JPH0830361A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prolong the service life of a battery by detecting whether a carrier signal exists on a line connected to a MODEM or not and setting a power saving state when there is no carrier signal. CONSTITUTION:Concerning the information processor for performing personal computer communication through a telephone line or the like, only during the personal computer communication, a carrier detecting signal inside a MODEM 20a is turned on so as to communicate a carrier signal transmitted through a communication adapter 20 and the MODEM 20a to a line 3 while modulating its frequency. In this case, first of all, it is observed at a central processing unit (CPU) 1 whether an input/output control module S5 inside a main storage device 4 is opened or not and when this module S5 is under using and the carrier detecting signal inside the MODEM 20a is turned off, it is decided the personal computer communication is not performed. Then, the power saving state is provided by transmitting a power saving control signal to the communication adapter 20 with power saving function to which the MODEM 20a is connected, display 21 and CPU 1 or the like.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power saving mechanism during personal computer communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a data processing device, FIG. 4 is an example software structure diagram of a conventional power saving mechanism, and FIG. 5 is an operation flow of a conventional power saving function module. It is a figure.

A data processing device such as a personal computer has the configuration shown in FIG. Here, 1 is a central processing unit (CPU), 20,21, ... are input / output devices such as a communication adapter 20 and a display 21, which are usually provided with a power saving function, and the central processing unit (CPU). A power saving control signal from 1 enables the power saving state. Here, the power saving function is a function of monitoring the usage status of each input / output device and putting an unused input / output device in a power saving state.

FIG. 4 shows a software structure for controlling the above power saving function by software in a personal computer having the above configuration. Here, the input / output control modules (1), (2), to S5 are the input / output devices (1) 20, (2) 21,
Control power saving function modules (1), (2), ~ S4
Controls the above power saving function of the corresponding input / output device (1) 20, (2) 21 ,.

Originally, the application S1 controls the input / output devices (1) 20, (2) 21, ... via the input / output control modules (1), (2), ... S5. The input / output device
(1) In the case where 20 is a communication adapter 20 which is connected to the modem 20a by the well-known "RS232C" interface,
There is a communication application S1a that directly controls this communication adapter 20.

First, the communication application S1a opens the input / output control module (1) (communication adapter) S5, and then the operator inputs a predetermined command to the input / output control module (1) S5. When an instruction to start communication is issued, communication is started by automatically executing a communication procedure scheduled in advance.

When the communication is terminated, the communication is declared to be terminated, and a command for disconnecting the line is input, the line is disconnected, but the communication application S1a remains operating.

Conventional power saving control has been carried out, for example, by the power saving function module (1) S4 detecting that a keyboard (KB) (not shown) has not been used for a predetermined period. At this time, according to the power saving operation flow shown in FIG. 5 (a), the input / output device (1) 20, the communication adapter 2 in this example, is used.
0 is recognized as not being used and the communication adapter 20
, The display 21, the central processing unit (CPU) 1, etc. were sometimes put into a power saving state.

The power saving flow shown in FIG. 5 (b) is as shown in FIG.
The overall power-saving function module S3 shown in Figure 3 shows the flow for power-saving control of the power-saving function of the entire data processing device. In this case, when all of the input / output devices that are the target of power saving are in the unused state, the entire data processing device is set to the power saving state.

[0010]

As described above, after the communication application S1a opens the input / output control module (1) S5, the operator operates the input / output control module.
(1) Until the command to start communication by inputting a predetermined command to S5, the actual communication is not yet performed. When the unused state occurs during the period, there is a problem that the communication adapter 20, the display 21 and the like are in the power saving state due to the flow shown in FIG.

Further, as described above, the communication application
After S1a opens the I / O control module (1) S5,
The operator responds to the input / output control module (1) S5 by
When a predetermined command is input and a communication start instruction is given, communication is started by automatically executing a communication procedure scheduled in advance.
When the unused period of the above keyboard (KB) has exceeded a predetermined time, the communication adapter {I / O device (1)} 20 starts communication via the modem 20a and the communication adapter 20 is in use. Nevertheless, there is a problem that the communication adapter 20 and the like are recognized as an unused state, a power saving state is set, and the line is disconnected during communication, causing a problem.

Therefore, in order to prevent this problem, prior to using the communication application S1a on a personal computer,
When the method of operating the personal computer is taken in advance in a power saving prohibited state such that the power saving function module does not operate, it is added to the display 21, the communication adapter 20, the central processing unit (CPU) 1, etc. There was a problem that the power saving function could not be used effectively.

In view of the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, the present invention is generally used in personal computer communication, for example, communication using the "RS232C" interface, in which a predetermined carrier is present on the line during communication and the modem 20a is used. When the carrier detection signal (CD signal) is in the "on" state and the communication ends, there is no carrier on the line, and the carrier detection signal (CD signal) is in the "off" state.
The central processing unit (CPU) 1 detects whether the carrier detection flag of the modem 20a connected by the above "RS232C" interface is "ON" to the 20, and the carrier detection flag is detected. When “off”,
The communication adapter 20, the modem 20a recognizes that they are not communicating, and the communication adapter with the power saving function, the display,
It is an object of the present invention to provide a power saving mechanism during personal computer communication that puts a keyboard (KB), a central processing unit (CPU), etc. in a power saving state.

[0014]

1 and 2 are views showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 shows a configuration example, and FIG. 2 shows a power saving flow according to the present invention. There is. The above problems can be solved by a power saving mechanism during personal computer communication configured as follows.

(1) In an information processing device to which a modem is connected, there is a detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a carrier signal on the line connected to the modem, and the detecting means comprises:
When it detects that there is no carrier signal, it is configured to enter the power saving state.

