JP2003140784A - Information processor, computer, and mode control method for information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a computer for executing prescribed control according to the presence or absence of the connection of a USB connection device to a USB controller capable of executing control during the non-connection of the USB connection device as necessary at the time of specifying it even during the connection to the USB controller. SOLUTION: At the time of judging that a USB connection device is not necessary even during the connection of the USB connection device, a user operates the prescribed key of a notebook-sized personal computer 10 in order to output a USB invalidation signal. Thus, a switch device 64 opens a D+ line 61 and a D- line 62, and a USB controller 39 judges that the connection of the USB connection device is absent. As a result, the notebook-sized personal computer 10 can be switched to a power saving mode as necessary even during the connection of the USB connection device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing device equipped with a bus controller, USB (Universa).
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer equipped with a l Serial Bus) controller and a mode control method of an information processing device, and more specifically, to an information processing device, a computer, and an information processing device that perform predetermined control based on whether or not a bus connection device is connected. The present invention relates to a mode control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a USB personal computer, various USB connecting devices such as printers are
It is adapted to be appropriately connected via a cable.
In the case of a personal computer equipped with a bay, a USB or a USB cable can be used in this bay for a specified US
The B connection device can be detachably attached. Further, the notebook personal computer is required to reduce power consumption in order to increase the driving time by the battery.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2000-10907 discloses US
It is disclosed that in a notebook personal computer equipped with a B port, when the USB connection device is not connected to the USB port, the USB controller is suspended to reduce power consumption during the disconnection of the USB connection device. In addition, JP-A-11-175205
In the publication, while a personal computer is operating as a DVD player, peripheral devices that do not contribute to the operation as a DVD player are disabled,
It is disclosed to reduce the power consumption of the entire computer.

The USB connection device can be supplied with power through the USB power supply line even if the power supply cannot be secured independently, and the USB controller has the USB connection device connected thereto. Can be detected from the voltage level of the data terminal.

[0005]

In the conventional computer, the power consumption of the computer is high because the computer is always operating in a higher power mode while the USB connection device is connected than when it is disconnected. It is increasing. However, even if the USB connection device is connected to the computer, in a special case, for example, if the user
In a period in which the use of the SB connection device is not intended, the operation of the computer is not hindered and the power consumption of the computer can be reduced.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an information processing apparatus and a mode control method thereof for performing a predetermined control according to the presence / absence of connection of a bus connection device to a bus controller, and specifying the connection to the bus controller. In Case of,
It is to be able to appropriately execute control during non-connection. An object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a mode control method for the information processing apparatus, which can appropriately execute a power saving mode even while a bus connecting device is connected to a bus controller. An object of the present invention is to appropriately control the unconnected state in a specific case during the connection to the USB controller in a computer that performs a predetermined control according to the presence or absence of the connection of the USB connection device to the USB controller. , To be able to execute.

[0007]

The information processing apparatus of the present invention is equipped with a bus controller, and a bus connecting device can be detachably connected to the bus controller via the bus. The information processing apparatus uses a bus controller based on an electrical state at a predetermined bus connection terminal of the bus controller.
Connection detection means to detect the presence / absence of connection of the bus connection device to the controller,
The electrical state at the bus connection terminal of the controller can be appropriately forced to a corresponding one when the bus connection device is not connected to the bus controller, and a predetermined information processing device based on the detection of the connection detection means. Control means for performing the control of.

The information processing apparatus includes a computer, a personal computer, a notebook personal computer, a battery-mounted notebook personal computer, and a PDA (Personal Digital).
Various information processing devices such as Assistant) are included. The buses include various buses such as a serial bus, a parallel bus, and a PCI (Peripheral Co).
component interconnect bus, and the serial bus includes, for example, USB, IEEE1.
394 etc. are included. The electrical state includes, for example, voltage, current, and impedance. Actually, even during the period in which the bus connection device is in the connection state to the bus controller, the electrical state enforcing means changes the electrical state at the bus connection terminal of the bus controller to the bus connection device to the bus controller. The connection detection means detects that the bus connection device is not in the connection state with the bus controller by forcing the corresponding one when the connection is not established. Thus, actually, even during the period in which the bus connection device is in the connection state with the bus controller, the control means performs the same control as when the bus connection device is in the non-connection state with the bus controller.

The various aspects of the information processing apparatus of the present invention are listed below. (A) The electrical state is related to voltage. (B) The control unit is a mode control unit that controls switching of the information processing device to a predetermined mode. Preferably, the mode is a mode related to power consumption of the information processing device. The mode control means permits switching to the high power mode and the low power mode, respectively, when the connection detection means detects whether or not the bus connection device is connected. The high power mode and the low power mode are CPs equipped in the information processing device.
This is achieved by changing the supply period of the clock pulse to U. (C) The bus controller is detachably connected to the bus connection device via the bus port provided in the information processing device, and the electrical state enforcing means corresponds to the bus connection terminal of the bus controller and the bus port. A connection / disconnection means for connecting / disconnecting the connection with the bus connection terminal is included.

