JP2000305671A - System for controlling power saving - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a power saving control system which realizes the power saving of an input device by bringing the input device into an operating state only when a task being an execution unit of an application program has to access the input device and bringing it into a waiting state except that. SOLUTION: The power saving of input devices 3 and 4 is realized by such a manner that a power saving control executing means started by an operating system 7 carries out power saving control when tasks 5 and 6 start or end accessing input-output devices 3 and 5 on the basis of the entry 8c of a power saving control routine that brings the devices 3 and 4 into an operating state when the tasks 5 and 6 constituting an input-output device management table 8 start to access the devices 3 and 4 and the entry 8d of a power saving control routine that brings the devices 3 and 4 into an waiting state when the tasks 5 and 6 finish accessing the devices 3 and 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing system including a multitasking operating system capable of activating and switching between a plurality of tasks and executing a plurality of tasks, and a plurality of input / output devices. The present invention relates to a control method for performing power saving control of an input / output device to obtain power saving.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In an information processing system such as a personal computer or a portable device provided with various input / output devices, the life of a battery is prolonged, the energy consumption of the system is reduced, and the rise in room temperature due to heat generation is reduced. Performing power control is one of the important functions of an operating system (hereinafter, referred to as an OS) or an application program. Hereinafter, a conventional power saving control method will be described.

FIG. 19 shows, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-257010.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method in a “system clock switching mechanism” described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. HEI 10-125, 1988. In FIG. 19, 51
Is a service micro unit that performs task processing, 52 is an interrupt service unit that performs interrupt processing, 53 is a scheduler unit that performs task scheduling, 54 is a clock switching unit of the CPU operating frequency, and 55 is a register that performs processing such as register restoration. A return SP (stack pointer) setting unit 56 registers a system clock speed for each task.
Recording mechanism (TDB: TASK DEFINE BL)
OCK).

Next, the operation will be described. FIGS. 20, 21, and 22 are flowcharts showing the operation procedure of the power saving control method in the system clock switching mechanism.
Hereinafter, the operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

[0005] First, when the service micro unit 51 or the interrupt service unit 52 requests task scheduling, control is transferred to the scheduler unit 53. The scheduler unit 53 determines whether a READY or RUN task exists in step S101 of FIG. In step S101, if there is no READY or RUN task, in step S104 the clock switching unit 54
Is requested to switch the low-speed clock, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, in step S101, READY or RU
If there are N tasks, the task is shifted to the RUN state in step S102.

Next, in step S103, the T
It is determined whether the setting of DB is a high-speed clock.
If the setting of the TDB is the high-speed clock in step S103, the high-speed clock switching is requested to the clock switching unit in step S105, and the process ends. On the other hand, if the setting of the TDB is not the high-speed clock in step S103, the clock switching unit is requested to switch the low-speed clock in step S106, and the process ends.

[0007] When there is no READY or RUN task in step S101 in FIG. 20 and the low-speed clock switching is requested by the scheduler unit 103 in step S104, the clock switching unit 54 determines in step S107 in FIG. Determine whether the high-speed clock is running. If the high-speed clock is currently being executed in step S107, the clock is switched from high-speed to low-speed in step S108, and the process ends. On the other hand, if the high-speed clock is not currently being executed in step S107, the process ends.

[0008] When the low-speed clock switching is requested by the scheduler 53 in step S106 of FIG. 20, the clock switching unit 54 executes step S11 of FIG.
In step 1, it is determined whether or not the high-speed clock is currently operating. If the high-speed clock operation is currently being performed in step S111, the clock is switched from high-speed to low-speed in step S112. In step S113, a request is made to the register return SP setting unit for a return process, and the process ends. On the other hand, if the high-speed clock operation is not currently being performed in step S111, a return process is requested to the register return SP setting unit in step S113, and the process ends.

On the other hand, when the high-speed clock switching is requested by the scheduler 53 in step S105 of FIG. 20, the clock switching unit 54 executes step S10 of FIG.
At 9, it is determined whether or not the low-speed clock is currently operating. If the low-speed clock operation is currently being performed in step S109, the clock is switched from low-speed to high-speed in step S110, and in step S113, a return process is requested to the register return SP setting unit, and the process ends. On the other hand, if the low-speed clock operation is not currently being performed in step S109, a return process is requested to the register return SP setting unit in step S113, and the process ends.

According to this conventional power saving control method, it is not necessary for a task being executed to always operate at a high speed, and power consumption is reduced by operating the task as low as possible within the range permitted by the system. When the execution is specified, the clock speed of the system is set by checking the registration status of the clock speed corresponding to the task. In addition, when there is no task to be executed, the lowest clock speed is selected to realize power saving.

In recent years, many input / output devices such as a hard disk, a CD-ROM, an audio device, a modem, a display, and an input device, including a CPU constituting an information processing system, reduce power consumption from a full operation state. There is a power-saving control method including an interface such as a register setting that enables power-saving control by software so that the standby state can be entered.

For example, an appendix of "PowerPC603 User's Manual" (Semiconductor Division, Motorola Japan)
B The PowerPC603 microprocessor described in “Power Management” switches from a full operation state to a standby state (doses (DOSE), nap (NAP), sleep (SLE)
The transition to EP) mode can be controlled by software.

FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control system using an input / output device (disk) having such a software interface for power saving control. FIG.
61, an information processing system; 62, a task serving as an execution unit of an application program; 63, a disk input / output device; 64, a disk medium serving as a storage medium in the input / output device 63; This is a power saving control register that controls the power consumption state (full operation state or standby state) of the disk medium 64 by setting.

In this power saving control method, the task 62 of the application program sets the power saving control register 65 to a full operation state before starting access to the disk medium 64 as a process of the information processing system 61. After the access to the disk medium 64 is completed, the power saving control register 65 is set to the standby state, so that the task 62 of the application program can reduce the power consumption of the input / output device 63 according to the status of the information processing system 61. By controlling the state, power saving is realized.

[0015]

As described above, in the conventional power saving control method, since the system clock is switched only at the timing of each task switch, the power saving control cannot be performed finely. there were.

Further, if the application program controls the power saving of each input / output device in accordance with the state of the system, the processing of the application program itself becomes complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the OS automatically saves power to an input / output device only when the application program needs to access the input / output device. An object of the present invention is to perform control finely and realize power saving of an information processing system.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, a task which is an execution unit of an application program, an input / output device for accessing the task and executing the application program, and starting or ending the task are managed. An operating system that activates power saving control at the start or end of access to the input / output device of the task and requests power saving control, and starts access of the task to the input / output device. And a power saving control routine that puts the input / output device in a standby state when the task has completed access to the input / output device. An output device management table and the operating system activated by the operating system. Searching for the entry corresponding to the request from the input / output device management table, and executing the power saving control at the time of starting or ending the access of the task to the input / output device based on the searched entry. Power saving control execution means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input / output device management table including an entry of access start time information for waiting for an arbitrary time after power saving control when the task starts accessing the input / output device; Based on the entry of the access start waiting time information, the task starts accessing the input / output device after waiting an arbitrary time after the power saving control at the start of accessing the input / output device of the task. Power saving control execution means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input / output device management table having an access start time information entry for waiting an arbitrary time before power saving control at the end of access of the task to the input / output device. Power-saving control execution means for executing power-saving control after waiting an arbitrary time at the end of access to the input / output device of the task, based on the entry of the access start waiting time information. It is.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an input / output device management table including a task switch invalid flag entry indicating whether or not to perform power saving control of the input / output device when the task is switched. Power saving control execution means for determining whether or not to execute power saving control at the time of switching the input / output device to the input / output device based on the entry of the invalid flag.

The fifth invention comprises a plurality of input / output devices for accessing the task and executing an application program in conjunction with the input / output device. The input / output device management table stores the input / output of the task. An entry of a power saving control routine that activates the input / output device or the plurality of input / output devices at the start of access to the device, and the input / output device or the plurality of input / output devices at the end of the task access to the input / output device. An entry for a power saving control routine that puts the input / output device into a standby state, wherein the power saving control execution means includes a power saving control routine that puts the input / output device or the plurality of input / output devices into an operating state or a standby state. The power saving control is executed at the time of starting or ending access to the input / output device or the plurality of input / output devices of the task based on the entry of the task. It is intended.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided an entry in which a priority is added to a power saving control routine for activating the input / output device or the plurality of input / output devices when the task starts accessing the input / output device, An input / output device management table comprising: a power saving control routine for setting the input / output device or the plurality of input / output devices to a standby state at the end of the access of the task to the input / output device; Based on the entry to which the priority is added to the power saving control routine for putting the input / output device or the plurality of input / output devices into the operating state or the standby state, the task is transmitted to the input / output device or the plurality of input / output devices. Power saving control execution means for executing power saving control at the start or end of access.

A seventh invention comprises an input / output device management table changing means for changing the contents of the entry of the input / output device management table, and the power saving control execution means is provided by the input / output device management table changing means. Based on the changed entry, power saving control is executed at the time of starting or ending access of the task to the input / output device.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power supply voltage detecting means for detecting a power supply voltage. The input / output device management table includes an entry of a power saving control routine at the start of access for operating the input / output device with the lowest power. An entry of a power saving control routine at the end of access for making the input / output device stand by at the lowest power is provided, and the power saving control execution means includes a power supply voltage detection means for detecting the power supply voltage detected by the power supply voltage detection means at a predetermined normal value When not, entry of the power saving control routine at the start of access to operate the input / output device with the lowest power in the input / output device management table and the power saving control routine at the end of access for waiting the input / output device with the lowest power The power saving control is executed at the time of starting or ending the access of the task to the input / output device, based on the entry of the task.

[0025]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method according to the first embodiment. In FIG. 1, 1 is an information processing system, 2 is a central processing unit (C
PU). Reference numerals 3 and 4 are input / output devices connected to the CPU 2. Tasks 5 and 6 are the execution units of the application program. In the present embodiment, the case of two input / output devices of input / output devices 3 and 4 and two tasks of tasks 5 and 6 will be described. However, these numbers are not limited thereto, and the number of tasks or input / output Each of the devices may be one or two or more.

Reference numeral 7 denotes an OS that manages activation and termination of a plurality of tasks and switches thereof, includes a system call processing program of a device driver for controlling and accessing the input / output devices 3 and 4, and controls the CPU 2. In the present embodiment, access from the tasks 5 and 6 of the application program to the input / output devices 3 and 4 is performed via a system call of a device driver in the OS 7, and the OS 7 starts and ends the system call processing of the device driver. It is assumed that the information can be detected and the information (start address and size) of the program area of the device driver is grasped.

