JPH06237542A - Battery backup-type information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a battery from being consumed while a user is not informed by a method wherein a message that an external power supply has been turned off is displayed and it is informed that the title processor is driven by the battery. CONSTITUTION:When a voltage detector DV detects that the output of an AC adaptor ACA has been turned off, a battery Bt is connected to the input of a DC/DC converter DCC, and its detected signal is sent to an information processing system SYS. When it is received, a menu which informs that the output of the AC adaptor ACA has been turned off and that the title processor is driven by the battery is displayed on a monitor inside the information processing system SYS. Thereby, a user selects a mode and can change over its driving operation to a power-saving operation.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a battery backup type information processing apparatus which can be charged by an external power source, and more particularly to a processing apparatus when the external power source is turned off.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a battery-backed type information processing apparatus typified by a portable personal computer or a word processor, which can be charged by an external power source, automatically operates by switching to a battery when the external power source is turned off. It is supposed to do. As an example thereof, there is JP-A-2-211510. It is described that when the power switch of the power supply of the computer is intentionally turned off, a message to that effect is displayed. Further, as a device for detecting the voltage of a battery inside an information processing device and displaying it on a monitor, there is disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 209770/1987 and Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No.
−4328 is available. Further, as a method for performing power saving as power saving by battery drive, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.
-21210 publication is available.

[0003]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the above prior art,
When the external power supply is disconnected, it automatically switches to the internal battery drive, and at the same time operates the power save function to extend the battery drive time in the power saving operation.

However, it is known that the operating characteristics of the battery are such that the output voltage drops sharply after a certain operating time. Sometimes the user is using the information processing device without noticing that the external power supply has switched to battery operation due to power failure or failure, and the processing information may not be stored in the storage element due to the decline of the battery. . Further, when the external power supply is disconnected, the power is automatically saved, so that the user cannot properly select and perform the processing with full power.

According to the present invention, even if the user suddenly switches to battery-powered operation, the user is informed that the operation has been switched, and the user selects the power save function to adjust the drive time by the battery, so that the processing corresponding to the user can be handled. An object is to provide a processing device.

[0006]

An object of the present invention is to drive at least one of an external power source and an internal power source composed of a battery for backing up the power source, process information from an input section and display it on a monitor. In the battery-backed information processing device, an off-state detecting means for detecting that the external power source is turned off, and a message indicating that the external power source is turned off based on the detected information are displayed on the monitor. This is achieved by providing display means. Further, it is achieved by providing means for allowing the user to appropriately select the power save function and the resume function according to the displayed message.

[0007]

[Function] Even if the external power is turned off and the battery is suddenly switched to the battery drive, a message such as the external power off is displayed on the monitor or the like to immediately inform the user that the battery is operated,
It is possible to allow the user to select the power save function and prevent the battery from being exhausted without the user's knowledge. Therefore, the driving time of the battery can be lengthened by the intention of the user.

[0008]

The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a battery backup type information processing apparatus which is an embodiment of the present invention. AC power is applied to the AC adapter ACA from a commercial power supply AC, and the AC voltage is converted into a DC voltage and output. The output voltage of the AC adapter ACA is the batteries Bt and D provided inside the information processing device.
The battery Bt is supplied to the C / DC converter DCC and charged with this voltage, and the DC / DC converter DCC converts this voltage into a stable voltage required in the information processing system SYS. The output of the battery Bt is given to the other input terminal of the DC / DC converter DCC, and the AC adapter ACA
Prepared for when the output of is turned off. Furthermore, A
The output of the C adapter ACA is input to the voltage detector DV,
Detects that the output of AC adapter ACA is turned off. The output of the voltage detector DV is input to the information processing system SYS. Also, from the information processing system SYS to D
A power save command signal is given to the C / DC converter DCC.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to the functional diagram of FIG. When the voltage detector DV detects that the output of the AC adapter ACA is turned off due to a power failure or a failure of the AC adapter ACA, the battery Bt is automatically connected to the input of the DC / DC converter DCC as described later. At the same time, the detection signal is sent to the information processing system SYS to inform a monitor (not shown) in the information processing system that the AC adapter ACA is turned off and the battery is driven. Display the menu automatically. As a result, the user detects that the battery has been driven and selects the next mode. If the user selects the power save mode, it can be switched to power save operation, or full load operation can be performed. Here, as the power saving function, (1) the clock frequency in the information processing system is lowered.

(2) The information processing system issues a command to the DC / DC converter DCC to reduce the output voltage for the backlight of the monitor.

(3) Stop the motor of the floppy disk or hard disk, which is an external storage element.

[0012] The user determines and selects the save mode.

In addition to notifying that the external power source is in the off state on the monitor, a means (not shown) for issuing a warning by a voice or a lamp based on the detection signal from the voltage detector is provided. The user can be surely recognized.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which a portable type personal computer is provided with this function. This is an example that the power save menu is automatically displayed on the monitor.
When power saving is desired, the user switches to the power saving mode by pointing "Y" on the keyboard KB. Although an example of a personal computer has been described here, this function can be similarly used in a word processor.

FIG. 4 shows the effect of utilizing this function. The vertical axis represents the battery voltage with the battery voltage when fully charged as 100%. The horizontal axis represents the operating time of the battery. The broken line is a conventional example, and the solid line is an example of the present invention. First,
In the conventional example, the AC adapter ACA is down at time t ₁ at point a, and the user does not notice it at this time and uses it without power saving, so the battery voltage drops in a sharp curve as shown. Assuming that the user switches to the power save mode by noticing that the AC adapter ACA is down at time t ₂ at point c, the battery voltage drops due to the gentle curve as shown in the figure, and the operable voltage V of the battery
It becomes time t ₃ at point d that becomes A. If the user is not aware that the AC adapter ACA is down, the battery operable voltage VA will be reached in a shorter time.

On the other hand, in the case of the present invention, at the point a (time t ₁ ) when the AC adapter ACA is down, the AC adapter AC
Since the user notices that A is down and can switch to the power save mode at this point, the battery voltage drops with a gentle curve as shown by the solid line in the figure, and it is point d that the battery operable voltage VA is reached. Of time t ₅ . As described above, according to the present invention, a long operation time can be secured.

FIG. 5 shows a concrete circuit example of the voltage detector of FIG. A commercial AC power supply AC is provided at the input end of the AC adapter ACA, and a battery B _t is provided at the output end on the DC side via a series circuit of resistors R ₁ and R ₂ and diodes D ₆ and D ₇ , R _3.
Is connected to the DC / DC converter DC via a series circuit of resistors R ₄ and R ₅ and a switch SW _0.
C is connected. Further, the connection point of the resistors R ₁ and R ₂ and R ₄ and R ₅ is connected to the input terminal of the voltage comparator CM, and the system SYS is connected to the output terminal thereof. With such a configuration, when the AC adapter ACA is operating, the battery B _t is charged from the AC adapter ACA through the diode D ₆ and the resistor R ₃ . The resistance ratio R ₁ / R ₂ of the resistor R _1, R ₂ the resistance R _4, since Aru select less than the resistance ratio R ₄ / R ₅ in R ₅ the output of the voltage comparator CM is an "H" level In the system SYS, the output of the voltage comparator CM is "H" level and it is determined that the AC adapter ACA is normal.

[0018] Here, considering when the AC adapter ACA is down, the voltage of the resistor R _1, since the voltage is not applied to the R ₂ resistors R _1, R ₂ of the connection point becomes zero. On the other hand, a voltage is applied to the resistors R ₄ and R ₅ from the battery B _t through the diode D ₇ , and the voltage at the connection point is the resistors R ₁ and R _2.
Since it becomes higher than the voltage at the connection point of, the output of the voltage comparator CM goes to "L" level to notify the system SYS.
Here, the system SYS detects that the battery is driven. In the figure, the diode D ₆ is an AC adapter ACA
This is to prevent current from flowing back from the battery to the AC adapter ACA when the battery goes down.

