JP4426223B2 - Information processing apparatus and information processing system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  The present invention relates to a battery-driven information processing apparatus.AndAnd information processing system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In recent years, personal computers (hereinafter simply referred to as personal computers) have been able to handle AV (Audio-Visual) information such as music and video as their functions have improved. Since the amount of such AV information is very large, optical discs such as CD-R / RW and DVD ± R / RW have attracted attention as recording media. Optical disk devices have become widespread as one of the peripheral devices for personal computers.
[0003]
In particular, recently, personal computers have been drastically reduced in size and weight, and so-called notebook personal computers and sub-note personal computers that are even smaller (hereinafter collectively referred to as notebook personal computers) are commercially available. It came to be. One of the features of a notebook personal computer is that its place of use is not limited. For this reason, not only an AC power source (commercial AC power source) but also a battery can be used as a driving power source. That is, there are two types of drive power sources, a battery drive method and an AC power supply drive method, and it is left up to the user to decide which drive power source to use. In such a notebook personal computer as well, the above-described optical disk device is generally incorporated. Therefore, in a notebook personal computer having a built-in optical disk device, the optical disk device is also driven by the battery when the battery is driven. Here, in order to check whether such a notebook personal computer is a battery-powered system or an AC power-powered system, a user interface (UI) of an operating system (OS) such as Windows (registered trademark) is used. Can be confirmed.
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-089469
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-5-334694
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-6-084180
[Patent Document 4]
JP-A-6-084181
[Patent Document 5]
JP-A-6-150342
[Patent Document 6]
JP-A-8-96486
[Patent Document 7]
JP-A-10-112038
[Patent Document 8]
JP-A-10-112163
[Patent Document 9]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-188319
[Patent Document 10]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-269581
[Patent Document 11]
JP 10-340464 A
[Patent Document 12]
JP-A-11-110904
[Patent Document 13]
JP 11-328701 A
[Patent Document 14]
JP-A-11-120125
[Patent Document 15]
JP 2000-090549 A
[Patent Document 16]
JP 2000-182309 A
[Patent Document 17]
JP 2001-084624 A
[Patent Document 18]
JP 2001-101676 A
[Patent Document 19]
JP 2001-297517 A
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a notebook personal computer, for example, when used in a battery drive system, the charge capacity of the battery is finite, so that, for example, when writing a large amount of data to an internal CD / DVD optical disk drive, for example. In some cases, the power is cut off due to the battery running out, and the recording operation may be terminated halfway. As a result, there arises a problem that the file cannot be read or additional writing cannot be performed. Alternatively, other processing scheduled by the user may not be performed.
[0006]
Therefore, it can be said that it is necessary to suppress the consumption of extra power as much as possible when the battery is driven. Here, there are various and many proposal examples regarding energy saving of the optical disk device (optical disk drive) (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 19), all of which relate to the optical disk device (optical disk drive) alone, and have a built-in notebook personal computer. This is a countermeasure that cannot be applied to the optical disc apparatus of the present invention. In other words, in an optical disk device with a built-in notebook computer, processing such as disk access is executed if a command such as disk access is received from the host computer regardless of the power state of the notebook computer itself, resulting in unexpected power interruption. The possibility is high and the above-mentioned defects still remain.
[0007]
Further, power consumption in such a notebook personal computer is mainly due to disk access of the optical disk apparatus, but there are many other factors. For example, in the case of an optical disk device having an autoloading function, a loading motor is driven to pull in a tray, and then a mount processing operation is performed to acquire information on the inserted disk, and a predetermined area on the disk is reproduced. Also, power is consumed. Also in the disk access operation, since the recording laser power is larger than the reproducing laser power, it can be said that more power is consumed during recording and during recording.
[0008]
In addition, as a factor that consumes power even when disk access is not being performed, the host computer has disk event information of the internal drive device (disk ejection and insertion commands from the user, and events indicating that new media have been inserted). There is a command (Get Event / Status Notification command) that is periodically issued to the drive device. After receiving the event from the drive device, the host computer ejects or inserts the disk, or acquires file information on the disk. This command is issued regularly (for example, every 2 seconds) even while the drive device is not performing disk access. If the host computer issues a command to the drive device, it will move the ATAPI signal, leading to power consumption. Therefore, the battery capacity is consumed during that time.
[0009]
Even if such a Get Event / Status Notification command is not issued, the removable disk-compatible drive device executes the mount process as described above in order to acquire the disk information when the disk is inserted. Therefore, the battery capacity is consumed during that time.
