JP7489500B1 - Information processing device and control method - Google Patents

Abstract

When power is supplied from an external power source, power consumption during a pause period is reduced.
[Solution] The power supply circuit converts power supplied from a power source into operating power and supplies the operating power to a computer system, and the computer system is capable of switching its operating state between a normal operating state, a first low power consumption state and a second low power consumption state, the first low power consumption state being a state that consumes less power than the normal operating state and the second low power consumption state being a state that consumes less power than the first low power consumption state, and controls the operating state based on an operating time that is changeable between the normal operating state and the first low power consumption state, the operating time having a first operating time and a second operating time, the second operating time including the first operating time and being longer than the first operating time, and the computer system controls the operating state based on the first operating time when the power source is a battery, and controls the operating state based on the second operating time when the power source is an external power source.
[Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device and a control method.

In recent years, various issues have arisen, including environmental problems such as global warming, and social issues such as human rights and discrimination. It is said that an ESG (Environment, Social, Governance) perspective is important for a company to grow in the long term. Environmentally friendly power management is also expected for information processing devices such as PCs (Personal Computers).

For example, Patent Document 1 proposes an information processing device that changes from a normal operating state to a sleep state, which consumes less power, when no operation or other event is detected continuously for a predetermined duration, and then changes to a hibernation state, which consumes even less power, when no further event is detected.

JP 2019-220101 A

However, in a given OS (Operating System), the transition from a sleep state to a hibernation state when power is supplied from an external power source is not taken into consideration. Also, an increasing number of businesses are allowing employees to work from home while commuting (a hybrid work style). In such work styles, information processing devices may be left connected to an external power source, particularly during times when they are not expected to be used, such as outside working hours at night. Because the information processing device does not switch to a hibernation state even though it is not being used, power is wasted unnecessarily.

The present application has been made to solve the above problems, and an information processing device according to one aspect of the present application includes a computer system and a power supply circuit that converts power supplied from a power source into operating power and supplies the operating power to the computer system, the computer system being capable of switching an operating state between a normal operating state, a first low power consumption state, and a second low power consumption state, the first low power consumption state being a state that consumes less power than the normal operating state, and the second low power consumption state being a state that consumes less power than the first low power consumption state, and the information processing device controls the operating state based on an operating time that allows the operating state to be changed between the normal operating state and the first low power consumption state, the operating time having a first operating time and a second operating time, the second operating time including the first operating time and longer than the first operating time, and the computer system controls the operating state based on the first operating time when the power source is a battery, and controls the operating state based on the second operating time when the power source is an external power source.

In the above information processing device, the computer system may change the operating state to a second low power consumption state when the power source is a battery and the duration that the operating state is in the first low power consumption state exceeds a predetermined first duration, change the operating state to a second low power consumption state when the power source is an external power source and the duration that the operating state is in the first low power consumption state exceeds a predetermined second duration, and set the first duration and the second duration when the operating state is the normal operating state.

In the above information processing device, the computer system may change the operating state from the second low power consumption state to the first low power consumption state when, at a time outside the operating time range, the power source is a battery and the current time is a first operating start time that is the starting point of the first operating time, or when the power source is an external power source and the current time is a second operating start time that is the starting point of the second operating time, and may set the first operating start time to be earlier than the second operating start time and the second operating start time before the operating state becomes the second low power consumption state.

In the above information processing device, the computer system may change the operating state from the second low power consumption state to the first low power consumption state when the current time is between the first operation start time and the second operation start time and the power source is changed from a battery to an external power source.

The information processing device may further include two housings, an engagement device that rotatably engages the two housings, and a sensor that detects the open/closed state of the two housings, and when the computer system changes the operating state from the second low power consumption state to the first low power consumption state, if the two housings are open, the operating state may be changed to the normal operating state.

In the above information processing device, the computer system may collect usage status of the system at a predetermined time interval, tally up the frequency of usage by time based on the usage status, and determine as the first operating time a series of periods that includes a period during which the system is continuously unused, sandwiched between a first pre-margin period and a first post-margin period, and during which the frequency of usage is higher than a predetermined frequency of usage.

In the above information processing device, the first low power consumption state may be a modern standby mode, and the second low power consumption state may be a hibernation mode.

A control method according to another aspect of the present application is a control method for an information processing device that includes a power supply circuit that converts power supplied from a power source into operating power and supplies the operating power to a computer system, and that controls the operating state based on an operating time that allows the operating state to be changed between a normal operating state, a first low power consumption state, and a second low power consumption state, the first low power consumption state being a state that consumes less power than the normal operating state, and the second low power consumption state being a state that consumes less power than the first low power consumption state, the control method controlling the operating state based on an operating time that allows the operating state to be changed between the normal operating state and the first low power consumption state, the operating time having a first operating time and a second operating time, the second operating time including the first operating time and being longer than the first operating time, the information processing device controls the operating state based on the first operating time when the power source is a battery, and controls the operating state based on the second operating time when the power source is an external power source.

According to the embodiment of the present application, it is possible to reduce power consumption during a pause period even when power is supplied from an external power source. In addition, it is possible to reduce the possibility that convenience will be impaired by applying a low power consumption state.

1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of usage status information according to the embodiment; 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating an example of display of usage status information according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of display of operating time information according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation example of the information processing device according to the embodiment; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing another operation example of the information processing device according to the embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operating time information generating process according to the embodiment. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of the external configuration of an information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

First, an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the information processing device 1 is mainly a notebook PC (sometimes referred to as a "notebook PC" in the present application), but is not limited to this. The information processing device 1 may be realized in any form, such as a desktop PC, a tablet terminal device, or a smartphone.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 1 according to this embodiment.
The information processing device 1 is composed of a processor 11, a main memory 12, a video subsystem 13, a display 14, a chipset 21, a BIOS (Basic Input-Output System) memory 22, a storage 23, an audio system 24, a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) card 25, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector 26, a camera 27, an EC (Embedded Controller) 31, an input device 32 and a power supply circuit 33.

The processor 11 performs various types of arithmetic processing under program control, and controls the overall operation of the information processing device 1. The processor 11 includes, for example, one or more central processing units (CPUs).
The main memory 12 is a writable memory used as a read area for the execution program of the processor 11 or a work area for writing processing data of the execution program. The main memory 12 is configured to include, for example, one or more DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) chips. The execution program includes, for example, an OS (Operating System), a driver for controlling the operation of peripheral devices, various service/utility programs (hereinafter, utilities), application programs (sometimes referred to as "apps" in this application), and the like. In this application, "executing a program" or "executing a program" includes the meaning of performing processing instructed by commands written in the program. The processor 11 and the main memory 12 are the minimum hardware constituting the main computer system (i.e., the host system) of the information processing device 1. In this application, the host system may be simply referred to as the "system".

The video subsystem 13 is a subsystem for realizing functions related to image display. The video subsystem 13 includes a video controller. The video controller performs processing instructed by drawing commands input from the processor 11, and writes the display data obtained by the processing to a video memory provided in the video controller. The video controller reads the written display data from the video memory, and outputs the read display data to the display 14.

The display 14 displays various display screens based on the display data input from the video subsystem 13. The display 14 may be any type of display, such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display.

The chipset 21 connects to one or more peripheral devices and controls the input and output of various data. The chipset 21 has various input and output interfaces and connects devices corresponding to them. The chipset 21 has controllers corresponding to various input and output methods. The chipset 21 has controllers related to, for example, one or a combination of USB (Universal Serial Bus), Serial ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment), SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) bus, PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, PCI-Express bus, and LPC (Low Pin Connect) bus. In FIG. 1, the peripheral devices connected to the chipset 21 are exemplified by a BIOS memory 22, a storage 23, an audio system 24, a WLAN card 25, a USB connector 26, and a camera 27.

System firmware such as the BIOS is prestored in the BIOS memory 22. Firmware for controlling the operations of the EC 31 and other devices may be stored in the BIOS memory 22. The BIOS memory 22 includes a rewritable non-volatile memory (e.g., an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a flash ROM, etc.).
The storage 23 is an auxiliary storage device that stores various programs and data executed by the processor 11. The storage 23 includes a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The storage 23 may be any of a solid state drive (SSD) and a hard disk drive (HDD).
The audio system 24 executes input, output, and recording of audio data. The audio system 24 includes a speaker and emits sound based on the audio data input to the audio system 24. The audio system 24 includes a microphone and picks up sounds arriving at the audio system 24 and obtains audio data indicating the picked up sounds.

The WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) card 25 is connected to a wireless LAN and performs data communication with other devices directly or indirectly connected to the wireless LAN. The wireless LAN enables various data to be transmitted and received between devices according to a predetermined wireless communication method (e.g., IEEE802.11).
The USB connector 26 is a connector for connecting to a peripheral device in accordance with the USB standard so as to enable input and output of data.
The camera 27 captures an image and obtains image data representing the captured image. The camera 27 is, for example, a web camera.

The EC 31 monitors the operating environment and controls the operation of a predetermined device regardless of the operating state of the information processing device 1. The EC 31 includes a processor, a memory, and input/output terminals, and is configured as a microcomputer. An input device 32, a power supply circuit 33, and the like are connected to the EC 31 via the input/output terminals.
The EC 31 has a power management function and controls the operating state of the power circuit 33. The EC 31 controls the power circuit 33 based on, for example, a plurality of predetermined system states. The host system of the information processing device 1 uses some of the system states (i.e., S0 to S5 states) defined by ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface), for example, the S0 state and the S4 state. The S0 state is the most active state among the plurality of system states, and corresponds to a normal operating state (referred to as a "normal operating state" or a "normal mode" in this application). The other system states correspond to low power consumption states in which power consumption is lower than that of the normal operating state. In general, the lower the power consumption of a system state, the longer it takes to recover to the normal operating state. The S4 state is a hibernation state in which power supply to the processor 11 and the main memory 12 is stopped. The hibernation state corresponds to a state in which the operation of the host system is stopped.

The host system of the information processing device 1 corresponds to other system states, for example, the S0ix state. The EC 31 controls the power supply circuit 33 to a state corresponding to the S0ix state. The S0ix state is a low power consumption state that allows the system to return to a normal operating state more quickly than the S1 to S5 states. The S0ix state is an extension of the S0 state defined by ACPI, and is a system state in which power consumption is reduced more than that of the S0 state. The S0ix state is also called modern standby mode. The low power consumption state corresponds to a standby mode as an operating mode of the information processing device 1, and is a state in which some devices or functions are stopped. In the low power consumption state, at least the function of the display 14 is stopped. In this application, the low power consumption state may be called a "standby mode", the S0ix state may be called a "modern standby mode", and the S4 state may be called a "hibernation mode". The "standby mode" may also be considered as a general term for the "modern standby mode" and the "hibernation mode". The modern standby mode and the hibernation mode are examples of the first low power consumption state and the second low power consumption state, respectively.

The input device 32 receives a user operation, generates an operation signal according to the received operation, and outputs the generated operation signal to the EC 31. The input device 32 includes, for example, any one of a keyboard, a touchpad, a pointing device such as a mouse, or any combination thereof.

The power supply circuit 33 converts the supply voltage of DC power supplied from an AC (Alternating Current/Direct Current, AC/DC) adapter (not shown) or a battery unit into a multi-stage operating voltage. The power supply circuit 33 supplies the operating power having the converted operating voltage to a device corresponding to the operating voltage. The power supply circuit 33 includes, for example, a DC/DC converter, a charge/discharge unit, and a battery unit. The power supply circuit 33 controls whether or not power is supplied to each device of the information processing device 1 according to the control from the EC 31. The power supply circuit 33 adjusts the amount of operating power supplied to a specific device (for example, the processor 11) among the devices that require power supply.
The power supply circuit 33 also includes a detector that detects the supply voltage from the AC adapter and notifies the EC 31 of the detected supply voltage. The power supply circuit 33 may also include a voltmeter that measures the electromotive force of the battery unit as a battery voltage and notifies the EC 31 of the measured battery voltage.

When the information processing device 1 is a notebook PC, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the information processing device 1 includes two housings 41 and 43, hinge mechanisms 45a and 45b, and a sensor 38. The hinge mechanisms 45a and 45b are fixed to one side of the first housing 41 and one side of the second housing 43, respectively. One of the first housing 41 and the second housing 43 is capable of rotating relative to the other, with one side of the first housing 41 and one side of the second housing 43 serving as a rotation axis. In other words, the angle between the main surface of the first housing 41 and the main surface of the second housing 43 (referred to as the "opening angle" in this application) is variable.

A display 14 is disposed on the main surface of the first housing 41 and occupies most of the main surface. A keyboard 32k, a touchpad 32t, and a power button 37 are disposed on the main surface of the second housing 43. With such an arrangement, the information processing device 1 is used in a state in which the first housing 41 and the second housing 43 are open. The keyboard 32k and the touchpad 32t correspond to the input device 32.
The second housing 43 has a sensor 38 installed at a position closer to the opposite side of the side that faces the rotation axis than the side. The sensor 38 is, for example, a magnetic sensor that detects the surrounding magnetic field. A permanent magnet 39 is installed at a position closer to the opposite side of the first housing 41 than the side. When the first housing 41 is completely closed relative to the second housing 43, that is, when the opening angle θ is 0°, the position of the permanent magnet 39 faces the position of the sensor 38. Therefore, the magnetic field detected by the sensor 38 is a clue for determining whether the first housing 41 is closed relative to the second housing 43. The sensor outputs a detection signal indicating the magnitude of the detected magnetic field to the EC 31. The EC 31 can determine whether the first housing 41 is open relative to the second housing 43 based on the strength of the magnetic field indicated in the detection signal input from the sensor.

Next, a functional configuration example of the information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described below. Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing a functional configuration example of the information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment.
The information processing device 1 includes a first control unit 110, a second control unit 120, and a storage unit 130.

The functions of the second control unit 120 are realized when the EC 31 executes a predetermined program and cooperates with hardware such as the power supply circuit 33 .
The second control unit 120 includes a power supply control unit 122 , a timer unit 124 , and an event processing unit 126 .

The power supply control unit 122 controls the power supply circuit 33 according to the system state of the information processing device 1. The power supply control unit 122 controls whether or not each device needs to be supplied with power from the power supply circuit 33 according to the operation mode notified by the first control unit 110. The power supply control unit 122 may control the amount of operating power supplied to a specific device (e.g., the processor 11) among the devices that require power supply according to its power consumption.

The power supply control unit 122 determines whether or not power is being supplied from the AC adapter based on the supply voltage notified by the power supply circuit 33. In this application, when the power supply of the system is an external power supply, that is, the power supply mode in which the system consumes power supplied from the AC adapter, is sometimes referred to as "AC mode," and when the power supply of the system is a battery unit, that is, the power supply mode in which the system consumes power supplied from the battery unit, is sometimes referred to as "DC mode." The power supply control unit 122 notifies the event processing unit 126 and the first control unit 110 of the determined power supply mode.

The timekeeping unit 124 uses an RTC (Real Time Clock, not shown) provided in the EC 31 to keep track of the time (current time). The EC 31 is supplied with power even if the host system of the information processing device 1 is stopped, making it possible to keep track of the time.

The event processing unit 126 detects various events in response to the input of an operation signal from the input device 32 and other detection signals from sensors provided in the EC 31. The event processing unit 126 outputs the detected events to the first control unit 110. For example, the event processing unit 126 may set an event time in advance for each predetermined time-limited event. When the measured time reaches a preset event time, the event processing unit 126 may determine that a time-limited event corresponding to that event time has been detected.

The event processing unit 126 may refer to the operating time information (described later) stored in the memory unit 130 and detect the start or end of the operating time as part of the event based on the power supply mode and the current time. More specifically, the event processing unit 126 determines the start of the first operating time when the power supply mode is the DC mode and the current time reaches the first operating start time. The event processing unit 126 detects the end of the first operating time when the power supply mode is the DC mode and the current time reaches the first operating end time. The event processing unit 126 determines the start of the second operating time when the power supply mode is the AC mode and the current time reaches the second operating start time. The event processing unit 126 determines the end of the second operating time when the power supply mode is the AC mode and the current time reaches the second operating end time.

The event processing unit 126 can determine whether the power supply mode is the AC mode or the DC mode depending on whether the supply voltage notified from the power supply circuit 33 is equal to or higher than a predetermined supply voltage threshold. The event processing unit 126 notifies the first control unit 110 of the determined power supply mode.
The event processing unit 126 may refer to remaining charge estimation information indicating a relationship between a predetermined battery voltage and a remaining charge, and estimate the remaining charge of the battery unit based on the battery voltage notified by the power supply circuit 33. The event processing unit 126 notifies the first control unit 110 of the estimated remaining charge.

The event processing unit 126 may notify the power supply control unit 122 of the start of the first operating time or the second operating time. When the power supply control unit 122 is notified of the start of the first operating time or the second operating time by the event processing unit 126, the power supply control unit 122 may cause the power supply circuit 33 to resume power supply to the processor 11 and the main memory 12 according to the power supply mode at that time. This supplies power required for starting up and operating the host system.
Furthermore, when the system state is in the hibernation mode and the event processing unit 126 detects a change in the power supply mode from the DC mode to the AC mode, if the current time is earlier than the second operation start time and later than the first operation start time, the event processing unit 126 may cause the power supply circuit 33 to resume power supply to the processor 11 and the main memory 12. At this time, the system state can be changed to the modern standby mode or the normal operation state.

When the information processing device 1 is a notebook PC, the event processing unit 126 may determine whether the housings 41, 43 are open or not based on whether the strength of the magnetic field indicated by the detection signal input from the sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined strength threshold. The event processing unit 126 notifies the mode control unit 116 of the first control unit 110 of the determined open/closed state.

The memory unit 130 includes non-volatile storage media such as the storage 23 and the BIOS memory 22. For example, usage information and operating time information are stored in the memory unit 130. The usage information is generated by tallying up the usage status of the information processing device 1 by the host system at a predetermined time interval by the operating time information generating unit 114 (described later) of the first control unit 110, and is stored in the memory unit 130.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of usage status information according to this embodiment. The usage status information includes a day of the week, a start time, an end time, and a usage level, which are associated with each other. The usage level indicates the frequency of use. In the example of Figure 3, the larger the value, the higher the likelihood of unused, and the usage level is discretized into one of five levels: "100", "75", "50", "25", and "0". "100" and "0" indicate unused and used, respectively. The start time and end time indicate the start time and end time for that usage level, respectively. For example, the second row in Figure 3 indicates that the usage level is "100", that is, unused, during the period from the start time "0:00:00" to the end time "21:44:59" on the day of the week "Sunday". The eighth row in Figure 3 indicates that the usage level is "75", that is, used once in four times, during the period from the start time "9:15:00" to the end time "9:59:59" on the day of the week "Monday".

When an operation signal instructs the display of usage information, the setting processing unit 118 (described later) of the first control unit 110 may configure a display screen showing the usage information and cause the configured display screen to be displayed on the display 14. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the display of usage information according to this embodiment. The usage information illustrated in FIG. 4 expresses the usage level for each day of the week and time of day in shades of gray. The brighter the area, the higher the usage level. Black areas indicate a usage level of "0" (used), and white areas indicate a usage level of "100" (not used).

The operating time information is information indicating the operating time, that is, the time period during which the host system of the information processing device 1 is estimated to be operating. The operating time is also called active time. The operating time is a time period starting from the operating start time and ending at the operating end time. The operating start time is also called boot time. The operating end time is also called pause time. The operating time is a time period during which the operating state of the host system can be changed between the normal operating state and the first low power consumption state. The normal operating state corresponds to the normal mode described below, and the first low power consumption state forms part of the standby mode described below. During the operating time, the transition condition from the normal mode to the standby mode described below is applied as the transition condition from the normal operating state to the first low power consumption state. The transition condition from the standby mode to the normal mode described below is applied as the transition condition from the first low power consumption state to the normal operating state. Outside the operating time (i.e., pause time), the second low power consumption state is generally applied as the operating state of the host system. However, if a start-up command is issued, for example when a press of the power button is detected, the host system will change its operating state to the normal operating state even during a pause.

In this embodiment, two types of operating time are set. The two types of operating time are distinguished by being called a first operating time and a second operating time. The mode control unit 116 (described later) of the first control unit 110 applies the first operating time when the power source is a battery unit, i.e., when the power source mode is DC mode. The mode control unit 116 of the first control unit 110 applies the second operating time when the power source is an external power source, i.e., when the power source mode is AC mode. As described later, the second operating time includes the first operating time and is set to be longer than the first operating time.

When an operation signal input from the input device 32 instructs the setting processing unit 118 of the first control unit 110 to display one or both of the first operating time information and the second operating time information, the setting processing unit 118 may configure a display screen showing the instructed information and display the configured display screen on the display 14. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the display of operating time information according to this embodiment. The operating time information illustrated in FIG. 5 shows the operating time for each day of the week. The solid portion indicates the first operating time. For example, the first operating time on Monday is the time period from the first operating start time of 8:15 to the first operating end time of 23:30. The portion enclosed by a rectangular frame indicates the second operating time. For example, the second operating time on Tuesday is the time period from the second operating start time of 8:15 to the second operating end time of 0:15 the following day.

Returning to FIG. 2, the functional configuration of the first control unit 110 will be described. The functions of the first control unit 110 are realized when the processor 11, which constitutes the host system, executes a predetermined program and cooperates with hardware such as the input device 32, video subsystem 13, and display 14. The first control unit 110 includes a usage status collection unit 112, an operating time information generation unit 114, a mode control unit 116, and a setting processing unit 118.

The usage status collection unit 112 collects system usage at a predetermined time interval, correlates the time information with the system usage, and aggregates the information to generate usage status information. The usage status collection unit 112 collects system usage for each day of the week at regular time intervals (e.g., 15-minute intervals). The usage status collection unit 112 correlates the collected usage status with the day of the week, time period, and frequency of use, aggregates the information as usage status information, and stores the aggregated usage status information in the storage unit 130. The function of the usage status collection unit 112 may be realized, for example, by using a usage status collection function of the OS executed in the host system.

The operating time information generating unit 114 generates operating time information of the system based on the usage status information. First, the procedure for generating the first operating time information will be described. For example, the operating time information generating unit 114 identifies a first operating start time and a first operating end time for each day based on the usage status information, and generates operating time information indicating a first operating time starting from the first operating start time and ending at the first operating end time. The first operating start time corresponds to the time when the mode changes from hibernation mode to modern standby mode in DC mode. The first operating end time corresponds to the time when the mode changes from modern standby mode to hibernation mode in DC mode.

More specifically, the operating time information generating unit 114 can generate operating time information in the following procedure: Fig. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of an operating time information generating process according to this embodiment.
(Step S102) The operating time information generating unit 114 identifies the frequency of use (e.g., the level of use) indicated in the usage status information at predetermined time intervals (e.g., 15 minutes).
(Step S104) The operating time information generating unit 114 classifies each time interval into three stages: (a) a period of high usage frequency (e.g., a usage level of 60 or less), (b) a period of low usage frequency (e.g., a usage level of more than 60 and less than 100), and (c) an unused period (a usage level of 100).

(Step S106) The operating time information generating unit 114 combines the period (a) having a high frequency of use adjacent to the candidate for the first operating time with the candidate for the first operating time, and determines the period obtained by the combination as the candidate for the first operating time. If the candidate for the first operating time ends late at night (e.g., from midnight to 2 a.m.), the operating time information generating unit 114 may regard the end of the candidate for the first operating time as the end of the candidate for the previous day's first operating time.
(Step S108) The operating time information generating unit 114 updates the new candidate for the first operating time by adding the adjacent period (b) of low usage frequency to the candidate for the first operating time (a).

(Step S110) The operating time information generating unit 114 adds a predetermined first pre-margin period (pre-margin) immediately before the candidate for the first operating time, and sets a predetermined first post-margin period (post-margin) immediately after the candidate for the first operating time. For example, the operating time information generating unit 114 sets the first pre-margin period to 30 minutes and the first post-margin period to 15 minutes. In this application, the first pre-margin period and the second pre-margin period are collectively referred to as "pre-margin periods", and the first post-margin period and the second post-margin period are collectively referred to as "post-margin periods". The second pre-margin period and the second post-margin period refer to margin periods set immediately before and immediately after the second operating time, as described later. The pre-margin period and post-margin period are collectively referred to as "margin periods".

