JP3758687B2 - Electronic device startup control method - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a startup control method for an electronic device used as a peripheral device of a computer, and in particular, a replaceable type having a mechanical part driven by a current such as a motor or an actuator, such as a card-type magnetic disk device. The present invention relates to a startup control method for electronic devices.
[0002]
With the development of semiconductor technology and processing technology, a compact and low power consumption replaceable external storage device represented by an IC memory card has come to be provided. Such an external storage device is connected to a host device such as a personal computer via a connector or the like, and operates after receiving the power supply from the host device.
[0003]
However, in order to cope with an increase in the amount of data accompanying an increase in computer processing capability, card-type magnetic disk devices that can be used in the same manner as conventional IC memory cards have been developed. Since the card type magnetic disk device has a mechanical part driven by an electric current even if it is small, the power consumption during operation is so large that it cannot be compared with an IC memory card. Therefore, the development of the card type magnetic disk device cannot avoid the problem of power consumption.
[0004]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, in a replaceable electronic device such as an IC memory card, a function information ROM storing information on the function of the electronic device, for example, information on the type, storage capacity, access time, communication speed, etc. of the electronic device Is built-in.
[0005]
When an electronic device is inserted and connected to a connector provided in the host device, this causes the electronic device to start immediately upon receiving power from the host device and be ready for use.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, just because an electronic device is connected to the connector, the host device does not always use the electronic device immediately. Therefore, there is a problem that power is consumed even when the electronic device is not used from the time when the electronic device is connected to the connector to when the use of the electronic device is actually started.
[0007]
Such a state is not a big problem in an electronic device with relatively low power consumption such as an IC memory card. However, in a device incorporating a mechanical part such as a motor such as a card type magnetic disk device, Since a large amount of current is required to drive the mechanical unit and a large amount of power is consumed, a large burden is placed on the power unit of the host device.
[0008]
In particular, when the host device is not a stationary type that can be powered from the AC line, but uses a battery as a power source with emphasis on portability, such as a so-called laptop computer, the life of the battery may Since the utility value and economic efficiency are greatly affected, it becomes a serious problem when the power consumption of an externally connected electronic device is large.
[0009]
In view of the above problems, it reduces power consumption, and ease the burden of power supply of the host device, particularly for many of the current electronic device including a mechanical unit that requires a reduction in the power consumption It aims to plan.
[0010]
The invention of claim 2 and 3, the configuration is an electronic device as a magnetic disk device of the replaceable aims to reduce the power consumption.
A fourth aspect of the present invention, and by clarifying the electronic device that is configured as a magnetic disk device of the replaceable, a further reduction in power consumption.
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, the method according to the first aspect of the present invention is, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 5, as shown in FIGS. It has function information storage units 12 , 22, and 38 that store information related to functions of the electronic device, and mechanical units 28, 32, and 35 driven by current, and the electronic devices 2, 3, and 4 are in operation. When connected to the host device, the connection unit 11, 21, 40 is operating in the replaceable electronic devices 2, 3, and 4 that are automatically recognized and usable by the host device. When the connection to the host device is performed, the activation control of the electronic devices 2, 3, and 4 is not performed, and the function information storage units 12, 22, and 38 are stored based on the command from the host device. Only after the first reading of information has started Controls activation of the electronic apparatus 2, 3, 4 by driving the mechanical section 28,32,35.
[0013]
A method according to a second aspect of the invention includes a disk 31 for storing information, a motor 32 for rotating the disk 31, a head 33 for recording or reproducing information on the disk 31, and the head 33. An actuator 35 for moving the motor to a target position, a drive control unit 36 for driving the motor 32 and the actuator 35, a signal processing unit 37 for processing a signal for recording or reproduction, and a host device When the electronic device 4 is connected to a higher-level device that has a connection unit 40 for transmitting signals and a function information storage unit 38 that stores information related to the function of the electronic device. In the interchangeable electronic device 4 that is automatically recognized by the host device as being connected and can be used, the connection unit 40 connects to the host device in operation. Without performing the activation control including a drive of the motor 32 or the actuator 35 of the electronic device 4 at the time, the first reading start of information stored in said function information storage unit 38 based on a command from the host apparatus Only after that, the electronic device 4 is controlled to start by driving the motor 32 or the actuator 35.
[0014]
In the method according to the third aspect of the present invention, only after the first reading is started, the motor 32 or the actuator 35 is driven to measure a control constant for calibration.
[0015]
In the method according to the invention of claim 4 , within a predetermined time after driving the motor 32 or the actuator 35, a command signal accompanying the driving of the motor 32 or the actuator 35 is sent from the host device. When the signal is not input, the driving of the motor 32 or the actuator 35 is stopped, and when the command signal is input while the motor 32 or the actuator 35 is stopped, a control constant for calibration is measured. Instead, the motor 32 or the actuator 35 is driven.
[0016]
[Action]
In order for a host device to use an electronic device connected to the host device, it is necessary to obtain information about the function of the electronic device and recognize the type, function, and the like before that. Therefore, the host device reads the contents of the function information storage unit built in the electronic device before using the electronic device.
[0017]
On the electronic device side, even if power is supplied from the host device connected to the host device, it does not start immediately, but waits for the read signal of the function information storage unit from the host device to be input, and thereafter Start up.
[0018]
In particular, when an electronic device includes a mechanical unit, after the readout of the function information storage unit from the host device is started, for example, when a command signal accompanying driving of the mechanical unit is input, the machine unit It starts by measuring the control constant by driving the part or driving the machine part.
[0019]
【Example】
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the card-type electronic device 3 using the activation control method of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the activation control method of the electronic device 3.
[0020]
The electronic device 3 is connected to a connector provided in a host device (not shown) to transmit a signal, a function information ROM 22 storing information related to the function of the electronic device 3, and the original of the electronic device 3 The apparatus main body 23 for realizing the function and the multiplexer 24 for distributing the address signal AB and the data signal DB to the function information ROM 22 and the apparatus main body 23 are housed in the card type housing 20. It is configured.
[0021]
When the connector 21 is connected to the host device in operation, power is supplied to the function information ROM 22, the device body 23, and the multiplexer 24 at the same time (step # 11), and the function information ROM 22 and the multiplexer 24 are in an operating state. However, the apparatus main body 23 does not start and does not perform any processing and operation of the machine unit 28.
[0022]
The host device starts access to the connected electronic device 3 by command input from an operator, command by a program, or the like. First, the host device reads the contents of the function information ROM 22. As a result, the host device can recognize the function of the electronic device 3 and assign the interface signal pin to incorporate the electronic device 3 into the system environment. In order to utilize the function of the electronic device 3 thereafter. Access to the apparatus main body 23 becomes possible.
[0023]
The electronic device 3 is activated (step # 13) after the first reading of the contents of the function information ROM 22 from the host device is started (Yes in step # 12). As a result, the electronic device 3 is ready for use.
[0024]
The contents of activation of the electronic device 3 include initialization of various registers and memories in the apparatus main body 23, drive control when there is a mechanical unit 28 such as a motor or an actuator, and control constants for calibration in the apparatus main body 23. There is a measurement of.
[0025]
In other words, the electronic device 3 does not perform any operation substantially until the reading of the function information ROM 22 is started after the electronic device 3 is connected to the host device, and therefore the power consumption during that period is very small.
[0026]
The device main body 23 may be activated when the device main body 23 is first accessed after the function information ROM 22 is read from the host device. By doing so, the power consumption can be further reduced although the response to the device main body 23 at the first access is slightly delayed.
[0027]
In such a case, if access to the apparatus main body 23 is not performed again within a predetermined time after the apparatus main body 23 is activated, the apparatus main body 23 is put on standby by stopping the driving of the mechanical unit 28 or the like. When the access to the apparatus main body 23 in the standby state is made, the mechanical unit 28 is driven so that it can be used again. As a result, power consumption can be further reduced.
[0028]
4 is a perspective view showing the inside of the magnetic disk device 4 using the activation control method of the present invention, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the magnetic disk device 4 of FIG. 4, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a startup control method of the disk device 4.
[0029]
The magnetic disk device 4 has a housing 30 having the same outer size (54 × 85.6 × 5 mm) as a general IC memory card.
Inside the housing 30 are a disk 31 for storing information, a spindle motor 32 for rotating the disk 31, a head 33 for recording or reproducing information on the disk 31, an arm 34 for supporting the head 33, and a head 33. The actuator 35 for moving the actuator to the target position, the spindle motor 32, the drive controller 36 for driving the actuator 35, the signal processor 37 for processing signals for recording or reproduction, and the functions of the magnetic disk device 4 A function information ROM 38 storing information, an interface circuit 39, and the like are disposed. A connector 40 is attached to an end of the housing 30 to connect to a host device and transmit signals.
[0030]
When the magnetic disk device 4 is inserted into a slot or the like and the connector 40 is connected to the host device, power is supplied to each part of the magnetic disk device 4. However, no substantial processing is performed in the drive control unit 36 and the signal processing unit 37.
[0031]
When the host device accesses the function information ROM 38 (Yes in Step # 21), the internal state of the drive control unit 36, signal processing unit 37, interface circuit 39, etc. is initialized (Step # 22). By accessing the function information ROM 38, the host device can recognize that the connected device is a magnetic disk device, its storage capacity, number of sectors, access time, and the like.
[0032]
Then, it waits in that state until there is a command for recording or reproducing information from the host device. When there is a command (Yes in Step # 23), the drive control unit 36 starts the drive control and the spindle motor 32 Driving is performed, the head 33 is moved to the 0th track of the disk 31 (steps # 24 and 25), and so-called calibration seek for measuring the control constant is performed (step # 26).
