JPH05241688A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To support the operation of the entire system by connecting a plurality of information processors and making the power supply to one information processor with the help of the other information processor even though a fault occurs in applying power to the information processor. CONSTITUTION:The system is provided with a first information processor 1 having a first processing means 15 and first power supply means 11 and 12 and a second information processor 2 having a second processing means 25 and second power supply means 21 and 22. It is also provided with a connection means 3 connecting across the first and second information processors and a comparison means 17 comparing the capability of power supply of the first and second power supply means based on the connection. Based on the comparison by means of the comparison means, either first or the second power supply means with the higher capability is selected, and the power is applied for both information processors based on the selection.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus configured to connect a plurality of information processing apparatuses to supply power.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of information processing apparatus, there is an electronic notebook or the like, and there are cases where a plurality of electronic notebooks are mutually connected to transmit information. Even in such a connected state, the power supply means built in each device (electronic notebook, etc.) could not change the power supply destination.

[0003]

As described above, since the power supply destination of the built-in power supply means cannot be changed,
For example, after connecting a plurality of information processing devices, if one power supply fails and power is not sufficiently supplied, there is a problem that the functions of the entire system formed by the connection do not operate. ..

[0004]

According to the present invention, there is provided a first information processing apparatus having a first power supply means for supplying power to a first processing means for performing information processing, and a first information processing apparatus for performing information processing. A second information processing apparatus having second power supply means for supplying power to the second processing means;
Connecting means for connecting the information processing apparatus of the first aspect and the second information processing apparatus with a signal line, and the supply capability of the first power supply means and the second power supply based on the connection of the connecting means. Comparing means for comparing the supply capacities of the means, and the one having the larger supply capacity from the first power supply means and the second power supply means is selected based on the comparison by the comparison means in the previous period.
A configuration having a third power supply means for supplying power to both the first information processing device and the second information processing device based on the selection is adopted.

[0005]

According to the present invention, when a plurality of information processing devices are connected, the power supply capacities of the respective power supplies are compared, and the larger one is selected as the power supply power source. It is now possible to help a device with reduced ability to operate. For example, when small electronic devices such as an electronic notebook are connected to each other, when both have batteries, the one having the larger capacity is selected to supply power. Also, even if the capacity is large, if there is not enough capacity to cover the whole, the supply is shut down to prevent unnecessary battery consumption.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As an embodiment of the present invention, an example of connection between small microcomputers operating on dry batteries will be described. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of the system during connection. When the connection device is disconnected, the control of the microcomputer 1 of the first information processing device is realized by the control program existing inside the CPU 15 and the ROM 16. The control of the microcomputer 2 of the second information processing apparatus is realized by a control program existing inside the CPU 25 and the ROM 26.

By connecting the first and second information processing devices by the connection device 3, the system buses 17 and 27 of the respective microcomputers 1 and 2 are connected to each other, and C
The PU 25 is logically disconnected from the system bus 17 and put into a function stop state. The control in this state is realized by the control program stored in the CPU 15 and the ROM 16.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the power supply control circuits 12 and 22 being connected. When the connection device 3 is disconnected, the power of the microcomputer 1 is supplied from the battery 11. The power of the microcomputer 2 is supplied from the battery 21.

When the connection device 3 is connected, the power supply control circuit 1
2 and 22 immediately perform the next operation. Hereinafter, description will be made with reference to the flowchart of FIG. In step S1, the relays RL1 and RL4 are disconnected. Also relays RL2, R
Connect L3. As a result, the resistance R for the battery 11 is
1, the resistor R2 is connected to the battery 21. If the resistances of the resistors R1 and R2 are equal, the battery voltage shows a voltage proportional to the internal resistance of the batteries 11 and 21, that is, the remaining capacity of the batteries. In step S2, this voltage is compared by the comparator 17 and operation is performed according to the comparison result. When the voltage of the battery 11 is high in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3, and when the voltage of the battery 21 is high in step S2, the process proceeds to step S4. In step S3, the relays RL2, RL3, RL4 are disconnected. Further, the relay RL1 is connected. In step S4, the relay RL1,
RL2 and RL4 are cut. Further, the relay RL3 is connected. The above is the operation corresponding to claim 1 of the present invention.

In step S5, the potential of the connected power supply wire is detected, and if the specified potential cannot be obtained, it is determined that power cannot be supplied, and the process proceeds to step S6.
Disconnect all relays RL1 to RL4. The above is the operation corresponding to claim 2 according to the present invention.

[0011]

As described above, in the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the present invention provides the first information having the first power supply means for supplying power to the first processing means for performing information processing. A second information processing device having a processing device and a second power supply means for supplying power to a second processing means for performing information processing, the first information processing device and the second information processing. Connection means for connecting the device with a signal line, and comparison means for comparing the supply capacity of the first power supply means with the supply capacity of the second power supply means based on the connection of the connection means, Based on the comparison by the first-half comparison means, the one having the larger supply capability is selected from the first power supply means and the second power supply means, and based on the selection, the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus. Power to both information processing devices A structure having a Nau third power supply means. Therefore, in the present invention, when a plurality of information processing devices each having a power supply means are connected, even if one power supply means is disturbed, the other power supply means can be operated, and the system can be used as a system. It became possible to maintain operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an exemplary embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an outline of a power supply control circuit according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 2 Microcomputer 3 Connection device 11 Battery (first) 12 First power supply control circuit 17, 18 Comparator 21 Battery (second) 22 Second power supply control circuit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A first information processing apparatus having a first power supply means for supplying power to a first processing means for performing information processing, and a power supply for a second processing means for performing information processing. Second having a second power supply means for supplying power
Information processing device, the first information processing device, and the second information processing device
Connection means for connecting to the information processing device of
Comparison means for comparing the supply capacity of the first power supply means and the supply capacity of the second power supply means based on the connection of the connection means, and the first power supply based on the comparison by the comparison means of the previous term Means for supplying the power to both the first information processing apparatus and the second information processing apparatus based on the selection. An information processing device, comprising: 2. A determination means for determining the power supply capacity of the third power supply means, and a stop means for stopping the power supply when the third power supply means is judged to have insufficient supply capacity. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: