JP5132745B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus that performs USB power supply when the power is off.

  In recent years, along with the widespread use of the USB (Universal Serial Bus) (registered trademark) standard, various electronic devices can be connected to an information processing apparatus such as a PC (personal computer) via the USB. Examples of such an electronic device (hereinafter referred to as a USB device) include a portable music player with a built-in battery that can be powered by a keyboard, a mouse, or a PC.

  With the spread of these battery built-in USB devices, PCs in recent years are able to charge USB devices not only during power-on but also during power-off, improving user convenience. For example, the PC of Patent Document 1 is configured such that the circuit unit and the power supply unit are switched between when the power is turned on and when the power is turned off. By switching, power can be supplied directly from the power supply unit to the USB device.

  In addition, many recent USB devices employ different settings that enable USB power feeding between different types of devices. More specifically, for example, a USB device or a data signal line adopting a setting in which power is supplied through the power line only when a predetermined first voltage is applied to the data signal line. Depends on the USB device adopting the setting that power is supplied through the power line only when a predetermined second voltage different from the first voltage is applied, and the voltage applied to the data signal line There is a USB device that employs a setting in which power is supplied through a power line without using the power supply line. Therefore, recent PCs can supply power to each USB device adopting various settings as described above (hereinafter referred to as USB power supply mode) when the power is turned off. The USB power supply mode that enables power supply to the USB device connected to the PC can be selected via the utility (1).

Utility Model Registration No. 3127705

  However, since the USB power supply mode employed for USB power supply performed when the PC is turned off is selected via the OS utility during OS startup, the selected USB power supply mode is connected to the PC. It was necessary to check whether the power supply to the PC was possible with the PC power off. As a result, it is necessary to turn off the power of the PC every time the USB power supply mode is confirmed, resulting in a burden on the user.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides an information processing apparatus capable of confirming whether power can be supplied to a USB device in a selected USB power supply mode without incurring a burden on the user. For the purpose.

The information processing apparatus according to the embodiment includes a storage unit and a setting unit. The storage unit stores setting information of a plurality of operation modes in setting items included in a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System). Setting means, power supply of the device itself is turned, after the initialization of the hardware is performed, during POST (Power On Self-Test) treatment with BIOS, among the plurality of operation modes, one that has been selected The setting information of one operation mode is acquired from the storage means , and power is supplied to the device connected to the own apparatus with the acquired setting information of the operation mode. The BIOS is set to be effective when the device is not in operation .

  According to the present invention, there is an effect that the BIOS can be operated in the selected operation mode without causing a burden on the user.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the BIOS processing unit. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the BIOS automatic setting process. FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the BIOS manual setting unit. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing USB power supply mode trial setting processing. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the BIOS setting screen.

  Exemplary embodiments of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be explained below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, an information processing apparatus is applied as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC). FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the PC 100 according to the present embodiment together with its peripheral devices. The PC 100 is connected to a monitor 200, a keyboard 300, and a USB device 400 that communicates with the PC 100 in accordance with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard. In the following description, when the PC is not operating, the OS (Operating System) and BIOS (Basic Input / Output System) are not started, such as when the computer is shut down or when the power saving mode (standby mode) is executed. Say. The POST (Power On Self-Test) process is started when, for example, a user presses a power button or the like provided on the PC to turn on the PC (hereinafter referred to as power-on). This means that the initial settings of various hardware constituting the PC are performed by the BIOS. The term “when the PC is operating” refers to a state in which the OS is activated and executed after the POST process.

  The PC 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101, a North Bridge 103, a graphics controller 105, a main memory 107, a South Bridge 109, a BIOS-ROM (Basic Input / Output Only Memory) 111, An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 113, a nonvolatile memory 115, an EC (Embedded Controller) 117, and a power supply unit 119 are provided. The PC 100 also includes connectors C1 to C3 for connection with peripheral devices such as the monitor 200.

  The CPU 101 controls the operation of the PC 100, and executes the BIOS 107a and the OS 107b loaded from the BIOS-ROM 111 and the HDD 113 to the main memory 107. The BIOS 107a referred to here is for performing initialization and diagnosis of hardware such as the monitor 200 and the keyboard 300 and performing USB power supply mode trial setting processing to be described later on the USB device 400 during POST processing. Say. The OS 107b referred to here is basic software such as Windows (registered trademark) and provides basic functions such as memory management and keyboard input commonly used by various application software.

