JPH05265765A - Power-on device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To secure the connection of a power-on device which switches on the power supply of an electronic computer system to this system despite the absence of a program loading function. CONSTITUTION:A power-on device 1 loads a program which carries out a power-on action into a rewritable memory 11 from an electronic computer system 2 and then works. Then the device 1 is provided with a ROM 12 which stores a program having the same function as a part of the program loaded into the memory 11. Thus, the device 1 works based on the program stored in the ROM 12 when no program is stored in the memory 11.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power-on device for powering on an electronic computer system, and in particular, it can be connected even if the electronic computer system does not have a program loading function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A device for powering on a computer of a main body is generally supplied with power independently of a computer system, and performs timer power-on control for powering on at a specific time, or another The power of the computer system is turned on by remote power-on control, which turns on the power when the computer system gives a power-on instruction through the line.

Conventionally, such a power-on device is required to operate with low power consumption because it is constantly supplied with power for 24-hour control. Therefore, the execution program for this power-on control is the power-on device. A read-only memory (RO
It was stored in M).

However, in recent years, in the case of the remote power-on control or the like, the control of the line interface becomes complicated, and if the execution program is stored in a read-only memory that cannot be rewritten, the program cannot be modified unless it is replaced. It is impossible. Therefore, inconvenience occurred in maintenance when a bug was present in this execution program and in function enhancement such as adding control by a new control method.

Therefore, the execution program is
It became necessary to store the data in a readable / writable memory such as a battery-supported RAM that requires a certain amount of power to retain the memory.

In this case, the execution program of the power-on device is stored in a non-volatile memory such as a magnetic disk of the computer system, and is loaded into the power-on device when the computer system is operating.

Even when the electronic computer system is inoperable because the power is off, the power-on device is supplied with power independently of the computer system which is the main body.
The loaded program continues to be held in the readable / writable memory, and by executing this, the power-on device operates.

[0008]

By the way, the function of the power-on device, which was initially the operation control based on the ROM, is changed to the operation control based on the execution program stored in the RAM. When the computer system, which is the main body, does not have a loading function for loading a program to this power-on device due to expansion, a power-on device is connected to this computer system. There is a problem that you can not.

For example, even though the electronic computer system uses only a simple timer power-on function, that is, a simple function that can be stored in a read-only memory, it cannot be connected to the power-on device because it does not have a loading function, and therefore it cannot be remotely connected. There is a problem that not only control control but also timer start control cannot be performed.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a power-on device which can be connected to an electronic computer system which does not have such a loading function, and of course, to an electronic computer system which has a loading function.

[0011]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 1, a rewritable memory 11 and a read-out memory are provided in a power-on device 1 for powering on a computer system 2 of a main body. A dedicated memory 12 is provided. Further, storage devices 3 and 4 are provided, and an execution program to be loaded into the power-on device 1 is stored in one of them, for example, the storage device 3.

When the electronic computer system 2 has a loading function, the rewritable memory 11 of the power-on device 1 stores an execution program from the storage device 3 by this. Further, the read-only memory 12 stores a program that realizes the same function as a part of the program loaded into the rewritable memory 11 such as the timer power-on function.

[0013]

Therefore, when the computer system 2 of the main body has a loading function, the rewritable memory 11 of the power-on device 1 is loaded with the execution program from the storage device 3, and the power-on control based on this is electronically executed. It is executed by the computer system 2. However, when the electronic computer system 2 does not have a loading function, the rewritable memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 11 such as the timer power-on function, which is stored in the read-only memory 12 (hereinafter referred to as ROM), is stored in the rewritable memory 11. The power-on device 1 executes the same function as part of the loaded program to start up the computer system 2 of the main body.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the power-on device of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2A shows the configuration of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is an operation explanatory diagram thereof. And Figure 2
In (A), the same symbols as those in other drawings indicate the same parts, and 1
3 is a CPU, 14 is a line control unit, 15 is a timer, and 16 is a power supply control unit. In FIG. 2B, 17 is a table in which execution destination addresses are entered.

The CPU 13 comprehensively controls the power-on device 1, and also controls the output of a signal for powering on the computer system of the main body. The line control unit 14 controls communication with other devices connected via a line, the timer 15 is a timer for starting the timer of the electronic computer system, and the power supply control unit 16 is the power-on device 1. In addition to a power source obtained from a normal commercial power source, a backup power source for backing up in case of a power failure is provided.

When the computer system 2 shown in FIG. 1 has a loading program for loading the program, the RAM 11 is loaded with the execution program from the storage device 3. In this case, the loading process is performed by, for example, an operator manually operating the electronic computer system.

Further, the ROM 12 stores a program that realizes the same function as a part of the execution program loaded in the RAM 11, for example, a program of the timer power-on function.

When the execution program is loaded into the RAM 11, the starting address "aaa" of the loading destination is the table 17 shown in FIG.
ROM12 when it is filled in and not loaded
The leading address “bbbb” of the above is entered in this table 17.

Therefore, when the power-on execution program is loaded in the RAM 11 and the line controller 14 or the timer 15 sends an interrupt signal to the CPU 13, the CPU 13 causes the execution start address data "aaaa" in the table 17 to be executed. Read. And FIG. 2 (B)
As shown in, the execution program is read from the area of the RAM 11 designated by the address "aaa", and C
The PU 13 performs power-on control of the electronic computer system 1.

However, if the power-on execution program is not loaded in the RAM 11, "bbbbb" is entered as the execution start address in the table 17, so "bbbbb" is generated in response to the interrupt signal.
2B, the execution program is read from the area of the ROM 12 designated by the address "bbbb" as shown in (B) of FIG. 2, and the CPU 13 reads the execution program according to the interrupt factor, for example, a timer of the computer system 1 of the main body. Power-on control will be performed.

As described above, the address stored in the table 17 of FIG. 2B is set to the address of the ROM 12 when the power-on device 1 is initialized, and the program loading function of the computer system 2 causes the RAM 11 for power-on. By rewriting to the address of the RAM 11 when the execution program of is loaded, the program to be executed can be appropriately selected.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. If the power-on execution program is not loaded in the RAM, this function can also be realized by loading the ROM program in the RAM. It is better to fill in the RAM when the CPU 13 does not have the function of accessing the ROM. When this transcription is made, this program is transcribed from the ROM to the RAM and then the RA is recorded in the table (17 in FIG. 2B).
The leading address of the storage destination in M is entered, and as shown in FIG. 3, a specific pattern, for example, "ABCD" is entered in the RAM. For example, when a power failure occurs, this specific pattern is read, and if it changes, it is determined to be invalid and the CPU
13 loads from ROM to RAM, rewrites the address of the table, and stores the specific pattern again.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, for example, the switch 2
It is also possible to provide 1 to select whether to execute the program of the RAM 11 or the ROM 12 by an external setting such as ON / OFF setting.

[0024]

According to the present invention, even if the electronic computer system does not have the function of loading a program, the power-on device can be connected and the power-on can be controlled externally based on this. Therefore, it becomes possible to externally power-on the computer system in an unmanned state such as in a space or at night.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Power-on device 2 Computer system 3, 4 Storage device 11 Rewritable memory 12 Read only memory 13 CPU 14 Line control unit 15 Timer 16 Power control unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A power-on device (1) which operates by loading a program for executing its power-on operation from a computer system (2) into a rewritable memory, wherein the rewritable memory (11) is A read-only memory (12) holding a program having the same function as a part of the loaded program is stored in the rewritable memory (12) when the program does not exist in the rewritable memory (11). A power-on device characterized by being configured to operate based on a program. 2. The program stored in the read-only memory (12) is loaded into the rewritable memory (11) when the program does not exist in the rewritable memory (11). The power-on device according to claim 1. 3. The external instruction device (21) is used to select whether to execute a program loaded in the rewritable memory (11) or a program in the read-only memory (12). The power-on device according to claim 1, wherein: