JP2022029541A - Information processing device and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve security.SOLUTION: An information processing device according to the embodiment comprises: a control unit that controls an own device; a first battery that can supply power to the own device; a second battery that is installed so as not to be removed from the own device; a communication module that performs communication control between the own device and another information processing device; and a power control module that controls to supply power to the communication module from the second battery and not to supply power to the control unit from the second battery when the remaining capacity of the first battery is less than a predetermined threshold.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to information processing devices and programs.

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for improving security functions in information processing devices.

Therefore, as a security function of the information processing device, a solution has been proposed to prevent information leakage by locking the information processing device and erasing the data by remote control when the information processing device is lost or stolen. There is.

In this solution, even when the power of the information processing terminal is turned off, the information processing terminal can be locked or the data can be erased by using a public network such as a 3G / LTE line. Furthermore, the data in the internal drive of the information processing terminal can be erased.

International Publication No. 2014/167721

However, if the information processing device's power is off and the information processing device's battery runs out, or if the battery mounted on the information processing device is removed, a remote instruction message that is a remote control can be received. It disappears. This could make it impossible to lock the information processing device and erase the data.

The information processing device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a control unit for controlling the own device, a first battery capable of supplying electric power to the own device, and a second battery installed so as not to be removed from the own device. A communication module that controls communication between the battery and another information processing device, and power is supplied from the second battery to the communication module when the remaining capacity of the first battery is smaller than a predetermined threshold. At the same time, a power control module that controls not to supply power to the control unit from the second battery is provided.

The program according to the second aspect of the present invention is a program executed by a computer, the control unit that controls the computer, the first battery that can supply power to the computer, and the program that cannot be removed from the computer. When the remaining capacity of the first battery is smaller than a predetermined threshold value in the computer provided with the second battery and the communication module that controls communication between the second battery and the other information processing device, the second battery is used. The communication module is supplied with power from the battery, and the control unit is controlled not to be supplied with power from the second battery.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a power control unit according to an embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a connection example of a switch circuit when power is supplied from an AC adapter to the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connection example of a switch circuit when power is not supplied from the AC adapter to the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment and the remaining capacity of the main battery is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a connection example of a switch circuit when power is not supplied from the AC adapter to the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment and the remaining capacity of the main battery is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing switching control of charging processing in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the confirmation control of the remote message at the time of starting the BIOS in the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 100 includes a device circuit 101, a battery switching mechanism 102, a main battery 103, an auxiliary battery 104, an AC adapter 105, a charge control unit 106, and a solar cell 107. , WWAN (Wireless Wide Area Network) communication module 108, SIM card 109, and antenna 110.

The device circuit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 121, an HDD 122, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) 123, a memory 124, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Monitor) 125, a PCH (Platform Controller Hub) 126, and the like. It is equipped with.

The CPU 121 controls the entire information processing apparatus 100. The HDD 122 stores data and programs used in the information processing apparatus 100. The USB 123 is an interface for connecting to an external device or the like. The memory 124 serves as a work area for a program executed by the CPU 121. The LCD 125 functions as a display unit that displays an execution result or the like of a program executed by the information processing apparatus 100. The PCH 126 manages the bus inside the device circuit 101.

The WWAN communication module 108 refers to the SIM card 109 and performs wireless communication with the wide area data communication network via the antenna 110. The WWAN communication module 108 functions as a communication module that controls communication with other information processing devices.

Further, the WWAN communication module 108 includes the non-volatile memory 131, and stores the remote message received by wireless communication in the non-volatile memory 131. Then, the remote message stored in the non-volatile memory 131 is read from the CPU 121.

The AC adapter 105 supplies electric power supplied from the outside to the entire information processing apparatus 100.

The main battery 103 is a battery that can supply electric power to the information processing apparatus 100 when electric power is not supplied from the AC adapter 105.

The auxiliary battery 104 is a battery installed so as not to be removed from the information processing device 100. Any method may be used to prevent the information processing device 100 from being removed. For example, the auxiliary battery 104 may be soldered to the substrate inside the information processing device 100, or the inside of the case provided in the information processing device 100 may be used. It is conceivable to provide an auxiliary battery 104 in the battery. The auxiliary battery 104 is always charged from a power generation system such as a solar cell 107 or an AC adapter 105.

The charge control unit 106 controls the main battery 103 and the auxiliary battery 104 to be charged. For example, the charge control unit 106 uses the solar cell 107 to supply electric power to the auxiliary battery 104. In this embodiment, the power supply to the auxiliary battery 104 is not limited to the solar cell 107, and may be any one using an auxiliary power generation system, for example, power generation using vibration or the like may be used.

