JP2010097427A - Processing apparatus, processing method and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a processing apparatus, a processing method and a computer program, wherein a mode can be suitably and efficiently shifted to a wake-up mode or a sleep mode and power consumption can be effectively reduced. <P>SOLUTION: In the processing apparatus, corresponding application tasks A, B are executed in the wake-up mode and application tasks A', B' for executing corresponding or identical processing are executed in the sleep mode. The task priority of the application tasks A, B to be started in the wake-up mode is higher than the priority of a mode management task and the task priority of the application tasks A', B' to be started in the sleep mode is lower than the priority of the mode management task. In the wake-up mode, the priority of the mode management task is lowest, and in the sleep mode, the priority of the mode management task is highest. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a power saving technique for a computer device, and in particular, a processing device capable of appropriately and efficiently switching between a sleep state and a wake-up state of the computer device and effectively reducing power consumption, The present invention relates to a processing method and a computer program.

  In recent years, power saving of devices has been promoted. Therefore, there is a computer device that is set to be capable of changing the clock frequency or lowering the power supply voltage, and capable of shifting to the sleep state such as lowering the clock frequency or lowering the power supply voltage while not performing processing. It is popular.

  Various methods are used for control to shift the computer device to the sleep state, or to shift from the sleep state to the wake-up state in which the clock frequency or the power supply voltage is increased to perform predetermined processing.

  For example, a computer device configured to execute one task or a plurality of processes in association with each other and execute a plurality of tasks at the same time. The transition of the operating state may be managed by an idle task that performs the above process.

  The system task has the highest priority in order to manage all tasks. When managing state transitions by system tasks, when transitioning to a wake-up state, for example, the system task itself is activated by a wake-up factor such as an interrupt, and the activated system task selects application tasks corresponding to all application programs. Let it run. Also, in this case, when shifting to the sleep state, for example, the system task is periodically started, and when it can be determined that no task is being executed by determining the execution state of each application program task, the sleep state is entered. It is configured as a transition.

  The idle task is always activated and has the lowest priority, and executes processing while each application task is not being executed. When state transition is managed by an idle task, when transitioning to a wake-up state, for example, the idle task detects a wake-up factor and activates each application task. At this time, a configuration in which an application task is activated as necessary, that is, according to the content of the wake-up factor is also conceivable. Further, when shifting to the sleep state, the idle task shifts to the sleep state when it is detected that all application tasks are in a state where the transition to the sleep state is possible.

  FIG. 9 is a time chart of each task when state transition is managed by an idle task. In FIG. 9, the horizontal axis indicates the passage of time, and the vertical axis indicates the execution start / stop of processing in each task from the top in descending order of priority. In the example shown in FIG. 9, the application task X, the application task Y, and the idle task are executed, but the application task X has the highest priority. As shown in FIG. 8, when a wake-up factor of the application task Y occurs at time t1 and is detected by the idle task, the activation request process of the application task Y is performed by the idle task, and the process in the application task Y is executed. Is done. Next, even if a wake-up factor of the application task X occurs at time t2, the idle task has a lower priority than the application task Y that is executing the process, so the process by the application task Y ends and the task is Until it is stopped, the activation request process of the application task X cannot be executed, and it is put on standby. The idle task can execute the activation request process for the application task X only after the process by the application task Y is completed at the time t3, and the application task X is activated at the time t4.

  When the state transition is managed by the idle task as shown in FIG. 9, when the idle task detects the wake-up factor of the application task X, the corresponding application task X can be started up. Is executed, the priority of the idle task is set to be the lowest, so that the activation process of the application task X is made to wait. Therefore, the time difference between the occurrence time t2 of the wakeup factor and the activation time t4 of the corresponding application task X becomes large.

