JP2013134754A - Information processing apparatus, method for controlling the same, and computer program - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing apparatus that has plural start modes, and allows warm boot to a start mode specified at the time of startup in a short time, irrespective of a mode at the time of termination.SOLUTION: Only BWBI of partial start mode is stored in a warm boot image area 312, and with respect to another start mode, WBI difference data is stored in the warm boot image area 312. When warm boot in another start mode is specified, the BWBI is once loaded to memory 119 from the warm boot image area 312, and then the WBI difference data is applied for restoring the original BWBI of the specified start mode on the memory 119.

Description

  The technology disclosed in this specification relates to an information processing device having a warm boot hibernation function, a control method for the information processing device, and a computer program. The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that performs a warm boot in the startup mode, a control method for the information processing apparatus, and a computer program.

  Conventionally, in a battery-driven information processing apparatus such as a notebook computer (PC), a “hibernation” function has been introduced for power saving. When hibernation is enabled, non-volatile storage, such as a hard disk, that interrupts a running task, for example when a low battery condition occurs, and later resumes the task After storing in the area, the entire apparatus is powered off and enters the hibernation state. When the user turns on the power of the system later, the stored data is restored to the original location, and the interrupted task is automatically restarted (see, for example, Patent Document 1). .

  Recently, the hibernation function has been introduced not only in personal computers but also in various information processing apparatuses such as digital cameras and mobile phones. By using the hibernation function, it is possible to shorten the warm boot, that is, the waiting time until the user can use the apparatus after the power is turned on. If data stored in the memory at a certain point in time (eg when the power is turned off) is stored in the nonvolatile memory as a warm boot image (WBI), the warm boot image in the nonvolatile memory will be stored when the device starts up. The state of the memory can be quickly restored by loading the data into the memory as it is.

  In the warm boot type hibernation function, writing the warm boot image to the non-volatile memory every time the device is terminated is not possible for a device using a non-volatile memory such as OneNand. Is appropriate. In addition, due to the writing process to the non-volatile memory, the time until the end of the apparatus, that is, the transition to the hibernation state is delayed.

  For example, an information processing apparatus such as a digital still camera has been proposed that updates an operating system, application program, or middleware to generate a warm boot image immediately after startup (see, for example, Patent Document 2). ) In this information processing device, the execution result of the initialization process of the operating system, application program, or middleware is stored in the nonvolatile memory as a warm boot image. Even if the change is made, it returns to the initial state every time the device is started.

  In addition, the read-only area that stores read-only data that does not need to be rewritten by the user, the rewritable area that stores rewritable data that may be rewritten by the user, and the execution result of the read-only data In addition to providing a hibernation area to store a snapshot image, the hibernation section that loads the snapshot image into volatile memory, and rewritable data execution to execute the rewritable data stored in the rewritable area A proposal has been made for a terminal device having a section (see, for example, Patent Document 3). This terminal device starts up with hibernation using a snapshot image for read-only data that is repeated each time it starts, and for data that can be rewritten by the user after startup, this data Processing based on the above can be executed, and deterioration of the nonvolatile memory due to re-acquisition of the snapshot image can be reduced.

  Some information processing apparatuses have a plurality of activation modes. Since this type of apparatus does not always return to the state at the end, after booting to the state at the end once, a process of transitioning to the mode specified by the user occurs, which causes a delay.

  For example, when a digital camera starts up in “shooting mode” in which a subject can be shot by pressing the “shoot button”, the digital camera has already shot (recorded) by pressing the “play button”. In the case of activation in “reproduction mode” for reproducing an image, and in the case of activation in “USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection mode”, there are a plurality of activation modes. For example, if the user presses the play button after transitioning to hibernation state under shooting mode (ie, if the user specifies return to playback mode), it will play back after warm booting once in the shooting mode at the end. Must transition to mode.

  Since the information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 2 returns to the initial state every time it is activated, a transition process to the mode designated by the user at the time of return occurs regardless of which mode is activated. In addition, the terminal device (mobile phone) described in Patent Document 3 can perform various operations such as making a call, sending an e-mail, and browsing a web content in the operation state after returning from the suspended state. Since it can return only to the state (Neutral Point) which does not move to any mode, the transition process to the mode designated by the user occurs, and the activation time is limited.

Japanese Patent No. 3227628 JP 2008-165553 A JP 2010-271980 A

  An object of the technology disclosed in the present specification is to provide an excellent information processing apparatus, a control method for the information processing apparatus, and a computer program having a warm boot type hibernation function.

  A further object of the technology disclosed in the present specification is to have excellent information that has a plurality of startup modes and can perform a warm boot in a short time to the startup mode specified at startup regardless of the mode at the time of termination. To provide a processing apparatus, a control method for an information processing apparatus, and a computer program.

The present application has been made in consideration of the above problems, and the technology according to claim 1
An execution unit that executes multiple types of applications;
A memory for loading an application to be executed by the execution unit;
Warm boot memory for storing a warm boot image in a non-volatile manner for warm boot; and
A warm boot unit for loading a warm boot image in the warm boot memory into the memory and warm booting the device;
Comprising
The warm boot memory stores a snapshot of the memory in the first state as the best warm boot image BWBI in the first state, and in the second state the snapshot of the memory and the memory Stores WBI difference data consisting of differences from BWBI.
Information processing apparatus.

  According to the technique described in claim 2 of the present application, the warm boot unit of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 loads the BWBI in the warm boot memory into the memory to load the first state. Or, after the BWBI in the warm boot memory is once loaded into the memory, the WBI differential data in the warm boot memory is applied to perform the warm boot in the second state. It is configured as follows.

