JPH11212677A - Power unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and automatically turn on/off the power source of an OS in a main body device only by exchanging a power unit with a dedicated one even in the case of an ordinary personal computer(PC). SOLUTION: When a microprocessor 7 has received a shut-down processing end command transmitted from the OS of a main body device 1 through a serial port 4 of the main body device 1, an external serial cable 14 and a serial port 13 of a power unit 5, a power source off signal is transmitted to a control circuit 11 by the microprocessor 7, and when the power source off signal transmitted from the microprocessor 7 is received by the control circuit part 11, power feeding to the OS of the main body device 1 is stopped by controlling a switchable power source part 10 through the control circuit part 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power supply device applied to an information processing apparatus, and more particularly, to an automatic power-on of a main unit even when applied to a general personal computer.
The present invention relates to a power supply device capable of easily performing / OFF.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional information processing apparatus having a power supply device which can be automatically turned on / off. 6, reference numeral 1 denotes a main unit of the information processing apparatus;
Denotes a motherboard of the main unit 1, 3 denotes a CPU of the main unit 1 disposed on the motherboard 2, 5 denotes a power supply unit disposed in the main unit 1, 9 denotes a control power supply unit in the power supply unit 5, 1
0 is a disconnectable power supply in the power supply 5, 11 is the power supply 5
ON / OFF control circuit of disconnectable power supply unit 10
Is a server management device (I / O board) arranged in the main body device 1, 21 is a microprocessor in the server management device 20, 22 is a clock in the server management device 20, and 23 is a memory in the server management device 20. is there.

FIG. 7 shows a power supply of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.
6 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of / OFF. The power ON / OFF operation flow will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the power supply device 5 disposed in the main device 1 starts operating when AC power is connected in step S101, and the control power supply unit 9 inside the power supply device 5 starts operating. . The server management device 20 starts operating when the power of the server management device 20 is supplied by the control power supply unit 9 of the power supply device 5. In this state, the power is not supplied to the motherboard 2 of the main unit 1 yet, so that the motherboard 2 is not operating.

[0004] The server management device 20 includes therein a microprocessor 21, a clock 22 for measuring the current time, and a memory 23 in which a preset power-on time is stored. The current time constantly measured by the clock 22 is compared with the power-on time preset in the memory 23. Server management device 20
When the current time transferred from the clock 22 becomes the set power-on time read from the memory 23 (step S102), the microprocessor 21
A power ON signal is transmitted to (step S10).
3).

[0005] When receiving the power-on signal transferred from the microprocessor 21, the control circuit 11 of the power supply 5 turns on the disconnectable power supply 10 such as + 5V and + 12V to start the operation (step S104). ). Thereby, the motherboard 2 of the main unit 1 is connected to the power supply 5
Since the power can be supplied from the disconnectable power supply unit 10, the CPU 3 on the motherboard 2 starts operating and the operation of the operating system (OS) starts (step S105).

While the power of the main unit 1 is ON, the server management device 20 always compares the current time with the power-off time preset in the memory 23 by the internal microprocessor 21 and clock 22. I have. Server management device 2
When the current time transferred from the clock 22 reaches the preset power-off time read from the memory 23 (step S106), the microprocessor 21 of 0 sends a shutdown request to the OS of the main device 1. (Step S107). Upon receiving the shutdown request transmitted from the microprocessor 21 (step S108), the OS of the main device 1 starts the OS shutdown processing (step S109).

When the OS of the main unit 1 completes the shutdown processing of the OS (step S110), the CPU 3 transmits a command for terminating the shutdown processing to the microprocessor 21 of the server management apparatus 20 (step S110).
111). Microprocessor 2 of server management device 20
1 receives a shutdown end command transmitted from the CPU 3 of the main device 1 (step S11).
2) After the shutdown of the OS is completed, + 5V, +1
It is recognized that there is no problem even if the disconnectable power supply 10 such as 2V is turned off.

When the microprocessor 21 of the server management apparatus 20 receives the shutdown end command transmitted from the CPU 3 of the main unit 1 (step S11).
2) Turn off the power to the control circuit unit 11 of the power supply device 5
A signal is transmitted (step S113). Upon receiving the power-off signal transmitted from the microprocessor 21 of the server management device 20, the control circuit unit 11 of the power supply device 5 turns off the + 5V, + 12V, etc. disconnectable power supply unit 10 that supplies power to the motherboard 2 and the like ( Step S11
4). As a result, the cutoff power supply 10 of the power supply 5 of the motherboard 2 of the main unit 1 is turned off, the power supply is cut off, and the CPU 3 on the motherboard 2 stops operating (step S115).

When the power of the main unit 1 is turned off (step S115), the server management unit 20 compares the current time with the power-on time set in the memory 23 by the internal microprocessor 21 and clock 22. Is started again (step S112). As described above, according to this conventional information processing apparatus, the power supply of the main unit 1 is automatically turned on / off by adopting a configuration in which the current time is compared with the time set in the memory 23 in advance. There is an advantage that can be.

[0010]

However, in the conventional power supply device 5 which can be automatically turned on / off as described above, a special I / O board called a server management device 20 must be provided, Motherboard 2
In addition, special communication hardware and software for communicating between the server management device 20 and the motherboard 2 of the main device 1 must be provided, and the control power supply 9 is provided to the server management device 20 using a dedicated cable. Had to be powered by. For this reason, the power supply device 5 and the motherboard 2 of the main unit 1 require dedicated special communication hardware and software, and it is difficult for a normal personal computer to perform such automatic power ON / OFF. There was a problem that is.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is easy to turn on / off the automatic power supply of a normal personal computer only by replacing only the power supply with a dedicated power supply. It is an object of the present invention to provide a power supply device that can be implemented in any of the above.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
Current time clock means for measuring the current time, power-on time memory means for storing power-on time, power-off time memory means for storing power-off time, and power-on of the current time measured by the current time clock means When the power-on time read from the time storage means has been reached, the power-on signal transmitting means for transmitting a power-on signal and the operating system of the main unit when the power-on signal transmitted from the power-on signal transmitting means are received. Power supply means for supplying power to the operating board; and, when the current time measured by the current time clock means reaches the power-off time read from the power-off time storage means, a request for shutting down the operating system of the main unit is sent to the external cable. Means for transmitting a shutdown request to the operating system of the main unit via the When a shutdown processing end command transmitted from the operating system of the main unit via the cable is received, a power-off signal transmitting means for transmitting a power-off signal and a power-off signal transmitted from the power-off signal transmitting means are received. And a power supply stopping means for stopping power supply to the board on which the operating system of the main unit operates.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the power supply according to the first aspect, communication between the power supply and the operating system of the main unit is performed by a serial interface or a parallel interface.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a current time measuring means for measuring a current time, a power-on time storing means for storing a power-on time, a power-off time storing means for storing a power-off time, When the current time measured by the clock means reaches the power-on time read from the power-on time storage means, a power-on signal transmitting means for transmitting a power-on signal, and a power-on signal transmitted from the power-on signal transmitting means
When a signal is received, the power supply means for supplying power to the board on which the operating system of the main unit operates, and the current time measured by the current time clock means reaches the power off time read from the power off time storage means. Means for transmitting a shutdown request for the operating system of the main unit to the operating system of the main unit via an external cable;
A power-off signal transmitting unit for transmitting a power-off signal for stopping power supply when an ATX-standard power-off signal transmitted from the operating system of the main unit is received via the standard signal line; When the transmitted power-off signal for stopping power supply is received,
Power supply stopping means for stopping power supply to the board on which the operating system of the main unit operates.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the power supply according to the third aspect, communication between the power supply and the operating system of the main unit via an external cable is performed by a serial interface or a parallel interface. Is what you do.

[0016]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Embodiment 1 FIG. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing apparatus having a power supply device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. The information processing apparatus in the illustrated example includes, for example, a personal computer and a server. 1, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 6 denote the same or corresponding parts, 1 denotes a main unit of the information processing apparatus, 2 denotes a motherboard disposed in the main unit 1, and 3 denotes a main unit 1 disposed on the motherboard 2. C
PU, 4 are arranged on motherboard 2 and CPU 3
A serial port 5 having a transmitting / receiving function of the main unit 1 connected to the main unit 1, a power supply unit 5 disposed in the main unit 1, and an automatic operation circuit unit 6 disposed in the power supply unit 5.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a microprocessor constituting the automatic operation circuit section 6 disposed in the power supply device 5;
A clock constituting the automatic operation circuit unit 6 disposed therein, 9 is a control power supply unit disposed in the power supply device 5, 10 is a disconnectable power supply unit disposed in the power supply device 5, and 11 is a power supply unit in the power supply device 5. , An ON / OFF control circuit section of the disconnectable power supply section 10, a memory 12 constituting the automatic operation circuit section 6 disposed in the power supply device 5, a memory section 13 disposed in the automatic operation circuit section 6, Power supply 5 connected to processor 7
A serial port 4 of the main unit 1 and a serial port 1 of the power supply 5
3 is an external serial cable.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing the configuration of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 2, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts, and reference numeral 15 denotes an AC power cable of the main unit 1. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation flow between the power supply device 5 and the OS in the information processing apparatus shown in FIGS. Hereinafter, an operation flow between the power supply device and the OS will be described with reference to FIGS. The power supply device 5 arranged in the main device 1 starts operating when the AC power supply of the main device 1 is connected in step S1, and the control power supply unit 9 inside the power supply device 5 starts operating. The automatic operation circuit unit 6 arranged in the power supply device 5 is supplied with power by the control power supply unit 9 of the power supply device 5 and starts operating. In this state,
Since power is not supplied to the motherboard 2 of the main unit 1 yet, the motherboard 2 is not operating.