Therefore, a technology that can reduce wasteful operations as much as possible and further reduce power consumption when shifting from a wake-up state to a sleep state or from a sleep state to a wake-up state. 1 and 2. Specifically, a plurality of application tasks each notify whether or not to enter the sleep state, and a state management task (system task) that is a task for managing the transition between the sleep state and the wake-up state, The state transition is managed by receiving the notification from each application task and determining the execution state of each application task. In this case, in order for the state management task to determine the execution state of each application task, the priority of the task is set higher than the priority of each application task.
JP 2008-107914 A JP 2008-102830 A

  According to the techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2, a state management task (system task) having a higher priority than each application task receives a notification from each application task and efficiently shifts to a sleep state. In addition, an application task can be selectively activated according to a wake-up factor to shift to a wake-up state. Since the priority of the state management task is set higher than the priority of each application task, even if another application task is executing processing, the application is started immediately after detecting the wake-up factor. be able to.

  However, since the state management task whose priority is set higher than the priority of each application task manages the state transition, conversely, the state transition process and the actual execution state in each application task May be inconsistent with each other. FIG. 10 is a time chart of each task when a state management task having a high priority manages state transition. In FIG. 10, the horizontal axis indicates the passage of time as in FIG. 9, and the vertical axis indicates the execution start / stop of processing in each task from the top in descending order of priority. In the example illustrated in FIG. 10, the application task Z, the application task W, and the state management task are executed, but the state management task has the highest priority. The state management task is periodically started to determine whether the application tasks Z and W can shift to the sleep state. As shown in FIG. 10, the application task W can enter the sleep state at time t21, and the application task Z can enter the sleep state at time t22, but is processed by the application task W at time t23. Let us consider a case where a process for making a transition to the sleep state impossible is started because the process continues. In this case, when the period for starting the state management task arrives at time t24 before the process of making the application task Z unable to enter the sleep state is completed, the priority of the state management task is the priority of the application task W. Since the process is postponed by the application task W, the device shifts to the sleep state by the state management task that determines that both can shift to the sleep state without completing the process that cannot be shifted. Is done.

  In this way, when the application tasks Z and W notify that the transition to the sleep state is possible, and the state management task performs the transition process to the sleep state, the processing that makes one application task W unable to transition to the sleep state is executed. Even if an attempt is made, the state management task having a high priority continues the migration process, and the process of the one application task W is performed later. Thereby, although each application task W cannot shift to the sleep state, inconsistency such as trying to shift to the sleep state as a device may occur.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and it is possible to appropriately and efficiently shift the state from any of the wake-up state to the sleep state or from the sleep state to the wake-up state. It is an object of the present invention to provide a processing device, a processing method, and a computer program capable of effectively reducing power consumption.

  The processing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention comprises execution means for executing a plurality of processes, and means for shifting to a sleep state in which its operation is paused, wherein the execution means is preset for each of the plurality of processes. In the processing apparatus configured to execute each process according to the priority, the execution means includes a switching process for switching between a dormant state and a non-sleep state, a first process having a higher priority than the switching process, A second process corresponding to the first process and having a lower priority than the switching process, and includes means for determining whether or not the second process is in a dormant state. The second process is executed when it is determined that there is an image, and the first process is executed when it is determined that there is a non-pause state.

  The processing apparatus according to the second invention is characterized in that the first process and the second process are the same process.

  In the processing apparatus according to a third aspect of the invention, the execution means further executes a startup process having a higher priority than the first process that is started by selecting either the first process or the second process. It is characterized by that.

  The processing method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention is configured to execute a plurality of processes in accordance with preset priorities, and to shift to a sleep state in which its own operation is suspended. In the processing method, the processing apparatus corresponds to the switching process for switching between its dormant state and non-sleep state, the first process having a higher priority than the switching process, and the first process as the process. The second process having a lower priority than the switching process is executed according to the priority, and it is determined whether or not it is in a dormant state and is determined to be in a dormant state. In this case, the second process is executed, and the first process is executed when it is determined that the state is the non-pause state.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program for causing a computer to execute a plurality of processes in accordance with a preset priority and shifting to a sleep state in which its operation is suspended. A switching process for switching between its dormant state and a non-sleep state, a first process having a higher priority than the switching process, and a process corresponding to the first process and having a lower priority than the switching process Including a step of executing the second process and a switching process for switching between the dormant state and the non-pause state according to priority, and a step of determining whether or not the dormant state is the dormant state. The second process is executed when it is determined, and the first process is executed when it is determined that it is in a non-pause state.

