JP2010021605A - Network electronic terminal and power control method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a technique for securely performing switching to a suspend state without being influenced by a communication environment etc. <P>SOLUTION: A network electronic terminal 10 includes a CPU 12 which controls the operation of a system, and a wireless LAN module 20 which wirelessly performs network communication. While the CPU 12 holds the system in the suspend state, the CPU 12 resumes the system when the wireless LAN module 20 receives a packet including its IP address. Then when the CPU 12 fails to confirm that a desired packet is received within a predetermined time, the CPU 12 puts the system back into the suspend state again. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a network electronic terminal wirelessly connected to a network, and more particularly to a configuration and a power control method for suppressing power consumption.

  Conventionally, when a terminal in a suspended state is resumed by remote operation (WOL), there is known a prior art for preventing waste of power consumption when the terminal is not used (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .) In this prior art, when a magic packet instructing return of operation from the suspended state is received from the network, the terminal is returned from the suspended state, and the cause of the return at that time is recorded in the memory. When a cancel signal is received in response to the communication request received after the return, the cause of the return is due to the reception of the magic packet, and when the cancel signal is received after the return, the terminal is again switched to the suspended state.

According to the above-described prior art, it is possible to prevent the terminal that has been returned from the suspended state by remote operation from continuing to operate without being operated by the user, and thus it is considered that the power consumption can be suppressed accordingly.
JP 2007-115022 A

  However, since the prior art switches to the suspended state only after confirming reception of the cancel signal after the resume, the cancel signal cannot be transmitted due to, for example, a malfunction of the calling terminal, or the cancel signal is transmitted normally. However, if the terminal on the receiving side cannot receive the cancel signal due to deterioration of the communication status or the like, the terminal cannot be switched to the suspended state. In such a situation, a terminal that is not operated by the user is left in an operating state, and as a result, power is wasted.

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a technique capable of surely switching to a suspended state without being affected by a communication environment or the like.

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention employs the following solutions.
The present invention is a network electronic terminal used by a user in a state of being connected to a predetermined network, and is wirelessly connected between a control unit that controls an operation during use by the user and a wireless access point provided on the network. A wireless network communication unit that performs communication and a control unit that receives a packet including predetermined data while the control unit shifts to a suspended state in which operation by a user is stopped and power consumption is reduced And a return instruction means for instructing the control unit to return from the suspended state. The control unit shifts to the suspend state when the wireless network communication unit does not receive a packet including specific data after returning from the suspend state.

  As described above, even if the network electronic terminal of the present invention returns from the suspended state, the network electronic terminal can quickly transition to the suspended state if a packet including specific data is not received through the network. For this reason, even if the computer is resumed (returned) from the suspended state via the network when not in use, the power consumption can be reduced if a clear schedule or intention of use cannot be confirmed thereafter. In addition, since the present invention does not require the reception of a cancel signal or the like when shifting to the suspend state, an unused terminal can be quickly shifted to the suspend state regardless of the communication status at that time. Therefore, unused terminals are not left unnecessarily consuming power, which can greatly contribute to the suppression of power consumption in the network.

  In the present invention, the predetermined data received when returning from the suspended state represents an IP address for identifying the individual on the network, and the specific data received after returning from the suspended state is the control unit Represents an instruction not to shift to the suspended state.

  For example, it is assumed that a plurality of network electronic terminals of the present invention are prepared and connected to the same network. In this case, since the electronic terminal that has entered the suspended state does not return from the suspended state unless it receives an IP address directed to itself, the electronic terminal is prevented from being inadvertently resumed. Can do. On the other hand, even if the IP address is received and the device returns from the suspended state, if the specific data cannot be received after that, the electronic terminal shifts to the suspended state, thus reducing unnecessary power consumption. Can do. In addition, when network communication specifying an IP address for an unspecified number of people is performed, electronic terminals that are not scheduled to be used will also be returned from the suspended state. Since the electronic terminal that has not received the data shifts to the suspended state again, the unused electronic terminal is not left unattended.

  The specific data is preferably set in a data area of UDP (User Datagram Protocol) among packets received by the wireless network communication unit. In this case, since specific data can be transmitted and received within the network at a higher speed, an electronic terminal that needs to be returned from the suspended state can be reliably resumed.

  In addition, the control unit of the network electronic terminal may shift to the suspend state when the wireless network communication unit does not receive a packet including specific data until a predetermined time elapses after returning from the suspend state. preferable.

  According to such an aspect, since an electronic terminal that is not scheduled to be used is not left in a resumed state after a predetermined time, power consumption can be managed more accurately.

