JP2012038247A - Information processing unit and program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing unit and a program for preventing an information processing unit in a power-saving mode from being recovered by a third party without permission.SOLUTION: An information processing unit has a normal mode and a plurality of power-saving modes. Recovery method storing means stores a type of recovery demand which enables the information processing unit to recover from each power-saving mode to the normal mode, for each of the respective power-saving mode. Recovery demand receiving means receives the demand to recover to the normal mode if the information processing unit moves into any one of the plurality of power-saving modes. Determining means determines whether or not the received recovery demand is of the type of the recovery demand which allows the recovery to the normal mode, with reference to the recovery method storing means. Recovery means recovers the information processing unit to the normal mode if it is determined by the determination means that it is of the type of the recovery demand which enables the recovery.

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an information processing apparatus and a program.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in information processing apparatuses such as PC (Personal Computer) and POS (Point Of Sales: point-of-sales data management), power consumption is reduced while the apparatus is not being used, and promptly when resuming use. In order to start the system, a power saving mode (suspend state) is provided. In general, information processing devices are provided with multiple types of power saving modes. The S1 mode stops the CPU while maintaining the system state, and other circuits are stopped by holding the system state in the memory. S3 mode to be used, and S4 mode to hold the system state in the hard disk and stop other circuits are provided.

  When returning to the normal mode where information processing can be performed from the power saving mode (resume), pressing the power button, operating the keyboard or mouse, input operation on the touch panel, Wake On LAN (WOL) Various methods are used such as transmitting a wake-up packet to an information processing apparatus that is restored using a LAN line. Further, as a conventional technique, a technique for quickly returning the information processing apparatus from the suspended state is also disclosed.

  However, in the prior art, the method of returning the information processing apparatus from the power saving mode is not determined according to each power saving mode, and the normal mode is changed from the power saving mode by the same returning method in any power saving mode. Returned to Therefore, when the user leaves the place by setting the information processing apparatus to the power saving mode, there is a possibility that the third party will return to the normal mode from the power saving mode without permission and the information processing apparatus may be operated by the third party. is there.

  An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes a return method storage unit, a return request reception unit, a determination unit, in an information processing device having a normal mode that can be operated by the user and a plurality of power saving modes that cannot be operated by the user. Return means. The return method storage means stores, for each power saving mode, the type of return request that can return the information processing apparatus from the power saving mode to the normal mode. The return request accepting unit accepts a return request to the normal mode when the information processing apparatus has shifted to any one of the plurality of power saving modes. The determination unit determines whether the received return request is a type of the return request that can be returned to the normal mode with reference to the return method storage unit. The return means returns the information processing apparatus to the normal mode when the determination means determines that the return request type is recoverable.

  In addition, the program according to the embodiment includes a normal mode that can be operated by the user and a plurality of power saving modes that cannot be operated by the user, and is capable of returning the information processing apparatus from the power saving mode to the normal mode. In an information processing apparatus including a return method storage unit that stores a request type for each power saving mode, a computer is caused to function as a return request reception unit, a determination unit, and a return unit. The return request accepting unit accepts a return request to the normal mode when the information processing apparatus has shifted to any one of the plurality of power saving modes. The determination unit determines whether the received return request is a type of the return request that can be returned to the normal mode with reference to the return method storage unit. The return means returns the information processing apparatus to the normal mode when the determination means determines that the return request type is recoverable.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to this embodiment. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an OS shutdown menu. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a transition example of the power saving mode. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the return method setting table. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a return process from the power saving mode executed by the information processing apparatus.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. The information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is used as a POS apparatus, a store server, other general PCs, and the like. Moreover, you may use the information processing apparatus 1 of this Embodiment as a portable electronic device.

  The information processing apparatus 1 has a hardware configuration using a normal computer. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 1 includes a control device such as a CPU 11, a storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, an HDD 14, and a display device 15 such as a liquid crystal display. A touch panel 16 provided on the surface of the display device 15, a PS / 2 port 17, a USB port 18, and a LAN adapter 19, which are connected by a bus 2.

  An input device A such as a mouse or a keyboard can be connected to the PS / 2 port 17 or the USB port 18. The touch panel 16 also functions as the input device A.

  The interrupt controller 25 receives an interrupt request (Interrupt ReQuest, IRQ) signal from the input device A or the LAN adapter 19 via the IRQ terminal 26 when the power supply to the information processing apparatus 1 is in the power saving mode.

  The interrupt controller 25 is provided with a plurality of IRQ terminals 26a, 26b, 26c, and 26d. A touch panel 16, a PS / 2 port 17, a USB port 18, and a LAN adapter 19 are connected to each IRQ terminal 26, and the interrupt controller 25 can accept interrupt requests from a plurality of IRQ terminals 26.

  As an example, when there is an input from a mouse connected to the USB port 18, the voltage at the IRQ terminal 26 c changes from HI to LOW, and the interrupt controller 25 receives an interrupt request from the input device A connected to the USB port 18. (Return request) can be accepted.

  The ROM 12 stores various programs executed by the CPU 11 and various data. The RAM 13 is configured by a FlashROM such as a BIOSROM, and stores various types of BIOS data and programs according to the present embodiment. The RAM 13 temporarily stores data and programs when the CPU 11 executes various programs. The CPU 11 (processor) generates the control unit 10 shown in FIG. 2 on the main storage device by reading and executing the program of the present embodiment together with the BIOS from the RAM 13.

  FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 10 mainly includes a power saving mode transition unit 21, a return request reception unit 22, a determination unit 23, and a return unit 24.

  That is, the program executed by the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described units (power saving mode transition unit 21, return request reception unit 22, determination unit 23, return unit 24). The CPU 11 (processor) reads out the program of the present embodiment from the RAM 13 together with the BIOS and executes it. As a result, the above-described units are loaded onto the main storage device, and the power saving mode transition unit 21, the return request receiving unit 22, the determination unit 23, and the return unit 24 are generated on the main storage device.

  As shown in FIG. 2, a power saving mode storage area 31 and a return method setting table 32 are provided in the nonvolatile memory area of the RAM 13.

  The power saving mode transition unit 21 performs the transition of the power saving mode of the information processing apparatus 1 in cooperation with the OS and the BIOS by a method generally performed conventionally. When the power saving mode transition unit 21 receives a suspend request from the user via the input device A, the power saving mode transition unit 21 shifts the power supply of the information processing apparatus 1 from the normal mode to the power saving mode.

  The normal mode is a power supply mode in which the user can operate the information processing apparatus 1 to perform information processing, and is generally a mode called S0 mode.

  The power saving mode is a power supply mode in which the user cannot operate the information processing apparatus 1 to perform information processing, and is generally a mode called an S1 mode, an S3 mode, an S4 mode, or the like. . The power saving mode is also called a suspend mode or a standby mode.

  The S1 mode (Power On Suspend) is a power saving mode in which the power supply to the CPU 11 is stopped and the CPU clock is stopped while the power supply to the chipset is maintained. The S3 mode (Suspend To RAM) is a power saving mode in which the power supplied to the RAM 13 is stopped while the energization of the RAM 13 is held and the data expanded in the RAM 13 is held as it is. The S4 mode (Suspend To HDD) is a power saving mode in which data expanded in the RAM 13 is copied to the HDD 14 and power supply to the HDD 14 is maintained while power supply to other than the HDD 14 is stopped.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an OS shutdown menu. As an example, when “standby” is selected, the power saving mode transition unit 21 transitions the information processing apparatus 1 to the S1 mode or the S3 mode. When “pause state” is selected, the power saving mode transition unit 21 transitions the information processing apparatus 1 to the S4 mode.

