JP2803715B2 - Peripheral device power control method - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power saving control method in a computer system, and more particularly to a power supply control for a peripheral device which performs power saving control on a power supply of the peripheral device when the peripheral device is connected to a personal computer and used. About the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of peripheral device power control system, a power control function for realizing power saving control is independently prepared for each of one or more peripheral devices connected to a personal computer main body. Power saving control has been realized in a unique manner in each peripheral device.

[0003] As such a power supply control function currently known, a low power operation of a peripheral device (normal operation while maintaining the operation of the peripheral device) is performed when a certain period of time is detected using a monitoring timer. (See, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 4-76611), and a function of shutting off the power of peripheral devices when a certain period of time is detected using a monitoring timer. ). That is, as the power saving operation mode of the peripheral device, there are a “low power mode” and a “power cutoff mode”. Here, these power saving operation modes are fixed in each peripheral device (any one of the power saving operation modes is prepared and the power saving operation mode is not changed).

[0004]

The above-described conventional peripheral device power supply control system has the following problems.

A first problem is that since the power saving operation mode of a peripheral device is fixed, it is not always possible to operate the peripheral device with good power saving efficiency (for example, power saving operation). If the mode is fixed to the “low power mode”, a low power operation will always occur even if the power can be turned off. In this case, the power consumption during the low power operation (peripheral devices (Even if the operation is performed with the minimum power required to maintain the operation, a certain amount of power is consumed), but the power during that time is wasted.

[0006] The second problem is a problem that occurs when a plurality of peripheral devices are connected to the personal computer main body. Since power saving control is performed separately for each of the plurality of peripheral devices. And efficient operation of a personal computer system (computer system in which a plurality of peripheral devices are connected to the main body of a personal computer) as a whole (realization of appropriate power saving control)
Is not always possible.

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to prepare a plurality of power-saving operation modes of peripheral devices and manage the power-saving operation modes and setting information for a plurality of peripheral devices in an integrated manner. Another object of the present invention is to provide a peripheral device power supply control method capable of achieving the above-mentioned items.

The user of the personal computer can set and change the power saving operation mode of each peripheral device as needed, thereby improving the power saving efficiency of each peripheral device.

When a plurality of peripheral devices are connected to the main body of the personal computer, the power saving operation mode of each peripheral device is managed in common for the plurality of peripheral devices (using mode management information having contents to be described later). By performing power saving control integrally for a plurality of peripheral devices), the power saving efficiency of the entire personal computer system is improved.

[0010]

According to the present invention, there is provided a power supply control system for a peripheral device, in which a power saving operation mode of each peripheral device connected to a personal computer and a mode for integrally managing setting information for all the peripheral devices. A mode management section in the personal computer main body for storing management information, a mode setting section in the personal computer main body for setting mode management information in the mode management section based on designation from a user, and a mode management section stored in the mode management section. A mode notifying unit in the personal computer main body for notifying the peripheral device of the power saving operation mode and setting information for each peripheral device in the mode management information, and the power saving operation mode and setting information of the peripheral device in which the device is located. A mode storage unit in the peripheral device to be stored, and a power saving operation mode notified from the mode notification unit. A mode receiving unit in a peripheral device that receives the power saving operation mode and the setting information in the mode storage unit, and a processing unit based on the power saving operation mode and the setting information in the mode storage unit. And a mode control unit in a peripheral device having an interface with the power supply unit and performing power saving control according to the power saving operation mode and the setting information.

[0011]

Next, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a power supply control system for peripheral devices according to the present invention.

The peripheral device power control system of the present embodiment employs a personal computer main unit 10 and one or more peripheral devices 20 connected to the personal computer main unit 10 (when distinguishing each other, 20-1 to 20-m ( m is a positive integer). Here, as the peripheral device 20, a hard disk device, a floppy disk device, a CD-ROM (Compact Disk)
-Read Only Memory) device, magnetic tape device, printer, and the like (hereinafter, a hard disk device is simply referred to as a "hard disk").