(Step S112) The operating time information generating unit 114 judges whether or not all of the usage status information within the margin period is (c) unused period. If not all of the usage status information is (c) unused period (NO in step S112), the process proceeds to step S114. If all of the usage status information is (c) unused period (YES in step S112), the process proceeds to step S116.
(Step S114) If the first leading margin period and the first trailing margin period include the (b) infrequently used period, the operating time information generating unit 114 adds the (b) infrequently used period to the candidates for the first operating period. Then, the process returns to step S110.

(Step S116) The operating time information generating unit 114 determines whether or not there is a candidate for the first operating time adjacent to the candidate for the first operating time across a period ((c) unused period) in which the system is not constantly used for a predetermined interval or less. The predetermined interval is, for example, an interval in which the power consumption required for switching between the modern standby mode and the hibernation mode and vice versa is greater than the power consumption reduced by switching from the modern standby mode to the hibernation mode during the interval. If there is no candidate for the first operating time (NO in step S116), the operating time information generating unit 114 proceeds to the process of step S118. If there is a candidate for the first operating time (YES in step S116), the operating time information generating unit 114 determines the period obtained by combining these adjacent candidates for the first operating time as the first operating time. Then, the process returns to the process of step S110.
(Step S118) The operating time information generating unit 114 determines the candidate for the first operating time obtained at that time as the first operating time. The operating time information generating unit 114 stores the operating time information indicating the first operating time determined for each day of the week in the storage unit 130. Then, the process of FIG. 8 ends.

Next, a method for determining the second operating time will be described. The operating time information generating unit 114 determines the second operating time so that it includes the first operating time and is longer than the first operating time. The second operating time is defined as a set of a second operating start time and a second operating end time. The second operating start time corresponds to the time when the mode changes from hibernation mode to modern standby mode in AC mode. The second operating end time corresponds to the time when the mode changes from modern standby mode to hibernation mode in AC mode.

For example, the operating time information generating unit 114 may determine the second operating time in a similar manner to the first operating time by using a period longer than the first margin period as the second margin period to be added before and after the candidate for the first operating time in step S110. For example, if the first leading margin period to be added immediately before the candidate for the first operating time is 30 minutes and the first trailing margin period to be added immediately after the candidate for the first operating time is 15 minutes, the second leading margin period to be added immediately before the candidate for the second operating time is set to 60 minutes and the second trailing margin period to be added immediately after the candidate for the second operating time is set to 30 minutes.

The operating time information generating unit 114 may determine the second operating time from the usage status information using parameters different from the parameters used to derive the first operating time. For example, when determining the first operating time, (a) the usage level for the period of high usage frequency is set to 60 or less, and (b) the usage level for the period of low usage frequency is set to more than 60 and less than 100, whereas when determining the second operating time, (a) the usage level for the period of high usage frequency is set to 80 or less, and (b) the usage level for the period of low usage frequency is set to more than 80 and less than 100.

The operating time information generating unit 114 may determine the second operating time by more directly using the first operating time.
For example, the operating time information generating unit 114 can determine a common second operating time such that the earliest first operating start time among all days of the week is the second operating start time and the latest first operating end time is the second operating end time. In the example of Fig. 5, the first operating start time of 8:15 on Monday is set as the second operating start time, and the first operating end time of Thursday is set as the second operating end time of 0:15 the following day. The operating time information generating unit 114 may calculate a second operating time common to weekdays or workdays in a similar procedure instead of each day of the week, or may calculate a second operating time common to Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays or non-work days in a similar procedure.
In addition, when multiple first operation hours are set for one day, the operation time information generating unit 114 may combine the multiple first operation hours to determine one second operation hour such that the earliest first operation start time among the multiple first operation hours is set as the second operation start time and the latest first operation end time is set as the second operation end time. In the example of Fig. 5, one second operation hour is set on Saturday with the second operation start time set to 14:30 and the second operation end time set to 23:00.

The mode control unit 116 controls the operation mode, which is part of the system state. When the operation mode of the host system is the normal mode, the mode control unit 116 changes the operation mode to the standby mode when a predetermined transition condition to the standby mode is met. The mode control unit 116 notifies the power supply control unit 122 of the standby mode as the changed operation mode, and causes the power supply circuit 33 to supply power corresponding to the standby mode. The mode control unit 116 may transition to the standby mode when an operation signal is not continuously input for a predetermined time (e.g., 3 to 10 minutes) or more, when the display data is not updated for a predetermined time or more, when the event processing unit 126 notifies the closed state indicating that the housing is closed, and the like. In addition, when the operation mode of the host system is the standby mode, the mode control unit 116 changes the operation mode to the normal mode when a predetermined transition condition to the normal mode is met. The mode control unit 116 notifies the power supply control unit 122 of the second control unit 120 of the standby mode as the changed operation mode, and causes the power supply circuit 33 to supply power corresponding to the standby mode. The mode control unit 116 may transition to the normal mode when an operation signal is input, when display data is updated, or when the open/close state notified by the event processing unit 126 indicates that the housings 41 and 43 are open.

The mode control unit 116 refers to the operating time information in the standby mode and switches between the modern standby mode and the hibernation mode. The hibernation mode consumes less power than the modern standby mode and takes a longer time to return to the normal operating state. The mode control unit 116 can transition from the modern standby mode to the hibernation mode by executing the following procedures (a1) to (a3). (a1) The mode control unit 116 stops the process being executed at that time. (a2) The mode control unit 116 stores an image file including various parameters, intermediate values, etc. held in the main memory 12 in the storage 23. (a3) The mode control unit 116 notifies the second control unit 120 of the stop of its own unit and causes the power supply circuit 33 to stop the supply of power to the processor 11 and the main memory 12 that constitute its own unit.

The mode control unit 116 can transition from the hibernation mode to the modern standby mode by executing the following steps (b1) to (b5). (b1) The mode control unit 116 detects the power supply to the processor 11, which constitutes itself, and detects the main memory 12. (b2) The mode control unit 116 reads various firmware from the BIOS memory 22 and causes the processor 11 to resume execution. (b3) The mode control unit 116 reads the program that was being executed before the suspension from the storage 23 and loads it into the main memory 12. (b4) The mode control unit 116 reads an image file from the storage 23 and loads it into the main memory 12. (b5) The mode control unit 116 resumes execution of the program that was being executed before the suspension.

The setting processing unit 118 causes the display 14 to display a display screen showing the operating time information or usage status information. The setting processing unit 118 sets some or all of the operating time information or usage status information according to an operation signal input from the input device 32. This allows the user to confirm and set it as desired. The setting processing unit 118 may also output (export) the operating time information or usage status information to an external device, or acquire (import) the operating time information or usage status information from an external device.

The mode control unit 116 may change the system state to the hibernation mode when the power supply mode is the DC mode, the system state is the modern standby mode, and the remaining charge notified by the event processing unit 126 decreases to a predetermined ratio or less from the remaining charge at the time the modern standby mode was started. This rate of decrease in the remaining charge is also called the standby budget (StandbyBudgetPercent). As a result, by reducing power consumption when the remaining charge becomes low, it is possible to delay the time when the remaining charge runs out and the battery voltage falls below the operating voltage.

In addition, the mode control unit 116 may change the system state to a hibernate state when the system state continues in the modern standby mode for a predetermined hibernate idle time or more. However, the hibernate judgment period applied within the first operating period obtained by adding the first leading margin period and the first trailing margin period to the operating time when the power supply mode is the DC mode (hereinafter referred to as the "first hibernate judgment period"), the hibernate judgment period applied within the second operating period obtained by adding the second leading margin period and the second trailing margin period to the operating time when the power supply mode is the AC mode (hereinafter referred to as the "second hibernate judgment period"), and the hibernate judgment period applied within the other period (hereinafter referred to as the "non-operating time hibernate judgment period") may be independent values. The first hibernate judgment time may be equal to the non-operating time hibernate judgment time or may be longer. The second hibernate judgment time may be longer than the first hibernate judgment period and the non-operating time hibernate judgment time. By setting the second sleep determination time to a long time (e.g., 3 to 6 hours) that does not end after the second operation end time, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the system state will change to hibernation mode.

The modern standby state may continue until the end of the first subsequent margin period when the power supply mode is the DC mode, or until the end of the second subsequent margin period when the power supply mode is the AC mode, and the remaining period until the first pause determination period or the second pause determination period may be longer than the out-of-operation pause determination time. In that case, at the end of the first subsequent margin period or the end of the second subsequent margin period, the mode control unit 116 may reset the target value for the duration of the modern standby state to the out-of-operation pause determination time. The mode control unit 116 may change the system state to the hibernation mode when the duration during which the system state thereafter becomes the modern standby mode reaches the out-of-operation pause determination time.

In addition, the modern standby state may continue until the start of the first pre-margin period when the power supply mode is the DC mode or the start of the second pre-margin period when the power supply mode is the AC mode. In this case, at the start of the first pre-margin period or the start of the second pre-margin period, the mode control unit 116 may stop timing the duration of the modern standby state and continue the modern standby state as the system state. In addition, the mode control unit 116 may reset the target value of the duration of the modern standby state to the first pause judgment period at the start of the first pre-margin period when the power supply mode is the DC mode, and reset the target value of the duration of the modern standby state to the second pause judgment period at the start of the second pre-margin period when the power supply mode is the AC mode. The mode control unit 116 can change the system state to the hibernation mode when the duration during which the system state is the modern standby mode thereafter reaches the first pause judgment time or the second pause judgment time.

Note that the mode control in the mode control unit 116 and the generation and setting of the operating time information in the operating time information generation unit 114 do not necessarily need to be synchronized. Operating time information acquired up to the present time while the system state is in the normal operating state or the modern standby mode and stored in the storage unit 130 is used for mode control. When the system state is in the hibernation mode and the power supply mode is changed from the DC mode to the AC mode, even if the current time is before the second operation start time, if it is after the first operation start time, the mode control unit 116 changes the system state to the modern standby mode. When the mode control unit 116 is notified of an open/closed state indicating that the housings 41, 43 are open from the second control unit 120, it changes the system state to the normal operating state.

Next, an example of the operation of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the operation of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. In the example of FIG. 6, it is assumed that the first operation end time (end of active time (DC)) on Monday is set to 23:30, the second operation end time (end of active time (AC)) is set to 0:00 the following day, the first operation start time (start of active time (DC)) on Tuesday is set to 8:45, and the second operation start time (active time (AC)) is set to 7:30, the power mode is AC mode, and the user ends use of the information processing device 1 at 22:00 on Monday.

The setting processing unit 118 of the first control unit 110 sets the first pause judgment time (pause judgment time (AC)) and the second pause judgment time (pause judgment time (DC)) to the mode control unit 116 before use of the information processing device 1 in the normal operation state ends (before 22:00 on Monday in the example of FIG. 6 is reached). When use ends and no operation is performed continuously for a predetermined time or more (22:05 in the example of FIG. 6), the mode control unit 116 changes the system state from the normal operation state (S0 state) to the modern standby mode. The setting processing unit 118 refers to the operation time information until the system state is changed to the hibernation mode (hibernation state, S4 state) and identifies the first operation start time and the second operation start time on Tuesday. The period until the next change to the hibernation mode corresponds to the later of the second operation end time, which is 0:00 on Tuesday, and the time after the second pause judgment time has elapsed from that time. Then, when the current time reaches 7:30 on Tuesday, which is the second operation start time, while the power supply mode is maintained in the AC mode, the mode control unit 116 changes the system state from the hibernation mode to the modern standby mode. After that, the mode control unit 116 detects the start of use at 8:15 and changes the system state to the normal operation state. The mode control unit 116 can detect the start of use of the information processing device 1 by inputting an operation signal from the input device 32 or by being notified by the event processing unit 126 of an open/closed state indicating that the housings 41, 43 are open.

Next, another example of the operation of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the operation of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. In the example of FIG. 7, the operating time information set in the memory unit 130 is similar to the operating time information exemplified in FIG. 6. However, the example will be a case where the initial power supply mode is DC mode, and an AC adapter is connected to the power supply circuit 33 at 8:00, which is between the second operation start time and the first operation start time, and the power supply mode is changed to AC mode.

When the current time reaches 7:30 on Tuesday, which is the second operation start time, the system state of the information processing device 1 is in hibernation mode. When the AC adapter is connected to the power supply circuit 33, the supply of DC power from the AC adapter begins. The power supply circuit 33 detects the supply voltage from the AC adapter and notifies the EC 31 of the detected supply voltage.
The event processing unit 126 determines that the power supply mode is the AC mode because the notified supply voltage is equal to or higher than the predetermined threshold. Since the time at that point is 8:00, which is later than the second operation start time of 7:30, the event processing unit 126 instructs the power supply circuit 33 to resume power supply to the processor 11 and the main memory 12.