  According to the third aspect of the present application, the first state of the information processing apparatus according to the first aspect is a state in which the first application is activated, and the warm boot memory is the first state. A snapshot generated in the memory when the application is started is stored as BWBI. The second state is a state in which an application other than the first application is activated, and the warm boot memory is generated in the memory when each application other than the first application is activated. WBI difference data for each application, which is the difference between the snapshot and the BWBI.

  According to the technique described in claim 4 of the present application, there are a plurality of first applications that the information processing apparatus according to claim 3 starts in the first state. The warm boot memory stores a snapshot generated in the memory when each application related to the first application is started as BWBI for each application.

  According to the technique described in claim 5 of the present application, the warm boot memory of the information processing apparatus according to claim 4 is generated in the memory when a second application other than the first application is started. And the WBI difference data having the smallest difference among the BWBIs of the respective applications related to the first application.

  According to the technique described in claim 6 of the present application, the first state of the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 is a neutral point state in which no application is activated, and the warm boot memory is A snapshot generated in the memory in the NeutralPoint state is stored as BWBI. The second state of the information processing apparatus is a state in which any application is activated, and the warm boot memory includes a snapshot generated in the memory when each of the applications is activated. The WBI difference data for each application, which is the difference from the BWBI, is stored.

Further, the technique described in claim 7 of the present application is:
An execution unit that executes multiple types of applications;
A memory for loading an application to be executed by the execution unit;
A warm boot image generator for generating a warm boot image for warm boot;
A memory for warm boot for storing the warm boot image in a nonvolatile manner;
A warm boot unit for loading a warm boot image in the warm boot memory into the memory and warm booting the device;
Comprising
The warm boot image generation unit generates a snapshot of the memory in the first state and stores it as the best warm boot image BWBI in the first state, and in the second state the memory To generate a WBI difference data by taking a difference from the BWBI,
Information processing apparatus.

Further, the technique described in claim 8 of the present application is:
Storing in a first state a snapshot of the memory in a nonvolatile manner as the best warm boot image BWBI in the first state;
Storing WBI differential data comprising a difference between the snapshot of the memory and the BWBI in a second state in a nonvolatile manner;
It is the control method of the information processing apparatus which has.

  According to the technique described in claim 9 of the present application, the control method of the information processing apparatus according to claim 8 includes: loading the BWBI stored in a nonvolatile manner into the memory; The method further includes a step of booting and applying the WBI differential data stored in a nonvolatile manner to the BWBI loaded into the memory and performing a warm boot in the second state.

Further, the technique according to claim 10 of the present application is
Generating a memory snapshot in a first state to obtain a best warm boot image BWBI in the first state;
Generating a snapshot of the memory in a second state and taking a difference from the BWBI to generate WBI difference data;
It is the control method of the information processing apparatus which has.

Further, the technology described in the claims of the present application is:
An execution unit that executes multiple types of applications,
A memory for loading an application to be executed by the execution unit;
Warm boot memory for storing warm boot images in a non-volatile manner for warm boot;
A warm boot unit for loading a warm boot image in the warm boot memory into the memory and warm booting the device;
Written in computer readable form to make the computer work as
The warm boot memory stores a snapshot of the memory in the first state as the best warm boot image BWBI in the first state, and in the second state the snapshot of the memory and the memory Stores WBI difference data consisting of differences from BWBI.
It is a computer program.

  The computer program according to claim 11 of the present application defines a computer program described in a computer-readable format so as to realize predetermined processing on a computer. In other words, by installing the computer program according to claim 11 of the present application on a computer, a cooperative operation is exhibited on the computer, and the same effect as the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 of the present application is obtained. be able to.

  According to the technology disclosed in this specification, an excellent information processing that has a plurality of startup modes and can perform a warm boot in a short time to the startup mode specified at startup regardless of the mode at the time of termination. It is possible to provide a control method for an apparatus and an information processing apparatus, and a computer program.

  In addition, according to the technology disclosed in this specification, the information processing apparatus can store the warm boot image in the mode to be activated in the nonvolatile memory, so that it is not necessary to process from the neutral point at the time of the warm boot. It is possible to return to the desired mode at high speed.

  In addition, according to the technology disclosed in this specification, the information processing apparatus does not need to create a hibernation image every time the operation ends or transitions to the hibernation state. Memory life can be improved.

  Other objects, features, and advantages of the technology disclosed in the present specification will become apparent from a more detailed description based on the embodiments to be described later and the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the technology disclosed in this specification. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a stack structure of programs executed by the CPU 101. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of the memory space of the nonvolatile memory 107. FIG. 4A is a diagram showing a configuration example of the memory space of the nonvolatile memory 107 when the BWBI for each startup mode is stored in the warm boot image area 312. FIG. 4B is a diagram showing a configuration example of the memory space of the nonvolatile memory 107 when only the BWBI in the single start mode is stored in the warm boot image area 312. FIG. 4C shows the non-volatile memory 107 when only the single boot mode BWBI is stored in the warm boot image area 312 and the WBI differential data of other boot modes is stored in the warm boot image area 312. It is the figure which showed the structural example of this memory space. FIG. 4D is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. 4C. FIG. 4E is a diagram showing a modification of FIG. 4C. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for the information processing apparatus 100 to perform a warm boot. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the mode transition process. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure for creating WBI and WBI difference data of the information processing apparatus 100. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an algorithm for generating WBI difference data. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the format of WBI difference data.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the technology disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the technology disclosed in this specification. An illustrated information processing apparatus 100 is a digital camera, and includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, an image sensor 104 such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device), an analog front end unit (AFE) 105, a signal processing unit. 106, a NAND type nonvolatile memory 107, a memory controller 108, a serial interface 109, a liquid crystal display panel (LCD) 110, a display controller 111, a memory card 112, and a memory card interface 113 , Wireless LAN (Local Area Network) interface 114, NAND type nonvolatile memory 116, memory interface 117, SDRAM (S a memory 119 made up of a dynamic dynamic random access memory), a memory controller 120, an input unit 121, a general-purpose input / output unit 122, an embedded controller 123, a DC (Direct Current) -DC converter 124, and a battery 125. I have.

  CPU 101, signal processing unit 106, memory controller 108, serial interface 109, display controller 111, memory card interface 113, wireless LAN interface 114, IDE interface 28, memory controller 120, and general purpose input / output unit 122 are buses. Are connected to each other.

  The CPU 101 executes an operating system and an application program, and a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for performing various settings for the digital camera such as the size of the captured image, the compression rate of the image data, exposure, or shutter speed. Processing and real-time processing for controlling each unit of the information processing apparatus 100 are performed.

  The image sensor 104 outputs an analog image signal corresponding to the subject image formed on the light receiving surface by an optical system (not shown) to the AFE unit 105. The AFE unit 105 applies predetermined processing such as noise removal to the analog signal, converts the analog signal into a digital image signal, and supplies the digital image signal to the signal processing unit 106.

  The signal processing unit 106 applies predetermined processing such as white balance and encoding processing to the digital image signal. The processed image data is stored in the non-volatile memory 116 via the bus / memory interface 117 or stored in the memory card 112 via the bus / memory card interface 113.

  The non-volatile memory 107 is mutually connected to the memory controller 108 and stores programs (operating system, application programs, middleware, etc.) executed by the CPU 101 and data necessary for executing the programs. The nonvolatile memory 107 stores data unique to the information processing apparatus 100 and a boot loader executed by the CPU 101 at the time of activation. However, the activation mentioned here includes not only activation from a state where power supply is stopped (cool boot) but also activation from a hibernation state, that is, warm boot. Further, the nonvolatile memory 107 stores a warm boot image used when the information processing apparatus 100 performs a warm boot from the hibernation state.

  The memory controller 108 controls reading of programs, data, or warm boot images from the nonvolatile memory 107 and writing of various data such as warm boot images to the nonvolatile memory 107.

  The warm boot image referred to here consists of data (snapshot) developed in the memory 119 at a certain time (such as when the power is turned off). However, details of the configuration of the warm boot image, the process of generating the warm boot image, and the process procedure of the warm boot will be described later.

  The serial interface 109 performs serial communication between the CPU 101 and the embedded controller 123.

  The liquid crystal display panel 110 displays various images or texts under the control of the display controller 111. The display controller 111 controls display on the liquid crystal display panel 110.

  The memory card 112 is configured by, for example, a Memory Stick (registered trademark) and incorporates a nonvolatile storage medium. The memory card 112 is detachably attached to the information processing apparatus 100 and is electrically connected to the memory card interface 113. The memory card interface 113 controls data storage and data reading of the installed memory card 112.

  The wireless LAN interface 114 wirelessly communicates with an access point or other devices in accordance with IEEE (Institut of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) 802.11a, b, g, and the like.

  The nonvolatile memory 116 stores various data such as a photographed image under the control of the memory interface 117. The CPU 101 can control the nonvolatile memory 116 via the memory interface 117.

  The memory 119 is interconnected with the memory controller 120 and loads an operating system, application programs, and the like from the nonvolatile memory 107. The CPU 101 executes a program loaded in the memory 119. The memory 119 is a volatile memory capable of storing operation by supplying power, and also refreshes stored data. The memory controller 120 controls writing and reading of data and programs to the memory 119.

  The input unit 121 includes various operation buttons such as a power button, a shooting button, a playback button, and a USB button (all are not shown), and signals corresponding to pressing of these buttons are used for the general-purpose input / output unit 122 and the embedded controller 123. To supply. The general-purpose input / output unit 122 supplies the CPU 101 with data corresponding to signals corresponding to pressing of these buttons. The general-purpose input / output unit 122 is provided with a USB connection terminal 131 for connecting a device or cable compliant with the USB standard.

  The embedded controller 123 includes a so-called embedded CPU and executes a program stored in a built-in ROM or RAM. Based on the signal supplied from the input unit 121, the embedded controller 123 controls reset and release of the CPU 101 in response to pressing of the power button, shooting button, playback button, and USB button. The embedded controller 123 controls the supply of power to each part of the information processing apparatus 100 by the DC-DC converter 124.

  The DC-DC converter 124 converts a voltage supplied from a battery 125 that is a direct-current voltage power supply or an external power supply (commercial AC power supply or the like), and is sent to each unit of the information processing apparatus 100 based on the control of the embedded controller 123. Controls the supply and stop of power. The battery 125 is a secondary battery that is detachable from the information processing apparatus 100 and supplies power for driving the entire information processing apparatus 100 via the DC-DC converter 124.

  The CPU 101 executes an operating system, application programs, and middleware. FIG. 2 shows a stack structure of programs executed by the CPU 101.

  The operating system 210 is, for example, Linux (registered trademark), and performs basic processing such as hardware management. In the illustrated example, the operating system 210 includes a kernel 211, a device driver 212, a power management mechanism 213, and a warm boot image generation program 214.