The personal computer main body 10 includes a power supply control function 14 for integrally performing power saving control of one or more peripheral devices 20, a processing unit 15, and each peripheral device 20 (peripheral devices 20-1 to 20-m). And a communication control unit 16 (communication control units 16-1 to 16-m) corresponding to.

A power control function 14 is a mode setting section for setting the power saving operation mode and setting information (low power setting information and power cutoff setting information) of each peripheral device 20 in the mode management section 12 based on the designation by the user. 11, a mode management unit 12 for storing mode management information having power saving operation mode and setting information of each peripheral device 20, and information of each entry in the mode management information in the mode management unit 12 (power saving operation mode and And a mode notification unit 13 that notifies the setting information) to the peripheral device 20 corresponding to the entry (the peripheral device 20 specified by the peripheral device identification information in the entry).

Here, the processing unit 15 is realized by an application program or the like, and the communication control unit 16 functions as a general interface with the peripheral device 20. Note that these components (the processing unit 15 and the communication control unit 16) perform the same operations as those in the related art, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted in the following description.

The peripheral device 20 includes a power supply control function 24 for performing power saving control on the peripheral device 20, and a processing unit 25.
, A power supply unit 26, and a communication control unit 27.

The power supply control function 24 has a mode receiving unit 21 which receives the power saving operation mode and the setting information from the personal computer main body 10 and sets the power saving operation mode and the setting information in the mode storage unit 22, and the power control function 24 itself. A mode storage unit 22 for storing the power saving operation mode and the setting information of the peripheral device 20, a processing unit 25, and a power supply unit 26
(Such as issuing a low-power switching notification to the processing unit 25 and issuing a power-off instruction to the power supply unit 26), thereby saving power based on the power-saving operation mode and setting information in the mode storage unit 22. And a mode control unit 23 that performs power control.

The processing section 25 is realized by a disk control section, a printer control section, and the like, the power supply section 26 is realized by a switch for controlling turning on and off of power, and the communication control section 27 is realized by the personal computer main body 10.
Serves as a general interface to and from. Note that these components (the processing unit 25, the power supply unit 26, and the communication control unit 27) perform the same operations as those in the related art, and thus detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted in the following description.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of mode management information in the mode management unit 12.

In this mode management information, m entries for the number of peripheral devices 20 (here, m) connected to the personal computer main body 10 are prepared. The information in each entry includes information such as a number for identifying the peripheral device 20 (peripheral device identification information) and a power saving operation mode (low power mode, power off mode, And a power saving operation mode indicating any one of a low power mode and a power down mode), power saving setting information indicating information on a low power mode such as a low power switching reference time, and a power down mode such as a power down switching reference time. And power-off setting information indicating the information. Here, when the power saving operation mode is the low power mode or the low power / power off mode, the low power setting information is present, and when the power saving operation mode is the power off mode or the low power / power off mode, Indicates power-off setting information. Further, the content of the small power setting information is configured to include information of a plurality of stages (for example, information indicating step-by-step setting contents such as 70% power, 50% power, 30% power, ...). Is also possible.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the structure of information in the mode storage unit 22.

The information in the mode storage unit 22 corresponds to the information in one entry in the mode management information in the mode management unit 12, and includes the power saving operation mode, the low power setting information, and the power-off setting information. Consists of

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a specific example of the mode management information in the mode management unit 12.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are diagrams showing specific examples of information in the mode storage section 22 (these information corresponds to the information in each entry in the mode management information shown in FIG. 4). ing).

