JP2006251981A - Power saving control system, recording medium and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent occurrence of communication failure, and to eliminate incompatibility for a user by setting a power saving mode when the use frequency of a central processing unit is low, and stopping shift to the power saving mode under such circumstances that the capability of a central processing unit is required regardless of the presence/absence of input/output transmission with external equipment by an application. <P>SOLUTION: This power saving control system is composed of: a system section for performing operations including the start and control of this system by hardware including a central processing unit having a power saving function; a BIOS section for loading a basic program necessary for staring this system part, a storage section for storing the data, the application section of the main body of the program; and an operation system section for controlling the power saving of basic software and central processing unit for performing control between the system section and the application section. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a power saving function in an information processing apparatus, and more particularly to a power saving control apparatus and method for a central processing unit.

  In recent years, as the importance of the power saving function of information processing devices increases, the number of central processing units having a plurality of power modes has increased. When the central processing unit is not used by the operating system, set the power saving mode with high power saving effect, and when using the central processing unit, stop the power saving mode and set the performance mode to operate at the maximum capacity of the central processing unit. By setting, power saving effect is enhanced and long-time use is realized.

A conventional power saving control system will be described below using a personal computer configuration.
A conventional power saving control system is shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a personal computer equipped with a conventional power saving control system.

  In FIG. 3, 30 is a personal computer representing the system. A central processing unit 31 has a performance mode that operates at the maximum capacity and a power saving mode that operates at a capacity lower than the maximum capacity to realize power saving, and can operate by switching modes. Reference numeral 32 denotes a system unit that is equipped with the central processing unit 31 and controls the entire system of the personal computer 30. Reference numeral 33 denotes a storage unit such as a hard disk for storing data and data controlled and processed by the system unit 32 and a basic program of an operation system unit 37 (described later). A data bus line 34 performs data communication among the system unit 32, the storage unit 33, and the input / output unit 35 (described later). Reference numeral 35 denotes an external device data bus connected to an external device 39 (described later) connected to the outside by the data controlled / created by the system unit 32 or the data stored in the storage unit 33 being transmitted on the data bus line 34. This is an input / output unit that performs control of transmission / reception via 40 (described later). Reference numeral 36 denotes a data storage unit that is on the storage unit 33 and stores data. Reference numeral 37 denotes an operation system unit that is basic software for controlling and managing the system unit 32 and controlling input / output on the storage unit 33. Reference numeral 38 denotes control information for the operation system unit 37 to control switching between the performance mode and the power saving mode of the central processing unit 31. Reference numeral 39 denotes an external device such as a digital video camera having an interface corresponding to a communication standard such as the IEEE 1394 standard connected to the input / output unit 35 of the personal computer 30. Reference numeral 40 denotes an external device data bus for connecting the input / output unit 35 and the external device 39 with an interface corresponding to a communication standard such as the IEEE 1394 standard.

  The operation of the conventional power saving control system configured as described above will be described below.

  First, after the personal computer 30 is turned on, the personal computer 30 is started and the hardware of the system unit 32, the storage unit 33, and the input / output unit 35 is checked. If there is no problem in hardware operation, the operation system unit 37 starts a basic program such as Windows (registered trademark) and can use the personal computer. When there is no input / output with the external device 39 in the input / output unit 35, the operation system unit 37 instructs the central processing unit 31 by the control information 38 to shift to the power saving mode.

Data processed by the system unit 32 and data stored in the data storage unit 36 are transmitted on the data bus 34 to the input / output unit 35, and the input / output unit 35 is connected to the external device via the external device data bus 40. When there is an input / output by communicating with 39, the operation system unit 37 instructs the central processing unit 31 by the control information 38 to perform the process of shifting to the performance mode, thereby achieving high power saving effect and quick response. Make them compatible.
JP 2000-89861 A

  However, in the above-mentioned conventional configuration, the central processing unit is configured to set the performance mode when data is transferred between the external device and the personal computer and set the power saving mode when there is no data transfer. The performance mode and power saving mode are not switched at the usage frequency. Recently, DMA (direct memory access) transfer is used to increase the data transfer efficiency between the external device and the storage unit in the personal computer. This DMA transfer is configured so as not to use the capability of the central processing unit because it operates between the external device and the storage unit inside the personal computer. Regardless of whether data is transferred between the external device and the storage unit in the personal computer, the central processing unit shifts to the power saving mode. However, because the video editing software performs real-time processing, the performance mode and the power saving mode are repeated when the maximum capacity of the central processing unit is required. In other words, when the central processing unit's capabilities do not meet the recommended capabilities requested by the software, regardless of whether input / output is performed with external devices, a communication failure occurs and the video is disturbed and the sound becomes abnormal. It had the problem that.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems. When the operation frequency of the central processing unit is low enough that the operation system unit shifts to the power saving mode regardless of the presence / absence of input / output with the external device, the power saving mode is set. By inserting mode information for switching between performance mode and power saving mode into the software installed in the application section and controlling the power saving mode of the operation system section, the software can be centralized regardless of whether there is input / output with external devices. The purpose is to eliminate the communication trouble by stopping the transition to the power saving mode in the situation that requires the capacity of the processing device.

