JPH05233551A - Portable computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain a high performance operation of a portable computer in an AC power drive mode as well as a power saving operation of the computer in a battery drive mode respectively with no operation of a user required for setting an operating environment. CONSTITUTION:An automatic mode and a user setting mode are provided. In an automatic mode, the connection or disconnection of an AC adaptor 19 is decided. If the adaptor 19 is not connected and a portable computer is driven by a battery 18, an operating environment is set for a power saving operation (long life mode). Meanwhile an operating environment is automatically set for a high performance operation (normal life mode) when the computer is driven by an AC power supply with a connected adaptor 19. Therefore the power saving operation of the computer is attained in a battery drive mode with the high performance operation secured in an AC power drive mode respectively with no operation of a user required for setting an operating environment.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a battery-operable portable computer, and more particularly to a technique for setting an operation mode for saving a battery.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various laptop type portable computers which are easy to carry and can be operated by a battery have been developed. In this type of personal computer, the following operation settings were made when driven by an external AC power source and when driven by an internal battery.

That is, as shown in FIG.
When driven by the C power supply, regardless of the settings made by the user regarding the processing speed, the CPU sleep function, the HDD (hard disk drive) motor automatic OFF function, and the display automatic OFF function, they are related to the settings. No, processing speed is high (High), CPU sleep function is disabled (Disable), HDD motor automatic OF
The F function is disabled (Disable), and the display automatic OFF function is disabled (Disable). This is A
This is because when the C power source is driven, it is not necessary to reduce the power consumption of the portable computer in order to save the battery.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 9, when driven by a battery power source, the processing speed by the user,
It was operated according to the settings of the CPU sleep function, the HDD (hard disk drive) motor automatic OFF function, and the display automatic OFF function.

It is advantageous for the user to operate in the operating environment according to the user's setting as described above because the battery lasts longer when the battery is operated with less power consumption. This is because there is a rare case where high-speed processing is required even if

As described above, conventionally, in the case of AC drive,
The setting of the operating environment set by the user in the setup program does not match the actual operation, which may confuse the user.

Further, in the case of battery drive, although the setting by the user and the actual operation match, there is a problem that the user himself has to set the operating environment for operating with low power consumption. Furthermore, the setting of the operating environment is performed while referring to the setup screen, but on the conventional setup screen, the setting items related to the power saving operation are included in other operation setting items not related to the power saving operation. Since they are scattered, it is difficult to understand which setting item is related to the power saving operation, and there is a drawback that the burden on the user required to set an operating environment for the power saving operation increases.

[0008]

Conventionally, the user himself / herself has to set an operating environment for power saving operation when driven by a battery, and which operating environment setting item on the setup screen indicates the power saving operation. There is a drawback that the user's burden is increased because it is difficult to understand whether it is related to.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and automatically switches the operating environment between when the battery is driven and when the AC power source is driven, and when the battery is driven without a user's operation environment setting operation. Power saving operation, AC
It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable computer that can realize high performance operation when driven by a power supply.

[0010]

Means and Actions for Solving the Problems
In a battery-powered portable computer,
Mode discriminating means for discriminating whether or not a mode for automatically setting various operating environments of the portable computer relating to the battery saving, and an adapter when the mode discriminating means discriminates the mode for the automatic setting. Depending on whether or not the power source is connected, the power source determining unit determines whether or not the adapter power source is connected by the power source determining unit. It is characterized by comprising an operation mode switching means for switching to a power saving operation mode for operating the computer in a power saving mode or a high performance operation mode for operating the portable computer with high performance.

In this portable computer,
In the automatic setting mode, the presence or absence of the connection of the adapter power supply is determined, and if it is determined that the adapter power supply is not connected and the battery is driven, the operating environment for power saving operation is set. When the adapter power supply is connected and driven by the power supply, the operating environment for high performance operation is set. Therefore, the operating environment can be automatically switched between when the battery is driven and when the adaptive power is driven, and when the battery is driven without the user having to set the operating environment, the power saving operation is performed and when the adapter power such as an external AC power source is used. High-performance operation is possible.

[0012]

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

FIG. 1 shows the system configuration of a portable computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. This portable computer has a system bus 10, CP
A U11, a ROM 12, a backup RAM 13, a magnetic disk device 14, a display device 15 such as an LCD (liquid crystal display), a keyboard 16, a power supply circuit 17, a built-in battery 18, and an AC attaceptor 19. CPU11, ROM12, backup RAM1
3, the magnetic disk device 14, the display device 15, the keyboard 16, and the power supply circuit 17 are respectively the system bus 1
It is connected to 0.

The CPU 11 controls the entire system, and the AC adapter 19 when the power is turned on.
It has a function of discriminating the presence or absence of the connection in cooperation with the power supply circuit 17 and switching the operation mode between the power saving operation mode and the high performance mode.

The ROM 12 is a memory in which fixed programs and the like are stored, and an initialization program and a setup (SETUP) program are stored therein.
The initialization program includes a routine for determining whether or not the AC adapter 19 is connected, and a system according to the setting information (battery save option information) stored in the backup RAM 13 for various operating environments related to saving the battery 18. Contains a routine to initialize.
This initialization program is executed by the CPU 11 when the power switch of the system is turned on.

Further, the setup program displays the battery save option information on the screen of the display device 15 so that the user can confirm or change various operating environments related to the saving of the battery 18 and the system configuration such as the memory capacity. belongs to. This setup program is executed by the CPU 11 when a predetermined key is input from the keyboard 16 by the user's key operation.

The backup RAM 13 is designed to prevent the storage contents thereof from being lost by the supply of the backup power source VBK, and the backup RAM 13 has contents of the battery save option information (processing speed, set by the setup program). The HDD motor automatic-OFF function, display automatic-OFF function, LCD brightness, etc.) are stored. The backup RAM 13 also stores information indicating the setting contents of the battery save mode. This battery save mode has the following two modes: automatic mode and user setting mode.

(1) Automatic mode: This is a mode that operates by saving the battery 18 (long life mode) or a mode that operates at high performance (depending on the presence or absence of the AC adapter 19 when the power switch is turned on). Normal life mode) is a mode that automatically switches. In the long life mode, in order to save the battery 18, the processing speed is low (Low), the CPU sleep function is in the valid state (Enable), the HDD motor automatic OFF function is in the valid state (Enable), and the display automatic O is set.
The FF function is enabled (enabled), and the LCD brightness is automatically set to normal brightness. In the normal life mode, the processing speed is high (H
high), the CPU sleep function is disabled (Disab
le), the HDD motor automatic OFF function is disabled (Di
The display auto-off function is disabled (Dis)
and the LCD brightness is automatically set to high brightness.

(2) User setting mode: This is a mode that operates according to each battery save option information set by the user in the setup program regardless of whether or not the AC adapter 19 is connected.

The magnetic disk device 14 includes a hard disk drive (HDD) and a hard disk controller (H).
DC), and when the HDD motor automatic OFF function is set to the valid state (Enable), the drive motor (spindle motor) of the hard disk drive when the disk access does not occur for a certain period of time. Rotation is stopped.

The display device 15 is composed of an LCD panel. The display screen of the LCD panel displays a setup screen (battery save mode, each battery save option information) when the user starts the setup program after the system is started. Is included) is displayed. Details of this setup screen will be described later with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. Further, the LCD panel displays data at high brightness or normal brightness according to the LCD brightness setting. The keyboard 16 is used, for example, for key input for starting the setup program.

The power supply circuit 17 is for generating a power supply of a predetermined value for system drive and a power supply VBK for backup based on an internal AC battery 18 or an external AC power supply supplied via an AC adapter 19. , A power supply microcomputer (PC-CPU) 171 is built in. This power supply microcomputer (PC-CP
U) 171 responds to a command issued by the CPU 11 executing the initialization program, checks whether or not the AC adapter 19 is connected, and outputs the result to the CPU 11
To notify. The specific circuit configuration of the power supply circuit 17 will be described later with reference to FIG.

The AC adapter 19 is for rectifying and smoothing an AC power source which is a commercial AC power source to obtain a DC power source of a predetermined potential, and is connected to the computer main body when the portable computer is driven by the AC power source. Plug-in connected. The built-in battery 18 is, for example, a pack-type battery including a rechargeable battery, and is detachably attached to the computer body. Next, a display example of the setup screen will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5.

FIG. 2 shows a screen displayed by the user starting the setup program after the system is started when the battery save mode is set to the automatic mode and the battery 18 is driven by the battery 18. is there.

As shown, this setup screen 10
1, information regarding system configuration includes memory setting information (MEMORY), display device 15 setting information (DISPLAY), magnetic disk device setting information (HARD DISK), date and time setting information (TIME & DATE), and communication. / Printer / Floppy disk drive setting information (COM /
PRT / FDD), setting information regarding password registration (POWER ON PASSWORD), and other setting information (OTHERS) are displayed.

The other setting information (OTHERS) includes information indicating the setting state of the battery save mode. Here, since the battery save mode is set to the automatic mode and is operated by the battery 18, the setting information of the battery save mode is “Battery Save Mode = Aut.
“Omatic (Long Life)” is displayed.

This indicates that the battery save mode is the automatic mode and the battery save option information is set to the long life mode for power saving operation.

Below the setup screen 101, operation instruction information for changing the system configuration, battery save mode, battery save mode option information, etc. is displayed.

This operation instruction information includes "↑" key, "↓"
The item to be changed can be selected by moving the cursor by operating the key, “→” key, “←” key, the setting value can be changed by operating the space “Space” key or the backspace “BkSp” key, and the escape “Esc” It is possible to cancel the setting value by operating the key, set each setting information to the default (recommended) value collectively by operating the home "Home" key, and based on the setting value on the screen by operating the end "End" key It indicates that the initial settings can be re-executed.

When the cursor is moved to the item of battery save mode, detailed information on the battery save option information at that time is displayed in the window. This state is shown in FIG.

Since the long life mode is set here, as shown in FIG. 3, in the window 101-1 of the battery save option information, environment setting information corresponding to the long life mode is stored. Is displayed.
That is, the processing speed is low (Low), the CPU sleep function is enabled (Enable), and the HDD motor automatic O
The FF function is valid (03Min: The motor is turned off when there is no access to the HDD for 3 minutes), and the display automatic OFF function is valid (03Min: Key input etc. is 3
The motor is turned off when there is no time), and the LCD brightness is set to normal brightness (Semi-Bright).

When the battery save mode is set to the automatic mode as in this example, movement of the cursor into the window 101-1 is prohibited. If the user changes the battery save option information, it is necessary to first change the battery save mode to the user setting mode. The setup screen in the user setting mode will be described with reference to FIG. 5. In the user setting mode, move the cursor in the window where the battery save option information is displayed, and set the set value of each battery save option information to any value. It can be changed.

FIG. 4 shows a screen displayed by the user starting the setup program after the system is started when the battery save mode is set to the automatic mode and when the battery is driven by the AC power supply. is there. As illustrated, in the setup screen 102, the setting information of the battery save mode is “Battery Save Mode = Aut
“Omatic (Normal Life)” is displayed.

This means that the battery save mode is the automatic mode and the battery save option information is set to the normal life mode for high performance operation.

Also on this setup screen 102,
When the cursor is moved to the item of battery save mode, a window 102-1 showing detailed information about the battery save option information at that time is displayed.

Since the normal life mode is set here, the environment setting information corresponding to the normal life mode is displayed in the window 102-1 of the battery save option information. That is, the processing speed is high (High) and the CPU sleep function is in the disabled state (Di
Sable), the HDD motor automatic OFF function is disabled (Disable), the display automatic OFF function is disabled (Disable), and the LCD brightness is high brightness (Bright).
t). Also, this setup screen 1
Also in 02-1, the cursor cannot be moved to the window 102-1 and the change of the battery save option information is prohibited.

FIG. 5 shows the case where the system is started in the state where the battery save mode is set to the user setting mode and the user subsequently starts the setup program, or the battery save mode is set to the user setting on the screens of FIGS. 3 and 4. This is a screen displayed when the mode is changed. As shown in the figure, in the setup screen 103, the setting information of the battery save mode is “Battery Save Mode = User”.
“Setting” is displayed.

When the cursor is moved to the item of battery save mode on the setup screen 103,
A window 103-1 showing detailed information about the battery save option information at that time is displayed.

Here, as an example of user setting, the same case as the setting information of the long life mode is shown except that the processing speed is set to a high speed. On the setup screen 103, the cursor can be moved to the window 103-1.
Each battery save option information can be set arbitrarily.

The setting of the battery save option information in the user setting mode is valid until the setting is changed again on the setup screen, and it is valid regardless of whether the AC adapter 19 is connected or not. Next, FIG.
A specific example of the power supply circuit 17 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG.

The power supply circuit 17 includes an AC adapter 19
There is provided a DC / DC converter 21 that converts an external power source supplied via the battery or an internal power source supplied from the battery 18 into a predetermined power source voltage and outputs the voltage to each component of FIG. The AC adapter 19 is directly connected to the input of the DC / DC converter 21, but the battery 18
Is a current detector 22, A for detecting the current of the battery 18.
It is connected to the input of the DC / DC converter 21 via a switch 23 for disconnecting the battery 18 from the DC / DC converter 21 when the C adapter 19 is connected, and a backflow prevention diode 24.

The power supply circuit 17 includes the AC adapter 1
9, a charge unit 25 for charging the battery 18 with an external power source, and a power source microcomputer (PC-CP
U) D / for converting the digital control signal from 171 into an analog control signal and supplying it to the charge unit 25.
A converter 26 and power supply microcomputer (PC-CPU) 171
I / O that performs parallel / serial conversion of data for a serial interface between CPU and CPU 11
(SIO) 28 is provided.

The power supply microcomputer (PC-CPU) 171 is
By receiving the external power supply voltage from the AC adapter 19 via the built-in D / A converter, the AC adapter 1
The presence or absence of connection of 9 is determined. In addition, power supply microcomputer (PC
-CPU) 171 detects the fully charged state and the low battery state of the battery 18 based on the current detection signal from the current detector 22. When the fully charged state of the battery 18 is detected, the charging operation by the charging unit 25 is stopped. When the low battery state of the battery 18 is detected, an LED or the like provided on the computer body is turned on to warn the user.

Next, referring to the flowchart of FIG.
The procedure of the battery save option information setting process performed by the CPU 11 executing the initialization program will be described.

When the power switch of the portable computer is turned on, the initialization program stored in the ROM 12 is executed by the CPU 11. In the battery save option information setting routine in the middle of the initialization process by the initialization program, first, the CPU 11 reads the information indicating the battery save mode stored in the backup RAM 13, and sets the battery save mode to the automatic mode. Or
It is determined whether the user setting mode is set (step S1).

When the battery save mode is the automatic mode, the CPU 11 issues a command to the power supply microcomputer 171, and the power supply microcomputer 171 for this command is issued.
Based on the response from, it is determined whether or not the AC adapter 19 is connected to the main body of the portable computer (step S2).

When the AC adapter 19 is not connected,
That is, when operating with the battery 18,
The CPU 11 operates in a long life mode in which the battery 18 is saved (processing speed = Low, CPU sleep function = Enable, HDD motor automatic OFF function = Ena).
ble, display automatic OFF function = Enable, LCD brightness = normal brightness), and the system is initialized accordingly (step S3).

In the case of the AC drive to which the AC adapter 19 is connected, the CPU 11 does not need to reduce the power consumption, so that the normal life mode (processing speed = High, CPU sleep function = Disable) which operates with high performance is provided.
e, HDD motor automatic OFF function = Disable, display automatic OFF function = Disable, LCD brightness = high brightness), and the system is initialized accordingly (step S4).

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S1 that the battery save mode is the user setting mode, C
The PU 11 initializes the system according to the set value of each battery save option information stored in the backup RAM 13 without checking whether the AC adapter 19 is connected or not (step S5).

In any of steps S3, S4, and S5, initialization is performed according to the setting of each battery save option, and the system is activated (step S6).

As described above, in this embodiment, the automatic mode and the user setting mode are provided, and in the automatic mode, it is determined whether or not the AC adapter 19 is connected, and the AC adapter 1
When 9 is not connected and is driven by the battery 18, an operating environment for power saving operation is set (long life mode), and when AC power is driven to which the AC adapter 19 is connected, The operating environment for high performance operation (normal life mode) is automatically set. Therefore, in the automatic mode, power saving operation can be performed when the battery is driven and high performance operation can be performed when the AC power source is driven without setting the operating environment by the user.

In the user setting mode, the user can freely set any operating environment regardless of whether or not the AC adapter 19 is connected, so that high speed processing and high brightness display can be performed even when the battery is driven. Go out.

Further, on the setup screen, since each battery save option information is collectively displayed by the bundle display, it becomes possible to easily confirm the setting items of the operating environment related to the battery saving on the screen, especially It is possible to reduce the burden on the user regarding the setting operation of the battery save option information in the user setting mode.

In this embodiment, as the items of the battery save option information, the processing speed, the CPU sleep function, the HDD motor automatic OFF function, the display automatic OFF function, and the LCD brightness are taken as an example. Of course, any other item can be handled as the battery save option information as long as it realizes the operating environment.

[0055]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention,
The operating environment can be automatically switched between when the battery is driven and when the AC power is driven, and it is possible to realize a power-saving operation when the battery is driven and a high-performance operation when the AC power is driven without a user's setting operation of the operating environment.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a portable computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a setup screen when the system of the embodiment is in automatic mode and is battery-operated.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a screen when a window is displayed on the setup screen of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a setup screen when the system of the embodiment is in automatic mode and is AC-driven.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a setup screen when the system is set to a user setting mode in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of a power supply circuit provided in the system in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an initial setting operation at power-on in the same embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an initial setting operation during AC driving in the conventional system.

FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an initial setting operation when a battery is driven in the conventional system.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... CPU, 12 ... ROM, 13 ... Backup RA
M, 17 ... Power supply circuit, 18 ... Built-in battery, 19 ... AC
adapter.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. In a portable computer that can be driven by a battery, a mode discriminating unit that discriminates whether or not a mode for automatically setting various operating environments of the portable computer relating to saving of the battery, and the automatic discriminating unit by the mode discriminating unit. When it is determined that the mode is the setting mode, a power source discriminating unit that discriminates whether the adapter power source is connected or not, and the battery is conserved depending on whether the adapter power source is discriminated by the power source discriminating unit. An operating mode switching means for switching various operating environments of the related portable computer to a power saving operating mode for operating the portable computer in a power saving mode or a high performance operating mode for operating the portable computer in high performance. A portable computer characterized by Yuta. 2. When the mode determination means determines that the mode is not the automatic setting mode, the mode determination means further comprises means for setting various operating environments related to the saving of the battery according to an input instruction from a user. The portable computer according to claim 1, characterized in that: 3. A portable computer that can be driven by a battery, and means for collectively displaying, on a display screen for setting various operating environments of the portable computer, setting information of various operating environments related to the saving of the battery all together. A portable computer comprising: