JPH11327697A - Information processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To power off after desired processing is carried out by generating a power off signal to turn off power for operation in response to the end of the desired processing, turning off the power for operation in response to the power off signal and cutting off power that is fed to an information processor. SOLUTION: When a power switch 12 is turned off, a SUBCPU 11 detects the off. When the SUBCPU 11 detects that the switch 12 is turned off, it outputs a power off request signal 32 to a CPU 5 through a signal line and performs a power off request. In the CPU 5, a system program makes a power off request to an application program when the power off request signal is detected. When the application program receives the power off request, it executes processing that must be done before power off. For instance, when there is data in the middle of being edited, it performs processing that saves the content in the middle of being edited in a hard disk 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an information processing method relating to a power-off method of a main power supply at the time of suspend in a small portable information device or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a power-off switch is pressed in a normal operation mode that is not being suspended, the system notifies a power-off request to an application before actually turning off the power. The application is
When the notification is received, a process that must be performed before power-off is executed, and then a power-off permission notification is sent to the system side. Thus, the system actually turns off the power after receiving the power-off permission notice.

When the suspend switch is pressed in the normal operation mode, the system notifies the application of a suspend request before suspending.

[0004] Upon receiving the notification, the application sends a suspend permission notification to the system if the suspend may be performed. As a result, the system actually suspends after receiving the suspend permission notification.

[0005]

However, if an input to turn off the power switch during suspension is made, the power is turned off without notifying the application of a power-off request.

For this reason, for example, the power is turned off without performing processing that must be executed before powering off, such as saving data being edited to a disk or the like.
Problems such as loss of data being edited may occur.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an information processing method with excellent work efficiency by performing a desired process and turning off the power even when an input to turn off the power switch is made during the suspend. .

[0008]

The present invention relates to an information processing method for performing on / off control of a power supply for supplying power to an information processing apparatus, wherein a power switch is turned off while the information processing apparatus is suspended. Generating a resume signal for resuming the information processing device, and setting a desired operation mode by setting the information processing device to a normal operation mode in response to the resume signal. And in response to the end of the desired processing,
Generating a power-off signal for turning off the operation power supply, and, in response to the power-off signal, turning off the operation power supply to cut off power supplied to the information processing apparatus. By providing, an information processing method is provided.

Further, the present invention is a system for performing on / off control of a power supply for supplying power to an information processing apparatus using a switch switching apparatus, wherein the system is provided in the switch switching apparatus, and An output unit for outputting a resume signal for resuming the information processing device when a power switch is turned off during suspending; and an operation unit for responding to a power-off signal from the information processing device after the resume processing. A shutoff unit that shuts off power supplied to the information processing apparatus by turning off a power supply; and sets a normal operation mode in response to the resume signal from the switch switching apparatus. Means for executing a desired process, and a power-off signal for turning off the operation power supply in response to completion of the desired process. By comprising a means for outputting to said switch switching device, constituting the information processing system.

[0010] The present invention also provides a computer,
A recording medium recording a control program for performing on / off control of a power supply for supplying power to an information processing apparatus, wherein the control program causes a computer to turn off a power switch while the information processing apparatus is suspended. Generating a resume signal for resuming the information processing apparatus, and in response to the resume signal,
The information processing apparatus is set to a normal operation mode to execute a desired process, and in response to the end of the desired process, generating a power-off signal for turning off an operation power source, A recording medium on which an information processing control program is recorded is provided by turning off the operation power supply in response to a power-off signal to cut off power supplied to the information processing apparatus.

Here, when the power switch is turned off while the information processing apparatus is suspended, the power supply for supplying power to the information processing apparatus can be switched from a suspend power supply to an operation power supply.

As the desired processing, data being edited can be stored in a storage medium.

The information processing apparatus can be constituted by a notebook personal computer.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.

(Outline) First, an outline of the present invention will be described.

According to the present invention, when the power switch is pressed so as to turn off the power during suspension, the system performs a process to resume the system and then performs a process that must be performed before the power is turned off. Later, the system is powered down.

