JPH09128088A - Personal computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To safely perform schedule execution of an arbitrary program that a user designates, regardless of a normal mode and a power saving mode, by executing the program registered in an execution list when time comes designated time. SOLUTION: By the user interface 2 at the inside of a schedule control execution means 1, a user registers an instruction that an arbitrary program is made to be executed at arbitrary date and hour in a program execution list 3. Through a driver means 4, the confirmation of the date and hour is performed by a timer means 9, the registration of starting time is performed by an alarm timer means 10 and the schedule execution of a program is made to be performed at the time of a normal mode and a saving power mode. Further, when a valid schedule is registered, a schedule control means 1 stops a saving power shifting timer means 11 through the driver means 4 and is capable of safely performing the schedule execution of the program without shifting to the saving power mode, during the execution of the program.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to schedule execution of a program in a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC), operation in a power saving operation mode, and operation in a normal power consumption mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in order to execute a program in a power saving operation mode of a PC, it has been necessary to return to the normal operation mode by using an interrupt such as an alarm. For example, a method of executing a program using an alarm interrupt disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 3-147117,
It can be mentioned as something related to this. Also PC
Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 6-834
91 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-5958.

[0003]

In the above-mentioned conventional technique, the schedule execution operation of an arbitrary program is taken into consideration regardless of whether the CPU clock is stopped in the normal mode or the power saving mode. There wasn't. Also, the operation when the program ends after returning to the normal state during the power saving operation and executing the schedule of the program is not considered. Also, when the alarm interrupt was a 24-hour timer, schedule execution beyond 24 hours was not considered. In addition, when returning from the power saving mode to the normal state, it was not possible to determine the distinction when returning with a keyboard interrupt other than an alarm interrupt or a serial port incoming interrupt.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems and to provide a PC which embodies a system capable of safely executing an arbitrary program designated by a user regardless of a normal mode or a power saving mode. is there.

Another object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to embody a method of returning to the power saving operation mode and suppressing the shift to the power saving mode during the execution of a program. To provide a PC.

Another object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to separate the return condition from the power saving operation mode.
It is to provide a method of executing a schedule ahead of time and a PC that embodies the method.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, a schedule management executing means, a driver means, a program execution list, a power saving transition timer means, an alarm timer means, a timer means, a power saving setting means are provided inside a PC. The user interface in the schedule management executing means registers an instruction for the user to execute an arbitrary program at an arbitrary date and time in the program execution list, and the driver means confirms the date and time by the timer means and the alarm timer means. The start time is registered and the program is scheduled to be executed in the normal mode and the power saving mode.

In order to achieve the above object, when a valid schedule is registered, the schedule management executing means stops the power saving transition timer through the driver means without changing to the power saving mode during program execution. It is a program for safely executing a schedule.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned other object, after executing the program schedule, the driver unit is instructed to the power saving setting unit to shift to the power saving mode.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned other objects, when returning from the power saving mode to the normal mode, the set value of the alarm timer means is read and the return interrupt condition is judged.

By reading the schedule execution instruction of the program registered by the user in the program execution list and setting the set value in the alarm timer means and the timer means, the program schedule is restored in the normal mode or from the power saving mode. Execute.

Further, when a valid schedule is registered in the normal mode, the schedule is executed reliably by suppressing the shift to the power saving mode.

Further, unattended operation is possible by returning from the power saving mode, executing the program schedule, and then shifting to the power saving mode.

Further, by suppressing the shift to the power saving mode during the schedule execution of the program after returning from the power saving mode, the risk of shifting to the power saving mode before the end of the program can be avoided and ensured. Let the schedule execute.

Further, by judging the return condition from the power saving mode, it is not necessary to shift to the power saving mode at the time of keyboard interrupt or serial port incoming interrupt other than the alarm timer interrupt used for the schedule execution. ， Can be adapted to the user's intention.

Even if the alarm timer is a 24-hour timer, it is possible to execute a schedule separated by 24 hours or more by checking the restored date and shifting to the power saving mode if different.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a schedule management execution means, 2 is a user interface, 3 is a program execution list, 4 is driver means, 5 is OS / BIOS,
6 is a power saving setting means, 7 is a serial port, 8 is a keyboard, 9 is a timer means, 10 is an alarm timer means 11, a power saving transition timer means, 12 is a program, 1
Reference numeral 3 is a PC main body, 15 keyboard interrupts, and 14 is a serial port incoming interrupt.

A keyboard 8 is provided inside the PC main body 13.
Keyboard interrupt 15 from the serial port, serial port incoming interrupt 14 from the serial port, and alarm timer means 10, timer means 9 and power saving timer means 11 to the OS / BIOS 5. The schedule management execution means is
Access to each means connected to the S / BIOS 5.
For detailed operation of the schedule management execution means 1,
The description will be given with reference to the flowcharts of FIG. 12 and subsequent figures.

