JPH07219903A - Computer, computer system and its controlling method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to restart a program operated before connecting unit computers after their connection by using computers capable of storing the status information of an application program operated before the start of a suspending state. CONSTITUTION:First and second computers 100, 1000 capable of driving an operating system as a unit and storing the status information of an application program operated before starting a suspending state are mutually connected. Whether a single operation environment can be constructed by integrating system resources for the 1st and 2nd computers 100, 1000 or not is judged. The system resources are adjusted so that both the computers 100, 1000 are operated in accordance with the judgement. Then the status information of the stored application program is read out and the program is restarted based upon the read information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer system capable of operating independently and operating under a single operating environment even when two units are connected, a computer thereof, and controls thereof. Regarding the method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art The recent development of electronic technology is remarkable. Especially, word processors and personal computers, which used to be housed in large housings in the olden days, have become foldable and have been made smaller enough to be carried by the child. The devices are so-called notebook type personal computers and word processors (these are collectively referred to as notebook PCs).

On the other hand, on the other hand, there is a desk-top type apparatus (generally called a desktop PC) which is still widely used due to its expandability and large display screen. As described above, the greatest feature of the notebook PC is its mobility. However, the operating environment is more advantageous on the desktop.

Therefore, a docking station incorporating a CRT display device, a hard disk device, a mouse and the like is provided with a slot into which a notebook PC is inserted, and the notebook PC is inserted into the slot, and the above-mentioned CRT device on the docking station side is provided. A system that uses a hard disk drive or a hard disk drive has been proposed. In such a docking system, since the CPU is not built in the docking station side, when the notebook PC is connected to the docking station to operate, the CPU of the notebook PC operates. There is.

Conventionally, when connecting a notebook PC to a docking station, the notebook PC is first powered off and then connected.

[0006]

For this purpose, the note P
The user who was working in C interrupts the work program and then connects to the docking station,
After the connection was completed, it was restarted by the power on switch on the docking station side. For this reason, the trouble of restarting the work program once suspended becomes a problem, and further, in order to return to the state immediately before the suspension, it is necessary to write down the state before the suspension.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems] and

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and is a computer system having at least two computer devices capable of operating independently, and after electrically connecting these single computer devices, We propose a computer system that can restart the program before connection under the unified operating environment.

The configuration of the present invention for achieving the above object is a computer device in which an operating system can operate independently, and the status information of an application program that was operating before the computer device entered the suspend state is displayed. A first computer device having a first memory for storing, a first computer device connectable to the first computer device, and a standalone operating system, which operates before the computer device enters a suspend state. A second computer device having a second memory for storing status information of the application program, a connection circuit means for electrically connecting the first computer device and the second computer device, and a suspend The first computer device and the second computer device in a state Detecting means for detecting that the computer system and is connected via the connection circuit means,
A computer system comprising setting means for setting the connected first computer device and second computer device to operate under a single operating environment, wherein the setting means is the first Of the first computer device and the second computer device are integrated when it is detected that the second computer device and the second computer device are connected, and the single operating environment is constructed. Determination means for determining whether or not is possible, and the first computer device and the second computer device operate in the single operating environment according to the determination of the determination device. Adjusting means for adjusting system resources, and reading status information of the application program stored in the first memory and the second memory. It, characterized by comprising an application program restart means to restart the application program in accordance with the status information.

Another object of the present invention is a computer system which can operate at least as a single unit, and which is connected to another computer device so that the operating system operates under a unified operating environment with the other computer device. It proposes a computer system in which is embedded. The configuration of the present invention for achieving the above-mentioned object includes an operating system, a memory that stores status information of an application program that was operating before entering the suspend state, a system bus, a bus of another computer device, and A computer system including a connection terminal for connecting to a system bus, and setting means for setting the connected first computer device and second computer device to operate under a single operating environment. A routine for detecting connection with the other computer device and the other computer device and system resources of the computer device are integrated into the operating system to construct the single operating environment. Routine to determine whether it is possible, and the determination of the determination means Flip it, characterized in that the routine the a single said at operating environment first computer device and the second computer device to adjust the system resources to work is incorporated.

A further object of the present invention is a computer system which can be used for the purpose of incorporating other computer devices, and the operation when incorporating the other computer devices is required for electrical integration as it is. We propose a computer system that can create environment (for example, suspended state). In order to achieve such an object, the configuration of the present invention is a computer system having circuit means for electrically connecting another computer device,
It is characterized by comprising means for detecting that another computer device is about to be connected, and means for shifting its own computer system to the suspend mode upon detecting this.

[0011]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The computer system of the embodiment described below includes a notebook PC 100 as a first computer device and a docking station 1000 as a second computer device, and the notebook PC 10
0 is inserted into the docking station 1000.

Since the essence of the present invention is to connect a plurality of computer devices to configure a system and execute them in one operating environment, the number of computer devices is not limited to two. Also, the connection form is not limited to the form in which the notebook PC is inserted into the docking station, and may be a form connected by a cable.

<System Configuration> FIG. 1 shows that the notebook PC in the embodiment is connected to a docking station. In the figure, 100 is a notebook PC (in a state where the display part is closed), and 1000 is a docking station. Docking station 1000
As shown in the drawing, a docking station main body (hereinafter referred to as a dock main body) 200 and a CRT connected to the docking station main body 200.
The display device 1011 includes a keyboard 1009, a pointing device (mouse) 1018, and the like.

A storage port 600 is provided on the front surface of the dock body 200.
Is provided, and the notebook PC 100 is inserted into the storage opening 600 in a closed state as shown in the drawing. As a result, the interface (not shown) provided on the back surface of the notebook PC 100 is connected to the interface (not shown) provided inside the dock body 200, and the docking station 1000 functions as a desktop-type electronic device. .

As shown in the drawing, a floppy disk drive and a CDROM are provided on the front surface of the dock body 200, and an operator can utilize these. Further, various expansion boards are inserted on the back surface. Further, a hard disk device, a memory for increasing the memory capacity of the notebook PC 100, and the like are housed inside the dock main body, which will be described later in detail.

<Outline of Operation> FIGS. 2 to 4 show characteristic functional operations of the computer system. Before docking, as shown in FIG. 2, application programs 1 and 2 are executed on the notebook PC 100, two windows are displayed on the liquid crystal display screen thereof, and the application is executed on the docking station 1000. It is assumed that the programs 3 and 4 are executed, and the corresponding two windows are displayed on the display screen. When the lid of the notebook PC 100 is closed, the notebook PC 100 enters the suspend state (the state where the CPU clock is stopped). As shown in FIG. 3, the notebook PC 100 in the suspended state is inserted into the docking station 1000. As will be described later, there is a switch inside the opening 600 for detecting that the notebook PC 100 is inserted, and when the notebook PC 100 is inserted, this switch is driven to suspend the notebook PC 100 and the docking station 1000. Resume from mode.

When resumed, the processing described below is performed,
As shown in FIG. 4, the execution environment of the application program before docking is reproduced. That is, the application programs 1 to 4 can be executed without the user's trouble.
The display state of the window before docking is restored on the display device 1009 of the docking station and restarted.

As shown in FIG. 2, the notebook PC 100 and the docking station 1000 can be operated independently, respectively:
00 also has a CPU and a memory, respectively. : Before docking, the operating system and the application program are running in each of the notebook PC 100 and the docking station 1000.

In order to dock such two computer systems and operate them under a single operating environment: It is necessary that both the operating system and the application programs operate under a multiprocessor. . After that, the operating system that restarts when docked is
It is necessary to decide whether to use the operating system that was running on the docking station 1000 or the operating system that was running on the docking station 1000. : To run a system that was running under two operating systems before docking and run under one operating system after docking: 2
There should be no data contention between the two CPUs. For this reason, the memory in each computer is divided so that the used areas do not conflict with each other after docking. In order for a program to operate in a multiprocessor environment, each CPU must have a condition for operating in a multiprocessor environment. In the embodiments described below, CPU operating clock speed differences, CPU
It is possible to check the compatibility of the CPUs of the two connected devices for the multiprocessor operation at the time of docking, by preliminarily holding the difference in the format of the above, whether or not there is a bus arbiter, etc. in each computer device in advance. If so, operate in multiprocessor mode. If not, operate in single processor mode.

<Hardware Configuration> FIG. 5 shows a notebook PC 100.
And the respective hardware configurations of the docking station 1000 are shown in a comparable manner. On the other hand, FIG.
7 shows the configuration of the main part of the C100, and FIG. 7 shows the configuration of the main part of the docking station 1000. In FIG. 5, the hardware elements numbered in the 100s are the notes P.
The hard elements in the 1000's of the C type are those of the docking station 1000.

In FIG. 5, 106 is a notebook PC 100.
1006 is a system bus of the docking station. Both system buses are connected via connectors 113 and 1013. The connection mode is shown in FIG. In the notebook PC, the system bus 106
Include CPU 101, RAM 102, ROM 103, and I
The / O controller 105 is connected. On the other hand, in the docking station 1000, the system bus 1
006 includes a CPU 1001, a RAM 1002 and a ROM
1003, I / O controller 1005, and microcomputer 10
14 are connected. Register group REG104, 10
04 will be described later. The arbiter 1017 on the docking station side has two Cs for two buses.
Arbitration of access competition from PU (101, 1001).

107 is an I / O bus on the notebook PC side, and 10
Reference numeral 07 is an I / O bus on the docking station side.
On the notebook PC side, the I / O bus 107 includes a hard disk 108, a keyboard 109, a VRAM 110,
A floppy disk device 112, a serial / parallel interface 116, a mouse 118, etc. are connected.
The mouse 118 is designed to be removed when the notebook PC is inserted inside the docking station. A liquid crystal display device 111 for displaying the contents of the VRAM 110 is connected to the notebook PC.

On the docking station side, I /
The O bus 1007 includes a hard disk 1008, a keyboard 1009, a VRAM 1010, a floppy disk device 1012, and a serial / parallel interface 101.
6, a mouse 1018 and the like are connected. Also, since the docking station has a larger housing than a notebook PC, the CDROM device 1015 is installed on the docking station side to enhance the function of the docking station.
Are connected. A CRT display device 1011 for displaying the contents of the VRAM 1010 is connected to the docking station.

In FIG. 6, which shows the hardware configuration of the notebook PC in more detail, the system bus 106 is composed of an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus. On the docking station side shown in FIG. 7, the system bus 1006 is composed of an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus.
HIZ104c and CLOCK10 on notebook PC (Fig. 6)
There are three registers, 4a and OS 104b. Similarly, in the docking station (FIG. 7), three registers of HIZ 1004c, CLOCK 1004a and OS 1004b are prepared. 6 and 7, in order to distinguish the register on the notebook PC side from the register on the docking station side, "N" is attached to the former and "D" is attached to the latter for convenience. For the registers OS and HIZ, the CPU (101 or 100
1) is written and read by so-called memory mapped I / O.

1 provided on the docking station side
The chip microcomputer 1014 is a processing device that controls restarting after docking. The microcomputer 1014 uses the contents of the CLOCK registers 104a and 1004a and the OS register 10
The contents of 4b and 1004b can be read out. Further, the microcomputer 1014 is a CPU in the suspended state.
It can be restarted by sending a resume N signal (resume D signal) to 101 (and CPU 1001).

CLOCK register 104a (or 1004)
In a), the operating speed of the CPU 101 (or 1001) is stored in advance. After docking, the microcomputer 1014
Reads the contents of this register,
It is possible to know the operation speed of the PU, and thus it is possible to judge whether or not the operation in a multiprocessor environment is possible.
In addition, CP in the CLOCK register 104a (or 1004a)
By storing the type of U, it is possible to determine whether or not operation in a multiprocessor environment is possible according to the type of CPU.

1 in the family of docking stations
If there is only one model and the notebook PC family has only one model and the same CPU is used for that model, CL
The OCK register is unnecessary. The CLOCK register is required because the docking station has multiple types of families, and the notebook PC also has multiple types of families. Only the type A notebook PC can be docked. The type B notebook PC is accidentally docked. It is possible.

The OS register 104b (or 1004b) is a register for storing that the operating system is operating on the notebook PC side (or docking station side). After docking, microcomputer 101
4 can read the contents of the OS register and determine whether the operating system was operating in each CPU immediately before docking. like this
The OS register may have had one or both of the laptop and docking station shut down before docking (eg it was not powered on),
In such a case, it is necessary to know the operating system of the computer device that has not stopped.

In FIG. 6, a signal indicating that the lid of the notebook PC has been closed is input to the CPU 101 as a suspend request interrupt signal. That is, notebook PC
When the lid is closed, the CPU 101 stops the clock 121 and enters the suspend state after performing a predetermined process described later. The OS register 10
4b includes writing a flag to indicate that the operating system was running.

C on the docking station side
There are two methods for the PU 1001 to enter the suspend state. One is done by the user issuing a command to the operating system to enter the suspend state while the operating system is operating. Second, the signal "insert" issued when it is detected that the notebook PC is about to be inserted into the docking station is input to the CPU 1001 as an interrupt signal to enter the suspend state.

Referring to FIG. 7, the microcomputer 1014 on the docking station side is instructed by the signal "re-execute after separation".
Two of "Re-execute after connection" are input. In the suspend state of the docking station side, CPU1
Although the clock supply to 001 is stopped, the supply to the microcomputer 1014 is not stopped. That is, even in the suspend state, the microcomputer 1014 is operating and is monitoring the change of state while executing the restart program described later.

When connecting two computer devices, it is preferable that both computer devices are at least in a suspended state in order to prevent accidental data destruction. As described above, the notebook PC enters the suspend state when the lid is closed. On the docking station side, it is possible to enter the suspend state with a command as described above, but this lacks operability. Therefore, in this system, when it is detected that the notebook PC is about to be inserted into the docking station, the "insert" signal is generated to automatically cause the docking station to enter the suspended state. Has become.

Referring to FIG. 8, the function of the two signals described above is understood. In the figure, when the notebook PC is inserted into the docking station, the actuator 1024 first separates from the switch 1023. At this time, the signal "rerun after isolation" changes from high to low. This signal “Re-execute after separation” changes from high to low.
Ignored by 014.

Further, when the notebook PC is inserted in the back and the switch 1021 is driven by the actuator 1022, an "insertion" signal is generated (from low to high). As described above, when the CPU 1001 inputs this signal to the interrupt input, it is in the suspend state as described above. When the notebook PC is further pushed in and the back surface of the notebook PC pushes the switch 1020, the signal “retry after connection” changes from low to high. The state where the switch 1020 is pressed indicates that the connector 113 of the notebook PC has been sufficiently inserted into the connector 1013 on the docking station side. That is, it indicates that both the notebook PC and the docking station may be restored from the suspended state.
Therefore, when the microcomputer 1014 detects the change of the signal “re-execute after connection” from low to high, it sends the resume signals N and D to the CPU 101 and the CPU 1001, respectively. As a result, the notebook PC and the docking station return from the suspended state, and the operation under the unified environment as shown in FIG. 4 is started.

When the notebook PC is separated from the docked state, the notebook PC is input by the user's command input.
Also put the docking station in a suspended state. Unintentional data destruction is prevented by pulling out the notebook PC after entering the suspend state. 9 to 11 show changes in the execution state of the application program when the docked notebook PC and the docking station are separated. That is, in this system, the operating subjects of each application program before docking are stored at the time of docking, and when separated, the respective operating programs are executed by the lower operating subjects. That is, when docked from the state of FIG. 2 and then separated, as shown in FIG. 11, the application programs 1 and 2 are restarted in the notebook PC and the application programs 3 and 4 are restarted in the docking station.

<Memory Division> FIG. 12 shows the memory use states of the notebook PC and the docking station in the separated state. On the other hand, FIG. 13 shows the usage state of the memory after docking. As is well known, in order to run an application program under the operating system, in addition to the operating system and the memory area for the application program, information for managing the execution of the application program (“execution management information” Memory area for I / O (called I / O memory).

In this docking system, in the docking state, as shown in FIG. 13, considering that two CPUs operate under the same operating system, the address space of the memory in the separated state is as shown in FIG. In addition, the notebook PC and the docking station are divided and used in advance so as not to conflict with each other.

<Multi-thread Operating System> This docking system is premised on that two CPUs operate under one operating system after docking. Since the two CPUs (101, 1001) divide the code of one operating system and process it in parallel, the operating system of this docking system employs a so-called “multithread system”.

