JP7068597B1 - Information processing equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an information processing device for suppressing an influence of radio waves on a human body without excessively deteriorating a communication function. SOLUTION: This is an information processing device (PC1) capable of exchanging and receiving electric power with another information processing device connected via a cable capable of data transfer and power transmission, and is a first method capable of connecting to the cable. A connection unit (first port 11A), a second connection unit (second port 11B) that can be connected to a cable, a charging unit 103 that stores electric power, and a charging unit for the first connection unit and the second connection unit. A bypass power transmission unit 19 that connects to enable power transmission without going through, a pass-through switch 20 that switches ON / OFF of the energized state of the bypass power transmission unit, a charging state of the own unit, and other connections to the own unit via a cable. A control unit 111 for switching ON / OFF of the switch unit based on the charging state of the information processing device is provided. [Selection diagram] Fig. 3

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing apparatus.

Multiple information processing devices such as notebook PCs (Personal Computers), tablet terminals, and smartphones are connected in a string by using a cable capable of data transfer and transmission (for example, USB Type-C cable). There is a technique that enables the transfer of power between information processing devices (for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-161897

In the prior art, the power input from the connection port on the upstream side in the power transmission direction is output to the connection port on the downstream side via a charging circuit or the like, so that power loss or the like occurs in the information processing device and charging is performed. It is difficult to control efficiently.

Therefore, one of the problems of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing device capable of efficiently performing charge control between a plurality of information processing devices.

The information processing device as the first aspect of the present disclosure is an information processing device capable of exchanging and receiving electric power with another information processing device connected via a cable capable of data transfer and power transmission. The first connection part that can be connected to the cable, the second connection part that can be connected to the cable, the charging part that stores electric power, and the first connection part and the second connection part are passed through the charging part. A bypass transmission line that can be connected without power transmission, a switch unit that switches ON / OFF of the energized state of the bypass transmission line, a charging state of the own unit, and other information processing that connects the own unit and the cable via the cable. A control unit for switching ON / OFF of the switch unit based on the charging state of the device is provided.

According to the information processing apparatus of the present disclosure, it is possible to perform charge control among a plurality of information processing apparatus with high efficiency.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state of connected charging performed by using the PC according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the PC according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the PC according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of execution of connected charging in the PC according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the connection status determination unit according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the connection status and the port status according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of charge state information according to an embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of switch control in a state where charging is not required by the PD controller according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of switch control in a state where charging is required by the PD controller according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the connection status changes due to disconnection of the cable in the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the connection status changes due to the addition of AC in the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of changing the connection status according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the embodiment described below, and the actions and effects brought about by the configuration are merely examples, and are not limited to the contents described below.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a state of connected charging performed using the PC 1 according to the embodiment. The connected charging referred to here is charging realized by exchanging electric power between a plurality of PCs 1 in a state where a plurality of PCs 1 are connected in a string of beads via a cable 5 capable of data transfer and power transmission. .. FIG. 1 illustrates a connection path in which three PCs 1 are connected via a cable 5. PC1 is an example of an information processing device capable of supporting connected charging. The cable 5 is an example of a cable capable of data transfer and power transmission, and may be, for example, a USB Type-C cable or the like.

Each of the plurality of PCs 1 constituting the connection path is given a connection status indicating a position in the connection path. In the present embodiment, three types of statuses are set as the connection status of the PC 1, a parent PC (an example of a parent device) 1A, an intermediate PC (an example of an intermediate device) 1B, and a terminal PC (an example of a terminal device) 1C. To. The parent PC 1A is a PC to which an AC (an example of an external power supply) is connected. The intermediate PC1B is a PC connected between the parent PC1A and the terminal PC1C. The terminal PC1C is a PC connected to the end of the connection path. In one connection path, there is one parent PC1A and one terminal PC1C, but there may be a plurality of intermediate PC1Bs. In the above configuration, the power transmission direction Dp for charging is in the direction from the parent PC1A to the terminal PC1C. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the parent PC1A, the intermediate PC1B, and the terminal PC1C, these may be referred to as PC1.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the PC 1 according to the embodiment. The PC 1 includes a first port 11A (an example of a first connection portion), a second port 11B (an example of a second connection portion), a power supply circuit 12, a built-in battery 13, a charging circuit 14, a power supply microcomputer 15, and a first consumer switch 16A. , 2nd consumer switch 16B, 1st provider switch 17A, 2nd provider switch 17B, 1st butt circuit 18A, 2nd butt circuit 18B, bypass transmission line 19, pass-through switch 20 (an example of switch section), and PD (Power). Delivery) A controller 21 is provided.

The first port 11A and the second port 11B are ports (connectors) that enable data transfer and power transmission using a USB TYPE-C cable. The power supply circuit 12 is a circuit that controls the drive power of the PC 1. The charging circuit 14 is a circuit that controls charging to the built-in battery 13 and discharging from the built-in battery 13 to the power supply circuit 12 in response to a control signal from the power supply microcomputer 15. The power supply microcomputer 15 is an integrated circuit including a CPU and the like that perform various processes according to a program, and executes various arithmetic processes and control processes for controlling the drive power of the PC 1.

The PD controller 21 is an integrated circuit including a CPU and the like that perform various processes according to a program, and executes various arithmetic processes and control processes for charging the built-in battery 13 by the above-mentioned connected charging. The PD controller 21 has a first consumer switch 16A, a second consumer switch 16B, and a second consumer switch 16B so that connected charging can be appropriately performed based on information acquired from the first port 11A, the second port 11B, the power supply microcomputer 15, and the like. It controls 1 provider switch 17A, 2nd provider switch 17B, and pass-through switch 20.

When the first consumer switch 16A is ON and the first provider switch 17A is OFF, the power input from the first port 11A passes through the first matching circuit 18A, the first consumer switch 16A, and the charging circuit 14. Can be supplied to the built-in battery 13. When the second consumer switch 16B is ON and the second provider switch 17B is OFF, the power input from the second port 11B is passed through the second matching circuit 18B, the second consumer switch 16B, and the charging circuit 14. Can be supplied to the built-in battery 13. When the first consumer switch 16A is OFF and the first provider switch 17A is ON, the power of the built-in battery 13 is supplied to the first port via the power supply circuit 12, the first provider switch 17A, and the first matching circuit 18A. Output is possible from 11A. When the second consumer switch 16B is OFF and the second provider switch 17B is ON, the power of the built-in battery 13 is supplied to the second port via the power supply circuit 12, the second provider switch 17B, and the second matching circuit 18B. Output is possible from 11B.

In the present embodiment, a bypass transmission line 19 that directly connects the first butt circuit 18A and the second butt circuit 18B, and a pass-through switch 20 that switches ON / OFF of the energized state of the bypass transmission line 19 are provided. .. As a result, power transmission between the first port 11A and the second port 11B can be performed without going through the charging circuit 14 and the power supply circuit 12, if necessary.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the PC 1 according to the embodiment. The PC 1 includes a charging unit 103, a connection status determination unit 106, a charging state determination unit 107, a charging state information receiving unit 108, a charging state information generating unit 109, a charging state information transmitting unit 110, and a control unit 111.

The charging unit 103 is a functional unit for storing electric power, and may be configured by the cooperation of, for example, the power supply circuit 12, the built-in battery 13, the charging circuit 14, the power supply microcomputer 15, and the like described above.

The connection status determination unit 106 is a function unit that determines the connection status of the PC1 (own machine), that is, where the own machine is connected in the connection path. The connection status determination unit 106 may be configured, for example, by the cooperation of the PD controller 21 and the program for controlling the PD controller 21 described above.

The charging state determination unit 107 is a functional unit that determines the charging state of the charging unit 103 of the PC 1 (own machine). The charging state determination unit 107 may be configured by the cooperation of, for example, the power supply microcomputer 15, the program for controlling the power supply microcomputer 15, the PD controller 21, the program for controlling the PD controller 21, and the like described above.