  The present invention also provides a power control method for a network electronic terminal. A power control method according to the present invention includes a control unit that controls an operation when used by a user while connected to a predetermined network, and a wireless network communication unit that performs wireless communication between a wireless access point provided on the network. A power control method for a network electronic terminal comprising:

(1) Suspend execution process In this process, the control unit performs a process of shifting the network electronic terminal to a suspend state in which power consumption is suppressed. The condition for shifting to the suspended state first is that the unused state has continued for a certain period of time.

(2) Resume process In this process, when the network communication unit receives a packet including predetermined data in the suspended state, the control unit performs a process of returning the network electronic terminal from the suspended state.

(3) Reception confirmation step In this step, it is confirmed whether or not the network communication unit has received a packet including specific data after returning from the suspended state.

(4) Suspend transition process In this process, when the network communication unit does not receive specific data as a result of the confirmation in the above step (3), the control unit performs a process of shifting the network electronic terminal to the suspended state. Is called.

  By executing the above steps (1) to (4) in the network electronic terminal, it is possible to reliably suppress wasteful power consumption when not in use.

  The predetermined data received in the resume step (2) represents an IP address for identifying an individual network electronic terminal on the network. Further, the specific data for confirming reception in the reception confirmation step (3) represents an instruction not to shift the network electronic terminal to the suspended state.

  As a result, in the resume step (2), the electronic terminal will not return from the suspended state unless an IP address directed to itself is received, so that it is possible to prevent the resume from being performed carelessly. . Further, even when network communication specifying an IP address for an unspecified majority is performed, if specific data is not received in the step (3), the electronic terminal Since the process returns to the suspended state through the process, the unused electronic terminal is not left in a resumed state.

  The specific data is preferably set in the UDP data area of the packet received by the network communication unit. In this case, as described above, the specific data can be transmitted and received at a higher speed, so that it can be reliably confirmed whether or not the specific data has been received in the step (3).

  Further, in the step (3), it is preferable to confirm whether or not the network communication unit has received a packet including specific data after the return from the suspended state until a predetermined time elapses.

  With such an aspect, the power consumption can be accurately managed without waiting for the electronic terminal to resume carelessly beyond a predetermined time.

  As described above, according to the present invention, an electronic terminal that is not scheduled to be clearly used is surely kept in a suspended state even when the electronic terminal in the network is resumed at a certain frequency. Can do. For this reason, overall power consumption in the network can be reduced.

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

  FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a network electronic terminal 10 according to an embodiment. The network electronic terminal 10 is an electronic device such as a personal computer, and can be used by a user as a client in the network. The electronic terminal 10 includes a CPU 12, a memory 14 such as a ROM or a RAM, a storage device 16 such as a hard disk, and an input device such as a display (display device), a keyboard, and a mouse (not shown). For this reason, the electronic terminal 10 incorporates a display control unit 18 and a user interface (not shown). The display control unit 18 drives a display (not shown) and specifically controls the display contents.

  The electronic terminal 10 has a built-in wireless LAN module 20 as a network adapter, and can perform wireless communication with the wireless LAN access point 22 using the wireless LAN module 20. The access point 22 is connected to another electronic terminal (personal computer) 24 via, for example, a LAN cable.

  In addition, the electronic terminal 10 includes a power supply unit 26. The power supply unit 26 converts electric power taken from an A / C power source (not shown) to generate a D / C power source (for example, +12 V, +5 V, etc.), and supplies this to each unit in the electronic terminal 10.

(Control part)
The CPU 12 controls the operation of the electronic terminal 10 using the memory 14 and the storage device 16 and outputs a display signal to the display control unit 18 to display the current processing content (for example, the operation of the application) as an image. Provide to users. The CPU 12 exchanges control signals and data with the wireless LAN module 20 to control network communication by the electronic terminal 10.

[Network Communication Department]
The wireless LAN module 20 is, for example, a chip component incorporating an antenna 20b, a filter (BPF) (not shown), an antenna switch, an amplifier (PA, LNA), a converter (Barun), a baseband circuit, and the like together with the wireless LAN IC 20a. The wireless LAN module 20 includes firmware (F / W) 20c recorded in a storage area of a semiconductor memory, for example, and the wireless LAN IC 20a executes a wireless communication program based on the firmware 20c.

[Transition to suspend state]
Further, the CPU 12 that controls the operation of the electronic terminal 10 manages the transition to the suspended state in which the power consumption of the electronic terminal 10 is suppressed based on a preset condition. As the setting condition at this time, for example, “a state in which no operation is performed by the user has continued for a certain period of time” can be cited, and the CPU 12 does not receive an interrupt signal from the user interface for a certain period of time (several minutes to tens of minutes) When the time has elapsed, a process (system suspend) for shifting the electronic terminal 10 to the suspended state is executed. Such a suspend process is incorporated in a part of an operating system (OS) stored in the storage device 16, for example.

[Processing during suspension]
While the electronic terminal 10 is transitioning to the suspended state, the wireless LAN IC 20a of the wireless LAN module 20 continues to operate, and executes, for example, the following suspended process. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a suspended process executed by the wireless LAN IC 20a. Hereinafter, it demonstrates along the example of a procedure.

  Step S10: The wireless LAN IC 20a monitors reception of an IP address. Specifically, packet communication is periodically performed with the access point 22 described above, and it is determined whether or not a packet including an IP address assigned to the electronic terminal 10 is received.

  In particular, if a packet including its own IP address has not been received (step S10: No), the wireless LAN IC 20a continues to monitor reception of the IP address. On the other hand, when the IP address assigned to its own electronic terminal 10 is received (step S10: Yes), the wireless LAN IC 20a executes the next step S12.

  Step S12: The wireless LAN IC 20a outputs an interrupt signal to the CPU 12. This interrupt signal serves as a trigger (external interrupt signal) for instructing the CPU 12 to return (resume) from the suspended state. When the above procedure is completed, the wireless LAN IC 20a ends the suspending process and returns to a steady process (not shown). When returning to the steady process, the wireless LAN IC 20a periodically performs wireless communication with the access point 22 and monitors the presence / absence of a packet transmitted from another electronic terminal 24 toward the electronic terminal 10 itself.

[Resume management processing]
On the other hand, when the interrupt signal is input from the wireless LAN module 20 (wireless LAN IC 20a), the CPU 12 executes the following processing. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of the resume management process executed by the CPU 12. The CPU 12 executes the following resume management process when returning from the suspended state, and continues the electronic terminal 10 in the resumed state or shifts the electronic terminal 10 to the suspended state again. Hereinafter, it demonstrates along the example of a procedure.

  Step S20: First, the CPU 12 performs a resume execution process. In this predefined process, various controls for returning the electronic terminal 10 to the state before suspending are performed. Note that information necessary for return (resume) is stored in, for example, a backup area of the memory 14, and the CPU 12 returns the electronic terminal 10 to a state before suspension based on the backup information.

  Step S22: When the resume execution process is finished, the CPU 12 starts a timer. At this time, the initial value of the timer counter is set to, for example, a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) waiting after the resume, and thereafter, the counter value is subtracted as time elapses. As the timer counter, for example, a register built in the CPU 12 can be used.

  Step S24: Subsequently, the CPU 12 checks whether or not a predetermined time (1 second) has elapsed after the resume. Specifically, the CPU 12 determines whether or not the remaining value of the timer counter is 0 or less. If the remaining value is still larger than 0 (No), the CPU 12 proceeds to step S26.

  Step S26: Next, the CPU 12 checks whether or not a packet indicating that the electronic terminal 10 cannot be suspended (instruction not to shift to the suspended state) is received via the network. For example, when another electronic terminal 24 on the network uses the specific electronic terminal 10 as a target after resume (for example, a target to exchange some data), the other electronic terminal 24 sets the target electronic terminal 10 as the target. Together with the IP address of the desired packet including data indicating that suspension is not possible. In particular, if such a desired packet has not been received (No), the CPU 12 executes the next step S28.

  Step S28: The CPU 12 confirms whether or not another packet has been received. The other packet is a packet different from the above-described desired packet, and corresponds to data (e-mail document or the like) transmitted to the electronic terminal 10 by designating an IP address, for example. In particular, if no other packet is received (No), the CPU 12 returns to the above step S24 and continues to check the value of the timer counter.

  Thereafter, when one second has elapsed without receiving any of the above-described desired packet and other packets (step S24: Yes), the CPU 12 next executes step S32.

  Step S32: That is, the CPU 12 executes a suspend execution process. This process corresponds to the defined process for shifting the electronic terminal 10 to the suspended state as described above. Thereby, since the electronic terminal 10 shifts to the suspended state again, power consumption thereafter can be effectively suppressed.

  On the other hand, if a desired packet is received before 1 second has elapsed after the resume (step S26: Yes) or another packet is received (step S28: Yes), the CPU 12 proceeds to step S30. move on.

  Step S30: The CPU 12 continues the current resume state. Thereby, it is possible to speed up the response when the electronic terminal 10 is set as the target system from other electronic terminals 24 on the network. Alternatively, when document data or the like is transmitted toward its own electronic terminal 10, it can be reliably received, and a situation such as a communication error can be reliably prevented. When the above process is completed, the CPU 12 ends the resume management process and returns to the steady process.

[Packet structure]
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure example of a packet transmitted and received on the network. The transmission frame 30 constituting the packet has a structure (binary data) in which data 30d is sandwiched between headers 30a, 30b, 30c starting from the first bit and the last parity 30e.