FIGS. 6A and 6B and FIG.
(A) and (b) are diagrams for explaining a specific operation of the peripheral device power control method of the present embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the processing of the mode control unit 23 when the power saving operation mode is the low power mode. This processing is performed in the unused state notification receiving step 801.
, A first monitoring timer activation step 802, a low power switching reference time reaching determination step 803, and a low power switching notification issuing step 804.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the processing of the mode control unit 23 when the power saving operation mode is the power-off mode. This processing is performed by an unused state notification receiving step 901.
A second monitoring timer activation step 902, a power-off switching reference time reaching determination step 903, a power-off switching notification issuing step 904, and a power-off instruction issuing step 90.
5

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the mode control unit 23 when the power saving operation mode is the low power / power cutoff mode. This processing includes an unused state notification receiving step 1001, a first monitoring timer and a second monitoring timer starting step 1002, a low power switching reference time reaching determination step 1003, and a small power switching notification issuing step 1
004 and power-off switching reference time arrival determination step 10
05, a power-off switching notification issuing step 1006, and a power-off instruction issuing step 1007.

Next, the operation of the thus-configured peripheral power supply control system of this embodiment will be described.

The mode setting unit 11 (the mode setting unit 11 belonging to the power control function 14) in the personal computer main unit 10 is provided by a user of a personal computer system including the personal computer main unit 10 and the peripheral devices 20-1 to 20-m. Peripheral equipment 2 based on the designation of
The power saving operation mode and setting information for 0 are set as mode management information in the mode management unit 12. In this case, the content specified by the user may be, for example, "if the device is not used for 5 minutes, operate in the low power state, and if it is not used for 30 minutes, turn off the power". Power off if used ". The mode setting unit 11 sets the power saving operation mode and the setting information in the mode management information based on the designation (for the above-described contents, the mode management information as shown in FIG. 4). Is set).

The mode notifying section 13 stores information (an entry for each peripheral device 20-1, 20-2,..., 20-m) in the mode management information in the mode management section 12 set as described above. , 20-m to the communication control units 16-1, 16-2 specified by the peripheral device identification information in the entry. ,..., 16-m.

The mode receiving section 21 (the mode receiving section 21 belonging to the power supply control function 24) in the peripheral device 20 receives the information via the communication control section 27 and sets the information in the mode storage section 22. That is, information (power saving operation mode and setting information) as shown in FIG.
Set to 2.

[0034] The mode control unit 23, based on the power saving operation mode and the setting information set in the mode storage unit 22,
The power supply control (power saving control) for the processing unit 25 is performed.

First, the mode control unit 23 notifies the processing unit 25 of this power saving operation mode. The processing unit 25 determines the subsequent power saving operation mode based on this notification.
Thereafter, the processing unit 25 notifies the mode control unit 23 whether the peripheral device 20 is in the used state or the unused state.

When the mode control unit 23 receives a notification (use state notification) indicating that the peripheral device 20 is in an unused state from the processing unit 25, the mode control unit 23 performs a series of processing as described below (see FIG. 8 to 10). In the following ~
The contents of this series of processing will be described for each power saving operation mode.

The power saving operation mode is “small power mode”
If (see FIG. 8)

When the mode control unit 23 receives the notification of the unused state (step 801), it activates the first monitoring timer (monitoring timer that measures the time in the power saving mode) (step 802), and counts the time of the first monitoring timer. It is repeatedly determined whether the time has reached the “low power switching reference time” (for example, repeatedly at predetermined time intervals) (step 803). Here, the “small power switching reference time” is
It refers to the time that is specified by the user and serves as a reference for switching to low power operation.

When the mode control unit 23 determines in step 803 that the time measured by the first monitoring timer has reached the “low power switching reference time”, it issues a low power switching notification to the processing unit 25. (Step 804). The processing unit 25 switches the peripheral device 20 to the low power operation based on the low power switching notification.

When the peripheral device 20 changes from the “unused state” to the “used state”, the processing unit 25
(A notification indicating that the peripheral device 20 is in use) (use status notification). The mode control unit 23
Upon receiving the usage status notification, the timer of the first monitoring timer is cancelled, and the current process is terminated.

When the mode control unit 23 receives the unused state notification again thereafter, it repeats the above-described series of processing from step 801.

