JPH05266640A - Start control method for electronic appliance - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reduce power consumption and to alleviate the burden on the power supply for host machine by driving a motor or an actuator only after the host machine started reading of a functional information ROM. CONSTITUTION:A card type magnetic disc unit 4 comprises a drive control section 36 for a motor 32 and an actuator 35, a signal processing section 37, and a connector 40 to be connected with a host machine for transmission of signals. A ROM 38 containing information relevant to the functions of electronic appliance is also built in. The motor 32 or the actuator 35 is driven only after the disc unit 4 is connected through the connector 4 with the host machine and the host machine begins to read out information stored in the functional information ROM. According to the constitution, the disc unit 4 consumes power of the host machine only after it is ready to operate.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for controlling activation of electronic equipment used as peripheral equipment of a computer, and more particularly to a machine driven by current such as a motor or actuator, such as a card type magnetic disk device. The present invention relates to a start-up control method for a replaceable electronic device having a section.

Along with the development of semiconductor technology and processing technology, small-sized, low-power-consumption exchangeable external storage devices represented by IC memory cards have been provided.
Such an external storage device is connected to a host device such as a personal computer through a connector or the like,
After being connected, it operates by receiving power from the host device.

However, in order to cope with the increase in the data amount accompanying the improvement in the processing capability of the computer, the conventional IC
A card-type magnetic disk device that can be used similarly to a memory card is being developed. The card type magnetic disk device has a mechanical portion driven by an electric current even though it is small in size, and therefore consumes a large amount of power during operation as compared with an IC memory card. Therefore, in developing the card type magnetic disk device, it is impossible to avoid the problem of power consumption.

[0004]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a replaceable electronic device such as an IC memory card, information on the function of the electronic device, such as information on the type of electronic device, storage capacity, access time, communication speed, etc., is stored. The built-in function information ROM is provided.

When the electronic device is inserted and connected to the connector provided in the host device, the electronic device receives the power from the host device, is immediately activated, and is ready for use.

[0006]

However, just because an electronic device is connected to its connector does not mean that the host device immediately uses the electronic device. Therefore, there is a problem that power is consumed from the time when the electronic device is connected to the connector until the time when the electronic device is actually used even though the electronic device is not used.

Such a state is not a serious problem in an electronic device such as an IC memory card that consumes relatively little power, but a device such as a card type magnetic disk device having a mechanical part such as a motor built therein. In the above, since a large amount of current is required to drive the mechanical section and a large amount of power is consumed, a large load is applied to the power source section of the host device.

In particular, when the host device is not a stationary type device that can take power from the AC line but uses a battery as a power source with an emphasis on portability, such as a so-called notebook computer, the battery life becomes longer. Since the utility value and the economical efficiency are greatly influenced by the length of the electronic device, it becomes a serious problem when the power consumption of the externally connected electronic device is large.

In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to provide a start-up control method for electronic equipment which can reduce power consumption and lighten the burden on the power supply of the host device. It is an object of the invention of claim 2 to reduce the power consumption of an electronic device including a mechanical part that requires a large amount of current.

It is an object of the inventions of claims 3 and 4 to reduce the power consumption of an electronic apparatus configured as a replaceable magnetic disk device. It is an object of the invention of claim 5 to further reduce the power consumption of an electronic device configured as a replaceable magnetic disk device.

[0011]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a method according to the invention of claim 1 is for connecting a host device and transmitting a signal, as shown in FIGS. In the electronic devices 2, 3 and 4 having the connection parts 11, 21 and 40 and the function information storage parts 12, 22 and 38 storing the information regarding the function of the electronic device, the connection parts 11 and 2 are provided.
1, 40 only after the first device is connected to the host device and the first device starts reading the information stored in the function information storage units 12, 22, 38. 4 control is performed.

In the method according to the second aspect of the present invention, the electronic device 3, 4 has a mechanical part 2 driven therein by an electric current.
8, 32, and 35, which are connected to the host device by the connection units 21 and 40, and the first read operation of the information stored in the function information storage units 22 and 38 is started by the host device. Only after that, the mechanical parts 28, 32, 35 are driven to control the activation of the electronic devices 3, 4.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a disk 31 for storing information, a motor 32 for rotating the disk 31, a head 33 for recording or reproducing information on the disk 31. An actuator 35 for moving the head 33 to a target position, a drive controller 36 for driving the motor 32 and the actuator 35, a signal processor 37 for processing a signal for recording or reproduction, and a host An electronic device 4 having a connection unit 40 for connecting to a device and transmitting a signal, and a function information storage unit 38 that stores information regarding the function of the electronic device.
In the above, the function information storage unit 3 is connected to the host device by the connection unit 40 and is connected to the host device by the host device.
8 only after the first reading of the information stored in 8 is started.
The electronic device 4 is activated by driving the electronic device 5.

In the method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the first reading of the information which is connected to the host device by the connection unit 40 of the electronic device 4 and which is stored in the function information storage unit 38 by the host device is started. Only after this, the motor 32 or the actuator 35 is driven to measure the control constant for calibration.

In the method according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the motor 32 or the actuator 35 is driven from the host device within a predetermined time after the motor 32 or the actuator 35 is driven. When no command signal is input, the drive of the motor 32 or the actuator 35 is stopped and the motor 3
2 or when the command signal is input while the actuator 35 is stopped, the motor 32 or the actuator 3 without measuring the control constant for calibration.
Drive 5

[0016]

In order for the host device to use the electronic device connected to the host device, it is necessary to obtain information about the function of the electronic device and recognize the type and function of the electronic device before that. .. Therefore, the host device reads the content of the function information storage unit built in the electronic device before using the electronic device.

Even if the electronic device is connected to the host device and power is supplied from the host device, the electronic device does not start immediately and waits for a read signal of the function information storage section from the host device to be input. , Start after that.

In particular, in the case where the electronic device includes a mechanical section, when a command signal for driving the mechanical section is input, for example, after the reading of the functional information storage section from the host device is started. Then, the machine unit is driven, or the control constant is measured by the drive of the machine unit, and the operation is started.

[0019]

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a card-type electronic device 3 using the activation control method of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the activation control method of the electronic device 3.

The electronic device 3 is connected to a connector provided in a host device (not shown) to transmit a signal, a function information ROM 22 storing information about the function of the electronic device 3, and the electronic device 3 concerned. Device main body 23 for realizing the original function of the device, and address signal AB and data signal DB for function information ROM 22 and device main body 23.
It is composed of a multiplexer 24 for allocating to and, which are housed in a card type housing 20.

When the connector 21 is connected to the host device in operation, the ROM 22 for function information and the device main body 2 are simultaneously displayed.
3, the power is supplied to the multiplexer 24 (step # 11), and the function information ROM 22 and the multiplexer 24 are in the operating state. However, the apparatus main body 23 does not start up, and no processing or operation of the mechanical section 28 is performed.

The host device inputs a command from an operator,
Access to the connected electronic device 3 is started by a program command or the like. First, the higher-level device reads the contents of the function information ROM 22. As a result, the host device can recognize the function of the electronic device 3, allocate the signal pins of the interface, and incorporate the electronic device 3 into the system environment. In order to utilize the function of the electronic device 3 thereafter. It is possible to access the device body 23.

The electronic device 3 receives the function information R from the host device.
After the first reading of the contents of the OM 22 is started (Yes in step # 12), the activation is performed (step # 13). As a result, the electronic device 3 becomes ready for use.

The contents of the activation of the electronic device 3 include initialization of various registers and memories in the apparatus main body 23, drive control of a mechanical unit 28 such as a motor or actuator when there is a motor, and calibration of the apparatus main body 23. There are measurement of control constants.