  Among them, the header 30a at the head is a preamble for stabilizing the RF circuit in the wireless LAN module 20 and for surely synchronizing the RF circuit with the wireless LAN (RF) signal. The next header 30b represents, for example, the IP address of the electronic terminal 10, and the next header 30c represents the start of actual data (data 30d) in the transmission frame 30. In the data 30d, a code (for example, “00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09...) Indicating“ not suspended ”, that is,“ instruction not to shift to the suspended state ”for the electronic terminal 10 described above. is described. The transmission frame 30 uses UDP (User Datagram Protocol) as a network protocol.

  By using UDP for the transmission frame 30, it is possible to further increase the speed of packet transmission from the other electronic terminal 24 to the electronic terminal 10 serving as the target system. Thereby, since the target system can be reliably disabled within a predetermined time (1 second) after the resume, the electronic terminal 10 can be used quickly thereafter.

  According to the network electronic terminal 10 of the above-described embodiment, the resume state is maintained only after confirming that it is the target system after returning from the suspended state, and in other cases for a predetermined time (here, After 1 second), it automatically shifts to the suspended state. For this reason, if the subsequent use is not clearly planned, for example, when the IP address is specified by broadcast, the power can be quickly shifted to the suspended state. Can do.

  In addition, the transition to the suspend state after resume is not performed by waiting for other signals (resume cancel signal, suspend transition signal), but it can be performed only by its own judgment. Without fail, and the transition to the suspended state can be performed reliably.

  The present invention can be implemented with various modifications without being limited to the above-described embodiments. In the embodiment, a case where a desired packet is transmitted from another electronic terminal 24 on the network is taken as an example, but the same processing is performed when a desired packet is transmitted from a management server (not shown), for example. Can be applied.

It is a figure which shows schematically the structure of the network electronic terminal of one Embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a suspended process executed by a wireless LAN IC. It is a flowchart which shows the example of a procedure of the resume management process performed by CPU. It is the schematic which shows the structural example of the packet transmitted / received on a network.

Explanation of symbols

10 Network electronic terminal 12 CPU
20 Wireless LAN module 22 Access point

Claims (8)

A network electronic terminal used by a user while connected to a predetermined network,
A control unit for controlling the operation when used by the user;
A wireless network communication unit for performing wireless communication with a wireless access point provided on the network;
When the wireless network communication unit receives a packet including predetermined data while the control unit shifts to a suspended state in which power consumption is reduced by stopping an operation by a user, the control unit A return instruction means for instructing a return from the suspended state,
The controller is
The network electronic terminal, wherein after the return from the suspended state, the wireless network communication unit does not receive a packet including specific data, the network electronic terminal shifts to the suspended state. The network electronic terminal according to claim 1, wherein
The predetermined data is:
Represents an IP address for identifying an individual on the network,
The specific data is
A network electronic terminal characterized by indicating an instruction to the control unit not to shift to the suspended state. The network electronic terminal according to claim 1 or 2,
The specific data is
A network electronic terminal, wherein the wireless network communication unit is set in a UDP data area among packets received. The network electronic terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The controller is
A network electronic terminal characterized in that when the wireless network communication unit does not receive a packet including specific data until a predetermined time elapses after returning from the suspend state, the network electronic terminal shifts to the suspend state. . A network electronic terminal comprising: a control unit that controls an operation during use by a user while connected to a predetermined network; and a wireless network communication unit that performs wireless communication with a wireless access point provided on the network Power control method of
Transitioning the network electronic terminal to a suspended state with reduced power consumption by the control unit;
When the network communication unit receives a packet including predetermined data, the control unit returns the network electronic terminal from the suspended state;
Confirming whether the network communication unit has received a packet containing specific data after returning from the suspended state;
A power control method for a network electronic terminal, comprising: when the network communication unit has not received the specific data, causing the control unit to shift the network electronic terminal to the suspended state. The power control method for a network electronic terminal according to claim 5,
The predetermined data is:
Represents an IP address for identifying an individual network electronic terminal on the network;
The specific data is
A power control method for a network electronic terminal, which represents an instruction not to shift the network electronic terminal to the suspended state. In the network electronic terminal power control method according to claim 5 or 6,
The specific data is
A power control method for a network electronic terminal, wherein the network communication unit is set in a UDP data area among packets received by the network communication unit. In the network electronic terminal power control method according to any one of claims 5 to 7,
In the step of confirming whether or not the packet has been received, it is determined whether or not the network communication unit has received a packet including the specific data until a predetermined time elapses after returning from the suspended state. A power control method for a network electronic terminal, comprising: checking.

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