When the low power operation is controlled stepwise, the determination in step 803 and the processing in step 804 are repeated until the final low power operation is completed (see the broken line in FIG. 8). In this case, the "low power switching reference time" has a different reference time for each stage, and the "small power switching notification" is issued with information indicating the different stages.

The power-saving operation mode is “power-off mode”
If (see FIG. 9)

When the mode control unit 23 receives the notification of the unused state (step 901), it starts the second monitoring timer (monitoring timer for measuring the time in the power-off mode) (step 902), and counts the time of the second monitoring timer. It is repeatedly determined whether or not the time has reached the “power-off switching reference time” (for example, repeatedly at predetermined time intervals) (step 903). Here, the “power-off switching reference time” is
It refers to the time specified by the user as a reference for switching to the power-off state.

If the mode control unit 23 determines in step 903 that the time measured by the second monitoring timer has reached the “power-off switching reference time”, it issues a power-off switch notification to the processing unit 25. (Step 904). The processing unit 25 recognizes that the power of the peripheral device 20 is shut off based on the power-off switching notification.

The mode control unit 23 determines in step 90
If it is determined in step 3 that the time measured by the second monitoring timer has reached the “power-off switching reference time”, the power supply unit 26
The power supply unit 26 is controlled by issuing a power-off instruction to the peripheral device 20 to shut off the power of the peripheral device 20 (step 90).
5).

When the power saving operation mode is the “low power / power off mode” (see FIG. 10)

Upon receiving the unused state notification (step 1001), the mode control unit 23 activates the first monitoring timer and the second monitoring timer (step 1002). It should be noted that the first monitoring timer and the second monitoring timer
It is also possible to activate the two monitoring timers and perform the subsequent processing.

The mode control unit 23 repeatedly determines whether or not the time measured by the first monitoring timer has reached the “small power switching reference time” (step 1003).

If the mode control unit 23 determines in step 1003 that the time measured by the first monitoring timer has reached the “low power switching reference time”, it issues a small power switching notification to the processing unit 25. (Step 1004). The processing unit 25 switches the peripheral device 20 to the low power operation based on the low power switching notification. It should be noted that the stepwise control of the low power operation is possible as in the case described above.

Further, the mode control section 23 executes step 1
After switching to the low-power operation based on the low-power switching notification of 004 (after switching to the last-stage low-power operation state when stepwise low-power operation control is performed), 2 It is repeatedly determined whether or not the time measured by the monitoring timer has reached the “power-off switching reference time” (step 1005). It should be noted that the fact that the “power-off switching reference time” is a value larger than the “low-power switching reference time” is a natural premise from the viewpoint of both.

If the mode control unit 23 determines in step 1005 that the time measured by the second monitoring timer has reached the “power-off switching reference time”, it issues a power-off switch notification to the processing unit 25. (Step 1006). The processing unit 25 recognizes that the power of the peripheral device 20 is shut off based on the power-off switching notification.

The mode control unit 23 determines in step 10
05, it is determined that the time measured by the second monitoring timer has reached the “power-off switching reference time”.
The power supply unit 26 is controlled by issuing a power-off instruction to the peripheral device 20 to shut off the power of the peripheral device 20 (step 1).
007).

When the peripheral device 20 changes from the “unused state” to the “used state” before the power is turned off, the processing section 25 transmits a use state notification to the mode control section 23.
When the mode control unit 23 receives the use state notification,
The timing of the first monitoring timer and the second monitoring timer is cancelled, and the current process is terminated.

After receiving the unused state notification again, the mode control section 23 repeats the above-described series of processing from step 1001.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B and FIGS. 7A and 7B, a specific operation of the peripheral device power control system of this embodiment will be described.

Here, the personal computer body 1
The operation in the case where there are two peripheral devices 20 (two hard disks and printers) that are connected to the power supply 0 and subjected to power control (power saving control) will be described. That is,
The hard disk corresponds to the peripheral device 20-1, and the printer corresponds to the peripheral device 20-2.