  In the first invention, the fourth invention, and the fifth invention, the priority of the arbitrary first process is high and corresponds to the first process with respect to the switching process between the sleep state where the operation of the apparatus itself is paused and the non-sleep state. The priority of the second process to be set is set low. Since the second process having a lower priority than the switching process is executed in the dormant state, the switching process has priority over other processes. On the other hand, in the non-pause state, the first process having a higher priority than the switching process is selected, so that the switching process is delayed after the other processes. As a result, when a factor for switching from the dormant state to the non-pause state occurs, the switch to the non-pause state is prioritized over other processes, so that the process is quickly performed. In addition, when switching from the non-pause state to the hibernation state, switching to the hibernation state is postponed by other processes, so that there is no hindrance when the process of returning to the non-pause state is performed.

  Each process such as the first process and the second process may be a task including one or a plurality of processes. In this case, one or a plurality of processes are set as one task, a priority is set in advance for each task, and each task is executed according to the priority. Also in this case, the priority is set in the order of the first task, the task including the switching process, and the second task, and the second task having a higher priority than the task including the switching process is executed in the sleep state. In the non-sleep state, the first task having a lower priority than the task including the switching process is executed. As a result, switching to the non-pause state is prioritized over other processes, so that the process is quickly performed, and switching from the non-pause state to the hibernation state is also postponed by other processes. It will not interfere with what is done.

  In the second invention, the second process executed in the hibernation state and the first process executed in the non-sleep state in the first invention are the same process. By making it possible to execute the same process with a higher priority and a lower process than the switching process, the state can be switched appropriately and promptly in both the hibernation state and the non-hibernation state. .

  In the third invention, in the first invention or the second invention, the activation process that is activated by selecting either the first process or the second process has a higher priority than the other processes. Thereby, when the switching process from the dormant state to the non-pause state is performed quickly, the execution of the first process is quickly started with priority over others. Similarly, when the switching process from the non-sleep state to the sleep state is appropriately performed without interfering with other processes, the execution of the second process is quickly started and becomes efficient.

  According to the present invention, in the hibernation state (sleep state), switching from the hibernation state to the non-hibernation state (wake-up state) is prioritized and performed quickly, and in the non-hibernation state, switching from the non-hibernation state to the hibernation state is performed. Therefore, it is possible to make the state transition appropriately and efficient and to effectively reduce the power consumption.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings showing embodiments thereof.

  In the embodiment described below, a case where the processing apparatus according to the present invention is applied to a microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) will be described as an example. More specifically, in the following embodiment, an example applied to processing in a microcomputer of an ECU (Electronic Control Unit) that is mounted on a vehicle and performs various controls will be described.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the microcomputer according to the first embodiment. The microcomputer 1 includes a CPU 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, and an I / O (Input / Output) unit 13.

  The CPU 10 reads and executes each program stored in the ROM 12 to cause the microcomputer 1 to operate as hardware that performs a specific process. Specifically, the CPU 10 reads and executes the control program 1P and the application program 121 stored in the ROM 12, thereby controlling the external device connected via the I / O unit 13 in cooperation with the RAM 11. To do. For example, when the ECU on which the microcomputer 1 according to the first embodiment is mounted is a body-type ECU, a headlight, a room light, or the like is connected, and the light is turned on / off under the control of the microcomputer 1.

  The RAM 11 uses a memory that can rewrite data such as SRAM (Static Random Access Memory) or DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) and that can be accessed at high speed. In the RAM 11, various programs executed by the CPU 10 are read and stored, and data generated in the course of arithmetic processing by the CPU 10 is temporarily stored.

  The ROM 12 uses a memory such as a flash memory, a mask ROM, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM) that does not lose data. The ROM 12 stores a control program 1P that the CPU 10 reads and executes. Further, the ROM 12 stores various application programs 121, 121,... That realize the control function of the ECU. The ROM 12 stores a task table 122 that is referred to by the CPU 10. Details of the task table 122 will be described later.