There is a mode related to power consumption in which the computer pulse power consumption is controlled by controlling the clock pulse supply period to the CPU and controlling the CPU power consumption. Other examples of low power modes are suspend and standby. The mode related to power consumption does not include complete cutoff of the power supply, and at least some elements are supplied with power. Suspend and standby are modes in which the information processing apparatus or the computer described later is not operating, but unlike power-off or hibernation, at least some elements are supplied with power. Reducing the supply period while leaving the predetermined supply, rather than completely eliminating the supply of the clock pulse to the CPU, has the advantage that the information processing apparatus can execute a light load process almost without any trouble. is there. The high power mode and the low power mode related to the CPU are the full clock mode in which clock pulses are continuously supplied to the CPU and the partial clock mode in which intermittent supply is performed, respectively.
Mode. The connection / disconnection means includes a switch made of an electronic element such as an FET.

The computer of the present invention is equipped with a USB controller and a USB port that is connected to the USB controller and appropriately and detachably connects a USB connection device. The computer includes a connection detecting means for detecting whether or not the USB connecting device is connected to the USB port based on the voltage level at the data terminal of the USB controller transmitted via the USB port, During the connection, the voltage level of the data terminal of the USB controller can be appropriately applied to the one corresponding to the time when the bus connection device is not connected to the bus controller. It has a control means for performing the predetermined control.

The computer is, for example, a personal computer, a notebook personal computer, or a battery-equipped notebook personal computer. USB-connected devices currently support full speed (f
all-speed type and low-speed (low-speed)
ed) type. While connecting a full-speed device to the USB port, the D + terminal of the USB controller is pulled up to a high voltage level during the non-data transmission period.
In addition, while the low speed device is connected to the USB port, the D
-The terminal is pulled up to a high voltage level.

The various aspects of the computer of the present invention are listed below. (A) The control means is a mode control means for controlling the switching of the computer to a predetermined mode based on the detection of the connection detection means. Preferably, the mode is a mode relating to power consumption of the computer. The mode control means permits switching to the high power mode and the low power mode, respectively, when the connection detection means detects whether or not the USB connection device is connected. The computer has a clock pulse control operating element that operates and does not operate during a clock pulse supply period and a clock pulse non-supply period, respectively, and a mode is a clock pulse supply period for the clock pulse control operating element. The power consumption of the clock / pulse control operating element is changed by controlling the length of the non-supply period. The operating element for clock / pulse control is, for example, a CPU. The high power mode continuously supplies clock pulses to the CPU, and the low power mode
The clock pulse is intermittently supplied to the CPU. The computer has a bridge controller interposed between the PCI bus and the controller for the USB controller and other external buses, the mode control means includes the bridge controller, and the bridge controller has the connection detection means as the USB. USB to USB port based on the voltage level at the data terminal of the controller
When it detects that the connected device is not connected and the device for the other external bus is in the disconnected state,
Select low power mode. (B) The voltage level enforcing unit includes a data line switch that opens and closes the USB data line between the USB controller and the USB port. Preferably, the voltage level enforcing means is a USB between the USB controller and the USB port.
The power supply line switch for opening and closing the power supply line is opened, and the data line switch and the power supply line switch are simultaneously opened and closed. (C) The voltage level enforcing means connects the data terminal of the USB port to the corresponding data terminal of the USB controller in the first switching position, and connects to the ground via the predetermined resistor in the second switching position. Including a switch to. (D) The voltage level enforcing unit switches the voltage level of the data terminal of the USB controller based on an instruction from the user of the computer. (E) The USB connection device is removable from the computer and can be connected to the USB port without a USB cable. Preferably, the USB connection device can be stored in the computer bay. The USB connection device includes a storage unit that is fixed to the bay when attached to a computer, a storage unit that is slidable with respect to the storage unit, and a protruding position from the bay and a storage position in the bay when used and not used, respectively. And a voltage level forcing means,
A bus connection device that includes a position detector that detects a protruding position and a storage position of the operation unit of the USB port, and determines the voltage level of the data terminal of the USB controller when the operation unit of the USB port is the storage position. When not connected, the corresponding one is forced.

The operating element for clock / pulse control is C
In addition to the PU, there are various controllers connected to the PCI bus, for example. Clock to a given controller
The supply of pulses can be controlled to put the computer in a low power mode. Further, in order to realize the low power mode, a plurality of power saving processes may be performed in parallel.
For example, in parallel with the process of reducing the supply period of the clock pulse to the CPU, the supply of the clock to the device connected to the PCI bus is stopped, the supply period is reduced, or the power supply to the predetermined device is supplied. To stop. The length control of the supply period and the non-supply period of the clock pulse to the operating element of the clock pulse control includes, for example, ratio control of the supply period and the non-supply period. C without completely stopping the supply of clock pulses to the CPU
By intermittently supplying clock pulses to the PU, it is difficult for the computer to process a large load related to the USB connection device, but it is possible to perform a process for a load below a predetermined load without any trouble. By the voltage level forcing means, the voltage level of the data terminal of the USB controller is appropriately forcibly forced to a voltage corresponding to the time when the bus connecting device is not connected to the bus controller while the USB connecting device is connected to the USB port. The period may be limited to the period when the computer is driven by the power of the built-in battery.

According to the mode control method of an information processing apparatus of the present invention, a bus controller is provided, and a bus connection device can be detachably connected to a bus controller via a bus. It is a mode control method for an information processing apparatus capable of detecting whether or not a device is connected based on an electrical state at a bus connection terminal of a bus controller. According to the mode control method, the electrical state at the bus connection terminal of the bus controller can be forcibly forced to the one corresponding to the time when the bus connection device is not connected to the bus controller during connection of the bus connection device. Control the mode of the information processing device based on the electrical state at the bus connection terminal of the controller,

The various modes of the mode control method for the information processing apparatus of the present invention are listed below. The electrical state relates to voltage, for example. Preferably, the mode is a mode related to power consumption of the information processing device. The modes are a high power mode and a low power mode, which are allowed to be switched with respect to detection of presence / absence of connection of a bus connecting device to the bus controller based on an electrical state at a bus connecting terminal of the bus controller. The high power mode and the low power mode are achieved by changing the supply period of the clock pulse to the CPU equipped in the information processing device.

[0017]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laptop personal computer 10 equipped with a bay 16. The notebook personal computer 10 has a main body 11 and a cover 12 for rotatably coupling a corresponding side portion to a rear side portion of the main body 11 so that an upper surface of the main body 11 can be opened and closed. There is. A key arrangement portion 13 and a palm rest portion 14 are provided on the upper surface portion of the main body 11 in a positional relationship of the back side and the front side, respectively. The bay 16 is formed on one of the left and right sides of the main body 11, that is, on the right side surface in this example, and various predetermined USB connection devices are specified in a predetermined standard so that they can be inserted into and removed from the bay 16. They are manufactured in conformity with each other and are inserted into the bay 16 when mounted on the notebook personal computer 10. Such a predetermined US
As a B connection device, for example, a DVD (Digital)
l Versatile Disk: Digital versatile disk) drive, CD-R (Compact Disk)
There are various drives such as a k-Rewritable drive, and non-drive type devices such as a ten-key pad 20 shown in FIG. 2 described later. When the USB connection device is not inserted into the bay 16, a predetermined cover is put on the opening of the bay 16 to close the opening of the bay 16. The pointing stick 17 has a role as a pointing device for moving a cursor of the LCD (liquid crystal display) 19, is located almost in the center of the key array portion 13, and is pressed in an arbitrary plane direction by the user's finger. The click operation unit 15 is adjacent to the lower side of the key arrangement unit 13 on the upper surface of the main body 11 and is arranged in the key arrangement unit 1.
It is installed on the front side of 3 and performs the left-right mouse click function and scroll function. The LCD 19 is attached to the inner surface side of the cover 12. The notebook personal computer 10 also has a USB port on the back of the main body 11, and a predetermined external USB connection device is
It can be connected to the notebook personal computer 10 via a USB cable to a USB port on the back surface of the main body 11. The notebook personal computer 10 is also equipped with an internal battery that can be recharged repeatedly, and can be supplied with power from a commercial power source via an adapter, so that the power supply from the commercial power source is cut off. Operates on the internal battery only when

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ten-key pad 20 as a USB connection device which is attached to the notebook personal computer 10 by inserting the notebook personal computer 10 of FIG. 1 into the bay 16. The ten-key pad 20 has a storage case 21 and a ten-key portion 22 that can be slid into and out of the storage case 21 by sliding. D1 and D2 are storage cases 21
The pull-out direction and the push-in direction of the ten-key portion 22 with respect to are shown respectively. The ten-key array section 23 is a well-known key array including numeric keys and enter keys, and is arranged on the upper surface side of the ten-key section 22. The user depresses a desired key of the ten-key array unit 23 to input the corresponding numerical value or the like into the notebook personal computer 10.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ten-key pad 20 mounted on the notebook personal computer 10 in use. The storage case 21 is a notebook personal
When the numeric keypad 20 is attached to the computer 10, the numeric keypad 20 is completely stored in the bay 16 and fixed to the storage position by a predetermined locking means. The user touches the numeric keypad attached to the notebook personal computer 10.
When the pad 20 is used, the ten-key portion 22 is pulled out from the storage case 21 in the direction D1 so that the ten-key portion 22 protrudes from the side surface of the main body 11. The key portion 22 is pushed into the storage case 21 in the direction of D2, and the numeric keypad portion 22 is stored in the storage case 21, and thus the bay 16.

The ten-key pad 20 is a USB connecting device that uses the bay 16 of the notebook personal computer 10 among the USB connecting devices directly connected to the notebook personal computer 10, that is, without the USB cable. Is an example of. On the other hand, there is also a USB connection device that can be directly attached to the notebook personal computer 10 without using the bay 16. For example, a USB connecting device connecting connector is provided on the upper side of the cover 12 of FIG. 1, and a digital camera as a USB connecting device is directed to the user on the upper side of the cover 12 in an upright state when the user needs it. To be equipped, it is detachably attached to the connector on the upper side by the user.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a processing system equipped in the notebook personal computer 10. CP
U31 is a clock generator from the clock generator 32.
A pulse is input, and it operates at, for example, about 1 GHz based on the input clock pulse. CPU bus 33
Connects the CPU 31, the bridge controller 34, a cache memory (not shown), etc. to each other. The PCI bus 35 includes a bridge controller 34,
38, and other PCI enabled devices are interconnected. With reference to the description of FIG. 1, a USB inserted into the bay 16 and attached to the notebook personal computer 10.
Although it has been stated that there is a DVD drive as a connection device, some DVD drives include PCI compatible devices. The bridge controller 38 is connected to a USB controller 39 and an external port controller 40, and the external port controller 40 includes, for example, IEEE139.
There is 4. The USB controller 39 is connected to the USB port 44 via the USB 43, and the external port controller 40 is connected to the external port 4 via the external port bus 46.
7 is connected. USB port 44 and external port 47
Are both equipped in the notebook personal computer 10. The USB port 44 corresponds to the connector of the USB cable, and like the numeric keypad 20, U
It includes one that supports connection of a USB connection device that is connected without an SB cable. By equipping the notebook personal computer 10 with a USB hub, a plurality of USBs can be added to the notebook personal computer 10.
It is also possible to equip the port 44. Such a hub may have multiple US ports on the side opposite the USB controller 39.
Equipped with B port 44. According to the USB standard, a maximum of 127 USB connection devices can be connected to the USB controller 39 by a tree structure and a daisy chain of hubs. Bridge controller 38
Sends data to the PCI bus 35 and USB controller 39
And the external port controller 40, and the USB controller 39 and the external port
The clock mode of the clock generator 32 is controlled based on the voltage level transmitted from the controller 40. During operation, the bridge controller 38 is supplied with a clock pulse from a PCI clock generator different from the clock generator 32 together with other PCI connecting devices, and operates by the clock pulse. ing. The frequency of the clock pulse supplied from the PCI clock generator to the bridge controller 38 is, for example, 33 MHz or 66.
MHz, which is much lower than the operating frequency of the CPU 31. However, to stop the supply of the clock pulse from the PCI clock generator to each PCI connection device to make the PCI connection device inoperative stops the supply of the clock pulse to the CPU 31 or the supply period. It is possible to reduce the power consumption of the notebook personal computer 10 as well as to make the CPU 31 inoperative.

FIG. 5 illustrates the two clock modes of clock generator 32. The clock generator 32 has two clock modes, a full clock mode and a partial clock mode. In the full clock mode, the clock generator 32 supplies the clock pulse to the CPU 31 without pausing, that is, continuously. In the partial clock mode, the clock generator 32 alternately repeats a period T1 in which the supply of the clock pulse to the CPU 31 is stopped and a period T2 in which the clock pulse is supplied to the CPU 31 at a predetermined cycle. T1,
Each length of T2 can be freely adjusted by a program, for example, T1 is 5 to 10 msec and T2 is 600 μ.
sec. By defining T1 + T2 = Tt, full
The clock mode is T2 / Tt = 100%.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing the relationship between each state of the notebook personal computer 10 and power consumption.
The state of the notebook personal computer 10 is roughly divided into operating and non-operating. Inactive states of the notebook personal computer 10 include standby, suspend, and hibernation in addition to power off. The power consumption for power off and hibernation is zero. In the suspended state, power is supplied to some of the elements of the notebook personal computer 10, and the power consumption does not become 0, but is lower than the power in the operating state. The power consumption in the standby state is larger than that in the suspend state, and is substantially equivalent to the power consumption in the low power consumption region in the operating state. Standby, suspend, hibernation, and power off are settings for switching to standby for a condition manually set by the user or manually set by the user (for example, a condition in which a predetermined time has elapsed without a key operation by the user. ) Is automatically implemented. CPU during operation of the notebook personal computer 10
The power consumption of 31 decreases as T2 / Tt decreases and the calculation processing amount of the CPU 31 decreases. In FIG. 6, “Idle →” means that the CPU 31 sends the full clock of FIG.
5 shows the level of power consumption of the CPU 31 when the clock pulse is supplied in the mode and the CPU 31 is not performing any arithmetic processing.
2 shows the level of power consumption of the CPU 31 when a clock pulse is supplied in the partial clock mode and the CPU 31 is not performing any arithmetic processing. Even in partial clock mode,
When the CPU 31 performs a predetermined process, the power consumption of the CPU 31 rises above the level of "partial clock →" in FIG. The power consumption area A in FIG. 6 is the CPU 31 when the USB connection device such as the ten-key pad 20 is not connected to the notebook personal computer 10.
Even in the partial clock mode, the notebook personal computer 10 can be used without any trouble in the power consumption range. In the conventional notebook personal computer 10, the notebook personal computer 10
Under any circumstances, while the USB connection device is connected to the
The computer 10 could not be operated or could not be operated. That is, in the conventional notebook personal computer 10, when the notebook personal computer 10 is operating, it operates only in the area excluding the area A in the entire power consumption area during operation. On the other hand, in the notebook personal computer 10 to which the present invention is applied, as will be described later in detail, the operation of the notebook personal computer 10 can be appropriately performed even during the connection of the USB connection device. The notebook personal computer 10 can be operated in the power consumption area A, and the power consumption of the notebook personal computer 10 can be reduced.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of an apparatus for appropriately generating a detection signal of the non-connection state of the USB connection device even during the connection of the USB connection device to the USB controller 39. US
The B controller (HOST: host) 39 and the USB port 44 are provided in the notebook personal computer 10 as already described in FIG. US
B port 44 is the upstream side of the USB cable (host side)
A connector that can be detachably connected and a numeric keypad 20 that does not require a USB cable
B-connected devices include those directly connected. USB
Includes a power supply line 60, a D + line 61, a D− line 62, and a ground line (not shown), and the USB controller 3
9 and the corresponding terminals of the USB port 44 are mutually connected. In the D + line 61 and the D- line 62, the high and low voltage levels have an inverse relationship with each other, that is, Differe.
It transmits an ntial type signal. Numeric keypad 2
0, power is supplied exclusively from a commercial power source,
The USB connection device that is not equipped with the internal battery operates by the power supplied from the power supply line 60. When the USB connection device is connected to the USB port 44 directly or via the USB cable, D + of the USB connection device
Alternatively, the D- terminal is pulled up to a predetermined voltage. That is, when the USB connection device connected to the USB port 44 is a full-speed type USB connection device, during signal non-transmission, D + is pulled up to a predetermined voltage level or higher, D− is pulled down to 0V, and , When the USB connection device connected to the USB port 44 is a low-speed type USB connection device, D- is pulled up to a predetermined voltage level or higher during signal non-transmission, and D +
Is pulled down to 0V. The pull-up voltage at the D + or D− terminal of the USB port 44 is transmitted to the D + or D− terminal of the USB controller 39 via the D + line 61 or the D− line 62. USB connection device is USB
When not connected to the port 44, the D + and D- terminals of the USB controller 39 are both maintained at 0V as the ground voltage. Therefore, the USB port 44
Whether or not the USB connection device is connected to the USB controller 39 can be detected based on the voltages at the D + and D− terminals of the USB controller 39.

The switch 63 is interposed in the power supply line 60,
The power supply line 60 is opened and closed. The switch device 64 is a D + line 6
1 and D- line 62, D + line 61 and D- line 6
Open and close 2. The OR gate 65 sets the switch 63 and the switch device 64 to the closed position when the logical sum of the external power supply effective detection line 66 and the USB effective detection line 67 is “1”, and the switch 63 and the switching device 64 when it is “0”.
To the open position. The logical value of the signal on the external power supply effective detection line 66 becomes "1" when the notebook personal computer 10 is operating by being supplied with power from the commercial power source as the external power source (EXT_POWER), and the notebook type personal computer 10 is operated. When the personal computer 10 is operated by the power of the internal battery, the value is "0". The conditions when the USB valid detection line 67 becomes “1” and “0” will be described later. The switch 63 and the switch device 64 are allowed to be in the open position only when the notebook personal computer 10 is driven by the power of the built-in battery.

The reason for the existence of the switch 63 is as follows. An IC is connected to the D + and D- terminals of the USB connection device. USB port is USB port 44
To the power supply line 60 connected to the
In addition to the above, if a unique power source such as a rechargeable battery, a dry battery, and a commercial power cord is not provided, the D + or D- terminal of the USB connection device is a power supply line 60.
The switch device 6 is pulled up to a predetermined voltage by the voltage supplied via the switch device 6 under such a state.
When 4 is in the open position, D + and D- of the USB connection device
A current cannot be passed from the terminal to the D + line 61 or the D− line 62, which may cause a malfunction in the IC of the USB connection device. When the switch device 64 is in the open position, the switch 63 is also in the open position.
It is avoided that D + and D- of the connection device are pulled up, which protects the IC of the USB connection device even if the switch device 64 is in the open position. Incidentally. When the USB connection device connected to the USB port 44 does not have its own power source, if the power supply to the USB connection device via the power supply line 60 is stopped, the D + or D- terminal of the USB connection device Is not pulled up to a predetermined voltage, so that even if the switch 63 is in the open position even while the USB connection device is connected to the USB port 44, the D + and D + of the USB controller 39 can be set.
The terminal voltage is the one when the USB connection device is not connected. Therefore, the USB connection device
When the key pad 20 is limited to the one relying on the power supply line 60, only the switch 63 is left and the switch device 64 can be omitted.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of another device that appropriately generates a detection signal of the non-connection state of the USB connection device even during the connection of the USB connection device to the USB controller 39.
The same components as those of the apparatus shown in FIG. 7 are designated by the same reference numerals to describe the differences. In contrast to the switch 63 and the switch device 64 of FIG. 7, the switch 63 is omitted in the device of FIG. 8, and the switch device 70 is provided instead of the switch device 64. The switch device 70 is provided on the D + line 61 and the D− line 62, and connects the D + and D− terminals of the USB port 44 to the D of the USB controller 39 in the first switching position.
It is connected to the + and D- terminals, and at the second switching position, for example, 1
Connect to earth via a 5 kΩ resistor 71. In the apparatus of FIG. 8, when the USB connection device is connected to the USB port 44, that is, D of the USB connection device.
When the + or D- terminal is pulled up to a predetermined voltage, even if the D + and D- terminals of the USB port 44 are disconnected from the D + and D- terminals of the USB controller 39,
Since it is connected to the ground via the resistor 71, in the USB connection device, an excessive current is prevented from flowing to the IC, and the IC is protected.

An example of a method of generating a logic signal of the USB valid detection line 67 is as follows. (A) The user is a notebook personal computer 10
A predetermined instruction window is called on the pointing stick 17 and USB valid setting and invalid setting are performed on the instruction window. The signal on the USB valid detection line 67 becomes "1" by the USB valid setting and becomes "0" by the USB invalid setting. (B) The user is a notebook personal computer 10
Each time a predetermined key of the key arrangement unit 13 or an operation member such as a predetermined button provided in the notebook personal computer 10 separately from the key arrangement unit 13 is operated, a USB valid and invalid instruction is alternately output. To be done. US
The signal on the B validity detection line 67 is “1” when the USB is valid and “0” when the USB is invalid. (C) A USB connection device such as the numeric keypad 20 is detachably mounted in the bay 16 and connected to the USB port 44 without a USB cable, and
During the connection to the B port 44, the operation unit such as the numeric keypad unit 22 is projected from the bay 16 by the user when used and stored in the bay 16 when not used. For such a USB connection device with an operation unit, a detector is installed in the main body 11 to detect whether the operation unit is in the pulled-out state or the stored state based on the position of the operation unit. U
The signals on the SB effective detection line 67 are "1" and "0", respectively, when the detector detects the pulled-out state and the stored state of the operating portion.

Any one of the above-mentioned logic signal generation methods (a) to (c) may be adopted, or a combination of two or more may be adopted. When the combination of two or more is adopted, the USB from one of (a) to (c) in the non-breakage of the D + line 61 and the D- line 62.
When the invalid is issued, it is switched to the disconnection of the D + line 61 and the D- line 62, and during the disconnection of the D + line 61 and the D- line 62, the USB is enabled from any one of (a) to (c). Is issued, the D + line 61 and the D- line 62 are switched to non-disconnection.

The switching function between the full clock mode and the partial clock mode in the notebook personal computer 10 will be described. Switch device 6
4, 70 normally maintain signal transmission on the D + line 61 and D- line 62 during operation of the notebook personal computer 10, that is, D + line 61 and D- line 6
No. 2 is not disconnected. Therefore, if one or more USB-connected devices are directly or indirectly connected to the USB port 44 via the tree structure and the daisy chain of hubs, the D of the USB controller 39
A voltage level signal indicating the connection state of the USB connection device to the USB port 44 has reached the + or D- terminal,
The bridge controller 38 (FIG. 4) detects whether or not the USB connection device is connected to the USB port 44 based on the voltage levels of the D + and D− terminals of the USB controller 39. The bridge controller 38 also monitors signals related to the presence / absence of connection of each bus device from the external port controller 40 and the like other than the USB controller 39, and if any type of bus device is not connected, If so, the clock generator 32
Outputs the switching signal to the partial clock mode. When it is determined that a device for any type of bus including USB is connected, the switching signal to the full clock mode is output to the clock generator 32. Thus, when the devices related to all types of buses including USB are not connected to the notebook personal computer 10, the CPU 31 operates in the partial clock mode, and the power consumption of the CPU 31 can be sufficiently reduced. . Even when the CPU 31 is operating in the partial clock mode, it is possible to perform processing for a load of a predetermined value or less, that is, a small load without any trouble.