That is, the electronic device 3 does not substantially perform any operation from the time when the electronic device 3 is connected to the host device to the time when the reading of the function information ROM 22 is started, and therefore the power consumption during that time is extremely small.

The device main body 23 may be started when the function main body 23 is first accessed after the function information ROM 22 is read from the host device. By doing so, although the response to the access to the apparatus main body 23 for the first time is slightly delayed, the power consumption can be further reduced.

In such a case, if the device body 23 is not accessed again within a predetermined time after the activation of the device body 23, the drive of the mechanical section 28 is stopped or the like. 23 is set in the standby state, and when the apparatus main body 23 in the standby state is accessed, the mechanical section 28 is driven so that the apparatus section 23 is ready to be used again. This further reduces power consumption.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the inside of a magnetic disk device 4 using the activation control method of the present invention as seen through, FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the magnetic disk device 4 of FIG. 4, and FIG.
4 is a flow chart showing a start control method of the magnetic disk device 4 of FIG.

The magnetic disk device 4 has the same outer size (54 × 85.6 × 5 m) as a general IC memory card.
m) housing 30. Inside the housing 30, a disc 31 for storing information, a disc 31
Spindle motor 32 and disk 3 for rotating
1, a head 33 that records or reproduces information with respect to 1, an arm 34 that supports the head 33, an actuator 35 that moves the head 33 to a target position, a spindle motor 32, and a drive control unit 36 that drives the actuator 35. , A signal processing unit 37 that processes a signal for recording or reproduction, a function information ROM 38 that stores information about the function of the magnetic disk device 4, an interface circuit 39, and the like are arranged, and at the end of the housing 30. Is attached with a connector 40 for transmitting a signal by connecting to a host device.

When the magnetic disk device 4 is inserted into a slot or the like and the connector 40 is connected to a host device, power is supplied to each part of the magnetic disk device 4. However, the drive control unit 36 and the signal processing unit 37 do not perform any substantial processing.

When the host device accesses the function information ROM 38 (YES in step # 21), the internal states of the drive controller 36, the signal processor 37, the interface circuit 39, etc. are initialized (step # 22). ). By accessing the function information ROM 38, the host device can recognize that the magnetic disk device is connected, its storage capacity, the number of sectors, the access time, and the like.

Then, it waits in that state until there is a command for recording or reproducing information from the host device, and when there is a command (Yes in step # 23), the drive control unit 36 starts drive control and the spindle control is started. The motor 32 is driven, the head 33 is moved to the 0th track of the disk 31 (steps # 24 and 25), and so-called calibration seek for measuring the control constant is performed (step ##).
26).

After that, the command from the host device is executed (step # 27). If there is the next command (YES in step # 28), the timer is reset (step # 29), and then the process returns to step # 27 to execute the command.

If there is no command (NO in step # 28), the timer is counted (step # 31), and when the timer reaches a certain count value (YES in step # 32), the drive control unit 36 drives. Is stopped (step # 33), and the process returns to step # 28 to wait for a command from the host device. If there is an instruction, drive control is performed without executing the calibration seek, and the instruction is executed (step # 27).

In the above-described calibration seek, the torque constant of the spindle motor 32 and the actuator 35, the magnitude of the external force applied to the actuator 35, etc. are measured. The measured control constant is the drive control unit 3
6 memory and used in the subsequent drive control. As a result, the head 3 caused by individual differences in mechanical parts such as the spindle motor 32 and the actuator 35.
The deterioration of the positioning accuracy of No. 3 is prevented.

When the control constant is measured and the value is stored in the memory, the drive control is temporarily stopped in step # 33, and then the drive is performed in step # 27 by an instruction from the host device. In addition, the drive control is performed using the stored control constants, which ensures the positioning accuracy and the like.

Thus, the initialization is performed after the access to the function information ROM 38 is started, and the mechanical section is driven and the calibration seek is performed after the instruction from the higher-level device, and moreover, it is fixed. If there is no command from the host device within the time, the driving is stopped until the command is received, so that the power consumption of the magnetic disk device 4 is greatly reduced.

Further, if there is no instruction from the host device, the power supply to the circuits other than the interface circuit 39 is stopped, so that the power consumption can be further reduced.

In the above-described embodiment, the structure, shape, method, etc. of the magnetic disk device 4 can be modified in various ways other than those described above. As the electronic devices 2 and 3, in addition to the magnetic disk device 4 described above, various devices such as a file device such as an optical disk device, a RAM card, and a modem card can be applied.

[0040]

According to the present invention, the power consumption can be reduced and the burden on the power source of the host device can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of an electronic device including a mechanical section that requires a large amount of current. According to the third and fourth aspects of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the power consumption of the exchangeable magnetic disk device.

According to the invention of claim 5, the power consumption of the exchangeable magnetic disk device can be further reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an electronic device using a startup control method of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a card-type electronic device using the activation control method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a startup control method of the electronic device of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the inside of a magnetic disk device using the startup control method of the present invention as seen through.

5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the magnetic disk device of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a startup control method of the magnetic disk device of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2, 3 Electronic device 4 Magnetic disk device (electronic device) 11 Connection part 12 Function information storage part 21, 40 Connector (connection part) 22, 38 Function information ROM (function information storage part) 28 Machine part 31 Disk 32 Spindle motor (Mechanical part) 33 Head 35 Actuator (mechanical part) 36 Drive control part 37 Signal processing part

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A connection unit (11) (21) (40) for connecting to a higher-level device to transmit a signal, and a function information storage unit (12) storing information on the function of the electronic device.
(22) (38) and electronic equipment (2) (3)
In (4), of the information stored in the function information storage units (12), (22) and (38) by the connection unit (11) (21) (40) and connected to the host device. An activation control method for an electronic device, wherein activation control of the electronic device (2) (3) (4) is performed only after the first reading is started. 2. The electronic device (3) (4) according to claim 1, wherein the electronic device has a mechanical section (28) (32) (35) driven by an electric current therein, The machine is connected only after the parts (21) (40) are connected to the host device and the host device starts the first reading of the information stored in the function information storage parts (22) (38). Part (28) (3
2. The method of controlling activation of an electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the activation control of the electronic device (3) (4) is performed by driving (2) (35). 3. A disc (31) for storing information and a motor (32) for rotating the disc (31).
A head (33) for recording or reproducing information on the disk (31), an actuator (35) for moving the head (33) to a target position, the motor (32) and an actuator ( 35), a drive control section (36) for driving, a signal processing section (37) for processing a signal for recording or reproduction, and a connection section (for connecting a host device and transmitting a signal). 40), and an electronic device (4) having a function information storage unit (38) storing information related to the function of the electronic device, wherein the connection unit (40) is connected to the host device,
In addition, the function information storage unit (38) is provided by the host device.
An electronic device characterized in that the starting control of the electronic device (4) is performed by driving the motor (32) or the actuator (35) only after the first reading of the information stored in the device is started. Equipment startup control method. 4. A method for controlling activation of an electronic device (4) according to claim 3, wherein the connection unit (40) is connected to the host device.
In addition, the function information storage unit (38) is provided by the host device.
In the electronic device, the control constant for calibration is measured by driving the motor (32) or the actuator (35) only after the first reading of the information stored in Startup control method. 5. The method for controlling activation of an electronic device (4) according to claim 4, wherein the motor (32) or the actuator (35) is driven within a predetermined time after the drive. From the host device to the motor (32) or the actuator (3
When the command signal accompanying the driving of 5) is not input, the driving of the motor (32) or the actuator (35) is stopped, and the command signal is generated while the motor (32) or the actuator (35) is stopped. Is input, the motor (32) or the actuator (35) without measuring the control constant for calibration.
A method for controlling activation of an electronic device, comprising: