KR20100117323A - Apparatus and method for controlling mode of electronic book device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An apparatus and a method for controlling a mode of an electronic book device are provided to remarkably reduce power consumption in a standby mode by operating an auxiliary processor in a standby mode. CONSTITUTION: A main processor(104) controls the display of a display unit in an operating mode and monitors the initiation of a standby mode to generate a mode switching control signal. An auxiliary processor(114) operates the standby mode based on the standby power provided from a power management block(112) to have a power consumption level lower than the main processor.

Description

Mode control device of electronic book terminal and its method {APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING MODE OF ELECTRONIC BOOK DEVICE}

The present invention relates to a mode control technique of an e-book device, and more particularly, to a mode control of an e-book device suitable for realizing minimization and optimization of power consumption for a standby mode in an e-book device based on an e-paper panel. An apparatus and a method thereof are provided.

As is well known, an e-book is a portable e-book that can replace a paper book, and stores a book made of a data file, not a paper, in an internal storage medium. The portable terminal displays the stored books on the screen according to the user interface.

In recent years, the spread of e-book terminals has been spreading day by day due to the high capacity of storage media such as semiconductors and the like. Evolution is on the rise. Accordingly, the electronic book terminal is equipped with a high performance processor for realizing the performance as a multimedia terminal.

Therefore, users connect a portable storage device (e.g., a USB memory stick) to an e-book terminal to store a desired book or the like on a storage medium of the e-book terminal, or access to the Internet through an e-book terminal (wired connection or wireless connection). E-book service can be provided by storing the desired book (e-book data) in a storage medium of the e-book device and downloading the desired book to the display panel of the e-book device through a user interface. have.

As is well known, terminals having display panels, such as computers, laptops, netbooks, PDAs, PMPs, mobile phones, etc., have a built-in power saving mode (sleep mode) for suppressing unnecessary battery consumption. For example, when the user interface does not exist within a predetermined time, it means a mode for switching the operation mode to the standby mode having a relatively small power consumption.

Therefore, it is common for a conventional e-book terminal that provides a multimedia function to adopt a power saving mode function.

On the other hand, the e-book device is equipped with a high performance main processor for realizing the multimedia function, which still has high power consumption even in the power saving mode (or standby mode), for example, when the main processor is in the operation mode, about several hundreds. Assuming a power consumption of mW can have a standby power consumption of about 5mW.

Therefore, although the conventional e-book device having a multimedia function adopts a power saving mode, there is a problem of still consuming high power in the power saving mode due to the high-performance main processor. This results in a shortening of the time it can be used, which in turn is acting as a factor that hinders the user's convenience (use time constraints of the e-book device).

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mode control apparatus for power saving in an e-book terminal, including: a memory block storing e-book related data; and displaying e-book related information extracted from the memory block in an operation mode. Means, a main processor which controls the display on the display means when executing the operation mode, monitors whether to switch to the standby mode, and generates a corresponding mode change control signal when the switching time comes; A power management block which supplies operating power to the memory block, the display means and the main processor at a time, and cuts off power supply to the memory block, the display means and the main processor when the mode change control signal is generated; The standby mode based on standby power provided from a management block Execution, and provides a mode control device of the electronic book terminal including at least co-processor having a standby power consumption than the main processor.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the process of monitoring whether the e-book terminal is switched to the standby mode when the operation mode is executed, and as a result of the monitoring, when switching to the standby mode, the main of the e-book terminal A method of controlling a mode of an e-book device, comprising: interrupting power supply to a main component including a processor; and executing the standby mode through a coprocessor having at least a standby power consumption smaller than that of the main processor. to provide.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a process of monitoring whether to switch to standby mode when the e-book terminal is executing an operation mode, and the monitoring result, when the switching time to the standby mode is reached, Interrupting power supply to a main component including a main processor of the book terminal, executing a standby mode of the e-book terminal through a coprocessor having a standby power consumption at least smaller than that of the main processor, and Resuming power supply to a main component including the main processor when a user operation signal is input to the coprocessor during execution of a standby mode, and the coprocessor supplies activation information for the operation mode to the main processor; Transferring the data to the processor and the main processor using the activation information It provides a control mode of the electronic book terminal comprises the step of returning the ERA terminal to an operation mode.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a process of monitoring whether to switch to standby mode when the e-book terminal is executing an operation mode, and a monitoring result, when the switching time to the standby mode is reached Supplying standby power to a coprocessor having a standby power consumption at least less than that of the processor, the main processor transferring activation information for the operation mode to the coprocessor, and a main component including the main processor Switching the e-book terminal to the standby mode by cutting off the power supply to the furnace; and supplying power to the main component including the main processor when a user operation signal is input to the coprocessor during execution of the standby mode. Resuming the operation, and the coprocessor sends the activation information to the main node. Transmitting to a processor, blocking standby power supply to the coprocessor, and returning the e-book terminal to an operation mode by the main processor using the activation information. To provide.

According to the present invention, a coprocessor having a standby power consumption that is relatively smaller than the standby power consumption of the main processor is mounted in the e-book terminal, and the power supply to the main processor is completely cut off when the e-book terminal is switched to the standby mode. By allowing the standby processor to execute standby mode, the power consumption in the standby mode can be greatly reduced, and when the secondary processor returns to the operation mode from the standby mode, the coprocessor receives main activation information for the operation mode. By transferring the data to the processor and returning to the operation mode without a separate confirmation procedure with each member, the return to the operation mode can be realized quickly.

The technical idea of the present invention is different from the above-described conventional technology in which the standby mode of the e-book terminal is directly executed through a high-performance main processor, and an auxiliary processor having a standby power consumption that is relatively smaller than the standby power consumption of the main processor. It is mounted on the book terminal, and when the e-book terminal is switched to standby mode, the power supply to the main processor is completely cut off and the coprocessor receiving standby power to execute the standby mode, thereby greatly reducing the power consumption in the standby mode. By saving, the present invention can effectively solve the problems in the conventional manner through this technical means.

That is, the present invention completely cuts off the power supply to the memory block, the display means, and the main processor which constitute the main components when the operation mode is switched to the standby mode.

In addition, the present invention, when the return to the operation mode from the execution state of the standby mode, the coprocessor transfers the activation information for the operation mode to the main processor, the main processor uses this activation information to separately check with each component member By returning the e-book terminal to the operation mode without making it possible to speed up the return to the operation mode. Here, the activation information may be, for example, at least one or more of application information of an operation mode execution state, metadata information of an application program, initialization information (for example, system time information, etc.) according to each state, and operation state information of each component. It may include.

Furthermore, the present invention may further include an auxiliary display means (or an auxiliary display panel) for displaying preset basic information provided by the e-book terminal under the control of the coprocessor during the standby mode. Here, the preset basic information may include at least one of battery information, network connection information, time information, operation state information, and volume information.

The auxiliary display panel may be a panel having a lower resolution than the main display panel mounted in the e-book terminal, in order to suppress standby power consumption in the standby mode. In addition, each of the main display panel and the auxiliary display panel may be any one of an electronic paper panel, an LCD panel, and an OLED panel.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings will be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

1 is a block diagram of a mode control apparatus of an e-book terminal according to the present invention, which includes an operation signal generation block 102, a main processor 104, a memory block 106, a display control block 108, and a display panel. 110, a power management block 112, a secondary processor 114, and the like. Here, the main processor 104, the memory block 106, the display control block 108 and the display panel 110 may be referred to as the main component (A) of the e-book terminal.

Referring to FIG. 1, the operation signal generation block 102 refers to an input means for a user interface such as a keypad, a touch screen, a touch pad, and the like, and is generated according to a user interface for receiving an e-book service. The operation signals (user operation signals) can be simultaneously transmitted to the main processor 104 and the sub-processor 114 in the main component A.

Next, the main processor 104 includes, for example, a microprocessor for performing various operation control of an e-book terminal having a multimedia function, and the like, for controlling the output of a menu screen for a user interface, for example, a portable storage device (eg, USB). Memory stick, etc.) or storage of the e-book data downloaded through the Internet, extraction of the e-book data stored in the memory block 106, and display output control.

In addition, the main processor 104 selectively performs control functions related to the transition from the operation mode to the standby mode (sleep mode or the sleep mode), the return from the standby mode to the operation mode, and the like, based on the monitoring result of switching to the standby mode. However, specific operation processes thereof will be described later in detail with reference to the accompanying FIGS. 3 to 4.

The memory block 106 is, for example, a semiconductor memory or a hard disk driver, and includes various e-book related data provided through the main processor 104 and various menu data required for a user interface for an e-book service. To store them.

Next, the display control block 108 includes, for example, a drive driver for driving the display panel 110, and the e-book data (eg, graphic data) provided from the main processor 104, menu screen data. It provides a function such as converting the light into a displayable signal to provide to the display panel 110.

Here, the display panel 110 is a main display panel, which may be any of, for example, an electronic paper panel, an LCD panel, and an OLED panel, and displays e-book data or menu data transmitted from the display control block 108. The display panel 110 may function as a touch screen or a touch pad for a user interface.

Next, the power management block 112 provides the main component A with power (operating power or standby power) delivered from a battery (not shown) in response to a power supply control signal from the main processor 104, According to the present invention, when the coprocessor 114 executes the standby mode, the power supply to the main component A is cut off, and when the e-book terminal returns from the standby mode to the operation mode, the power to the main component (operation) Function such as resuming power supply.

Finally, the coprocessor 114 executes the standby mode according to the present invention as a processor having a standby power consumption that is relatively smaller than the standby power consumption of the main processor 104, which coprocessor 114 is an e-book device. Designed to provide standby power at all times when executing this operation mode (hereinafter referred to as "always on standby") or designed to supply standby power only when executing the standby mode according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as "selective standby mode"). Can be referred to).

That is, when designed in the "always on standby" mode, the auxiliary processor 114 notifies the power management block 112 to return to the operation mode when the user operation signal is input during the execution of the standby mode and at the same time the operation mode. It provides a function such as transferring the activation information for the main processor 104. Here, the activation information may be, for example, at least one or more of application information of an operation mode execution state, metadata information of an application program, initialization information (for example, system time information, etc.) according to each state, and operation state information of each component. It may include. That is, the coprocessor 114 shares activation information for the operation mode with the main processor 104 when in the "always on standby" mode.

In addition, when designed as a "selective standby mode," the secondary processor 114 is supplied with standby power under the control of the power management block 112 and is activated and receives activation information from the main processor 104, and in the standby mode. When switching to the operation mode, the activation information received from the main processor 104 and stored in the internal memory is transferred back to the main processor 104, and then the supply of standby power is controlled according to the control from the power management block 112. By being cut off, it is switched to a power off state.

Here, the fact that the standby power consumption of the coprocessor 114 is relatively smaller than the standby power consumption of the main processor 104 means that, for example, the main processor 104 consumes approximately several hundred mW of operating power in the operating mode, and Assuming that the mode consumes about 5 mW of standby power, this means that the coprocessor 114 is a low performance and low power type processor that consumes about 1 mW of standby power, for example. Therefore, in the above case, the standby power consumption in the standby mode may be reduced by approximately 80%. Of course, the standby power consumption of the coprocessor 114 may be added or subtracted according to its internal program operation.

That is, the mode control apparatus of the present invention has a control structure in which the main processor 104 is in charge of the control mode for the operation mode of the e-book terminal, and the coprocessor 114 is in control of the standby mode. When the book terminal executes the standby mode, the power supply to the main components, that is, the main processor 104, the memory block 106, the display control block 108 and the display panel 110 is completely cut off, and only the coprocessor 114 Only standby power is supplied.

On the other hand, the mode control apparatus of the present invention, as shown in Figure 2, for example, when executing the standby mode, the secondary display for displaying the preset basic information provided by the e-book terminal under the control of the coprocessor 114 The apparatus may further include a means (or an auxiliary display panel).

That is, FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a mode control apparatus of an e-book terminal according to a modification of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, for the convenience of description and enhancement of understanding, the same reference numerals refer to the same reference numerals for constituent members that provide the same functions as the constituent members shown in FIG. In order to avoid, the description of the same components as those shown in Figure 1 will be omitted.

That is, when the sub-processor 114 executes the standby mode, the sub-processor 114 provides preset basic information about the e-book terminal to the sub display panel 116, and the sub display panel 116 displays the basic information provided. The auxiliary display panel 116 may be mounted outside the folder as a dual panel, for example, assuming that the e-book terminal is a folding terminal (a terminal having a main display panel mounted inside the folder).

Here, the preset basic information may include, for example, at least one or more of battery information, network connection information, time information, operation state information, and volume information. The auxiliary display panel 116 may include the display panel 110. It may be a panel (eg, a segment unit) having a resolution lower than that of, and any one of an electronic paper panel, an LCD panel, and an OLED panel may be employed. Here, for example, a panel having a power consumption of about 1 mW or less may be employed as the auxiliary display panel so as to suppress an increase in standby power consumption in the standby mode.

Next, a series of processes for controlling the mode of the e-book terminal using the mode control apparatus of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be described.

Example 1

3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling a mode of an e-book terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the e-book terminal is executing the operation mode according to the user interface (step 302), the main processor 104 in the main component A performs mode switching (operation mode to standby mode). (Step 304). At this time, the main component member (A) including the main processor 104 is supplied with operating power, the auxiliary processor 114 is supplied with standby power, through which the activation information for the operation mode of the e-book terminal is the main processor Shared between 104 and coprocessor 114.

If it is determined that the monitoring in the step 304 is the transition time to the standby mode (step 306), the main processor 104 generates a mode switching control signal and transmits it to the power management block 112 (step 308). ). Here, the transition time to the standby mode may mean, for example, a time point when there is no user input (interface) within a predetermined time while executing the operation mode.

In response, the power management block 112 completely cuts off the power supply to the main component A, the main processor 104, the memory block 106, the display control block 108 and the display panel 110 (see FIG. In step 310, the coprocessor 114 executes the standby mode for monitoring the input of the user operation signal from the operation signal generation block 102 (steps 312, 314, 316). That is, the e-book terminal executes the standby mode in which the coprocessor 114 consumes only standby power.

Here, during execution of the standby mode, the auxiliary processor 114 may provide preset basic information of the e-book terminal to the auxiliary display panel 116, and thus, the auxiliary display panel 116 may be configured to display basic information. The preset basic information may include at least one of battery information, network connection information, time information, operation state information, and volume information.

When the user operation signal (user interface signal) is input from the operation signal generation block 102 as a result of the check in step 316, the coprocessor 114 returns a corresponding return control signal (for returning to the operation mode). Control signal) to notify the power management block 112 (step 318). As a result, in the power management block 112, the main processor 104, the memory block 106, and the display control, which are the main components A, are displayed. The power supply to block 108 and display panel 110 is resumed (step 320).

Subsequently, the coprocessor 114 performs at least one of activation information for an operation mode, for example, application information of an operation mode execution state, metadata information of an application program, initialization information according to each state, and operation state information of each component. The activation information including the information is transmitted to the main processor 104 (step 322).

Accordingly, the main processor 104 proceeds with the process of returning the e-book terminal to the operation mode by using the activation information received from the coprocessor 114 (step 324).

[Example 2]

4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling a mode of an e-book terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, the processing of steps 402 to 408 is substantially the same as the processing of the corresponding steps 302 to 308 shown in FIG. Therefore, detailed description of these steps is omitted here in order to avoid unnecessary overlapping for the sake of brevity of the specification. In the first exemplary embodiment, standby power is supplied to the coprocessor 114 when the e-book terminal executes the operation mode. However, in the present exemplary embodiment, standby power is not supplied to the coprocessor 114. Have a difference.

Accordingly, when the mode change control signal is input from the main processor 104, the power management block 112 supplies standby power to the coprocessor 114 (step 410), and at the same time, the main processor 104 switches the operation mode. The activation information is extracted and transmitted to the coprocessor 114 (step 412).

Processing then proceeds to steps 414 through 426, which are substantially the same as the processing steps in the corresponding steps 310 through 322 shown in FIG. Therefore, detailed description of these steps is omitted here in order to avoid unnecessary overlapping for the sake of brevity of the specification.

That is, when the power management block 112 supplies power to the main component A of the e-book terminal according to the return control signal provided from the coprocessor 114, the coprocessor 114 may provide activation information for the operation mode. The power management block 112 stops supplying power (standby power) to the coprocessor 114 (step 428).

Finally, the main processor 104 proceeds with the process of returning the e-book terminal to the operation mode using the activation information received from the coprocessor 114 (step 430).

In the above description has been described by presenting a preferred embodiment of the present invention, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains within a range without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention It will be readily appreciated that branch substitutions, modifications and variations are possible.

1 is a block diagram of a mode control apparatus of an e-book terminal according to the present invention;

2 is a block diagram of a mode control apparatus of an e-book terminal according to a modification of the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling a mode of an e-book terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;

4 is a flowchart illustrating a process of controlling a mode of an e-book terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention.

Description of the Related Art

102: operation signal generation block 104: main processor

106: memory block 108: display control block

110: display panel 112: power management block

114: coprocessor 116: auxiliary display panel

Claims (21)