  The kernel 211 is a core part of the operating system 210, monitors devices such as the application program 230 and the nonvolatile memory 107 to the general-purpose input / output unit 122, and stores memory such as the memory 119, the memory card 112, and the nonvolatile memory 6. It provides basic functions as the operating system 210 such as resource management, interrupt processing, and interprocess communication.

  The device driver 212 controls devices such as the signal processing unit 106, the serial interface 109, the display controller 111, the memory card interface 113, the wireless LAN interface 114, and the general-purpose input / output unit 122.

  The power management mechanism 213 is an ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) subsystem or the like, and pauses the information processing apparatus 100 in a hibernation state or the like, and warm boots from the hibernation state to an operation state. , Manage power.

  The warm boot image (WBI) generation program 214 generates a warm boot image. The warm boot image is a snapshot to be restored to the memory 119 when the information processing apparatus 100 returns from the warm boot, that is, the hibernation state. The warm boot image created by the warm boot image creation program 214 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 107. The warm boot image generation process is performed by the manufacturer at the time of shipment of the information processing apparatus 100 or by the user. Details of the configuration of the warm boot image and the process of generating the warm boot image will be described later.

  The application program 230 performs processing such as display of an image of a subject to be photographed, photographing processing, and reproduction of the photographed image. In the present embodiment, a digital camera is assumed as the information processing apparatus 100, and the application program 230 includes a photographing processing program 231, a reproduction processing program 232, a setting processing program 233, a USB mass storage class processing program 234, and a power source. A management program 235 is included.

  The shooting processing program 231 performs shooting processing such as display of the subject image to be shot on the liquid crystal display panel 110, image processing of the shot image, encoding of image data and storage in the memory 107 or the memory card 112, and the like. Do.

  The reproduction processing program 232 performs reproduction processing of captured images such as display of image data stored in the memory 107 or the memory card 112 on the liquid crystal display panel 110.

  The setting processing program 233 includes settings relating to shooting such as shutter speed, exposure, zoom, image size to be shot, encoding method and encoding compression rate, image data storage destination, and display method during image playback. Various settings are processed.

  The USB mass storage class processing program 234 uses the information processing apparatus 100 as a recording device when the information processing apparatus 100 is connected to an external device (not shown) such as a personal computer via the USB connection terminal 131. The USB mass storage class to be operated is processed.

  The power management program 235 is a power management program (Power Management Interface) provided by, for example, Linux (registered trademark) kernel, and manages power by issuing various commands related to the power status.

  The middleware 220 is called from the application program 230 and the operating system 210, and generates various types of data required when the application program 230 is executed.

  As described above, the nonvolatile memory 107 stores a program executed by the CPU 101, data necessary for executing the program, and a warm boot image used when the information processing apparatus 100 is started from hibernation. Is done. FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the memory space of the nonvolatile memory 107. However, with respect to a region not directly related to the gist of the technology disclosed in this specification, illustration is omitted as appropriate.

  The memory space 300 of the nonvolatile memory 107 is roughly divided into a system area 310 and a user area 320.

  The system area 310 includes a loader 311, an operating system, and a warm boot image area 312. The user area 320 stores application programs and other user data. The application programs include the above-described shooting processing program 231, playback processing program 232, setting processing program 233, USB mass storage class processing program 234, and power management program 235.

  The loader 311 performs boot processing. As a state in which the operation of the information processing apparatus 100 is stopped, a state in which the power supply is completely shut down, a suspended state in which power consumption is suppressed while the work state is stored in the volatile memory 119, and data in the memory 119 are stored in the nonvolatile memory 107 There is a hibernation state where the entire power supply is copied and the power supply is cut off almost completely. The boot process is different for each state where the operation of the information processing apparatus 100 is stopped. Starting from a state where the power supply is completely cut off is “cold boot”, returning from the suspended state is “hot boot” (or “resume”), starting from a hibernation state This is referred to as “Warm Boot”. It is assumed that a loader for each boot process is stored in the system area.

  The warm boot image stored in the warm boot image area 312 is a snapshot to be restored in the memory 119 when the information processing apparatus 100 returns from the warm boot, that is, the hibernation state.

  In the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 100 has a plurality of activation modes. For example, when the camera is activated in “shooting mode” in which the subject can be photographed by pressing the shooting button of the input unit 121, the image has been recorded in the memory 107 or the like by pressing the playback button of the input unit 121. When starting up in the “playback mode” for playing back the captured images, the USB device is started up in the “USB connection mode” that operates as a USB mass storage for external devices connected by USB when the USB button of the input unit 121 is pressed. Such as the case. Therefore, it is possible to specify an activation mode for warm boot through a button operation of the input unit 121 or the like.

  Here, a warm boot image that is necessary when the information processing apparatus 100 performs a warm boot in a plurality of startup modes (that is, should be stored in the warm boot image area 312) will be considered.

  The shooting mode is a state in which the shooting processing program 231 is loaded into the memory 119 and the CPU 101 is executing the shooting processing program 231. Therefore, the warm boot image stored when entering the hibernation state in the shooting mode, in other words, the best warm boot image (hereinafter also referred to as “BWBI”) when starting up in the shooting mode is the shooting process. This is a snapshot of the memory 119 when the program 231 is activated. If such BWBI is used, the information processing apparatus 100 can warm boot into the shooting mode at the fastest speed. Similarly, the BWBI for warm booting in the playback mode is a snapshot of the memory 119 when starting the playback processing program 232, and the BWBI for warm booting in the USB connection mode is the USB mass storage class processing program 234. Is a snapshot of the memory 119 at the time of activation.

  In short, the best warm boot image for each activation mode is when an application program corresponding to the designated activation mode is activated (that is, loaded into the memory 119 and executed by the CPU 101). It can be said that this is a snapshot of the memory 119.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, if the best warm boot image BWBI for each boot mode is stored in the warm boot image area 312 in the non-volatile memory 107, the user can arbitrarily set the warm boot image at the time of warm boot. Even if the activation mode is specified from the input unit 121, the information processing apparatus 100 can always perform the warm boot at the fastest speed. In the example shown in the figure, BWBI in each of the shooting, playback, and USB connection activation modes is stored in the warm boot image area 312. However, if the number of supported start modes increases, BWBI must be stored in the nonvolatile memory 107 for each start mode, which causes a problem of consuming memory resources.

  Also, as shown in FIG. 4B, only the best warm boot image BWBI in a single start mode is stored in the warm boot image area 312 in the nonvolatile memory 107, or the start mode stores BWBI. A variation is also conceivable in which the number of devices is limited (in other words, the number of startup modes that support the fastest warm boot is limited). If BWBI is prepared only for a start mode important for the information processing apparatus 100 (for example, a shooting mode for a digital camera), it can be booted in a time that satisfies the user in many situations, Memory resources can be saved. However, when a boot mode that does not support BWBI is designated, the boot mode is temporarily warm-booted in another boot mode using the BWBI in the nonvolatile memory 107 and then the designated boot mode is transitioned. The normal boot process (cold boot) must be performed, and the startup time is limited.

  FIG. 4C shows another example of limiting the number of activation modes for storing BWBI. In the example shown in the figure, only the BWBI of a single start mode is stored in the warm boot image area 312, and the other start modes are stored in the BWBI (that is, the memory 119 when the corresponding application is started). WBI difference data obtained by taking a difference between the snapshot) and the BWBI stored in the warm boot image area 312 is stored in the warm boot image area 312. In the example shown in the figure, BWBI for the shooting mode and WBI difference data for the playback mode are stored in the warm boot image area 312. When warm boot in another boot mode is designated, the BWBI stored in the warm boot image area 312 is once loaded into the memory 119 and then the WBI differential data is applied to designate the designated boot mode. The original BWBI can be restored on the memory 119.

  The BWBI is prepared only for the start-up mode that is most important for the information processing apparatus 100 (for example, the shooting mode for a digital camera). Although it is not the most important, for a start mode (for example, a playback mode in the case of a digital camera) used at a relatively high frequency, the own BWBI and the BWBI stored in the warm boot image area 312 are used. The WBI difference data obtained by the difference is stored in the warm boot image area 312.

  In this case, for the most important start-up mode, BWBI is prepared in the nonvolatile memory 107, so that the warm boot can be performed at the fastest speed. In addition, with regard to the startup mode used at a relatively high frequency, if the original BWBI is restored using the BWBI and WBI differential data prepared in the nonvolatile memory 107, it is considerably faster than the case of cold boot. Can be warm booted. Further, the BWBI is stored only in the start mode most important for the information processing apparatus 100 (for example, the shooting mode in the case of a digital camera), and only the WBI difference data is stored for other start modes with relatively high use frequency. So you can save memory resources.

  If only one activation mode is used to store the WBI difference data in the warm boot image area 312, only the activation mode can be warm booted at high speed. As shown in FIG. 4C, if the WBI difference data is stored in the warm boot image area 312 for a plurality of startup modes, warm boot can be performed at high speed only for the plurality of startup modes.

  FIG. 4D shows a modification of FIG. 4C. In the illustrated example, the best warm boot images BWBI # 1 to # 3 for a plurality of startup modes are stored in the warm boot image area 312 in the nonvolatile memory 107. For other startup modes that do not store BWBI, WBI difference data is created based on one of the plurality of BWBIs # 1 to # 3 (for example, the smallest difference) in the nonvolatile memory 107. Then, it is stored in the warm boot image area 312 in the nonvolatile memory 107.

  FIG. 4E shows still another modification of FIG. 4C. In the illustrated example, in the illustrated example, a snapshot of the memory 119 in the neutral point state in which no application is activated is not a snapshot of the memory 119 when the application is activated in any one. One BWBI is stored in the warm boot image area 312. In addition, for each activation mode of shooting, playback, and USB connection, WBI difference data that includes a difference between each BWBI (that is, a snapshot of the memory 119 when the corresponding application is activated) and BWBI in the neutral point state. Are stored in the warm boot image area 312. Therefore, when warm booting is performed by specifying one of the start modes, the BBI stored in the warm boot image area 312 is once loaded into the memory 119, and then the WBI differential data is applied to the specified boot mode. The original BWBI in the start mode is restored on the memory 119.

  The BWBI in the neutral point state has a smaller data size than the BWBI in each activation mode. Therefore, memory resources can be saved as compared with the case where the BWBI in each activation mode is stored in the warm boot image area 312. In addition, instead of warm-booting any of the startup modes at the fastest speed, it is possible to start up at an average high speed in each startup mode.

  Regardless of which one of FIGS. 4A to 4E is adopted, the process of generating a warm boot image such as BWBI or WBI differential data and storing it in the nonvolatile memory 107 is performed once by the manufacturer or the user at the time of shipment. Just keep it. Therefore, since the information processing apparatus 100 does not need to create and store a hibernation image every time the operation is completed, the lifetime of the nonvolatile memory 107 that stores the image can be improved.

  Since the boot mode in which BWBI is stored in the warm boot image area 312 in the nonvolatile memory 107 can be warm booted at the fastest speed, it will be referred to as “the fastest mode” below. Like the shooting mode in the digital camera, the most important start mode for the information processing apparatus 100 is set to the fastest mode, and when the fastest mode is designated at the start (for example, when the shooting button is pressed), Warm boot can be done in a short time.

  In the startup mode in which the WBI differential data is stored in the warm boot image area 312, the BWBI is once loaded into the memory 119 and then the WBI differential data is applied to perform a warm boot at a relatively high speed. be able to. Hereinafter, the activation mode in which WBI difference data is prepared is referred to as “high-speed mode”. Like a playback mode in a digital camera, a startup mode that is used relatively frequently in the information processing apparatus 100 is set to a high-speed mode so that both warm boot shortening and memory resource saving can be achieved. Like that.

  On the other hand, the boot mode in which neither BWBI nor WBI differential data is stored in the warm boot image area 312 requires a mode transition process after the BWBI is once loaded into the memory 119, so it is compared with a general boot process. And it won't be dramatically shorter. Hereinafter, a startup mode in which neither BWBI nor WBI difference data is prepared will be referred to as a “general mode”. For a startup mode that is not so important in the information processing apparatus 100 or is used less frequently, such as a USB connection mode in a digital camera, priority is given to saving of memory resources by setting to a general mode.

  FIG. 5 shows a processing procedure for warm-booting the information processing apparatus 100 in the form of a flowchart.

  This processing procedure starts when the activation mode is designated by the user. When the information processing apparatus 100 is a digital camera, for example, the input unit 121 starts when any one of a power button, a shooting button, a playback button, and a USB button is pressed.

  First, the loader 311 is loaded from the system area 310 of the nonvolatile memory 107 into the memory 119 (step S501).

  Next, the BWBI stored in the warm boot image area 312 in the system area 310 of the nonvolatile memory 107 is loaded into the memory 119.

  Here, it is checked whether or not the WBI difference data corresponding to the activation mode designated by the user is stored in the warm boot image area 312 (step S503).

  The fact that the corresponding WBI differential data is in the warm boot image area 312 means that the designated start mode is the high speed mode. In this case (Yes in step S503), the corresponding WBI differential data is read from the warm boot image area 312 and applied to the BWBI that has already been loaded into the memory 119, and the warm boot image in the specified boot mode is applied. (Step S504). By applying the WBI difference data, the mode return is completed.

  On the other hand, the fact that the corresponding WBI difference data is not in the warm boot image area 312 may be the case where the designated startup mode is the fastest mode or the general mode.

  Next, the application in the designated activation mode is activated. Then, it is checked whether the activated mode matches the restored mode (step S505). That is, it is checked whether the warm boot image restored in the memory 119 matches that of the designated start mode.

  When the designated activation mode is the general mode, neither BWBI nor WBI differential data exists, and the modes do not match (No in step S505). In this case, mode transition processing is required (step S506).

  Thereafter, the information processing apparatus 100 can operate normally in the designated activation mode (step S507), and the processing routine is terminated.

  FIG. 6 shows the procedure of the mode transition process executed in step S506 in the form of a flowchart.

  First, the current mode end processing is performed (step S601). Next, the new mode is initialized (step S602).

  Examples of the mode end process executed in step S601 include unloading of the library loaded into the memory 119 as BWBI in step S502, releasing resources such as the memory 119 accompanying unloading, and powering off the device.

  The mode initialization process executed in step S602 includes loading of a library into the memory 119, securing resources such as the memory 119, and device initialization. In particular, loading of the library depends on the performance of the non-volatile memory 107, and it is considered that processing time is required.

  When the designated activation mode is the fastest mode, it can be activated at the fastest speed by the procedure of S501 → S502 → S503 → S505 → S507. When the designated activation mode is the high-speed mode, the activation can be performed at high speed by the procedure of S501 → S502 → S503 → S504 → S505 → S507. On the other hand, when the designated activation mode is the general mode, the activation is performed according to the procedure of S501 → S502 → S503 → S505 → S506 → S507 and includes the mode transition process shown in FIG. Cost.

  For example, the information processing apparatus 100 creates WBI and WBI difference data in a processing sequence. FIG. 7 shows a processing procedure for creating WBI and WBI difference data of the information processing apparatus 100 in the form of a flowchart.

  First, a snapshot of the memory 119 to be stored in the warm boot image area 312 of the nonvolatile memory 107 is generated (step S701).

  Next, it is checked whether or not the activation mode of the application currently activated in the information processing apparatus 100 is the fastest mode (step S702).

  If the application running on the information processing apparatus 100 is in the fastest mode (Yes in step S702), the snapshot generated in step S701 is stored as it is in the nonvolatile memory 107 as BWBI (step S705). ), This processing routine is terminated.

  If the application running on the information processing apparatus 100 is not in the fastest mode (No in step S702), it is checked whether the running application is in the high speed mode (step S703).

  If the application running on the information processing apparatus 100 is in the high speed mode (Yes in step S703), the snapshot generated in step S701 is compared with the snapshot generated in the fastest mode, and the difference is obtained. WBI difference data is generated (step S704). Then, the WBI difference data is stored in the nonvolatile memory 107 (step S705), and this processing routine is ended.

  On the other hand, when the application running on the information processing apparatus 100 is not in the high speed mode, that is, in the general mode (No in step S703), the processing routine is terminated without storing the snapshot in the memory 119. To do.

  Therefore, when the designated start-up mode is the fastest mode, BWBI is generated according to the procedure of S701 → S705. If the designated activation mode is the high speed mode, WBI difference data is generated according to the procedure of S701 → S702 → S703 → S704 → S705. On the other hand, when the designated startup mode is the general mode, the procedure of S701 → S702 → S703 is executed, and data relating to the warm boot image is not generated.

  The process for creating WBI and WBI difference data shown in FIG. 7 is performed by the manufacturer at the time of shipment of the information processing apparatus 100 or performed by the user.

  FIG. 8 illustrates an algorithm for generating WBI difference data in step S704.

  The data from Address A to Address B on the memory 119 is stored in the warm boot image area 312 of the nonvolatile memory 107. Assume that all the data in the same address range of the warm boot image in the fastest mode are all 1 while the data of AddressB to AddressC in the warm boot image in the fast mode are all 0. In this case, as the WBI differential data, “Address B” and “Address C” indicating the address range where the data is different, and “RAW Data” corresponding to the data in the address B to Address C of the warm boot image in the high-speed mode are displayed. Store as data.

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the format of WBI difference data. In the example shown in the figure, the WBI differential data is composed of a header and RAW Data. The header stores the application location (Address) of the WBI differential data, the size of the data (size), and the location (offset) of the WBI differential data in the nonvolatile memory 107. In addition, the WBI difference data is stored as it is in the RAW Data.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, the information processing apparatus 100 can store the warm boot image in the non-volatile memory in the mode to be activated in the nonvolatile memory. Therefore, it is necessary to perform processing from the neutral point during the warm boot. It is possible to return to the desired mode at high speed.

  In addition, since the information processing apparatus 100 does not need to create a hibernation image every time the operation ends or transitions to the hibernation state, the lifetime of the nonvolatile memory that stores the image can be improved.

Note that the technology disclosed in the present specification can also be configured as follows.
(1) An execution unit for executing a plurality of types of applications, a memory for loading an application to be executed by the execution unit, and a warm boot memory for storing a warm boot image for warm boot in a nonvolatile manner A warm boot unit for loading a warm boot image in the warm boot memory into the memory and warm booting the device, wherein the warm boot memory is in the first state in the first state. Information storing a memory snapshot as the best warm boot image BWBI in the first state, and storing WBI difference data comprising a difference between the memory snapshot and the BWBI in the second state Processing equipment.
(2) The warm boot unit loads the BWBI in the warm boot memory into the memory and performs a warm boot in the first state, or the BWBI in the warm boot memory The information processing apparatus according to (1), wherein the WBI differential data in the warm boot memory is applied once to the memory and then warm boot is performed in the second state.
(3) The first state is a state in which the first application is activated, and the warm boot memory stores, as BWBI, a snapshot generated in the memory when the first application is activated. The second state is a state in which an application other than the first application is activated, and the warm boot memory is generated in the memory when each application other than the first application is activated. The information processing apparatus according to (1), wherein WBI difference data for each application including a difference between a snapshot to be performed and the BWBI is stored.
(4) There are a plurality of first applications to be activated in the first state, and the warm boot memory is a snapshot generated in the memory when each application relating to the first application is activated. Is stored as BWBI for each application, the information processing apparatus according to (3) above.
(5) The warm boot memory includes a snapshot generated in the memory when a second application other than the first application is started, and a BWBI of each application related to the first application. The information processing apparatus according to (4), wherein WBI difference data having the smallest difference is stored.
(6) The first state is a neutral point state in which no application is activated, and the warm boot memory stores a snapshot generated in the memory in the neutral point state as a BWBI, and The second state is a state in which any application is activated, and the warm boot memory is determined based on the difference between the snapshot generated in the memory and the BWBI when each of the applications is activated. The information processing apparatus according to (1), wherein WBI difference data for each application is stored.
(7) An execution unit that executes a plurality of types of applications, a memory that loads an application executed by the execution unit, a warm boot image generation unit that generates a warm boot image for warm boot, A warm boot memory for storing the warm boot image in a nonvolatile manner, and a warm boot unit for loading the warm boot image in the warm boot memory into the memory and warm booting the device And the warm boot image generation unit generates a snapshot of the memory in the first state and stores it as the best warm boot image BWBI in the first state, and the second Create a snapshot of the memory And, generating a WBI differential data by taking the difference between the BWBI, the information processing apparatus.
(8) storing a snapshot of the memory in the first state in a nonvolatile manner as the best warm boot image BWBI in the first state; and taking a snapshot of the memory and the BWBI in the second state Storing the WBI difference data consisting of the differences in a non-volatile manner.
(9) A step of loading the BWBI stored in a nonvolatile manner into the memory and performing a warm boot in the first state; and the WBI differential data stored in the BWBI loaded in the memory in a nonvolatile manner The method of controlling an information processing apparatus according to (8), further including a step of warm booting in the second state by applying the method.
(10) generating a memory snapshot in a first state to obtain a best warm boot image BWBI in the first state; generating a memory snapshot in a second state; A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, comprising: taking a difference from the BWBI to generate WBI difference data.
(11) An execution unit for executing a plurality of types of applications, a memory for loading an application executed by the execution unit, a warm boot memory for storing a warm boot image for warm boot in a nonvolatile manner, and the warm The warm boot memory is written in a computer readable format so that the computer functions as a warm boot unit that loads the warm boot image in the boot memory into the memory and warm boots the device. Stores the memory snapshot in the first state as the best warm boot image BWBI in the first state and consists of the difference between the memory snapshot and the BWBI in the second state WBI difference And stores the data over, a computer program.

  As described above, the technology disclosed in this specification has been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments. However, it is obvious that those skilled in the art can make modifications and substitutions of the embodiments without departing from the scope of the technology disclosed in this specification.

  In the present specification, the embodiment in which the technology disclosed in the present specification is applied to a digital camera has been mainly described. However, the gist of the technology disclosed in the present specification is not limited thereto. The technology disclosed in the present specification can be similarly applied to various types of information processing apparatuses having a plurality of activation modes, such as mobile phones and tablet terminals.

  In short, the technology disclosed in the present specification has been described in the form of exemplification, and the description content of the present specification should not be interpreted in a limited manner. In order to determine the gist of the technology disclosed in this specification, the claims should be taken into consideration.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Information processing apparatus 101 ... CPU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 104 ... Image pick-up element, 105 ... AFE, 106 ... Signal processing part 107 ... Nonvolatile memory, 108 ... Memory controller 109 ... Serial interface 110 ... Liquid crystal display panel, 111 ... Display controller 112 ... Memory card, 113 ... Memory card Interface 114: Wireless LAN interface 116 ... Nonvolatile memory, 117 ... Memory interface 119 ... Memory, 120 ... Memory controller 121 ... Input unit, 122 ... General-purpose input / output unit, 131 ... USB connection terminal 123 ... Embedded controller 124 ... DC-DC converter 125 ... battery 210 ... operating system 211 ... kernel, 212 ... device driver 213 ... power management mechanism 214 ... Warm boot image generation program 220 ... middleware 230 ... application program 231 ... imaging processing program 232 ... reproduction processing program 233 ... setting processing program 234 ... USB mass storage class processing program 235 ... power management program 300 ... memory space 310 ... system area 311 ... loader 312 ... warm boot image area 320 ... user area

Claims (11)

An execution unit that executes multiple types of applications;
A memory for loading an application to be executed by the execution unit;
Warm boot memory for storing a warm boot image in a non-volatile manner for warm boot; and
A warm boot unit for loading a warm boot image in the warm boot memory into the memory and warm booting the device;
Comprising
The warm boot memory stores a snapshot of the memory in the first state as the best warm boot image BWBI in the first state, and in the second state the snapshot of the memory and the memory Stores WBI difference data consisting of differences from BWBI.
Information processing device. The warm boot unit loads the BWBI in the warm boot memory into the memory and performs a warm boot in the first state, or temporarily stores the BWBI in the warm boot memory in the memory. After the loading, the WBI differential data in the warm boot memory is applied to perform a warm boot in the second state.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The first state is a state in which the first application is activated,
The warm boot memory stores, as BWBI, image data generated in the memory when the first application is started.
The second state is a state in which an application other than the first application is activated,
The warm boot memory stores WBI difference data for each application including differences between image data generated in the memory and the BWBI when each application other than the first application is started.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. There are a plurality of first applications activated in the first state,
The warm boot memory stores, as BWBI for each application, image data generated in the memory when each application relating to the first application is started up.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3. The warm boot memory is the largest of the image data generated in the memory when a second application other than the first application is started and the BWBI of each application related to the first application. Store the WBI difference data that makes the difference smaller,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4. The first state is a neutral point state in which no application is running,
The warm boot memory stores image data generated in the memory in the neutral point state as BWBI,
The second state is a state in which any application is activated,
The warm boot memory stores WBI differential data for each application including a difference between image data generated in the memory when each of the applications is started and the BWBI.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. An execution unit that executes multiple types of applications;
A memory for loading an application to be executed by the execution unit;
A warm boot image generator for generating a warm boot image for warm boot;
A memory for warm boot for storing the warm boot image in a nonvolatile manner;
A warm boot unit for loading a warm boot image in the warm boot memory into the memory and warm booting the device;
Comprising
The warm boot image generation unit generates a snapshot of the memory in the first state and stores it as the best warm boot image BWBI in the first state, and in the second state the memory To generate a WBI difference data by taking a difference from the BWBI,
Information processing device. Storing in a first state a snapshot of the memory in a nonvolatile manner as the best warm boot image BWBI in the first state;
Storing WBI differential data comprising a difference between the snapshot of the memory and the BWBI in a second state in a nonvolatile manner;
Control method of information processing apparatus having Loading the non-volatilely stored BWBI into the memory and warm booting in the first state;
Applying the WBI differential data stored in a nonvolatile manner to the BWBI loaded into the memory and performing a warm boot in the second state;
The method for controlling the information processing apparatus according to claim 8, further comprising: Generating a memory snapshot in a first state to obtain a best warm boot image BWBI in the first state;
Generating a snapshot of the memory in a second state and taking a difference from the BWBI to generate WBI difference data;
Control method of information processing apparatus having An execution unit that executes multiple types of applications,
A memory for loading an application to be executed by the execution unit;
Warm boot memory for storing warm boot images in a non-volatile manner for warm boot;
A warm boot unit for loading a warm boot image in the warm boot memory into the memory and warm booting the device;
Written in computer readable form to make the computer work as
The warm boot memory stores a snapshot of the memory in the first state as the best warm boot image BWBI in the first state, and in the second state the snapshot of the memory and the memory Stores WBI difference data consisting of differences from BWBI.
Computer program.