  The I / O unit 13 is an interface that includes a plurality of terminals that receive a signal input from the outside and realize a signal output to the outside. It is good also as a structure which has A / D conversion and a D / A conversion function. For example, the I / O unit 13 is connected to a measuring instrument, a sensor, or the like that acquires data used for controlling the microcomputer 1. The CPU 10 can be controlled using data acquired by the I / O unit 13. Further, a network controller may be connected to the I / O unit 13 so that the CPU 10 can acquire data transmitted / received via a network. Various loads or actuators to be controlled by the microcomputer 1 are connected to the I / O unit 13, and the microcomputer 1 outputs a control signal to the control target by the I / O unit 13.

  In addition, the microcomputer 1 is configured to perform processing in synchronization with a clock signal from a clock (not shown). However, when it is not necessary to perform special processing, the frequency of the clock can be reduced. Has been. Alternatively, the supply voltage may be reduced by a power supply circuit (not shown). The microcomputer 1 is configured to be able to shift to a sleep state in which power consumption is lower than normal by performing a process of reducing a clock frequency or a supply voltage. For example, when the ECU in which the microcomputer 1 according to the first embodiment is mounted is a body-type ECU, the room lamp is immediately after the ignition switch is turned off even while the ignition switch is off and the vehicle is stopped. Therefore, the ECU microcomputer is not in a state where power is not supplied completely, but is in a sleep state.

  A software process executed by the microcomputer 1 configured as described above based on the control program 1P will be described. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a software configuration executed by the microcomputer 1 in the first embodiment. Each rectangle in FIG. 2 indicates a processing unit (task) executed by the CPU 10 reading the control program 1P.

  The CPU 10 of the microcomputer 1 reads and executes the control program 1P from the ROM 12 to execute the system task 101 and the state management task 102, and further reads and executes the application programs 121, 121,. Each application task A20, B30,... Is executed. The application tasks A20 and B30 are divided into detailed processing and functions, respectively, application modules A-1 to A-N (201,..., 20n), application modules B-1 to B-N (301,..., 30n). ) Is designed to perform.

  When the microcomputer 1 according to the first embodiment reads and executes the control program 1P, the same application modules A-1 to A-N (201,..., 20n) and application modules as the application tasks A20, B30,. Application tasks A′21 and B′31 that execute B-1 to BN (301,..., 30n) can be executed. The application task A20 and the application task A'21 are tasks that execute the same processing except that the priorities set are different as described later. Note that the application task A20 and the application task A′21 may not be configured to execute completely the same processing. As will be described later, since the application task A′21 is activated in the sleep state, a part of the processing may be omitted, for example, some processes may be omitted. Similarly, the application task B30 and the application task B′31 are tasks that execute the same or corresponding processing.

  The system task 101 selects and starts each application task A20, B30,..., A′21, B′31,. Specifically, the system task 101 determines whether or not the microcomputer 1 is in a sleep state, that is, whether it is in a sleep state or a non-sleep state (wake-up state). As shown by the solid line, the application tasks A20, B30,... Are selected and activated. When in the sleep state, the application tasks A'21, B'31,. And start.

  The state management task 102 determines the execution state of each application task A20, B30,..., A′21, B′31,... And the sleep state and wakeup state in the entire microcomputer 1 based on each execution state. Switch between them.

  Each task such as the system task 101, the state management task 102, each application task A20, B30,..., A'21, B'31, ... has a priority in the task table 122 stored in the ROM 12. It is set in advance. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the task table 122 stored in the ROM 12 in the first embodiment. In the content example shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 3, a task priority is associated with a name for identifying each task. In the content example of FIG. 3, the task priority indicates that the higher the number, the higher the priority.

  As shown in FIG. 3, application tasks A20, B30,... Designed to perform the same processing and application tasks A′21, B′31,. , B30,... Are set higher in priority. Further, the priority of the state management task 102 that determines the execution state of each task and switches the transition between the sleep state and the wake-up state in the entire microcomputer 1 is the application task A20 that is activated in the non-sleep state. Are set to be lower than the priority of B30,... And higher than the priorities of application tasks A'21, B'31,.

  Further, in the content example shown in FIG. 3, the priority of the system task 101 is set highest, and the application tasks A20, B30,..., A′21, B′31,. Processing is performed.