A mode control apparatus for power saving in an e-book terminal, A memory block for storing e-book related data, Means for displaying e-book related information retrieved from the memory block in an operation mode; A main processor which controls the display on the display means when executing the operation mode, monitors whether to switch to the standby mode, and generates a mode change control signal corresponding to the switching time point; A power management block which supplies operating power to the memory block, the display means and the main processor in the operation mode, and cuts off power supply to the memory block, the display means and the main processor when the mode change control signal is generated; , A coprocessor that executes the standby mode based on standby power provided from the power management block and has a standby power consumption that is at least less than that of the main processor Mode control apparatus of the e-book terminal comprising a. The method of claim 1, The user control signal of the e-book terminal is input to the main processor and the coprocessor simultaneously, the mode control apparatus of the e-book terminal. The method of claim 1, The coprocessor provides activation information for the operation mode to the main processor when the standby mode returns to the operation mode in response to a user operation signal, and the main processor uses the activation information for the e-book device. The mode control apparatus of the e-book terminal, characterized in that to return to the operation mode. The method of claim 3, wherein The activation information may include at least one of application program information in an operation mode execution state, metadata information of an application program, initialization information according to each state, and operation state information of each component. Mode control unit. The method of claim 1, The control device, Secondary display means for displaying preset basic information provided by the e-book terminal under the control of the coprocessor during execution of the standby mode. The mode control apparatus of the e-book terminal further comprises. The method of claim 5, The preset basic information may include at least one of battery information, network connection information, time information, operation state information, and volume information. The method of claim 5, And the display means includes an electronic paper panel, and the auxiliary display means includes another electronic paper panel having a resolution relatively lower than that of the electronic paper panel. The method of claim 1, The power management block, When the return control signal from the coprocessor to the operation mode is input, the power supply to the memory block, the display means and the main processor is restarted and the standby power supply to the coprocessor is interrupted. Mode control device of an e-book terminal. Monitoring whether the E-book terminal is switched to the standby mode while executing the operation mode; As a result of the monitoring, turning off the power supply to the main component including the main processor of the e-book terminal when it is time to switch to the standby mode; Executing the standby mode through a coprocessor having at least less standby power consumption than the main processor; Mode control method of the e-book terminal comprising a. The method of claim 9, The control method, Returning the e-book terminal to the operation mode by resuming power supply to a main component including the main processor when a user operation signal is input to the coprocessor during execution of the standby mode. Method of controlling the mode of the e-book terminal further comprises. The method of claim 10, The control method, Interrupting supply of standby power to the coprocessor when the e-book device is returned to the operation mode; Method of controlling the mode of the e-book terminal further comprises. The method of claim 10 or 11, And the main processor is configured to return the e-book terminal to the operation mode by using activation information provided from the coprocessor. Monitoring whether the E-book terminal is switched to the standby mode while executing the operation mode; As a result of the monitoring, turning off the power supply to the main component including the main processor of the e-book terminal when it is time to switch to the standby mode; Executing a standby mode of the e-book terminal through a coprocessor having a standby power consumption at least smaller than that of the main processor; Resuming power supply to a main component including the main processor when a user operation signal is input to the coprocessor during execution of the standby mode; Transmitting, by the coprocessor, activation information for the operation mode to the main processor; The main processor returning the e-book terminal to an operation mode using the activation information Mode control method of the e-book terminal comprising a. The method of claim 13, The control method, Displaying preset basic information provided by the e-book terminal through the auxiliary display means while the standby mode is executed; Method of controlling the mode of the e-book terminal further comprises. The method of claim 14, The preset basic information includes at least one of battery information, network connection information, time information, operation state information, and volume information. The method of claim 13, The activation information may include at least one of application program information in an operation mode execution state, metadata information of an application program, initialization information according to each state, and operation state information of each component. Mode control method. The method of claim 13, And when the e-book terminal executes an operation mode, the coprocessor maintains a standby power supply state. Monitoring whether the E-book terminal is switched to the standby mode while executing the operation mode; As a result of monitoring, supplying standby power to a coprocessor having a standby power consumption which is at least smaller than that of a main processor when it is time to switch to the standby mode; Transmitting, by the main processor, activation information for the operation mode to the coprocessor; Switching the e-book device to a standby mode by cutting off power supply to a main component including the main processor; Resuming power supply to a main component including the main processor when a user operation signal is input to the coprocessor during execution of the standby mode; Transmitting, by the coprocessor, the activation information to the main processor, and blocking standby power supply to the coprocessor; The main processor returning the e-book terminal to an operation mode using the activation information Mode control method of the e-book terminal comprising a. The method of claim 18, The control method, Displaying preset basic information provided by the e-book terminal through the auxiliary display means while the standby mode is executed; Method of controlling the mode of the e-book terminal further comprises. The method of claim 19, The preset basic information includes at least one of battery information, network connection information, time information, operation state information, and volume information. The method of claim 18, The activation information may include at least one of application program information in an operation mode execution state, metadata information of an application program, initialization information according to each state, and operation state information of each component. Mode control method.

Images