saving trial state from the determination means, and the auxiliary storage device is transitioned from the power saving trial state to the power saving state. The power supply to the auxiliary storage device is cut off, the auxiliary storage device is temporarily stopped in a recursive state, and then the normal storage device is switched to the normal state by supplying power to the normal storage device. An information processing apparatus comprising power supply control means for returning to a state. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
An information processing apparatus, wherein the auxiliary storage device is built in the apparatus main body.

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