The battery switching mechanism 102 includes a power control unit 141, a first switch circuit 142, and a second switch circuit 143, and is a mechanism for switching power supply from the main battery 103 and the auxiliary battery 104.

The first switch circuit 142 is provided between the device circuit 101, the main battery 103, and the WWAN communication module 108.

The second switch circuit 143 is provided between the auxiliary battery 104 and the WWAN communication module 108.

The power control unit 141 is a circuit for controlling the main battery 103 and the auxiliary battery 104. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the power control unit 141 according to the present embodiment. The power control unit 141 is also referred to as a PMU (Power Management Unit).

As shown in FIG. 2, the power control unit 141 includes an LPC (Low Pin Count) interface 201, an MPU 202, a ROM 203, a RAM 204, a bus switch control unit 205, and a USB host controller 206. The USB host controller 206 controls devices connected via USB. The bus switch control unit 205 is a switch for switching the connection of the USB bus. The LPC interface 201 is an interface for connecting to the LPC bus.

The MPU 202 executes the program stored in the ROM 203 and realizes the following processing using the RAM 204 as a work area.

Returning to FIG. 1, when the power control unit 141 is connected to an external power source by the AC adapter 105, the power control unit 141 supplies power to the entire information processing apparatus 100.

When the remaining capacity of the main battery 103 is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the power control unit 141 supplies power from the auxiliary battery 104 to the WWAN communication module 108, and power is supplied from the auxiliary battery 104 to the device circuit 101 including the CPU 121. Control not to supply. The remaining capacity is also referred to as, for example, SOC (States Of Charge). The predetermined threshold value is a value set according to the embodiment, and for example, the remaining capacity of the main battery 103 in which the OS of the information processing apparatus 100 cannot be shut down and the power may be turned off can be considered.

Specifically, the power control unit 141 monitors the remaining amount of the main battery 103. Then, when the power is not supplied from the AC adapter 105 and the remaining capacity of the main battery 103 is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the power control unit 141 performs open control to the first switch circuit 142 and the second switch circuit 142. Close control is performed for the switch circuit 143 of. At that time, the shutdown process of the program (for example, OS) running on the information processing apparatus 100 is also performed. As a result, the power supply of the device circuit 101 including the CPU 121 and the PCH 126 is stopped, and the power is supplied only to the WWAN communication module 108 and the SIM card 109.

Then, the WWAN communication module 108 stores the received information (for example, a remote message) in the non-volatile memory 131 while the power is being supplied from the auxiliary battery 104, even if the device circuit 101 is not supplied with power. .. As a result, even when the remaining amount of the main battery 103 is exhausted and the power of the information processing apparatus 100 is turned off, the power is supplied to the WWAN communication module 108 and the SIM card 109, so that the remote message can be received and stored. However, since power is not supplied to the device circuit 101, remote lock and data erasure cannot be controlled. After that, when the device circuit 101 is started, the remote message stored in the non-volatile memory 131 is read, and remote locking and data erasing are executed according to the remote message. This can improve security. The data is erased, for example, with respect to the data stored in the HDD 122.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a connection example of a switch circuit when power is supplied from the AC adapter 105 to the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, when it is determined that the power is supplied from the AC adapter 105, the power control unit 141 controls the closing of the first switch circuit 142 and opens the second switch circuit 143. Take control. As a result, power is supplied from the AC adapter 105 to the device circuit 101 and the WWAN communication module 108. Further, the charge control unit 106 uses the electric power from the AC adapter 105 to control the charge of the main battery 103 and the auxiliary battery 104.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connection example of a switch circuit when power is not supplied from the AC adapter 105 to the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment and the remaining capacity of the main battery 103 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. .. As shown in FIG. 4, the power control unit 141 controls the closing of the first switch circuit 142 when the power is not supplied from the AC adapter 105 and the remaining capacity of the main battery 103 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value. , The opening control of the second switch circuit 143 is performed. As a result, electric power is supplied from the main battery 103 to the device circuit 101 and the WWAN communication module 108. In this case, the charge control unit 106 controls the charge of the auxiliary battery 104 with the electric power generated by the solar cell 107 or the like.

The control shown in FIG. 4 is performed not only when the information processing apparatus 100 is activated but also when the information processing apparatus 100 is sleeping or when the information processing apparatus 100 is shut down. And.