[0010]
Further, as a data transfer system of a device that performs recording or reproduction on an optical disk such as CD-R / RW, DVD ± R / RW, etc., there are a PIO transfer mode, a multiword DMA mode, an ULTRA DMA mode, and the like. In terms of transfer speed, the ULTRA DMA mode can be said to be the fastest transfer method, but in terms of the power consumption of the apparatus, the ULTRA DMA mode can be said to be the transfer method with the largest power consumption due to the higher clock. Some optical disc apparatuses are built in a notebook personal computer or the like as described above, and use a notebook personal computer battery as a drive source of the optical disc apparatus. Here, since the battery capacity is limited, if the data transfer is performed by a transfer method with high power consumption when the remaining amount of the battery is low, the optical disk device uses a lot of power. As a result, there is a problem that the occurrence rate of unexpected power interruption as described above is increased.
[0011]
That is, for example, ATA / ATAPI interface is used as an interface standard for optical disc apparatuses, and the transfer methods of these interfaces include the above-mentioned PIO transfer mode, multiword DMA transfer mode, and ULTRA DMA data transfer mode. is there. The PIO mode and the multiword DMA mode operate at a maximum of 16 MHz. However, in the case of ULTRA DMA, the transfer rate varies greatly depending on the mode. For example, when the mode 2 is approximately twice the PIO and multiword DMA transfer mode, the mode 5 It will operate at about 6 times. In the interface field, it is desirable to receive the benefits of higher transfer speeds, but for systems such as laptop computers where power saving is important, the transfer speed increases. The operating frequency of the circuit for decoding data sent to the host computer needs to be increased, and this increases power consumption, which may be undesirable.
[0012]
As described above, with the increase in transfer speed, there is a problem that both the data sending side and the data receiving side increase in power consumption. As a conventional technique for solving this problem, for example, the above-mentioned Patent Document 14 is cited. It is done. This patent document 14 provides an ATA / ATAPI interface bus control device that can always perform data processing at a constant low rate even when the transfer rate of the data interface increases, and can suppress power consumption. That is, the invention relates to processing after the optical disc apparatus receives data from the host computer. Therefore, nothing is mentioned about the host computer when the host computer exchanges data with the optical disk apparatus.
[0013]
An object of the present invention is to suppress power consumption of a battery as much as possible in an environment in which an information recording / reproducing device shares a drive power source for an information processing device, particularly a battery having a finite charge capacity, such as a notebook personal computer. Therefore, it is possible to avoid problems such as unexpected power interruption as much as possible.
[0034]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  An invention according to claim 1 is an information processing apparatus that constitutes an information processing system together with an information recording / reproducing apparatus and shares a drive power source for the information recording / reproducing apparatus,Used in the information processing deviceA power source type detecting means for detecting the type of the driving power source, and when the detected driving power source is a battery,BatteryBattery remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining amount, and when the detected battery remaining amount is equal to or less than a predetermined value, issued to the information recording / reproducing device to know the state of the recording medium of the information recording / reproducing device Command interval changing means for extending the command issuing interval;When the detected remaining battery level is equal to or lower than a second predetermined value that is lower than the predetermined value, command issue canceling means for canceling the issuance of the command to the information recording / reproducing device, and the detected remaining battery level A discharge / insertion prohibition command issuing means for issuing a command for prohibiting discharge and insertion of the recording medium to the information recording / reproducing apparatus when the third predetermined value is lower than the second predetermined value or less. ,Is provided.
[0035]
  Therefore, when the remaining amount becomes less than a predetermined value under battery-powered conditions, the issuing interval of commands periodically issued to the information recording / reproducing apparatus is extended, and the number of ATAPI signal operations by the command issuance is increased. By reducing, battery power consumption can be reduced as much as possible.Furthermore, even if the issuance interval of the periodic command issuance to the information recording / reproducing apparatus is extended, the file information acquisition operation is executed when the recording medium is inserted into the information recording / reproducing apparatus as long as the command is issued. If battery power is consumed but the remaining battery power is further reduced, the command issuance itself is stopped, so that the file information acquisition operation is not performed even when a recording medium is inserted. Consumption can be minimized.
[0050]
  Claim2The information processing system according to the invention described in the claims1And an information recording / reproducing apparatus that records or reproduces information on a recording medium in response to an instruction from the information processing apparatus.
[0051]
  Therefore, the claims1'sAn information processing system having the same effect as that of the invention is provided.
[0054]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the information processing system according to the present embodiment. The information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a CD / DVD optical disk device (optical disk drive) 2 as an information recording / reproducing device and a host 3 as an information processing device that controls the optical disk device 2. Has been. In such an information processing system 1, for example, drive power for the optical disc device 2 is supplied from the host 3, and is configured as a portable device such as a notebook personal computer as a whole. Both an AC power source and a battery (both not shown) can be used, and any driving power source is selected by the user.
[0055]
First, a hardware configuration example of the control system of the optical disc apparatus 2 will be described. The optical disk device 2 includes a spindle motor 12 for rotating and driving an optical disk 11 such as a CD / DVD as a recording medium, an optical pickup device 13, a laser control circuit 14, an encoder 15, a motor driver 16, a reproduction signal processing circuit 17, A servo controller 18, a buffer RAM 19, a buffer manager 20, an interface 21, a ROM 22, a CPU 23, a RAM 24, and the like are provided. In addition, the connection line in FIG. 1 shows the flow of a typical signal and information, and does not represent all the connection relationships of each block.
[0056]
The optical pickup device 13 includes a semiconductor laser as a light source, an optical system that guides a light beam emitted from the semiconductor laser to a recording surface of the optical disc 11 and guides a return light beam reflected by the recording surface to a predetermined light receiving position. The light receiving element is disposed at the light receiving position and receives the return light beam, and includes a drive system (focusing actuator, tracking actuator, seek motor, etc.) (all not shown). From the light receiving element, a current (current signal) corresponding to the amount of received light is output to the reproduction signal processing circuit 17.
[0057]
The reproduction signal processing circuit 17 converts a current signal that is an output signal of the optical pickup device 13 into a voltage signal, and generates a wobble signal, an RF signal, and a servo signal (such as a focus error signal and a track error signal) based on the voltage signal. To detect. The reproduction signal processing circuit 17 extracts ADIP (Address In Pre-groove) information and a synchronization signal from the wobble signal. The extracted ADIP information is output to the CPU 23, and the synchronization signal is output to the encoder 15. Further, the reproduction signal processing circuit 17 performs error correction processing or the like on the RF signal and then stores it in the buffer RAM 19 via the buffer manager 20. The focus error signal and the track error signal are output from the reproduction signal processing circuit 17 to the servo controller 18.
[0058]
The servo controller 18 generates a control signal for controlling the focusing actuator of the optical pickup device 13 based on the focus error signal, and generates a control signal for controlling the tracking actuator of the optical pickup device 13 based on the track error signal. Each control signal is output from the servo controller 18 to the motor driver 16.
[0059]
The buffer manager 20 manages input / output of data to / from the buffer RAM 19, and notifies the CPU 23 when the accumulated data amount reaches a predetermined value.
[0060]
The motor driver 16 drives the focusing actuator and the tracking actuator of the optical pickup device 13 based on the control signal from the servo controller 18. Further, the motor driver 16 controls the spindle motor 12 based on an instruction from the CPU 23 so that the linear velocity of the optical disk 11 is constant. Further, the motor driver 16 drives the seek motor of the optical pickup device 13 based on an instruction from the CPU 23 to control the position of the optical pickup device 13 in the sledge direction (radial direction of the optical disk 11).
[0061]
The encoder 15 adds an error correction code to the data fetched from the buffer RAM 19 via the buffer manager 20 based on an instruction from the CPU 23 to create data to be written to the optical disk 11 and a reproduction signal processing circuit. The write data is output to the laser control circuit 14 in synchronization with the synchronization signal from 17.
[0062]
The laser control circuit 14 controls the output of the semiconductor laser of the optical pickup device 13 based on the write data from the encoder 15 and the instruction of the CPU 23.
[0063]
The interface 21 is a bidirectional communication interface with the host 3 and conforms to standard interfaces such as ATAPI (AT Attachment Packet Interface) and SCSI (Small Computer System Interface).
[0064]
The ROM 22 stores a control program and the like described later written in codes readable by the CPU 23. When the power supply of the optical disk apparatus 2 is turned on, the control program is loaded into a main memory (not shown), and the CPU 23 controls the operation of each unit according to the program and temporarily stores data necessary for the control. The data is stored in the RAM 24.
[0065]
On the other hand, the host 3 includes a main control device 31, an interface 32, a hard disk (HDD) 33, an input device 34, a display device 35, and the like. As described above, both the AC power source and the battery (both not shown) can be used as the driving power source for the host 3, and either one is selected by the user. Power for the optical disc apparatus 2 is also supplied from this drive power source.
[0066]
The main control device 31 is configured to include a microcomputer, a main memory (none of which are shown), and controls the entire host 3.
[0067]
The interface 32 is a bidirectional communication interface with the optical disc apparatus 2 and conforms to a standard interface such as ATAPI and SCSI. The interface 32 is connected to the interface 21 of the optical disc apparatus 2. The connection form between the interfaces 21 and 32 may be not only a cable connection using a communication line such as a communication cable (for example, a SCSI cable) but also a wireless connection using infrared rays.
[0068]
The hard disk 33 stores various control programs, which will be described later, written in codes readable by the microcomputer of the main controller 31. When the drive power supply of the host 3 is turned on, the program is loaded into the main memory of the main controller 31.
[0069]
The display device 35 includes a display unit (not shown) such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), for example, and displays various types of information from the main control device 31.
[0070]
The input device 34 includes at least one input medium (not shown) of, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, and a pointing device, and notifies the main control device 31 of various types of information input from the user. Note that information from the input medium may be input in a wireless manner.
[0071]
Here, when the hierarchical structure of the software system of the host 3 of this embodiment is schematically shown, as shown in FIG. 2, a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) and an operating system for performing basic input / output control are provided. (OS = Operating Systm) is installed, and this OS is configured to manage and control various application software and devices (LSI and the like). Accordingly, information related to the drive power supply of the host 3 (type of drive power supply, remaining battery level, etc.) is detected and detected by the OS after the OS is started, such as a well-known BIOS power monitoring monitor function when the power is started. It can be managed.
[0072]
More specifically, the BIOS checks the type of the processor 31 and the hard disk 33 used in the host 3, checks whether graphics, memory, hard disk, and keyboard work correctly when the system is started, Perform operations such as starting. On the other hand, the OS is a base for operating various application software, and plays an intermediate role between BIOS and application software. The ATAPI command issued from the application software is transferred to the BIOS by the OS, and the ATAPI command is issued from the BIOS to the peripheral device, for example, the optical disc device 2 in accordance with the ATAPI protocol.
[0073]
In such a configuration, basically, the optical disk apparatus 2 cannot know the power supply state (type of drive power supply, remaining battery level, etc.) of the drive power supply for the host 3 (and therefore also for the optical disk apparatus 2). Since it cannot be performed, it operates as requested by the host 3. Therefore, as described above in the problem column, even when the battery is driven, an access operation or the like is performed in accordance with a command from the host 3, and an unexpected power-off trigger is caused by battery power consumption. There is. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as a basic solution, information relating to drive power acquired (power supply information acquisition means) using a monitoring / management function (power information acquisition means) related to drive power provided on the host 3 side is used. The type, the remaining battery capacity, etc.) are notified to the optical disc apparatus 2 side via the interfaces 32 and 21 (power information notification means), so that the state of the shared drive power supply also on the optical disc apparatus 2 side, especially the battery in the case of battery drive The remaining amount can be confirmed, and the optical disc apparatus 2 can appropriately determine whether or not the optical disc 11 can be accessed.
[0074]
Here, an example of a command configuration of information related to the drive power source notified from the host 3 to the optical disc apparatus 2 will be described with reference to FIG. First, the operation code C0h in the ATAPI command is used as a command for notifying such a power supply state, and the fourth bit to the third byte (byte 2) of 00h in the transfer data added to this command is used. The Battery Status (= battery remaining amount) for 3 bits assigned to the 2nd bit (bit 3 to bit 1) and Sup (Supply Bit = type of power supply) assigned to the 1st bit (bit 0) are used. The here,
Sup
0: AC power supply
1: Battery
Battery Status
000b: Full
010b: 50% or more
011b: 50% or less
111b: Almost empty
It is. Accordingly, the optical disc apparatus 2 can confirm the state of the drive power source, particularly the remaining battery level when the battery is driven, by receiving a command including such information on the power source.
[0075]
On the other hand, an example of processing control executed by the CPU 23 on the side of the optical disc apparatus 2 that receives a command including information relating to such a power supply will be described with reference to a schematic flowchart shown in FIG. This process control is executed by receiving the command (Power Status Command) from the host 3 side at an arbitrary timing (step S1). The process of step S1 is executed as a function of the notification information acquisition unit. When the command is received, it is determined whether or not the type of drive power used is an AC power by checking information on the power contained in the command, that is, Battery Status (S2). If it is not power source drive = battery drive (N in S2), it is determined whether or not the remaining amount of the battery is a predetermined value, for example, 50% or less (S3). When AC power is driven (Y in S2) or the remaining battery level is 50% or more (N in S3), there is no particular problem with respect to the power supply. Therefore, normal control such as permitting access to the optical disk 11 is performed. . On the other hand, when the battery is driven and the remaining amount is 50% or less (Y in S3), the access operation is restricted by setting to prohibit access to the optical disk 11 (S4). The processes in steps S2 to S4 are executed as a function of the access operation restriction unit.
[0076]
Thus, according to the present embodiment, since the host 3 acquires information related to the common drive power supply and notifies the optical disk apparatus 2 of the information, the power supply state can be recognized on the optical disk apparatus 2 side. Appropriate measures such as restricting access to the optical disc 11 on the third side can be taken, and it is possible to suppress wasteful power consumption under circumstances where the remaining battery level is low. Can be avoided.
[0077]
A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The same parts as those shown in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is also omitted (the same applies to the following embodiments). In the first embodiment, the host 3 only notifies the optical disc apparatus 2 of information relating to the power supply, and the access control is determined on the optical disc apparatus 2 side. On the basis of the information on the above, the host 3 side determines in advance whether to permit or prohibit access to the optical disc 11 in the optical disc apparatus 2 (permission / prohibition determining means: just follow steps S2 to S4 in FIG. 4), In the command notified from the host 3 to the optical disk device 2 side, the access to the optical disk 11 is permitted or prohibited at the first bit (bit 0) of the fourth byte (byte 3) as in the transfer data example shown in FIG. By assigning a PDA (Prohibit Disc Access) bit for setting the optical disc 11 including the control information for permitting or prohibiting access to the optical disc 11 determined. The click device 2 is obtained so as to transmit the notification.