  The north bridge 103 is connected to the CPU 101, the graphics controller 105, the main memory 107, and the south bridge 109. The north bridge 103 is an AGP controller that provides an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) interface to the graphics controller 105, or a PCI (Peripheral) that connects a local bus connecting the CPU 101 and the north bridge 103 to the north bridge 103 and the south bridge 109. A host-PCI bridge that connects to a component interconnect (Band), a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) controller that controls communication between the main memory 107 and the CPU 101, and the like.

  The graphics controller 105 is connected to a display 200 such as an LCD via a connector C1 such as a display connector. The graphics controller 105 includes a RAMDAC (Random Access Memory to Analog Converter), a VRAM (Video Random Access Memory), a video chip, and the like, and generates and generates video data based on a drawing instruction received from the CPU 101. The video data is written into the VRAM, and the completed video is output to the monitor 200.

  The main memory 107 is connected to the north bridge 103, and is loaded with a BIOS 107a, an OS 107b, and the like.

  The south bridge 109 is connected to the BIOS-ROM 111, HDD 113, nonvolatile memory 115, EC 117, power supply unit 119, keyboard 300, and USB device 400. The south bridge 109 is an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) controller that connects and controls the HDD 113 and the like, a PCI-ISA bridge for connecting a PCI bus and an Industrial Standard Architecture (ISA) bus, and a PS (Personal System). Via a connector such as a multi I / O controller that controls input / output of the keyboard 300 connected to the PC 100 via a connector C2 such as a / 2 keyboard connector, or a connector C3 such as a USB connector composed of a standard A plug and a standard A recessive pull. And a USB controller 109a for controlling the USB device 400 connected to the PC 100.

  The USB controller 109a is a host controller compliant with, for example, the USB 2.0 standard, and includes an OHCI (Open Host Controller Interface) host controller core or a UHCI (Universal Host Controller) host controller core, and an EHCI (Enhanced Host Controller). Interface) a host controller core and a USB device can be switched according to the data transfer speed. The USB controller 109a controls communication with the USB device 400 when the PC is operating, controls the USB device 400 during the POST process according to the USB power supply mode to be tried by the USB power supply mode trial setting process described later, and The USB device 400 is controlled when the PC is not operating in accordance with the USB power supply mode that is set to be valid by the USB power supply mode trial setting process.

  The BIOS-ROM 111 is connected to the south bridge 109. A BIOS 107a is stored in the BIOS-ROM 111, and the BIOS 107a is loaded into the main memory 107 by the CPU 101 as necessary. The HDD 113 is connected to the south bridge 109. Various application software such as the OS 107b is stored in the HDD 113, and these application software are loaded into the main memory 107 by the CPU 101 as necessary. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the BIOS 107a stored in the BIOS-ROM 111 is loaded into the main memory 107 and executed when the PC power is turned on. In addition, the OS 107b (109a) stored in the HDD 113 is loaded into the main memory 107 and executed after the POST processing by the BIOS 107a.

  The nonvolatile memory 115 stores five USB power supply modes described later. As will be described in detail later, the nonvolatile memory 115 stores the USB power supply mode validation / invalidation when the PC is not operating in association with each USB power supply mode.

  Generally, a USB device is configured such that power is supplied only when a predetermined setting is applied. Some USB devices are configured so that power is supplied through the power line only when a predetermined voltage is applied to the data signal line. Some USB devices are given a signal having a predetermined waveform. The power supply via the power line is performed only in the case of Therefore, the PC 100 stores various settings for enabling power supply to such various USB devices, including a setting for prohibiting power supply to the USB device, as a USB power supply mode.

  For simplicity of explanation, it is assumed in the present embodiment that five USB power supply modes are stored in the PC 100 in advance. Of the five USB power supply modes, the power supply prohibition mode prohibits power supply to the USB device. In mode 1, a predetermined power supply voltage is simply applied to the power supply line, and power can be supplied to USB devices other than USB devices that require special power supply conditions as will be described later for power supply. In mode 2, a predetermined voltage is applied to the data signal line, and power can be supplied to a USB device that does not supply power unless a certain voltage is applied to the data signal line. Mode 3 can supply power to a USB device configured to supply a signal having a predetermined waveform and supply power via a power line only when a signal having a predetermined waveform is applied. To do. Mode 4 is a USB device that does not supply power unless a predetermined voltage is applied to the data signal line, and enables power supply to a USB device that complies with a specific standard.