A thread is a unit of a program code group divided so that contention does not occur even when one thread is executed in parallel with another thread. In a multi-threaded operating system, the code is divided into threads beforehand. Two threads are C at the same time
The data collision does not occur even when executed by the PU 101 and the CPU 1001. The multi-threaded operating system is characterized in that no problem occurs even if one CPU executes the operating system. This is because no competition will occur in the execution environment of one CPU. As described above, if the CPU 10
If different types of CPUs are used for 1,1001 or the clock speeds are different, the multi-CPU operation is impossible, but if the clock speeds are the same and the types are the same, it is possible. In other words, even when the notebook PC and the docking station individually operate, this multi-thread operating system can be used respectively, and even in the docking mode, the two CPUs can execute the same multi-thread operating system as they are. That is, it is not necessary to switch the operating system in the docking mode.

<Suspend of Notebook PC> When the lid of the notebook PC is closed, the interrupt routine is activated to enter the operating system mode and the step S2 of FIG. 14 is executed as described with reference to FIG. . In step S2, information on the application program currently being executed (“execution management information” in FIG. 12) is stored in the memory 10.
Save to 2. In step S4, pre-processing for entering the suspension mode is performed. In the preprocessing, the end of the I / O processing being executed is waited for. Further, the cache memory built in the CPU is turned off. In step S6, the fact that the operating system is running (= 1) is written in the OS register 104b. In step S8, 1 is set in the HIZ register 104c. In step S8, a suspend instruction is executed. The HIZ signal is output in the suspend instruction fetch cycle, and the DATA bus, ADDR bus, and C
The ONTROL bus is placed in a high impedance state. The execution of the CPU 101 is stopped in the execution cycle of the suspend instruction. The high impedance of the bus prevents the ingress of unauthorized signals from the bus.

<Suspending the docking station>
FIG. 15 is a procedure of an interrupt routine executed by an "insert" signal to put the docking station into a suspended state when the notebook PC is inserted into the docking station where the operating system is operating and the switch 1021 is pressed. Is. The procedure of FIG. 15 is substantially the same as the procedure of FIG. 14, that is, when this procedure is executed, 1 is written in the OS register 1004b and the system bus 1006 is brought to a high impedance state.

The control procedure for suspending when the user inputs a suspend command from the keyboard or the like on the docking station side is substantially the same as the control procedure in FIG. The procedure for suspending in FIG. 15 is to suspend the docking station for the purpose of preventing accidental data destruction when the notebook PC is docked while the operating system is operating in the docking station.

Since the notebook PC of this embodiment is in the suspended state when the lid is closed, even if the notebook PC is docked in the docking station where the power is off, there is a risk of data destruction in the docking station or the notebook PC. There is no. However, if the user is a laptop
Docking the docking station to the docking station means that the user wants to use the docked system, so in this embodiment,
When the notebook PC is docked while the docking station is powered off, it is convenient to put the docking station in the suspended state so that the docking system operates as shown in FIG. 4 when the docking is completed. It is also preferable from the viewpoint of improvement. That is, when the docking station is off, the notebook PC is inserted, the switch 1021 is pressed, and the signal "insert" is issued.
If the docking station occurs, the docking station is put in the suspend state, and when the notebook PC presses the switch 1020 thereafter, both may be in the resume mode.

FIG. 16 is a diagram of the power supply circuit of the docking station. The power supply circuit generates + 5V and a power-on reset signal. The shutdown signal in the figure is a signal when the user shuts down the system by a command while the operating system is operating on the docking station. When this signal becomes active, the power supply circuit 301 stops generating + 5V. . The power supply circuit 301 starts generating + 5V when the user turns on the power-on switch 300 when the switch 1021 of FIG. 8 is not pressed (notebook PC is not inserted in the docking station). This is when the user inserts the notebook PC into the docking station and presses the switch 1021 while the power-on switch 300 is turned on.

When the user is in a notebook PC in the shutdown state
When the is inserted into the docking station, + 5V is generated and the "power-on reset signal" is generated from the power supply circuit in this way. This signal resets the CPU 1001 of the docking station. FIG. 17
The control procedure of the CPU 100 is
3 is a flowchart of a program of the ROM 1003 which is executed by the first computer.

When the reset signal is input, step S3
OS register 1004b to remember that the operating system was not running, running from scratch
To 0. In step S32, the register HIZ1004c is set to 1 in order to bring the system bus of the docking station into a high impedance state. In step S34, the suspend instruction is executed. Thus, the docking station goes into suspend mode.

<Resume> Since the procedure for resuming the docking station and the notebook PC from the suspended state by themselves in this embodiment is well known, its description is omitted here. Here, as shown in FIGS.
A description will be given of how the docking station and the notebook PC automatically resume when the notebook PC is docked in the docking station so that the two operate together.

As described above, when the notebook PC is inserted into the docking station and the switch 1021 is pressed, the docking station is put in the suspended state. The switch 1020 is on the back of the laptop.
When is pressed, the signal “retry after contact” is input to the microcomputer 1014. As described above, the clock signal is supplied even when the microcomputer 1014 is in the suspend state.

The microcomputer 1014 executes the step S in FIG.
50, "Resume after connection" from switch 1020
Waiting for a signal When this signal is detected, it is checked in step S52 whether the bus arbiter 1017 is present.
This is judged by the "arbiter present" signal from the arbiter 1017. If an arbiter exists, arbitration can be performed at the time of bus contention, and operation in multiprocessor mode is possible.

If it is determined that an arbiter exists, the OS register 104 on the notebook PC side is determined in step S70.
Check if b is set to 1. The fact that it is set to 1 indicates that the operating system of the notebook PC has been running until now. If it is set to 1, the process proceeds to step S80, and the CPU of the notebook PC
A resume signal is sent to 101. This gives C
The PU 101 schedules an application program. In step S82, a fixed time is waited.
This time is a time width in which the CPU 101 may finish scheduling the application program and shift to the multiprocessor mode. After this time has elapsed, a resume signal is sent to the CPU 1001 of the docking station in step S84. As a result, the multiprocessor executes the application program and the operating system.

If it is determined in step S70 that the operating system is not operating on the notebook PC side, the process proceeds to step S72 to check whether the operating system is operating on the docking station side. If the determination in step S72 is NO, it means that neither device is running an application program or operating system, so an error state is set. When the operating system is running on the docking station side, the CPU 10 on the docking station side is checked in step S74.
Send a resume signal to 01. In step S76, a certain period of time is waited, and in step S78, the CPU 10 on the notebook PC side
Send a resume signal to 1.

The case where it is determined in step S52 that the arbiter does not exist will be described. In this case, in steps S54 and S56, the CLOCK registers on the notebook PC side and the docking station side are read.
In step S58, which CPU is faster is determined by comparing the contents of these registers. In step S60 or step S62, a resume signal is sent to the CPU with the faster clock speed. This is because it is more efficient to operate in the earlier CPU when operating in the single processor mode because there is no arbiter.

In step S90, the "re-execute after separation" signal from the switch 1023 is waited for. Here, rescheduling of the application program will be described. FIG. 19 shows a scheduling procedure in the multiprocessor mode, and FIG. 20 shows a scheduling procedure in the single processor mode. In FIG. 19, when the resume signal is received, the CPU 101 (CPU 100
In 1), in order to return to the state before entering the suspend mode in step S100, the cache is restarted and the I / O is restarted. In step S102, the application program management information before suspension is read from the respective memories of the notebook PC side and the docking station side. In step S104, the execution queue of the application program is reconfigured. Step S106
Then, each application program is executed.

FIG. 21 explains the application program execution management information (in FIG. 2) when the notebook PC is operating alone (FIG. 2), and FIG. 22 is when the docking station is operating alone (FIG. 2). Application program execution management information (in the above) will be described. The management information is expressed as a queue, and the elements of the queue have elements as shown in FIG. During docking, each queue is reconfigured into one queue, for example according to the scheduling priority. The integrated queue is shown in Figure 2 in multi-mode.
As shown in FIG. 3, each queue entry is assigned to a CPU, and in the single mode, it is assigned to one CPU.

<Relocation of System Resources> Like the present embodiment, the docking station and the notebook PC, which were operating individually before docking, each have a display device, a mouse, a keyboard, and the like. These are the CPU
Together with memory and memory, it is called "system resource". In the single operation mode, data that stores which system resource was used is stored in the hard disk (108,
1008). FIG. 26 is a file that stores to which device number the display device, the keyboard, and the mouse are connected in each of the notebook PC and the docking station. In the state shown in FIG. 2, if the notebook PC and the docking station are operating independently, each operating system creates the file shown in FIG. 26 on the hard disk (108, 1008).

In the single operation state, each has its own display device and keyboard, but when docked, it is necessary to judge which resource to use. The file storing which resource is used after docking is the file shown in FIG. 27, and is the hard disk 10 on the docking station side.
08 is stored. In the default state, this file uses the CRT 1011 on the docking station side as the display device and the KBD1009 as the keyboard.
It is decided to use the mouse 1018 as the mouse. The file in FIG. 27 can be changed by the user application program.

Whenever the docking station or the notebook PC is in the suspend mode, the file shown in FIG. 26 is created (for example, in step S2 of FIG. 14). In the resumed state after docking, in step S112 of FIG. 20, the file of FIG. 27 is read to determine which of the display device, keyboard and mouse should be used. With such selection of resources, the display as shown in FIG. 4 can be made for the first time.

<Separation of Notebook PC> In order to separate the docked notebook PC, a command is input from the keyboard 1009, the mouse 1018 or the like to separate the docking station and the notebook PC before separating. is necessary. The procedure is shown in FIG.

When the docking station and the notebook PC are suspended and then the notebook PC is pulled out, the switch 1023 is pushed. When this switch is pressed,
A “re-execute after separation” signal is generated and input to the microcomputer 1014. Upon receiving this signal, the microcomputer 1014 proceeds from step S90 (FIG. 18) to step S92 and reads the contents of the OS register 1004b. If this register is 1, the docking station may be resumed, so a resume signal is sent to the CPU 1001 of the docking station in step S94.

The CPU 1001 on the docking station side that has received the resume signal performs a predetermined resume process, but at the same time reads the file in FIG. 26 to determine the system resource to be used. On the other hand, in the pulled-out notebook PC, the resume operation is started after the user performs the resume operation (usually the resume switch). Even in this resume operation, the file shown in FIG. 26 is read to determine the resource to be used on the notebook PC side.

<Modification> i: In the above embodiment, the management of the resume operation was performed by using a microcomputer, but it is possible without using a microcomputer.
In this case, the two "rerun" signals act as resume signals. The resume signal is input as an interrupt signal of the CPU 1001 of the docking station. Then, the operation of the microcomputer 1014 is incorporated into a part of the operating system of the CPU 1001.

FIG. 28 is a flow chart showing a partial procedure of the operating system of the CPU 1001. The CPU 1001 which has received the “re-execution” signal and restarted the supply of the clock signal, executes the memory 1 in step S150.
All the contents of 002 are saved in the disk device 1008. In step S152, the existence of the arbiter is checked.
This is judged by the "arbiter present" signal from the arbiter 1017.

When it is determined that the arbiter exists, the OS on the docking station side is determined in step S170.
It is checked whether the register 1004b is set to 1. Set to 1 indicates that the docking station operating system was previously running. If set to 1, step S
In step 176, the management information saved in the memory 1002 is read, and in step S178, the application program is rescheduled on the docking station side. This scheduling is based on the method shown in FIG. In step S180, a resume signal is sent to the CPU 101 of the notebook PC. As a result, the multiprocessor executes the application program and the operating system.

If it is determined in step S170 that the operating system is not operating on the docking station side, the flow advances to step S172,
After confirming that the operating system is running on the notebook PC side, the notebook P is checked in step S173.
After sending the resume signal to the CPU 101 of C, the operating system is loaded from the disk device 1008 in step S174.

A case where it is determined in step S152 that no arbiter exists will be described. In this case, in steps S154 and S156, the CLOCK registers on the notebook PC side and the docking station side are read. In step S158, which CPU is faster is determined by comparing the contents of these registers. If the docking station side is early, the process proceeds to step S160, the contents saved in step S150 are brought to the memory 1002, and step S1
Re-schedule at 62. On the other hand, when the notebook PC side is faster, it issues a resume signal to the CPU 101 of the notebook PC and issues a suspend signal to itself to stop. ii: In the above embodiment, the system is composed of two computer devices, but the multi-CPU operating system does not limit the number of CPUs, so the present invention is applicable to a system composed of three or more computer devices. Applicable. iii: In the above-described embodiment, the notebook type computer device is included in the desktop type computer device, but the present invention can also be applied to a form in which it is simply connected by an external cable even if it is not included.

<Characteristics of Embodiments and Others> According to the above-described embodiments and modifications, it can be used as a single unit at a certain time and can be restarted in a state before docking by connecting it to a docking station. Therefore, it is possible to realize a computer system that can be used in such a form as needed. : Docking can be reborn into a system with higher performance. : After docking, it is not necessary to shut down or reload the operating system, so it is possible to resume work quickly. : In docking, the system itself determines whether to operate in the multiprocessor mode or the single processor mode, or which CPU is faster, so the operability is high. : At the time of docking, the docking station goes into the suspend mode and the trigger to resume from the suspend mode is continuously performed by a series of continuous operations of inserting the notebook PC, so the operability is high. : Even if the notebook PC is detached from the docked state, the application programs below are restarted under the respective environmental conditions (FIGS. 9 to 11), so that the efficiency is high.

[0067]

As described above, the computer system of the present invention is a computer device in which an operating system can operate alone, and the status of an application program that was operating before the computer device entered the suspend state. A first computer device having a first memory for storing information, and a computer connectable to the first computer device and capable of operating an operating system by itself, before the computer device enters a suspend state. A second computer device having a second memory for storing status information of the application program operating in the same manner, and connection circuit means for electrically connecting the first computer device and the second computer device. The first computer in a suspended state Location and the second computer device,
Detecting means for detecting connection via the connection circuit means, and setting means for setting the connected first computer device and second computer device to operate under a single operating environment A computer system comprising: the first computer device and the second computer device when the setting means detects that the first computer device and the second computer device are connected to each other;
Determining means for determining whether or not the single operating environment can be constructed by integrating system resources with the computer device, and, in the single operating environment, in accordance with the determination of the determining means. Adjusting means for adjusting the system resources so that the first computer device and the second computer device operate, and status information of the application program stored in the first memory and the second memory. It is characterized by comprising an application program restart means for reading and restarting the application program according to the status information, so that at least a single unit can operate.
In a computer system having two computer devices, after electrically connecting these single computer devices, the program before connection can be restarted as it is under a unified operating environment.

The configuration of the present invention includes a memory for storing status information of an operating system and an application program that was operating before entering the suspend state, a system bus, a bus of another computer device, and the system bus. A computer system comprising: a connection terminal for connecting a computer and a setting means for setting the connected first computer device and second computer device to operate under a single operating environment. It is possible to construct the single operating environment by integrating a routine for detecting connection with the other computer device with the operating system, and a system resource of the other computer device and the computer device. According to the routine for determining whether or not and the determination of the determination means, Since a routine for adjusting the system resources so that the first computer device and the second computer device operate in a single operating environment is incorporated, at least a single device can operate. Computer system,
By connecting to another computer device, it is possible to provide a computer system in which an operating system is incorporated so as to operate in an operating environment unified with the other computer device.

The structure of the present invention is a computer system having circuit means for electrically connecting another computer device, and means for detecting that another computer device is about to be connected, and And a means for shifting its own computer system to the suspend mode.

Therefore, it is possible to provide a computer system or a computer that can create an environment (for example, a suspended state) necessary for electrical integration as it is when the operation of combining other computer devices is performed. Furthermore, according to the control method of the present invention, even if two computer devices are docked, the computer device can be controlled so that the execution state of the application program before docking is maintained as it is and docked.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a docking station 1000 and a notebook PC 100 as computer devices according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state in which a notebook PC and a docking station are operating independently.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a notebook PC is set to a suspend mode in order to dock the notebook PC in a docking station.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which the application programs “unify” and operate after the notebook PC and the docking station are docked.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of each of the notebook PC and the docking station.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a notebook PC.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of a docking station.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the mounting positions of various switches that operate when the notebook PC is docked in the docking station.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a state in which the system is docked and operates as one system.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a notebook PC and a docking station separated from the state of FIG. 9 into separate computer devices.

FIG. 11: Note P automatically resumed after separation
The figure which shows C and a docking station.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a memory space of a notebook PC and a docking station when operating alone.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a memory space of the system after docking.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of a procedure for controlling transition to a suspended state in a notebook PC.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart of a procedure for controlling transition to a suspended state in the docking station.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a partial configuration of a power supply circuit in a docking station.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a procedure for controlling the transition of the docking station to the suspended state when the power of the docking station is off.

FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the microcomputer 1014 in docking.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing a procedure for rescheduling an application program in a resume operation during multiprocessor operation.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a procedure for rescheduling an application program in a resume operation during single processor operation.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a method of application program management of a notebook PC.

FIG. 22 is a diagram showing a method of managing an application program of a docking station.

FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a method of application program management of a multiprocessor operating environment in resume processing in docking.

FIG. 24 is a diagram showing a method of application program management of a single processor operating environment in resume processing in docking.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for setting a suspend mode between the notebook PC and the docking station at the time of separation.

FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a configuration of a file that stores usage patterns of various system resources during a single operation.

FIG. 27 is a diagram showing the configuration of a file that determines the usage of various system resources during docking operation.

FIG. 28: The microcomputer 10 is installed in the docking station.
The flowchart which shows the control procedure for resume when there is not 14.

Claims (32)

[Claims] 1. A computer device capable of operating an operating system by itself, the first device having a first memory for storing status information of an application program operating before the computer device enters a suspend state. And a computer device capable of being connected to the first computer device and operating an operating system by itself, storing status information of an application program that was operating before the computer device entered the suspend state. A second computer device having a second memory; connection circuit means for electrically connecting the first computer device and the second computer device; the first computer device in the suspended state; 2 is a computer device, and the connection circuit means And a setting means for setting that the connected first computer device and second computer device are operated under a single operating environment. A computer system, wherein the setting means detects the connection between the first computer device and the second computer device when the first computer device and the second computer device are connected. Determining means for determining whether or not the single operating environment can be constructed by integrating system resources; and the first computer device in the single operating environment according to the determination of the determining means. And adjusting means for adjusting the system resources so that the second computer device operates, and the first memory and the second memory. Read the status information of the application program, the computer system characterized by comprising an application program restart means to restart the application program in accordance with the status information. 2. The system resource generates a CPU as an instruction executing body, a memory for storing instructions and data, and a clock signal, which are provided in the first computer device and the second computer device. 2. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the computer system is a clock circuit and / or a display device that displays interface information with a user. 3. The first computer device is a portable computer device including a foldable liquid crystal display device, and the second computer device includes a CRT display device and the first computer device. And a terminal for connecting the first computer device and the second computer device, respectively, is provided on the back surface of the first computer device and the front surface of the cavity. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is a computer system. 4. The computer system according to claim 3, wherein the detection means is a switch that is activated when the portable computer device is inserted into the cavity of the second computer device. . 5. The determining means determines whether or not the first CPU of the first computer device and the second CPU of the second computer device can operate in a multiprocessor mode, and the adjusting means. 3. The computer system according to claim 2, wherein only one of the CPUs is operated when it is determined that the operation in the multiprocessor mode is impossible. 6. The computer system according to claim 5, wherein the determining unit determines that the two CPUs are inoperable in a multiprocessor mode when the operating speeds of the two CPUs are different from each other. 7. The computer system according to claim 5, wherein the determining unit determines that the two CPUs are inoperable in a multiprocessor mode when the two CPUs have different types. 8. The adjusting means includes the first CPU,
When the resume program stored in the fixed position of the first memory and the detecting means detect that two computer devices are connected, the resume program is instructed only to the first CPU. The resume program is configured to determine whether at least the system resources of the first computer device and the second computer device can be integrated to construct the single operating environment. A first routine for determining and a second routine for adjusting the system resource so that the first computer device and the second computer device operate in the single operating environment. The computer system according to claim 5. 9. The second routine is determined to be capable of constructing the single operating environment by the first computer device and the second computer device by executing the first routine. 9. The computer system according to claim 8, further comprising a routine for activating the second CPU in the case of failure. 10. The determining means determines that the operating systems of the two computer devices are inoperable in the multiprocessor mode when the operating systems of the two computer devices are both inoperable in the multiprocessor mode. The computer system of claim 5, wherein the computer system is a computer system. 11. In each of the operating systems of the first computer device and the second computer device, the status information and an operation indicating that the operating system was operating when entering a suspend mode. 2. A routine for writing information and information into the respective memories is incorporated.
The computer system described in. 12. In the operating system of the first computer device, in a resume mode, a first routine for storing the contents of the operating system and the contents of the application program in respective memories before entering the suspend state. A routine for reading out the operation information from each memory, a second routine for activating the operating system and the CPU whose read operation information indicates that the operating system was operating, and a multi-processor mode A third routine for determining whether or not the CPU is operable, and a fourth routine for activating a CPU other than the CPU activated by the second routine when the third routine determines that the CPU is operable in the multiprocessor mode Built-in routines The computer system according to claim 5, characterized in that. 13. In the operating system of the first computer, in the resume mode, a first routine for storing the contents of the operating system and the contents of the application program in the respective memories before entering the suspend state. A routine for reading out the operation information from each memory, a second routine for activating the operating system and the CPU whose read operation information indicates that the operating system was operating, and a multi-processor mode A third routine for determining whether or not the CPU is operable, and a stop state of a CPU other than the CPU started by the second routine when the third routine determines that the CPU cannot operate in the multiprocessor mode. 4th routine to maintain The computer system according to claim 5, characterized in that they are written. 14. The determining means is a CPU other than the CPU of the first computer device and the CPU of the second computer device, and is provided in the first computer device or the second computer device. CP
The computer system of claim 1 executed by U. 15. A memory for storing status information of an operating system and an application program operating before entering a suspend state, a system bus, and a bus of another computer device for connecting the system bus. What is claimed is: 1. A computer system comprising: a connection terminal; and setting means for setting the connected first computer device and second computer device to operate under a single operating environment. A routine for detecting connection with the other computer device and determining whether or not the single operating environment can be constructed by integrating the other computer device and the system resource of the computer device. And the single action according to the judgment of the judgment means. Computer system, wherein a the routine and the first computer device and the second computing device in the environment to adjust the system resources to work incorporated. 16. A computer system having circuit means for electrically connecting another computer device, said means for detecting that another computer device is about to be connected, and detecting this. A computer system having means for shifting its own computer system to a suspend mode. 17. The apparatus further comprises means for detecting that the other computer has been completely electrically connected, and means for restarting the computer system in the suspend mode upon the detection. Item 17. The computer system according to item 16. 18. A means for transitioning the operating computer system and the other computer device connected thereto to a suspend mode, and the means for completely disconnecting the connected other computer device. 18. The computer system according to claim 17, comprising means for detecting and means for resuming the computer system itself from the suspend mode by the detection. 19. Status information of application programs in a first computer device and a second computer device, each of which is capable of operating an operating system by itself, is stored before these computer devices enter a suspend mode. After detecting that the devices are electrically connected, at least one of the computer devices is resumed from the suspend mode after the connection, and the system resources of the two computer devices are allocated under the single operating environment. A method for controlling a computer system, which is characterized in that adjustment is performed so that the computer operates. 20. The system resource generates a CPU as an instruction executing body, a memory for storing instructions and data, and a clock signal provided in the first computer device and the second computer device. 20. The control method for a computer system according to claim 19, wherein the control circuit is a clock circuit, and / or a display device for displaying interface information with a user. 21. The first computer device is a portable computer device having a foldable liquid crystal display device, and the second computer device includes a CRT display device and the first computer device. And a terminal for connecting the first computer device and the second computer device, respectively, is provided on the back surface of the first computer device and the front surface of the cavity. The method of controlling a computer system according to claim 19, wherein the method is a computer system. 22. The method of controlling a computer system according to claim 21, wherein the detecting step detects that the portable computer device is inserted into the cavity of the second computer device. 23. The adjusting step determines whether the first CPU of the first computer device and the second CPU of the second computer device can operate in a multiprocessor mode, and determines in the multiprocessor mode. 21. The method for controlling a computer system according to claim 20, wherein only one of the CPUs is operated when it is determined that the above operation is impossible. 24. The computer system control method according to claim 23, wherein in the adjusting step, when the operating speeds of the two CPUs are different from each other, it is determined that the two CPUs cannot operate in a multiprocessor mode. 25. The computer system control method according to claim 23, wherein the adjusting step determines that the two CPUs are inoperable in a multiprocessor mode when the two CPUs are different types. 26. The adjusting step is performed by the first CPU.
And when it is detected that two computer devices are connected to the resume program stored in the fixed position of the first memory, the resume program is instructed only to the first CPU to start execution. The resume program includes: a first routine for determining whether or not it is possible to integrate the system resources of at least the first computer device and the second computer device to construct the single operating environment. 24. A second routine for adjusting the system resources to operate the first computing device and the second computing device in the single operating environment. Computer system control method. 27. The second routine judges that the first computer device and the second computer device can construct the single operating environment by executing the first routine. 27. The computer system control method according to claim 26, further comprising a routine for activating the second CPU in the case of a failure. 28. The adjusting step determines that the operating systems of the two computer devices are inoperable in the multiprocessor mode when the operating systems of the two computer devices are both inoperable in the multiprocessor mode. The computer system control method according to claim 23. 29. In each of the operating systems of the first computer device and the second computer device, the status information and an operation indicating that the operating system was operating when entering a suspend mode. 2. A routine for writing information and information into the respective memories is incorporated.
9. The method for controlling a computer system according to item 9. 30. In the operating system of the first computer device, in the resume mode, a first routine for storing the contents of the operating system and the contents of the application program in the respective memories before entering the suspend state. A routine for reading out the operation information from each memory, a second routine for activating the operating system and the CPU whose read operation information indicates that the operating system was operating, and a multi-processor mode A third routine for determining whether or not the CPU is operable, and a fourth routine for activating a CPU other than the CPU activated by the second routine when the third routine determines that the CPU is operable in the multiprocessor mode Built-in routines Control method for a computer system according to claim 23, characterized in that. 31. In the operating system of the first computer, in the resume mode, a first routine for storing the contents of the operating system and the contents of the application program in the respective memories before entering the suspend state. A routine for reading the operation information from each memory, a second routine for activating the operating system and the CPU whose read operation information indicates that the operating system was operating, and a multi-processor mode A third routine for determining whether or not the CPU is operable, and a stop state of a CPU other than the CPU started by the second routine when the third routine determines that the CPU cannot operate in the multiprocessor mode. 4th routine to maintain Control method for a computer system according to claim 23, characterized in that they are written. 32. A computer device capable of operating an operating system by itself, the first device having a first memory for storing status information of an application program operating before the computer device enters a suspend state. An application program that is capable of being connected to the first computer device, has a standalone operating system, and is operating before the computer device enters the suspend state. A second memory for storing status information of the first computer device, connection circuit means for electrically connecting to the first computer device, and the first computer device in the suspended state,
And a setting unit configured to set the connected first computer device to operate under a single operating environment. Whether means is capable of integrating the system resources with the first computer device and constructing the single operating environment when it is detected that the device is connected to the first computer device. A determining unit that determines whether the first computer apparatus operates in the single operating environment in accordance with the determination of the determining unit; and a first memory, The status information of the application program stored in the second memory is read, and the application program is restarted according to the status information. Computer, characterized by comprising an application program restart means that.