JPH11345047A - Power source control method and device for computer system and recording medium programming and recording the method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To perform optimum power source control for each application to be executed, to suppress power consumption and to provide a comfortable work environment by obtaining an optimum time parameter from a table prepared in advance corresponding to the application during execution in a computer system and setting it in a BIOS. SOLUTION: For respective application programs installed in the computer system, time parameters until starting the power source control to respective devices constituting the computer system while executing the application programs are held in a memory 21 for the respective devices. The time parameter corresponding to the application program during the execution on the computer system is obtained from the memory and the time parameter is set in a program 22 for controlling the respective devices.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a power supply control method and apparatus in a computer system and a recording medium on which the method is programmed and recorded.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art With the development of semiconductor technology, peripheral LSIs including microprocessors and memories have been supplied at a low cost, and a relatively high-performance personal computer has been constructed simply by combining these components and connecting input / output devices. Now you can. In the field of personal computers, instead of the conventional desktop type,
Small, lightweight, portable notebooks have become popular. Most of these types of personal computers are driven by a battery. Therefore, power saving technology is the most important design item due to its characteristics.

Conventionally, in order to save power in this type of personal computer, if an input / output device constituting the computer is not used for a time set in advance by a basic input / output control system (BIOS), the personal computer is in an idle state. Power supply control for stopping power supply to the input / output device is performed. The setting of the time parameter has been performed by a special program capable of setting a parameter value in the BIOS.

The BIOS is a hard disk drive (HD)
D) is a program for controlling input / output devices such as an LCD display device and a keyboard. In this BIOS, "time information until power control is started" can be set as a parameter. As parameters, an idle time until the rotation of the disk is stopped in the case of the HDD, an idle time in which the display of the CD is stopped in the case of the LCD, and an idle time until the memory enters the self-refresh state in the case of the memory are set.

[0005]

In the above-mentioned personal computer, the time until the power control of each device is started can be set by using the BIOS setting program, but the time is fixed for any application. Yes, the user has the BI
Unless the time parameter was changed using the OS setting program, the time until power control was started was constant.
Therefore, depending on an application to be used and a method of using the same, it may be considered that the above-described power control function for power saving cannot be efficiently used.

For example, considering work such as browsing a document, if the time until the display of the LCD is stopped is set too short, the display on the LCD may be frequently stopped during the work. Those that frequently access the HDD, such as kanji conversion software, use the HD
If the time until the process of stopping the rotation of the disk D is set to be short, the HDD frequently stops and starts to rotate frequently, and the power control increases the power consumption. Sometimes it happened.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and creates a table for setting an optimal time parameter for each application in advance, and determines an optimal time parameter from the table according to the application running on the computer system. By setting parameters in the BIOS, optimal power control is performed for each application to be executed, thereby suppressing power consumption of the computer system and providing a comfortable work environment. It is an object of the present invention to provide a recording medium on which the method is programmed and recorded.

[0008]

A power supply control method in a computer system according to the present invention starts power control for each device constituting the computer system for each application program installed in the computer system during execution of the application program. Time parameters up to memory for each device, time parameters corresponding to the application program running on the computer system are obtained from the memory, and the time parameters are set in a program for controlling the devices. And Also, for each application program installed in the computer system, a time parameter until power control to each device constituting the computer system is started during execution of the application program is held in a memory for each device, and the application program being executed is stored. Monitor and create each list,
It is also characterized in that a plurality of application programs are recognized as being activated from the list, an optimal time parameter is obtained for each device by referring to the memory, and the time parameter is set in a program for controlling each device.

A power supply control device according to the present invention is provided in a computer system in which when each device is not used for a time set in a program for controlling a device constituting the system, the power supply to the device is controlled. For each application program installed in the system, a table memory in which time parameters until the start of power control for each device during execution of the application program is stored for each device, and an application program running on the computer system. A control device for obtaining a corresponding time parameter from the table memory and setting the time parameter in a program for controlling each of the devices.

The recording medium according to the present invention is used in a computer system in which when each device is not used for a time set in a program for controlling a device constituting the system, the supply of power to the device is controlled, A step of monitoring the application programs running on the computer system; a step of creating a list of the application programs running on the basis of the monitored content; and a step for each application program installed in the computer system. Setting and maintaining the optimal time parameter in the table memory; andcalculating the optimal time parameter according to the operation mode by referring to the list and the parameter table;
And setting a time parameter according to the calculation result in a program for controlling each of the above devices.

With this, the BIOS can control the power supply optimally for each application program to be executed.
By changing the setting, the power consumption of the computer system can be suppressed and a comfortable working environment can be provided.

[0012]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a personal computer to which the present invention is applied. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a processor (C
PU), and a PSC interface 13, a memory interface 14, and an input / output bus interface 15 are commonly connected via a processor bus 16 with the CPU core 11 at the core. Reference numeral 2 denotes a memory, a DRA serving as a main memory.
M21 and a ROM 22 storing a BIOS program. The memory 2 is connected to the processor 1 via the memory interface 14.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a power supply control unit (PSC). P
SC (Power Sequence Control)
er) is located between the processor 1 and the power supply unit 4 and has a BI
The sequence control for supplying power to each device connected to the system is performed according to the time parameter set in the OS. Reference numerals 5, 6, and 7 denote input / output devices connected to the processor 1 via an input / output bus 8 such as PCI, ISA, EISA, and more specifically, controllers such as HDDs, LCDs, and keyboards.

In the personal computer described above, the power supply control unit 3 cooperates with the processor 1 to control the power supply of the devices 2, 5, 6, and 7 which have not been used for a time set in the BIOS. . Specifically, a power supply control method for a device to be written by the BIOS setting program 10 is determined. When the processor 1 detects that the device is in an idle state for a time set in the BIOS or more, the processor 1 executes power control for the device. In order to detect the idle state, there are a method of monitoring an interrupt request (IRQn) of the BIOS and a method of monitoring whether an access to a specific address has occurred by monitoring the input / output bus 8.

FIG. 2 shows a BIOS prepared according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram functionally displaying a block diagram of the internal structure of a setting program. This program is the DRAM 2 shown in FIG.
Assigned to 1 and stored. According to this program,
Efficient power control is realized by setting a time parameter optimal for an application running on the computer system in the BIOS stored in the ROM 22.

1, a BIOS setting program 10 includes a monitor unit 10 for monitoring an application running on the personal computer shown in FIG.
1 and a list creation unit 10 that creates a list of running applications using the contents monitored here.
2 and a parameter table 103 for holding an optimal time parameter of each device for each application program installed in the personal computer.
And a parameter calculation unit 104 for calculating a time parameter from a list creation unit and a parameter table, and a parameter setting unit 105 for setting the calculation result in the BIOS.
Consists of The time parameter for each application set in the table 103 can be set by the user via an environment setting screen or the like.

FIG. 3 shows the data structure of the parameter table 103 shown in FIG. The parameter table 103 holds optimal power control parameters for each device (HDD / LCD / memory, etc.) for each application software installed in the personal computer shown in FIG. This parameter is an idle time until each device starts power control processing. For example, in the application program 1, the HDD has 30 minutes, the LCD has 20 minutes, and the memory has 1 millisecond.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation procedure of the embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the operation of the personal computer shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

First, the BIOS setting program 10 prepared according to the present invention monitors the execution of the application program at a certain time interval by the monitor unit 101 (step S1), determines the application program being executed, and starts the application program. FIG. 3 shows parameters for power control corresponding to the application program being executed.
From the parameter table 103 shown in FIG.
3) Yes. If you start the application program,
When there is a change in the list of running applications such as termination, the list creating unit 102 changes the list of running applications (step S2).

If only one type of application program is being executed, the time parameter of the application program is extracted from the parameter table 103 (step S3), and the BIOS setting is changed (step S4). If there are a plurality of application programs being executed, the program list created by the list creating unit 102 and the parameter table 10
3, the corresponding time parameter information is extracted, the setting parameter is calculated by the parameter calculation unit 104 (step S3), and the BIOS setting is changed via the parameter setting unit 105 (step S4).

The calculation of the time parameter by the parameter calculation unit 104 will be described below by exemplifying three cases. FIG.
, The HDD is an idle time until the rotation of the disk is stopped, the LCD is an idle time until the display on the LCD is stopped, and the MEM is an idle time until the memory performs self-refresh.

Now, assume that the application programs 1 and 2 have been activated. At this time, the BIOS setting program 10 includes the corresponding application programs 1 and 2
Extract the maximum value of the time parameter of Here, HD
D is 30 minutes, LCD is 20 minutes, and MEM is 2 ms. Next, the minimum value of the time parameter of the corresponding application program 1 or 2 is extracted. Here, HDD
20 minutes, LCD 10 minutes, MEM 1 ms.
Further, the average value of the time parameters of the corresponding application programs 1 and 2 is calculated. Here, the HDD is 15 minutes, the LCD is 15 minutes, and the MEM is 1.5 milliseconds.

It is assumed that the calculation method of the time parameter can be selected by the user. That is, in the BIOS setting program, a mode that emphasizes work efficiency and a mode that emphasizes power control can be selected. When a plurality of application programs are activated, the maximum value or the minimum value is set according to the mode. If the work efficiency is emphasized, the maximum value of each parameter is set, and if the power supply control is emphasized, the minimum value of each parameter is set.

As described above, during execution of a plurality of application programs, the calculation of the time parameter depends on whether the user attaches importance to the work environment, saves power, or desires an average work environment and energy saving. You can change the way. Efficient power control is performed by combining optimal power control with the conventional power control method according to the software used.

In the embodiment of the present invention, only a personal computer is exemplified as a computer system. However, the present invention is not limited to this personal computer, and power control can be performed by setting time parameters such as workstations. Applicable to all computer systems.

As described above, conventionally, the time until the start of the power control for each device could not be set for each application, so that efficient power control could not be performed depending on the application to be used. According to the present invention, it is possible to create a table for setting an optimal time parameter for each application in advance, and to set the optimal time parameter in the BIOS from the table according to the application running on the computer system.

Further, according to the present invention, during execution of a plurality of application programs, the time parameter depends on whether the user attaches importance to the work environment, saves power, or desires an average work environment and energy saving. Can be changed, and the flexibility of the system is increased in order to provide an optimal environment.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, the optimal time parameter is set in the BIOS according to the application to be executed, so that the power control optimal for the application can be performed and a comfortable working environment can be realized. it can. Further, when a plurality of applications are executed on the computer system, by setting an optimal time parameter in the BIOS according to the combination of the running applications, it is possible to perform optimal power control for the combination of the running applications. Can provide a comfortable working environment.

Further, the user sets the time parameter of each device in the BIOS, selecting the maximum value when emphasizing the work environment, and selecting the minimum value when emphasizing power saving. When power saving is desired, an average value is selected to provide an optimal power control and work environment for the user.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a personal computer to which the present invention is applied;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a functionally developed structure of a BIOS setting program prepared according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a structure of a parameter table in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the embodiment of the present invention,

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Processor, 2 ... Memory, 3 ... Power supply control part (PS
C), 4 power supply unit, 5, 6, 7 device, 8 input / output bus, 10 BIOS setting program, 11 CPU core, 12 cache, 13 PSC interface,
14 memory interface, 15 input / output bus interface, 21 DRAM (BIOS setting program), 22 BIOS-ROM, 101 monitor unit, 1
02: list creation unit, 103: parameter table, 1
04 arithmetic unit, 105 parameter setting unit

Claims (11)

[Claims] A time parameter for starting power control of each device constituting a computer system during execution of the application program for each application program installed in the computer system is stored in a memory for each device. A power control method in a computer system, characterized in that a time parameter corresponding to the application program being executed above is obtained from the memory, and the time parameter is set in a program for controlling each device. 2. The power control method according to claim 1, wherein the setting of the time parameter in the memory is performed by prompting a user to input the setting. 3. A parameter for each application program installed in the computer system, and a time parameter until power control for each device constituting the computer system is started during execution of the application program is stored in a memory for each device. The application program is monitored and a list is created for each.The list is used to recognize that a plurality of application programs are being executed. By referring to the memory, an optimal time parameter is obtained for each device. Power supply control method in a computer system, wherein the power supply control method is set in a program for controlling the power supply. 4. A program for calculating a maximum value and a minimum value of a time parameter for each device by referring to the memory, obtaining a time parameter optimum for power control of each device according to an operation mode, and controlling each device. The power supply control method in the computer system according to claim 3, wherein 5. An average value is further calculated by referring to the memory, an optimal time parameter for power control of each device is obtained according to an operation mode, and the time parameter is set in a program for controlling each device. A power control method in the computer system according to claim 4. 6. The power supply control method in a computer system according to claim 4, wherein the setting of the operation mode is performed by prompting a user to input a setting. 7. An application installed in a computer system in a computer system in which power supply control to a device is performed when each device has not been used for a time set in a program for controlling devices constituting the system. For each program, a table memory in which time parameters until power control to each device is started during execution of the application program is held for each device, and a time parameter corresponding to the application program running on the computer system are described above. A power supply control device comprising: a control device that obtains the time parameter from a table memory and sets the time parameter in a program for controlling each of the devices. 8. The control device includes: a monitor for monitoring an application program running on the computer system; a list generating unit for generating a list of the running application programs using the monitored contents; The optimal time parameter of each device is set for each installed application program, and the parameter table 103 which is held and the list and the parameter table created by the list creating means are referred to to determine the optimal time parameter according to the operation mode. 8. The power supply control device according to claim 7, further comprising: parameter calculation means for calculating a time parameter; and a control device for setting a time parameter according to a calculation result by the calculation means in a program for controlling each of the devices. 9. The parameter calculating means calculates a maximum value, a minimum value, and an average value of time parameters for each device of each application program being executed by referring to the list and the table memory created by the list creating means. A control device for selecting a time parameter optimal for power control of each device according to an operation mode of giving priority to work efficiency or power saving, and setting the time parameter in a program for controlling each device. The power supply control device according to claim 8, wherein: 10. When each device is not used for a time set in a program for controlling devices constituting the system, the computer system is used in a computer system in which power supply control to the device is performed, and is executed by the computer system. Monitoring the application programs that are running, creating a list of running application programs using the monitored content, and optimal time parameters of each device for each application program installed in the computer system. Setting and holding in a table memory; calculating the optimal time parameter according to the operation mode by referring to the list and the parameter table; A computer-readable recording medium in which the steps of setting a program for controlling each device are programmed and recorded. 11. When recognizing that a plurality of application programs are activated by referring to a list, a maximum value, a minimum value, a maximum value, a minimum value, 11. The computer-readable recording medium according to claim 10, wherein the step of setting an average value is programmed and recorded.