  CPU10 performs the process in each task according to a priority. In other words, a task with a higher priority is executed by executing an interrupt even when processing is being performed in another task. As shown in FIG. 3, priority is set, and application tasks A20, B31,..., A′21, B′31,. Sometimes the state management task 102 has the lowest priority than each application task A20, B30,..., And the state management task 102 has a higher priority than each application task A'21, B'31,. .

  The system task 101 is based on information acquired via the I / O unit 13, specifically, information on measuring instruments, sensors, or external switches, and each application task A20, B30,..., A′21, B ′. 31, ... are activated. Which application task A20, B30,..., A′21, B′31,... Is activated corresponds to information acquired through the I / O unit 13 by the CPU 10 operating as the system task 101. To select. In particular, when a wake-up factor that causes the state of the microcomputer 1 to shift from the sleep state to the wake-up state is detected, the state management task 102 shifts the state and notifies the system task 101 to correspond to the application. Any one of the tasks A20, B30,..., A′21, B′31,. The wake-up factor is stored as a table in the ROM 12, and may be referred to by the CPU 10, or may be incorporated in the control program 1P.

  FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of a wake-up factor in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, factor 1, factor 2,... Are associated with application tasks A20 (A′21), B30 (B′31),. When a wake-up factor occurs, it is detected by the state management task 102 and notified to the system task 101.

  In the case of the content example shown in FIG. 4, when the factor 1 occurs, for example, when 100 milliseconds elapses after shifting to the sleep state, the application task A20 (A'21) is not activated and the application task A20 (A'21) is activated. Task B30 (B'31) is activated. In particular, in the sleep state, the system task 101 activates the application task B′31. Even if the factor 1 occurs in the sleep state and the state management task 102 detects this, the state management task 102 does not shift to the wake-up state. When factor 1 occurs, application task A20 (A'21) is not activated, and when a wake-up factor that activates application task A20 (A'21) occurs thereafter, this is quickly detected. Therefore, the priority of the state management task 102 needs to be kept high. On the other hand, when the factor 2 occurs, for example, when the ignition switch is turned on, the system task 101 activates all application tasks A20, B30,. When the factor 2 occurs, the state management task 102 is a factor that activates all the application tasks A20, B30,.

  A procedure in which the CPU 10 of the microcomputer 1 configured as described above performs the state switching process and the activation process of each task as the system task 101 and the state management task 102 will be described with reference to flowcharts.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of state switching processing and task activation processing by the CPU 10 of the microcomputer 1 according to the first embodiment. The CPU 10 executes the processing shown below by reading the control program 1P stored in the ROM 12 into the RAM 11 and executing it. The processing procedure shown below starts when power is supplied from a power supply device such as a battery to the ECU on which the microcomputer 1 is mounted, and the microcomputer 1 itself is reset. The process continues until the microcomputer 1 is reset again or the supply of power from the power supply device is completely stopped. When resetting, all application tasks A20, B30,... Are activated to enter a wake-up state.

  In the wake-up state, the CPU 10 determines whether or not all application tasks A20, B30,... Executed in the wake-up state have been notified by the operation as the state management task 102 that sleep transition is possible (step). S1). CPU 10 determines that all application tasks A20, B30,... Have not been notified that sleep transition is possible (S1: NO), returns the process to step S1, and continues the process in the wake-up state.

  When it is determined that all application tasks A20, B30,... Have been notified that the sleep can be shifted (S1: YES), the CPU 10 shifts the operation state of the microcomputer 1 to the sleep state (step S2). Specifically, the CPU 10 performs processing such as giving a change instruction to a clock (not shown) so as to lower the clock frequency, or giving an instruction to a power supply circuit (not shown) to reduce the voltage value.

  After shifting to the sleep state, the CPU 10 determines whether or not a wake-up factor has been detected by the operation as the state management task 102 (step S3). When determining that the wake-up factor is not detected (S3: NO), the CPU 10 returns the process to step S3 and waits until it is determined that the wake-up factor is detected. If the CPU 10 determines in step S3 that no wake-up factor has been detected (S3: NO), it waits for a certain period of time, for example, 10 milliseconds, and then activates itself as the state management task 102 and proceeds to step S3. You may make it return processing. The system task 101 may periodically determine whether or not a wake-up factor has occurred in step S3.

  If the CPU 10 determines that the wake-up factor is detected in step S3 by the operation as the state management task 102 (S3: YES), the CPU 10 determines whether or not to shift to the wake-up state according to the detected wake-up factor. (Step S4). For example, when the wake-up factor determined to have been detected in step S3 is the factor 1 shown in FIG. 4, the CPU 10 determines that the wake-up state is not entered, and in the case of the factor 2 shown in FIG. , It is determined to shift to the wake-up state.

  If the CPU 10 detects the wake-up factor in step S3 but determines that the wake-up factor does not shift to the wake-up state in step S4 (S4: NO), the CPU 10 remains in the sleep state, and the system task 101 By operation, one of the corresponding application tasks A′21, B′31,... In the sleep state is selected and activated (step S5), and the process returns to step S3. At this time, the operation state of the microcomputer 1 is still the sleep state.

  If the CPU 10 detects the wake-up factor in step S3 and determines that the wake-up state is entered in step S4 based on the wake-up factor (S4: YES), the CPU 10 transits to the wake-up state (step S6). Specifically, the CPU 10 performs processing such as giving a change instruction to a clock (not shown) so as to increase the clock frequency, or giving an instruction to increase the voltage value to a power supply circuit (not shown). Then, the CPU 10 selects and starts one of the corresponding application tasks A20, B30,... In the wake-up state by the operation of the system task 101 (step S7), and shifts to the wake-up state. It returns to step S1 and continues processing.

  As described above, the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is continued until the microcomputer 1 is reset again or the supply of power from the power supply device is completely stopped.

  When the process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5 is performed, the priority of the state management task 102 becomes higher than that of the other application tasks A′21, B′31,. The application task activation process by the system task 101 is quickly performed. On the other hand, in the wake-up state, the priority of the state management task 102 is lower than the other application tasks A20, B30,..., And none of the application tasks A20, B30,. As long as the transition to the sleep state is not performed.

  Next, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 5, the CPU 10 switches the state transition by the operation as the state management task 102 and the system task 101, and selects and starts a task having a different priority according to the state. The processing will be described with a specific example. FIG. 6 is a time chart showing processing of each task executed by CPU 10 of microcomputer 1 in the first embodiment. The horizontal axis shows the passage of time, and the vertical axis shows the execution start / stop of processing in each task from the top in descending order of priority. The lower part of the explanatory diagram shows the operating state of the microcomputer 1 that is shifted over time.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, the application tasks A20 and B30 are executed in the wake-up state, and “SleepOK” indicating that the transition to the sleep state is possible is notified from any task. The state management task 102 periodically determines the execution state of each application, detects that “SleepOK” is notified from either of the application tasks A20 and B30 at the period of time t1, and determines the operation state. Enter sleep mode.

  Thereafter, when a wake-up factor as factor 1 occurs at time t2 in the sleep state, the state management task 102 detects the wake-up factor. The state management task 102 notifies the system task 101 of an application task activation request corresponding to factor 1. The system task 101 is an application task corresponding to the factor 1, and selects and activates the application task B′31 to be selected in the sleep state, and executes the process (see FIG. 4). Since it is determined that the factor 1 does not shift to the wake-up state, the sleep state is maintained.

  If a wake-up factor as factor 2 occurs at time t3 during execution of the process in application task B′31, state management task 102 detects the wake-up factor. At this time, since it is in the sleep state, the priority of the state management task 102 is higher than the priority of the application task B′31 (see FIG. 3). Therefore, even when the process in the application task B′31 is being executed, the process is interrupted and the state management task 102 quickly detects the occurrence of the wake-up factor. Since the state management task 102 detects the factor 2 as the wake-up factor, the state management task 102 shifts to the wake-up state and notifies the system task 101 of the activation request for the application task corresponding to the factor 2. The system task 101 is an application task corresponding to the factor 2, and selects and activates the application task A20 and the application task B30 to be selected in the wake-up state, and executes processing (see FIG. 4). At this time, the process in the application task B30 is avoided because the process is being executed in the application task B′31. In the application task B′31 and the application task A20 due to the factor 2, since the priority of the application task A20 is high, the processing in the application task A20 is executed with priority. At the time point t4 when the process in the application task A20 ends, the process of the application task B′31 is subsequently executed.

  As described above, in the microcomputer 1 according to the first embodiment, the priority of the state management task 102 is set higher than the priorities of the application tasks A′21, B′31,. Therefore, even when another application task A′21, B′31,... Is executing a process when a wake-up factor occurs, the corresponding application task can be activated quickly. On the other hand, at the time of wakeup, since the priority of the state management task 102 is set lower than the priority of each application task A20, B30,... Executed in the wakeup state, all the application tasks A20, B30 are set. Even if the transition to the sleep state is enabled at,... And the transition process is started, the transition process is interrupted when the state management task 102 tries to perform a process that disables the transition to the sleep state. Is done. In this way, it is possible to make a state transition quickly and to make an appropriate and efficient state transition to prevent inconsistency. Therefore, it is possible to effectively shift to a sleep state in which power consumption is reduced, and power consumption can be effectively reduced.

  In the first embodiment, the microcomputer 1 is configured to be able to execute application tasks A20, B30,... And application tasks A′21, B′31,. In other words, in order to increase or decrease the priority of the task for executing the same processing with respect to the state management task 102 in the sleep state and in the non-sleep state, the configuration is such that separate statically prepared tasks are executed. Although a structure in which an OS (Operating System) is operated and a priority is dynamically changed depending on the OS is conceivable, each of the application tasks A20 and B30 in which different priorities are statically set in advance without using the OS. ,..., A′21, B′31,... Have the advantages of simplifying the software structure and reducing the processing weight.

(Embodiment 2)
In the microcomputer 1 of the first embodiment, the application tasks A′21, B′31,... Are executed in the sleep state in correspondence with any of the application tasks A20, B30,. Met. However, it is not always necessary to execute processing corresponding to all application tasks A20, B30,. In the second embodiment, a sleep state application task B′31 is configured to be activated only for a part of the application tasks B30.

  The configuration of the microcomputer 1 in the second embodiment is the same except that a part of the software configuration and the contents of the task table 122 stored in the ROM 12 are partially different. Therefore, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the structure which is common in Embodiment 1, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a software configuration in the second embodiment. Each rectangle in FIG. 7 indicates a processing unit (task) executed by the CPU 10 reading the control program 1P. Also in the second embodiment, the system task 101 and the state management task 102 are executed by the CPU 10 of the microcomputer 1, and the application tasks A20, B30,. The application tasks A20 and B30 are divided into detailed processing and functions, respectively, application modules A-1 to A-N (201,..., 20n), application modules B-1 to B-N (301,..., 30n). ) Is designed to perform.

  In the second embodiment, the CPU 10 can execute only the application task B′31 that executes the same application modules B-1 to BN (301,..., 30n) as the application task B30. The application task B30 and the application task B′31 are tasks that execute the same or corresponding processing. There is no application task A′21 corresponding to the application task A20. This is because the processing corresponding to the application task A20 is not executed in the sleep state.

  The system task 101 according to the second embodiment selects and starts application tasks A20, B30,... As necessary in the wake-up state, and controls the processing of the entire microcomputer 1. In the sleep state, the system task 101 may select and start the application task B′31 as indicated by a broken line in FIG.

  FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the contents of the task table 122 in the second embodiment. In the content example shown in the explanatory diagram of FIG. 8, the task priority is associated with the name for identifying each task. The task priority indicates that the higher the number, the higher the priority.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the priority of the application task B′31 designed to perform the same processing as that of the application B30 activated in the non-sleep state is set to the lowest, and the state management task 102 is next set. Has a low priority. Next, the priority of the application tasks A20 and B30 activated in the non-sleep state is set higher than the priority of the state management task 102, and the priority of the application task A20 is higher. The priority of the system task 101 is set to be the highest, and the activation processing of the application tasks A20, B30,..., B′31,.

  Thus, even in the microcomputer 1 according to the second embodiment, the priority of the state management task 102 is set higher than the priority of the application task B′31 that may be activated in the sleep state. When the wake-up factor occurs, even if the application task B′31,... Is executing the process, it is possible to quickly start another application task that corresponds. On the other hand, at the time of wakeup, since the priority of the state management task 102 is set lower than the priority of each application task A20, B30,... Executed in the wakeup state, all application tasks A20, B30 are set. Even if the transition to the sleep state is enabled at,... And the transition process is started, the transition process is interrupted when the state management task 102 tries to perform a process that disables the transition to the sleep state. Is done. In this way, it is possible to perform a state transition quickly, and it is possible to perform an appropriate and efficient state transition that prevents inconsistencies. Therefore, it is possible to effectively shift to a sleep state in which power consumption is reduced, and power consumption can be effectively reduced.

  In the second embodiment, the process corresponding to the application task A20 is configured not to be activated in the sleep state, and therefore the application task A′21 is not included in the task table 122. Depending on the wake-up factor, all application tasks A20, B30,... May not be activated and only some application tasks may be processed in the sleep state. In such a case, as in the second embodiment, the software configuration and priority settings are set in advance so that some application tasks are activated in the sleep state, thereby further simplifying the configuration and processing. It becomes possible to be efficient.

  It should be understood that the first and second embodiments disclosed as described above are examples in all respects and are not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the meanings described above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

2 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a microcomputer according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a software configuration executed by the microcomputer according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the contents of a task table stored in a ROM according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of contents of a wake-up factor according to Embodiment 1. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a state switching process and a task activation process performed by the CPU of the microcomputer according to the first embodiment. 3 is a time chart illustrating processing of each task executed by the CPU of the microcomputer according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a software configuration in a second embodiment. 10 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of the contents of a task table in Embodiment 2. FIG. It is a time chart of each task in the case of managing a state transition by an idle task. It is a time chart of each task when a state management task with a high priority manages state transition.

Explanation of symbols

1 Microcomputer 10 CPU
12 ROM
1P control program (computer program)
101 System task (startup process)
102 State management task (switching process)
20, 30, ... Application tasks A, B, ... (first processing)
21, 31, ... Application tasks A ', B', ... (second processing)

Claims (5)

An execution unit that executes a plurality of processes; and a unit that shifts to a dormant state that pauses its own operation. The execution unit executes each process according to a priority set in advance for each of the plurality of processes. In a certain processing device,
The execution means includes
A switching process for switching between a sleep state and a non-sleep state;
A first process having a higher priority than the switching process;
A second process corresponding to the first process and having a lower priority than the switching process.
Means for determining whether or not it is in a dormant state;
A processing apparatus, characterized in that the second process is executed when it is determined that it is in a dormant state, and the first process is executed when it is determined that it is in a non-pause state. The processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first process and the second process are the same process. The execution unit is further configured to execute a startup process having a higher priority than the first process to be started by selecting one of the first process and the second process. 2. The processing apparatus according to 2. In the processing method in the processing apparatus configured to perform a plurality of processes according to a preset priority, and configured to be able to shift to a sleep state in which its own operation is suspended,
The processor is
As the processing,
A switching process for switching between its hibernation state and non-hibernation state;
A first process having a higher priority than the switching process;
A second process corresponding to the first process and having a lower priority than the switching process is executed according to the priority.
Determine if they are in hibernation,
If it is determined that it is in a dormant state, the second process is executed,
A processing method, comprising: executing a first process when it is determined that a non-sleep state is set. In a computer program for causing a computer to execute a plurality of processes according to a preset priority, and to shift to a sleep state in which its operation is suspended,
On the computer,
As the processing,
A switching process for switching between its hibernation state and non-hibernation state;
A first process having a higher priority than the switching process;
Executing a second process corresponding to the first process and having a lower priority than the switching process, and a switching process for switching between the sleep state and the non-sleep state according to the priority,
Determining whether it is in a dormant state, and
If it is determined that the computer is in a dormant state, the second process is executed,
A computer program for causing a first process to be executed when it is determined that the device is in a non-sleep state.

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