JP5644152B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus.

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and a power supply control circuit.

  Various attempts have been made to reduce the power consumption of personal computers. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a microcomputer system capable of appropriately controlling power supply to the main CPU unit and reducing power consumption.

  In a notebook personal computer driven by a battery using a secondary battery, there is a particularly high demand for reducing power consumption in order to increase the operating time. Conventionally, in the state of being driven by a battery, the personal computer is in a hibernation state, a suspended state, a hibernation state, etc. (hereinafter referred to as these states) in which the power consumption is lower than that in a normal state. (Hereinafter collectively referred to as “standby state”), a power source (always power source (ALW in the following description) such as an EC (Embedded Controller)) that is considered to need to be energized at least. Called power supply) is off.

  In this way, by appropriately turning off the ALW power supply when the battery is driven, power consumption when the personal computer is in the hibernation state, the suspend state, or the like can be suppressed, and the driving time during battery driving can be extended.

JP 2009-116851 A

  However, conventionally, when the personal computer is in a standby state and the AC (Alternating Current) adapter is connected, the ALW power supply is always turned on from the off state, and the ALW power supply is on. The personal computer has a problem that it consumes extra power compared to a state where the personal computer is driven only by a battery. When the state of the personal computer is in the standby state, it is desirable to make the power consumption as close to zero as possible. However, when the ALW power is turned on, the power is consumed by EC or the like. Even so, there has been a problem of further reducing power consumption.

  However, if the supply of ALW power to the EC is simply stopped when the personal computer is in a standby state, there is a problem that inconvenience occurs when there is a process for operating at a predetermined time. That is, when an attempt is made to execute a predetermined process at a predetermined time, the operation cannot be performed if the EC is not activated, and the chipset timer is used to monitor the chip to activate the EC. There was a problem that it was necessary to supply power to the set, which hindered power saving.

  Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to consume power in a standby state even when power is supplied from the outside by an AC adapter or the like. It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved information processing apparatus capable of executing predetermined processing at a predetermined time while realizing power saving.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, according to an aspect of the present invention, a power supply control unit that performs control of power supply and an external power supply are connected in an operation standby state in which power consumption is reduced and standby is performed. When detected, a detection signal generation unit that generates a detection signal only for a predetermined time according to the detection, and supplies power to the power supply control unit based on the detection signal generated by the detection signal generation unit and the operation In a standby state, a power supply unit that stops power supply to the power supply control unit after a predetermined time has elapsed from the connection, and can be controlled from the power supply control unit, and at a set time, the power supply unit, There is provided an information processing apparatus comprising: a timing unit that outputs a predetermined signal for supplying power to the power supply control unit.

  The timing unit may output the predetermined signal at regular intervals for charging the battery from the power control unit.

  The time measuring unit may output the predetermined signal at a time set by the power supply control unit.

  A program recording unit for receiving and recording a broadcast program may be further provided, and the power supply control unit may set the recording start time of the broadcast program by the program recording unit in the time measuring unit.

  The connection of the external power source may be insertion of an AC adapter.

  The connection of the external power source may be a battery connection.

  As described above, according to the present invention, even when power is supplied from the outside by an AC adapter or the like, it is determined while realizing power saving when reducing power consumption in a standby state. It is possible to provide a new and improved information processing apparatus capable of executing a predetermined process at a predetermined time.

It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the information processing apparatus 100 concerning one Embodiment of this invention. It shows about the structure of the conventional information processing apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the transition of the signal in the structure shown in FIG. 2 with a timing chart. It is explanatory drawing which shows the control structure of the electric power supply to EC130 contained in the information processing apparatus 100 concerning one Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing signal transition in the configuration shown in FIG. 4 in a timing chart. It is explanatory drawing which shows another structural example regarding control of the electric power supply to EC130. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a configuration example of an AC adapter switch circuit 180. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the concrete circuit for producing | generating VDC_DETECT_PULSE from VDC_DETECT. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the concrete circuit of the delay circuit 171a. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a specific circuit for controlling by VDC_DETECT # and AC_OFF # inside the AC adapter switch circuit 180. FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows another structural example of the information processing apparatus 100 concerning one Embodiment of this invention. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the information processing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 11. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the information processing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 11.

  Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In addition, in this specification and drawing, about the component which has the substantially same function structure, duplication description is abbreviate | omitted by attaching | subjecting the same code | symbol.

The description will be made in the following order.
<1. One Embodiment of the Present Invention>
[1-1. Configuration of information processing apparatus]
[1-2. Conventional configuration and operation]
[1-3. Configuration and operation of this embodiment]
[1-4. Specific circuit example]
[1-5. Execution of timer resume function]
<2. Summary>

<1. One Embodiment of the Present Invention>
[1-1. Configuration of information processing apparatus]
First, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The information processing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 is a notebook personal computer, for example, and is an apparatus that operates by receiving power supply by connecting a battery or an AC adapter. Hereinafter, the configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a CPU 110, a chipset 120, an EC (Embedded Controller) 130, a switch 140, a memory, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display): A liquid crystal display device), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and other various devices 150, and a battery 160 are included.

  The CPU 110 controls the overall operation of the information processing apparatus 100. For example, the CPU 110 reads out a computer program from a memory, an HDD, or the like and sequentially executes the computer program, thereby controlling display of an image on the LCD.

  The chip set 120 is a chip that manages data exchange between the CPU 110 and various devices 150 in the information processing apparatus 100. The chip set 120 may be configured by two chip sets called a north bridge and a south bridge, for example, or may be configured by a single chip set.

  The chip set 120 operates by receiving power from a chip set power supply. The power supply from the chipset power supply is controlled by the switch SW2. The opening / closing control of the switch SW2 is performed by the EC 130, and if it is not necessary to supply power to the chipset 120, the EC 130 turns off the switch SW2 and stops supplying power to the chipset 120.

  The EC 130 executes power supply control of the information processing apparatus 100, and the EC 130 is configured by, for example, an LSI (Large Scale Integration Circuit). In the present embodiment, the EC 130 operates by receiving power from the ALW power source. In FIG. 1, the supply of power from the ALW power source is schematically illustrated so as to be controlled by the DC / DC converter 174. The on / off control of the DC / DC converter 174 is performed by the user pressing the switch 140, inserting / removing an AC adapter (not shown) to / from the information processing apparatus 100, and attaching / detaching the battery 160. The supply control of the ALW power to the EC 130 will be described in detail later.

  The switch 140 is a switch for turning on / off the power of the information processing apparatus 100, a switch for starting a predetermined program on the information processing apparatus 100, and displaying a predetermined website by connecting to a network. Consists of switches and the like. In the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment, for example, when the switch 140 is pressed, the DC / DC converter 174 is turned on, and the ALW power is supplied to the EC 130.

  As described above, the various devices 150 are configured by a memory, an LCD, an HDD, and the like, and the operation of these devices is controlled by the chipset 120.

  The battery 160 is detachably provided to the information processing apparatus 100, and is a secondary battery that can supply power to each unit of the information processing apparatus 100 via the EC 130. The battery 160 is charged when an AC adapter (not shown) is connected to the information processing apparatus 100. Further, when the information processing apparatus 100 is in a standby state, an AC adapter is connected, and when the capacity falls below a predetermined value, charging is performed by the control of the EC 130 or the control of the microcontroller inside the battery 160.

  The configuration of the information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention has been described above using FIG. Next, the operation of the information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[1-2. Conventional configuration and operation]
First, before describing the operation of the information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention, the configuration and operation of a conventional information processing apparatus will be described.

  Conventionally, when the information processing apparatus is in a standby state and the AC adapter is inserted into the information processing apparatus, the ALW power supply is always turned on, and the AWL power supply is supplied to the EC. Therefore, even when the information processing apparatus is in a standby state, if the AC adapter is inserted, the information processing apparatus is in a state where a certain amount of power is consumed.

  FIG. 2 shows a configuration of a conventional information processing apparatus. In FIG. 2, for convenience of explanation, there are places with the same reference numerals as those used in FIG. 1.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the conventional information processing apparatus includes an EC 130, delay circuits 171a, 171b, and 171c, an OR circuit 173, and a DC / DC converter 174.

  The delay circuits 171 a, 171 b, and 171 c output a signal based on the operation of the switch 140 with a predetermined delay, and output it to the EC 130 and the OR circuit 173. In the configuration of the conventional information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the delay circuit 171a delays and outputs the signal “SW_PWR #” based on pressing of the power switch for a predetermined time. The delay circuit 171b outputs a signal “SW_WEB #” based on pressing of a button for browsing a homepage by connecting to the Internet with a predetermined delay. The delay circuit 171c outputs a signal “SW_ASSIST #” based on pressing of a button for starting a predetermined application with a predetermined time delay. Note that the application executed when the user presses the switch 140 after the EC 130 is activated and the information processing apparatus 100 is activated can be freely set by the user, and is limited to the example shown here. It goes without saying that there is nothing.

  The OR circuit 173 calculates the logical sum of the signals “SW_PWR #”, “SW_WEB #”, “SW_ASSIST #” output from the delay circuits 171a, 171b, and 171c and the signal “AC_STS” that detects that the AC adapter is connected. And output to the DC / DC converter 174.

  The DC / DC converter 174 converts input power (such as + VPWRRSRC) into direct current power of 3.3 [V] or 5 [V] and outputs it. Here, one of the inputs of the OR circuit 173 is used. Is changed from LOW to HIGH, the DC / DC converter 174 outputs 3.3 [V] ALW power supply (+3 VALW) or 5 [V] ALW power supply (+5 VALW), and the ALW power supply is 3.3 [V]. ], A power good (PWRGDALW) signal is output to the EC 130.

  The EC 130 receives signals “SW_PWR #”, “SW_WEB #”, “SW_ASSIST #” output from the delay circuits 171a, 171b, and 171c, and a signal “AC_STS” that detects that the AC adapter is connected. The EC 130 can start operation upon receiving these signals. Further, when the EC 130 wants to continue the supply of the 3.3 W ALW power, it outputs a signal “ALW_ON_EC” to the OR circuit 173 and notifies the DC / DC converter 174 to continue the supply of the ALW power. To do.

  The operation of the configuration shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a signal transition in the configuration shown in FIG. 2 in a timing chart.

First, terms will be explained. An information processing apparatus including the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 operates while transitioning between a plurality of states. FIG. 3 illustrates signal transitions when the information processing apparatus including the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2 operates while transitioning between the following two (or three) states.
S0: State in which the information processing apparatus is completely operated S5: State in which the information processing apparatus is OFF (S4: State in which the information processing apparatus is hibernating)

  The difference between the S4 state and the S5 state is that the current state of the information processing device is saved in a hard disk or the like and is similar to a state in which the power is turned off, but is necessary for starting up at a certain time. While some power supplies are turned on and operate in a power saving mode that uses as little power as possible, the S5 state is a point where the power supply is completely turned off. Therefore, the power saving effect is higher in the S5 state.

  The timing chart shown in FIG. 3 starts when the information processing apparatus is in the S5 state when only the battery is connected to the information processing apparatus and the AC adapter is not connected. Here, when the user of the information processing apparatus presses the switch at time t1 to turn on the information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus transitions from the S5 state to the S0 state. Then, the state of one of the signals “SW_PWR #”, “SW_WEB #”, and “SW_ASSIST #” changes based on the depression of the switch.

  When the state of any of “SW_PWR #”, “SW_WEB #”, and “SW_ASSIST #” changes at time t1, the DC / DC converter 174 that receives the input of the signal has an ALW of 3.3 [V]. Starts output of the power supply (+ 3VALW). Since the start-up time of the DC / DC converter 174 exists in units of several hundred μS to several ms, until the DC / DC converter 174 receives the signal input and actually starts the output of the ALW power supply. Some time lag occurs.

  When the ALW power output from the DC / DC converter 174 reaches 3 [V] at time t2, the DC / DC converter 174 changes the power good (PWRGDALW) signal from LOW to HIGH and outputs it to the EC 130. Thereafter, at time t3, any one of “SW_PWR #”, “SW_WEB #”, and “SW_ASSIST #” returns to the original HIGH state.

  The EC 130 that has received the HIGH power good signal from the DC / DC converter 174 changes the ALW_ON_EC signal from LOW to HIGH at time t4 and outputs it. At time t5, “SW _ *** _ D” changes from HIGH to LOW, and “SW _ *** # _ EC” changes from LOW to HIGH.

  Thereafter, for example, when the state of the information processing apparatus changes from the S0 state to the S5 state or the S4 state at time t6 by an operation of the user of the information processing apparatus, the EC 130 changes the ALW_ON_EC signal from HIGH to LOW. The DC / DC converter 174 stops the output of the 3.3W [ALV power supply (+ 3VALW) and outputs a power good (PWRGDALW) signal from the HIGH to the LOW to the EC 130. Here, the EC 130 does not consume power, and the power consumption of the information processing apparatus is significantly reduced.

  When the state of the information processing device is in the S5 state (or S4 state) and the AC adapter is inserted into the information processing device at time t7, the signal “AC_STS” indicating the connection state of the AC adapter changes from LOW to HIGH. To change. The DC / DC converter 174 that has received AC_STS through the OR circuit 173 starts output of the ALW power supply (+ 3VALW) of 3.3 [V]. When the ALW power output from the DC / DC converter 174 reaches 3 [V] at time t8, the DC / DC converter 174 changes the power good (PWRGDALW) signal from LOW to HIGH and outputs it to the EC 130.

  The EC 130 that has received the HIGH power good signal from the DC / DC converter 174 changes the ALW_ON_EC signal from LOW to HIGH at time t9 and outputs it. As a result, the ALW power is supplied to the EC 130 while the state of the information processing apparatus remains in the S5 state, and the EC 130 operates with the ALW power.

  Thereafter, in a state where the information processing apparatus remains in the S5 state and the AC adapter is inserted into the information processing apparatus, the user of the information processing apparatus presses the switch at time t10 to turn on the power of the information processing apparatus. When entered, the information processing apparatus transitions from the S5 state to the S0 state. Based on the depression of the switch, one of the signals “SW_PWR #”, “SW_WEB #”, and “SW_ASSIST #” changes from HIGH to LOW, and thereafter, at time t11, “SW_PWR #” and “SW_WEB” Either “#” or “SW_ASSIST #” returns to the original HIGH state. At time t12, “SW _ *** _ D” changes from HIGH to LOW, and “SW _ *** # _ EC” changes from LOW to HIGH.

  If the AC adapter is removed from the information processing apparatus at time t13 in a state where the information processing apparatus remains in the S0 state and the AC adapter is inserted into the information processing apparatus, a signal indicating the connection state of the AC adapter “AC_STS” changes from HIGH to LOW.

  Conventionally, the output of the ALW power supply from the DC / DC converter 174 is controlled in this way, and when the information processing apparatus is in the S5 state (or S4 state), the ALW power supply is turned off. The power consumption of EC130 was suppressed. However, if the AC adapter is inserted when the state of the information processing device is in the S5 state (or S4 state), the ALW power supply and the AC adapter switch circuit are always kept on, and the S5 state (or S4 state) However, there is a problem that the EC 130 and the AC adapter switch circuit consume a certain amount of power.

  Therefore, when the AC adapter is inserted when the information processing apparatus 100 is in the S5 state (or S4 state), the information processing apparatus 100 according to the present embodiment starts from a signal indicating the connection state of the AC adapter for a certain period of time. A pulse whose state changes only is generated, and on / off of the ALW power supply and the AC adapter switch circuit is controlled based on the pulse. As a result, when the information processing apparatus 100 is in the S5 state (or S4 state), even if the AC adapter is inserted, there is no need for operation (for example, there is no need to charge the battery 160). The power consumption of the EC 130 and the AC adapter switch circuit can be suppressed.

[1-3. Configuration and operation of this embodiment]
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration related to control of power supply to the EC 130 included in the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Compared to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the configuration shown in FIG. 4 includes a pulse generation circuit 172 a that generates a pulse whose state changes only for a predetermined time from a signal “VDC_DETECT #” that represents the connection state of the AC adapter, and a battery. Similarly, a pulse generation circuit 172b that generates a pulse whose state changes only for a certain period of time is added from the signal “BATT_PRS #” representing the connection state.

  In the present embodiment, the pulse generation circuits 172a and 172b maintain the LOW state at the normal time. When the AC adapter is inserted into the information processing apparatus 100 or when the battery 160 is connected to the information processing apparatus 100, a pulse that is in a HIGH state for a certain time is generated. When this pulse is received by the DC / DC converter 174, the DC / DC converter 174 can apply the pulse and turn on the ALW power source for a predetermined time.

  FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing signal transitions in the configuration shown in FIG. 4 in a timing chart. FIG. 5 illustrates signal transitions when the information processing apparatus 100 including the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 operates while transitioning between the S0 state and the S5 state.

  The timing chart shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the timing chart shown in FIG. 3 in the state of the information processing apparatus 100 when only the battery 160 is connected to the information processing apparatus 100 and the AC adapter is not connected. Is in the S5 state. Here, when the user of the information processing apparatus 100 presses the switch at time t1 to turn on the information processing apparatus 100, the information processing apparatus 100 changes from the S5 state to the S0 state. Then, the state of one of the signals “SW_PWR #”, “SW_WEB #”, and “SW_ASSIST #” changes based on the depression of the switch.

  When the state of any of the signal “SW_PWR #”, the signal “SW_WEB #”, and the signal “SW_ASSIST #” changes at the time t1, the DC / DC converter 174 that has received the input of the signal has 3.3 [V The output of the ALW power source (+3 VALW) is started. Since the start-up time of the DC / DC converter 174 exists in units of several hundred μS to several ms, until the DC / DC converter 174 receives the signal input and actually starts the output of the ALW power supply. Some time lag occurs.

  When the ALW power output from the DC / DC converter 174 reaches 3 [V] at time t2, the DC / DC converter 174 changes the power good (PWRGDALW) signal from LOW to HIGH and outputs it to the EC 130. Thereafter, at time t3, any one of the signal “SW_PWR #”, the signal “SW_WEB #”, and the signal “SW_ASSIST #” returns to the original HIGH state.

  The EC 130 that has received the high power good signal from the DC / DC converter 174 changes the signal “ALW_ON_EC” from LOW to HIGH at time t4 and outputs the signal. At time t5, the signal “SW _ *** _ D” changes from HIGH to LOW, and the signal “SW _ *** # _ EC” changes from LOW to HIGH.

  Thereafter, for example, when the state of the information processing apparatus 100 changes from the S0 state to the S5 or S4 state at time t6 by an operation of the user of the information processing apparatus, the EC 130 changes the ALW_ON_EC signal from HIGH to LOW. The DC / DC converter 174 stops the output of the 3.3W [ALV power supply (+ 3VALW) and outputs a power good (PWRGDALW) signal from the HIGH to the LOW to the EC 130. Here, the EC 130 does not consume power, and the power consumption of the information processing apparatus 100 is significantly reduced.

  When the information processing apparatus 100 is in the S5 state (or S4 state) and the AC adapter is inserted into the information processing apparatus 100 at time t7, the signal “VDC_DETECT” indicating the connection state of the AC adapter is LOW. Changes from HIGH to HIGH. Then, “VDC_DETECT_PULSE” generated by the pulse generation circuit 172a from this “VDC_DETECT” also changes from LOW to HIGH.

  When the battery 160 is connected while the AC adapter is inserted in the information processing apparatus 100, “BATT_PRS_PULSE” generated by the pulse generation circuit 172b from the signal “BATT_PRS” indicating the connection state of the battery 160. Changes from LOW to HIGH.

  In response to the change of “VDC_DETECT_PULSE” (or “BATT_PRS_PULSE”) from LOW to HIGH, the DC / DC converter 174 starts the output of the 3.3 W [V] ALW power supply (+ 3VALW). When the ALW power source output from the DC / DC converter 174 reaches 3.3 [V] at time t8, the DC / DC converter 174 changes the power good (PWRGDALW) signal from LOW to HIGH and outputs it to the EC 130. .

  The EC 130 that has received the HIGH power good signal from the DC / DC converter 174 changes the signal “ALW_ON_EC” from LOW to HIGH at time t9 and outputs the signal. As a result, the ALW power is supplied from the DC / DC converter 174 to the EC 130 while the state of the information processing apparatus 100 remains in the S5 state (or S4 state), and the EC 130 is operated by the ALW power source.

  Thereafter, at time t10, when a predetermined time has elapsed since the signal “VDC_DETECT_PULSE” (or the signal “BATT_PRS_PULSE”) changes from LOW to HIGH, the pulse generation circuit 172a outputs the signal “VDC_DETECT_PULSE” (or the signal “BATT_PRS_PULSE”). The output is changed from HIGH to LOW.

  Then, at a time t11 after a certain time (for example, several hundreds [mS]) after the signal “VDC_DETECT_PULSE” (or the signal “BATT_PRS_PULSE”) changes to LOW, the EC 130 performs some processing, for example, charging the battery 160. EC130 changes the ALW_ON_EC signal from HIGH to LOW. The DC / DC converter 174 stops the output of the 3.3W [ALV power supply (+ 3VALW) and outputs a power good (PWRGDALW) signal from the HIGH to the LOW to the EC 130. Here, the EC 130 does not consume power, and the power consumption of the information processing apparatus 100 is significantly reduced.

  At time t12, the output of the 3.3W [AL] power supply (+ 3VALW) from the DC / DC converter 174 is completely stopped.

  Thereafter, when the state of the information processing apparatus 100 remains in the S5 state or the S4 state and the AC adapter is inserted into the information processing apparatus 100, the user of the information processing apparatus 100 presses the switch 140 at time t13. When the information processing apparatus 100 is turned on, the information processing apparatus 100 transitions from the S5 state or the S4 state to the S0 state. At this time, since the ALW power supplied from the DC / DC converter 174 is off, the DC / DC converter 174 receives an ALW power supply of 3.3 [V] (+3 VALW) in response to pressing of the switch 140. Starts output.

  Then, the state of any of the signals “SW_PWR #”, “SW_WEB #”, and “SW_ASSIST #” changes from HIGH to LOW based on the depression of the switch 140, and thereafter, at time t15, “SW_PWR #”, “ The state of either “SW_WEB #” or “SW_ASSIST #” returns to the original HIGH state. At time t17, “SW _ *** _ D” changes from HIGH to LOW, and “SW _ *** # _ EC” changes from LOW to HIGH.

  When the ALW power output from the DC / DC converter 174 reaches 3 [V] at time t14, the DC / DC converter 174 changes the power good (PWRGDALW) signal from LOW to HIGH and outputs the EC 130 to the EC 130.

  The EC 130 that has received the power good signal in the HIGH state from the DC / DC converter 174 changes the ALW_ON_EC signal from LOW to HIGH at time t16 and outputs it. Thus, by supplying the ALW power to the EC 130, it is possible to return from the standby state.

  Then, when the state of the information processing apparatus 100 remains in the S0 state and the AC adapter is inserted into the information processing apparatus, if the AC adapter is removed from the information processing apparatus at time t18, the connection state of the AC adapter is represented. The signal “AC_STS” changes from HIGH to LOW.

  As described above, the signal transition when the information processing apparatus 100 including the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4 operates while transitioning between the S0 state and the S5 state (or S4 state) has been described with reference to FIG. In this manner, when the AC adapter is inserted when the information processing apparatus 100 is in the S5 (or S4) state, a pulse that is in a HIGH state for a certain time is generated and output to the DC / DC converter 174. Thus, the ALW power can be output from the DC / DC converter 174 in accordance with the change in the state of the pulse, the ALW power can be turned on for a predetermined time, and the ALW power can be turned off again. Thereby, when the state of the information processing apparatus 100 is in the standby state, it is possible to reduce the power consumption when the AC adapter is inserted.

  The operation of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described as being executed by hardware. However, in the present invention, the above-described series of operations is performed by software. May be.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention activates the activation factor (for example, pressing the switch 140, inserting the AC adapter, the battery 160, etc.) when the EC 130 activated by receiving the supply of ALW power is activated. Delay circuits 171a, 171b, and 171c are provided to reliably capture the connection.

  However, some of these activation factors have different operations depending on the behavior. The most prominent is the power switch. The power switch activates the information processing apparatus 100 when it is simply pressed, but forcibly shuts down the information processing apparatus 100 when it is continuously pressed for a certain period of time.

  For this reason, once the EC 130 starts up, the EC 130 may malfunction if the delay circuit 171a has the same delay time. For example, when the user repeatedly hits the power switch, if the delay time is increased, the EC 130 recognizes that the power switch is repeatedly pressed as a long press of the power switch. May shut down.

  Accordingly, it is desirable to shorten the delay time of the delay circuit 171a in order to avoid such a malfunction when the EC 130 is once raised. By shortening the delay time of the delay circuit 171a, it is possible to avoid the malfunction described above after the EC 130 is started up.

  FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another configuration example related to control of power supply to the EC 130 included in the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 6, the EC 130 and the OR circuit 173 shown in FIG. FIG. 6 illustrates a state in which the pulses generated by the pulse generation circuits 172a and 172b are output to the OR circuit 175. As a result, when either the AC adapter is inserted or the battery 160 is connected, a pulse that becomes HIGH for a predetermined time is output to the OR circuit 173. Note that “BOOT_MODE #” illustrated in FIG. 6 is a signal used when writing firmware to the EC 130 when the information processing apparatus 100 is manufactured, for example.

  When the EC 130 illustrated in FIG. 6 is activated by receiving supply of ALW power from the DC / DC converter 174, the EC 130 outputs a signal “SUS_ON_EC” indicating that the EC 130 is activated to the delay circuit 171a. Upon receiving SUS_ON_EC, the delay circuit 171a shortens the delay time in response to the activation of the EC 130. When the ALW power supplied from the DC / DC converter 174 is turned off and the EC 130 stops operating, the output of SUS_ON_EC is stopped. The delay circuit 171a in which SUS_ON_EC is no longer input restores the delay time. Accordingly, the delay time of the delay circuit 171a can be changed by outputting a signal indicating the activation state from the EC 130 to the delay circuit 171a depending on whether or not the EC 130 is activated.

  FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration of an AC adapter switch circuit 180 that controls power supply from the AC adapter. The AC adapter switch circuit 180 is turned on when the signal “VDC_DETECT #” is supplied and outputs “+ VPWRSRC” when the signal “VDC_DETECT #” is supplied when a normal AC adapter is inserted. Here, “+ VPWRSRC” is a main circuit of the information processing apparatus 100 and a power source serving as an input of the DC / DC converter 174 supplied to the main circuit.

  In the present embodiment, even if a normal AC adapter is inserted, the EC 130 (and a power supply control circuit that controls the power supply) can be prevented from turning on the AC adapter switch circuit 180. In the present embodiment, a signal for not turning on the AC adapter switch circuit 180 is defined as “AC_OFF #”. Therefore, the AC adapter switch circuit 180 according to the present embodiment cancels with “AC_OFF #” after the signal “VDC_DETECT #” indicating that insertion of the AC adapter is detected (indicating whether a normal voltage is input). It has the composition to do.

  The theoretical power consumption of the information processing apparatus 100 when the ALW power supply is turned off and the AC adapter switch circuit 180 is turned off is the leakage power of the AC adapter switch circuit 180 and the power from the AC adapter switch circuit 180 to the AC adapter side. This is a total value of the power consumption of the circuit that receives the supply (including the power consumption of the power supply control circuit of this embodiment and the power supply for the timer of the EC 130).

[1-4. Specific circuit example]
Next, an example of a specific circuit of each circuit that executes the above-described processing is shown. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a specific circuit of the pulse generation circuits 172a and 172b for generating the signal “VDC_DETECT_PULSE” from the signal “VDC_DETECT #” or the signal “BATT_DETECT_PULSE #” from the signal “BATT_PRS #”. It is. The circuit illustrated in FIG. 8 is an example of a circuit that generates and outputs a pulse that is in a HIGH state for a certain period of time upon detection of the signal “VDC_DETECT #” or the signal “BATT_DETECT_PULSE #”.

  By mounting the pulse generation circuits 172a and 172b with a circuit as shown in FIG. 8, for example, it is possible to generate a pulse that is HIGH for a certain time after the AC adapter or the battery 160 is mounted on the information processing apparatus 100. it can. Of course, the circuit shown in FIG. 8 is an example when the pulse generation circuits 172a and 172b are mounted, and it goes without saying that the pulse generation circuits 172a and 172b are not limited to the circuit configuration shown in FIG.

  FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a specific circuit of the delay circuit 171a. With the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 9, the delay circuit 171a can change the delay time depending on the state of the signal “SUS_ON_EC”. Needless to say, the specific circuit configuration of the delay circuit 171a is not limited to that shown in FIG. 9 as long as the delay time can be varied by applying the signal “SUS_ON_EC”.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a specific circuit for controlling the output of VDC_DETECT # inside the AC adapter switch circuit 180. By configuring the AC adapter switch circuit 180 as shown in FIG. 10, even if the signal “VDC_DETECT #” becomes HIGH, the AC adapter switch circuit 180 is not turned on unless the signal “AC_OFF #” becomes HIGH. be able to.

  As described above, when the AC adapter is inserted into the information processing apparatus 100 when the information processing apparatus 100 is in the standby state, the ALW power is turned on for a certain period of time to operate the EC 130, and then the ALW power supply and the AC adapter switch By turning off the circuit 180, the operation of the EC 130 can be stopped and power consumption can be reduced.

[1-5. Execution of timer resume function]
The information processing apparatus 100 may incorporate a function for executing a process determined to be a predetermined time. For example, a tuner for receiving television broadcast is incorporated in the information processing apparatus 100 to perform recording processing of a television broadcast of a designated channel at a reserved time, or to maintain the capacity of a battery that is naturally discharged. Therefore, this is a case where a function (maintenance charge function) for charging the battery at regular intervals is executed. In such a case, as described above, while using the timer built in the EC 130 (or the timer that can be controlled from the EC 130) rather than using the built-in timer of the chipset 120, the power consumption of the information processing apparatus 100 is suppressed. Can perform various functions.

  FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram illustrating another configuration example of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, another configuration example of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

  Compared to the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 11 includes a BIOS 112 and a recording processing unit 114 in the CPU 110, and an RTC (Real Time Clock) 122 in the chipset 120. The EC 130 is different in that the firmware 132 is included in the EC 130. Further, from the information processing apparatus 100 shown in FIG. 1, a program recording unit 210 that operates under the control of the chipset 120 and an alarm timer 220 that is controlled by the EC 130 are added.

  The program recording unit 210 includes a tuner that receives a television broadcast, an HDD that records the received television broadcast, and the like. The program recording unit 210 has a function of recording a channel broadcast for a time designated by the user and recording it on the HDD.

  The alarm timer 220 is configured to be operable under the control of the EC 130 and outputs a signal for turning on the ALW power source to the DC / DC converter 174 at a predetermined time.

  The other configuration example of the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to FIG. Next, an operation example of the information processing apparatus 100 having such a configuration will be described.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the information processing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 11. The flowchart shown in FIG. 12 shows an example of the operation when a user schedules recording of a program. Hereinafter, an operation example of the information processing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

  First, when a recording reservation is made by the user, the recording processing unit 114 executes an alarm setting for reserved recording on the RTC 122 (step S101).

  When the recording processing unit 114 executes alarm setting for the RTC 122, the BIOS 112 acquires the time (RTC alarm time) set in the RTC 112 (step S102).

  The BIOS 112 that has acquired the RTC alarm time set in the RTC 112 notifies the firmware 132 of the EC 130 of the RTC alarm time (step S103).

  The firmware 132 that has acquired the RTC alarm time sets the RTC alarm time in the alarm timer 220. If the time for executing the maintenance charge to the battery 160 is earlier, the firmware 132 sets the time in the alarm timer 220. (Step S104).

  In this way, the EC 130 notifies the alarm timer 220 of the recording start time and maintenance charge execution time information, so that even if the EC 130 is not supplied with ALW power and is not operating, the alarm The timer 220 can output a signal for starting supply of ALW power when a designated time comes.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating an operation example of the information processing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 11. The flowchart shown in FIG. 12 shows that the AC adapter is inserted into the information processing apparatus 100, the state of the information processing apparatus 100 is the S5 state (or S4 state), and the AL130 power is not supplied to the EC 130. The operation example when the time designated by the alarm timer 220 has arrived is shown. Hereinafter, an operation example of the information processing apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 11 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The time specified by the alarm timer 220 by the EC 130 when the AC adapter is inserted into the information processing apparatus 100, the state of the information processing apparatus 100 is the S5 state (or S4 state), and the ALW power is not supplied to the EC 130. Arrives, the alarm timer 220 notifies an alarm for notifying that the time has come (step S111). When the scheduled recording is executed by the information processing apparatus 100, it is desirable that the alarm timer 220 notifies the alarm slightly before the recording start time in order to start the recording accurately from the designated recording start time. .

  When an alarm is notified from the alarm timer 220, the DC / DC converter 174 of FIG. 11 is typically turned on and the ALW power supply is turned on (step S112).

  The EC 130 activated upon receiving the ALW power supply outputs a signal for turning on the chipset power supply (step S113). The chipset power supply is turned on, and the chipset 120 that receives the power supply starts the recording process of the program reserved for recording and the maintenance charge process of the battery 160. When starting the recording process, the internal state of the information processing apparatus 100 changes from the S5 state (or S4 state). Note that the signal for turning on the chipset power from the EC 130 may not be output from the EC 130 if the process executed at the specified time is the maintenance charge process for the battery 160.

  As described above, the alarm timer 220 is configured to output a signal for turning on the ALW power supply at the time designated by the EC 130 and to supply the ALW power supply from the DC / DC converter 174 to the EC 130. Thus, even when the ALW power is turned off while the AC adapter is inserted into the information processing apparatus 100, the EC 130 is started by automatically turning on the ALW power at the designated time. Can do.

  Here, it is possible to suppress power consumption in the standby state by using the alarm timer 220 that consumes less power than the chipset 120 instead of the RTC of the chipset 120.

  In this embodiment, the alarm timer 220 that can be controlled from the EC 130 is used, which is different from the EC 130, but the present invention is not limited to such an example. For example, the alarm timer 220 may be incorporated in the EC 130 and configured to be operable even when the ALW power is turned off and the EC 130 is not activated.

<2. Summary>
As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the AC adapter is inserted when the information processing apparatus 100 is in the standby state, a pulse that becomes HIGH for a certain time from the time of insertion is converted into a DC / DC converter. 174 and output to the AC adapter switch circuit. Upon receiving the pulse input, the DC / DC converter 174 turns on the ALW power source and outputs it to the EC 130. If the EC 130 determines that the ALW power source does not need to be kept on, the DC / DC converter 174 turns off the ALW power source. The AC adapter switch circuit is also turned off.

  By controlling the on / off of the ALW power supply and the AC adapter switch circuit in this way, even when the information processing apparatus 100 is in a standby state and the AC adapter is inserted, power consumption can be suppressed.

  Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, after the ALW power supply is turned on and the EC 130 is activated, control is performed so that the delay time of the delay circuit for capturing the activation factor of the EC 130 is shortened. Thus, by shortening the delay time of the delay circuit, it is possible to prevent erroneous recognition of repeated hitting of the power button by the user as a long press of the power button.

  In addition, the information processing apparatus 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention uses an ALW that can be controlled from the EC 130 that consumes less power than the chipset 120 when executing predetermined processing at a specified time. Turn on the power. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 100 according to the embodiment of the present invention can execute a predetermined process when the ALW power is turned off and the EC 130 is not activated at a designated time.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, but the present invention is not limited to such examples. It is obvious that a person having ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention pertains can come up with various changes or modifications within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims. Of course, it is understood that these also belong to the technical scope of the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied to an information processing apparatus and a power supply control circuit, and particularly when the power is supplied from the outside by an AC adapter or the like, the information processing apparatus and the power supply control circuit reduce power consumption in a standby state. It is applicable to.

100 Information processing apparatus 110 CPU
112 BIOS
114 Recording processing unit 120 Chipset 122 RTC
130 EC
132 Firmware 140 Switch 150 Various devices 160 Battery 171a, 171b, 171c Delay circuit 172a, 172b Pulse generation circuit 173, 175 OR circuit 174 DC / DC converter 180 AC adapter switch circuit 210 Program recording unit 220 Alarm timer

Claims (7)

A power supply control unit for controlling power supply;
When detecting that an external power supply is connected in an operation standby state in which power consumption is reduced and waiting for an operation, a detection signal generation unit that generates a detection signal only for a predetermined time according to the detection;
Power that supplies power to the power supply control unit based on the detection signal generated by the detection signal generation unit and stops power supply to the power supply control unit after a predetermined time has elapsed from the connection in the operation standby state A supply section;
A timing unit that is controllable from the power supply control unit and outputs a predetermined signal for supplying power to the power supply control unit to the power supply unit at a set time;
An information processing apparatus comprising: The timer unit outputs the predetermined signal at predetermined time intervals for charging to the power supply control unit or mules Tteri information processing apparatus according to claim 1.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the time measuring unit outputs the predetermined signal when a time set by the power supply control unit comes. A program recording unit for receiving and recording broadcast programs;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the power control unit sets a recording start time of a broadcast program by the program recording unit in the time measuring unit.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection of the external power source is insertion of an AC adapter.   The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection of the external power source is a battery connection. A power control step for performing control of power supply;
A detection signal generation step of generating a detection signal only for a predetermined time in response to detection of connection of an external power supply in an operation standby state in which power consumption is suppressed and standby for operation;
A power supply step of supplying power based on the detection signal generated in the detection signal generation step and stopping the power supply after a predetermined time has elapsed from the connection in the operation standby state;
At a set time, a time measuring step for outputting a predetermined signal for supplying power; and
An information processing method comprising:

Images