8 is an input / output device management table; 8a is an entry for identifying a task in the input / output device management table 8;
8b denotes the input / output devices 3, 4 in the input / output device management table 8.
8c is a task input / output device 3, 4
The entry of the power saving control routine address that puts the I / O devices 3 and 4 into operation at the start of access to the I / O device. 8d waits for the I / O devices 3 and 4 when the access of the tasks 5 and 6 to the I / O devices 3 and 4 is completed. This is the entry of the power saving control routine address to be set.

In this embodiment, for the sake of convenience, tasks 5 and 6
The power saving control routine address is set to one at the time of access start and one at the end of access for each combination of the I / O devices 3 and 4 to be accessed. (OPEN, READ, WIRTE, IOCTL
, Etc.) and each can be extended to have a separate power saving control routine address. The entries 8c and 8d of the power saving control routine address do not set the input / output device that does not perform the power saving control.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a power saving control execution unit. Reference numeral 10 denotes an access starting power saving control routine for the input / output device 3.
1 is a power saving control routine at the end of access for the input / output device 3, 12 is a power saving control routine at the start of access for the input / output device 4, and 13 is a power saving control routine at the end of access for the input / output device 4.

Next, the operation will be described. FIG. 2, FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the OS 7; FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the power saving control execution means 9. First, in order for the tasks 5 and 6 of the application program to access the input / output devices 3 and 4,
When the system call of the corresponding device driver is issued, the control is transferred to the OS 7. The OS 7 activates the power saving control execution means 9 to start access to the input / output devices 3 and 4 in step S1 of FIG. 2, executes the system call processing of the device driver in step S2, and then enters in step S3. The power saving control execution means 9 is activated to end access to the output devices 3 and 4.

When a task switch (task switching) event such as the activation of the tasks 5 and 6 that have been stopped due to waiting time or the like occurs, the OS 7 executes step S11 in FIG.
Saves the context of the RUN task (the state of all the register values of the CPU 2) of the application programs of the currently executing tasks 5 and 6.

Next, in step S12, it is determined whether the RUN task is in the process of processing the system call of the device driver for accessing the input / output devices 3 and 4 by checking the register value of the program counter of the CPU 2 of the saved context in the program area of the device driver. If the system call processing is being performed, the power saving control execution means 9 is activated in step S13 to end access to the input / output devices 3 and 4, and the process proceeds to step S14.

On the other hand, if the system call is not being processed,
In step S14, the next RUN task is selected. Here, if the OS 7 performs priority scheduling,
A means of checking information of all tasks managed by the OS 7 and selecting a task having the highest priority and being in a READY state is used. Then, in step S15, the register value of the program counter of the CPU 2 of the context in which the next RUN task saves whether the system call processing of the device driver for accessing the input / output devices 3 and 4 is stored in the program area of the device driver. It is determined based on whether it is included or not. If the system call is being processed, the power saving control execution means 9 is started in step S16 to start access to the input / output devices 3 and 4.

On the other hand, if the system call is not being processed, the process proceeds to step S17 to restore the context of the next RUN task, switch to the next RUN task in step S18, and terminate the processing of the OS 7.

Next, the operation procedure of the power saving control executing means 9 activated as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, in step S21, the power saving control execution means 9 reads the input / output device management table 8 (here, the contents of the entry are set at the time of compiling the generation of the OS 7 or at the time of the configuration of starting the OS 7). With reference to the entry 8a for identifying the tasks 5 and 6 requested from the OS 7, the entry 8c of the power saving control routine address at the start of access corresponding to the entry 8b for identifying the input / output devices 3 and 4, or the entry at the end of access. The entry 8d of the power saving control routine address is searched.

Next, in step S22, it is determined whether or not an entry corresponding to the request from the OS 7 exists. If the entry does not exist, the processing of the power saving control executing means 9 is terminated.

On the other hand, if the entry exists in step S22, it is determined in step S23 whether power saving control at the start of access to the input / output device has been requested.
When the power saving control at the start of the access is requested, the power saving control routine at the start of the access is executed by referring to the corresponding power saving control routine at the start of the access at step S24. The processing of the execution means 9 ends. Here, the processing of the power saving control routine is created for each input / output device, and the hardware registers for controlling power saving in the input / output devices 3 and 4 are written or read and written. Use means.

On the other hand, if the power saving control at the start of access is not requested in step S23, step S25
The power saving control routine at the end of the access is executed by referring to the corresponding power saving control routine address at the end of the access, and the processing of the power saving control executing means 9 is terminated.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the OS 7 automatically and finely controls the power saving of the input / output device only when the task of the application program is necessary for accessing the input / output device. Thus, power saving of the information processing system can be realized.

Embodiment 2 Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method according to the second embodiment. In the present embodiment, the first embodiment
The input / output device management table 8 in which an entry 8e of access start time information waiting for a certain time after power saving control when each task starts accessing the input / output device is added to the input / output device management table of FIG. A power saving control execution unit 20 that performs a characteristic operation in the embodiment is provided. FIG.
The same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. The operation procedure of the OS 7 is the same as that of the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3, and the description is omitted.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the power saving control execution means 20. In FIG. 6, steps performing the same operations as in the flowchart of FIG. 4 are denoted by the same step numbers.