[0033]
Thereafter, a command from the host device is executed (step # 27). If there is a next instruction (Yes in Step # 28), after resetting the timer (Step # 29), the process returns to Step # 27 to execute the instruction.
[0034]
If there is no command (No in Step # 28), the timer is counted (Step # 31), and when the timer reaches a certain count value (Yes in Step # 32), the drive by the drive control unit 36 is stopped. (Step # 33), the process returns to Step # 28 and waits for a command from the host device. If there is an instruction, drive control is performed without performing a calibration seek and the instruction is executed (step # 27).
[0035]
In the above calibration seek, the torque constants of the spindle motor 32 and the actuator 35, the magnitude of the external force applied to the actuator 35, and the like are measured. The measured control constant is stored in the memory of the drive control unit 36 and used in the subsequent drive control. This prevents a decrease in the positioning accuracy of the head 33 due to individual differences in machine parts such as the spindle motor 32 and the actuator 35.
[0036]
Further, after the control constant is measured and the value is stored in the memory, the drive control is temporarily stopped in step # 33, and then stored in the case where the drive is performed in step # 27 by a command from the host device thereafter. The drive control is performed using the control constants, and thereby the positioning accuracy and the like are guaranteed.
[0037]
In this way, initialization is performed after the access to the function information ROM 38 is started, the mechanical unit is driven and the calibration seek is performed after an instruction from the host device, and within a certain time. When there is no command from the host device, the drive is stopped until there is a command, so that the power consumption in the magnetic disk device 4 is greatly reduced.
[0038]
Further, when there is no instruction from the host device, the power consumption can be further reduced by stopping the supply of power to circuits other than the interface circuit 39.
[0039]
In the embodiment described above, the structure, shape, method, and the like of the magnetic disk device 4 can be variously changed in addition to those described above. As the electronic devices 2 and 3, various devices such as a file device such as an optical disk device, a RAM card, and a modem card can be applied in addition to the magnetic disk device 4 described above.
[0040]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce power consumption and lighten the power load of the host device.
[0041]
And especially with respect to the electronic device containing the mechanical part which requires many electric currents, the reduction of the power consumption can be aimed at.
According to the second and third aspects of the invention, the power consumption of the replaceable magnetic disk device can be reduced.
[0042]
According to the invention of claim 4, the power consumption of the replaceable magnetic disk device can be further reduced.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device using a start control method of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a card-type electronic device using the activation control method of the present invention.
3 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling the activation of the electronic device of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the inside of a magnetic disk device using the activation control method of the present invention as seen through.
5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the magnetic disk device of FIG. 4. FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing a start control method of the magnetic disk device of FIG. 4;
[Explanation of symbols]
2, 3 Electronic equipment 4 Magnetic disk device (electronic equipment)
11 connection part 12 function information storage part 21, 40 connector (connection part)
22, 38 Function information ROM (Function information storage unit)
28 Machine part 31 Disc 32 Spindle motor (machine part)
33 Head 35 Actuator (machine part)
36 Drive control unit 37 Signal processing unit

Claims (4)

It has a connection unit for connecting to a host device and transmitting signals, a function information storage unit that stores information related to the function of the electronic device, and a mechanical unit that is driven by current, and the electronic device operates. In a replaceable electronic device that is automatically recognized by the host device and can be used when connected to the host host device,
At the time when the connection unit is connected to a higher-level device in operation, the function information storage unit does not perform start-up control including driving of the mechanical unit of the electronic device based on a command from the higher-level device. A start control method for an electronic device, wherein the start of the electronic device is controlled by driving the mechanical unit only after the first reading of stored information is started. A disk for storing information; a motor for rotating the disk; a head for recording or reproducing information on the disk; an actuator for moving the head to a target position; and the motor and actuator A drive control unit for driving, a signal processing unit for processing a signal for recording or reproduction, a connection unit for connecting a host device to transmit a signal, and information on the function of the electronic device When the electronic device is connected to a host device that is in operation, the connected electronic device is automatically recognized by the host device and can be used. In
The function information storage is performed based on a command from the host device without performing start-up control including driving of the motor or the actuator of the electronic device when the connection unit is connected to the host device in operation. A start control method for an electronic device, wherein the start control of the electronic device is performed by driving the motor or the actuator only after the first reading of the information stored in the unit is started. It is the starting control method of the electronic device of Claim 2, Comprising:
Only after the first reading is started, the motor or the actuator is driven to measure a control constant for calibration. It is the starting control method of the electronic device of Claim 3, Comprising:
Stop driving the motor or the actuator when a command signal accompanying the driving of the motor or the actuator is not input from a host device within a predetermined time after driving the motor or the actuator. In addition, when the command signal is input while the motor or the actuator is stopped, the motor or the actuator is driven without measuring a control constant for calibration. Method.

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