As the mode management information in the mode management unit 12 and the information in the mode storage unit 22, information as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5A and 5B is set. . That is, the information of the first entry in the mode management information in the mode management unit 12 and the information in the mode storage unit 22 of the hard disk indicate that the power saving operation mode of the hard disk is “low power / power off mode” and the setting information Indicates that "if not used for 5 minutes, operate in the low power state and if not used for 30 minutes, turn off the power" (5 minutes correspond to "small power switching reference time"). Then, 30 minutes correspond to the “power-off switching reference time”). Also, the information of the second entry in the mode management information in the mode management unit 12 and the information in the mode storage unit 22 of the printer indicate that the power saving operation mode of the printer is the “power-off mode” and the content of the setting information is This indicates that "power is turned off if unused for 10 minutes" (10 minutes corresponds to "power-off switching reference time").

First, the processing flow (hard disk power saving control flow) of the mode controller 23 and the like in the hard disk will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b).

The mode control unit 23 notifies the processing unit 25 of the power saving operation mode (low power / power cutoff mode).

When the mode control unit 23 receives an unused state notification from the processing unit 25 as a response to the notification, it activates the first monitoring timer and the second monitoring timer.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the mode control unit 23 detects that the hard disk has been unused for 5 minutes (time out of the low power switching reference time) by measuring the time of the first monitoring timer. , Processing unit 2
5. The low-power switching notification is issued to the hard disk 5 (the processing unit 25 that has received the low-power switching notification switches the hard disk to the low-power operation).

When the mode control unit 23 detects that the hard disk is in an unused state for 30 minutes (time-out of the power-off switching reference time) for 30 minutes by measuring the time of the second monitoring timer, the mode control unit 23 instructs the power supply unit 26 to turn off the power. (The power supply unit 26 that has received the power-off instruction turns off the power of the hard disk).

As shown in FIG. 6B, when the hard disk is changed from the unused state to the used state by the time when the second monitoring timer detects the timeout of the power-off switching reference time, the processing unit 25 issues a use state notification to the mode control unit 23, and upon receiving the use state notification, the mode control unit 23 cancels the timing of the first monitoring timer and the second monitoring timer.

Second, a processing flow (printer power saving control flow) of the mode control unit 23 and the like in the printer will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b).

The mode control unit 23 notifies the processing unit 25 of the power saving operation mode (power cutoff mode).

When the mode control unit 23 receives an unused state notification from the processing unit 25 as a response to the notification, the mode control unit 23 activates the second monitoring timer.

As shown in FIG. 7A, when the mode control unit 23 detects that the printer has not been used for 10 minutes (time-out of the power-off switching reference time) by measuring the time of the second monitoring timer. Issue a power-off instruction to the power supply unit 26 (the power supply unit 26 that has received the power-off instruction turns off the power of the printer).

As shown in FIG. 7B, when the printer is changed from the unused state to the used state before the second monitoring timer detects the timeout of the power-off switching reference time, the processing unit 25 issues a use state notification to the mode control unit 23, and the mode control unit 23 that has received the use state notification cancels the timing of the second monitoring timer.

Incidentally, it is generally desirable that the mode storage section 22 in the peripheral device 20 be constituted by a nonvolatile memory. Then, when there is no change in the power saving operation mode and the setting information once set in the mode storage unit 22, the power supply of the peripheral device 20 is cut off and turned on again (the power supply of the peripheral device 20 alone is turned off). When the power saving operation mode and the setting information are not required from the mode notification unit 13 in the personal computer main body 10 to the mode reception unit 21 in the peripheral device 20 when the power saving operation mode is included. Desired power saving control can be realized. That is, the mode control unit 23 obtains information (power saving operation mode and setting information) that has already been set from the mode storage unit 22, and performs power saving control of the peripheral device 20 based on the information.

[0071]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A plurality of power-saving operation modes of peripheral devices are prepared and made variable, so that the user of the personal computer arbitrarily sets the power-saving operation mode of each peripheral device (according to the characteristics and usage of the peripheral devices). Therefore, there is an effect that the power saving efficiency of each peripheral device connected to the personal computer main body can be improved (the useless power consumption can be reduced).

Further, when a plurality of peripheral devices are connected to the personal computer main body, all the peripheral devices are taken into consideration by integrally managing the power saving operation mode and the setting information for the plurality of peripheral devices. It is possible to set an optimum power saving operation mode for each peripheral device, thereby improving the power saving efficiency of the entire personal computer system (a computer system configured by connecting a plurality of peripheral devices to the personal computer main body). There is an effect that it is possible to achieve a reduction in wasteful power consumption in the entire personal computer system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a peripheral device power control system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of mode management information in a mode management unit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration of information in a mode storage unit in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a specific example of mode management information in a mode management unit shown in FIG.
FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of a case where the number is one.

5 is a diagram showing a specific example of setting information in a mode storage unit shown in FIG. 3 (an example of information in a mode storage unit in a hard disk or a printer).

6 is a diagram for explaining a specific operation of the peripheral device power supply control system shown in FIG. 1, and is a diagram (time chart) showing a hard disk power saving control flow.

FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining a specific operation of the peripheral device power control system shown in FIG. 1, and is a diagram (time chart) showing a printer power saving control flow.

8 is a flowchart showing a process of the mode control unit in FIG. 1 when the power saving operation mode is the low power mode.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a process of the mode control unit in FIG. 1 when the power saving operation mode is the power-off mode.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the processing of the mode control unit in FIG. 1 when the power saving operation mode is the low power / power cutoff mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Personal computer main body 11 Mode setting part 12 Mode management part 13 Mode notification part 14 Power control function 15 Processing part 16, 16-1 to 16-m Communication control part 20, 20-1 to 20-m Peripheral equipment 21 Mode receiving part 22 Mode storage unit 23 Mode control unit 24 Power supply control function 25 Processing unit 26 Power supply unit 27 Communication control unit

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A mode management unit in the main body of the personal computer for storing power management operation mode of each peripheral device connected to the main body of the personal computer and mode management information for integrally managing setting information for all the peripheral devices. A mode setting unit in a personal computer main body that sets mode management information in the mode management unit based on a designation from a user; and a power saving operation mode for each peripheral device in the mode management information stored in the mode management unit. A mode notifying unit in the personal computer main body for notifying the peripheral device of the setting and the setting information, a power saving operation mode of the peripheral device in which the device itself is located, and a mode storing unit in the peripheral device for storing setting information; and the mode notification. Receiving the power saving operation mode and the setting information notified from the A mode receiving unit in a peripheral device that sets mode and setting information in the mode storage unit; and an interface with a processing unit and a power supply unit based on the power saving operation mode and setting information in the mode storage unit. A peripheral device power control system, comprising: a mode control unit in a peripheral device that performs power saving control according to an operation mode and setting information. 2. Peripheral device identification information, a power saving operation mode indicating one of a low power mode, a power cutoff mode, and a low power / power cutoff mode, low power setting information indicating a low power switching reference time, and a power supply A mode management unit for storing mode management information having power-off setting information indicating a power-off switching reference time, a first monitoring timer for measuring the time for the low-power switching reference time, and a second monitoring timer for measuring the power-off switching reference time.
2. The peripheral device power control system according to claim 1, further comprising: the mode control unit that performs power saving control using a monitoring timer. 3. The peripheral device according to claim 2, wherein the contents of the low power setting information when the power saving operation mode is a low power mode and a low power / power cutoff mode include information of a plurality of stages. Power control method. 4. The mode storage section is constituted by a nonvolatile memory, and when there is no change in the power saving operation mode and the setting information once set in the mode storage section, the mode notification section in the personal computer main body is used. 4. The peripheral device power control system according to claim 1, wherein a notification of the power saving operation mode and the setting information is not performed to the mode receiving unit in the peripheral device.