Even if the USB connection device is connected to the USB port 44, the user can determine that the USB connection device is unnecessary, that is, the user can determine that the USB connection device is not used for a while or for a predetermined period. is there. In such a period, even if the notebook personal computer 10 is switched to the partial clock mode as the power saving mode, it does not hinder the remaining user work using the notebook personal computer 10. Further, since the driving time of the notebook personal computer 10 by the battery is longer in the power saving mode, it is preferable that the CPU 31 is switched to the partial clock mode. By the operation of (a) and (b) of the above-described logic signal generation method by the user, or (c)
As a result of the automatic operation of the bridge controller 38,
Even though the SB connection device is connected to the USB port 44, it is determined that the USB connection device is not connected.
As a result, the bridge controller 38 performs the same processing as when the USB connection device is in the actual non-connection state, that is, when it is determined that no device for any type of bus is connected, A switching signal for switching to the partial clock mode is output to the clock generator 32.

In the notebook personal computer 10, when no external bus device other than USB is connected to the notebook personal computer 10, the CPU 31 is based on only the detected voltage level of the D + or D- terminal of the USB controller 39. It will switch to full clock mode and partial clock mode. Therefore, by the operation of (a) and (b) of the above-described logic signal generation method, or as a result of the automatic operation of (c), D of the USB controller 39 is
USB detected based on the voltage level of + or D- terminal
As soon as the connection of the connected device is switched, CP
U31 switches to full clock mode and partial clock mode.

[0033]

According to the present invention, in an information processing apparatus which performs a predetermined control based on the presence / absence of connection of a bus connecting device to a bus controller, even though the bus connecting device is actually connected. First, the electrical state at the bus connection terminal of the bus controller is appropriately forced to the one corresponding to the time when the bus connection device is not connected to the bus controller, and control is performed when the bus connection device is not connected to the bus controller. Can be achieved.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a laptop personal computer equipped with a bay.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a ten-key pad as a USB connecting device which is attached to the notebook personal computer by inserting the notebook personal computer of FIG. 1 into a bay.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a use state of a ten-key pad mounted on a notebook personal computer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a processing system equipped in a notebook personal computer.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing two clock modes of a clock generator.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram showing a relationship between each state of a notebook personal computer and power consumption.

FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of an apparatus that appropriately generates a detection signal of the non-connection state of the USB connection device even during the connection of the USB connection device to the USB controller.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of another device that appropriately generates a detection signal of the non-connection state of the USB connection device even during the connection of the USB connection device to the USB controller.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 notebook personal computer (information processing device) 20 numeric keypad (bus connection device, US
B connection device) 22 numeric keypad section (operation section) 21 storage case (storage section) 39 USB controller (bus controller) 43 USB (bus) 31 CPU (operating element for clock pulse control) 38 Bridge controller (control) Means, mode control means) 39 USB controller (connection detection means) 64 switch device (connection / disconnection means) 70 switch device (connection / disconnection means) 44 USB port 35 PCI bus 61 D + line (data line) 62 D- line (data line) ) 60 feed line 63 switch (feed line switch) 32 clock generator (electrical state enforcing means,
Voltage level enforcement means) 40 External port controller (bus controller) 46 External port bus (bus) 47 External port (bus port)

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Yasuhiro Kobayashi             1623 1423 Shimotsuruma, Yamato-shi, Kanagawa Japan             BM Co., Ltd. Daiwa Office F-term (reference) 5B011 DA01 EA02 EB06 KK04 LL12                       LL13 LL14                 5B079 AA02 BA06 BB10 BC01                 5K032 AA03 BA04 CD05 DB22 DB31

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus equipped with a bus controller, wherein a bus connecting device can be detachably connected to the bus controller via a bus, wherein an electric power is provided at a predetermined bus connecting terminal of the bus controller. Connection detection means for detecting the presence / absence of connection of a bus connecting device to the bus controller based on the state, and an electric state at the bus connecting terminal of the bus controller to the bus controller during the connection of the bus connecting device to the bus controller. A bus connection device corresponding to the non-connection state of the bus connection device, and an electric state forcing means that can be appropriately forced, and a control means for performing a predetermined control of the information processing device based on the detection of the connection detecting means. An information processing device characterized by being present. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the electrical state is related to voltage. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is a mode control unit that controls switching of the information processing apparatus to a predetermined mode. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the mode is a mode relating to power consumption of the information processing apparatus. 5. The mode control means permits switching to a high power mode and a low power mode, respectively, when the connection detection means detects whether or not a bus connection device is connected. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4. 6. The high power mode and the low power mode are
The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, which is achieved by changing a supply period of a clock pulse to a CPU equipped in the information processing apparatus. 7. The bus controller is detachably connected to a bus connection device via a bus port provided in the information processing apparatus, and the electrical state enforcing unit is the bus connection terminal of the bus controller. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a connecting / disconnecting means for connecting / disconnecting a connection between the bus port and a corresponding bus connection terminal of the bus port. 8. A computer equipped with a USB controller and a USB port which is connected to the USB controller and which is capable of appropriately and separably connecting a USB connecting device, wherein the data of the USB controller transmitted through the USB port. Connection detection means for detecting the presence or absence of the connection of the USB connection device to the USB port based on the voltage level at the terminal, the voltage level of the data terminal of the USB controller during the connection of the USB connection device to the USB port,
A voltage level forcing means capable of appropriately forcing a bus connection device corresponding to the time when the bus connection device is not connected to the bus controller, and a control means for performing a predetermined control of the computer based on the detection of the connection detection means. A computer characterized by having. 9. The computer according to claim 8, wherein the control unit is a mode control unit that controls switching of the computer to a predetermined mode based on the detection of the connection detection unit. 10. The computer according to claim 9, wherein the mode is a mode relating to power consumption of the computer. 11. The mode control means permits switching to a high power mode and a low power mode, respectively, when the connection detection means detects whether or not a USB connection device is connected. The computer according to claim 10. 12. A clock pulse control operating element that operates and does not operate during a clock pulse supply period and a clock pulse non-supply period, respectively, and the mode is a clock pulse to the clock pulse control operating element. 12. The power consumption of the clock / pulse control operating element is changed by controlling the length of a pulse supply period and a non-supply period.
The listed computer. 13. The computer according to claim 12, wherein the clock pulse control operating element is a CPU. 14. The high power mode continuously supplies clock pulses to the CPU, and the low power mode intermittently supplies clock pulses to the CPU. 14. The computer according to claim 13, wherein the computer is a computer. 15. A bridge controller interposed between a PCI bus and a controller for a USB controller and other external buses, said mode control means including said bridge controller, said bridge controller comprising: The connection detection means detects that the USB connection device is not connected to the USB port based on the voltage level at the data terminal of the USB controller, and the other external bus device is not connected. 15. The computer of claim 14, wherein the low power mode is selected when the computer is on. 16. The voltage level forcing means is the US
9. The computer according to claim 8, further comprising a data line switch for opening and closing a USB data line between the B controller and the USB port. 17. The voltage level enforcing means is the US
A power supply line switch for opening and closing a USB power supply line between the B controller and the USB port; and the data line switch and the power supply line switch,
The computer according to claim 16, wherein the computer is opened and closed at the same time. 18. The voltage level forcing means is the US
The data terminal of the B port is set to US at the first switching position.
9. The computer according to claim 8, further comprising a switch which is connected to the corresponding data terminal of the B controller and which is connected to the ground through a predetermined resistance in the second switching position. 19. The computer according to claim 8, wherein the voltage level enforcing unit switches the voltage level of the data terminal of the USB controller based on an instruction from a user of the computer. 20. The computer according to claim 8, wherein the USB connection device is detachable from the computer and connectable to the USB port without a USB cable. 21. The computer according to claim 20, wherein the USB connection device can be stored in a bay of the computer. 22. The USB connection device includes a storage unit that is fixed to the bay when attached to the computer, and a storage unit that is slidable with respect to the storage unit when in use and when not in use. An operating unit serving as a protruding position and a storing position in the bay, the voltage level forcing unit includes a position detector that detects the protruding position and the storing position of the operating unit of the USB port,
When the operation unit of the USB port is in the storage position, the U
22. The computer according to claim 21, wherein the voltage level of the data terminal of the SB controller is forced to the corresponding one when the bus connection device is not connected to the bus controller. 23. A bus controller is provided, and a bus connecting device can be detachably connected to the bus controller via the bus. Whether or not the bus connecting device is connected to the bus controller is the bus. In the mode control method of the information processing device, which is capable of detecting based on the electrical state at the bus connection terminal of the controller, the electrical state at the bus connection terminal of the bus controller is changed while the bus connection device is connected. Information that is characterized in that the bus connection device is appropriately forcibly enabled when the bus connection device is not connected to the controller, and the mode of the information processing device is controlled based on the electrical state at the bus connection terminal of the bus controller. Mode control method for processing device. 24. The mode control method for an information processing apparatus according to claim 23, wherein the electrical state is related to voltage. 25. The mode according to claim 23, wherein the mode is a mode relating to power consumption of the information processing apparatus.
A mode control method for the information processing apparatus described. 26. The bus mode is based on an electrical state at a bus connection terminal of the bus controller.
26. The mode control method for an information processing apparatus according to claim 25, wherein the mode is a high power mode and a low power mode in which switching is permitted for detection of whether or not a bus connection device is connected to the controller. 27. In the high power mode and the low power mode, a clock for a CPU equipped in the information processing device is provided.
27. The mode control method for an information processing apparatus according to claim 26, which is achieved by changing a pulse supply period.