JPH113150A - Information processor - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify the operation of power source ON-OFF at an information processor which receives the supply of power from uninterruptive power supply(UPS) and requires shut-down processing before power source OFF. SOLUTION: When a power supply switch SW3 is cut off or in case of power failure at a commercial power source, a UPS 4 applies a backup signal Sb showing the changeover of supply power source from a regular power source to a backup power source to a controller 2. The controller 2, which inputs this signal Sb, inputs status information Dst showing a backup power source supply state to a personal computer 1. The personal computer 1, which inputs the status information Dst, executes shut-down processing and applies a shut- down command Dc to the controller 2. After the lapse of standby time set longer than shut-down processing time, the controller 2 inputting this command Dc applies a power source control signal Sp to the UPS 4 and cuts off that power source.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus which receives power from an uninterruptible power supply and requires execution of a shutdown process prior to power-off.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing apparatus using a personal computer. Here, the information processing apparatus 10 provides a data providing service for searching for necessary information from a database and printing out the searched information by a printer or the like by inputting a fixed usage amount by a general user. It will be described as. The information processing apparatus 10 transmits and receives information to and from a personal computer (hereinafter, referred to as a personal computer) 1, a controller 2 for controlling the controlled unit 3, and a power supply from a commercial power supply 5. Uninterruptible power supply 4 for receiving and supplying power to the personal computer 1, a power switch SW 1 for turning on and off power to the personal computer 1 from the uninterruptible power supply 4, and a commercial power supply 5 for the controller 2.
And a power switch SW2 for turning on and off the power supply.

The personal computer 1 has an output having a CPU 1a, an input device 1b such as a keyboard and a mouse, a display for displaying information necessary for a general user when searching for data, and a printer for printing out the searched data. Apparatus 1
c, a CD-ROM for storing database data,
Communication interface 1 such as a storage device 1d having a CD-ROM driver and a hard disk constituting a readable / writable and non-volatile storage device, RS-232C, etc.
e, ROM1f and RAM1g. Before the power is turned off, the personal computer 1 needs to perform a shutdown process, for example, forcibly stopping a running process, saving data on the RAM 1g to a hard disk, and the like.

The controller 2 includes a CPU 2a, a communication interface 2b for communicating with the communication interface 1e, a ROM 2c for storing a control program, a RAM 2d for providing a work area, and control signals and data between the control unit 3 and the control unit 3. An input / output interface 2e for transmitting and receiving signals is provided. Unlike the personal computer 1, the controller 2 does not need to perform a shutdown process prior to turning off the power.

The controlled unit 3 includes, for example, a user identification means such as a magnetic card reader for reading user identification information from a magnetic card or the like possessed by the user, a fee collection means for collecting usage fees, and a collection of usage fees. It has a receipt issuing means for issuing a receipt based on the information, a display lamp for displaying necessary information, and the like. The user identification means is provided for permitting the information processing apparatus 1 to provide information without collecting a usage fee when the user identification information read thereby is valid.

The uninterruptible power supply 4 is a UPS (Uninterrupt
ed Power Supply), and the commercial power supply Vac is always supplied. When the commercial power supply which is the regular power supply is normal, the commercial power supply is connected to the load side, that is, the personal computer 1.
When the commercial power supply fails or its voltage drops, the power is switched to a backup power supply such as a battery built in the uninterruptible power supply 4 and supplied to the load side. Vups indicates power supplied by the uninterruptible power supply 4 to the load side.

The power switches SW1 and SW2, the keyboard and the mouse of the information processing apparatus 10 are provided so that a general user of the information processing apparatus 10 cannot perform power-on / off operations and shutdown operations. It is housed inside a housing provided with a lockable door.

In such an information processing apparatus 10, when power is turned on, power switches SW1 and SW2 may be turned on. When turning off the power, the power switch S
It is necessary to cut W2 and perform the following operation. That is, an operation for instructing the personal computer 1 to execute a shutdown process by the input device 1b such as a mouse (hereinafter, referred to as a shutdown operation) is performed. As a result, after confirming that the shutdown processing has been executed and a display indicating that the processing has been completed (power-off permission display) has been displayed on the output device 1c such as a display, the power switch S
Cut W1.

When a power failure occurs, while the uninterruptible power supply 4 supplies backup power to the personal computer 1, an operator who recognizes the occurrence of the power failure operates to instruct the same shutdown processing as described above. , It is necessary to turn off the power switch SW1.

[0010]

The above-mentioned conventional apparatus has the following problems. First, when the information processing apparatus is powered on, the power switches SW1, SW
When the power supply switch SW1 is turned on and the power is turned off, the power switch SW1 cannot be turned off unless the shutdown operation is performed and the power-off permission display is displayed, and the operation is complicated. In addition, if the power switch SW1 is turned off without performing the shutdown operation due to an operation error, there is a possibility that a failure such as data corruption on a disk may occur in the restarted personal computer 1. Second, also
If the shutdown operation for the personal computer is impossible due to the absence of an operator or the like at the time of the power failure, when the backup time of the uninterruptible power supply 4 ends, the personal computer 1 remains in a state where the shutdown processing has not been executed.
Backup power to the computer is cut off. In such a case, a failure similar to the above may occur in the personal computer. Third, since the commercial power is always supplied to the uninterruptible power supply 3, it is difficult to respond to a request to stop the power supply when the information processing apparatus is not operating. The present invention has been made based on such circumstances, and its purpose is to easily perform operations related to power-on and power-off, and to execute shutdown processing reliably at the time of power-off and power failure, and Another object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus capable of stopping power supply to an uninterruptible power supply during non-operation.

[0011]

According to the present invention, there is provided an information processing unit which requires execution of a shutdown process prior to power-off, a normal power supply to the information processing unit when the power supply is normal, and a backup power supply when a power supply abnormality occurs. An information processing apparatus comprising: an uninterruptible power supply for supplying power to the information processing unit; and power switch means for turning on and off the power to the uninterruptible power supply. Status information generating means for generating status information indicating which of a status and a backup power supply status, and a status of the normal power supply status within a predetermined time after the status information transitions from the normal power supply status to the backup power supply status. When it does not recover to
Shutdown command means for commanding execution of a shutdown process to the information processing unit, and the uninterruptible power supply at a time when a standby time set to be equal to or longer than a shutdown process time has elapsed from a time when the execution of the shutdown process was commanded And an uninterruptible power supply control means for instructing power off. According to the above configuration, when the power switch is turned on, power is supplied to the information processing unit by the uninterruptible power supply. When the power switch means is turned off or when the regular power supply fails, the uninterruptible power supply switches the power supply to the information processing unit from the regular power supply to the backup power supply. At this time, the status information generating means
Status information indicating that the uninterruptible power supply is in a backup power supply state is generated. The shutdown instruction means instructs the information processing unit to execute a shutdown process when the status information does not return to the normal power supply state within a predetermined time after the transition from the normal power supply state to the backup power supply state. The information processing unit performs a shutdown process. On the other hand, the uninterruptible power supply control unit instructs the uninterruptible power supply to turn off the power when a standby time set to be equal to or longer than the shutdown processing time elapses from the time when the execution of the shutdown processing is instructed. Thus, the uninterruptible power supply turns off the power. The information processing section completes the shutdown processing before the power supply to the information processing section is cut off. In the case where the power failure is a short interruption of a very short time shorter than the standby time, the status information generating means switches the status information indicating that the uninterruptible power supply is in the backup power supply state and the normal power supply state. The status information indicating that there is is generated continuously. The shutdown command means
Since the status of the status information in the normal power supply state is restored to the normal power supply state within a predetermined time after the transition to the backup power supply state, the information processing unit is not instructed to execute the shutdown processing. Therefore,
The information processing unit does not execute the shutdown process and does not output the shutdown, but continues the normal operation state.
Since the uninterruptible power supply control unit does not input the shutdown command, the power supply to the information processing unit is switched from the backup power supply to the regular power supply together with the restoration of the momentary power failure.

[0012]

Next, the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing control operations when the apparatus is turned on and off, and FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing a control operation at the time of a power failure. In FIG. 1, the same or corresponding parts as those in FIG. 4 showing the conventional apparatus are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, in the information processing apparatus 11 of the present invention, a power switch SW3 is provided between the commercial power supply 5 and the uninterruptible power supply 4. The uninterruptible power supply 4 supplies power Vups to both the personal computer 1 and the controller 2 in parallel. Therefore, the power switch SW
3, the power of the information processing apparatus 11 can be turned on and off all at once.

The uninterruptible power supply 4 is provided with input / output terminals for control signals. The uninterruptible power supply 4 outputs to the controller 2 a backup signal Sb which becomes active while the backup power is being supplied. In addition, the power supply to itself is turned on and off based on the power supply control signal Sp input from the controller 2. The uninterruptible power supply 4 having such a function is well known.

The ROM 2c of the controller 2 stores a control program for performing the following control operation. That is, in response to the transition of the backup signal Sb input from the operation uninterruptible power supply 4 to the active state or the inactive state, whether the uninterruptible power supply 4 is in the supply state of commercial power, which is a regular power supply, Status information Dst indicating whether backup power is supplied is generated and transmitted to the personal computer 1. Also, a shutdown command D for indicating that the shutdown processing has been started from the personal computer 1.
After the standby time set to be equal to or longer than the shutdown processing time has elapsed from the input of c, the power supply control signal Sp for instructing power off is sent to the uninterruptible power supply 4. The status information Dst and the shutdown command Dc
Is transmitted and received via a communication interface such as RS-232C.

The storage device 1d or the ROM 1f of the personal computer 1
Stores a control program for performing the following control operation. That is, when the status information Dst input from the controller 2 does not recover to the normal power supply state within a predetermined time after the transition from the normal power supply state to the backup power supply state, the shutdown processing is executed and the shutdown command is executed. Dc is sent to the controller 2.

Next, the operation at power-on and power-off will be described with reference to the timing chart of FIG. First,
When the power switch SW3 is turned on at time t1 (FIG. 2)
(B), the uninterruptible power supply 4 receives the supply of the commercial power supply Vac and supplies the power supply Vups to the personal computer 1 and the controller 2 (FIG. 2 (G)). Thereby, the information processing device 11
Is in the operating state.

When the power switch SW3 is turned off at time t2 (FIG. 2B), the uninterruptible power supply 4
At the same time as the supply of ac is stopped, the supply of backup power is started, and the backup signal Sb is changed from the inactive state ("L") to the active state ("H") (FIG. 2).
(C)). When the controller 2 detects that the backup signal Sb has transitioned to the active state (“H”), the controller 2 generates status information Dst indicating that the uninterruptible power supply 4 supplies backup power, and sends the status information Dst to the personal computer 1. It is transmitted (FIG. 2 (D)). The personal computer 1 receives the status information D
When "st" is input, the standby time Tw, which will be described later, starts from that point.
If the status information Dst indicating the normal power supply is not input within this time, the execution of the shutdown process is started, and a shutdown command Dc for instructing the power off is generated and given to the controller 2 ( FIG.
(E)).

When the controller 2 receives the shutdown command Dc, the controller 2 issues a power-off command when a predetermined time Tsd, which is longer than the shutdown time required for the shutdown processing of the personal computer 1, has elapsed from that point (“L "State" A power control signal Sp is generated and sent to the uninterruptible power supply 4 (FIG. 2 (F)). The predetermined time Ts
Of course, d is set to a time sufficiently shorter than the time during which the backup power supply by the uninterruptible power supply 4 is possible. Upon receiving the power control signal Sp, the uninterruptible power supply 4 turns off its own power and returns to the initial state (FIG. 2 (G)), and the backup signal Sb.
From the active state (“H”) to the inactive state (“L”) (FIG. 2C).

As described above, the power on / off operation of the information processing apparatus 11 is performed by one power switch SW.
Since the user only needs to operate No. 3, the operation is simple. Further, the shutdown processing at the time of power-off can be reliably performed without requiring any manual operation. Further, after the power is turned off, the uninterruptible power supply 4 does not receive the supply of the commercial power, and thus the supply of the power during non-operation is stopped.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing the operation in the event of a commercial power failure. First, when the power switch SW3 is turned on at time t3 (FIG. 3B), the uninterruptible power supply 4 receives the supply of the commercial power Vac and supplies the power Vups to the personal computer 1 and the controller 2 (FIG. 3).
(G)). As a result, the information processing device 11 enters the operating state.

If a short-term power failure (interruption) occurs in the commercial power for a very short period of time from time t4 to time t5 (FIG. 3A), the uninterruptible power supply 4 operates in a period in which the supply of the commercial power Vac is stopped. Only, the backup power is supplied and the backup signal Sb is set to the active state (“H”) (FIG. 3).
(C)). Each time the backup signal Sb transitions to the active state ("H") and the inactive state ("L"), the controller 2 outputs status information Dst indicating that the uninterruptible power supply 4 is supplying backup power, and Status information Dst indicating that the regular commercial power is supplied is generated and transmitted to the personal computer 1 (FIG. 3D). The personal computer 1 does not perform any control operation if the time from when the status information Dst indicating the backup power supply is input to when the status information Dst indicating the normal power supply is input is within the standby time Tw. That is, it does not generate the shutdown command Dc for instructing the shutdown processing and the power-off and give it to the controller 2 (FIG. 3E). The standby time Tw is set to a power failure time that can be regarded as an instantaneous interruption. This waiting time T
It is needless to say that w is set to a time sufficiently shorter than the time during which the uninterruptible power supply 4 can supply the backup power.

As described above, when the commercial power supply is momentarily interrupted, that is, when the backup power supply can be sufficiently supplied by the uninterruptible power supply 4, the shutdown processing and the power supply disconnection processing for the personal computer 1 are not executed.

Next, at time t6, when a power failure occurs in the commercial power supply (FIG. 3A), the uninterruptible power supply 4 stops supplying the commercial power supply Vac and simultaneously starts supplying the backup power supply. , The backup signal Sb is changed from the inactive state (“L”) to the active state (“H”) (FIG. 3).
(C)). When the controller 2 detects that the backup signal Sb has transitioned to the active state (“H”), the controller 2 generates status information Dst indicating that the uninterruptible power supply 4 supplies backup power, and sends the status information Dst to the personal computer 1. It is transmitted (FIG. 3 (D)). The personal computer 1 receives the status information D
When st is input, within the waiting time Tw from that point,
Since the status information Dst indicating the normal power supply is not input, the execution of the shutdown process is started at the time t7, and the shutdown command Dc for instructing the power off is generated and given to the controller 2 (FIG. 3).
(E)).

Upon input of the shutdown command Dc, the controller 2 generates a power control signal Sp for instructing power-off ("L" state) at a time when a predetermined time Tsd has elapsed from that time, and generates an uninterruptible power supply. It is sent to the device 4 (FIG. 3 (F)). The uninterruptible power supply 4 receives the power control signal S
When p is input, the power supply itself is turned off to return to the initial state (FIG. 3 (G)), and the backup signal Sb is changed from the active state ("H") to the inactive state ("L"). (FIG. 3C). That is, the uninterruptible power supply 4 switches the power supplied to the information processing device 1 and the controller 2 to the backup power only during the period in which the instantaneous interruption occurs, and is restored to the commercial power when the instantaneous interruption stops. .

As described above, when the commercial power supply is in the standby time Tw
When the power failure occurs, the shutdown processing and the power-off processing for the personal computer 1 are executed. Therefore, the power-off process can be executed safely and reliably without giving any trouble to the personal computer 1, and unlike the conventional device, there is no need for the operator to perform a shutdown operation when a power failure occurs. Further, the fact that the supply of power during non-operation can be stopped is the same as in the case of the normal power-off described above.

As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, the operations relating to power-on and power-off are simple, and the power-off and power-off operations ensure that the shutdown process is performed without the operator performing the shutdown operation. be able to. In addition, during non-operation, power supply to the uninterruptible power supply can be stopped.

Here, the correspondence between the description of the above-described embodiment and the claims will be described. The uninterruptible power supply 4 supplies normal power to the information processing unit when the power is normal. , Which corresponds to an “uninterruptible power supply” that supplies backup power to the information processing unit when a power failure occurs. The personal computer 1 corresponds to an “information processing unit” that needs to execute a shutdown process before the power is turned off. Power switch S
W3 corresponds to "power switch means" for turning on and off the power to the uninterruptible power supply. The power switch means may be a breaker.

The uninterruptible power supply 4 for generating the backup signal Sb and the controller 2 for generating status information Dst based on the backup signal Sb are provided in a state where the uninterruptible power supply is in a normal power supply state and a backup power supply state. Corresponds to “status information generating means” for generating status information indicating which of the above is present.

The personal computer 1, which generates and outputs a shutdown command Dc based on the status information Dst,
When the status information does not recover to the normal power supply state within a predetermined time after the transition from the normal power supply state to the backup power supply state, the shutdown instruction means for instructing the information processing unit to execute a shutdown process within a predetermined time. Is equivalent.

A personal computer 1 for executing a shutdown process based on the status information Dst and generating and outputting a shutdown command Dc, and sending a power control signal Sp to the uninterruptible power supply 4 based on the shutdown command Dc. And the “uninterruptible power supply control means” that instructs the uninterruptible power supply to turn off the power when the standby time set to be equal to or longer than the shutdown processing time elapses from the time when the unit 2 instructs the execution of the shutdown processing. Is equivalent.

In the above-described embodiment, the information processing apparatus 11 includes the personal computer 1, the controller 2, the controlled unit 3, the uninterruptible power supply 4, and the power switch SW3. Is not limited to the above configuration. Further, in the above-described embodiment, the information processing apparatus provided for the data providing service has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described application. In the above-described embodiment, the “status information generating unit” is configured by the uninterruptible power supply 4 and the controller 2, the “shutdown command unit” is configured by the personal computer 1, and the “uninterruptible power control unit” is configured by the personal computer 1 and the controller 2, the present invention is not limited to where each of the above means is provided.

The normal power supply supplied to the uninterruptible power supply is not limited to the commercial power supply, but may be any power supply supplied to the uninterruptible power supply in a normal operation state.

[0034]

As described above in detail, according to the information processing apparatus of the present invention, the operation related to power-on and power-off is simpler than that of the conventional apparatus, and the operator can be operated when the power is turned off and when a power failure occurs. , The shutdown process can be reliably executed without performing the shutdown operation.
In addition, during non-operation, power supply to the uninterruptible power supply can be stopped.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing an operation at the time of turning on and off the power of the information processing apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing an operation of the information processing apparatus at the time of a power failure.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a conventional information processing apparatus.

[Description of Signs] 1 Personal computer (information processing unit) 2 Controller 3 Controlled unit 4 Uninterruptible power supply 5 Commercial power supply (regular power supply) 11 Information processing device SW3 Power switch (power switch means) Sb Backup signal Sp Power Control signal Dst Backup status information Dc Shutdown command Vups Power supply provided by uninterruptible power supply

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Akira Nakamura 4-3 Jonai, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture Inside Shinko Works, Ltd. (72) Inventor Osamu 4-3 Jonai, Hanamaki City, Iwate Prefecture Inside Shinko Works, Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] An information processing unit that needs to execute a shutdown process prior to power-off, supplies normal power to the information processing unit when the power is normal, and supplies backup power to the information processing unit when a power failure occurs. In an information processing apparatus comprising an uninterruptible power supply and power switch means for turning on and off the power to the uninterruptible power supply, the uninterruptible power supply may be in any of a normal power supply state and a backup power supply state. Status information generating means for generating status information indicating whether the status information is present, when the status information is not restored to the normal power supply state within a predetermined time from the time when the status information transits from the normal power supply state to the backup power supply state, Shutdown command means for commanding a processing unit to execute a shutdown process; Uninterruptible power supply control means for instructing the uninterruptible power supply to turn off the power when the standby time set to be equal to or longer than the shutdown processing time has elapsed from the time when the execution of the down processing was instructed. Characteristic information processing device.