  In order to achieve this object, the power saving control system of the present invention has a performance mode that operates at the maximum capacity and a power saving mode that operates at a capacity lower than the maximum capacity to realize power saving. And a central processing unit that can operate by switching the mode of the power saving mode, a system unit that performs system startup / control operations with hardware including the central processing unit, an application unit that performs software startup / processing, A basic program for controlling and managing software of the application unit, input / output control and the like, an operation system unit for controlling power saving mode switching of the central processing unit, a main unit of the application unit, and a main unit of the operation system unit An accumulating unit for accumulating data stored in the accumulating unit (N = 1, 2, 3,...) Data storage units, and l (l = 1, 2, 3,...) External devices controlled by the system unit and the operating system unit. It has an input / output unit that communicates with m (m = 1, 2, 3,...) external storage devices and transmits / receives data, etc. By inserting mode information for switching the power mode, the power saving mode of the operation system unit is controlled.

  With this configuration, if the frequency of use of the central processing unit is low enough that the operation system section shifts to the power saving mode regardless of whether there is input / output to / from external devices, it is set to the power saving mode and the software installed in the application section performs well. By inserting mode information for switching between the mode and power saving mode and controlling the power saving mode of the operation system section, in situations where the central processing unit's capability is required regardless of whether input / output with external devices is present or not An effect of eliminating the communication failure by stopping the transition to the power saving mode can be obtained.

  As described above, the present invention switches to the power saving mode when the operation frequency of the central processing unit is low so that the operation system section shifts to the power saving mode regardless of the presence / absence of input / output with the external device, and is introduced into the application section. By inserting the mode information for switching between performance mode and power saving mode into the software to control the power saving mode of the operation system section, the ability of the central processing unit is required regardless of whether there is input / output with external devices In such a situation, the effect of eliminating the communication trouble by stopping the transition to the power saving mode can be obtained.

  The present invention has a performance mode that operates at the maximum capacity and a power saving mode that realizes power saving by operating at a capacity lower than the maximum capacity, and can be operated by switching between the performance mode and the power saving mode. A central processing unit, a system unit that performs system startup and control operations with hardware including the central processing unit, an application unit that starts and processes software, and software control and management of the application unit, and input / output A basic program that performs control and the like, an operation system unit that controls power saving mode switching of the central processing unit, a main body of the application unit, a storage unit that stores the main body of the operation system unit, and a storage unit N (n = 1, 2, 3,...) Data storage units for storing data , L (l = 1, 2, 3,...) External devices and m (m = 1, 2, 3,...) External storage devices controlled by the system unit and the operating system unit. I / O unit that communicates with and transmits data, etc., and controls the power saving mode of the operation system unit by inserting mode information for switching between performance mode and power saving mode into the software installed in the application unit The power saving control system is characterized by the fact that the operation system section switches to the power saving mode regardless of the presence or absence of input / output with external devices. , Insert the mode information to switch between performance mode and power saving mode into the software installed in the application section. By controlling the power saving mode of the communication system section, the transition to the power saving mode is stopped and communication trouble is eliminated in situations where the central processing unit's ability is required regardless of whether or not input / output is performed with external devices. Have

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a power saving control system according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a system. In the present embodiment, a personal computer is assumed. In addition to a personal computer, there is a PDA (personal information management terminal) or the like.

  A central processing unit 2 has a performance mode that operates at the maximum capacity and a power saving mode that operates at a capacity lower than the maximum capacity to realize power saving, and can be operated by switching modes.

  Reference numeral 3 denotes a system unit that mounts the central processing unit 2 and controls the entire system 1.

  Reference numeral 4 denotes a storage unit such as a hard disk for storing data, data controlled and processed by the system unit 3, basic programs of the operation system unit 8 (described later), software of the application unit 9 (described later), and the like. The storage unit 4 is not particularly defined as long as it can be stored.

  A data bus line 5 performs data communication among the system unit 3, the storage unit 4, and the input / output unit 6 (described later).

  Reference numeral 6 denotes external device data which is controlled / created by the system unit 3 or stored in the storage unit 4 and transmitted to the external device 11 (described later) via the data bus line 5. This is an input / output unit that controls transmission / reception to / from a bus 12 (described later) or an external storage device 13 (described later) connected to the outside via an external storage device data bus 14 (described later).

  Reference numeral 7 denotes a data storage unit on the storage unit 4 for storing data.

  Reference numeral 8 denotes an operation system unit which is on the storage unit 4 and is basic software for controlling and managing the system unit 3 and controlling input / output. The operation system unit 8 may be composed of a plurality of basic software.

  Reference numeral 9 denotes an application unit that is on the storage unit 4 and activates and performs processing under the operation system unit 8. Mode information for switching between the performance mode and the power saving mode is inserted into the software installed in the application unit 9 to control the power saving mode of the operation system unit 8. The software introduced into the application unit 9 may be a mixture of software in which mode information for switching between the performance mode and the power saving mode is inserted, and software that is not inserted.

  Reference numeral 10 denotes control information for the operation unit 8 to control switching between the performance mode and the power saving mode of the central processing unit 2.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes an external device such as a digital video camera having an interface conforming to a communication standard such as IEEE1394 connected to the input / output unit 6 of the system 1. The external device 11 is not particularly limited as long as it has an external interface capable of communicating at least digital data. A plurality of devices to be connected may be connected.

  An external device data bus 12 connects the input / output unit 6 and the external device 11 through an interface such as IEEE1394. For example, when realizing the connection between the external device 11 and the input / output unit 6 based on the IEEE 1394 standard, a cable conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard is used, and one end of the cable is connected to the connection terminal of the external device 11 (for example, a digital video camera). The other end of the cable is connected to the connection terminal in the input / output unit 6 to complete the physical connection. Then, by powering on the external device 11 and the system 1 and establishing a communication state based on the IEEE 1394 standard, digital communication is possible between the system 1 and the external device 11 through the external device data bus 12. Become.

  Reference numeral 13 denotes an external storage device such as a hard disk having an interface such as IEEE1394 connected to the input / output unit 6 of the system 1. The external storage device 13 is not particularly limited as long as it has an external interface, and a plurality of external storage devices 13 may be connected.

  An external storage device data bus 14 connects the input / output unit 6 and the external storage device 13 with an interface such as IEEE1394. Either the external device 11 and the external storage device 13 may be connected or one of them may be connected.

  Note that the communication standard used in the external device 11, the external device data bus 12, the external storage device 13, and the external storage device data bus 14 is not limited to the IEEE 1394 standard, and can communicate digital data. If it is.

  Further, the external device data bus 12 and the external storage device data bus 14 may be wired connection by cable or wireless connection using a wireless communication standard.

  The operation of the power saving control system configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. In the following description, the external device 11 will be described as an example of a digital video camera, and the software installed in the application unit 9 will be described as an example of moving image editing software.

  First, after the system 1 is turned on, the personal computer is started to check the hardware of the system unit 3, the storage unit 4, and the input / output unit 6. If there is no problem with the hardware operation, the operation system unit 8 starts a basic program such as Windows (registered trademark), and the system 1 can be used.

  Next, when the moving image editing work is performed using the moving image editing software, the digital video camera is connected to the input / output unit 6 as the external device 11. At this time, the external device data bus 12 is connected using an interface cable conforming to the IEEE 1394 standard or the like.

  An environment that can be used on the operation system unit 8 when the main body of the software for editing a moving image obtained as a recording medium or a downloaded program is installed in the application unit 9 is also prepared. At this time, mode information for switching between the performance mode and the power saving mode is inserted in the software introduced into the application unit 9, and the operation system unit 8 based on the mode information serves as the control information 10 to the central processing unit 2. It is possible to control the power saving mode. As a result, the video editing software performs data transmission and reception between the data storage unit 7 of the system 1 and the external device 11 by DMA transfer, and the video editing software is activated even when the frequency of use of the central processing unit 2 is low. When you are in the performance mode. As a method for installing the video editing software, a method of installing using a recording medium such as a CD-ROM or DVD storing the installation program as described above, or an Internet site where the video editing software installation program is uploaded. From the above, there is a method of installing by downloading and executing the installation program.

  After the moving image editing software is finished, if the operation frequency of the central processing unit is low enough that the operation system unit 8 shifts to the power saving mode, the operation system unit 9 shifts to the power saving mode.

  In addition, when the system 1 equipped with the central processing unit 2 that can be operated by switching between the performance mode and the power saving mode is driven by a battery, the performance mode and the power saving mode in the installed software or program. When the performance mode is incorporated in the mode information for switching the mode, a message or icon requesting a constant power connection such as an AC adapter is output to the user so that the environment can withstand the use in the performance mode. You can call attention. This is because the performance mode has higher power consumption than the power saving mode, and prevents the system drive time from being shortened as much as possible while the battery is driven.

  In the above description, the operation system is set when the frequency of use of the central processing unit is low enough that the performance mode is set when the software or program is started and the operation system unit 8 shifts to the power saving mode when the software or program starts. Although it has been described that the mode is shifted to the power saving mode by the processing of the unit 9, the AC adapter may be requested to be connected when the performance mode is set when the software or the program is installed.

  Further, software or a program including mode information for switching between the performance mode and the power saving mode is stored in the application unit 9 in a system equipped with a central processing unit that can be operated by switching between the performance mode and the power saving mode. When the performance mode is set only while the software or the program is running, the operation system unit 8 is installed in the application unit 9 rather than the control that performs the power saving management of the central processing unit 2 separately. Mode switching can be unified by giving priority to switching between the performance mode and power saving mode of software or programs.

  In the above description, it has been described that priority is given to control that switches between the performance mode and the power saving mode of the operation system unit. However, priority may not be given depending on the system configuration.

  In the above description, the operation system is set when the frequency of use of the central processing unit is low enough that the performance mode is set when the software or program is started and the operation system unit 8 shifts to the power saving mode when the software or program starts. Although it has been described that the mode is shifted to the power saving mode by the processing of the unit 9, the power saving management of the central processing unit 2 may be performed when the performance mode is set when the software or the program is installed.

  In the above description, the moving image editing software has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described example because it can be applied to all application software installed and operated in the operation system unit 8.

  In the above description, the software installed in the application unit 9 has been described as a recording medium or a program. However, software installed on the manufacturer side or the seller side before shipment of the product on a personal computer or the like may be used. The means for installing is not limited.

  In the above description, the data transmission / reception with the data between the data storage unit 7 and the external device 11 of the system 1 has been described as DMA transfer. However, the central processing unit 2 is in a position where the operation system unit 8 shifts to the power saving mode. The transfer method is not limited as long as the usage frequency is low.

  In the above description, the data transfer is described as being performed between the data storage unit 7 and the external device 11 of the system 1, but it is considered from the data storage unit 7, the external device 11, and the external storage device 13 of the system 1. You may implement | achieve with the structure of all the combinations which can be carried out.

  In the above description, one external device 11 and one external storage device 13 are described. However, a plurality of external devices may be connected. In that case, the input / output unit 6 may be provided with a plurality of connection terminals, or the number of connection terminals in the input / output unit 6 may be reduced, and a communication path may be branched using a separate hub to provide a plurality of external devices. 11 or an external connection device 13 may be connected.

  FIG. 2 is a power mode transition diagram of the power saving control system of the present invention. In FIG. Reference numeral 21 denotes an operation activation in which the personal computer is normally activated by the system activation 20 and the operation system operates. Reference numeral 22 denotes an application activation that represents a branch of whether or not application software having mode information for switching between the performance mode and the power saving mode is activated when the operation system activation 21 operates. Reference numeral 23 denotes a performance mode that maximizes the capacity of the central processing unit 2. Reference numeral 24 denotes a power saving mode in which power is saved by reducing the capacity of the central processing unit 2 to reduce power.

  The operation of the power mode transition diagram of the power saving control system configured as described above will be described.

  The operation system activation 21 operates in a state where the personal computer is normally activated by the system activation 20. Next, the process shifts to the application start 22, and when an application having mode information for switching between the performance mode and the power saving mode is started, the process shifts to the performance mode 23. When an application having mode information for switching between the performance mode and the power saving mode is not activated, the mode shifts to the power saving mode 24.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, if the frequency of use of the central processing unit is low enough that the operation system unit shifts to the power saving mode regardless of the presence / absence of input / output with an external device, the power saving mode is set. By inserting mode information for switching between performance mode and power saving mode into the software installed in the application section to control the power saving mode of the operation system section, the central processing unit can be used regardless of whether there is input / output with external devices. In a situation where the above-mentioned ability is required, it is possible to obtain the effect of stopping the communication failure by stopping the transition to the power saving mode.

  The present invention can be applied to various applications such as a portable device that eliminates a communication failure even when a central processing unit capable of realizing power saving is mounted.

The block diagram of the power saving control system in Embodiment 1 of this invention The flowchart which shows the flow of the electric power mode transition of the power saving control system in Embodiment 1 Block diagram of a conventional power saving control system

Explanation of symbols

1 PC 2 Central processing unit 3 System unit 4 Storage unit
5 Data bus 6 Input / output unit 7 Data storage unit 8 Operation system unit 9 Application unit 10 Control line 11 External device 12 External device data bus 13 External storage device 14 External storage device data bus

Claims (15)

A central processing unit that has a performance mode that operates at its maximum capacity and a power saving mode that operates at a capacity lower than its maximum capacity to realize power saving, and can be operated by switching between the performance mode and the power saving mode. , A system unit for starting and controlling the system with hardware including the central processing unit, an application unit for starting and processing the software, and controlling and managing software of the application unit and controlling input / output A basic program and an operation system unit for controlling power saving mode switching of the central processing unit, a main body of the application unit, a storage unit for storing the main body of the operation system unit, and data stored in the storage unit. n (n = 1, 2, 3,...) data storage units, ... (1 = 1, 2, 3,...) External devices and m (m = 1, 2, 3,...) External storage devices controlled by the system unit and the operating system unit. And an input / output unit for transmitting / receiving data, etc., and controlling the power saving mode of the operation system unit by inserting mode information for switching between the performance mode and the power saving mode into the software installed in the application unit. Power saving control system characterized by The power saving control system according to claim 1, wherein the device equipped with the power saving control system represents a device equipped with a central processing unit operable by switching between a performance mode and a power saving mode. The recording medium used in the system according to claim 1, wherein software into which mode information for switching between a performance mode and a power saving mode is inserted is recorded, and the software can be introduced into an application unit. . A program used in the system according to claim 1, wherein software into which mode information for switching between a performance mode and a power saving mode is inserted can be introduced into an application section. When a device with a central processing unit that can operate by switching between the performance mode and the power saving mode is driven by a battery, the performance mode and the power saving mode in the installed software or program are switched. 3. The power saving control system according to claim 1, wherein a message or an icon for requesting connection of an AC adapter is output when the performance mode is incorporated in the mode information. Performance mode is incorporated in the mode information for switching between performance mode and power saving mode in the software or program installed on the device equipped with a central processing unit that can operate by switching between performance mode and power saving mode. 3. The power saving control system according to claim 1, wherein the operation system section has priority over the control that switches between the performance mode and the power saving mode. The power saving mode is enabled when the application is not operating even when the performance mode is incorporated in the mode information for switching between the performance mode and the power saving mode in the installed software or program, or 5. The power saving control system according to 5 or 6. Transmission / reception with l (l = 1, 2, 3,...) External devices connected to the input / output unit is performed with n (n = 1, 2, 3,...) Data storage units. The power saving control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein Transmission / reception with m (m = 1, 2, 3,...) External storage devices connected to the input / output unit is performed with n (n = 1, 2, 3,...) Data storage units. The power saving control system according to claim 1 or 2 performed between. Transmission / reception with l (l = 1, 2, 3,...) External devices connected to the input / output unit is m (m = 1, 2, 3,...) Connected to the input / output unit. The power saving control system according to claim 1 or 2 performed between said external storage devices. Transmission / reception with l (l = 1, 2, 3,...) External devices connected to the input / output unit is performed by other p (p = 1, 2, 3,...) Connected to the input / output unit. 3. The power saving control system according to claim 1, wherein the power saving control system is performed between the external devices. Transmission / reception with p (p = 1, 2, 3,...) External storage devices connected to the input / output unit is performed by other q (q = 1, 2, 3,...) Connected to the input / output unit. The power saving control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the power saving control system is performed between the external storage devices. L (l = 1, 2, 3,...) External devices connected to the input / output unit store data via n (n = 1, 2, 3,...) Data storage units. The power saving control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data processed by the unit is transmitted and received to other p (p = 1, 2, 3,...) External devices connected to the input / output unit. L (l = 1, 2, 3,...) External devices connected to the input / output unit are connected to the system unit via n (n = 1, 2, 3,...) Data storage units. 3. The power saving control system according to claim 1, wherein the processed data is transmitted / received to / from m (m = 1, 2, 3,...) External storage devices connected to the input / output unit. P (p = 1, 2, 3,...) External storage devices connected to the input / output unit are connected to the system unit via n (n = 1, 2, 3,...) Data storage units. The power saving control system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the data processed in step (b) is transmitted / received to / from other q (q = 1, 2, 3,...) External storage devices connected to the input / output unit.

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