(2) The information processing device includes a plurality of devices including a device having a power saving function, and when the detecting means detects that there is no carrier signal, at least one of the devices having the power saving function is provided. Is configured to be in a power saving state.

[0017]

In other words, in the information processing device for performing personal computer communication via a telephone line or the like, the communication adapter 20, the modem 20a
A carrier signal to line 3 via
Since the carrier signal is frequency-modulated for communication, the carrier detection signal in the modem 20a is used only during personal computer communication.
When the (carrier detection flag) is in the "on" state and the communication with the personal computer is completed, the carrier detection signal (carrier detection flag) is in the "off" state.

In the present invention, noting that the personal computer communication has the above rules regarding the carrier signal on the line, as shown in FIG. 2, first, in the central processing unit (CPU) 1. , I / O control module (modem 2
Device driver that operates 0a) Check if S5 is open, and the device driver S5 is in use, and the carrier detection signal (carrier detection flag) in the modem 20a is "off". At this time, assuming that PC communication is not being performed, a power saving control signal is sent to the communication adapter 20 with a power saving function to which the modem 20a is connected, the display 21, the central processing unit (CPU) 1, etc. To do.

Therefore, even when the above-mentioned device driver is opened, that is, the personal computer communication is seen from the central processing unit (CPU) 1, the period during which the personal computer communication is not actually performed is detected, It becomes possible to operate the power saving function of the communication adapter, the display, etc., and the life of the battery can be extended, for example, in a notebook type personal computer.

[0020]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 described above are views showing an embodiment of the present invention.

In the present invention, a carrier signal is sent to the line 3 of the personal computer composed of the display with power saving function 21, the communication adapter 20, the central processing unit 1 and the like through the communication adapter with power saving function 20 and the modem 20a. Send,
For example, when the absence of the carrier signal is detected by the means 200 for detecting the presence / absence of the carrier signal on the line 3 during the personal computer communication in which the carrier signal is frequency-modulated for communication, the power saving function of the personal computer is performed. A means for putting the attached circuits 1, 20, 21 into a power saving state is a means necessary for carrying out the present invention. Note that the same reference numerals indicate the same object throughout the drawings.

The configuration and operation of the power saving mechanism during personal computer communication of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a personal computer including a power saving mechanism during personal computer communication of the present invention. As described above (see FIG. 4), the application S1 uses the input / output control module (1), ...
(1) 20, which controls the input / output device (1) 20,
For example, the well-known "RS232C" interface with modem 20a
In the case of the communication adapter 20 that is connected to, the communication application that directly controls this communication adapter 20
S1a exists.

First, the central processing unit (CPU) 1 executes,
After the communication application S1a (see FIG. 4) described above opens the input / output control module (1) S5, the operator inputs a predetermined command to the input / output control module (1) S5 to start communication. When an instruction is given, communication is started by automatically executing a communication procedure scheduled in advance.

At this time, when the above-mentioned carrier is transmitted to the line 3, the carrier detecting means 2 in the modem 20a
00 detects the carrier, turns on the carrier detection signal (carrier detection flag), and when the communication ends, the above carrier transmission on line 3 is cut off. The carrier detection signal (carrier detection flag) is turned off.

Therefore, the input / output control module (1) S5 executed by the central processing unit (CPU) 1 sends the carrier detection signal (carrier detection flag) in the modem 20a to
When a specific bit of the internal bus 5 is monitored and it is detected that the carrier detection signal (carrier detection flag) is "off", it is recognized that the personal computer communication has ended,
The above-mentioned communication adapter with a power saving function in this personal computer 20,
Modem 20a, display 21, central processing unit (CPU) 1
A power saving control signal is sent to the power saving function to put the power saving state.

The central processing unit (CPU) 1, display 21,
When the communication adapter 20 and the modem 20a are in the power saving state, for example, the operator uses the keyboard (KB) 22
To cancel the power saving state of the central processing unit (CPU) 1 by interrupting the central processing unit (CPU) 1 by key input, and start the communication application S1 described above.
Input / output control module (1) Through S5, cancel the power saving state of the communication adapter 20, modem 20a, and display 21 in each power saving state, and restart the personal computer communication.

As described above, the power saving mechanism in the personal computer communication according to the present invention is the power saving function of the personal computer including the display with the power saving function, the adapter, the central processing unit (CPU), etc.
The presence or absence of a carrier signal on the line is detected during personal computer communication in which a carrier signal is transmitted to the line via the power saving function adapter and modem and the carrier signal is frequency-modulated for communication. When there is no, there is a feature that the circuit with the power saving function of the personal computer is set to the power saving state.

[0028]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the device driver is in the open state,
In other words, even if PC communication is being performed from the perspective of the central processing unit (CPU) 1, it is possible to detect the period during which PC communication is not actually being performed and operate the power saving functions such as the communication adapter and display. For example, in a notebook computer or the like, the effect of extending the battery life can be obtained.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention (No. 1).

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention (Part 2).

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a data processing device.

FIG. 4 is an example of a software structure of a conventional power saving mechanism.

FIG. 5 is an operation flowchart of a conventional power saving function module.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 central processing unit (CPU) 20 communication adapter {input / output device (1)} 20a modem 21 display {input / output device (2)} 3 line 4 main memory (MM) 5 internal bus carrier carrier detect signal (carrier detect flag ) S1 application S1a communication application S2 operating system (OS) S3 integrated power saving function module S4 power saving function module (1), ~ S5 I / O control module (1), ~

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus to which a modem is connected, has a detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a carrier signal on a line connected to the modem, and the detecting means detects that there is no carrier signal. At this time, the information processing apparatus is in a power saving state. 2. The information processing device comprises a plurality of devices including a device having a power saving function, and when the detecting means detects that there is no carrier signal, at least one of the devices having the power saving function is selected. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is in a power saving state.