[0078]
In the transfer data example shown in FIG.
PDA: Prohibit Disc Access
0: Allow to access
1: Prohibit to access
It is.
[0079]
Therefore, if the PDA information is “0” on the optical disc apparatus 2 side that has received such a command, access to the optical disc 11 is permitted as a recording or playback operation, and the PDA information is “1”. In other words, it can be seen that access to the optical disk 11 is in a prohibited state as an operation for recording or reproduction. Therefore, by only receiving the command, it can be immediately determined whether or not the optical disk 11 can be accessed based on the power state, and the access to the optical disk 11 is not performed in a situation where the remaining amount is low in battery operation. Battery power consumption can be avoided as much as possible.
[0080]
A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In this embodiment, with respect to the host 3, in the situation where access to the optical disk 11 is prohibited due to the power supply status as in the case of the second embodiment, the optical disk apparatus 2 includes an ejection prohibition state command for the optical disk 11 in the command. Is to be notified.
[0081]
Such notification processing executed by the main controller 31 will be described with reference to a schematic flowchart shown in FIG. First, as is well known, the state of the drive power supply is confirmed using a BIOS power supply monitor or the like (S11). The process of step S11 is executed as a function of the power information acquisition unit. If the battery is driven, it is determined whether or not the remaining battery level is equal to or less than a predetermined value (S12). If the battery remaining amount (capacity) is smaller than the predetermined value as a result of the determination (Y in S12), the controller program in the optical disk device 2 is stopped in order to prohibit disk access in the optical disk device 2. (S13) The command including the ejection prohibition state command is issued to the optical disc apparatus 2 (S14). The processes in steps S13 and S14 are executed as a function of the power information notification unit.
[0082]
That is, for example, in the case of the optical disc apparatus 2 having an autoloading function, when the optical disc 11 is loaded, the mount process is executed and power is consumed. However, as in the present embodiment, access to the optical disc 11 is performed. In addition, under the circumstance where the prohibition is prohibited, it is possible to eliminate the consumption of the battery power by the mounting process by notifying the optical disc apparatus 2 of the ejection prohibition state command and prohibiting the replacement of the optical disc 11, and maintaining the remaining battery level. Can be made.
[0083]
A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. Disc access is roughly divided into recording operation and reproduction operation, but the recording laser power is larger than the reproduction laser power and the power consumption is different between the recording operation and the reproduction operation. In the host 3, access permission or prohibition is separately determined for these recording operations and playback operations in accordance with the power supply status (permission / prohibition determination means), and the optical disc apparatus 2 is notified including the control information (power supply information) Notification means).
[0084]
For example, when the battery is driven, if the battery remaining amount is 50% or more, the recording operation and the reproducing operation are permitted. However, if the battery remaining amount is 50% or less, the recording operation is prohibited if it is 30% or more. The reproduction operation is permitted, and access permission / prohibition may be determined so that the recording operation and the reproduction operation are prohibited when the remaining battery level is 30% or less.
[0085]
The access permission / inhibition information thus determined is the second bit of the fourth byte (byte 3) in the command notified from the host 3 to the optical disc apparatus 2 as shown in the transfer data example shown in FIG. A PW (Prohibit Writing) bit for setting permission or prohibition of access related to recording operation on the optical disk 11 is assigned to (bit 1), and reproduction to the optical disk 11 is performed on the first bit (bit 0) of the fourth byte (byte 3). By assigning a PR (Prohibit Reading) bit for setting permission or prohibition of access related to the operation, the optical disc apparatus 2 side including the determined recording operation to the optical disc 11 and access permission or prohibition control information for each reproducing operation is included. The transmission is notified.
[0086]
In the transfer data example shown in FIG.
PW: Prohibit Writing
0: Allow to write
1: Prohibit to write
PR: Prohibit Reading
0: Allow to read
1: Prohibit to read
It is.
[0087]
Therefore, on the side of the optical disk apparatus 2 that has received such a command, if the PW information is “0”, access to the optical disk 11 is permitted as a recording operation, and if the PW information is “1”, the recording operation is performed. It can be seen that access to the optical disk 11 is in a prohibited state. Similarly, if the PR information is “0”, access to the optical disk 11 is permitted as a playback operation, and if the PR information is “1”, access to the optical disk 11 is prohibited as a playback operation. I understand. Therefore, by only receiving the command, it can be immediately determined whether or not the optical disk 11 can be accessed based on the power state, and the access to the optical disk 11 is not performed in a situation where the remaining amount is low in battery operation. Battery power consumption can be avoided as much as possible. In particular, since the permission or prohibition of access is separately determined for the recording operation and the reproducing operation with different power consumption and the control information is notified to the optical disc apparatus 2, for example, even if access for recording operation is prohibited It is possible to take flexible measures such as permitting access for playback operation with low consumption.
[0088]
A fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, when the command notification from the host 3 side regarding the optical disk device 2 includes determination of a disk access prohibition state or a recording operation and a reproduction operation prohibition state, the energy saving mode is immediately entered. By shifting, battery power consumption is suppressed as much as possible.
[0089]
An example of processing control executed by the CPU 23 on the optical disc apparatus 2 side of the present embodiment will be described with reference to a schematic flowchart shown in FIG. This processing control is executed by receiving the command (Power Status Command) from the host 3 side at an arbitrary timing (step S21). The process of step S21 is executed as a function of the notification information acquisition unit. When the command is received, by checking the above-described PW and PR information among the information on the power supply included in the command, whether or not both the reproduction operation / recording operation (R / W) are prohibited. (S22). If it is not prohibited (N in S22), normal operation control is performed. On the other hand, when both the reproduction operation / recording operation (R / W) are prohibited (Y in S22), the optical disc apparatus 2 is put into the energy saving mode. First, servo drive such as focus / tracking / spindle is stopped (S23), LSIs of various drive control systems are set to the standby mode (S24), and finally the CPU 23 is set to the standby mode (S25). To shift to energy saving mode. The processing of steps S23 to S25 is executed as a function of the energy saving mode execution means.
[0090]
That is, in the situation where the access to the optical disk 11 is prohibited or the recording operation and the reproduction operation are prohibited, an access command to the optical disk 11 from the host 3 does not come. By immediately shifting to the energy saving mode, battery power consumption can be avoided as much as possible.
[0091]
A sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the embodiment described above, attention is paid mainly to the battery power consumption accompanying the access operation with respect to the optical disc 11, but in this embodiment, the battery power consumption other than the access operation is accompanied by periodic command issuance. The focus is on power consumption by moving the ATAPI signal. Therefore, basically, when the remaining amount becomes a predetermined value or less when the battery is driven, a GESN (Get Event / Status Notification) periodically issued to know the media state of the connected optical disk device 2 is obtained. ) The command issuance interval is extended.
[0092]
Such processing control executed by the main control device 31 of the host 3 will be described with reference to a schematic flowchart shown in FIG. Basically, the OS of the host 3 issues a GESN (Get Event / Status Notification) command (using the operation code 4A in the ATAPI command) via the interfaces 32 and 21 with the optical disc apparatus 2, thereby An event is received from the optical disc apparatus 2.
[0093]
First, at any point of time, such as periodically, the type of power source, whether battery-driven or AC power-driven, is detected for its own drive power (S31). As a method for confirming the type of power supply, for example, as is well known, it can be realized by using an OS UI such as Windows (registered trademark). The process of step S31 is executed as a function of the power supply type detection unit. Next, in the case of the battery drive type (Y in S31), the remaining amount of the battery is detected as confirmation of the power state (S32). The detection of the remaining battery level can be easily realized by using, for example, a BIOS power monitoring monitor function as is well known. The process of step S32 is executed as a function of the battery remaining amount detecting means. As a result of this detection, if the remaining battery level is 50% or less of the first predetermined value of the total capacity (Y of S33), a GESN command that is periodically issued to the optical disc apparatus 2 at intervals of 2 seconds. The issuance interval is extended so as to be, for example, an interval of 60 seconds (S34). The process of step S34 is executed as a function of the command interval changing means. If there is a remaining amount of 50% or more (N in S33), a GESN command is issued at intervals of 2 seconds as usual.
[0094]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the remaining amount becomes equal to or less than a predetermined value (50%) under battery-driven conditions, the GESN command issuance interval that is periodically issued to the optical disc apparatus 2 And reducing the number of ATAPI signal operations by issuing the GESN command can reduce the power consumption of the battery as much as possible.
[0095]
A seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, in addition to the processing control of the sixth embodiment, when the remaining battery level falls to a first predetermined value, for example, a second predetermined value lower than 50%, for example, 25% or less. (Y in S35), the issuance of the GESN command itself is stopped without extending the issuance interval for issuance of the GESN command (S36). The process of step S36 is executed as a function of the command issue canceling means.
[0096]
That is, as in the sixth embodiment, even if the issuance interval of periodic GESN command issuance to the optical disc apparatus 2 is extended, the optical disc 11 is inserted into the optical disc apparatus 2 as long as the GESN command is issued. Then, the file information acquisition operation is executed and the battery power is consumed. However, when the remaining battery level is further reduced as in this embodiment, the issuance of the GESN command itself is stopped. Since the host 3 cannot acquire the disk insertion information even when the optical disk 11 is inserted, the reproduction operation for acquiring the file information is not performed, so that the battery power consumption can be suppressed as much as possible.
[0097]
An eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the present embodiment, in addition to the processing control of the seventh embodiment, when the remaining battery level falls to a second predetermined value, for example, a third predetermined value lower than 25%, for example, 10% or less. (Y in S37), the first bit (bit 4) of the fifth byte (byte 4) of the Prevent / Allow Medium Removal command (using the operation code 1E in the ATAPI command as shown in FIG. 12) for the optical disc apparatus 2 By issuing the command with the Prevent Bit set to 0), the optical disc apparatus 2 is prohibited from ejecting and inserting the disc (S38).
[0098]
Therefore, even in the situation as in the seventh embodiment, for example, in the case of the optical disc apparatus 2 compatible with the removable disc, if the optical disc 11 is inserted, the mount process is executed and the battery power is consumed. However, as in the present embodiment, in a situation where the remaining battery level is low, by issuing a command for prohibiting the ejection and insertion of the optical disk 11 to the optical disk apparatus 2, it becomes impossible to replace the optical disk 11. It is possible to eliminate battery power consumption due to the mounting process or the like.
[0099]
A ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In the host 3 of the present embodiment, attention is paid to power consumption due to data transfer with the optical disk device 2 as a peripheral device as battery power consumption other than the access operation.
[0100]
Processing control of the present embodiment executed by the main control device 31 of the host 3 will be described with reference to a schematic flowchart shown in FIG.
[0101]
In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the host 3 is battery-driven, and the present invention relates to processing control for setting the data transfer mode of the optical disc apparatus 2 as a peripheral device to which the BIOS is connected to the host 3. First, the BIOS acquires a data transfer mode supported by the optical disc apparatus 2 connected to the host 3 (S41). When the BIOS confirms the attribute of the peripheral device (optical disk device 2) in advance, the data transfer mode supported by the device is confirmed with Identify Device Command. Here, as an example, it is assumed that the fastest data transfer mode supported by the peripheral device (optical disk device 2) is Ultra DMA Mode2. The process of step S41 is executed as a function of the transfer mode information acquisition unit.
[0102]
Next, the BIOS detects whether or not the driving power source is battery driven (S42; power source type detection means), and in the case of battery driving (Y in S42), detects the remaining battery level (S43; Battery remaining amount detection means). If the detected remaining battery level is less than a predetermined value, for example, 30% or less of the total capacity (Y in S44), the fastest data transfer mode supported by this peripheral device (optical disc device 2) is not set. Then, the data transfer mode is set to a transfer method that consumes less power than the fastest data transfer mode (for example, Multi WordDMA Mode 2) (S45). The processing in step S45 is executed as a function of the transfer method setting means. On the other hand, if it is determined that the remaining battery level is sufficient (N in S44), the fastest data transfer mode supported by this peripheral device (optical disk device 2) is set (S46).
[0103]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the remaining amount is below a predetermined value under battery-driven conditions, the data transfer mode with the peripheral device such as the optical disc device 2 is changed to a transfer method with low power consumption. By setting, the power consumption of the battery can be reduced as much as possible.
[0104]
Incidentally, for example, as shown in FIG. 14, a table 41 in which the remaining battery level and the transfer method in the data transfer mode are associated with each other is prepared in advance in the BIOS or the like, and this processing is performed at the time of processing such as step S43 in the present embodiment. By referring to the table 41, a data transfer mode transfer method corresponding to the remaining battery capacity may be set. By referring to such a table 41, the transfer method can be set easily and quickly.
[0105]
Further, in the description of the present embodiment described above, since the setting is made only by the BIOS, when the OS is started up, the remaining battery level is not seen. Therefore, when the application software is started up, the peripheral device is used. When the (optical disc apparatus 2) is operating, there is a possibility that an unexpected power interruption may occur. Therefore, when the OS is activated, the OS periodically monitors the remaining battery level, and when the OS falls below a predetermined remaining battery level, the transfer method is set to the data transfer mode with low power consumption. Also good. Processing control in this case may also follow the flowchart shown in FIG. However, in the BIOS, it is set only once at the time of startup, but in the OS, the remaining battery level is periodically monitored, and the data transfer mode is set according to the state. Also with this OS, the transfer method can be set easily and quickly by referring to the table 41 as shown in FIG. That is, the BIOS and the OS each have the table 41. Since the OS regularly checks the remaining battery level, the OS can set an appropriate data transfer mode according to the remaining battery level by referring to this table 41.
[0106]
A tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the ninth embodiment or the like, it is assumed that the user switches from battery driving to AC power driving when the remaining battery level is low. In this case, since the low-speed data transfer mode remains set in the ninth embodiment, the interface 32 between the peripheral device (optical disk device 2) and the AC power supply is driven. The work efficiency on 21 will fall. Therefore, in the host 3 of the present embodiment, when the OS periodically checks the drive power source and determines that the AC power source has been changed, the fastest data supported by the peripheral device (optical disk device 2). The transfer mode is changed to the transfer mode.
[0107]
Such processing control will be described with reference to a schematic flowchart shown in FIG. First, the OS sets a timer for periodically monitoring whether the driving power source of the host 3 is a battery power source or an AC power source (S51). When the timer set time is reached (Y in S51), the type of the drive power source of the host 3 is checked (S52; power source type detection means), and it is determined whether or not the battery is driven (S53). In the case of battery drive (Y in S53), the remaining battery level is detected (S54; remaining battery level detection means), and the data transfer mode transfer method is set according to the remaining battery level, as in the case described above. (S55; transfer method setting means). On the other hand, when it is changed to AC power drive instead of battery drive (N in S53), the data transfer mode and transfer method supported by the target peripheral device (optical disk device 2) are acquired (S56; transfer mode). (Information acquisition means) and change to the highest data transfer mode and transfer method supported by the peripheral device (optical disc device 2) (S57; transfer method setting means). The acquisition of the best transfer method supported by the peripheral device (optical disk device 2) can be known with the IDENTIFY DEVICE command, and the SET FEATURES command may be used to set the transfer method and data transfer mode.
[0108]
Therefore, according to the present embodiment, when the battery drive is switched to the AC power supply drive, by switching to the fastest data transfer mode possessed by the peripheral device (optical disk device 2), the interface 32, 21 is switched. Work efficiency can be improved.
[0119]
【The invention's effect】
  According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the remaining amount becomes less than or equal to a predetermined value under the condition of battery driving, the command issuance interval periodically issued to the information recording / reproducing apparatus is extended, By reducing the number of ATAPI signal operations by issuing a command, the power consumption of the battery can be reduced as much as possible.Further, in the information processing apparatus, even if the issuance interval of periodic command issuance to the information recording / reproducing apparatus is extended, the file information acquisition operation is performed when the recording medium is inserted into the information recording / reproducing apparatus as long as the command is issued. If it is executed, battery power will be consumed, but if the remaining battery level is further reduced, the command issuance itself is stopped, so that the file information acquisition operation is performed even if a recording medium is inserted. Therefore, consumption of battery power can be suppressed as much as possible. Furthermore, for example, in the case of an information recording / reproducing apparatus compatible with a removable disk, if a recording medium is inserted, the mounting process is executed and battery power is consumed, but recording is performed under a situation where the remaining battery level is low. Since the command for prohibiting the ejection and insertion of the medium is issued, the recording medium cannot be replaced, and the battery power consumption due to the mounting process or the like can be eliminated.
[0127]
  Claim2According to the information processing system of the described invention, the claims1The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 is provided.1It is possible to provide an information processing system that exhibits the same effects as those of the described invention.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of an information processing system according to a first embodiment of this invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a hierarchical structure of a software system.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a command configuration of information related to a drive power supply;
FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of process control.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of transfer data according to the second embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 6 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of processing control according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of transfer data according to the fourth embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 8 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an example of processing control according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an example of processing control according to the sixth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of processing control according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 11 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an example of processing control according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing a command configuration example.
FIG. 13 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of processing control according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a table configuration example;
FIG. 15 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an example of processing control according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Information processing system
2 Information recording / reproducing device, peripheral device
3 Information processing equipment
41 tables

Claims (2)

An information processing apparatus that constitutes an information processing system together with an information recording / reproducing apparatus and shares a drive power source for the information recording / reproducing apparatus,
Power supply type detection means for detecting the type of the drive power supply used in the information processing apparatus ;
If the detected said drive power source is a battery, and the battery remaining amount detecting means for detecting the remaining battery capacity,
Command interval changing means for extending the issue interval of a command issued to the information recording / reproducing device in order to know the state of the recording medium of the information recording / reproducing device when the detected battery remaining amount is a predetermined value or less;
Command issuance stopping means for stopping issuance of the command to the information recording / reproducing apparatus when the detected remaining battery level is equal to or lower than a second predetermined value which is lower than the predetermined value;
When the detected remaining battery level is equal to or lower than a third predetermined value which is lower than the second predetermined value, a discharge for issuing a command for prohibiting the information recording / reproducing apparatus from discharging and inserting the recording medium / Insertion prohibition command issuing means,
An information processing apparatus comprising: An information processing apparatus according to claim 1 ;
An information recording / reproducing apparatus that shares the drive power supply for the information processing apparatus and records or reproduces information on a recording medium in accordance with an instruction from the information processing apparatus;
An information processing system comprising:

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