JPH06214681A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To turn an information processor to a low power consumption state by a power management means by giving the instruction of user's intention to reduce the useless power consumption of the information processor through an input means to the information processor by the user. CONSTITUTION:This information processor is provided with the input means 2 for transmitting the user's intention to reduce the useless power consumption to the information processor 1 and the power management means 5 for receiving the instruction of the user and shifting the inside of the information processor 1 to the low power consumption state. Thus, when the user gives the instruction to the processor, the power management means turns the information processor to the low power consumption state.

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 having at least input means.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Most conventional information processing apparatuses detect a key input waiting state and put the apparatus into a low power consumption state when there is no key input.

[0003]

However, the conventional information processing apparatus has a drawback in that a circuit that does not need to operate even when not waiting for a key input is in vain. An object of the present invention is to eliminate such drawbacks and reduce the power consumption of the device.

[0004]

The present invention is characterized by comprising input means for shifting the state of the apparatus to a low power consumption state according to the intention of the user and means for managing power.

[0005]

According to the present invention, when the user wants to shift the device to the low power consumption state, the input means receives the user's instruction, and the power management means stops the power supply to the respective parts of the device, so that the device is turned on. It is a power consumption state.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the present invention. An information processing apparatus 1 includes a central processing unit, a memory, and an input / output device. Reference numeral 2 is a part of the information processing apparatus 1 and is an interface between the user and the information processing apparatus 1, that is, an input unit serving as a user interface. A user is a user or an operator who operates, and the operation of the information processing apparatus 1 and the input of data are performed by the input means 2. Also, the input means 2 is
It has a function of transmitting the user's intention to the information processing device 1 when the user gives an instruction using the input means 2. Three
Is a discriminating means for discriminating whether or not to shift the state of the information processing device 1 to the low power consumption state. Reference numeral 4 is a power control means for selecting or setting which part of the information processing apparatus 1 the power consumption is to be reduced, and showing the control procedure of each part.
Reference numeral 5 denotes a power management unit that supplies power or sends a signal indicating stop / start / stop time of power supply to the power supply unit of each unit in the information processing apparatus 1. Further, the power management unit 5 sends a power management signal to the clock signal input unit of each unit in the information processing device 1 to control the clock signal. After receiving the power management signal, the clock signal input means divides the frequency of the clock signal, lowers the clock frequency of the element, and reduces power consumption. FIG. 1 is used to show the general flow of the method of transitioning to the low power consumption state of the present invention. First, when the user stops the operation of the information processing apparatus 1 or leaves the apparatus by interrupting the processing, an instruction is given to the input unit 2 for the purpose of reducing the power consumption of the information processing apparatus 1. Next, the input unit 2 sends the transition instruction information to the low power consumption state input by the user to the determination unit 3. Upon receiving the transition information to the low power consumption state, the determination unit 3 monitors the operation status of the system and determines whether the system may be stopped or whether the power supply to each unit of the apparatus may be stopped. . When it is judged that the system can be stopped or the power supply to each part of the apparatus can be stopped in view of the operating condition of the system, the power control means 4
To the power control means 4 to start. The power control unit 4 performs a transition process for transitioning to a low power consumption state,
Select a device for power management. Finally, the power management means 5 stops power supply to each device according to the control procedure shown in the power control means 4, or sends a power management signal to the power supply section and clock input means of each device to send a power management signal to each device. Reduce power consumption.

FIG. 2 is a view showing a line of the input means 2. 60 is a diagram showing a window displayed in the display procedure 63 of the information processing apparatus 1. The window 60 is opened by a user's instruction or is automatically opened, and asks the user whether to shift the information processing apparatus 1 to a low power consumption state (also referred to as a standby state). User interface. 61
Buttons 62 and 62 are on the window 60. 61
Is a flat button which is selected when the information processing apparatus 1 is to be shifted to a low power consumption state. A negative button 62 is selected when it is not desired to shift the information processing apparatus 1 to the low power consumption state, that is, when it is not desired to continue the operation and stop a part or almost all of the system.
To select these 61 and 62 buttons, use the mouse to move the cursor and use the mouse buttons to specify, or use the keyboard to move the cursor to use the keyboard to specify, and the window 60 is a touch panel. , There is a method of pointing with a finger. The buttons 61 and 62 have two states, that is, a state in which the button is not selected and a state in which the button is selected, and the two are not simultaneously selected.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the standby button 64 displayed on the display means 63 of the information processing apparatus 1.
The standby button 64 is a kind of button area of a window selected by the user when the user wants to shift the information processing apparatus 1 to a low power consumption state (standby state). At this time, the display screen of the display means 63 is often a graphic screen. Similar to the buttons shown in FIG. 2, when the user wants to shift the information processing apparatus 1 to the standby state, the method of moving the mouse cursor to the area of the standby button 64 and instructing with the mouse button, or the cursor using the keyboard To move and instruct with the keyboard,
Use the method of pointing with your finger.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the standby command 65 displayed on the display means 63 of the information processing apparatus 1. The standby command 65 is a command input by the user when the user wants to shift the information processing apparatus 1 to the standby state. At this time, the display screen of the display unit 63 is often a text screen. When the user wants to shift the information processing apparatus 1 to the standby state, the standby command 65 is input with the keyboard and the keyboard is used to instruct the standby command 65 while the system is waiting for a command input. A standby command is a string such as standby.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a standby key 67 arranged on the keyboard 66. The standby key 66 is a key pressed by the user when the user wants to shift the information processing apparatus 1 to the standby state. When the user wants to shift the information processing apparatus 1 to the standby state, the standby key 66 is pressed to give an instruction to the system.

FIG. 5 is a view showing the standby button 68 arranged on the mouse 69. The standby button 68 is a button pressed by the user when the user wants to shift the information processing apparatus 1 to the standby state. When the user wants to shift the information processing apparatus 1 to the standby state,
Pressing the standby button 68 gives instructions to the system.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a case where the input means is a tablet 70. 71 is a standby area on the tablet. The standby area 70 is an area selected by the user when the user wants to shift the information processing apparatus 1 to the standby state. When the user wants to shift the information processing apparatus 1 to the standby state, the standby area 70 is selected with a pen and an instruction is given to the system.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a case where the input means is a trackball 72. 73 is a standby button on the trackball. The standby button 73 is
This button is pressed by the user when the user wants to shift the information processing apparatus 1 to the standby state. When the user wants to shift the information processing apparatus 1 to the standby state, the standby button 72 is pressed to give an instruction to the system.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus 1, and is a diagram showing a case where the discriminating means 3 and the power control means 4 are realized by software. 81
Is a central processing unit (MPU). Reference numeral 82 is an input / output control means for controlling input / output. Reference numeral 83 is an I / O device such as the input unit 2 and the output unit. 83 includes, for example, a keyboard, a display device, a floppy disk device, a hard disk device, and the like. Reference numeral 84 is a writable and readable memory for storing the program. User-instructed shift instruction information to low power consumption input by the input unit 2 shown in FIGS. 2 to 8 is sent to the input control unit 82. The MPU 81 has an input control means 82.
When it is known that the information about the transition to the low power consumption state has been sent to, the discrimination program 3 in the memory 84 is executed. The determination program 3 may monitor the operating status of the system and shift the system to a low power consumption state, that is,
It is determined whether the system may be stopped, whether the power supply to each part of the device may be stopped, or whether the clock frequency of each part of the device may be lowered. When the determination program 3 determines that the system should not be shifted to the low power consumption state, the shift information to the low power consumption state,
For example, the event of pressing the mouse button or the like is discarded, or the transition information is stored in the memory until the system state becomes a state in which the system can be transitioned to the low power consumption state. On the contrary, when the determination program 3 determines that the system may be shifted to the low power consumption state, the MPU 81 executes the power control program 4 in the memory. The power control means 4 shifts the system to a low power consumption state,
It saves the registers and buffers, selects / sets which device is to stop the power supply, which device is to stop the clock supply, and which device is to lower the clock frequency. Power management means 5
Is a process for stopping the supply of power to each device set and controlled by the power control program 4, outputting a power management signal for stopping the clock supply to each device and lowering the clock frequency, and supplying power to the power supply unit of each device. Outputs a supply stop signal, etc.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus 1, showing a case where the discriminating means 3 is realized by software and the power control means 4 is realized by hardware. Is. Reference numeral 81 is an MPU. Reference numeral 82 is an input / output control means. 83 is an I / O device. Reference numeral 84 is a memory. Similar to the case shown in FIG. 9, the user instruction to move to the low power consumption instruction information is sent to the input control means 82. The MPU 81 executes the determination program 3 in the memory 84 when it knows that the transition information to the low power consumption state has been sent to the input control means 82. The determination program 3 performs the same process as the process shown in the description of FIG.
When the determination program 3 determines that the system may be shifted to the low power consumption state, the power control unit 4 saves each register, the buffer, or to which device in order to shift the system to the low power consumption state. Select whether to stop the power supply, stop the clock supply of which device, and lower the clock frequency of which device, and set them in hardware. The power management unit 5 stops the power supply to each device set and controlled by the power control unit 4, stops the clock supply to each device, outputs a power management signal for lowering the clock frequency, and supplies power to each device. Outputs a power supply stop signal to the department.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus 1, showing a case where the discrimination means 3 is realized by hardware and the power control means 4 is realized by software. Is. Reference numeral 81 is an MPU. Reference numeral 82 is an input / output control means. 83 is an I / O device. Reference numeral 84 is a memory. Similar to the case shown in FIG. 10, the user instruction to move to low power consumption instruction information is sent to the input control means 82. When the input / output control unit 82 knows that the information about the transition to the low power consumption state has been sent, the determination unit 3 determines whether the system can be transited to the low power consumption state.
When the determining unit 3 determines that the system may be shifted to the low power consumption state, the MPU 81 executes the power control program 4. The power control program 4 saves each register, buffer, or to which device the power supply is stopped, which device the clock supply is stopped, and which device to transfer the system to the low power consumption state. Select or set whether to lower the clock frequency. The power management means 5 is controlled by the power control program 4, and stops power supply to each device, outputs a power management signal for stopping clock supply to each device and lowers clock frequency, and supplies power to each device. The power supply stop signal is output.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration diagram of the information processing apparatus 1, and is a diagram showing a case where the discrimination means 3 and the power control means 4 are realized by hardware. 81
Is an MPU. Reference numeral 82 is an input / output control means. 83
Is an I / O device. Reference numeral 84 is a memory. As in the case shown in FIG. 11, the user instruction to move to low power consumption instruction information is sent to the input control means 82. When the input / output control unit 82 knows that the information about the transition to the low power consumption state has been sent, the determination unit 3 determines whether the system can be transited to the low power consumption state. When the determination unit 3 determines that the system may be shifted to the low power consumption state, the power control unit 4 shifts the system to the low power consumption state.
Save each register or buffer, select which device to stop the power supply to, which device to stop the clock supply, or which device to lower the clock frequency, and set them by hardware. The power management unit 5 stops the power supply to each device selected and set by the power control unit 4, stops the clock supply to each device, outputs a power management signal for lowering the clock frequency, and supplies power to each device. Outputs a power supply stop signal to the department.