When the power supply mode is changed from the DC mode to the AC mode, the mode control unit 116 of the first control unit 110 changes the system state from the hibernation mode to the modern standby mode because the time at that time, 8:00, is later than the second operation start time. At this time, the two housings of the information processing device 1 are kept closed from each other, so no notification of an open/closed state indicating that the housings are open has been received from the event processing unit 126. Therefore, the mode control unit 116 maintains the system state in the modern standby mode.
Thereafter, at 8:30, the information processing device 1 begins to be used. At this time, the two housings are open relative to each other. The mode control unit 116 is notified of the open/closed state, which indicates that the housings are open, from the event processing unit 126. The mode control unit 116 changes the system state from the hibernation mode to the modern standby mode.
The information processing device 1 having such a configuration is not limited to a notebook PC, and may be realized as other types of devices such as a mobile phone.

In the above example, the operation time can be set to a daily or weekly operation start time and an operation end time, but this is not limited to the above. The period of the operation time that can be set may be a different period, for example, a longer period such as 10 days or one month, or a shorter period such as 6 hours for morning or afternoon. The time interval at which the time can be set is not limited to 15 minutes, but may be shorter or longer. The time does not necessarily have to be periodic, and may be intermittent or temporary (one-time).
The first and second low power consumption states are not limited to the modern standby mode and the hibernation mode, respectively. The second low power consumption state may be a standby mode in which the information processing device 1 consumes less power than the first low power consumption state. For example, the first and second low power consumption states may be the S3 and S4 states of ACPI, respectively.
Furthermore, the time kept by the RTC does not necessarily have to be a predetermined standard time, and the time from which the time is kept may be changeable as desired.

As described above, the information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment includes a computer system and a power supply circuit 33. The power supply circuit 33 converts power supplied from a power supply into operating power and supplies the operating power to the computer system. The computer system can switch an operating state (system state) between a normal operating state, a first low power consumption state (e.g., modern standby mode) and a second low power consumption state (e.g., hibernation mode), the first low power consumption state being a state in which power consumption is less than that of the normal operating state, the second low power consumption state being a state in which power consumption is less than that of the first low power consumption state, and controls the operating state based on an operating time that allows the operating state to be changed between the normal operating state and the first low power consumption state. The operating time has a first operating time and a second operating time, the second operating time including the first operating time and being longer than the first operating time, and the computer system controls the operating state based on the first operating time when the power supply is a battery (e.g., a battery unit, the power supply mode is DC mode), and controls the operating state based on the second operating time when the power supply is an external power supply (e.g., supplied from an AC adapter, the power supply mode is AC mode).
With this configuration, even if the power source is an external power source, the operating state can be switched between the normal operating state and the first low power consumption state during the second operating time, and the second operating time is longer than the first operating time. Therefore, it is possible to reduce power consumption compared to when the power source mode is AC mode and no operating time is set, and to reduce the possibility that convenience will be lost due to the transition from the second low power consumption state to the normal operating state.

The computer system may change the operating state to a second low power consumption state when the power source is a battery and the duration that the operating state is in the first low power consumption state exceeds a predetermined first duration, and may change the operating state to the second low power consumption state when the power source is an external power source and the duration that the operating state is in the first low power consumption state exceeds a predetermined second duration. The second duration may be longer than the first duration, and the first and second durations may be set when the operating state is a normal operating state.
By setting a first duration and a second duration, which are target values for the duration of the first low power consumption state, it is possible to control a change to the second low power consumption state using the first duration when the power source is a battery and the second duration when the power source is an external power source. By setting the second duration longer than the first duration, it is made more difficult to change from the first low power consumption state to the second low power consumption state when the power source is an external power source than when the power source is a battery, thereby reducing the possibility that convenience will be lost due to a change from the second low power consumption state to the normal operating state.

In addition, the computer system may change the operating state from the second low power consumption state to the first low power consumption state when the power source is a battery and the current time becomes the first operation start time, which is the starting point of the first operating time, at a time outside the operating time range, or when the power source is an external power source and the current time becomes the second operation start time, which is the starting point of the second operating time, and set the second operation start time to a time earlier than the first operation start time, and the first operation start time and the second operation start time before the operating state becomes the second low power consumption state.
When the power source is a battery and the current time is the first operation start time, and when the power source is an external power source and the current time is the second operation start time, the operation state can be controlled from the second low power consumption state to the first low power consumption state. By setting the first operation start time and the second operation start time before changing to the second low power consumption state in which the processor of the computer system is stopped, control from the second low power consumption state to the first low power consumption state can be reliably performed.

In addition, the computer system may change the operating state from the second low power consumption state to the first low power consumption state when the current time is between the first operation start time and the second operation start time and the power source is changed from the battery to an external power source.
It is assumed that the information processing device 1 may be used by changing the power source to an external power source. By changing the operating state to the first low power consumption state, it is possible to reduce the possibility that convenience will be lost due to a change to the normal operating state.

The information processing device 1 may further include two housings, an engagement member that rotatably engages the two housings, and a sensor that detects the open/closed state of the two housings. When the computer system changes the operating state from the second low power consumption state to the first low power consumption state, if the two housings are open, the operating state may be changed to a normal operating state.
When the two housings of the information processing device 1 are open, the operating state is changed to a normal operating state. Therefore, the user can quickly use the information processing device 1 by opening the two housings.

In addition, the computer system may collect usage status of its own system at a predetermined time interval, tally up the frequency of usage by time based on the collected usage status, and define as the first operating time a series of periods sandwiched between a first preceding margin period and a first subsequent margin period during which its own system is continuously unused and including a period during which the frequency of usage is higher than a predetermined frequency of usage, and define as the second operating time a series of periods sandwiched between a second preceding margin period and a second subsequent margin period during which its own system is continuously unused and including a period during which the frequency of usage is higher than a predetermined frequency of usage.
As a result, a time period during which the information processing device 1 is likely to be used is determined as the first operating time, and a longer time period including the first operating time is determined as the second operating time. Therefore, by setting the second operating time around the periphery of the first operating time, it is possible to reduce the possibility that convenience will be lost due to a change in the operating state at that time from the second low power consumption state to the normal operating state.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and include designs within the scope of the gist of the present invention. The configurations described in the above-mentioned embodiments can be combined in any manner.

1...information processing device, 11...processor, 12...main memory, 13...video subsystem, 14...display, 21...chipset, 22...BIOS memory, 23...storage, 24...audio system, 25...WLAN card, 26...USB connector, 27...camera, 31...EC, 32...input device, 33...power supply circuit, 110...first control unit, 112...usage status collection unit, 114...operation time information generation unit, 116...mode control unit, 118...setting processing unit, 120...second control unit, 122...power supply control unit, 124...timekeeping unit, 126...event processing unit, 130...storage unit

Claims (8)

A computer system;
a power supply circuit that converts power supplied from a power supply into operating power and supplies the operating power to the computer system;
The computer system includes:
The operating state is switchable among a normal operating state, a first low power consumption state, and a second low power consumption state;
the first low power consumption state is a state in which power consumption is less than that of the normal operation state, and the second low power consumption state is a state in which power consumption is less than that of the first low power consumption state,
an information processing device that controls the operation state based on an operation time that can be changed between the normal operation state and the first low power consumption state,
the operating time includes a first operating time and a second operating time, the second operating time includes the first operating time and is longer than the first operating time;
The computer system includes:
When the power source is a battery, the operating state is controlled based on the first operating time;
When the power source is an external power source, the operating state is controlled based on the second operating time .
changing the operating state to a second power saving state when the power source is a battery and the duration during which the operating state is the first power saving state exceeds a predetermined first duration;
changing the operating state to a second power saving state when the power source is an external power source and the duration during which the operating state is in the first power saving state exceeds a predetermined second duration;
the second duration is greater than the first duration;
When the operating state is the normal operating state, the first duration and the second duration are set.
Information processing device. A computer system;
a power supply circuit that converts power supplied from a power supply into operating power and supplies the operating power to the computer system;
The computer system includes:
The operating state is switchable among a normal operating state, a first low power consumption state, and a second low power consumption state;
the first low power consumption state is a state in which power consumption is less than that of the normal operation state, and the second low power consumption state is a state in which power consumption is less than that of the first low power consumption state,
an information processing device that controls the operation state based on an operation time that can be changed between the normal operation state and the first low power consumption state,
the operating time includes a first operating time and a second operating time, the second operating time includes the first operating time and is longer than the first operating time;
The computer system includes:
When the power source is a battery, the operating state is controlled based on the first operating time;
When the power source is an external power source, the operating state is controlled based on the second operating time .
At a time outside the range of the operating hours,
changing the operating state from the second low power consumption state to the first low power consumption state when the power source is a battery and the current time reaches a first operation start time that is a starting point of the first operating time, or when the power source is an external power source and the current time reaches a second operation start time that is a starting point of the second operating time;
The second operation start time is earlier than the first operation start time,
The first operation start time and the second operation start time are set before the operation state becomes the second low power consumption state.
Information processing device. The computer system includes:
the current time is between the first operation start time and the second operation start time,
When the power source is changed from a battery to an external power source,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the operating state is changed from the second power saving state to the first power saving state. The device further includes two housings, an engagement member that rotatably engages the two housings, and a sensor that detects an open/closed state of the two housings,
when the computer system changes the operating state from the second low power consumption state to the first low power consumption state,
When the two housings are open,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the operation state is changed to the normal operation state. The computer system includes:
Collecting usage information about the system at a predetermined time interval and tallying up the frequency of usage by time based on the usage information;
The information processing device according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first operating time is defined as a series of periods sandwiched between a first leading margin period and a first trailing margin period during which the system is continuously unused, and including a period during which the frequency of use is higher than a predetermined frequency of use. the first low power consumption state is a modern standby mode,
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the second low power consumption state is a hibernation mode. a power supply circuit that converts power supplied from a power supply into operating power and supplies the operating power to a computer system;
The operating state is switchable among a normal operating state, a first low power consumption state, and a second low power consumption state;
the first low power consumption state is a state in which power consumption is less than that of the normal operation state, and the second low power consumption state is a state in which power consumption is less than that of the first low power consumption state,
A method for controlling an information processing device, the information processing device controlling the operation state based on an operation time during which the operation state can be changed between the normal operation state and the first low power consumption state, the method comprising:
the operating time includes a first operating time and a second operating time, the second operating time includes the first operating time and is longer than the first operating time;
The information processing device,
When the power source is a battery, the operating state is controlled based on the first operating time;
When the power source is an external power source, the operating state is controlled based on the second operating time .
changing the operating state to a second power saving state when the power source is a battery and the duration during which the operating state is the first power saving state exceeds a predetermined first duration;
changing the operating state to a second power saving state when the power source is an external power source and the duration during which the operating state is in the first power saving state exceeds a predetermined second duration;
the second duration is greater than the first duration;
When the operating state is the normal operating state, the first duration and the second duration are set.
Control methods. a power supply circuit that converts power supplied from a power supply into operating power and supplies the operating power to a computer system;
The operating state is switchable among a normal operating state, a first low power consumption state, and a second low power consumption state;
the first low power consumption state is a state in which power consumption is less than that of the normal operation state, and the second low power consumption state is a state in which power consumption is less than that of the first low power consumption state,
A method for controlling an information processing device, the information processing device controlling the operation state based on an operation time during which the operation state can be changed between the normal operation state and the first low power consumption state, the method comprising:
the operating time includes a first operating time and a second operating time, the second operating time includes the first operating time and is longer than the first operating time;
The information processing device,
When the power source is a battery, the operating state is controlled based on the first operating time;
When the power source is an external power source, the operating state is controlled based on the second operating time .
At a time outside the range of the operating hours,
changing the operating state from the second low power consumption state to the first low power consumption state when the power source is a battery and the current time reaches a first operation start time that is a starting point of the first operating time, or when the power source is an external power source and the current time reaches a second operation start time that is a starting point of the second operating time;
The second operation start time is earlier than the first operation start time,
The first operation start time and the second operation start time are set before the operation state becomes the second low power consumption state.
Control methods.

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