The term "resume" as used herein refers to a process for starting up the system from the time of suspension.

(Specific Example) Hereinafter, a specific example will be described.

The present invention is configured by a system applicable to a small portable information device such as a notebook PC (personal computer) or a handy terminal.

FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of the present system.

Reference numeral 1 denotes a keyboard for inputting keys.
Reference numeral 2 denotes a keyboard controller that controls the keyboard 1. Reference numeral 3 denotes an LCD for performing display output.
Reference numeral 4 denotes an LCD controller that controls the LCD 3.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a CPU that controls each unit. Reference numeral 6 denotes a memory for storing a control program and various data. This control program also includes a control program for executing the processing according to the present invention. The control program stored in the memory 6 is
It is executed by the CPU 5. The control program may be separately stored in a storage medium such as a floppy disk.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a hard disk comprising a nonvolatile memory capable of storing data even when the power is turned off. Reference numeral 7 denotes a hard disk controller that controls the hard disk 10.

The power source of the voltage V1 is a power source supplied while the CPU 5 is operating. The power source of the voltage V2 is a power source that is supplied while the CPU 5 is suspended.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a power transistor T1 for controlling the power supply from the power supply of the voltage V1 to the CPU 5 by switching. Reference numeral 9 denotes a power transistor T2 that controls power supply from the power supply of the voltage V2 to the CPU 5 by switching.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a SUBCPU. This SUB
The power switch 12 and the suspend switch 13 are connected to the CPU 11.

The SUBCPU 11 controls various signals 30 to 34
, And exchanges signals with the CPU 5 and controls the power transistors T1 and T2, the power switch 12, and the suspend switch 13. SU
The BCPU 11 is usually called a one-chip microcomputer.
A control program executed by the UBCPU 11 is stored.

In the example of FIG. 1, components other than the power supply for supplying to the CPU 5 are omitted.

(System Operation) Next, the operation of the present system will be described.

(1) First, a process of turning off the power during the operation of the CPU 5 will be described.

When the power switch 12 is turned off, SU
The BCPU 11 detects the off state. SUBC
When the PU 11 detects that the power switch 12 is turned off, the PU 11
Power off request signal 32 to PU5 through a signal line
And outputs a power-off request.

When the CPU 5 detects the power-off request signal, the system program issues a power-off request to the application program.

Upon receiving the power-off request, the application program executes a process that must be performed before power-off.

As an example of this processing, for example, if there is data being edited, a process of saving the contents being edited on the hard disk 10 is performed.

As another processing example, processing for creating a message file is performed to display a message indicating what must be done at the next power-on. For example, if the data is not uploaded to the host computer (master) when the power is off, a process of displaying a message is performed so that the data is uploaded at the next power on.

After executing such processing, the application program notifies the system program of the power-off permission.

After the system program turns off the power of various devices, the CPU 5
And outputs a power-off permission signal 33 through a signal line.

When the SUBCPU 11 receives the power-off permission signal 33, it turns off the power transistor 8 and the power transistor 9 so that power is not supplied to the CPU 5.

(2) Next, the processing when the CPU 5 suspends will be described.

When the suspend switch 13 is pressed, S
The UBCPU 11 outputs a suspend request signal 30 to the CPU 5 through a signal line, and issues a suspend request.

When the CPU 5 receives the suspend request, the system program issues a suspend request to the application program.

If there is a suspend request, the application program notifies the system program of suspend permission if suspend is allowed.

When receiving the suspend permission, the system program puts the CPU 5 into the suspend state and notifies the SUBCPU 11 of the suspend permission signal 31 through the signal line.

When the SUBCPU 11 receives the suspend permission, the SUBCPU 11 turns off the power transistor 8 and turns on the power transistor 9 to switch the power supply to the CPU 5 to enter a suspend state.

(3) Next, the processing when the power switch 12 is turned off during the suspend will be described.

When the power switch 12 is turned off during the suspend, the SUBCPU 11 turns on the power transistor 8 and turns off the power transistor 9.

Thus, the power supply to the CPU 5 is switched from the suspended power supply (voltage V2) to the operating power supply (voltage V1).