FIG. 13 shows a flow chart when processing is performed by software when the system state is shifted to the low power consumption state. 91 is an input / output control means 82
Is a transition program that is executed when the instruction to transition to the low power consumption state is received from the input means 2.
Reference numeral 3 is a subroutine for performing a discrimination process. As a result of the determination processing, when the system state is not yet in the state where the system can shift to the low power consumption state, the retry processing is performed after a certain period of time and the determination processing is performed again. If the system cannot enter the low power consumption state even after performing the retry process several times, the transition program is terminated. As a result of the discrimination processing, if the system state is a state in which the system can shift to the low power consumption state, the power control program 4 is executed. The power control program 4 comprises a low power consumption state transition processing routine 41 and a low power consumption control routine 42. The shift processing 41 performs saving processing of each register and buffer for returning to the normal operation state again after shifting the system to the low power consumption state. This transition processing 41 indicates an abnormal state change of the system when the system shifts from a normal operation to a low power consumption state (standby state) such as a system stop, a clock stop, and a power supply stop to each device. Try not to come. Further, when the system returns from the standby state to the normal state, the system is returned to the original state and the system is put into the standby state so that the normal operation can be resumed. The low power consumption control routine 42 selects and sets a device that stops the power supply, a device that sends a signal to stop the power supply, a device that stops the clock supply, and a device that reduces the clock frequency. Make settings. Further, the power control routine controls the power management means 5.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration diagram. The part controlled in the low power consumption state will be described with reference to FIG. Reference numeral 81 is an MPU. Reference numeral 82 is an input / output control means. Reference numeral 83 is an I / O device. 84
Is memory. Reference numeral 85 is a display control means. Reference numeral 86 is a frame memory, and 87 is a display means. A power management unit 5 outputs a power management signal 51 to manage each device. The power management signal is a signal that provides power,
Alternatively, it is a signal that controls the supply of electric power to the power supply unit of each device. In the standby state, control such as stopping the clock for each device, reducing the clock frequency, reducing the power supply, stopping the power supply, and sending a control signal for power supply to the place where power is supplied. It is carried out. The present invention is characterized in that not only the entire system is set to the standby state, but also the system (information processing device) is partially set to the standby state. For example,
Regarding display, the following cases are possible. One is a case where only the display means 87 is turned off and the frame memory 86 and the display control means 85 operate normally. One is a case where the display unit 87 and the frame memory 86 are put in a standby state and the display control unit 85 operates normally. One is a case where only the frame memory is normally operated and the display means 87 and the display control means 85 are put in a standby state. In some cases, the display means, the frame memory, and the display control means are all put in a standby state. At this time, the display means is designed to prevent the liquid crystal cell from being turned into a direct current by constantly inputting a clock, and the frame memory can be slow refreshed to achieve low power consumption. Regarding I / O, it is considered that the standby function of the I / O device is used, only the input / output control means is put in the standby state, or both the I / O device and the input / output control means are put in the standby state. To be MPU
It is possible to put the system in the standby state without putting the memory in the standby state. The system is stopped and put into the standby state by stopping the function of the OS while the MPU is operated by the low frequency clock and the memory is refreshed. Further, in the present invention,
It is possible to set which device of the information processing device is put in the standby state by software, and to set the power to save power according to the intention of the user.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a clock frequency dividing circuit. Clock signal 89 output from oscillator 89
1 is input to the frequency dividing circuit 88. The frequency dividing circuit 88 controls the clock signal 881 output by the power management signal 51.

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of the frequency dividing circuit 88 shown in FIG. When the power management signal 51 is input, a clock having a frequency ⅛ of the frequency output up to that point is output.

FIG. 17 shows a power management signal 51 output from the power management means 5. Power management signal 5
Reference numeral 1 may be a signal line that supplies power or a signal line that is sent to the power supply unit and controls the power supply unit. The power management signal 51 changes the supply voltage from 5V to 0V. Similarly, 3.3V, 12V, and 24V are similarly controlled.
The clock frequency is reduced by the power management signal 51. Further, it is possible to set how long the standby state is maintained by the power management signal, and the standby time setting signal may be set by the serial signal or the parallel signal in some cases.

[0023]

As described above, the present invention is provided with the input means for transmitting the user's intention to reduce the wasteful power consumption of the information processing apparatus to the apparatus, and when the user gives an instruction to the apparatus, the power is reduced. The management means puts the information processing apparatus into a low power consumption state.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of an input unit 2.

FIG. 3 is a view showing a standby button 64.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a standby command 65.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a standby key.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a standby button 68 on the mouse.

7 is a diagram showing a case where the input means is a tablet 70. FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a case where the input means is a trackball 72.

FIG. 9 is a configuration diagram of an information processing device.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an information processing device.

FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram of an information processing device.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of an information processing device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart when processing is performed by software.

FIG. 14 is a system configuration diagram.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of a clock divider circuit.

FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of a frequency dividing circuit.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing a power management signal output from the power management means.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing apparatus, 2 ... Input means, 3 ... Discrimination means, 4 ... Power control means, 5 ... Power management means.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of front page (72) Inventor Nao Hashimoto 1099 Ozenji, Aso-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Inside Hitachi Systems Development Laboratory (72) Inventor Tetsuro Kiyomatsu 1 Horiyamashita, Hadano-shi, Kanagawa Hitachi, Ltd. Office Systems Division (72) Inventor, Isamu Matsui 3-10-22 Sakae, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi, Aichi Hitachi-Chubu Software Co., Ltd.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An information processing apparatus comprising at least input means, wherein the state of the information processing apparatus is shifted to a low power consumption state by using input information inputted by the user from the input means. A characteristic information processing device. 2. An information processing apparatus, wherein a transition to a low power consumption state is caused by a user's instruction. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising input means for confirming a user's intention to shift the state of the apparatus to a low power consumption state. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein one of the input means comprises a standby key or a standby button for a user to give an instruction to the information processing apparatus to shift to a low power consumption state. An information processing device, which is an input device. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the user wants to shift the information processing apparatus to a low power consumption state,
An information processing apparatus comprising a user interface that enables the user's intention to be transmitted to the apparatus.