The automatic operation circuit unit 6 disposed in the power supply unit 5 has a built-in microprocessor 7, a clock 8 for measuring the current time, and a memory 12 in which a preset power-on time is stored. ing. Thus, memory 1
2 stores a preset power-on time, and the microprocessor 7 always compares the current time measured by the clock 8 with the power-on time preset in the memory 12. .

Microprocessor 7 of automatic operation circuit section 6
When the current time transferred from the clock 8 reaches the set power-on time read from the memory 12 (step S2), the power-on signal is transmitted to the control circuit unit 11 of the power supply device 5. When receiving the power ON signal transmitted from the microprocessor 7, the control circuit unit 11 of the power supply device 5 turns on the disconnectable power supply unit 10 such as + 5V or + 12V.
Then, the operation is started (step S3). As a result, the motherboard 2 of the main device 1 is supplied with power by the disconnectable power supply unit 10 of the power supply device 5, so that the CPU 3 on the motherboard 2 starts operating and
The operation of S is started (step S4).

The memory 12 stores a power-off time in advance, and the microprocessor 7 constituting the automatic operation circuit unit 6 in the power supply 5 while the main unit 1 is powered on.
Is comparing the current time always measured by the clock 8 with the power-off time set in the memory 12 in advance.
When the current time transferred from the clock 8 becomes the preset power-off time read from the memory 12 (step S5), the microprocessor 7 requests the serial port 13 of the power supply 5 to shut down the OS of the main unit 1. Send

When receiving the OS shutdown request transferred from the microprocessor 7, the serial port 13 of the power supply 5 transmits an OS shutdown request to the serial port 4 of the main unit 1 via the external serial cable 14. When the serial port 4 of the main unit 1 receives the OS shutdown request transferred from the serial port 13 of the power supply 5, the CPU 3 of the main unit 1
A request for shutting down the OS is transmitted to the OS through (step S6).

Upon receiving the OS shutdown request (step S7), the OS of the main unit 1 starts OS shutdown processing (step S8). When the OS shutdown process is completed (step S9), the OS of the main device 1 transmits a shutdown process end command to the serial port 4 of the main device 1 in step S10. When the serial port 4 of the main unit 1 receives the shutdown processing end command transmitted from the OS,
A command for ending the shutdown process is transmitted to the serial port 13 of the power supply device 5 via the external serial cable 14.

When the serial port 13 of the power supply 5 receives the shutdown processing end command (step S11), it transmits the shutdown processing end command to the microprocessor 7. When the microprocessor 7 of the power supply device 5 receives the shutdown processing end command (step S11), the shutdown of the OS is completed, and the disconnectable power supply unit 10 of + 5V, + 12V, etc.
OFF is not a problem.

The microprocessor 7 of the power supply 5 sends a power OFF signal to the control circuit 11 of the power supply 5. When receiving the power-off signal transmitted from the microprocessor 7, the control circuit unit 11 of the power supply device 5 turns off the + 5V, + 12V or other disconnectable power supply unit 10 that supplies power to the motherboard 2 and the like (step S12). Thereby, the motherboard 2 of the main unit 1 is connected to the power supply 5
Since the power supply is cut off by the disconnectable power supply unit 10,
The CPU 3 on the motherboard 2 stops operating.

When the power of the main unit 1 is turned off, the microprocessor 7 of the power supply 5 again starts comparing the current time transferred from the clock 8 with the preset power-on time in the memory 12. (Step S2), the above-described processing is repeated. The setting of the time and date and time at which the power is turned on / off is performed from the OS of the main unit 1 using an OS screen and an input device such as a keyboard of the main unit 1. The result set from the screen or input device on the OS of the main unit 1 is transmitted from the serial port 4 on the motherboard 2 from the OS, and received by the serial port 13 of the power supply 5 via the external serial cable 14. . Power supply 5
The microprocessor 7 stores this reception result in the memory 12
To memorize. The memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory, a memory backed up by a battery, and the like. When efficiency of setting is taken into consideration, it is desirable that the memory keep the power on / off time even when the AC power is turned off. In the above-described embodiment, the board on which the OS operates is called the motherboard 2. However, any board on which the CPU 3 and the like are arranged may be, for example, a board called a system board. Even when the substrate on which the OS operates is divided into a plurality of substrates, a case in which the substrate group has a function of operating the OS corresponds to the above embodiment.