  In addition, electronic devices such as POS and PC are generally provided with a power management application, and input from a user such as a mouse, a keyboard, or a touch panel can be performed by the power management application or settings in the BIOS. When there is no fixed time or more, it is possible to automatically shift to each power saving mode.

  The power saving mode transition unit 21 changes the information processing apparatus 1 from the normal mode to the power saving mode when there is no input to the information processing apparatus 1 for a certain period of time based on such a power management application or BIOS setting. Migrate to

  Further, the power saving mode transition unit 21 is in a case where the information processing apparatus 1 is in a certain power saving mode (first power saving mode), and when there is no input from the user for a certain period of time, another power saving mode ( Transition to the second power saving mode).

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a transition example of the power saving mode. That is, as shown in FIG. 4, when “standby” is selected from the shutdown menu, the information processing apparatus 1 shifts to the S1 mode that is the first power saving mode. Thereafter, when a predetermined time elapses, the information processing apparatus 1 shifts to the S3 mode that is the second power saving mode.

  As described above, generally, the transition to the power saving mode is executed by at least one of the BIOS and the OS. Therefore, in the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the function of the power saving mode transition unit 21 is generated on the BIOS, but the power saving mode transition unit 21 may be a function generated on the OS. Good.

  When the information processing apparatus 1 shifts from the normal mode to the power saving mode, the power saving mode shift unit 21 stores information indicating the power saving mode of the transfer destination in the power saving mode storage area 31. The power saving mode transition unit 21 also shifts the information processing apparatus 1 from the first power saving mode (for example, S1 mode) to the second power saving mode (for example, S3 mode). Information indicating (S3 mode) is stored in the power saving mode storage area 31.

  The power saving mode storage area 31 is a storage area for storing information indicating the power saving mode of the transfer destination when the information processing apparatus 1 has shifted to any one of the plurality of power saving modes. is there. As information indicating the power saving mode of the transfer destination, mode numbers indicating the respective power saving modes are stored in the power saving mode storage area 31 such as S1, S3, S4, and the like. Each power saving mode may be indicated using a flag.

  The return request receiving unit 22 receives a return (resume) request from the user via the interrupt controller 25. Further, the return request receiving unit 22 can identify which interrupt signal corresponds to the return request detected by the interrupt controller 25.

  As an example, when there is an input from a mouse connected to the USB port 18, the return request receiving unit 22 receives a return request from the USB device. On the other hand, when a magic packet is received from the LAN adapter 19, it is accepted that there has been a return request by WOL.

  Note that WOL is a method of turning on the power of the information processing apparatus 1 or returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode by sending a magic packet from the outside to the LAN adapter 19 of the information processing apparatus 1 via the LAN. It is a function for.

  The determination unit 23 determines whether or not the return request received by the return request receiving unit 22 is a type of return request that can return to the normal mode from the destination power saving mode stored in the power saving mode storage area 31. Is determined with reference to the return method setting table 32.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the return method setting table 32. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the return method setting table 32 is a table in which the types of return requests that can return the information processing apparatus 1 in each power saving mode to the normal mode are set for each power saving mode. .

  In the return method setting table 32, for the first power saving mode, the information processing apparatus 1 can be returned to the normal mode even when any type of return request among the plurality of types of return requests is received. It is set to be. In the return method setting table 32, for the second power saving mode, the information processing apparatus 1 is returned to the normal mode only when a return request of a part of a plurality of types of interrupt requests is accepted. It is set as possible.

  That is, in the setting example shown in FIG. 5, in the case of the S1 mode of the first power saving mode, a device such as a mouse or keyboard connected to the PS / 2 port 17 (PS / 2) is pressed. When a request for restoration of any type of input from a device (device), input from a device (USB device) such as a mouse or keyboard connected to the USB port 18, input from the touch panel 16, or input from WOL is accepted. Even if it exists, it is set that the information processing apparatus 1 can be returned to the normal mode.

  On the other hand, in the case of the S3 mode and S4 mode of the second power saving mode, it is set that the information processing apparatus 1 can be returned to the normal mode only when a return request from the WOL is received. .

  Accordingly, when the determination unit 23 is in the S3 mode, for example, and the return request receiving unit 22 receives a return request from the power button, the determination unit 23 refers to the return method setting table 32 shown in FIG. It is determined that the return request from the power button is not the type of return request that can be returned to the normal mode. Further, for example, in the S3 mode, when the return request receiving unit 22 receives a return request from the WOL, the return request from the WOL is a type of return request that can be returned to the normal mode. Is determined.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, the first power saving mode that shifts within a short time is set so that it can easily return to the normal mode, and the second power saving mode that does not shift within a short time. Is set to be able to return to the normal mode only by a part of predetermined return methods. Thereby, the security level of the second power saving mode can be strengthened compared to the security level of the first power saving mode, and both convenience and security regarding the power saving mode can be improved.

  Further, in the return processing by WOL, if there is no device-specific information such as the MAC address of the information processing apparatus 1, a return request cannot be transmitted to the information processing apparatus 1. Therefore, the third person cannot easily return the information processing apparatus 1, and the information security of the information processing apparatus 1 in the S3 mode or the S4 mode can be improved.

  When the determination unit 23 determines that the return request received by the return request receiving unit 22 is a type of return request that can be returned to the normal mode, the return unit 24 ends the power saving mode and switches to the normal mode. Return.

  Next, in the information processing apparatus 1, as described above, FIG. 4 shows an example of the restoration process of the information processing apparatus 1 when the power saving mode is shifted in two stages of the first power saving mode and the second power saving mode. The description will be given with reference.

  For example, when the user leaves the seat or the like, “standby” is selected from the shutdown menu (see FIG. 3), and the information processing apparatus 1 is shifted to the S1 mode (first power saving mode). Thereafter, if the user returns to the seat within a short time, the power saving mode remains in the S1 mode. Therefore, in this case, as shown in FIG. 5, the information processing apparatus 1 can be easily restored by any of the restoration methods of the power button, PS / 2 device, USB device, touch panel, and WOL.

  On the other hand, if a user has something to do and cannot return within the time in the S1 mode, the power saving mode shifts from the S1 mode to the S3 mode (second power saving mode). As described above, when the power saving mode of the transfer destination is the S3 mode, when the return request receiving unit 22 receives a return request from, for example, a USB device, the determination unit 23 sets the return request to “return to the normal mode”. It is determined that it is not included in the types of possible return requests ”, and the return unit 24 does not return. Thereafter, when the user returns, the user transmits a return request by WOL. The determination unit 23 determines that the return request is “included in the types of return requests that can be returned to the normal mode”, and the return unit 24 can return the information processing apparatus 1.

  As described above, by using the recovery method of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment and the two-stage power saving mode in combination, even when the user unexpectedly enters the power saving mode, only the WOL is used. It is possible to automatically shift to the recoverable S3 mode, and to easily improve the security of the power saving mode.

  In each power saving mode (S1 mode, S3 mode, and S4 mode) of the present embodiment, power supply to the LAN adapter 19 is not cut off in order to use recovery by WOL.

  Next, the procedure of the return process from the power saving mode executed by the information processing apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of a return process from the power saving mode executed by the information processing apparatus 1.

  First, the power saving mode transition unit 21 determines whether or not a suspend request has been received by the user selecting a power saving mode from the shutdown menu (ST1). When the suspend request is accepted (ST1: Yes), the accepted power saving mode is stored in the power saving mode storage area 31 (ST2), and then the information processing apparatus 1 is shifted to the accepted power saving mode (ST3). ). If no suspend request has been received (ST1: No), the process waits until a suspend request is received (ST1).

  Next, the return request receiving unit 22 determines whether a return request has been received by an input from the input device A or the LAN adapter 19 (ST4). If no return request has been received (ST4: No), the process returns to ST4 and waits until a return request is received. When the return request is received (ST4: Yes), the determination unit 23 refers to the return method setting table 32 and determines whether or not the received return request is a type of return request that can return to the normal mode. (ST5). If it is the type of return request that can return to the normal mode (ST5: Yes), the return unit 24 returns from the power saving mode to the normal mode (ST6). If the type is not the type of return request that can return to the normal mode (ST5: No), the process returns to ST4 and waits until the next return request is accepted without returning to the normal mode.

  In the above description, the interrupt request by WOL is set in the return method setting table 32 as some types of interrupt requests, but the types of some types of interrupt requests are not limited to this. . As another example, an interrupt request by a composite key that simultaneously presses a plurality of keys on the keyboard may be set as a part of interrupt requests that can be returned to the normal mode. Specifically, for example, when the Shift key and the F7 key are pressed at the same time, a return request interrupt signal is set to be transmitted to the interrupt controller 25 in advance. As a return method for the S4 mode, return using the Shift key and the F7 key may be set.

  In the above description, the return method for allowing the return to the normal mode is set in advance in the return method setting table 32, but the setting of the return method setting table 32 is changed by the user setting the BIOS. You may comprise so that it can do.

  Note that the program executed by the information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment is provided by being incorporated in advance in the RAM 13 or the like. A program executed by the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment is an installable or executable file, and is a computer such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). The information may be provided by being recorded on a recording medium that can be read by the user.

  Furthermore, the program executed by the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Further, the program executed by the information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 1 is returned to the normal mode only when the type of return request is set in the return method setting table 32 and can return to the normal mode. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the information processing apparatus 1 that is in the power saving mode from being returned by the third party without permission.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Information processing apparatus 10 Control part 21 Power saving mode transfer part 22 Return request reception part 23 Judgment part 24 Return part 25 Interrupt controller 26 (26a, 26b, 26c, 26d) IRQ terminal 31 Power saving mode storage area 32 Return method setting table

JP 2010-79579 A

Claims (6)

In an information processing apparatus having a normal mode that can be operated by the user and a plurality of power saving modes that cannot be operated by the user,
A return method storage means for storing, for each power saving mode, a type of return request capable of returning the information processing apparatus from the power saving mode to the normal mode;
A return request accepting unit for accepting a return request to the normal mode when the information processing apparatus has shifted to any one of the plurality of power saving modes;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the received return request is a type of the return request that can be returned to the normal mode with reference to the return method storage unit;
A return means for returning the information processing apparatus to the normal mode when the determination means determines that the type of the return request is recoverable;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The return method storage means stores at least a first power saving mode and a second power saving mode as the plurality of power saving modes,
For the first power saving mode, it is stored that it is possible to return to the normal mode even if any type of the return request is accepted among the plurality of types of return requests.
For the second power saving mode, it is stored that it is possible to return to the normal mode only when a part of the types of return requests is accepted.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The return method storage means stores that the normal mode can be returned when the return request by Wake On LAN (WOL) is accepted as the partial type of return request. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.   The return method storage means stores, as the some types of return requests, that the return to the normal mode is possible when the return request is received by a composite key that simultaneously presses a plurality of keys of the keyboard. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the information processing apparatus is an information processing apparatus. A power saving mode transition means for shifting the information processing apparatus from the first power saving mode to the second power saving mode when there is no input to the information processing apparatus for a predetermined time;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising: There is a normal mode that can be operated by the user and a plurality of power saving modes that cannot be operated by the user, and the type of return request that can return the information processing apparatus from the power saving mode to the normal mode. In an information processing apparatus provided with a return method storage means storing for each mode,
Computer
A return request accepting unit for accepting a return request to the normal mode when the information processing apparatus has shifted to any one of the plurality of power saving modes;
A determination unit that determines whether or not the received return request is a type of the return request that can be returned to the normal mode with reference to the return method storage unit;
A return means for returning the information processing apparatus to the normal mode when the determination means determines that the type of the return request is recoverable;
Program to make it function.

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