  The EC 117 performs power management of the PC 100, and cuts off the power supply from the power supply unit 119 to the USB device 400 when the USB power supply mode is set to the power supply prohibition mode when the PC is not operating and during the POST process. On the other hand, when the USB power supply mode is set to any one of modes 1 to 4, power supply from the power supply unit 119 to the USB device 400 is enabled. The power supply unit 119 supplies power to each component of the PC 100 when the PC is operating under the control of the EC 117, and when the PC is not operating and / or during POST processing, the PC is not operating, such as a USB power line. Power is supplied to a configuration that requires power at times and / or during POST processing.

  Next, the BIOS processing unit 140 will be described. The BIOS 107a has a module configuration including a BIOS processing unit 140 that performs POST processing such as hardware testing and initial setting. As actual hardware, the CPU 101 reads the BIOS 107a from the BIOS-ROM 111 and executes it when the PC is turned on. As a result, the BIOS processing unit 140 is loaded into the main memory 107, and the BIOS processing unit 140 is generated on the main memory 107 (111). As shown in FIG. 2, the BIOS processing unit 140 includes a BIOS automatic setting unit 141 and a BIOS manual setting unit 142.

  The BIOS automatic setting unit 141 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a BIOS automatic setting process executed by the BIOS automatic setting unit 141. The BIOS automatic setting unit 141 first initializes the main memory (step S10), and then initializes various hardware (step S11).

  Next, the BIOS automatic setting unit 141 determines whether an input of a BIOS manual setting request has been received (step S12). More specifically, the BIOS automatic setting unit 141 monitors whether the user has pressed a specific key such as the F1 key on the keyboard during the POST process. If the BIOS automatic setting unit 141 determines that there is no BIOS manual setting request (No in step S12), the BIOS automatic setting process ends, and the OS 107b is started. On the other hand, if the BIOS automatic setting unit 141 determines that there is a BIOS manual setting request (step S12—Yes), it notifies the BIOS manual setting unit 142 to that effect. As a result, the BIOS manual setting unit 142 performs a BIOS manual setting process described later (step S13).

  Next, when the BIOS manual setting unit 142 completes the BIOS manual setting process, the BIOS automatic setting unit 141 issues a restart command to the south bridge (step S14), and then repeats the process from step S10. The restart command here is for restarting the PC 100 again from the state immediately after power-on so that various settings set in the BIOS manual setting process are applied in the BIOS automatic setting process. .

  Next, the BIOS manual setting unit 142 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. Note that the BIOS manual setting unit 142 includes units that perform normal setting processing such as power management setting, on-board device enable / disable setting, and password setting. Only the configuration for performing the USB power supply mode trial setting process described later will be described.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram schematically showing the configuration of the BIOS manual setting unit 142. The BIOS manual setting unit 142 includes a USB power supply mode acquisition unit 1421, a USB power supply trial unit 1422, a BIOS setting screen control unit 1423, and a USB power supply mode setting unit 1424. Here, the components constituting the BIOS manual setting unit 142 are those that are loaded on the main memory 107 and generated on the main memory 111 when the CPU 111 reads out and executes the BIOS 107a from the BIOS-ROM 111. is there.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing USB power supply mode trial setting processing by the BIOS manual setting unit 142. When the USB power supply mode acquisition unit 1421 receives a notification that there is a BIOS manual setting request from the BIOS automatic setting unit 141, the USB power supply mode acquisition unit 1421 refers to the nonvolatile memory 115, and among the USB power supply modes stored therein, will be described later. In this way, the USB power supply mode stored so as to be effective when the PC is not operating is read (step S1301).

  Next, the USB power supply trial unit 1422 tries the USB power supply mode read from the nonvolatile memory 115 (step S1302). More specifically, the USB power supply trial unit 1422 reads out the mode 2 and tries it when the mode 2 is stored in the nonvolatile memory 115 so as to be effective when the PC is not operating. Note that the trial of the USB power supply mode here means, for example, in the case of trial of mode 2, a predetermined voltage that enables power supply to a specific USB device is applied to the data signal line of the USB device 400, and the power supply line Is to supply predetermined power to As a result, when the USB device 400 connected to the PC 100 conforms to mode 2, the USB device 400 is charged by the PC 100.

  Thereafter, the BIOS setting screen control unit 1423 displays a predetermined BIOS setting screen (step S1303). FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a BIOS setting screen displayed by the BIOS setting screen control unit 1423. As shown in FIG. 6, the BIOS setting screen control unit 1423 displays “USB Sleep” in addition to normal setting items such as a password setting item including a “User Password” item and a power setting item including an “Auto Power On” item. and Charge "item is displayed. This “USB Sleep and Charge” item indicates the USB power supply mode stored in the non-volatile memory 115 to be effective when the PC is not operating or the USB power supply mode selected by the user as described later. . In the present embodiment, when the notation of the “USB Sleep and Charge” item is “Disabled”, it indicates that the USB power supply mode is the power supply prohibition mode, and in the case of “Mode 1”, the USB power supply mode is mode 1 "Mode 2" indicates that the USB power supply mode is in mode 2, "Mode 3" indicates that the USB power supply mode is in mode 3, and "Mode 4" , Indicates that the USB power supply mode is in mode 4.

  Next, the USB power supply mode setting unit 1424 determines whether or not there is a save changes and exit request (step S1304). More specifically, the USB power supply mode setting unit 1424 saves all the settings displayed on the BIOS setting screen including the USB power supply mode, for example, when the user presses the End key on the keyboard. It is determined whether or not it is requested to end the screen. As a result, if it is determined that there has been a save changes and exit request (step S1304-Yes), the USB power supply mode setting unit 1424 stores all the settings displayed on the BIOS setting screen (step S1305), and the USB. The BIOS manual setting process including the power supply mode trial setting process is terminated. In order to save all the settings displayed on the BIOS setting screen here, the USB power supply mode that is being tried when Save changes and Exit is requested is nonvolatile so that it is valid when the PC is not operating. And storing other USB power supply modes in the non-volatile memory 115 so as to be invalidated when the PC is not in operation. For example, storing the USB power supply mode so as to be effective when the PC is not operating means that, among the five USB power supply modes stored in the non-volatile memory 115, for example, the USB power supply mode corresponding to the save changes and exit request This can be achieved by setting a flag corresponding to.

  When the BIOS manual setting process is completed, the BIOS automatic setting unit 141 initializes the hardware again in step S11 after the processes in steps S14 and S10 shown in FIG. As a result, the hardware such as the USB controller 109a is initialized, and the USB power supply mode trial that has been executed by the USB power supply mode trial setting process is stopped. As a result, the OS can control normal USB power feeding performed when the PC is operating.

  On the other hand, if the result of step S1304 is No, the USB power supply mode setting unit 1424 determines whether or not there is an Exit with saving request (step S1306). More specifically, for example, the USB power supply mode setting unit 1424 presses the ESC key on the keyboard, and the BIOS setting is performed without saving all the settings displayed on the BIOS setting screen including the USB power supply mode. It is determined whether or not it is requested to end the screen. As a result, if the USB power supply mode setting unit 1424 determines that there is an Exit with saving request (Yes in step S1306), the BIOS manual setting process including the USB power supply mode trial setting process ends.

  On the other hand, when the result of step S1306 is No, the USB power supply mode setting unit 1424 determines whether the power supply prohibition mode is selected as the USB power supply mode (step S1307), and the USB power supply prohibition mode is selected. If it is determined that there is no mode (step S1307-No), it is determined whether or not mode 1 is selected (step S1308). If it is determined that mode 1 is not selected (step S1308-No), mode 2 is selected. If it is determined that mode 2 is not selected (step S1309-No), it is determined whether mode 3 is selected (step S1310), and mode 3 is selected. If it is determined that it has not been selected (step S1310-No), it is determined whether or not mode 4 has been selected. (Step S1311), if the mode 4 is determined not to be selected (step S1311-No), the process is repeated from step S1304.

  On the other hand, when the result of the determination in steps S1307 to S1311 is Yes, the USB power supply trial unit 1422 tries the USB power supply mode selected by the user (S1312). More specifically, the USB power supply trial unit 1422 reads out the mode 2 from the nonvolatile memory 115 and tries when the mode 2 is selected as the USB power supply mode, for example.

