JP6376108B2 - Information processing apparatus and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and program capable of selectively executing at least a normal mode in which a main system is activated and a sleep mode in which a main system is not activated and a subsystem is activated.

  In order to keep power consumption low, electronic devices are known that operate separately when packets received from the network are processed by a main system that operates during normal startup and when processed by a subsystem that operates during sleep mode. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1, Patent Document 2, and Patent Document 3.) An image forming apparatus having a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) module and a wired LAN module and having a plurality of power saving states is known (see Patent Document 4).

JP 2009-088918 A JP 2008-312020 A JP 2002-268778 A JP 2014-63404 A

  According to Patent Document 1, the access point includes a terminal determination unit and a proxy response unit. When the terminal determination means receives an ARP request packet from an ARP (Address Resolution Protocol) issuer, the terminal determination means identifies the destination of the ARP request packet and corresponds to the destination among the wireless terminals connected to the own device (access point) It is determined whether there is a wireless terminal to be used. When there is a wireless terminal corresponding to the destination, the proxy response means creates an ARP response packet of this wireless terminal instead of the wireless terminal, and returns it to the ARP issuer (see claim 1). However, with this technology, any wireless terminal connected to the access point is relevant, and can only handle ARP proxy responses that are simple and require a small amount of information.

  According to Patent Document 2, the access point transmits a terminal control packet that the main apparatus periodically transmits to the wireless terminal, such as presence confirmation notification and clock information, and the operation mode of the wireless terminal is the power saving mode. For example, wireless transmission is performed only under predetermined conditions (see paragraph 0008).

  According to Patent Document 3, an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer uses an EC (Embedded Computer) for power control as a sub CPU for a main CPU (Central Processing Unit), and performs link control and a plurality of profiles (application layers). ) Is part of the EC. The EC performs the minimum necessary processing according to the type and processing content of the connection request source device, and activates the main CPU only when the main CPU is required (that is, when the resource unit is used). The resource unit includes a memory (program memory), a keyboard, a mouse, a display, an HDD (hard disk device), an FDD (floppy (registered trademark) disk device), and the like. However, in this technique, the EC only performs relatively simple processing such as a series of processing for a device that handles audio data and a connection confirmation processing with a FAX device or a HID (Human Interface Device) (0015 to 0017). See paragraph).

  In view of the circumstances as described above, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a program capable of realizing a reduction in power consumption by allowing a subsystem to perform more response processing in the sleep mode. There is.

In order to achieve the above object, an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention provides:
An information processing apparatus capable of selectively executing a normal mode or a sleep mode,
A main system that operates in the normal mode;
A subsystem that operates in the sleep mode;
A wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication with an external device connected to the wireless network;
A wired communication unit capable of wired communication with an external device connected to a wired network;
The main system is
The subsystem holds the wireless subsystem firmware for controlling the wireless communication unit, and the wired subsystem firmware for the subsystem to control the wired communication unit,
The subsystem selectively supplies the wireless subsystem firmware or the wired subsystem firmware, and controls the wireless communication unit or the wired communication unit in the sleep mode.

Thus, in the sleep mode, the subsystem can make a proxy response via the wireless communication unit or the wired communication unit selected as the main system.

The main system is
Select one of the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit to control the subsystem during the sleep mode,
When the wireless communication unit is selected, the subsystem is supplied with the wireless subsystem firmware, and the wireless communication unit is controlled during the sleep mode.
When the wired communication unit is selected, the wired subsystem firmware is supplied to the subsystem, and the wired communication unit is controlled in the sleep mode.

  The main system selects a wireless communication unit and a wired communication unit used to make a proxy response according to the usage environment of the information processing apparatus.

In particular,
The main system selects one of the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit that has a larger communication traffic amount.

Specifically,
The main system is
Before shifting from the normal mode to the sleep mode, determine which of the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit is used by the main system,
Which of the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit is used is selected.

  The subsystem includes a memory having a capacity set based on the larger one of the capacity necessary for controlling the wireless communication unit and the capacity necessary for controlling the wired communication unit.

  The main system selectively supplies wireless subsystem firmware and wired subsystem firmware to the subsystem. Therefore, it is sufficient that the memory capacity of the subsystem is at least equal to the larger one of the memory capacity necessary for controlling the wireless communication unit and the memory capacity necessary for controlling the wired communication unit. Thereby, it is possible to selectively realize a proxy response via the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit without increasing the memory capacity of the subsystem. By reducing the memory capacity of the subsystem, the energy saving performance can be improved and the hardware cost can be reduced.

In order to achieve the above object, a program according to an aspect of the present invention is provided.
An information processing apparatus capable of selectively executing a normal mode or a sleep mode, the main system operating in the normal mode, the subsystem operating in the sleep mode, and an external device connected to a wireless network and wireless communication In the main system of the information processing apparatus having a wireless communication unit capable of wire communication and a wired communication unit capable of wired communication with an external device connected to a wired network,
Holding the wireless subsystem firmware for the subsystem to control the wireless communication unit and the wired subsystem firmware for the subsystem to control the wired communication unit;
Causing the subsystem to selectively supply the wireless subsystem firmware or the wired subsystem firmware to control the wireless communication unit or the wired communication unit in the sleep mode.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a reduction in power consumption by the subsystem realizing more response processing in the sleep mode.

It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of the information processing apparatus which concerns on embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the functional structure of information processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of information processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of information processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of information processing apparatus.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

(1. Hardware configuration of information processing apparatus)
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
The information processing apparatus 1 includes a main system 10, a subsystem 20, a wireless LAN module 30, and a wired LAN module 40. Typical examples of the information processing apparatus 1 are a personal computer and an image forming apparatus (for example, a multifunction peripheral).

  The main system 10 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, and a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13.

  The CPU 11 functions as an arithmetic processing device and a control device, and controls the overall operation of the main system 10 according to various programs. The RAM 12 temporarily stores programs executed by the CPU 11, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like. The ROM 13 stores programs used by the CPU 11 and calculation parameters. The ROM 13 also stores information unique to the information processing apparatus 1 such as a host name and an IP address.

  The subsystem 20 includes a CPU 21 and a RAM 22.

  The CPU 21 functions as an arithmetic processing unit and a control unit, and controls the overall operation of the subsystem 20 according to various programs.

  The RAM 22 temporarily stores programs executed by the CPU 21, parameters that change as appropriate during the execution, and the like. The capacity of the RAM 22 is set based on the larger one of the memory capacity necessary for controlling the wireless LAN module 30 and the memory capacity necessary for controlling the wired LAN module 40. In general, the memory capacity required to control the wireless LAN module 30 is larger than the memory capacity required to control the wired LAN module 40. Therefore, the capacity of the RAM 22 may be at least equal to the memory capacity necessary for controlling the wireless LAN module 30.

  The main system 10, the subsystem 20, the wireless LAN module 30, and the wired LAN module 40 are connected to each other via the bus B.

  The wireless LAN module 30 is an interface for connecting to a wireless LAN. The main system 10 and the subsystem 20 are independently connected to the wireless LAN via the wireless LAN module 30.

  The wired LAN module 40 is an interface for connecting to a wired LAN. The main system 10 and the subsystem 20 are independently connected to the wired LAN via the wired LAN module 40.

  The information processing apparatus 1 selectively executes the normal mode and the sleep mode. In the normal mode, at least the main system 10 is activated. In the sleep mode, the main system 10 is not activated and only the subsystem 20 is activated. The main system 10 has higher information processing capability and more power consumption than the subsystem 20. Therefore, in the sleep mode in which only the subsystem 20 is activated without starting the main system 10, power consumption is suppressed compared to the normal mode in which the main system 10 is activated. Therefore, power consumption can be suppressed as more processing is performed in the sleep mode.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the information processing apparatus 1 needs to respond to an external device (not shown) in the sleep mode, the subsystem 20 can respond (for example, the information processing apparatus 1). The response to the status information request), in the sleep mode in which the main system 10 is not activated (without changing to the normal mode in which the main system 10 is activated), the response to the external device directly on behalf of the main system 10 Perform (proxy response). Conversely, if the subsystem 20 is not responsive (for example, a response to a print job execution request), the main system 10 responds to an external device by shifting to the normal mode.

(2. Functional configuration of information processing apparatus)
FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the information processing apparatus.
The main system 10 includes a power saving control unit 101, a main protocol processing unit 102, a main response data management unit 103, a supplicant 104, a main wireless LAN module driver 105, a main wired LAN module driver 107, and response data. A setting unit 106 and a ROM 13 are included.

  When the power saving control unit 101 obtains a return request from the subsystem management unit 204 in the sleep mode, the power saving control unit 101 starts the main system 10, that is, returns the main system 10 from the sleep mode.

  The main protocol processing unit 102 refers to the main response data management unit 103 and generates response data. The main protocol processing unit 102 supplies the generated response data to the supplicant 104.

  The supplicant 104 controls the main wireless LAN module driver 105.

  The main wireless LAN module driver 105 transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to the wireless LAN via the wireless LAN module 30.

  The main wired LAN module driver 107 transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to the wired LAN via the wired LAN module 40.

  The response data setting unit 106 causes the main response data management unit 103 and the sub response data management unit 203 to store information (such as identification information unique to the information processing apparatus 1) that should respond to the external device.

  The subsystem 20 includes a sub wireless LAN module driver 201, a sub wired LAN module driver 205, a sub protocol processing unit 202, a sub response data management unit 203, and a subsystem management unit 204.

  The sub wireless LAN module driver 201 uses the wireless subsystem firmware FW2 downloaded from the main system 10 in advance to transmit data and external devices connected to the wireless LAN via the wireless LAN module 30 in the sleep mode. Send and receive.

  The sub wired LAN module driver 205 uses the wired subsystem firmware FW1 downloaded in advance from the main system 10 to transfer data and external devices connected to the wired LAN via the wired LAN module 40 in the sleep mode. Send and receive.

  The sub protocol processing unit 202 refers to the sub response data management unit 203 with respect to data received from the external device by the sub wireless LAN module driver 201 or the sub wired LAN module driver 205 and generates response data.

  The subsystem management unit 204 supplies a request for returning from the sleep mode to the normal mode to the main system 10.

(3. Operation of information processing device)
3, 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the operation of the information processing apparatus.
This operation is typically executed when the information processing apparatus 1 operating in the normal mode (that is, at least the main system 10 is activated) shifts to the sleep mode. Alternatively, it is executed when the information processing apparatus 1 is initially activated.

  The main protocol processing unit 102 of the main system 10 refers to, for example, the ROM 13 and determines whether or not a LAN module driver to be used for the proxy response when the subsystem 20 is in the sleep mode is set in advance (FIG. 3, step). S1). When the LAN module driver used for the proxy response in the sleep mode in the subsystem 20 is set in advance (step S1, YES), the main protocol processing unit 102 includes the sub wireless LAN module driver 201 and the sub wired LAN module driver. It is confirmed which one of 205 is set (step S2).

  When the main protocol processing unit 102 determines that the sub wired LAN module driver 205 is set (step S3, YES), the main protocol processing unit 102 reads the wired subsystem firmware FW1 from the ROM 13, and transfers the wired subsystem firmware FW1 to the subsystem 20. Download (step S4). Then, the main protocol processing unit 102 performs setting for performing a proxy response to the sub protocol processing unit 202 of the subsystem 20 using the sub wired LAN module driver 205 (step S5).

  On the other hand, when the main protocol processing unit 102 determines that the sub wireless LAN module driver 201 is set (step S3, NO), the main protocol processing unit 102 reads the wireless subsystem firmware FW2 from the ROM 13 and uses the wireless subsystem firmware FW2 as the subsystem. 20 (step S6). Then, the main protocol processing unit 102 performs setting for performing a proxy response to the sub protocol processing unit 202 of the subsystem 20 using the sub wireless LAN module driver 201 (step S7).

  On the other hand, when the main protocol processing unit 102 determines that the LAN module driver to be used for the proxy response in the sleep mode is not set in advance (NO in step S1), the main protocol processing unit 102 sets the wireless LAN module 30 to the wireless LAN, It is determined whether or not both wired LANs are connected to the wired LAN module 40 (FIG. 4, step S8). When only one of the wireless LAN and the wired LAN is connected (step S8, NO), the main protocol processing unit 102 determines whether the wireless LAN or the wired LAN is connected (step S9). .

  When the main protocol processing unit 102 determines that the wired LAN is connected to the wired LAN module 40 (step S9, YES), the step S4 (downloads the wired subsystem firmware FW1) and the step S5 (sub wired LAN module). The proxy response setting using the driver 205 is performed.