After that, the SUBCPU 11 outputs a resume request signal 34 to the CPU 5 through the signal line 34 to make a resume request.

Thus, when the CPU 5 receives the resume request signal 34, the system program executes the resume processing and resumes, and enters the normal operation mode.

Then, the SUBCPU 11 outputs a power-off request signal 32 to the CPU 5 through a signal line to make a power-off request.

Subsequent CPU 5 and SUBCPU
The operation in the CPU 11 is described in “1.
Power-off process during the operation of "1."

That is, after the resume process, the system is caused to execute a process that must be performed before the power is turned off, and then the process of turning off the system is performed. Other detailed description is omitted.

The present invention may be applied to a system constituted by a plurality of devices or to an apparatus constituted by a single device. Needless to say, the present invention can be applied to a case where the present invention is achieved by supplying a program to a system or an apparatus. In this case, by reading a storage medium storing a program represented by software for achieving the present invention into the system or the apparatus, the system or the apparatus can enjoy the effects of the present invention.

[0054]

As described above, according to the present invention,
If the power-off switch is pressed during suspension, the system is resumed, the system must perform the necessary processing, and then the system power is turned off. Can be reliably executed before the power is turned off, such as saving the data to the disk, and thereby the efficiency of the work processing can be improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 5 CPU 6 Memory 11 SUBCPU 12 Power switch 13 Suspend switch V1 Power supply for operation V2 Power supply for suspend

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. An information processing method for performing on / off control of a power supply for supplying power to an information processing apparatus, wherein when a power switch is turned off while the information processing apparatus is suspended, the information processing apparatus Generating a resume signal for resuming the process; and, in response to the resume signal, setting the information processing apparatus to a normal operation mode and executing a desired process; and Generating a power-off signal for turning off the operation power supply in response to the termination; and power supplied to the information processing apparatus by turning off the operation power supply in response to the power-off signal And an information processing method. 2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of: when a power switch is turned off while the information processing apparatus is suspended, switching a power supply for supplying power to the information processing apparatus from a suspend power supply to an operation power supply. 2. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein: 3. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the desired process is a process of saving the data being edited in a storage medium. 4. The information processing method according to claim 1, wherein the information processing device is a notebook personal computer. 5. A system for performing on / off control of a power supply for supplying power to an information processing device by using a switch switching device, wherein the system is provided in the switch switching device, and a power supply is provided while the information processing device is suspended. When the switch is turned off, an output unit that outputs a resume signal for resuming the information processing apparatus, and in response to a power-off signal from the information processing apparatus after the resume processing, turns off the operation power supply. Interrupting means for interrupting the power supplied to the information processing device, and setting to a normal operation mode in response to the resume signal from the switch switching device as desired; Means for executing a process; and responding to completion of the desired process, the power-off signal for turning off the operation power source. The information processing system being characterized in that and means for outputting the switch switching device. 6. A power supply for supplying power to the information processing apparatus from a power supply for suspension to a power supply for operation when a power switch is turned off while the information processing apparatus is suspended. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein 7. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein the desired process is a process of storing data being edited in a storage medium. 8. The information processing system according to claim 5, wherein said information processing apparatus is a notebook personal computer. 9. A recording medium storing a control program for performing on / off control of a power supply for supplying power to an information processing apparatus by a computer, the control program causing the computer to suspend the information processing apparatus. When the power switch is turned off during the process, a resume signal for resuming the information processing device is generated, and in response to the resume signal, the information processing device is set to a normal operation mode and desired. Executing a process, generating a power-off signal for turning off the operation power in response to the end of the desired process, and turning off the operation power in response to the power-off signal. A recording medium storing an information processing control program, wherein the power supplied to the information processing apparatus is cut off. 10. A power supply for supplying power to the information processing apparatus is switched from a power supply for suspension to a power supply for operation when a power switch is turned off during suspension of the information processing apparatus. Item 10. A recording medium recording the information processing control program according to Item 9. 11. The recording medium according to claim 9, wherein the desired process is a process of storing the data being edited in a storage medium.