Although the output voltage of the external power supply is detected to detect the OFF state of the external power supply in the same drawing, the present invention is not limited to this, and another method is to detect the current flowing through the diode D ₇ in FIG. That is, the off state of the external power supply may be detected by detecting the discharge current of the battery.

FIG. 6 shows a concrete circuit example of the AC adapter ACA of FIG. As shown in the figure, the alternating current input from the AC power source is rectified by the bridge of the diodes D _{1 to} D _{4 and then} smoothed by the capacitor C ₁ to become a direct current voltage. This DC voltage is applied to the series circuit of the primary side of the transformer and the switching element. The secondary side of the transformer is a diode D
_It is added to the capacitor C ₂ through ₅ . The voltage rectified and smoothed by the diode D ₅ and the capacitor C ₂ is applied to the photocoupler PC. The output of this photocoupler PC is applied to the control circuit CC ₁ . The control circuit CC ₁ turns on and off the switching element so that the voltage applied to the photocoupler PC becomes constant.

The AC adapter ACA thus converts the AC voltage into a DC voltage close to the battery voltage.

FIG. 7 shows the DC / DC converter DCC of FIG.
The concrete circuit example of is shown. This example is a flyback type D
It is a C / DC converter, and the capacitor C ₃ and the primary side of the transformer and the series circuit of the switching element are connected to the input. The secondary side of the transformer is connected to the capacitor C ₄ via the diode D ₈ . Also, the capacitor C ₄
Input the output voltage obtained at the terminal of to the control circuit CC ₂ ,
The output turns the switching element on and off to control the output voltage constant. In this way, the DC / DC converter DCC converts the DC voltage supplied from the AC adapter ACA and the battery into a stabilized voltage required in a system or the like.

Next, the configuration of the information processing system SYS shown in FIG. 8 will be described. First, individual components will be described. The CPU is a central processing unit. The MM is a main memory that holds programs and data. In addition, the resume state (state during program execution, such as CPU register state, main memory and display memory contents is retained, power supply to other unnecessary circuits and devices is stopped to save power and save power. When you do), back up most of the information needed to rerun the program. The BUS is a system bus, and exchanges data between each device. DM is a display memory.
If you write the font you want to display, it can be displayed on the display DSP such as liquid crystal or CRT. FL is an external file device such as a hard disk HDD or a floppy disk FDD. KB is a keyboard for inputting information with keys.

Here, as the power saving function, as described above, (1) the clock frequency of the CPU is slowed or stopped. (2) If the DSP is a liquid crystal, the backlight is weakened or turned off, and if it is a CRT, the brightness is reduced. (3) Stop the motors of the external file devices FDD and HDD.

FIG. 9 shows an example of a method of processing a power-off signal. In this example, the interrupt IRQ of the CPU is used. Now, when the power is turned off and a power off signal is generated, it is discriminated and an interrupt IRQ is sent to the CPU. The CPU decodes it, connects it to the outside, and writes a necessary signal to the register transmitting the signal. As a result DS
Display on P or switch CPU clock.

FIG. 10 shows another example of the method of processing the power-off signal. This example uses the CPU input port.
When the power-off signal is input, the CPU reads the contents of the input port, decodes the contents, and writes the necessary signals to the register which is connected to the outside and transmits signals. The result is D
Display on SP, switch CPU clock,
Furthermore, the batteries are switched in series and parallel.

FIG. 11 shows a flow chart of an embodiment of the present invention. This is a subroutine corresponding to FIG. 10, and the system is set so as to enter this subroutine periodically. First, it is determined whether or not the power-off signal SO is taken in and is off. If it is not off, the subroutine is ended, but if it is off, "Battery operation is started.""Powersave?" Is displayed on the display as shown in FIG. Next, it is checked whether or not the user desires power saving, and if so, the power saving process is performed, and if not, the subroutine is finished as it is.

FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the present invention. This is an example in which the time elapsed after the power is turned off is displayed momentarily to inform the user. First, when the power-off signal is input, it is determined whether the time lapse counter is operating. If not, the time lapse counter is started, and the CPU
Reads the elapsed time, writes it in the display memory, and displays it on the liquid crystal or CRT. Once the counter operates, this operation is repeated periodically as long as there is a power off signal.
Continue to display the passage of time. The user can determine how much more battery can be used by knowing the time after the battery is activated.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of FIG. 12 in detail. First, the power-off signal S ₀ is read to check whether this signal is off. If it is not off, it goes to END, but if it is off, the timer is started. Next, the value of the timer is read and the elapsed time is displayed on a display such as a CRT. Next, the power-off signal S _{0 is} read and it is checked whether or not the signal is off. If it is not off, the timer is reset and goes to END, but if it remains off, the timer value is read again and the elapsed time is displayed on a display such as a CRT. .
By repeating the above, the elapsed time is displayed momentarily,
You can inform the user.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a switching circuit for changing the voltage of a battery according to another embodiment of the present invention. Since one cell of a normal battery has a small voltage and capacity,
The battery B _t in is composed of a plurality of cells.
In the present invention, the connection of the battery composed of a plurality of cells is changed when charging / discharging or when the external power supply is turned off. That is, they are connected in series during charging and in parallel during discharging. Alternatively, when the external power supply is turned off and the output voltage is insufficient, the parallel connection is changed to the series connection. In the example shown in the figure, the battery B _t is divided into two, and the batteries B _t1 and B _t2 are switched in series and parallel using an analog switch which is a semiconductor switch. The analog switch AS _{1 is provided} between the positive electrodes of the batteries B _t1 and B _t2 , and the analog switch AS _{3 is provided} between the negative electrodes thereof.
, And an analog switch AS ₂ is connected between the positive electrode side of the battery B _t1 and the negative electrode side of the battery B _t2 . Further, the analog switch AS ₁ ~AS ₃ is controlled by the control signal T ₃ from the system SYS, the control signal is in the analog switch AS ₂ is ON when the "H", and the analog switch AS ₁ when "L" AS ₃ turns ON. Therefore, when the control signal is “H”, the batteries B _t1 and B _t2 are connected in series,
When "L", the batteries _Bt1 and _Bt2 are connected in parallel.

By changing the connection of the batteries in this way, the charge amount of each battery can be made uniform, and even if the external power source is turned off, the series connection of the batteries covers the predetermined voltage required for the system. It becomes possible to do.

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. In this example, an uninterruptible power supply UPS is used as an auxiliary power supply. AC / D from commercial power supply AC which is the main power supply
AC is applied to the C converter ACC, where the AC voltage is converted to a DC voltage and applied to the DC / DC converter DCC, which converts the voltage into a stable voltage required by the system. The uninterruptible power supply UPS is provided for when the commercial power supply AC, which is the main power supply, goes down. Therefore, the voltage detector DV is connected to the commercial power supply AC to detect that the commercial power supply AC is down. The output of the voltage detector DV is input to the system SYS. Further, a power save command signal is given from the system SYS to the DC / DC converter DCC.

With this configuration, when the commercial power supply AC goes down, the voltage detector DV detects it and opens the switch SW ₁ , closes SW ₂ and switches to the uninterruptible power supply UPS to switch the power to AC / DC. It is given to the converter ACC and the system monitor displays that the commercial power supply AC is down. The display allows the user to make a judgment and select the power save function. Further, when the system is large, it is possible to display that the commercial power supply AC is down only on the monitor dedicated to the auxiliary power supply, and the maintenance staff can take measures such as power saving according to this monitor.

[0034]

According to the present invention, even if the external power supply is turned off and the battery is suddenly switched to the battery drive, a message such as the external power supply off message is displayed on the monitor or the like and the user is immediately notified that the battery drive is activated. The user can be notified and the power save function can be selected to prevent the battery from being exhausted before the user knows. Therefore, there is an effect that the driving time of the battery can be lengthened by the intention of the user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a battery backup type information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a functional explanatory diagram of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a personal computer having the functions of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a graph showing the effect of the present invention.

5 is a specific circuit diagram of the voltage detector of FIG.

FIG. 6 is a specific circuit diagram of the AC adapter of FIG.

FIG. 7 is a specific circuit diagram of the DC / DC converter of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a specific configuration diagram of the information processing system of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing processing of a power-off signal of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing processing of a power-off signal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of another embodiment of the present invention.

13 is a detailed flowchart of FIG. 12 of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a configuration diagram of a battery switching circuit showing another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a configuration diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

AC ... commercial power supply, ACA ... AC adapter, _Bt ... battery,
DCC ... DC / DC converter, VD ... Voltage detector, S
YS ... Information processing system.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Hideaki Horie Inventor Hideaki Horie 7-1, Omika-cho, Ibaraki Prefecture Hitachi Ltd. Hitachi Research Laboratory (72) Inventor Kenichi Saito 7-1 Higashi Narashino, Narashino, Chiba No. 1 Office Systems Division, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Masashi Isozaki Inventor Masashi Isozaki 7-1-1, Higashi Narashino, Narashino City, Chiba Prefecture (72) Office Systems Division, Hitachi, Ltd. (72) Masami Joraku, Higashi-Tagacho, Hitachi City, Ibaraki Prefecture 1-1-1, Hitachi, Ltd. Information & Video Media Division

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. A battery-backed information processing apparatus which is driven by at least one of an external power source and an internal power source composed of a battery for backing up the external power source, processes information from an input section and displays it on a monitor. A battery comprising: an off-state detecting means for detecting that the power is turned off, and a display means for displaying a message indicating that the external power is turned off on the monitor based on the detected information. Backup type information processing device. 2. The battery-backed information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the external power source is an AC adapter that generates a DC power source from an AC power source, and the internal power source is a battery including a plurality of cells. 3. The uninterruptible power supply device according to claim 1, wherein the external power supply is a commercial AC power supply, and the internal power supply is composed of a battery composed of a plurality of cells and a converter for converting the output of the battery into an AC output. A battery-backed information processing device characterized by being present. 4. The battery-backed type information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the off-state detecting means detects the output voltage value of the external power source or the output current value of the internal power source. 5. The battery backup type information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for allowing a user to appropriately select a power save function and a resume function according to the displayed message. 6. The battery backup type according to claim 1, wherein the displayed message includes at least one of "external power off", "battery running", "power save", and "resume". Information processing equipment. 7. The device according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying, on the monitor, an elapsed time from the time when the external power supply is turned off, based on a detection signal from the off-state detection means. Battery-backed information processing device. 8. The battery backup type information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising means for issuing a warning by voice or a lamp based on a detection signal from said off-state detecting means. 9. The power saving function according to claim 5, wherein the power saving function is a means for reducing power consumption of the monitor means, and a means for stopping a motor of a floppy disk device or a hard disk device provided in the device for storing information. A battery-backed information processing apparatus, which is any one of means for lowering a clock frequency of a computer provided in the apparatus for processing information. 10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, further comprising a DC / DC converter for converting an output from the external power source or the power source of the battery into a DC voltage, and the information processing apparatus includes the DC / DC converter. A battery-backed information processing apparatus, which is driven by an output and comprises means for changing an output voltage of the DC / DC converter in accordance with a command from the power save function selecting means. 11. The battery backup according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising connection changing means for changing the connection of the battery composed of the plurality of cells at the time of charging / discharging or when the external power source is turned off. Information processing device. 12. A battery backup type information processing apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said battery connection changing means is connected in series during charging and connected in parallel during discharging. 13. The battery backup type information according to claim 11, wherein the battery connection changing means changes from parallel connection to series connection when the external power supply is turned off and a power save function is selected. Processing equipment.