  Thereafter, the BIOS setting screen control unit 1423 changes the BIOS setting screen (step S1313). More specifically, the notation of the “USB Sleep and Charge” item on the BIOS setting screen is changed to the notation of the USB power supply mode being tried. For example, when the USB power supply mode is changed from the power supply prohibition mode to mode 1, the BIOS setting screen control unit 1423 displays the description of the “USB Sleep and Charge” item as “Mode 1”. Then, the USB power supply mode setting unit 1424 repeats the processing from step S1304 again.

  In the present embodiment, selection of the USB power supply mode is achieved when the user presses a specific key such as a space key constituting the keyboard. More specifically, the user selects, for example, the “USB Sleep and Charge” item from various items on the BIOS setting screen by pressing the up key or the down key, and presses the space key to select “ The desired USB power supply mode is selected by changing the notation of the “USB Sleep and Charge” item. The notation of the “USB Sleep and Charge” item is configured to be switched in the order of “Disabled” → “Mode 1” → “Mode 2” → “Mode 3” → “Mode 4” → “Disabled” →. Has been. In addition, the selection of various items on the BIOS setting screen is visually recognized by the user by normally displaying items displayed in black on white in black and reversed on black.

  Next, as a specific example, a series of processes from trial of the USB power supply mode during the POST process to application of the USB power supply mode when the PC is not operating will be described. In the following description, it is assumed that the above-described five USB power supply modes are stored in the nonvolatile memory 115 so that the USB power supply prohibition mode is valid when the PC is not operating. . Further, it is assumed that the USB device 400 compliant with mode 2 is connected to the PC 100.

  In such a specific example, it is assumed that the user requests BIOS manual setting during the POST process. In this case, since the USB power supply mode is set to the power supply prohibition mode, power supply to the USB device 400 is not performed. Then, assume that the user presses the space key once. In this case, mode 1 is tried, but since the USB device 400 is not compliant with mode 1, power is still not supplied to the USB device 400. Note that the user confirms that power is not supplied to the USB device 400 in the selected USB power supply mode, for example, by visually illuminating a power lamp, a charge lamp, or the like provided in the USB device 400. Can do.

  Next, assume that the user once again presses the space key. In this case, mode 2 is tried. Since the USB device 400 conforms to mode 2, power is supplied to the USB device 400. Note that, as described above, the user confirms that power is supplied to the USB device 400 by turning on a charging lamp or the like. Next, it is assumed that the user presses the End key and requests the activation of mode 2 and termination of the BIOS setting screen when the PC is not operating. In this case, after the mode 2 is validated, the BIOS automatic setting process including the initialization of the hardware is performed again. Thereafter, the POST process ends and the OS starts.

  Next, it is assumed that the user requests the PC to be turned off when the PC is operating. In this case, the mode 2 enabled at the time of the POST process is set for the USB device 400, and then the PC 100 is turned off. As a result, the voltage specified in mode 2 is applied to the data signal line of the USB device 400, the USB device 400 is maintained in a power supply enabled state, and is charged by the PC 100 via the power supply line.

  As described above, in the present embodiment, USB power supply that is executed when the PC is not operating is attempted during the POST process. As a result, it is possible to confirm during the POST process which USB power supply mode enables power supply to the USB device connected to the PC. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to turn off the PC and check the appropriateness of the USB power supply mode each time the USB power supply mode is changed via the utility as before. It becomes.

  In the present embodiment, the USB power supply mode trial setting process is performed by the BIOS manual setting unit. Instead, for example, a beep sound volume (high or low) generated by a beep speaker built in the motherboard or the like is used. ) Trial setting process may be performed. In other words, the nonvolatile memory may store a plurality of different operation modes that enable a predetermined device that is directly operated by the BIOS such as a beep speaker to be operated in different modes. Receives an input of any one of a plurality of operation modes from the user, acquires an operation mode corresponding to the selection request from the nonvolatile memory, and sets the device in a mode corresponding to the acquired operation mode. It may work. As a result, the adverse effect on the driver operation is reduced as compared with the case where the operation mode is set from the utility while the OS is running, so it is possible to suppress the PC from hanging up and becoming unstable. It becomes.

  In this embodiment, the USB power supply mode trial setting process is executed by the BIOS, but may be executed independently of the BIOS by an arbitrary microcomputer (micro controller) such as an EC. As a result, the USB power supply mode trial setting process can be performed except during the POST process by the BIOS.