The charging state information receiving unit 108 is a functional unit that receives charging state information indicating the charging state of the charging unit 103 of another PC1 connected to the first port 11A or the second port 11B via the cable 5. The charging status information receiving unit 108 has a data transfer function of the cable 5 for at least one of the charging status information from the PC1 connected to the downstream side of the own machine and the charging status information from the PC1 connected to the upstream side of the own machine. Receive using. The charge state information receiving unit 108 may be configured by the cooperation of, for example, the above-mentioned first port 11A, second port, PD controller 21, and a program for controlling the PD controller 21.

The charging state information generation unit 109 has information indicating the charging state of its own machine and information indicating the charging state of the other PC1 based on the determination result of the charging state determination unit 107 and the charging state information received by the charging state information receiving unit 108. It is a functional unit that generates charging status information including information indicating the charging status. The charge state information generation unit 109 may be configured by the cooperation of, for example, the PD controller 21 and the program for controlling the PD controller 21 described above.

The charge status information transmission unit 110 transmits the charge status information generated by the charge status information generation unit 109 to another PC 1 connected to the upstream side of the own unit in the connection path (transmission direction Dp) via the cable 5. It is a functional part to do. The charge state information transmission unit 110 may be configured by the cooperation of, for example, the above-mentioned first port 11A, second port, PD controller 21, and a program for controlling the PD controller 21.

The control unit 111 switches ON / OFF of the pass-through switch 20 based on the charging state of the own machine and the charging state of another PC1 connected to the first port 11A or the second port 11B via the cable 5. It is a functional part. In FIG. 3, the arrow indicated by the thick line exemplifies the flow of electric power. When the pass-through switch 20 is ON, the charging power input / output via the first port 11A and the second port 11B can be transmitted between the first port 11A and the second port 11B without going through the charging unit 103. Will be. Therefore, when it is not necessary to charge the charging unit 103, by turning on the pass-through switch 20, the electric power input to the own machine can be directly transferred to another PC1. The control unit 111 may be configured by the cooperation of, for example, a PD controller 21, a program for controlling the PD controller 21, and the like.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of execution of the connected charging in the PC 1 according to the embodiment. First, the connection status determination process for determining the connection status of the own machine is executed (S11). After that, based on the judgment result of the connection status judgment process, a charging state judgment process is executed in which the charging state of the own machine is judged / transmitted, the charging state of another PC1 is received, the charging information of the other PC1 is compared, and the like. (S12). After that, a charge control process for controlling charging of the charging unit 103 of the own machine is executed based on the determination result by the charge state determination process (S13). In the charge control process, in the configuration exemplified in FIG. 2, the first consumer switch 16A, the first provider switch 17A, the second consumer switch 16B, the second provider switch 17B, the pass-through switch 20, the charging circuit 14, and the power supply circuit 12 Etc. are included. After that, it is determined whether or not there is a change in the connection status of the own machine or another PC1 (S14). If there is no change in the connection status (S14: No), the charge status determination process (S12) is executed again, and if there is a change in the connection status (S14: Yes), the connection status determination process (S11) is executed again. ..

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing by the connection status determination unit 106 according to the embodiment. The connection status determination unit 106 according to the present embodiment determines the port status (connection unit status) of each of the first port 11A and the second port 11B of the own machine, and determines the connection status of the own machine based on the determination result. judge. The port status is information (for example, a flag) indicating the positions of the first port 11A and the second port 11B in the power transmission direction Dp, and in the present embodiment, it is neither upstream, downstream, nor null (not upstream or downstream). ) Three types of status are set. That is, each of the first port 11A and the second port 11B is given a port status of upstream, downstream, or null.

As shown in FIG. 5, it is determined whether or not an AC or a port having a port status of <downstream> is connected to one of the ports (either the first port 11A or the second port 11B) of the own machine (either). S101). If no AC or port with port status <downstream> is connected to either the first port 11A or the second port 11B (S101: No), this routine ends. When an AC or a port having a port status of <downstream> is connected to one port (for example, the first port 11A) (S101: Yes), the port status of the one port is set to <upstream> (S102). .. After that, it is determined whether or not the PC1 corresponding to AC or connected charging is connected to the other port (for example, the second port 11B) (S103). When AC is connected to the other port (S103: AC), the port status of the other port is set to <upstream> (S104). When the PC1 corresponding to the linked charging is connected to the other port (S103: linked charging compatible PC), the port status of the other port is set to <downstream> (S105). When neither AC nor PC1 corresponding to linked charging is connected to the other port (S103: No), the port status of the other port is set to <null> (S106).

The connection status determination unit 106 according to the present embodiment has the connection status (parent PC1A, intermediate PC1B, or intermediate PC1B) of its own machine based on the port statuses of the first port 11A and the second port 11B set as described above. Which of the terminal PC1C) is determined.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the relationship between the connection status and the port status according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, in the parent PC1A, AC is connected to one port (first port 11A), the port status of one port becomes <upstream>, and the port of the other port (second port 11B). The status becomes <downstream>. In the intermediate PC1B, AC is not connected to one port (first port 11A), the port status of one port is <upstream>, and the port status of the other port (second port 11B) is <downstream. >. In the terminal PC1C, AC is not connected to one port (first port 11A), the port status of one port is <upstream>, and the port status of the other port (second port 11B) is <null. >. In this way, the connection status of each PC 1 can be determined based on the port status and the AC connection status.

Further, in FIG. 6, the relationship between the power transmission direction Dp and the information transmission direction Di of the charge state information is shown. The charging state information is transmitted in the direction opposite to the power transmission direction Dp starting from the terminal PC1C, and finally reaches the parent PC1A as information indicating the charging states of the terminal PC1C and all the intermediate PC1Bs.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the charge state information 121, 121 ′ according to the embodiment. In the charging state information 121, 121', the Message Header is a header indicating a communication path or the like. VDM (Vendor Defined Message) Header is a header indicating a sender or the like. PC INFO VDO (Vendor Data Object) 1, 2, ... Is data indicating the charging state of each PC 1. The charging state information 121, 121'(PC INFO VDO1, 2, ...) may include, for example, a pinch index or the like indicating the necessity of charging each PC 1. The pinch index is, for example, a value that increases as the need for charging increases, and can be calculated based on the voltage (remaining amount of power) of the built-in battery 13, the predicted value of the required power, and the like.

In FIG. 7, the charge state information 121 is an example of charge state information transmitted from the terminal PC1C, and the PC INFO VDO1 includes information (pinch index or the like) indicating the charge state of the terminal PC1C. The charging state information 121'is an example of charging state information transmitted from the intermediate PC1B connected to the terminal PC1C, and the PC INFO VDO2 includes information indicating the charging state of the intermediate PC1B. That is, the charging state information 121'is generated so as to add information indicating the charging state of the own machine to the received charging state information. As a result, the charging state information received by the parent PC1A includes information indicating the charging states of the terminal PC1C and all the intermediate PC1Bs.

The control unit 111 of each PC1 determines whether or not the charging unit 103 of the own machine needs to be charged based on the charging state of the own machine and the charging state of another PC1. The control unit 111 compares, for example, the pinch index of its own machine with the pinch index of another PC1, and sets a pass-through switch 20 or the like so that power is preferentially supplied to the PC1 having a high pinch index (necessity of charging). Control. The control unit 111 determines, for example, based on the comparison result of the pinch index, whether the own machine is in a state where charging is unnecessary (charge unnecessary state) or a state where charging is necessary (charging necessary state).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of switch control in a state where charging is not required by the PD controller 21 according to the embodiment. When charging is not required (for example, when the pinch index of PC1 on the downstream side of the own machine is higher than that of the own machine), the PD controller 21 (control unit 111) has the first consumer switch 16A, the first provider switch 17A, and the first. 2 The consumer switch 16B and the second provider switch 17B are turned off, and the pass-through switch 20 is turned on. As a result, the electric power input from the first port 11A is transmitted from the second port 11B to the downstream PC1 via the bypass transmission line 19 (not via the charging circuit 14, the power supply circuit 12, etc.). As a result, electric power can be efficiently transmitted to the downstream PC 1 that needs to be charged.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of switch control in a state where charging is required by the PD controller 21 according to the embodiment. When charging is required (for example, when the pinch index of the own machine is higher than the pinch index of the PC1 on the downstream side of the own machine), the PD controller 21 uses the first provider switch 17A, the second consumer switch 16B, and the second. The provider switch 17B is turned off, and the first consumer switch 16A and the pass-through switch 20 are turned on. As a result, the electric power input from the first port 11A is charged to the built-in battery 13 via the first consumer switch 16A and the charging circuit 14, and is downstream from the second port 11B via the bypass transmission line 19. It is transmitted to PC1 of. As a result, it is possible to efficiently charge the own machine and transmit power to the downstream PC1 that needs to be charged.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the connection status changes due to disconnection of the cable 5 in the embodiment. In the state A, a connection path in which two intermediate PC1Bs are connected between the parent PC1A and the terminal PC1C is shown. For such a connection path, when the cable 5 connecting the two intermediate PC1Bs is disconnected as shown in the state B, the port status of the second port 11B of the left intermediate PC1B as shown in the state C. Is null, and the port status of the first port 11A of the intermediate PC1B on the right side is null. Due to such a change in the port status, as shown in the state D, the two PCs on the left side become the parent PC1A and the terminal PC1C, respectively, so that a new connection path is formed, and the two PCs on the right side are disconnected from the connection path. To.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a case where the connection status changes due to the addition of AC in the embodiment. In the state α, a connection path in which one intermediate PC1B is connected between the parent PC1A and the terminal PC1C is shown. When AC is connected to the second port 11B of the terminal PC 1C for such a connection path as shown in the state β, the port status of the second port 11B of the terminal PC becomes upstream. In this way, when ports with port status <upstream> exist in one PC1, the port status of these ports is changed to <null> from the original <upstream> as shown in the state γ. The PC that was initially the intermediate PC1B becomes the terminal PC1C. As a result, the two PCs on the left side become the parent PC1A and the terminal PC1C, respectively, so that a new connection path is formed, and the PC that was originally the terminal PC1C (the PC to which the AC is newly connected) is disconnected from the connection path. To.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of processing at the time of changing the connection status according to the embodiment. The routine illustrated here is executed when a predetermined condition is satisfied. The predetermined condition may be, for example, when another PC1 is connected to the first port 11A or the second port 11B via the cable 5, or when a predetermined time (for example, 15 minutes) has elapsed. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, it is determined whether or not the relationship between the port statuses of the first port 11A and the second port 11B in one PC1 is upstream / null (S201). When the relationship of the port status is upstream / null (S201: Yes), the process when the terminal PC1C occurs (start of transmission of charge status information to the upstream side, etc.) is started (S202). At this time, the PC1 to be charged is also updated according to the charge state information (pinch index or the like).

When the relationship between the port statuses of the first port 11A and the second port 11B in one PC1 is not upstream / null (S201: No), it is determined whether or not the relationship between the port statuses is null / downstream (S203). ). When the relationship of the port status is null / downstream (S203: Yes), the processing at the time of disconnection of the cable 5 as illustrated in FIG. 10 is performed (S204).

When the relationship between the port statuses of the first port 11A and the second port 11B in one PC1 is not null / downstream (S203: No), the relationship between the port statuses of the first port 11A and the second port 11B in one PC1 is upstream. / It is determined whether or not it is upstream (S205). When the relationship of the port status is upstream / upstream (S205: Yes), processing is performed when two ACs as illustrated in FIG. 11 are connected (S206). If the port status relationship is not upstream / upstream (S205: No), this routine is terminated.

By the above processing, the connection status of the plurality of PC1s constituting the connection path is updated as appropriate, and the connection charging process can be appropriately executed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to efficiently perform charge control between a plurality of PCs 1.

Further, in the above embodiment, a plurality of connected units connected via the cable 5 based on data acquired from at least one of the first connection unit (first port 11A) and the second connection unit (second port 11B). A determination unit that determines the position of the own unit in the power transmission direction Dp between the information processing devices (PC1) of A transmission unit for transmitting power to another information processing device connected to the upstream side of the machine via the cable 5 is provided. As a result, the charging state information indicating the charging state of each information processing device can be efficiently transmitted from the downstream side to the upstream side.

Further, in the above embodiment, the determination unit indicates the positions of the first connection unit and the second connection unit in the power transmission direction Dp based on the data acquired from at least one of the first connection unit and the second connection unit. The connection part status (port status) is determined, and the position of the own machine is determined based on the connection part status. As a result, the position (connection status) of the own machine can be efficiently and appropriately determined.

Further, in the above embodiment, the determination unit periodically redetermines the position of the own machine. As a result, charge control can be appropriately performed according to the change in the form of the connection path.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the own unit is an end device (terminal PC1C) which is an information processing device connected to the end in the transmission direction Dp, the transmission unit outputs the charge state information to the upstream side of the own unit. An intermediate device (intermediate) connected between a parent device (parent PC1A), which is an information processing device connected to an external power supply (AC), and a terminal device, which is transmitted to another information processing device connected to In the case of PC1B), the charging status information including the information indicating the charging status of other information processing devices connected to the downstream side of the own machine and the information indicating the charging status of the own machine is transmitted to the upstream side of the own machine. Send to other connected information processing devices. As a result, the charge status information can be efficiently transmitted to the upstream side.

Further, in the above embodiment, the control unit turns on the switch unit when the own machine is in a predetermined charge-free state. As a result, it is possible to suppress power loss and efficiently perform charge control.

A program that realizes the above functions may be provided, for example, in a state of being stored in advance in a storage element mounted on a CPU, but the program is not limited thereto. The program may be provided, for example, in a state of being stored in an appropriate storage medium such as a CD-ROM, or may be provided via a computer network such as the Internet.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

1 ... PC (information processing device), 1A ... parent PC, 1B ... intermediate PC, 1C ... terminal PC, 5 ... cable, 11A ... first port (first connection part), 11B ... second port (second connection part) ), 12 ... power supply circuit, 13 ... built-in battery, 14 ... charging circuit, 15 ... power supply microcomputer, 16A ... first consumer switch, 16B ... second consumer switch, 17A ... first provider switch, 17B ... second provider switch, 18A ... 1st butt circuit, 18B ... 2nd butt circuit, 19 ... Bypass power transmission line, 20 ... Pass-through switch (switch unit), 21 ... PD controller, 103 ... Charging unit, 106 ... Connection status determination unit, 107 ... Charging state Judgment unit, 108 ... Charge status information reception unit, 109 ... Charge status information generation unit, 110 ... Charge status information transmission unit, 111 ... Control unit, 121, 121'... Charge status information, Di ... Information transmission direction, Dp ... Power transmission direction

Claims (5)

An information processing device that can exchange power with other information processing devices connected via a cable capable of data transfer and power transmission.
The first connection part that can be connected to the cable and
A second connection that can be connected to the cable,
The charging unit that stores electric power and
A bypass transmission line that connects the first connection portion and the second connection portion so as to be able to transmit power without passing through the charging unit.
A switch unit that switches ON / OFF of the energized state of the bypass transmission line, and
A control unit that switches ON / OFF of the switch unit based on the charging state of the own unit and the charging state of the other information processing device connected to the own unit via the cable.
A determination unit that determines the position of the own unit in the power transmission direction between a plurality of information processing devices connected via the cable based on data acquired from at least one of the first connection unit and the second connection unit. When,
Based on the determination result by the determination unit, the transmission unit transmits the charge status information indicating the charge status of the own unit to another information processing device connected to the upstream side of the own unit in the power transmission direction via the cable. When,
Information processing device equipped with. The determination unit has a connection unit status indicating the positions of the first connection unit and the second connection unit in the power transmission direction based on data acquired from at least one of the first connection unit and the second connection unit. Is determined, and the position of the own machine is determined based on the connection unit status.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 . The determination unit periodically redetermines the position of the own machine.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 . The transmitter is
When the own machine is an end device which is an information processing device connected to the end in the power transmission direction, the charge state information is transmitted to another information processing device connected to the upstream side of the own machine.
When the own machine is an intermediate device connected between the master device, which is an information processing device connected to an external power supply, and the terminal device, charging of another information processing device connected to the downstream side of the own machine. The charging status information including the information indicating the status and the charging status of the own machine is transmitted to another information processing device connected to the upstream side of the own machine.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3 . The control unit turns on the switch unit when the own machine is in a predetermined charge-free state.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4 .

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