As described above, in the present embodiment, the power-on time and the power-off time are stored in the memory 12 in advance,
When the microprocessor 7 determines that the current time measured by the clock 8 has reached the power-on time read from the memory 12, the microprocessor 7 transmits a power-on signal to the control circuit unit 11, and the power supply transmitted from the microprocessor 7 is transmitted. When the control circuit unit 11 receives the ON signal, the control circuit unit 11 controls the disconnectable power supply unit 10 to supply power to the substrate on which the OS of the main unit 1 operates, and the microprocessor 7 controls the clock 8. If it is determined that the clocked current time has reached the power-off time read from the memory 12, the shutdown request of the OS of the main unit 1 is sent to the serial port 13 of the power supply 5, the external serial cable 14, and the serial port of the main unit 1. 4 to the OS of the main unit 1, the serial port 4, the external serial cable 14, Upon receiving the shutdown processing end command transmitted via the serial port 13 of the source device 5 from the OS of the main unit 1 with the microprocessor 7,
When the microprocessor 7 transmits a power-off signal to the control circuit unit 11 and receives the power-off signal transmitted from the microprocessor 7 by the control circuit unit 11, the control circuit unit 11 controls the disconnectable power unit 10 to control the main unit. Since the power supply to the OS of the device 1 is configured to be stopped,
Even if it is applied to an ordinary personal computer without providing a special I / O board called a server management device, and without providing a number of special communication hardware on the power supply device 5 and the motherboard 2 of the main device 1, an automatic power supply is possible. ON / O
FF can be easily implemented. Conventionally, since the microprocessor 7, the clock 8, and the memory 12 were incorporated in the server management device, a number of dedicated hardware necessary for communication were required. In the present embodiment, however, the microprocessor 7 is incorporated in the power supply device 5. Thereby, the configuration can be simplified.
Further, in the present embodiment, by confining the route of the power ON / OFF signal in the power supply device 5, the degree of freedom can be increased, and the server management device does not have to be started via the power supply.

Embodiment 2 FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing apparatus having a power supply device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The information processing apparatus in the illustrated example includes, for example, a personal computer and a server. In the first embodiment, the case where the easy-to-use serial port is used as the communication means between the motherboard 2 and the power supply 5 has been described. In the present embodiment, the communication between the motherboard 2 and the power supply 5 is performed. A case where a parallel port often used for a printer is used as a communication means between them will be described. In FIG. 4, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same or corresponding parts, and reference numeral 16 denotes
A parallel port 17 having a transmission / reception function of the main unit 1 connected to U3, a parallel port 17 arranged in the automatic operation circuit unit 6 and having a transmission / reception function of the power supply 5 connected to the microprocessor 7, and 18 a main unit 1 is an external parallel cable connected to the parallel port 16 of the power supply device 5.

Here, an operation flow between the power supply device 5 and the OS in the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 4 will be described. Since the operation flow of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The power supply device 5 arranged in the main device 1 starts operating when AC power of the main device 1 is connected in step S1,
The control power supply unit 9 inside the power supply device 5 starts operating. The automatic operation circuit unit 6 arranged in the power supply device 5
The power is supplied by the control power supply unit 9 to start operation. In this state, since power has not been supplied to the motherboard 2 of the main unit 1 yet,
Is not running.

The automatic operation circuit section 6 arranged in the power supply device 5 has a built-in microprocessor 7, a clock 8 for measuring the current time, and a memory 12 in which a preset power-on time is stored. ing. Thus, memory 1
2 stores a preset power-on time, and the microprocessor 7 always compares the current time measured by the clock 8 with the power-on time preset in the memory 12. .

The microprocessor 7 of the automatic operation circuit 6
When the current time transferred from the clock 8 reaches the set power-on time read from the memory 12 (step S2), the power-on signal is transmitted to the control circuit unit 11 of the power supply device 5. When receiving the power ON signal transmitted from the microprocessor 7, the control circuit unit 11 of the power supply device 5 turns on the disconnectable power supply unit 10 such as + 5V or + 12V.
Then, the operation is started (step S3). As a result, the motherboard 2 of the main device 1 is supplied with power by the disconnectable power supply unit 10 of the power supply device 5, so that the CPU 3 on the motherboard 2 starts operating and
The operation of S is started (step S4).

The power-off time is stored in the memory 12 in advance. When the power of the main unit 1 is ON, the microprocessor 7 constituting the automatic operation circuit 6 in the power supply 5 is stored.
Is comparing the current time always measured by the clock 8 with the power-off time set in the memory 12 in advance.
When the current time transferred from the clock 8 reaches the preset power-off time read from the memory 12 (step S5), the microprocessor 7 requests the parallel port 17 of the power supply 5 to shut down the OS of the main unit 1. Send

Upon receiving the OS shutdown request transferred from the microprocessor 7, the parallel port 17 of the power supply 5 transmits an OS shutdown request to the parallel port 16 of the main unit 1 via the external parallel cable 18. Parallel port 16 of main unit 1
Is O transferred from the parallel port 17 of the power supply 5.
When the shutdown request of S is received,
An OS shutdown request is transmitted to the OS via the PU 3 (step S6).

Upon receiving the OS shutdown request (step S7), the OS of the main unit 1 starts OS shutdown processing (step S8). When the shutdown process of the OS is completed (step S9), the OS of the main device 1 transmits a command for terminating the shutdown process to the parallel port 16 of the main device 1 in step S10. When the parallel port 16 of the main unit 1 receives the shutdown processing termination command transmitted from the OS, the parallel port 16 transmits the shutdown processing termination command to the parallel port 17 of the power supply 5 via the external parallel cable 18.

When the parallel port 17 of the power supply 5 receives the shutdown processing end command (step S11), it sends the shutdown processing end command to the microprocessor 7. When the microprocessor 7 of the power supply device 5 receives the shutdown processing end command (step S11), the shutdown of the OS is completed, and the disconnectable power supply unit 10 of + 5V, + 12V, etc.
OFF is not a problem.

The microprocessor 7 of the power supply 5 sends a power-off signal to the control circuit 11 of the power supply 5. When receiving the power-off signal transmitted from the microprocessor 7, the control circuit unit 11 of the power supply device 5 turns off the + 5V, + 12V or other disconnectable power supply unit 10 that supplies power to the motherboard 2 and the like (step S12). Thereby, the motherboard 2 of the main unit 1 is connected to the power supply 5
Since the power supply is cut off by the disconnectable power supply unit 10,
The CPU 3 on the motherboard 2 stops operating.

When the power of the main unit 1 is turned off, the microprocessor 7 of the power supply unit 5 starts again comparing the current time transferred from the clock 8 with the preset power-on time in the memory 12. (Step S2), the above-described processing is repeated. The setting of the time and date and time at which the power is turned on / off is performed from the OS of the main unit 1 using an OS screen and an input device such as a keyboard of the main unit 1. The result set from the screen on the OS of the main unit 1 or the input device is transmitted from the OS to the parallel port 16 on the motherboard 2 and received by the parallel port 17 of the power supply 5 via the external parallel cable 18. . The microprocessor 7 of the power supply 5 stores the reception result in the memory 1
Store it in 2. The memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory, a memory backed up by a battery, and the like. When efficiency of setting is taken into consideration, it is desirable that the memory keep the power on / off time even when the AC power is turned off. In the above-described embodiment, the board on which the OS operates is called the motherboard 2. However, any board on which the CPU 3 and the like are arranged may be, for example, a board called a system board. Even if the substrate on which the OS operates is divided into a plurality of substrates, the OS
Has the function to operate, it corresponds to the above embodiment.

As described above, in this embodiment, the power-on time and the power-off time are stored in the memory 12 in advance.
When the microprocessor 7 determines that the current time measured by the clock 8 has reached the power-on time read from the memory 12, the microprocessor 7 transmits a power-on signal to the control circuit unit 11, and the power supply transmitted from the microprocessor 7 is transmitted. When the control circuit 11 receives the ON signal, the control circuit 11 controls the disconnectable power supply 10 to supply power to the board on which the OS of the main unit 1 operates, and the microprocessor 7 controls the clock 8. If it is determined that the clocked current time has reached the power-off time read from the memory 12, the shutdown request of the OS of the main unit 1 is sent to the parallel port 17 of the power supply 5, the external parallel cable 18, and the parallel port of the main unit 1. OS of the main unit 1 via the OS 16
To the main unit 1, the external parallel cable 18, and the parallel port 17 of the power supply 5.
When the microprocessor 7 receives a shutdown processing end command transmitted from the OS of the main unit 1 via the microprocessor 7, the microprocessor 7 transmits a power OFF signal to the control circuit unit 11, and the power OFF signal transmitted from the microprocessor 7 Is received by the control circuit unit 11, the control circuit unit 11 controls the disconnectable power supply unit 10 to stop the power supply to the OS of the main unit 1, so that a special I / O board called a server management device is used. Automatic power-on even if it is applied to a normal personal computer without providing any special dedicated communication hardware on the power supply device 5 or the motherboard 2 of the main device 1 without providing it.
/ OFF can be easily implemented. Conventionally, the microprocessor 7, the clock 8, and the memory 12 were incorporated in the server management device, so that a number of dedicated hardware necessary for communication was required.
By incorporating it inside, the configuration can be simplified. Further, in the present embodiment, the degree of freedom can be increased by confining the route of the power ON / OFF signal inside the power supply device 5, so that it is not necessary to start the server management device via the power supply.