  In this embodiment, the USB power supply mode is attempted when a BIOS manual setting request is received or when a USB power supply mode selection request is input. For example, the USB power supply mode is displayed on the BIOS setting screen. An item indicating execution of the USB power supply mode may be newly provided, and the trial may be performed only when this item becomes valid. In this case, the USB power supply mode is invalidated when the item is not selected.

  Moreover, in this Embodiment, what was shown by FIG. 6 as a BIOS setting screen is illustrated, However, This Embodiment is not necessarily limited to this. More specifically, for example, instead of determining whether there is a save changes and exit request, it is determined whether there is a save changes request. If there is a save changes request, the BIOS screen setting is not terminated. In addition, only the USB power supply mode may be validated. In this case, for example, when there is an Exit request, the BIOS screen setting may be terminated.

  In the present embodiment, the USB power supply mode is not limited to the above-described modes 1 to 4, and any USB power supply mode can be included as long as it can supply power to a predetermined USB device. .

  Further, in the present embodiment, the USB power supply mode tried by the USB power supply mode trial setting process is made effective when the PC is not in operation, for example, by setting a flag in response to a request of Save changes and Exit. Stored in non-volatile memory. However, the present embodiment is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the USB power supply mode corresponding to the save changes and exit request is copied to a predetermined area of the nonvolatile memory, and the tried USB changes are made for each save changes and exit request. The area may be rewritten in the power supply mode, and the USB power supply mode may be read from the area and executed when the PC is not operating. In other words, the USB power supply mode in response to the Save changes and Exit request may be stored in any form as long as it is applicable to the USB device when the PC is not operating.

  The BIOS according to the present embodiment is configured to be provided by being preinstalled in the BIOS-ROM. For example, a file in an installable format or an executable format is a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD). , CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), etc. may be recorded on a PC-readable recording medium and provided.

  Further, the BIOS of the present embodiment may be configured to be stored by being stored on a PC connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Further, the BIOS of this embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment as it is, and can be embodied by modifying the constituent elements without departing from the scope of the invention in the implementation stage. In addition, various inventions can be formed by appropriately combining a plurality of constituent elements disclosed in the above embodiments. For example, some components may be deleted from all the components shown in the embodiment. Furthermore, constituent elements over different embodiments may be appropriately combined.

  101 ... CPU, 103 ... North Bridge, 105 ... Graphics Controller, 107 ... Main Memory, 107a ... BIOS, 107b ... OS, 109 ... South Bridge, 109a ... USB Controller, 111 ... BIOS-ROM, 113 ... HDD, 115 ... Nonvolatile memory, 117 ... EC, 119 ... Power supply unit, 140 ... BIOS processing unit, 141 ... BIOS automatic setting unit, 142 ... BIOS manual setting unit, 1421 ... USB power supply mode acquisition unit, 1422 ... USB power supply trial unit, 1423 ... BIOS setting screen control unit, 1424... USB power supply mode setting unit.

Claims (4)

Storage means for storing setting information of a plurality of operation modes in setting items included in BIOS (Basic Input / Output System);
One of the plurality of operation modes selected from the plurality of operation modes during the POST (Power On Self-Test) processing by the BIOS after the power of the own device is turned on and the hardware is initialized. Is acquired from the storage means, power is supplied to the device connected to the own apparatus with the acquired setting information of the operation mode, and the acquired setting information of the operation mode is Setting means for setting the BIOS so as to be effective when not in operation;
An information processing apparatus comprising: An input means for receiving an instruction for storing the setting of the selected operation mode;
When the input unit accepts an input indicating that the setting information is not stored, the setting unit performs power processing in the acquired setting information of the operation mode for the device connected to the device during the POST process. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supply is stopped and the setting of the operation mode is stopped. In the storage means, as the plurality of operation modes, setting information of a plurality of different operation modes that enable a predetermined device to operate in different modes is stored,
The setting unit acquires setting information of the selected operation mode from the storage unit and sets the BIOS in the POST process by the BIOS, and operates the device in a mode according to the acquired operation mode. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The input means further accepts the acquired operation mode setting request,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein when the input unit receives the setting request, the setting unit operates the device in a manner corresponding to the acquired operation mode.

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