JP2008158772A - Information processing device and wake-up control method for it - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing device allowing permission/prohibition of operation of a wake-up function according to the circumstances. <P>SOLUTION: When receiving a wake-up event, a radio communication device 130 inquires of a sub display controller 131 whether a wake-up is allowed or not. When receiving the inquiry, the sub display controller 131 acquires detection results by various sensors 120 from an EC/KBC 116, determines circumstances of the system, and replies the determination result to the radio communication device 130. When receiving a reply allowing the wake-up from the sub display controller 131, the radio communication device 130 supplies a control signal for waking up the system to the EC/KBC 116 by using a USB interface via a south bridge 114 to wake up the system. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a wakeup control technique suitable for application to an information processing apparatus such as a notebook type personal computer having a wireless communication function.

  With recent improvements in data communication technology, various networks such as LAN (Local Area Network) and WAN (Wide Area Network) have been laid. Also, in an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer connected to these networks, if an event that satisfies a preset condition occurs, for example, receiving predetermined data via the network, it is called suspend or standby. It is common to have a wake-up function that automatically shifts from a stopped state including a power saving state to a power-on state.

While the convenience of this network has improved, recently security concerns are also increasing. For this reason, various security enhancement measures for access from the outside via a network have been proposed so far, for example, including a mechanism for prohibiting the operation of the wakeup function described above (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
JP-A-11-85326

  By the way, recently, a social infrastructure for performing wireless data communication has been established, and it has become possible to perform data communication even when going out to customers or restaurants. Therefore, if the above-described wake-up function is used in a battery-driven portable information processing device called a mobile device, the convenience can be further improved, for example, new mail can be quickly confirmed on the go.

  However, in such an environment, the wake-up function may be activated while the information processing apparatus is in an unstable state, for example, which is not intended by the user. In such a case, the information processing apparatus I want to ban the wake-up function for maintenance. Accordingly, a flexible mechanism for permitting / prohibiting the operation of the wakeup function according to the situation is desired instead of a fixed mechanism for uniformly setting the permission / prohibition of the operation of the wakeup function.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and an information processing apparatus capable of permitting / prohibiting the operation of a wake-up function according to the circumstances at the time and the wake-up of the information processing apparatus An object is to provide a control method.

  In order to achieve the above-described object, an information processing apparatus according to the present invention shifts a data transmitting / receiving unit that transmits and receives data via a wireless communication path and a system in a stopped state including a power saving state to a power-on state. When the data transmission / reception unit receives data that satisfies the condition for shifting the system to the power-on state during the period when the system is in a stopped state, the wake-up processing unit for transmitting the control signal can be shifted to the power-on state. Inquiring means for sending out a control signal for inquiring whether there is a system in the situation, and in response to the control signal sent out by the inquiry means, notifies that the system is in a state in which it can shift to the power-on state. When the control signal for returning is returned, the control signal for shifting the system to the power-on state is waked up. Characterized by comprising a wake-up control means for sending the physical means, a wireless communication device having a.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus according to the present invention satisfies a condition for shifting the system to a power-on state during a period in which the system is in a stopped state including a power saving state, and a data transmitting / receiving unit that transmits and receives data via a wireless communication path Wake-up processing means for sending a control signal for shifting the system to a power-on state when the data transmitting / receiving means receives the data, and the system sent from the wireless communication device A switch circuit that switches a control signal line that propagates a control signal for shifting to a power-on state to either a conductive state or a cut-off state, and the control signal line when there is no system in a state that can be shifted to a power-on state And a wake-up control means for driving the switch circuit so as to switch to a shut-off state. To.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus and a wakeup control method for the information processing apparatus that can permit / inhibit the operation of the wakeup function according to the situation at that time.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is realized as a battery-driven, for example, notebook type personal computer (PC).

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the PC 10 according to this embodiment in a state where a display unit is opened. The PC 10 includes a PC main body 11 and a display unit 12. The display unit 12 incorporates a display device composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 20, and the display screen of the LCD 20 is positioned substantially at the center of the display unit 12.

  The display unit 12 is attached to the PC main body 11 so as to be rotatable between an open position and a closed position. The PC main body 11 has a thin box-shaped housing, and a keyboard 13, a power button 14 for powering on / off the PC 10, a touch pad 15, and the like are arranged on the upper surface thereof.

  Further, on the front surface of the PC main body 11, for example, a sub-display 21 for notifying of the presence / absence of a new mail, radio wave intensity, remaining battery level and the like is arranged. The sub-display 21 is configured by an LED (light emitting diode), and even when the display unit 12 is in the closed position with respect to the PC main body 11, the user can use the display unit 12 that is always exposed to check whether new mail is present, It is possible to check the radio wave intensity, the remaining battery level, and the like.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the PC 10 of this embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the PC 10 includes a CPU 111, a north bridge 112, a main memory 113, a south bridge 114, a hard disk drive (HDD) 115, an embedded controller / keyboard controller (EC / KBC) 116, a power supply circuit 117, and wireless communication. A device 130, a sub display controller 131, and the like are provided.

  The CPU 111 is a processor that controls the operation of the PC 10, and executes various programs including an operating system and utilities that are loaded from the HDD 115 to the main memory 113.

  The north bridge 112 is a bridge device that connects the local bus of the CPU 111 and the south bridge 114. The north bridge 112 also includes a memory controller that controls access to the main memory 113 and a display controller that controls the LCD 20.

  The south bridge 114 controls devices on an LPC (Low Pin Count) bus or a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus (not shown). The south bridge 114 includes an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) controller for controlling the HDD 115. The HDD 115 is a storage device that stores various software and various data.

  The EC / KBC 116 is a one-chip microcomputer in which an embedded controller for power management and a keyboard controller for controlling the keyboard 13 and the touch pad 15 are integrated. The EC / KBC 116 cooperates with the power supply circuit 117 to control supply of power from the battery 118 and the AC adapter 119 to each unit. The EC / KBC 116 is supplied with detection signals from various sensors 120. Various sensors 120 are a temperature sensor, a vibration sensor, a pressure sensor, etc., for example.

  The wireless communication device 130 is a communication device that performs wireless communication conforming to, for example, the UWB (Ultra WideBand) standard. The sub display controller 131 is a display controller that controls the sub display 21.

  The PC 10 having such a configuration has a wake-up function that automatically shifts from a stopped state including a power saving state called a suspend or standby state to an on state when an event that satisfies a preset condition occurs. Have. Then, reception of predetermined data by the wireless communication device 130 can be set as an event that satisfies the condition for operating the wakeup function.

  The operating principle of this wakeup function will be briefly described. First, even when the PC 10 is in a stopped state, power supply from the power supply circuit 117 is continued to the south bridge 114, the EC / KBC 116, the wireless communication device 130, the sub display controller 131, and the sub display 21. . The wireless communication device 130 that has received the predetermined data supplies a control signal for waking up the system to the EC / KBC 116 via the south bridge 114 using a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. As a result, power supply to each unit by the power supply circuit 117 is resumed under the command of the EC / KBC 116, and the power supply is turned on.

  However, even when the wireless communication device 130 receives predetermined data, the system may be shifted to a power-on state depending on the situation where the system is placed, for example, being stored in a bag and being carried. There are cases where it should not. Therefore, in this PC 10, is the wireless communication device 130 not ready to send a control signal to wake up the system uniformly when predetermined data is received, but is the system in a state where it can enter the power-on state? In response to this inquiry, when a response indicating that the system is in a state where it can be shifted to the power-on state is obtained, a control signal for wake-up of the system is transmitted. Hereinafter, this point will be described in detail.

  Here, it is assumed that the sub-display controller 131 in which the power supply from the power supply circuit 117 is continuously maintained is used as a unit for determining whether or not the system is in a state where the power supply can be shifted to the power-on state.

  When the wireless communication device 130 receives predetermined data, that is, when an event that activates the wake-up function occurs, the wireless communication device 130 inquires of the sub display controller 131 through the I2C bus whether the wake-up function is possible. On the other hand, the sub display controller 131 that has received this inquiry acquires the detection results of the various sensors 120 from the EC / KBC 116.

  The sub display controller 131 includes an internal memory 201. As reference values for determining that the system is in a state that can be switched to the power-on state, the temperature tolerance range detected by the temperature sensor, the vibration tolerance range detected by the vibration sensor, and the pressure tolerance range detected by the pressure sensor Is stored in the internal memory 201. Then, the sub-display controller 131 checks whether the detection results of the various sensors 120 acquired from the EC / KBC 116 are within the allowable range stored in the internal memory 201, and if all are within the allowable range. For example, an answer permitting wake-up is returned to the wireless communication device 130. On the other hand, if any one is out of the allowable range, the sub display controller 131 returns an answer prohibiting wake-up to the wireless communication device 130.

  If the sub-display controller 131 returns a response permitting wake-up, the wireless communication device 130 sends a control signal for wake-up of the system to the EC via the south bridge 114 using the USB interface at this timing. / KBC116. On the other hand, when the sub-display controller 131 returns a response that prohibits wake-up, the wireless communication device 130 suspends transmission of a control signal for causing the system to wake up.

  This puts the system in a situation where, for example, the temperature sensor detects extreme high or low temperatures, the vibration sensor detects a large shake, the pressure sensor detects a large pressure, etc. In some cases, even if a wake-up event occurs, flexible operation is realized such that the wake-up is exceptionally suspended.

  FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a wake-up control procedure executed in the PC 10 of this embodiment.

  When receiving the wake-up event (YES in Step A1), the wireless communication device 130 inquires of the sub display controller 131 whether or not wake-up is possible (Step A2).

  On the other hand, when the sub display controller 131 receives this inquiry (YES in Step B1), it acquires the detection results of the various sensors 120 from the EC / KBC 116, and determines the situation where the system is placed (Step B2). If the sub-display controller 131 is in a state where wake-up is possible (YES in step B3), the sub-display controller 131 returns an answer permitting wake-up to the wireless communication device 130 (step B4). If not (NO in step B3), an answer prohibiting wakeup is returned (step B5).

  If the wireless communication device 130 receives an answer from the sub-display controller 131 (YES in step A3), the wireless communication device 130 determines whether or not the content permits the wakeup (step A4), and permits the wakeup. If it is the content to be performed (YES in step A4), a control signal for waking up the system is supplied to the EC / KBC 116 via the south bridge 114 using the USB interface to wake up the system (step A5). .

  In this way, the PC 10 realizes permitting / prohibiting the operation of the wake-up function according to the situation at that time.

By the way, in the above, the wireless communication device 130 inquires whether or not the system is in a state where it can be shifted to the power-on state, and responds to this inquiry that the system is in a state where it can shift to the power-on state. In the case where it is obtained, an example in which a control signal for wakeup of the system is transmitted has been described. Here, a description will be given of a modification in which a control signal for wake-up of the system is not supplied to the EC / KBC 116 when there is no system in a state where the power-on state can be entered. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a system configuration of the PC 10 according to this modification. As shown in FIG. 4, in the PC 10 according to this modification, the USB signal line connecting the wireless communication device 130 and the south bridge 114 is placed on the USB signal line. A switch circuit 132 for conducting / cutting off the USB signal line is interposed. Then, the sub display controller 131 constantly acquires the detection results of the various sensors 120 from the EC / KBC 116, and if any of the detection results does not fall within the allowable range stored in the internal memory 201, The switch circuit 132 is driven to cut off the USB signal line.

  That is, even if the wireless communication device 130 receives a wake-up event and sends a control signal for wake-up of the system to the USB signal line, there is no system in a state where the power-on state can be entered. The control signal is exceptionally blocked before the EC / KBC 116 propagates.

  This puts the system in a situation where, for example, the temperature sensor detects extreme high or low temperatures, the vibration sensor detects a large shake, the pressure sensor detects a large pressure, etc. In some cases, it can be prevented that the HDD 115 crashes due to the shift to the power-on state.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments as they are, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the embodiment. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the information processing apparatus (PC) which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. The figure which shows the system configuration | structure of PC of the embodiment The flowchart which shows the wake-up control procedure performed in PC of the embodiment The figure which shows the system configuration | structure of PC which concerns on the modification of the embodiment

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Information processing apparatus (PC), 12 ... Display unit, 13 ... Keyboard, 14 ... Power button, 15 ... Touch pad, 20 ... LCD, 21 ... Sub display, 111 ... CPU, 112 ... North bridge, 113 ... Main memory , 114 ... South Bridge, 115 ... Hard Disk Drive (HDD), 116 ... Embedded Controller / Keyboard Controller (EC / KBC), 117 ... Power Supply Circuit, 118 ... Battery, 119 ... AC Adapter, 120 ... Various Sensors, 130 ... Wireless Communication Device 131 sub-display controller 132 switch circuit 201 internal memory

