JPH09167029A - Computer system and resume processing method for the system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To surely provide a resume function even when the state of system power source is transited between ON and OFF in a short period of time by the opening/closing operation of display panel part, for example. SOLUTION: Concerning a personal computer having the resume function utilizing a hard disk device or the like, this personal computer is provided with a switch 6 for power source to be turned on/off while being interlocked with the opening/closing operation of display panel part 5 and a CPU 1 for controlling the execution of resume function according to the ON/OFF state of this switch 6 for power source. A power source controller 7 discriminates whether the lapse of time in the state transition of switch 6 for power source between ON and OFF is less than prescribed reference time or not. When the lapse of time is less than the reference time as a result of that discrimination, the CPU 1 holds the execution of resume function according to the ON/OFF state of switch 6 for power source but when the lapse of time in state transition exceeds the reference time, the CPU performs control to execute the resume function.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a computer system such as a personal computer having a suspend / resume function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a battery-powered portable personal computer includes a system having a suspend / resume function in order to save power consumption. The suspend / resume function (hereinafter simply referred to as “resume function”) provides information related to the operating state of the system when the system power is turned off.
This is a function of saving in a memory backed up by a backup power supply (usually RAM which is a main memory), restoring the saved information when the system power is turned on, and restarting the system from the state before turning off.

Here, the information to be saved (resume information) is, for example, document information in the process of creation, information displayed on the display screen, status information set in an internal register of the CPU, or the like.

With this resume function, the system power is turned off when the system is not operating, and when the system power is turned on, the resume information relating to the operating state of the system immediately before being turned off is restored. The system can be restarted.

Rechargeable batteries and auxiliary batteries are used as backup power sources. Therefore, a system having a resume function requires a cost for providing a backup power supply. Furthermore, if you forget to replace the auxiliary battery or if the rechargeable battery is not charged, the backup power supply will not function, the resume function will not work, and the resume information necessary for system restart will be erased. Occur.

In order to solve such a problem, a method has been developed in which the resume information is stored in an external storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) without being stored in the backed up memory. The HDD can store the resume information without requiring a backup power source, so that the resume function can be surely executed.

On the other hand, in a so-called notebook type portable personal computer, the system power supply is turned on / off in accordance with the open / close state of the display panel section forming the screen of the display device together with the resume function. There is a method.

[0008] In this system, a power switch is provided which is usually linked to the opening / closing operation of a display panel section having a liquid crystal display (LCD) screen. A notebook type personal computer is usually structured such that it is operated with the display panel section opened when the system is started up, and is carried with the display panel section closed when the system is stopped.

Therefore, when the display panel is opened, the power switch is turned on, and the system power controller (power microcomputer) turns on the system power. Further, when the display panel unit is closed, the power switch is turned off and the power controller turns off the system power. When turning on / off this system power,
The above-mentioned resume function will operate.

[0010]

As described above, the HDD
In a personal computer that employs a resume function that utilizes, etc., and a system that turns on / off the system power according to the open / closed state of the display panel, the system power is turned on / off by opening / closing the display panel.
The system can be started and stopped easily. Further, since the resume information is saved in the HDD when the system power is turned on / off, the resume function can be surely executed without the need for a backup power source.

However, as compared with the case of operating the power switch, the opening / closing operation of the display panel section may operate the display panel section from the open state to the closed state in a short time or vice versa. . In this case, the resume function of saving the resume information in the HDD or reading the resume information from the HDD is executed according to the opening / closing operation of the display panel unit.
The access speed is lower than that of the main memory composed of AM. Therefore, when the state transition (change between the open state and the closed state) according to the opening / closing operation of the display panel unit is short, the subsequent resume function is started before the previous resume function is finished. It will be a situation.

An object of the present invention is to reliably realize the resume function even when the state transition between the ON state and the OFF state of the system power source is short, for example, by opening / closing the display panel section.

[0013]

The present invention, in a computer system such as a personal computer having a so-called resume function, has a power supply switch which is turned on / off in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of a display panel unit. The system includes a resume control means for controlling execution of a resume function according to an on state and an off state of a power switch. The resume control means determines whether or not the elapsed time of the state transition between the ON state and the OFF state of the power switch is less than a predetermined reference time, and when the determination result is less than the reference time, the power switch Hold the execution of the resume function according to the ON state or the OFF state,
When the elapsed time of state transition exceeds the reference time, the resume function is controlled to be executed.

With such a system, for example, when the opening operation is performed immediately after the display panel section is closed, when the state transition time from the OFF state to the ON state of the power switch is shorter than the reference time, , The execution of the resume function according to the ON state of the power switch is suspended. Therefore, when the power switch is turned off, the resume function that saves the resume information necessary for system restart to the relatively low-speed HDD is surely executed, and after this, the resume function according to the on state of the power switch is executed. To execute.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a computer system relating to the first embodiment, FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts for explaining the operation of the present embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a second embodiment. It is a flow chart for explaining operation of form. (System Configuration) The system according to the present embodiment has a resume function using an HDD and is configured to turn on / off a power switch in synchronization with opening / closing operation of a display panel unit of a display device. A portable personal computer such as a portable computer is assumed.

As shown in FIG. 1, this system has a microprocessor (CPU) 1, a main memory 2, a display device 4, a power supply controller 7, and an HDD 8. The CPU 1 is a central processing unit of the system, and executes the resume function of this embodiment by software such as BIOS (basic input / output system) prepared in advance.

The main memory 2 has a backup memory area 2a for storing data used for various data processing of the CPU 1 and resuming information. The resume information can be changed by executing the resume function.
It includes status information of the internal register of the CPU 1, display information on the display screen, and other information necessary for restarting the system. The main memory 2 is a RAM that is an IC memory, and is backed up by a sub-battery 3 that is a rechargeable battery or an auxiliary battery.

The display device 4 has a display screen for displaying various data processed by the CPU 1. The display screen is L
The display panel unit 5 is a CD panel. Further, the display device 4 has a power switch (hereinafter referred to as a panel SW) 6 that is turned on / off in conjunction with the opening / closing operation of the display panel unit 5.

The panel SW6 is turned on in response to the open state of the display panel section 5 (when the system is activated), and instructs the power controller 7 to turn on the system power. Also,
The off operation is performed according to the closed state of the display panel unit 5 (when the system is stopped), and the power controller 7 is instructed to turn off the system power.

The power supply controller 7 controls the system power supply and the power supply from the sub-battery 3 based on the on / off operation of the panel SW 6 and the power switch (not shown) of the system. The power supply controller 7 notifies the CPU 1 of a control signal related to power supply control.

The HDD 8 is an external storage device of the system, and in this embodiment, the resume function saves the resume information and executes an access operation for restoring the resume information. (Operation of First Embodiment) The operation of this embodiment will be described below with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. In the present embodiment, a resume control process (SW on process) according to an opening operation of the display panel unit 5 and a resume control process (SW off process) according to its closing operation are executed.

First, it is assumed that the display panel section 5 is in the closed state and the system is in the suspended or suspended state. At this time, when the display panel unit 5 is opened, the panel SW6 is turned on (step S
1 YES). In the OFF state of the panel SW6, the SW OFF processing shown in FIG. 3 is executed (N in step S1).
O, S8).

The power supply controller 7 detects the ON operation of the panel SW6 and determines the elapsed time of the state transition (transition of the open / closed state of the display panel section 5) from the OFF state to the ON state of the panel SW6 (step S2). S3). That is, the power supply controller 7 determines whether the elapsed time from the OFF state to the ON state of the panel SW6 is less than a preset reference time.

Here, the reference time is, for example, an average value of the processing time for storing the resume information in the HDD 8 by the resume function activated when the power is turned off. That is,
The reference time usually corresponds to the elapsed time for which the resume information is stored in the HDD 8.

If the elapsed time is less than the reference time, the power supply controller 7 does not recognize the ON state of the panel SW6 and does not supply the system power supply (N in step S3).
O). Therefore, the CPU 1 does not execute the resume function associated with the power-on operation even when the display panel section 5 is opened and the panel SW6 is turned on. That is, the activation or resumption of the system is on hold.

When the reference time is exceeded (after a lapse of a certain time), the power supply controller 7 determines whether or not the resume function by the CPU 1 is being executed (step S).
4). Here, before the panel SW6 is turned on, it is determined whether or not the resume process at the time of power-off, that is, the process of saving the resume information in the HDD 8 is being executed in accordance with the closing operation of the display panel unit 5. .

At the time when the resume process is not executed or when the resume process is completed, the power supply controller 7 recognizes the ON state of the panel SW6 (NO in step S4, S).
5, YES, S6). Therefore, the system power is turned on to supply power to the system to activate the system (step S7).

At this time, the CPU 1 reads out the resume process associated with the power-on operation, that is, the resume information stored in the HDD 8, restores the state immediately before the power-off, and restarts the system.

On the other hand, it is assumed that the display panel section 5 is open and the system is in operation. At this time, when the display panel unit 5 is closed, the panel SW6 is turned off (YES in step S10). At this time, if the reference time has not elapsed since the panel SW6 was turned off, the power supply controller 7 does not recognize the off state of the panel SW6 and determines that the SW on process is being performed (step S10).
NO).

When the reference time is exceeded (after a lapse of a certain time), the power supply controller 7 determines whether or not the resume function by the CPU 1 is being executed (step S1).
1). This resume function is a resume process associated with the power-on operation, that is, a process of reading the resume information stored in the HDD 8 and returning to the state immediately before the power-off to restart the system.

When the CPU 1 receives a power-off state instruction from the power controller 7, the CPU 1 suspends the resume process and starts the resume process accompanying the power-off operation (steps S12 and S13). That is, the resume information is HD
Execute the process of saving in D8.

Next, until the panel SW6 is turned on by the opening operation of the display panel section 5, the system power supply is stopped and the system enters the suspended state (interrupted state) (step S15). When the panel SW6 is turned on by opening the display panel unit 5, the SW shown in FIG.
ON processing is executed (step S16).

As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the opening / closing operation of the display panel unit 5 is performed, the state transition of changing from the closed state (panel SW6 off) to the open state (panel SW6 on) is performed. When the elapsed time is very short, such as less than the reference time, the on state of panel SW6 is not recognized. Therefore, the system power supply is kept off, and the resume function associated with the system power supply on operation is put on hold.

Further, even when the elapsed time of the above-mentioned state transition exceeds the reference time, the display panel section 5 is set before that.
Is closed, that is, when the resume function executed when the power is off is in execution, the system power-on operation is put on hold until the resume process is completed. As a result, even if the display panel unit 5 is opened immediately after the system power is turned off, the resume process being executed is not interrupted, and the resume information can be reliably saved.

On the other hand, when the display panel unit 5 is operated from the open state to the closed state, if the elapsed time of the state transition is very short such as less than the reference time, the panel SW
Do not recognize the off state of 6. Therefore, the on state of the system power is maintained, and the resume function associated with the off operation of the system power is in a suspended state.

Further, when the elapsed time of the state transition exceeds the reference time and the resume function executed when the power is turned on is being executed, the resume process is interrupted and the resume accompanying the power off operation is performed. Start processing. In this case, the resume process when the power is turned on is a process of reading the resume information saved from the HDD 8 and restarting the system, so that the resume information is not erased even if interrupted. (Second Embodiment) Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Also in the case of the second embodiment, the system configuration assumes the personal computer shown in FIG.

First, it is assumed that the display panel section 5 is open and the panel SW6 is on (YES in step S20). At this time, when the display panel section 5 is closed, the panel SW6 is turned off (YES in step S21). As a matter of course, when the open state of the display panel unit 5 is maintained, the system is in an operating state and various data processing is executed (NO in step S21, S2).
4).

If the reference time has not elapsed since the panel SW6 was turned off, the power supply controller 7 does not recognize the off state of the panel SW6 and determines that the system power supply is on (NO in step S22).

When the reference time is exceeded (after a lapse of a certain time), the power supply controller 7 recognizes the off state of the panel SW6 and shifts to the system power off operation. CPU
When receiving the instruction of the power-off state from the power controller 7, the No. 1 executes the resume process accompanying the power-off operation (step S23). That is, the process of saving the resume information necessary for restarting the system in the HDD 8 is executed.

On the other hand, assume that the display panel section 5 is closed and the panel SW6 is off (NO in step S20). At this time, when the display panel unit 5 is opened,
The panel SW6 is turned on (YE in step S25).
S). As a matter of course, when the closed state of the display panel unit 5 is maintained, the system is in the suspended state because the system power supply is stopped (N in step S25).
O, S28).

If the reference time has not elapsed since the panel SW6 was turned on, the power supply controller 7 does not recognize the on state of the panel SW6 and determines that the system power supply is off (NO in step S26).

When the reference time is exceeded (after a lapse of a certain time), the power supply controller 7 recognizes the ON state of the panel SW6 and shifts to the ON operation of the system power supply. CPU
When receiving the instruction of the power-on state from the power controller 7, the No. 1 executes the resume process accompanying the power-on operation (step S27). That is, the resume information is stored in the HDD 8
Read from, and the process is restarted.

As described above, according to the second embodiment, when the panel SW 6 is changed from the off state to the on state or from the on state to the off state in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the display panel section 5, If the elapsed time of the state transition is very short, such as less than the reference time, the state transition of the on or off state of the system power supply is not recognized. Therefore, the state before the opening / closing operation of the display panel unit 5 is maintained, and the resume function associated with the changed state is put on hold.

As a result, regardless of the execution state of the resume function associated with the state before the opening / closing operation of the display panel unit 5, when the elapsed time of the opening / closing operation of the display panel unit 5 is very short, the Always maintain the previous state.

[0045]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in a system of a system in which the on / off state of the system power supply is controlled in accordance with the opening / closing operation of the display panel section, the state transition of the on / off state is In the case of a very short time, the state before the state transition is maintained and the resume function associated with the changed state is suspended. Therefore, in the resume function using an HDD or the like having an access speed lower than that of the IC memory, even if the on / off state of the system power supply is changed in a short time, the resume processing for saving the resume information to the HDD is surely executed. can do.
As a result, it is possible to reliably operate the resume function that does not require a backup power source and improve the reliability of the system such as a personal computer having the resume function.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exemplary block diagram showing a main part of a computer system related to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Microprocessor (CPU) 2 ... Main memory (RAM) 3 ... Sub battery 4 ... Display device 5 ... Display panel section (LCD panel) 6 ... Power switch 7 ... Power controller 8 ... Hard disk device (HDD)

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A computer system having a resume function that saves information related to the operating state of the system when the power is turned off, restores the information when the power is turned on, and restarts the system from the operating state before the power was turned off. There is an instruction to turn on the power when the power switch is on.
Switch means for instructing a power off operation in the off state of the power switch, and whether or not the elapsed time of state transition between the on state and the off state of the power switch is less than a predetermined reference time. If the determination result is less than the reference time, the execution of the resume function according to the ON state or the OFF state of the power switch is suspended, and if the elapsed time of the state transition exceeds the reference time, A computer system, comprising: a resume control means for controlling to execute the resume function. 2. A computer system having a resume function that saves information related to the operating state of the system when the power is turned off, restores the information when the power is turned on, and restarts the system from the operating state before the power was turned off. There is a display panel section that displays the processing result of the system on the screen, and a power switch that interlocks with the open / closed state of the display panel section. When the power switch is turned on, the power is turned on. And a display device configured to instruct an off operation of a power source when the power switch is in an off state, a power on / off control is performed by detecting an on state and an off state of the power switch, and According to the open / closed state of the display panel unit, a power supply controller that determines whether the elapsed time of the state transition between the on state and the off state of the power switch is less than a predetermined reference time Roller, if the determination result by the power supply controller is less than the reference time, execution of the resume function according to the ON state or the OFF state of the power supply switch is suspended, and the elapsed time of the state transition is set to the reference time. A computer system, comprising: a resume control means for controlling to execute the resume function when exceeding the limit. 3. A computer system having a resume function, which stores information related to the operating state of the system when the power is turned off, restores the information when the power is turned on, and restarts the system from the operating state before the power was turned off. There is a display panel section that displays the processing result of the system on the screen, and a power switch that interlocks with the open / closed state of the display panel section. When the power switch is turned on, the power is turned on. And a display device configured to instruct an off operation of a power source when the power switch is in an off state, a power on / off control is performed by detecting an on state and an off state of the power switch, and According to the open / closed state of the display panel unit, a power supply controller that determines whether the elapsed time of the state transition between the on state and the off state of the power switch is less than a predetermined reference time When the determination result by the roller and the power supply controller is less than the reference time, execution of the resume function according to the ON state or the OFF state of the power supply switch is suspended, and the determination result exceeds the reference time. If the resume function activated before the state transition is being executed according to the ON state or the OFF state of the power source, the ON state or the OFF state of the power switch is continued until the execution of the resume function is completed. And a resume control means for controlling so as to suspend the execution of the resume function of this time. 4. A system having a resume function of saving information related to an operating state of the system when the power is turned off, restoring the information when the power is turned on, and restarting the system from the operating state before the power was turned off. A display panel unit for displaying the processing result on the screen, a power supply switch interlocking with the open / closed state of the display panel unit, and instructing a power-on operation in the ON state of the power supply switch, In a computer system having a display device configured to instruct a power-off operation when a power switch is off, a state transition between the on-state and the off-state of the power switch according to the open / closed state of the display panel section. Is determined to be less than a predetermined reference time, and if the determination result of the elapsed time is less than the reference time, the power switch A step of suspending the execution of the resume function according to the ON state of the power switch, and the case where the determination result of the elapsed time exceeds the reference time, the power supply switch is turned on before the state transition of the power supply switch to the ON state. Until the execution of the resume function started according to the off state is completed, a step of holding the on state of the power switch, and after the execution of the resume function started before the on state of the power switch is completed And a step of recognizing an on-state of the power supply switch to execute a power-on operation, the resume processing method. 5. A system having a resume function that saves information related to the operating state of the system when the power is turned off, restores the information when the power is turned on, and restarts the system from the operating state before the power was turned off. Has a display panel unit for displaying the processing result on the screen, has a switch interlocking with the open / closed state of the display panel unit, and instructs the power-on operation when the power switch is on, In a computer system having a display device configured to instruct a power off operation in a switch off state, a transition of a state transition between an on state and an off state of the power switch according to an open / close state of the display panel unit. A step of determining whether or not the time is less than a predetermined reference time, and if the determination result of the elapsed time is less than the reference time, the power switch is turned off. A step of suspending the execution of the resume function according to the power-off state, and a case where the determination result of the elapsed time exceeds a reference time, the power-on state of the power switch before the state transition to the off-state of the power switch. And a step of suspending the resume function activated in accordance with the above, and executing the resume function according to the OFF state of the power switch.