Embodiment 3 FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing apparatus having a power supply device according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. The information processing apparatus in the illustrated example includes, for example, a personal computer and a server. In the present embodiment, a case will be described in which an ATX standard power ON / OFF signal line is used as a means for receiving a shutdown completion report from the OS, that is, a power output OFF instruction. FIG.
In FIG. 1, the same reference numerals as those in FIG.
Reference numeral 19 denotes an ATX standard power ON / OFF signal.

Here, an operation flow between the power supply device 5 and the OS in the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 5 will be described. Since the operation flow of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. The power supply device 5 arranged in the main device 1 starts operating when AC power of the main device 1 is connected in step S1,
The control power supply unit 9 inside the power supply device 5 starts operating. The automatic operation circuit unit 6 arranged in the power supply device 5
The power is supplied by the control power supply unit 9 to start operation. In this state, since power has not been supplied to the motherboard 2 of the main unit 1 yet,
Is not running.

The automatic operation circuit section 6 arranged in the power supply device 5 has a built-in microprocessor 7, a clock 8 for measuring the current time, and a memory 12 in which a preset power-on time is stored. ing. Thus, memory 1
2 stores a preset power-on time, and the microprocessor 7 always compares the current time measured by the clock 8 with the power-on time preset in the memory 12. .

The microprocessor 7 of the automatic operation circuit 6
When the current time transferred from the clock 8 reaches the set power-on time read from the memory 12 (step S2), the power-on signal is transmitted to the control circuit unit 11 of the power supply device 5. When receiving the power ON signal transmitted from the microprocessor 7, the control circuit unit 11 of the power supply device 5 turns on the disconnectable power supply unit 10 such as + 5V or + 12V.
Then, the operation is started (step S3). As a result, the motherboard 2 of the main device 1 is supplied with power by the disconnectable power supply unit 10 of the power supply device 5, so that the CPU 3 on the motherboard 2 starts operating and
The operation of S is started (step S4).

The power-off time is stored in the memory 12 in advance. When the power of the main unit 1 is ON, the microprocessor 7 constituting the automatic operation circuit unit 6 in the power supply 5 is stored.
Is comparing the current time always measured by the clock 8 with the power-off time set in the memory 12 in advance.
When the current time transferred from the clock 8 becomes the preset power-off time read from the memory 12 (step S5), the microprocessor 7 requests the serial port 13 of the power supply 5 to shut down the OS of the main unit 1. Send

Upon receiving the OS shutdown request transferred from the microprocessor 7, the serial port 13 of the power supply 5 transmits an OS shutdown request to the serial port 4 of the main unit 1 via the external serial cable 14. When the serial port 4 of the main unit 1 receives the OS shutdown request transferred from the serial port 13 of the power supply 5, the CPU 3 of the main unit 1
A request for shutting down the OS is transmitted to the OS through (step S6).

Upon receiving the OS shutdown request (step S7), the OS of the main unit 1 starts OS shutdown processing (step S8). When the OS shutdown processing is completed (step S9), the OS of the main unit 1 controls the power ON / OFF signal 19 of the ATX standard between the motherboard 2 and the power supply 5 in step S10, and ATX to microprocessor 7
A standard power-off signal 19 is transmitted.

The microprocessor 7 of the power supply 5
When the power supply OFF signal 19 transmitted from S is received (step S11), a power supply OFF signal for stopping power supply is transmitted to the control circuit unit 11 of the power supply device 5. The control circuit unit 11 of the power supply device 5 receives the power-off signal for stopping power supply transmitted from the microprocessor 7 and
Then, the power supply 10 for cutting, such as + 5V and + 12V, is turned off (step S12). This allows
Since the power supply to the motherboard 2 of the main body device 1 is cut off by the disconnectable power supply unit 10 of the power supply device 5, the CPU 3 on the motherboard 2 stops operating.

When the power supply of the main unit 1 is turned off, the microprocessor 7 of the power supply unit 5 starts comparing the current time transferred from the clock 8 with the preset power-on time in the memory 12 again. (Step S2), the above-described processing is repeated. The setting of the time and date and time at which the power is turned on / off is performed from the OS of the main unit 1 using an OS screen and an input device such as a keyboard of the main unit 1. The result set from the screen or input device on the OS of the main unit 1 is transmitted from the serial port 4 on the motherboard 2 from the OS, and received by the serial port 13 of the power supply 5 via the external serial cable 14. . Power supply 5
The microprocessor 7 stores this reception result in the memory 12
To memorize. The memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory, a memory backed up by a battery, and the like. When efficiency of setting is taken into consideration, it is desirable that the memory keep the power on / off time even when the AC power is turned off. In the above-described embodiment, the board on which the OS operates is called the motherboard 2. However, any board on which the CPU 3 and the like are arranged may be, for example, a board called a system board. Even when the substrate on which the OS operates is divided into a plurality of substrates, a case in which the substrate group has a function of operating the OS corresponds to the above embodiment.

As described above, in this embodiment, the power-on time and the power-off time are stored in the memory 12 in advance,
When the microprocessor 7 determines that the current time measured by the clock 8 has reached the power-on time read from the memory 12, the microprocessor 7 transmits a power-on signal to the control circuit unit 11, and the power supply transmitted from the microprocessor 7 is transmitted. When the control circuit unit 11 receives the ON signal, the control circuit unit 11 controls the disconnectable power supply unit 9 to supply power to the board on which the OS of the main unit 1 operates, and the microprocessor 7
When it is determined that the current time measured by the clock 8 has reached the power-off time read from the memory 12, the shutdown request of the OS of the main unit 1 is sent to the serial port 13 of the power supply 5, the external serial cable 14 and the main unit. The ATX-standard power-off signal 1 transmitted to the OS of the main unit 1 via the serial port 4 of the device 1 and transmitted from the OS of the main unit 1 via the ATX-standard signal line
9, the microprocessor 7 transmits a power-off signal for stopping power supply to the control circuit unit 11, and the power-off signal for stopping power supply transmitted from the microprocessor 7.
When a signal is received by the control circuit unit 11, the control circuit unit 11 controls the disconnectable power supply unit 9 to stop power supply to the OS of the main unit 1, so that a special I / O board called a server management device is used. The automatic power ON / OFF can be easily implemented even when applied to a normal personal computer without providing any special special communication hardware on the power supply device 5 or the motherboard 2 of the main device 1 without providing the power supply device. it can. Conventionally, since the microprocessor 7, the clock 8, and the memory 12 were incorporated in the server management device, a number of dedicated hardware necessary for communication were required. In the present embodiment, however, the microprocessor 7 is incorporated in the power supply device 5. Thereby, the configuration can be simplified. Further, in the present embodiment, by confining the route of the power ON / OFF signal in the power supply device 5, the degree of freedom can be increased, and the server management device does not have to be started via the power supply. In the present embodiment, the power-off signal 19 transmitted from the OS of the main unit 1 is directly received by the microprocessor 7 of the power supply 5. The number of communication programs can be reduced as compared with the case of receiving and determining.

In the above-described embodiment, a case has been described in which communication between the power supply device 5 and the OS of the main device 1 via an external cable is performed by a serial interface. May be configured to be performed by a parallel interface.

[0050]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a current time measuring means for measuring the current time, a power-on time storing means for storing a power-on time, and a power-off time storing means for storing a power-off time. When the current time measured by the current time clock means reaches the power-on time read from the power-on time storage means, a power-on signal for transmitting a power-on signal is transmitted.
A signal transmission unit, a power supply unit that supplies power to a board on which an operating system of the main unit operates when a power ON signal transmitted from the power ON signal transmission unit is received, and a current time measured by the current time clock unit. When the power-off time read from the power-off time storage means has been reached, a shutdown request transmitting means for transmitting a shutdown request for the operating system of the main unit to the operating system of the main unit via an external cable, and via the external cable A power supply OF that transmits a power-off signal when a shutdown processing end command transmitted from the operating system of the main unit is received.
F signal transmission means and power supply stop means for stopping power supply to the board on which the operating system of the main unit operates when receiving the power supply off signal transmitted from the power supply off signal transmission means. Even in a normal personal computer, the power supply can be easily turned on / off simply by replacing only the power supply device with this dedicated one, and by communicating with the operating system, the operating system side of the main unit can be operated. There is an effect that the power supply can be safely turned off.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the power supply device according to the first aspect, the communication between the power supply device and the operating system of the main unit is performed by a serial interface or a parallel interface. The effect of the invention described in claim 1 can be efficiently obtained.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a current time measuring means for measuring the current time, a power-on time storing means for storing a power-on time, a power-off time storing means for storing a power-off time, A power-on signal transmitting means for transmitting a power-on signal when the current time measured by the current-time clock means reaches a power-on time read from the power-on time storage means; and a power source transmitted from the power-on signal transmitting means. When the ON signal is received, the power supply unit that supplies power to the board on which the operating system of the main unit operates and the current time measured by the current time clock unit has reached the power-off time read from the power-off time storage unit. In this case, a shutdown request for the operating system of the server is sent to the operating system of the server via an external cable. A shutdown request transmitting means that, power OFF on the ATX to be sent from the operating system of the main unit via the signal line on the ATX
When receiving the signal, the power supply OFF signal transmitting means for transmitting the power supply OFF signal for stopping the power supply, and when receiving the power supply OFF signal for power supply stop transmitted from the power supply OFF signal transmitting means, the operating system of the main unit is operated. By having the power supply stopping means for stopping the power supply to the operating board, the automatic power ON / OFF can be easily performed even in a normal personal computer simply by replacing only the power supply device with this dedicated one. In addition to communication with the operating system, it is possible to safely turn off the power of the operating system of the main unit. There is an effect that the program can be reduced.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, in the power supply according to the third aspect, communication between the power supply and the operating system of the main unit via an external cable is performed.
By configuring so as to be performed by a serial interface or a parallel interface, the effect of the invention described in claim 3 can be efficiently obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus having a power supply device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a configuration of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation flow between a power supply device and an OS in the information processing apparatus shown in FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of an information processing apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing device having a conventional power supply device.

7 is a power ON / OFF of the information processing apparatus shown in FIG. 6;
4 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 main unit, 2 motherboard, 3 CPU, 4, 1
3 serial port, 5 power supply, 6 automatic operation circuit, 7 microprocessor, 8 clock, 9 control power supply, 10 disconnectable power supply, 11 ON / OFF control circuit, 12 memory, 14 external serial cable, 1
5 AC power cable, 16, 17 parallel port,
18 External parallel cable, 19 ATX standard power ON / OFF signal.

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] January 21, 1999

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 3

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A current time measuring means for measuring a current time, a power-on time storing means for storing a power-on time,
A power-off time storage means for storing a power-off time; and a power-on state when the current time measured by the current-time clock means reaches the power-on time read from the power-on time storage means.
Power-on signal transmitting means for transmitting an N signal; power-supply means for supplying power to a board on which an operating system of the main unit operates when receiving a power-on signal transmitted from the power-on signal transmitting means; Shutdown request sending means for sending a shutdown request for the operating system of the main unit to the operating system of the main unit via an external cable when the current time measured by the means reaches the power-off time read from the power-off time storage unit. And a shutdown processing end command transmitted from the operating system of the main unit via an external cable,
Power OFF signal transmitting means for transmitting an F signal;
A power supply stopping means for stopping power supply to a board on which an operating system of the main unit operates when receiving a power-off signal transmitted from the F signal transmitting means. 2. The power supply device according to claim 1, wherein communication between the power supply device and an operating system of the main unit is performed by a serial interface or a parallel interface. 3. A current time measuring means for measuring a current time, a power-on time storing means for storing a power-on time,
A power-off time storage means for storing a power-off time; and a power-on state when the current time measured by the current-time clock means reaches the power-on time read from the power-on time storage means.
Power-on signal transmitting means for transmitting an N signal; power-supply means for supplying power to a board on which an operating system of the main unit operates when receiving a power-on signal transmitted from the power-on signal transmitting means; Shutdown request sending means for sending a shutdown request for the operating system of the main unit to the operating system of the main unit via an external cable when the current time measured by the means reaches the power-off time read from the power-off time storage unit. Power-off signal transmitting means for transmitting a power-off signal for stopping power supply when receiving an ATX-standard power-off signal transmitted from an operating system of the main unit via an ATX-standard signal line; Power OFF signal for power supply stop transmitted from the transmission means When the received power apparatus characterized in that it comprises a power supply stop means for stopping the power supply to the substrate by the operating system of the main unit to operate. 4. The power supply device according to claim 3, wherein communication between the power supply device and the operating system of the main unit via an external cable is performed by a serial interface or a parallel interface.