In FIG. 2, 23 is a processor, 24 is a ROM, 25 is a RAM, 26 is a bus, 27 is a hard disk controller, 28 is a keyboard controller, 2
9 is a serial controller, 30 is a hard disk, 3
Reference numeral 1 is a keyboard, and 16 is a display controller.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a hardware configuration of the PC main body 13 described in FIG. 1, in which the processor 23 is placed in the ROM 24 via the bus 26 and is in the Basic state.
The input output system (BIOS) program is executed and the operating system (O) installed on the hard disk 30 through the hard disk controller 27.
S), program, schedule management execution means 1 in FIG.
Access and execute the program that embodies. The bus 26 includes a keyboard 31 through a keyboard controller 28, a serial port 29 through a serial controller 29, a power saving setting means 6, and a display controller 16.
The display means 21 is connected through the, and each is controlled by the processor 23.

FIG. 3 is an embodiment showing an external view of the PC main body 13 described with reference to FIGS.
7 is a serial port, 22 is a power switch, 8 is a keyboard, and 17 is a mouse. The PC on which the schedule management executing means 1 operates is such a general PC.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the power saving mode.
2 is power on, 33 is normal mode, 34 is power saving mode, 35 is power off, 40 is power saving operation setting, 41 is power saving mode transition timer timeout, 42 is power saving mode transition instruction, 43 is power switch off Is.

PC main body 13 described with reference to FIGS.
Then, when the power switch 22 is turned on, the power is turned off 3
When the power-on mode 32 is entered from 5 and the power-saving operation setting 40 is subsequently set by the user, the normal mode 33 is entered. From the normal mode 33, the power saving mode shift timer timeout 41 or the power saving mode shift instruction 42
If there is, the power saving mode 34 is entered. Power saving mode 3
Alarm timer interrupt 3 from 4 to normal mode 33
7. It is possible to return by the keyboard interrupt 38, the serial port incoming interrupt 39. The power switch off 43 can be used to shift from each mode to the power off 35.
The processor 23 of FIG. 2 can operate only in the power-on 32 or the normal mode 33.

FIG. 5 shows the schedule management execution means 1 of FIG.
44 is an embodiment showing the user interface 2 of
Is a JOB scheduler screen, 45 is a registered schedule, 46 is a setting button, 47 is an end button, and 48 is a start reservation button. User is JOB scheduler 44
It is possible to confirm the registered program by holding the screen of, and also to end the schedule management executing means 1 by pressing the end button.

FIG. 6 is an embodiment showing a screen for setting each schedule. 49 is JOB scheduler setting, 50 is execution date and time, 51 is program list, 5
2 is a registration list 53 and an OK button. When the setting button 46 of FIG. 5 is pressed with the mouse 17 of FIG. 3, the screen of FIG. 6 is displayed on the display means 21. User runs 50
In, specify the start date and time of the program you want to execute on a schedule. Further, by selecting a program from the program list 51 and designating it in the registration list 52, it is possible to designate the program to be scheduled. After the setting is completed, the user may press the OK button with the mouse 17.

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment in which the JOB scheduler 44 is in execution, and 54 is a JOB scheduler. When the user presses the activation reservation button 48 in FIG. 5, the state as shown in FIG. 7 is obtained, and it is called iconized.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the program execution list 3, in which start date and time, program name, etc. are described.

FIG. 9 shows an alarm timer register 55 used by the alarm timer means 10 for setting the time at which the alarm timer interrupt 37 such as hour, minute and second is desired to be generated.

FIG. 10 shows a timer register used by the timer means 9. Reference numeral 56 indicates a date, and 57 indicates hours, minutes and seconds. The value of this timer register is a kind of clock,
When the hour, minute, second 57 and the value of the alarm timer register 55 match, an alarm timer interrupt 37 is generated from the alarm timer means 10. The current date and time can be confirmed by reading the value of this timer register.

FIG. 11 shows a power saving mode transition timer means 1
1 is a power saving mode transition timer 58 used by
When the time set in this register counts down and reaches 00:00:00, the PC main body 13 shifts to the power saving mode 34.

FIG. 12 is a flow chart for explaining the internal operation of the user interface 2 of the schedule management executing means 1, which will be explained using the numbers from 1201.