Claims (10)

Data transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving data via a wireless communication path;
Wake-up processing means for sending a control signal for shifting a system in a stopped state including a power saving state to a power-on state;
When the data transmission / reception means receives data that satisfies the condition for shifting the system to the power-on state during the period in which the system is in a stopped state, an inquiry is made as to whether or not the system is in a state that can be shifted to the power-on state. Inquiry means for sending a control signal;
In order to shift the system to the power-on state when a control signal for notifying that the system is in a state where it can be shifted to the power-on state is returned in response to the control signal sent by the inquiry means Wake-up control means for sending the control signal to the wake-up processing means,
An information processing apparatus comprising: a wireless communication device having: A temperature sensor;
The temperature detected by the temperature sensor is within a predetermined range when a control signal for inquiring whether or not the system is in a state where the power can be shifted to the power-on state is sent from the wireless communication device. Control means for sending back to the wireless communication device a control signal for notifying that there is a system in a state that can be shifted to the power-on state,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A vibration sensor;
The vibration detected by the vibration sensor is within a predetermined range when a control signal for inquiring whether or not the system is in a state where the power can be shifted to the power-on state is transmitted from the wireless communication device. Control means for sending back to the wireless communication device a control signal for notifying that there is a system in a state that can be shifted to the power-on state,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: A pressure sensor;
The pressure detected by the pressure sensor is within a predetermined range when a control signal for inquiring whether the system is in a state where the power can be shifted to the power-on state is transmitted from the wireless communication device. Control means for sending back to the wireless communication device a control signal for notifying that there is a system in a state that can be shifted to the power-on state,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: Data transmitting and receiving means for transmitting and receiving data via a wireless communication path;
When the data transmission / reception means receives data that satisfies the condition for shifting the system to the power-on state during a period in which the system is in the stopped state including the power saving state, a control signal for shifting the system to the power-on state is transmitted. Wake-up processing means to
A wireless communication device having:
A switch circuit that switches a control signal line that propagates a control signal for shifting the system sent from the wireless communication device to a power-on state to either a conductive state or a cut-off state;
Wake-up control means for driving the switch circuit to switch the control signal line to a cut-off state when there is no system in a state where the power-on state can be shifted; and
An information processing apparatus comprising: A temperature sensor,
The wake-up control means determines that the system is in a state where the power-on state can be entered when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor is within a predetermined range. 5. The information processing apparatus according to 5. A vibration sensor,
The wake-up control means determines that the system is in a state where the power-on state can be entered when the vibration detected by the vibration sensor is within a predetermined range. 5. The information processing apparatus according to 5. A pressure sensor,
The wake-up control means determines that the system is in a state where it can be shifted to the power-on state when the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is within a predetermined range. 5. The information processing apparatus according to 5. A wireless communication device having data transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data via a wireless communication path and wake-up processing means for sending a control signal for shifting a system in a stopped state including a power saving state to a power-on state A wakeup control method for an information processing apparatus comprising:
The wireless communication device is:
When the data transmission / reception means receives data that satisfies the condition for shifting the system to the power-on state during the period in which the system is in a stopped state, an inquiry is made as to whether or not the system is in a state that can be shifted to the power-on state. Send control signals,
A control signal for shifting the system to the power-on state when a control signal for notifying that the system is in a state capable of shifting to the power-on state is returned in response to the transmitted control signal Is sent to the wake-up processing means,
A wakeup control method characterized by the above. When the data transmission / reception means receives data satisfying a condition for shifting the system to a power-on state during a period in which the system is in a stopped state including a power saving state, and data transmission / reception means for transmitting / receiving data via a wireless communication path A wakeup control method for an information processing apparatus comprising a wireless communication device having a wakeup processing means for sending a control signal for causing a system to enter a power-on state,
A control signal line that propagates a control signal for shifting the system sent from the wireless communication device to a power-on state when there is no system in a state that can be shifted to a power-on state;
A wakeup control method characterized by the above.

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