  On the other hand, when the main protocol processing unit 102 determines that the wireless LAN is connected to the wireless LAN module 30 (step S9, NO), the step S6 (downloads the wireless subsystem firmware FW2) and the step S7 (sub wireless). The proxy response setting using the LAN module driver 201 is performed.

  On the other hand, the main protocol processing unit 102 acquires the communication traffic information of the wireless LAN module 30 and the communication traffic information of the wired LAN module 40 when both the wireless LAN and the wired LAN are connected (step S8, YES). (FIG. 5, step S10). The main protocol processing unit 102 refers to the acquired communication traffic information of the wireless LAN module 30 and the communication traffic information of the wired LAN module 40, and determines the communication traffic amount of the wireless LAN module 30 and the communication traffic of the wired LAN module 40. The amount is compared (step S11).

  When determining that the communication traffic volume of the wired LAN module 40 is larger than the communication traffic volume of the wireless LAN module 30 (for example, the communication traffic volume of a packet for which a proxy response is possible by the subsystem 20), the main protocol processing unit 102 (step) S11, YES), the operations of step S4 (download wired subsystem firmware FW1) and step S5 (set proxy response using sub-wired LAN module driver 205) are performed.

  On the other hand, when the main protocol processing unit 102 determines that the communication traffic amount of the wireless LAN module 30 is larger than the communication traffic amount of the wired LAN module 40 (step S11, NO), the above-described step S6 (the wireless subsystem firmware FW2 is updated). Download) and step S7 (setting of proxy response using the sub wireless LAN module driver 201) are performed.

  Thus, in the sleep mode, the sub-protocol processing unit 202 of the subsystem 20 controls the sub-wired LAN module driver 205 based on the setting in step S5. The sub wired LAN module driver 205 transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to the wired LAN via the wired LAN module 40 using the wired subsystem firmware FW1 downloaded in step S4.

Alternatively, in the sleep mode, the sub-protocol processing unit 202 of the subsystem 20 controls the sub wireless LAN module driver 201 based on the setting in step S7.
The sub wireless LAN module driver 201 transmits / receives data to / from an external device connected to the wireless LAN via the wireless LAN module 30 in the sleep mode using the wireless subsystem firmware FW2 downloaded in step S6. .

(4. Summary)
In the information processing apparatus that can selectively execute the normal mode or the sleep mode, the subsystem performs a proxy response via both the wired LAN module and the wireless LAN module. In this case, the subsystem needs to hold an execution code for controlling both the wired LAN module and the wireless LAN module. In addition, the subsystem needs to hold both resource data required for proxy response in the wired LAN module and resource data required for proxy response in the wireless LAN module. If the subsystem holds all of these, it is necessary to take measures such as increasing the capacity of the RAM of the subsystem, and as a result, the power consumption of the subsystem may increase.

  On the other hand, according to the information processing apparatus 1 of the present embodiment, the main system 10 holds the wireless subsystem firmware FW2 and the wired subsystem firmware FW1 instead of the subsystem 20. Before shifting from the normal mode to the sleep mode, the main system 10 uses the wireless LAN module used for a proxy response according to the usage environment (user setting status, LAN connection status, communication traffic amount) of the information processing apparatus 1. 30 and the wired LAN module 40 are selected (steps S3, S9, S11).

  When the main system 10 selects the wireless LAN module 30, the main system 10 downloads the wireless subsystem firmware FW2 to the subsystem 20 (step S6), and performs settings for controlling the wireless LAN module 30 in the sleep mode (step S6). Step S7). On the other hand, when selecting the wired LAN module 40, the main system 10 downloads the wired subsystem firmware FW1 to the subsystem 20 (step S4), and performs settings for controlling the wired LAN module 40 in the sleep mode (step S4). Step S5).

  That is, the main system 10 selectively downloads the execution code and resource data of the wireless LAN module 30 and the execution code and resource data of the wired LAN module 40 to the subsystem 20. Thus, in the sleep mode, the subsystem 20 can make a proxy response via the wireless LAN module 30 or the wired LAN module 40 selected for the main system 10. Therefore, the capacity of the RAM 22 is at least one of the memory capacity necessary for controlling the wireless LAN module 30 and the memory capacity necessary for controlling the wired LAN module 40 (in general, wireless The memory capacity required to control the LAN module 30 is larger). Thereby, it is possible to selectively realize a proxy response via the wireless LAN module 30 and the wired LAN module 40 without increasing the capacity of the RAM 22 of the subsystem 20. By suppressing the capacity of the RAM 22 of the subsystem 20, the energy saving performance can be enhanced and the hardware cost can be suppressed.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information processing apparatus 10 ... Main system 20 ... Subsystem 30 ... Wireless LAN module 40 ... Wired LAN module 105 ... Main wireless LAN module driver 107 ... Main wired LAN module driver 201 ... Sub wireless LAN module driver 205 ... Sub wired LAN module Driver FW1 ... Wired subsystem firmware FW2 ... Wireless subsystem firmware

Claims (5)

An information processing apparatus capable of selectively executing a normal mode or a sleep mode,
A main system that operates in the normal mode;
A subsystem that operates in the sleep mode;
A wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication with an external device connected to the wireless network;
A wired communication unit capable of wired communication with an external device connected to a wired network;
The main system is
The subsystem holds the wireless subsystem firmware for controlling the wireless communication unit, and the wired subsystem firmware for the subsystem to control the wired communication unit,
The wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit, whichever has a larger communication traffic volume, is selected to be controlled by the subsystem during the sleep mode,
When the wireless communication unit is selected, the subsystem is supplied with the wireless subsystem firmware, and the wireless communication unit is controlled during the sleep mode.
An information processing apparatus that, when the wired communication unit is selected, supplies the wired subsystem firmware to the subsystem and controls the wired communication unit in the sleep mode . An information processing apparatus capable of selectively executing a normal mode or a sleep mode,
A main system that operates in the normal mode;
A subsystem that operates in the sleep mode;
A wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication with an external device connected to the wireless network;
A wired communication unit capable of wired communication with an external device connected to the wired network;
Comprising
The main system is
The subsystem holds the wireless subsystem firmware for controlling the wireless communication unit, and the wired subsystem firmware for the subsystem to control the wired communication unit,
Before shifting from the normal mode to the sleep mode, determine which of the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit is used by the main system,
Select one of the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit that is used to control the subsystem during the sleep mode ,
When the wireless communication unit is selected, the subsystem is supplied with the wireless subsystem firmware, and the wireless communication unit is controlled during the sleep mode.
An information processing apparatus that, when the wired communication unit is selected, supplies the wired subsystem firmware to the subsystem and controls the wired communication unit in the sleep mode . The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2 ,
The subsystem includes a memory having a capacity set based on a larger one of a capacity necessary for controlling the wireless communication unit and a capacity necessary for controlling the wired communication unit. apparatus. An information processing apparatus capable of selectively executing a normal mode or a sleep mode, the main system operating in the normal mode, the subsystem operating in the sleep mode, and an external device connected to a wireless network and wireless communication In the main system of the information processing apparatus having a wireless communication unit capable of wire communication and a wired communication unit capable of wired communication with an external device connected to a wired network,
Holding the wireless subsystem firmware for the subsystem to control the wireless communication unit and the wired subsystem firmware for the subsystem to control the wired communication unit;
Selecting one of the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit that has a larger communication traffic volume to be controlled by the subsystem during the sleep mode;
When the wireless communication unit is selected, supplying the wireless subsystem firmware to the subsystem and controlling the wireless communication unit during the sleep mode;
When the wired communication unit is selected, a program for supplying the subsystem with the wired subsystem firmware and causing the wired communication unit to be controlled in the sleep mode . An information processing apparatus capable of selectively executing a normal mode or a sleep mode, the main system operating in the normal mode, the subsystem operating in the sleep mode, and an external device connected to a wireless network and wireless communication In the main system of the information processing apparatus having a wireless communication unit capable of wire communication and a wired communication unit capable of wired communication with an external device connected to a wired network,
Holding the wireless subsystem firmware for the subsystem to control the wireless communication unit and the wired subsystem firmware for the subsystem to control the wired communication unit;
Determining which of the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit is used by the main system before shifting from the normal mode to the sleep mode;
Selecting which one of the wireless communication unit and the wired communication unit is used to be controlled by the subsystem in the sleep mode;
When the wireless communication unit is selected, supplying the wireless subsystem firmware to the subsystem and controlling the wireless communication unit during the sleep mode;
When the wired communication unit is selected, the wired subsystem firmware is supplied to the subsystem, and the wired communication unit is controlled in the sleep mode;
A program for running

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