Next, the activated power saving control execution means 20
Will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the power saving control execution unit 20 executes step S21.
Then, referring to the input / output device management table 8 (here, the contents of the entry are set at the time of compiling the generation of the OS 7 and at the time of the configuration of starting the OS 7), the task 5 requested from the OS 7 An entry 8a for identifying the I / O device 6 and an entry 8b for identifying the I / O devices 3 and 4
Is searched for the entry 8c of the power saving control routine address at the start of the access or the entry 8d of the power saving control routine address at the end of the access.

Next, in step S22, it is determined whether or not an entry corresponding to the request from the OS 7 exists. If the entry does not exist, the power saving control execution means 2
0 is terminated.

On the other hand, if the entry exists in step S22, it is determined in step S23 whether power saving control at the start of access to the input / output device has been requested.
When the power saving control at the start of access is requested, the power saving control routine at the start of access is executed by referring to the corresponding power saving control routine address at the start of access at step S24.

Next, referring to the input / output device management table 8 in step S31, the entry 8e of the effective access start waiting time information 8e associated with the selected access start power saving control routine address entry 8c is entered. It is determined whether or not the setting is made. If the entry 8e of the valid access start waiting time information is set (the setting of the significant time information of zero or more exists), step S32 is performed.
Then, waiting is performed for the time of the entry 8e of the specified access start waiting time information, and the processing of the power saving control executing means 20 is completed.

Here, the contents of the waiting processing in step S32 of the power saving control execution means 20 include the execution of a busy loop corresponding to only the time, the execution of memory garbage collection performed by the OS 7 during idle idle time, and the like.
RUN for the time of waiting for other READY state tasks
Means such as a state are used.

On the other hand, if the entry 8e of the valid access start waiting time information is not set in step S31, the processing of the power saving control executing means 20 is terminated.
Returning to step S23, if the power saving control at the start of access is not requested, the power saving control routine at the end of access is executed by referring to the corresponding power saving control routine address at the end of access at step S25. Then, the processing of the power saving control execution means 20 ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the input / output management table 8 is provided with time information for waiting a fixed time after the power saving control when the access to the input / output device is started. 20 performs power saving control and waits for a certain period of time so that the task of the application program starts accessing the input / output device. For example, when the hard disk shifts from the motor stop standby state to the operating state, the motor For example, when it is necessary to wait until the rotation is stabilized, power saving of an information processing system that can cope with an input / output device that must not be accessed for a certain period of time after performing power saving control is realized.

Embodiment 3 Hereinafter, the third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method according to the third embodiment. In the present embodiment, the first embodiment
An input / output device management table 8 in which an entry 8f of access end time information waiting for a certain time before power saving control when each task ends access to the input / output device is added to the input / output device management table of A power saving control execution unit 21 that performs a characteristic operation in the present embodiment is provided. FIG.
The same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. The operation procedure of the OS 7 is the same as that of the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3, and the description is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the power saving control execution means 21. In FIG. 8, steps that perform the same operations as in the flowchart of FIG. 4 are denoted by the same step numbers.

Next, the activated power saving control executing means 21
Will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the power saving control execution unit 21 determines in step S21
Then, referring to the input / output device management table 8 (here, the contents of the entry are set at the time of compiling the generation of the OS 7 and at the time of the configuration of starting the OS 7), the task 5 requested from the OS 7 An entry 8a for identifying the I / O device 6 and an entry 8b for identifying the I / O devices 3 and 4
The entry 8c of the access start power saving control routine address or the entry 8d of the access end power saving control routine address corresponding to.

Next, in step S22, it is determined whether or not an entry corresponding to the request from the OS 7 exists. If the entry does not exist, the power saving control execution means 2
1 is terminated.

On the other hand, if an entry exists in step S22, it is determined in step S23 whether power saving control at the time of starting access to the input / output device has been requested.
When the power saving control at the start of the access is requested, the power saving control routine at the start of the access is executed by referring to the corresponding power saving control routine at the start of the access at step S24. The processing of the execution means 21 ends.

Next, returning to step S23, if the power saving control at the start of access has not been requested, the selected access end power saving control routine is referred to in step S33 by referring to the input / output device management table 8. It is determined whether or not the valid access end wait time information 8f related to the address entry 8d is set. If the valid access end wait time information 8f is set (significant time information of zero or more) Exists in step S3).
At 4, the waiting is performed for the time of the entry 8f of the specified access end waiting time information.

Here, the contents of the waiting processing of the power saving control executing means 21 are simply executed by executing a busy loop corresponding to time, executing garbage collection of memory performed by the OS 7 during idle idle time, and executing other READY state. For example, such a method is used that the task is placed in the RUN state for the waiting time.

Next, the power saving control routine at the end of the access is executed with reference to the address of the corresponding power saving control routine at the end of the access at step S25, and the processing of the power saving control executing means 21 ends. On the other hand, step S3
If the valid access end waiting time information 8f is not set in step 3, the access end power saving control routine is executed by referring to the corresponding access end power saving control routine address in step S25. Then, the processing of the power saving control executing means 21 ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the input / output management table 8 is provided with time information for waiting for a fixed time before power saving control when the access to the input / output device is completed. Even if the access ends, the power saving control execution unit 21 performs the power saving control after waiting for a certain period of time, so that, for example, asynchronous completion control is performed on the input / output device, and the input / output processing continues to operate for a while. For example, power saving of an information processing system capable of coping with an input / output device that should not be subjected to power saving control for a certain period of time after ending access to the input / output device is realized.

Embodiment 4 Hereinafter, Embodiment 4 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method according to the third embodiment. In the present embodiment, the first embodiment
The I / O device management table 8 in which an entry 8g of a task switch invalid flag indicating that power saving control of the I / O device is not performed at the time of task switching is added to the I / O device management table of FIG. Power saving control executing means 22 for performing various operations. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same or corresponding parts. The operating procedure of OS7 is as follows.
This is the same as the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3, and the description is omitted.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the power saving control execution means 22. In FIG. 10, steps that perform the same operations as in the flowchart of FIG. 4 are denoted by the same step numbers.

Next, the activated power saving control executing means 22
Will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the power saving control execution unit 22 determines in step S21
Then, referring to the input / output device management table 8 (here, the contents of the entry are set at the time of compiling the generation of the OS 7 and at the time of the configuration of starting the OS 7), the task 5 requested from the OS 7 An entry 8a for identifying the I / O device 6 and an entry 8b for identifying the I / O devices 3 and 4
Is searched for the entry 8c of the power saving control routine address at the start of access or the entry 8d of the power saving control routine address at the end of access corresponding to.

Next, in step S22, it is determined whether or not an entry corresponding to the request from the OS 7 exists. If the entry does not exist, the processing of the power saving control execution means 22 is terminated.

On the other hand, if the entry exists in step S22, the input / output device management table 8 is referred to in step S35, and the address entry called by the OS 7 at the time of the task switch and selected by the power saving control routine. It is determined whether the task switch invalid flag 8g related to the power saving control execution means 22 is set to be valid (if YES), the power saving control execution means 22 is set.
Is completed.

Next, returning to step S35, if the task switching invalid flag 8g is not set to be valid (N
At the time of O), it is determined whether or not the power saving control at the start of access is requested by the OS 7 at step S23.
The power saving control routine at the start of access is executed by referring to the corresponding power saving control routine address at the start of access at 24, and the processing of the power saving control execution means 22 is terminated.

On the other hand, returning to step S23, if the power saving control at the start of the access is not requested, the power saving control routine at the end of the access is referred to at step S25 to refer to the corresponding power saving control routine address at the end of the access. The control routine is executed, and the processing of the power saving control executing means 22 ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the input / output management table 8 includes the flag 8g of the power saving control invalidity of the input / output device at the time of the task switch. Power saving control invalid flag 8
If g is valid, the power saving control of the input / output device is not performed. For example, even if a task switch occurs during the system driver processing of the device driver by the task, the operation state of the input / output device is kept as it is. For example, the power saving of an information processing system that can cope with an input / output device that should not perform power saving control of the input / output device even when a task switch is performed is realized.

Embodiment 5 Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method according to the fifth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the input / output device management table of the first embodiment includes a plurality of power saving control routine addresses including those for other input / output devices in addition to the input / output devices accessed by the task of the application program. An input / output device management table 8 to which an entry 8h of the power saving control routine address at the start of access of the input / output device and an entry 8i of the power saving control routine address at the end of access, and a characteristic operation of the present embodiment. Power saving control execution means 23 for performing FIG.
The same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. The operation procedure of the OS 7 is the same as that of the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3, and the description is omitted.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the power saving control execution means 23. In FIG. 12, steps that perform the same operations as those in the flowchart of FIG. 4 are denoted by the same step numbers. Next, the operation procedure of the activated power saving control execution means 20 is as follows.
This will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, in step S21, the power saving control execution means 23 determines whether the contents of the entry are set at the time of compiling the OS7 generation or at the time of configuring the OS7 activation. ), The entry 8h of the power saving control routine address at the start of access corresponding to the entry 8a for identifying the tasks 5 and 6 and the entry 8b for identifying the input / output devices 3 and 4 requested by the OS 7, or the access. The entry 8i of the power saving control routine address at the end is searched.

Next, in step S22, it is determined whether or not an entry corresponding to the request from the OS 7 exists. If the entry does not exist, the process of the power saving control execution means 23 is terminated. On the other hand, if the entry exists in step S22, one is arbitrarily selected from the one or more power saving control routine addresses searched and selected in step S36, and input / output from the OS 7 is performed in step S23. It is determined whether power saving control at the start of access to the device has been requested. If power saving control at the start of access has been requested, the power saving control routine at the start of access selected in step S24. Referring to the address, the power saving control routine at the start of access is executed.

If it is determined in step S23 that power saving control at the time of starting access has not been requested, step S2
The power saving control routine at the end of access is executed with reference to the address of the power saving control routine at the end of access selected in step 5. Next, in step S37, the executed power saving control routine address is excluded from the selected objects. In step S38, it is determined whether or not all the power saving control routines searched and selected have been executed. If not all the power saving control routines have been executed, step S36 is executed.
And arbitrarily selects one from the selected power saving control routine addresses. On the other hand, step S3
In step 8, if all the selected power saving control routines have been executed, the processing of the power saving control execution unit 23 ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the input / output device management table 8 includes the power saving control routine addresses 8h and 8i at the start and end of access of a plurality of input / output devices. Since the control execution means 23 performs power saving control of a plurality of input / output devices when the task accesses the input / output devices, for example, a LAN device and a DISK device, and a plurality of input / output devices of a display are linked to each other in a computer. For example, the present invention realizes power saving of an information processing system that can cope with a plurality of input / output devices that need to efficiently perform power saving control in conjunction with each other.

Embodiment 6 FIG. Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method according to the sixth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the power saving control at the time of access start of the input / output device, wherein the power saving control routine addresses of the plurality of input / output devices in the input / output device management table of the fifth embodiment each have unified priority information. The input / output device management table 8 includes a routine address entry 8j, an access end power saving control routine address entry 8k, and a power saving control execution unit 24 that performs a characteristic operation in the present embodiment. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same or corresponding parts. The operation procedure of the OS 7 is the same as that of the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3, and the description is omitted.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the power saving control execution means 24. In FIG. 14, steps that perform the same operations as in the flowchart of FIG. 12 are denoted by the same step numbers.

Next, the activated power saving control execution means 24
Will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the power-saving control execution unit 24 proceeds to step S21.
Then, referring to the input / output device management table 8 (here, the contents of the entry are set at the time of compiling the generation of the OS 7 and at the time of the configuration of starting the OS 7), the task 5 requested from the OS 7 An entry 8a for identifying the I / O device 6 and an entry 8b for identifying the I / O devices 3 and 4
8j of the access start power saving control routine address with priority information corresponding to or the entry 8 of the access end power saving control routine address with priority information with priority information
Search for k.

Next, in step S22, it is determined whether or not an entry corresponding to the request from the OS 7 exists. If the entry does not exist, the processing of the power saving control execution means 24 is terminated.

On the other hand, if an entry exists in step S22, the highest priority (high priority has a larger value) in one or more power saving control routine addresses searched and selected in step S39. Is stored in pri, which is a working variable, and it is determined whether or not there is a power saving control routine address selected in step S40 with a priority equal to the value of pri. If there is no value equal to pri, the value of pri is decremented by one in step S41 to give the next lower priority, and the process returns to step S40, where the value of pri is included in the selected power saving control routine address again. It is determined whether or not there is one having a priority equal to.

On the other hand, if there is a power saving control routine address having a priority equal to the value of pri among the power saving control routine addresses selected in step S40, one of the power saving control routine addresses is selected in step S42. Step S
It is determined at 23 whether or not the OS 7 has requested the power saving control at the start of access to the input / output device. If the power saving control at the start of access is requested, the access start selected at step S24 is determined. The power saving control routine at the start of access is executed with reference to the address of the power saving control routine at the time. If the power saving control at the start of access has not been requested in step S23, step S25
The power saving control routine at the end of the access is executed with reference to the address of the power saving control routine at the end of the access, which is selected in step (1).

Next, in step S37, the executed power saving control routine address is excluded from the selected objects. In step S38, it is determined whether or not all the power saving control routines searched and selected have been executed. If all the power saving control routines have not been executed, the process returns to step S40, and the selected power saving control routine is executed. P in the control routine address
It is determined whether or not there is one having a priority equal to the value of ri. On the other hand, if all power saving control routines have been executed in step S38, the power saving control
Is completed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the I / O device management table 8 stores the power saving control routine addresses 8j and 8j of a plurality of I / O devices having unified priority information.
k, the power saving control execution means 24 performs power saving control of a plurality of input / output devices in the order of priority when the task accesses the input / output device.
eo On Demand) It is possible to cope with multiple input / output devices that need to perform power saving control in an efficient and sequential manner, such as when the data received by the LAN device is stored next in the DISK device with the device Realize power saving of the information processing system.

Embodiment 7 FIG. Hereinafter, Embodiment 7 will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method according to the seventh embodiment. In the present embodiment, the time information 8e to wait for a certain time after the power saving control when the access to the input / output device in the input / output device management table of the second embodiment is started, and the input / output device management table of the third embodiment. Time information 8f to wait for a fixed time before power saving control when the access to the input / output device of the table is completed, and flag 8g of power saving control invalidity at the time of the task switch that the input / output device management table of the fourth embodiment has. An input / output device management table 8 to which a plurality of power saving control routine addresses of the input / output device management tables of the fifth and sixth embodiments and their priority information 8j and 8k are added; a power saving control execution unit 25; Input / output device management table changing means 26. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same or corresponding parts. The operation procedure of the OS 7 is the same as that of the flowcharts of FIGS. 2 and 3, and the description is omitted.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the input / output device management table changing means 26. In the present embodiment, in addition to the operations of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments, the input / output device
The operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. Next, the operation procedure will be described.

After the system is started, when the waiting time for access to the input / output device or the priority of the power saving control is changed, the input / output device is removed due to a failure, or debugging or tuning is performed, the OS 7 is activated. The entry to be changed and its new value information are designated, and the input / output device management table changing means 26 is called. The input / output device management table changing means 26 searches the input / output device management table 8 in step S43 to find the specified entry. Then, in step S44, the entry (8e, 8f, 8
g, 8j, 8k, etc.). The power saving control execution unit 25 is the first embodiment,
The same operation as 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 is performed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the input / output device management table 8 stores the time information for waiting a fixed time after the power saving control when the access to the input / output device is started, and the access information for the input / output device. Time information to wait for a certain time before power saving control when the power saving is completed, a flag for disabling power saving control at the time of task switching, power saving control routine address information of a plurality of input / output devices, and priority information thereof, The input / output device management table changing unit 25 is executing system information while waiting for access start and end of access, power saving control invalidation flag, a plurality of power saving control routine address information and / or its priority information. The waiting time at the start and end of access to the I / O device and the priority of power saving control change,
It is possible to realize power saving of an information processing system that can flexibly cope with a case where an input / output device breaks down and is removed due to a failure, or the system is debugged or tuned.

Embodiment 8 FIG. Hereinafter, an eighth embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method according to the eighth embodiment. In the present embodiment, the entry 8l of the access start power saving control routine address for operating the input / output device with the lowest power and the access end power saving control routine address in the input / output device management table of the first embodiment. An input / output device management table 8 to which an entry 8m is added, a power saving control execution unit 27 that performs a characteristic operation in the present embodiment, and a power supply voltage detection unit 28 that detects a power supply voltage of the information processing system. The same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 indicate the same or corresponding parts. The operation procedure of the OS 7 is the same as the flowcharts of FIGS.
Description is omitted.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the power saving control executing means 27. In FIG. 18, steps that perform the same operations as in the flowchart of FIG. 4 are denoted by the same step numbers.

Next, the activated power saving control executing means 27
Will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, the power saving control execution unit 27 determines in step S45
The power supply voltage of the information processing system is obtained with reference to the power supply voltage detecting means 28. In step S112, it is determined whether the power supply voltage is a normal value determined by the system,
If the power supply voltage is normal, the input / output device management table 8 (here, the content of the entry is O
(It is assumed that it is set at the time of compiling S7 generation and at the time of configuring OS7 startup.)
An entry 8c for a normal access start power saving control routine address corresponding to the entry 8a for identifying the tasks 5 and 6 and the entry 8b for identifying the input / output devices 3 and 4 requested by the OS 7, or power saving at the end of the access. The control routine address entry 8d is searched.

On the other hand, if the power supply voltage is not normal in step S46, the input / output device management table 8 is referred to in step S48, and the lowest entry corresponding to the task entry 8a and the input / output device entry 8b requested by the OS 7 is executed. Access start power saving control routine address entry 8l or access end power saving control routine address entry 8l
Search for m. In step S22, it is determined whether an entry corresponding to the request from the OS 7 does not exist. If the entry does not exist, the power saving control execution unit 27 is determined.
Is completed.

If an entry exists in step S22, it is determined in step S23 whether power saving control at the start of access to the input / output device has been requested.
When the power saving control at the start of the access is requested, the power saving control routine at the start of the access is executed by referring to the corresponding power saving control routine at the start of the access at step S24. The processing of the execution means 27 ends.

On the other hand, if the power saving control at the start of access is not requested in step S23, step S25
The power saving control routine at the end of access is executed by referring to the address of the corresponding power saving control routine at the end of access, and the processing of the power saving control executing means 27 is terminated.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the I / O device management table 8 includes the power saving control routine for operating the I / O device with the lowest power in addition to the ordinary power saving control routine address information 8c and 8d. Address information 8l and 8m are held, and power supply voltage detecting means 28 of the information processing system is stored.
Since the power saving control execution means 27 uses the lowest power saving control routine when the power supply voltage decreases, the operation time of the information processing system can be extended even if the power supply voltage decreases.

[0091]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects.

In the first invention, power saving control is performed to put the input / output device into operation when the task starts accessing the input / output device, and the input / output device waits when the task has completed accessing the input / output device. By executing the power saving control for setting the state, the power saving control for the input / output device is performed only when the task needs to access the input / output device, so that the power saving of the information processing system can be realized.

In the second invention, the power saving control is performed by waiting for an arbitrary time after the power saving control at the start of the task access to the input / output device and then starting the task access to the input / output device. Power saving of an information processing system that can support an input / output device that must not be accessed for a certain period of time afterwards.

In the third invention, the power saving control is executed after waiting for an arbitrary time at the end of the access of the task to the input / output device. The power saving of the information processing system that can support the output device can be realized.

In the fourth invention, the task switch determines whether or not to execute the power saving control during the task switch during the access of the input / output device of the task based on the entry of the invalid flag at the time of the task switch. The power saving of the information processing system that can cope with an input / output device for which power saving control should not be performed can be realized.

According to the fifth aspect, when a task starts or ends access to an input / output device, power saving control of the input / output device and a plurality of other input / output devices is performed, thereby interlocking with the input / output device. Power saving of an information processing system capable of coping with a plurality of input / output devices for which power saving control must be performed.

In the sixth invention, a priority is added to a power saving control routine for putting an input / output device and a plurality of other input / output devices interlocked with the input / output device into an operation state or a standby state, based on an entry added with a priority. By executing power saving control at the start or end of access to a task's input / output device and a plurality of other input / output devices linked to the input / output device, the power saving control is not performed in sequence. It is possible to realize power saving of an information processing system that can cope with a plurality of input / output devices that cannot be used.

In the seventh invention, power saving control is executed at the time of starting or ending access of the task to the input / output device based on the entry of the input / output device management table changed by the input / output device management table changing means. By doing so, power saving of the information processing system can be realized according to accurate entries in the input / output device management table.

In the eighth invention, when the voltage power supply detected by the power supply voltage detecting means is not a predetermined normal value, the input / output device is operated with the lowest power and the input / output device is operated with the lowest power. By performing the power saving control so as to make the system stand by, the operation time of the information processing system can be extended even if the power supply voltage decreases.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of an OS 7 in the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of an OS 7 according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a power saving control execution unit 9 according to the first embodiment.
5 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a power saving control execution unit 2 according to the second embodiment.
7 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the operation mode 0;

FIG. 7 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8 shows power saving control executing means 2 according to the third embodiment.
6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a power saving control execution unit 22 according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a power saving control execution unit 23 according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a power saving control execution unit 24 according to the sixth embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method according to a seventh embodiment.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of an input / output device management table changing unit 26 according to the seventh embodiment.

FIG. 17 is a configuration diagram of a power saving control method according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a power saving control execution unit 27 according to the eighth embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of a conventional power saving control method.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a conventional power saving control method.

FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a conventional power saving control method.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of a conventional power saving control method.

FIG. 23 is a configuration diagram of a conventional power saving control method.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 information system, 2 CPU, 3, 4 input / output device,
5, 6 tasks, 7 OS (operating system), 8 input / output device management table, 9 power saving control execution means, 10 access start power saving control routine for input / output devices, 11 access end power saving for input / output devices Control Routine, 12 Access Start Power Saving Control Routine for I / O Devices, 13 Access End Power Saving Control Routine for I / O Devices

Claims (8)

[Claims] A task that is an execution unit of the application program; an input / output device that accesses the task to execute the application program; and manages activation or termination of the task and transfers the task to the input / output device. An operating system that starts power saving control at the start or end of access and requests power saving control, and puts the input / output device into operation when the task starts accessing the input / output device. An input / output device management table including an entry of a power saving control routine and an entry of a power saving control routine that puts the input / output device in a standby state when the task has finished accessing the input / output device; Booted and responded to requests by the operating system A power saving control execution means for executing a power saving control when starting or ending access of the task to the input / output device based on the searched entry. And a power saving control method. 2. The input / output device management table includes an entry of access start waiting time information for waiting an arbitrary time after power saving control when the task starts accessing the input / output device. The power control execution means waits for an arbitrary time after the power saving control at the start of access to the input / output device of the task based on the entry of the access start wait time information, and then waits for the input / output device of the task. 2. The power-saving control method according to claim 1, wherein access to the device is started. 3. The I / O device management table includes an entry of access start time information for waiting an arbitrary time before power saving control at the end of access of the task to the I / O device, The power saving control execution means executes power saving control after waiting an arbitrary time at the end of the access of the task to the input / output device based on the entry of the access start waiting time information. The power saving control method according to claim 1. 4. The power saving control execution means, wherein the input / output device management table includes an entry of an invalid flag at the time of task switching indicating whether to perform power saving control of the input / output device at the time of task switching of the task. 2. The power saving control according to claim 1, wherein, based on the entry of the invalid flag at the time of switching the task, it is determined whether or not to execute the power saving control when the task is switched to the input / output device. method. 5. An input / output device management table comprising: a plurality of input / output devices for accessing the task and executing an application program in conjunction with the input / output device; At the start, the entry of the power saving control routine for putting the I / O device or the plurality of I / O devices into the operating state, and the I / O device or the plurality of I / O devices at the end of the access of the task to the I / O device. An entry of a power saving control routine for setting the standby state to the standby state. The power saving control execution means includes: Power-saving control is executed when the task accesses the input / output device or the plurality of input / output devices or at the end of the task. Power-saving control method of claim 1 wherein the. 6. The I / O device management table adds a priority to a power saving control routine that activates the I / O device or the plurality of I / O devices when the task starts accessing the I / O device. And a power-saving control routine that puts the input / output device or the plurality of input / output devices in a standby state at the end of the access of the task to the input / output device. The control execution means is based on an entry in which a priority is added to a power saving control routine that puts the input / output device or the plurality of input / output devices into an operating state or a standby state,
6. The power-saving control method according to claim 5, wherein power-saving control is executed when starting or ending access of the task to the input / output device or the plurality of input / output devices. 7. An input / output device management table changing means for changing the contents of the entry of the input / output device management table, wherein the power saving control executing means is changed by the input / output device management table changing means. Based on the entry,
7. The power saving control method according to claim 1, wherein the power saving control is executed when the access to the input / output device of the task starts or ends. 8. An input / output device management table for detecting a power supply voltage, wherein the input / output device management table includes an entry of a power saving control routine at the start of access for operating the input / output device with the lowest power and a minimum power. An entry of a power saving control routine at the end of access for waiting the input / output device is provided, wherein the power saving control execution means is configured to execute the above operation when the voltage power supply detected by the power supply voltage detection means is not a predetermined normal value. The entry of the power saving control routine at the start of access for operating the input / output device with the lowest power in the entry / output device management table, and the entry of the power saving control routine at the end of access for waiting the input / output device with the lowest power. 2. The power-saving control according to claim 1, wherein the power-saving control is executed when the access of the task to the input / output device starts or ends. Power control scheme.