JP5380571B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an information processing apparatus.

  An example of an information processing apparatus including a connection connector is shown in a conventional document (Patent Document 1). In this information processing apparatus, the connection connector of the information processing apparatus is connected to the external apparatus, and power is supplied from the information processing apparatus to the external apparatus via the connection connector. Even when the information processing apparatus shifts from the operating state to the non-operating state, the information processing apparatus supplies power to the external device via the connection connector.

JP 2006-53748 A

  In a conventional information processing apparatus, when power is supplied from an information processing apparatus in a non-operating state to an external apparatus via a connection connector, a power supply method for the external apparatus is determined by an internal setting of the information processing apparatus. For this reason, in the information processing apparatus of the prior art, the power supply method for the external apparatus is inconvenient.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus that allows a user to determine a method of supplying power from an information processing apparatus in a non-operating state to an external apparatus. .

An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment is an information processing apparatus that drives either an external power source or a battery disposed inside a main body as a power source, and includes a plurality of connectors, a display unit, a control unit, a controller, Is provided. The plurality of connectors include signal terminals for transmitting and receiving signals between the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus, and power terminals for supplying power from the power source to the external apparatus. The display means includes a setting item for setting whether to supply power to each of the plurality of connectors when the information processing apparatus is not in operation, and a setting item for each of the plurality of connectors when the information processing apparatus is not in operation. On the other hand, the setting item for setting whether to supply the power of the external power source or the power of the battery can be selectively set, and a signal when the information processing apparatus is not in operation A setting screen including setting items for setting the potential level of the transmission / reception communication line as setting information regarding communication line control is displayed. The control means controls to supply power from the power source to an external device connected to the connector when the information processing apparatus is not operating according to setting information related to power supply control set via the setting screen. . The controller controls a communication line for signal transmission / reception with respect to an external device connected to the connector when the information processing apparatus is not operating, according to setting information related to communication line control set via the setting screen.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a personal computer. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of the personal computer. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a connection portion between the computer main body and the USB device. FIG. 4 is a setting screen for setting user setting information. FIG. 5 is a block diagram conceptually showing a transmission path of user setting information.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description, the same reference numerals are used for the same elements or elements having the same function, and redundant description is omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a notebook personal computer (information processing apparatus) 10 includes a computer main body 11 and a display unit 12. The display unit 12 incorporates a display device composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) 17, and the display screen of the LCD 17 is positioned substantially at the center of the display unit 12.

  The display unit 12 is attached to the computer main body 11 so as to be rotatable between an open position and a closed position. The computer main body 11 has a thin box-shaped housing. On the top surface thereof, a keyboard 13, a power button 14 for turning on / off the personal computer 10, an input operation panel 15, and a touch pad 16. Etc. are arranged.

  Next, the system configuration of the personal computer 10 will be described.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the personal computer 10 includes a CPU 111, a north bridge 112, a main memory 113, a video controller 114, an audio controller 115, a south bridge 119, a BIOS 120, a hard disk drive (HDD) 121, and an optical disk drive (ODD) 122. USB connector 140, embedded controller / keyboard controller IC (EC / KBC) 124, network controller 125, and the like.

  The CPU 111 is a processor provided for controlling the operation of the personal computer 10 and executes an operating system (OS) and various application programs loaded from the HDD 121 to the main memory 113. The CPU 111 also executes a system BIOS (Basic Input Output System) stored in the BIOS 120 that is a nonvolatile memory. The system BIOS is a program for hardware control.

  The north bridge 112 is a bridge device that connects the local bus of the CPU 111 and the south bridge 119. The north bridge 112 also includes a memory controller that controls access to the main memory 113. The north bridge 112 also has a function of executing communication with the video controller 114 via an AGP (Accelerated Graphics Port) bus or the like.

  The video controller 114 is a video playback controller that controls the LCD 17 used as a display monitor of the personal computer 10. The video controller 114 generates a reproduction signal to be sent to the LCD 17 from the decoded video data.

  The south bridge 119 controls each device on an LPC (Low Pin Count) bus and each device on a PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus. The south bridge 119 has a function of executing communication with the audio controller 115. The south bridge 119 incorporates an IDE (Integrated Drive Electronics) controller for controlling the HDD 121 and the ODD 122. The south bridge 119 has a built-in USB host controller for controlling the USB device connected to the USB connector 140. Further, the south bridge 119 has a function for controlling access to the BIOS 120.

  The audio controller 115 is an audio playback controller that controls the speaker 18 of the personal computer 10. The audio controller 115 generates a reproduction signal to be sent to the speaker 18 from the decoded audio data.

  The HDD 121 is a storage device that stores various software and data. The ODD 122 is a drive unit for driving a storage medium such as a DVD in which video content is stored.

  The EC / KBC 124 is a one-chip microcomputer in which an embedded controller for power management and a keyboard controller for controlling the keyboard (KB) 13 and the touch pad 16 are integrated. The EC / KBC 124 has a function of turning on / off the power of the personal computer 10 in accordance with the operation of the power button 14 by the user. The network controller 125 is a communication device that executes communication with an external network such as the Internet.

  Next, a connection part between the computer main body 11 and the USB device 200 will be described. FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a connection portion between the computer main body 11 and the USB device 200.

  The USB device 200 is an external device conforming to the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard, and is, for example, a mobile phone device or a mobile audio player. The USB device 200 has a USB plug that can be inserted into the USB connector 140, and the USB device 200 is connected to the computer main body 11 by inserting the USB plug into the USB connector 140. The USB plug has two signal terminals 207 and 208 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the computer main body 11, one power terminal 204 for receiving power supply from the computer main body 11, and grounding And one ground terminal 209. The resistor 205 is a pull-up resistor built in the USB device 200.

  The USB connector 140 is a port provided in the computer main body 11 to make the USB device 200 detachable. The USB connector 140 includes two signal terminals 147 and 148 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the USB device 200, and one power terminal 144 for supplying power from the power source V to the USB device 200. And a ground terminal 149 connected to the housing of the computer main body 11. Although only one USB connector 140 is shown in FIG. 3, the computer main body 11 is provided with a plurality of USB connectors 140. Note that the USB connector 140 includes one in which one USB connector 140 is managed as one independent control target in the control of the personal computer 10 and one set of a plurality of USB connectors 140 as one independent control. Some are managed as targets.

  The USB host controller (external device control unit) 130 is a circuit for transmitting and receiving signals such as control commands and data to and from the USB device 200. The USB host controller 130 includes an input / output buffer 131 and a series resistor 133 provided on the positive communication line 137, an input / output buffer 132 and a series resistor 134 provided on the negative communication line 138, and a positive communication line 137. A pull-down resistor 135 to be connected and a pull-down resistor 136 to be connected to the negative communication line 137 are provided. A set of signals generated inside the USB host controller 130 is output through the input / output buffers 131 and 132, adjusted by a filter 139 that is a passive component for EMI countermeasures, and the like, and the signal terminals 147 and 147 of the USB connector 140. 148 is reached. The memory built in the USB host controller 130 stores user setting information set by the user regarding the control method of the communication lines 137 and 138. The USB host controller 130 controls the communication lines 137 and 138 according to the user setting information when the computer main body 11 is not operating. The filter 139 is not an indispensable element.

  The power supply state switching unit (IC) 150 is an integrated circuit that includes a switch 152 that switches the power supply V and the USB connector 140 to a connected state or a non-connected state. It can be switched to one. The switch 152 is provided for each USB connector 140 that is an independent control target or for each set thereof. When the switch 152 of the power supply state switching unit 150 is switched to the connected state, power from the power source V is supplied to the USB device 200 via the USB connector 140. On the other hand, when the switch 152 of the power supply state switching unit 150 is switched to the disconnected state, the power from the power source V is not supplied to the USB device 200. The power source V is a battery that is a charging place disposed inside the computer main body 11 and a general commercial power source supplied from the outside of the computer main body 11. Therefore, the switch 152 is in a connection state in which the USB connector 140 is connected to the battery, a connection state in which the USB connector 140 is connected to a general commercial power source, a combination thereof, and the USB connector 140 is not connected to any power source. It can be switched to any one of the states. The power supply state switching unit 150 includes a circuit that detects that an overcurrent flows through each switch 152, and outputs an overcurrent detection signal 156.

  The power supply state control unit (EC) 160 is an embedded controller that performs control to switch the switch 152 of the power supply state switching unit 150 to either a connected state or a non-connected state. The power supply state control unit 160 is configured by a one-chip microcomputer, for example, and outputs a signal 154 for controlling the power supply state switching unit 150. Even when the personal computer 10 is not operating, power is supplied to the power supply state control unit 160, and the power supply state control unit 160 is always operable. The memory built in the power supply state control unit 160 stores user setting information set by the user regarding the control method of the power supply state switching unit 150. The power supply state control unit 160 performs control to switch the switch 152 to either the connected state or the disconnected state according to the user setting information when the computer main body 11 is not in operation.

  FIG. 4 shows an example of a setting screen for setting user setting information provided by utility software. The video controller 114 displays the setting screen shown in FIG. In the left column of the setting screen, the contents of the control items set by the user are displayed. Each of the USB connectors 140 provided in the personal computer 10 is displayed in the upper column of the setting screen. Here, each of the USB connector 1 and the USB connector 2 is managed as one independent control target, and the user can set control items for each USB connector. In addition, the USB connector 3 and the USB connector 4 are managed as one set of two USB connectors as one independent control target, and the user can set control items for one set of USB connectors. Yes. When the user checks the check box or inputs a numerical value, each control item is arbitrarily set by the user.

  FIG. 5 conceptually shows a transmission path of user setting information. The transmission path of user setting information is hierarchical. Utility software (SW) 170, operating system (OS) 172, BIOS 120, USB host controller (USB-HC) 130, power supply state control unit (EC) 160, power supply controller (PSC) 178 is included. Each layer of the transmission path of the user setting information can exchange information with each other.

  Control items that can be set by the user include those relating to power supply control and those relating to communication line control. When the user inputs user setting information related to power supply control using the setting screen, the user setting information is passed from the utility software 170 to the power supply state control unit 160 via the operating system 172 and the BIOS 120. Then, the power supply state control unit 160 stores the user setting information in the memory and centrally manages the user setting information.

  On the other hand, when the user inputs user setting information related to communication line control using the setting screen, the user setting information is passed from the utility software 170 to the USB host controller 130 via the operating system 172 and the BIOS 120. Then, the USB host controller 130 stores the user setting information in the memory and centrally manages the user setting information.

  In the operating state of the personal computer 10, power is supplied to each layer of the transmission path for user setting information. On the other hand, in the non-operating state of the personal computer 10, no power is supplied to the utility software 170, the operating system 172, and the BIOS 120, and power is supplied to the power supply state control unit 160, the power supply controller 178, and the USB host controller 130. ing. Therefore, the user setting information is set when the personal computer 10 is in operation.

  In addition, when storing the user setting information in the USB host controller 130, in order to prevent the normal operation when the personal computer 10 is operating, in other words, immediately before the personal computer 10 transitions from the operating state to the non-operating state. For example, the control of the personal computer 10 needs to be executed after being transferred from the operating system 172 to the BIOS 120.

  According to the present embodiment, since power is supplied to the USB device 200 according to the user setting information when the personal computer 10 is not operating, the user can arbitrarily determine the power supply function to the USB device 200. Therefore, the power supply function of the personal computer 10 can be made convenient for the user. In addition, by setting a plurality of control items in combination, the power supply function of the personal computer 10 can be set in detail to make it more convenient for the user.

  In addition, if it demonstrates supplementarily, the power supply controller 178 is a control part which performs comprehensive control regarding a power supply. The power supply controller 178 has a function of charging the battery with electric power from the general commercial power supply when the general commercial power supply is supplied to the computer main body 11. The power supply controller 178 constantly monitors whether or not power is supplied from a general commercial power source, and has a function of detecting whether or not the general commercial power source is supplied to the computer main body 11. Further, the power controller 178 constantly monitors the remaining charge capacity of the battery and has a function of detecting the remaining charge capacity of the battery. In addition, the power supply controller 178 outputs these detection results to the power supply state control unit 160.

  Various setting items can be set by the user, but the user can set the setting items shown in FIG. 4 in the personal computer 10 of the present embodiment. Hereinafter, the setting items on the setting screen of FIG. 4 will be described in order from the top.

  The first setting item is a setting item for setting whether to supply power via the USB connector 140 when the personal computer 10 is not in operation. In other words, the first setting item is a setting item for setting whether the switch 152 of the power supply state switching unit 150 is connected or disconnected when the personal computer 10 is not in operation. User setting information generated by the utility software for this setting item is user setting information related to power supply control, and is passed to and stored in the power supply state control unit 160. When the personal computer 10 is not in operation, the power supply state control unit 160 controls the switch 152 of the power supply state switching unit 150 to be connected when the connection state of the switch 152 is selected in the user setting information. . On the other hand, the power supply state control unit 160 performs control so that the switch 152 of the power supply state switching unit 150 is not connected when the non-connection state of the switch 152 is selected in the user setting information.

  The second setting item is a setting item for selecting a power source that supplies power to the USB device 200 when the personal computer 10 is not in operation. In other words, the second setting item is a setting item for setting whether the power of the general commercial power supply is supplied to the USB device 200 or the power of the battery is supplied to the USB device 200. User setting information generated by the utility software for this setting item is user setting information related to power supply control, and is passed to and stored in the power supply state control unit 160. When the personal computer 10 is not in operation, the power supply state control unit 160 connects the switch 152 of the power supply state switching unit 150 to the general commercial power source when the general commercial power source is selected in the user setting information. Control. On the other hand, the power supply state control unit 160 controls the switch 152 of the power supply state switching unit 150 to be connected to the battery when the battery is selected in the user setting information. For example, when power is supplied from a battery, it is possible to cope with a battery exhaustion of the mobile phone device or the like by connecting the mobile phone device or the like to a USB connector to obtain a power source. Note that the second setting item may be configured to be able to set supply of power from a general commercial power source and battery power to the USB device 200.

  The third setting item is a setting item for setting the minimum value of the remaining battery charge, which is a power supply condition, when supplying power from the battery when the personal computer 10 is not in operation. User setting information generated by the utility software for this setting item is user setting information related to power supply control, and is passed to and stored in the power supply state control unit 160. When the personal computer 10 is not in operation, the power supply state control unit 160 controls the switch 152 of the power supply state switching unit 150 according to the user setting information indicating the set value of the remaining charge capacity of the battery. That is, the power supply state control unit 160 supplies power from the battery to the USB device 200 when the remaining charge capacity of the battery exceeds the set value. On the other hand, when the remaining charge capacity of the battery is below the set value, power is not supplied from the battery to the USB device 200.

  The fourth setting item is a setting item for setting whether to enable or disable the wake-up function when the personal computer 10 is not in operation. Here, the wake-up function is a function expressed as “bring the computer out of standby” or the like in an operating system such as Windows XP (registered trademark) provided by Microsoft Corporation. Advanced Configuration It is a state transition function of the personal computer 10 that cancels the non-operating state defined as Sleepingstates (S3 / S4 / S5, etc.) in the and Power Interface (ACPI) standard and returns to the operating state (S0). User setting information generated by the utility software for this setting item is user setting information related to communication line control, and is passed to the USB host controller 130 for storage. When the personal computer 10 is not in operation, the USB host controller 130 deactivates the personal computer 10 in response to an event such as the connection of the USB device 200 if the wake-up function enabled state is selected in the user setting information. Transition from state to working state. On the other hand, the USB host controller 130 maintains the personal computer 10 in a non-operating state when the invalid state of the wake-up function is selected in the user setting information.

  The fifth setting item is a setting item for setting the potential level of the communication line for signal transmission / reception when the personal computer 10 is not in operation. In other words, the fifth setting item is a setting item for setting whether the potential level of the signal transmission / reception communication line is a high potential level or a low potential level when the personal computer 10 is not in operation. User setting information generated by the utility software for this setting item is user setting information related to communication line control, and is passed to the USB host controller 130 for storage. When the personal computer 10 is not in operation, the USB host controller 130 controls the communication line to the high potential level when the high potential level is selected in the user setting information. On the other hand, the USB host controller 130 controls the communication line to the low potential level when the low potential level is selected in the user setting information.

  In the above-described embodiment, the USB device is connected to the computer main body. However, in other embodiments, a device conforming to another standard such as IEEE 1394 may be connected to the computer main body.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Personal computer 11 Computer main body 130 USB host controller 131,132 I / O buffer 133,134 Series resistance 135,136 Pull-down resistance 137,138 Communication line 139 Filter 140 USB connector 144 Power terminal 147,148 Signal terminal 149 Ground terminal 150 power supply state switching unit 152 switch 160 power supply state control unit 170 utility software 172 operating system 178 power supply controller 200 device 204 power terminal 207, 208 signal terminal 209 ground terminal

Claims (3)

An information processing apparatus that drives either an external power source or a battery disposed inside the main body as a power source,
A plurality of connectors having signal terminals for transmitting and receiving signals between the information processing apparatus and the external apparatus, and power terminals for supplying power from the power source to the external apparatus;
Setting items for setting whether to supply power to each of the plurality of connectors when the information processing apparatus is not in operation, and the external to each of the plurality of connectors when the information processing apparatus is not in operation And a setting item for setting whether to supply the power of the battery or the power of the battery can be selectively set, and communication for signal transmission / reception when the information processing apparatus is not operating Display means for displaying a setting screen including setting items for setting the potential level of the line as setting information related to communication line control ;
Control means for controlling power to be supplied from the power source to an external device connected to the connector when the information processing device is not operating according to setting information related to power supply control set via the setting screen;
In accordance with setting information related to communication line control set via the setting screen, a controller that controls a communication line for signal transmission and reception with respect to an external device connected to the connector when the information processing apparatus is not operating,
An information processing apparatus comprising: The display means sets a setting item for setting a minimum value of a remaining charge capacity of the battery as setting information regarding power supply control when power is supplied from the battery when the information processing apparatus is not operating. Displayed on the
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The display means sets, as setting information related to communication line control, whether to enable or disable the function of releasing the non-operating state and returning to the operating state when the information processing apparatus is not operating. Display the setting items for the settings on the setting screen,
In accordance with setting information related to communication line control set via the setting screen, a controller for controlling a communication line for signal transmission and reception with respect to an external device connected to the connector when the information processing apparatus is not operating,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

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