1 when the JOB scheduler 44 is activated
Moving from 201 to 1202, the description of the program execution list 3 is confirmed first. Then, the process proceeds to 1204, and the schedule as shown in FIG. 5 is displayed. Then 1205
When the start reservation button 48 is pressed, the screen moves to 1206, is iconized, and the screen display is changed as shown in FIG. After this, move to FIG. When the end button 47 is pressed, the JOB scheduler 44 is ended. When it finishes, the schedule cannot be executed. When the set button 46 is pressed, the process moves to 1210, the program execution list 3 is confirmed, and the screen display changes to that shown in FIG. 121
Move to 1 and schedule is set by the user, OK
When the button 53 is pressed, the screen returns to the screen shown in FIG. Internally, the processing moves to 1212, the program execution list 3 is updated, and the processing returns to 1202.

With the above operation, the user can set or confirm the schedule execution of the program.

FIG. 13 is a flow chart for explaining the internal operation of the JOB scheduler 44 when the activation reservation button 48 is pressed to be iconized. Moving from 1301 to 1302, the program execution list 3 is checked first. Next, move to 1303, and if there is a valid schedule, 1
Move to 305, or move to 1304 if not, 13
In 05, a stop instruction is issued to the power saving transition timer means 11 to stop counting. In 1304, a restart instruction is issued to the power saving transition timer means 11. 130
5 to 1306, check the timer means 9,
Move to 1307. The start date and time of the schedule execution list 3 confirmed in 1302 are compared, and when the date and time is set, the process proceeds to 1308, and if different, the process proceeds to 1309. At 1308, the program execution list 3 is confirmed, and the process moves to 1312 to start the corresponding program. 130
In the case of moving to 9, when the user double-clicks the iconified JOB scheduler by using the mouse 17 (with the mouse, the switch of the mouse is shortly pressed twice), the process moves to 1310, and 1203 in FIG. Move to. If there is no double click, move to 1311 and wait 1 minute, then 1
Return to 302.

As a result, when the user gives a valid schedule execution instruction, the power saving transition timer is stopped to prevent the transition to the power saving mode before the activation time. As a result, the processor will not be stopped by mistake by shifting to the power saving mode, and the schedule execution will be performed reliably. If there is no valid schedule, restart the power saving transition timer,
It benefits from low power consumption in the power saving mode and saves energy resources. P using a battery
In C, it is possible to reduce battery consumption.

14 and 15 show another embodiment of the present invention. First, referring to FIG. 14, the operation when the power saving mode is returned to the normal mode will be described. First, there are alarm timer interrupts, keyboard interrupts, and serial port incoming interrupts as described in FIG. 4 as interrupt factors for restoration. First, at 1401, the value of the alarm timer register 55 is read through the alarm timer means 10. Then, the process proceeds to 1402, and if the value is within 24 hours, the process proceeds to 1403, and if not, to 1404. In the case of 1403, it is determined to be an alarm timer interrupt. An example of comparing with the current time may be considered here, but it is necessary to consider the hardware delay of the restoration. If the operation proceeds to 1404, it is determined that the interrupt is a keyboard or serial port incoming interrupt. 1403
From 1405 to 1405, 25:00:00 is set through the alarm timer means 10. Here, the time is set to 25:00, but it may be any value within 24 hours. Then 140
6 and 1502 in FIG.

As a result, it becomes possible to distinguish the return condition to the normal mode.

In FIG. 15, first, for the same parts as in FIG. 13, the same numbers are used in the flow chart. Here, mainly the added and changed portions will be described.

If it is moved from 1406 in FIG. 14, 1
Moving to 302, the program execution list 3 is confirmed.
Moving to 1303, if there is a valid schedule 13
If no, go to 1304. In 1304, after restarting the power saving shift timer, if it is previously determined in 1510 that an alarm timer interrupt has occurred, a power saving mode shift instruction 42 is issued through the power saving setting means 6 in FIG. 1 to shift to the power saving mode. To do. If it is not an alarm timer interrupt, the process proceeds to 1309. In the case of shifting from 1303 to 1305, the power saving shift timer is stopped, and then shifts to 1508, and the alarm timer setting means sets the start time of the schedule at the closest time earlier than the present time. 1
Moving to 306, the timer means is confirmed and the current date and time is read. If the schedule setting date and time is 1307, 130
Go to 8, else go to 1515. If 1515 was previously determined to be an alarm timer interrupt, 1
Then, the processing shifts to 516 and shifts to the power saving mode. Since 1309 and subsequent steps are the same as those in FIG. 13, description thereof will be omitted. After moving to 1308 and checking the program execution list 3, the process moves to 1312 to start the corresponding program. At 1519, the end of the started program is confirmed, and if it is completed, 1520 is followed by 1
In step 505, the power saving transition timer is restarted in step 1304. If the alarm timer interrupt occurs in step 1510, the power saving mode is entered.

As a result, when returning from the power saving mode to the normal state, it is possible to immediately shift to the power saving mode due to an alarm and if an effective schedule has not been set or if it is not the schedule of the day. . As a result, even if the alarm timer is a 24-hour timer, it is possible to perform the schedule execution operation for 24 hours or more.

Also, after the program is scheduled,
It is possible to shift to the power saving mode, there is no waste of energy consumption, and because the power saving transition timer is stopped during schedule execution, it is possible to perform operations such as not shifting to the power saving mode during program execution. .

In the case of a keyboard interrupt that occurs when the user touches the keyboard or a normal mode return by an incoming interrupt from the serial port, the JOB scheduler 44 or the schedule management execution means 1 erroneously saves power. There is an effect that there is no transition to.

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention,
This has the effect of enabling program schedule execution regardless of the normal mode or power saving mode.

Further, when a valid schedule is registered in the normal mode, it is possible to reliably execute the schedule by suppressing the shift to the power saving mode.

There is also an effect that unmanned operation becomes possible by returning from the power saving mode and executing the program schedule, and then shifting to the power saving mode.

Further, by suppressing the shift to the power saving mode during the execution of the program schedule after returning from the power saving mode, the risk of shifting to the power saving mode before the end of the program is avoided and is ensured. You can also schedule the execution.

Further, by judging the return condition from the power saving mode, the transition to the power saving mode is not performed at the time of a keyboard interrupt other than the alarm timer interrupt used for schedule execution or a serial port incoming interrupt. The effect that the schedule function and normal PC operation can be performed according to the user's intention is obtained.

Further, even if the alarm timer is a 24-hour timer, there is an effect that it is possible to execute a schedule separated by 24 hours or more by checking the restored date and shifting to the power saving mode if different. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a personal computer including a schedule management execution unit that is an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the personal computer (PC) shown in FIG.

3 is an external view of the PC shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a power saving mode.

FIG. 5 is an embodiment showing a user interface of a schedule management executing means.

FIG. 6 is an example showing a user interface at the time of schedule registration.

FIG. 7 is an example showing that the schedule management executing means is in operation.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a program execution list.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an alarm timer register.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a timer register.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a power saving mode transition timer.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart for registering a schedule in the normal mode.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a movement when a schedule is executed.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the movement at the time of separating the return state.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart illustrating a movement at the time of executing a schedule when the power saving mode is changed to the normal mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Schedule Management Execution Means 2 ... User Interface 3 ... Program Execution List 4 ... Driver Means 6 ... Power Saving Setting Means 9 ... Timer Means 10 ... Alarm Timer Means 11 ... Power Saving Transition Timer Means

(72) Inventor Masami Sakon, 810 Shimoimaizumi, Ebina City, Kanagawa, Hitachi Office Systems Division (72) Inventor, Yuichi Kobayashi, 810 Shimoimaizumi, Ebina, Kanagawa Prefecture

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A personal computer having a power saving mode with low power consumption and a normal mode with low power consumption and having a scheduler function, when an application is executed in advance by using a user interface of the scheduler when operating in the normal mode. When the user registers the start date and time and any program name in the list, the scheduler suppresses the transition by issuing a stop instruction to the power saving mode transition timer, and also sets the time set in the application execution list in the timer means. Then, at that time, the personal computer that executes the program registered in the application execution list. 2. In the personal computer according to claim 1, when the user has previously registered the start date and time and the program name in the application execution list using the user interface of the scheduler, the scheduler sets the time in the alarm timer means. , If the power saving mode was entered when the alarm timer interrupt occurred, the normal mode is restored and the program registered to be executed at that time in the application execution list is executed. A personal computer that detects the end and returns to the power saving mode by using the power saving control means when the end is confirmed. 3. The program registered in the application execution list to be executed at that date and time when the time set in advance in the alarm timer means and the normal mode is restored during operation in the power saving mode. If it does not exist, the scheduler uses the power saving control means to issue an instruction to shift to the power saving mode, and immediately returns to the power saving mode. 4. The scheduler according to claim 3, wherein when an alarm interrupt is generated by the alarm timer means during operation in the power saving mode and the normal mode is restored, if there is a program registered in the application execution list at that time. Is a personal computer characterized by issuing an instruction to stop the power saving mode shift timer so as not to shift to the power saving mode. 5. The scheduler according to claim 3, wherein the value set in the alarm timer is read when returning to the normal mode due to a keyboard interrupt or an interrupt due to an incoming serial port, and when the value differs from the value within 24 hours, the scheduler Is a personal computer characterized by not returning to the power saving mode when it is judged to have returned except by an alarm interrupt.