That is, when the information processing device 100 is activated, the device circuit 101 can read the remote message received by the WWAN communication module 108 and realize remote lock and data erasure according to the remote message. .. Further, when the information processing device 100 is shut down, after the information processing device 100 is started, the remote message stored in the non-volatile memory 131 can be read to realize remote lock and data erasure.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a connection example of a switch circuit when power is not supplied from the AC adapter 105 to the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment and the remaining capacity of the main battery 103 is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. .. As shown in FIG. 5, the power control unit 141 controls the opening of the first switch circuit 142 when the power is not supplied from the AC adapter 105 and the remaining capacity of the main battery 103 is smaller than a predetermined threshold value. , The closing control of the second switch circuit 143 is performed. As a result, power is supplied from the auxiliary battery 104 to the WWAN communication module 108. The same control is performed when the main battery 103 is removed.

That is, when it is difficult to supply electric power from the main battery 103, the WWAN communication module 108 is operated with the electric power supplied from the auxiliary battery 104. As a result, even if the power of the main battery 103 is low or an abnormality occurs in the main battery 103, the remote message can be received to prevent the remote message from being missed for remote lock and data erasure. can. At that time, since power is not supplied to the device circuit 101, the WWAN communication module 108 can be started for a long time.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the switching control of the charging process in the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment.

First, the power control unit 141 determines whether or not the remaining capacity of the main battery 103 is smaller than a predetermined threshold value (S601).

When the power control unit 141 determines that the remaining capacity of the main battery 103 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (S601: No), the power control unit 141 maintains the power supply from the main battery 103 to the information processing apparatus 100 (S609).

On the other hand, when the power control unit 141 determines that the remaining capacity of the main battery 103 is smaller than a predetermined threshold value (S601: Yes), the power control unit 141 communicates with the CPU 121 and determines whether or not the OS is operating on the CPU 121. (S602). For example, a signal inquiring about the current status is transmitted to the CPU 121. When there is a reply from the signal, the current situation can be recognized, so it can be determined whether or not the OS is running. Further, when the power control unit 141 transmits a signal to the CPU 121 and there is no reply from the CPU 121, it is considered that the OS is stopped.

When the power control unit 141 determines that the OS is not operating (S602: No), the power control unit 141 proceeds to the process of S604 without performing any particular process.

On the other hand, when the power control unit 141 determines that the OS is operating (S602: Yes), the power control unit 141 transmits a shutdown request to the CPU 121 (S603). As a result, the information processing apparatus 100 is shut down.

After that, the power control unit 141 starts the switching process to the auxiliary battery 104 (S604). The power control unit 141 determines whether or not the auxiliary battery 104 can generate power (S605). When the power control unit 141 determines that power generation cannot be performed (S605: No), the solar cell 107 charges the auxiliary battery 104 (S606). After that, the process is performed again from S605.

On the other hand, when the power control unit 141 determines that the auxiliary battery 104 can generate power (S605: Yes), the power supply to the device circuit 101 is cut off and controlled by opening and controlling the first switch circuit 142 (S605: Yes). S607). Further, the power control unit 141 maintains the energization from the auxiliary battery 104 to the WWAN communication module 108 by closing and controlling the second switch circuit 143 (S608).

By performing the above-mentioned control, even if the main battery 103 has no remaining capacity or the main battery 103 is removed, the power supply from the auxiliary battery 104 to the WWAN communication module 108 is maintained, so that the remote lock is performed. It is possible to prevent the missed remote message instructing the deletion of data or data.

If a remote message is received while power is being supplied from the auxiliary battery 104 to the WWAN communication module 108, processing will be performed when the BIOS is started thereafter.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the confirmation control of the remote message at the time of starting the BIOS in the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment. In the flowchart shown in FIG. 7, the processing of the power control unit 141 and the CPU 121 will be described.

First, the power control unit 141 determines whether or not power is supplied from the AC adapter 105 or the main battery 103 (S701). For example, it is determined whether or not the AC adapter 105 is connected and power can be supplied from an external power source, and whether or not the main battery 103 has a remaining capacity to the extent that power can be supplied. When it is determined that the power cannot be supplied (S701: No), the process of S701 is repeated until the power can be supplied.

On the other hand, when the power control unit 141 determines that power is supplied from the AC adapter 105 or the main battery 103 (S701: Yes), the power control unit 141 can supply power from the AC adapter 105 or the main battery 103 to the device circuit 101. The switch circuit is switched (S702). As an example of the switch circuit, the configurations shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 can be considered.

After that, the power control unit 141 transmits a BIOS start request to the CPU 121 (S703).

The CPU 121 receives the BIOS activation request (S711). Then, the CPU 121 activates the BIOS (S712).

After starting, the BIOS of the CPU 121 refers to the non-volatile memory 131 of the WWAN communication module 108 (S713). Then, the BIOS of the CPU 121 determines whether or not the remote message is received (S714). When it is determined that the signal has not been received (S714: No), the process ends.

On the other hand, the BIOS of the CPU 121 determines that the remote message has been received (S714: Yes), and starts the process according to the instruction message described in the remote message. Then, the BIOS of the CPU 121 determines whether or not the instruction message includes any one or more of the remote lock and the data deletion (S715). If it is determined that the remote lock and data erasure are not included (S715: No), the process is performed according to the instruction message, and then the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if it is determined that the instruction message contains any one or more of remote lock and data erasure (S715: Yes), one or more of remote lock and data erasure is performed according to the instruction. Do (S716).

In the present embodiment, by performing the above-mentioned control, one or more of remote lock and data erasure can be performed according to the remote message received when the remaining capacity of the main battery 103 is low.

As described above, in the information processing apparatus 100 according to the above-described embodiment, the security function can be operated even when the main battery 103 is intentionally removed or the remaining capacity of the main battery 103 is exhausted. You can now receive remote messages.

Specifically, even if the remaining capacity of the main battery 103 is low or the main battery 103 is removed, the WWAN communication module 108 uses the power supplied from the auxiliary battery 104 so that it cannot be removed, and the remote message is sent to the WWAN communication module 108. Can be received.

The auxiliary battery 104 does not supply power to the device circuit 101, but supplies power only to the WWAN communication module 108 and the like. As a result, the operating time of the auxiliary battery 104 can be extended. Therefore, since it is possible to maintain a state in which the remote message from the external device can be received for a long time, it is possible to prevent the remote message from being missed.

Then, at the stage where power can be supplied from the main battery 103 or the AC adapter 105 in the information processing apparatus 100, the BIOS confirms the remote message stored in the non-volatile memory 131 of the WWAN communication module 108, and the remote message is remotely locked. When you can confirm the message instructing to erase the data or the data, remote lock or erase the data is started. This can improve security.

Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

100 ... Information processing device, 101 ... Device circuit, 102 ... Battery switching mechanism, 103 ... Main battery, 104 ... Auxiliary battery, 105 ... AC adapter, 106 ... Charge control unit, 107 ... Solar battery, 108 ... WWAN communication module, 109 ... SIM card, 110 ... antenna, 121 ... CPU, 122 ... HDD, 123 ... USB, 124 ... memory, 125 ... LCD, 131 ... non-volatile memory, 141 ... power control unit, 142 ... first switch circuit, 143 ... Second switch circuit

The information processing device according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a control unit for controlling the own device, a first battery capable of supplying electric power to the own device, and a second battery installed so as not to be removed from the own device. A communication module that controls communication between the battery and another information processing device, and a communication module from the first battery to the control unit and the communication module when the remaining capacity of the first battery is equal to or higher than a predetermined threshold. It is provided with a power control module that supplies power to the second battery and controls not to supply power to the second battery.

The program according to the second aspect of the present invention is a program executed by a computer, the control unit that controls the computer, the first battery that can supply power to the computer, and the program that cannot be removed from the computer. When the remaining capacity of the first battery is equal to or more than a predetermined threshold value in the computer provided with the second battery and the communication module that controls communication between the second battery and another information processing device, the first Power is supplied from the battery to the control unit and the communication module , and the second battery is controlled not to be supplied with power.

Claims (4)

A control unit that controls its own device,
The first battery capable of supplying electric power to the own device and
The second battery installed so that it cannot be removed from the own device,
A communication module that controls communication with other information processing devices,
When the remaining capacity of the first battery is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the second battery supplies electric power to the communication module, and the second battery does not supply electric power to the control unit. Power control module to control
Information processing device equipped with. The communication module includes a non-volatile storage unit, and stores received information in the storage unit while being supplied with power from the second battery.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. A first switch circuit provided between the control unit, the first battery, and the communication module.
A second switch circuit provided between the second battery and the communication module is provided.
When the remaining capacity of the first battery is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the power control module performs open control for the first switch circuit and close control for the second switch circuit. conduct,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. A program that runs on a computer
A control unit that controls the computer,
A first battery capable of supplying power to the computer,
A second battery installed so that it cannot be removed from the computer,
A computer equipped with a communication module that controls communication with other information processing devices,
When the remaining capacity of the first battery is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the second battery supplies electric power to the communication module, and the second battery supplies electric power to the control unit. A program that controls not to.

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