WO2011016080A1

WO2011016080A1 - Information processor and information processing method

Info

Publication number: WO2011016080A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/003716
Authority: WO
Inventors: 工藤亨; 木村真敏
Original assignee: 富士通株式会社
Priority date: 2009-08-04
Filing date: 2009-08-04
Publication date: 2011-02-10

Abstract

Provided are an information processor capable of being restored from a power-saving state and executing a desired procedure by receiving (inserting therein) a recording medium in the power-saving state, and an information processing method. A card detection signal indicating that a recording medium such as an SD card is received is directly inputted to a specified GPIO terminal of a chip set. In the power-saving state, the chip set controls a power supply unit on the basis of the input and restores a computer to a power feeding state in a normal operating state. With reference to action set data in which a desired action to be performed at the time of restoration is preset, a data import program starts and executes an application program corresponding to the action.

Description

Information processing apparatus and information processing method

The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus and an information processing method that handle a power saving function, and more specifically, relates to an information processing technique for returning from a power saving mode such as a sleep state or a hibernation state.

A memory card slot for receiving a memory card (recording medium) such as an SD card or a Memory Stick (registered trademark) as an information processing apparatus such as a personal computer, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) recorder, or a DVD (Digital Video Disk) recorder What you have is known.
An information processing apparatus having a power saving function having a power saving mode such as a sleep state or a hibernation state is also known. ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) is known as a unified standard for power saving functions.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 4-175916 JP-A-9-251331 JP-A-3-276322

By the way, by inserting the memory card into the memory card slot of the information processing device when the information processing device is in the power saving state, the information processing device is returned from the power saving state and a predetermined desired procedure is executed. There is a request for it. As such a desired procedure, for example, a specific program related to data contained in the inserted memory card (for example, a program for executing a slide show using image data in the card) is automatically started. Etc. For example, it is conventionally possible for a user to execute a desired procedure by performing a predetermined operation after returning the information processing apparatus from the power saving state by pressing a power button or the like, but that is complicated. This is the reason for the above request.

However, the conventional information processing apparatus cannot execute a desired procedure such as automatically starting a specific program by inserting a memory card. This point will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram for explaining power control for each unit in a computer as a conventional information processing apparatus. This computer is configured to accept an SD card as a recording medium. The computer shown in FIG. 1 includes a chip set 2, a CPU 3, a power supply unit 4, an SD card slot 5, an SD card controller 6, and the like. In the computer shown in FIG. 1, the power supply unit 4 is instructed by the power control signal from the chip set 2 by a power control signal, and sets a power supply state for each unit in the computer according to the power control mode. In FIG. 1, a solid line (power (always)) drawn from the power supply unit 4 indicates a state in which power is supplied without changing from the normal state even in the power saving state. A dotted line drawn from the power supply unit 4 indicates a state where the power supply is restricted more than the normal state in the power saving state.

When the computer shown in FIG. 1 is in a normal operation state (not in a power saving state), the switch in the SD card slot 5 is in a state where the SD card is inserted into the SD card slot 5 or not inserted. Is turned on (card detection signal is at low level) or off (card detection signal is at high level). As a result, the SD card controller 6 recognizes the acceptance state of the SD card (either the state in which the SD card is inserted or the state in which the SD card is not inserted). Here, if the computer is in the normal operation state, the card detection signal can be recognized through the operating system (OS) and the device driver of the SD card slot 5. However, when the computer is in the power saving state, the OS is not activated and the card detection signal cannot be recognized.

On the other hand, when PCI_Express (registered trademark) or the like is applied to the bus between the SD card controller 6 and the chip set 2, the SD card controller 6 converts the PME (Power Management Event) signal into a chip based on the card detection signal. Can be sent to set 2. Therefore, if the chip set 2 is configured to connect the PME signal to a GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output) terminal, the computer can be returned from the power saving state to the normal operation state by inserting the SD card. However, this return process can only return the computer to the normal operation state, and cannot execute a desired procedure such as automatically starting a specific program.
Note that when USB (Universal Serial Bus) is applied to the bus between the SD card controller 6 and the chipset 2, the USB does not support the PME signal. It cannot even be restored from the normal state to the normal operation state.

Thus, according to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an information processing apparatus and an information processing method capable of returning from a power saving state and executing a desired procedure by accepting a recording medium in the power saving state. The purpose is to do.

A first aspect is an information processing apparatus capable of receiving a recording medium from the outside.
This information processing device
(A) a recording medium receiving unit that generates a first signal indicating whether or not a recording medium is received;
(B) A power supply unit that operates in a power supply control mode including a first mode in which power is supplied to each unit of the information processing apparatus and a second mode in which power supply is limited more than in the first mode;
(C) having a plurality of terminals for activating the information processing apparatus, wherein the first terminal is assigned for the first signal among the plurality of terminals, and the power control mode is the second mode; A power control unit that controls the power supply unit to shift the power control mode from the second mode to the first mode when it is determined that the recording medium is newly received based on the first signal;
(D) an execution unit that executes a predetermined procedure in accordance with preset first setting information when the power supply control mode shifts from the second mode to the first mode due to newly receiving a recording medium;
Is provided.
A second aspect is an information processing method that performs the same processing as each unit of the information processing apparatus.

According to the disclosed information processing apparatus and information processing method, it is possible to return from the power saving state and execute a desired procedure by accepting the recording medium when the information processing apparatus is in the power saving state.

The block diagram for demonstrating the power supply control with respect to each part in the computer as a conventional information processing apparatus. The block diagram which shows the structure of the computer of 1st Embodiment. The block diagram for demonstrating the power supply control with respect to each part in the computer of 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the hierarchical relationship on hardware about the software which operate | moves with the computer of 1st Embodiment. The figure which illustrates the setting screen after the data acquisition program starts in the computer of a 1st embodiment. The block diagram for demonstrating the power supply control with respect to each part on hardware in the computer of 1st Embodiment. The figure for demonstrating the content of the register | resistor of a chipset in the computer of 1st Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the action setting in a data acquisition program in the computer of 1st Embodiment. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a processing procedure when the computer according to the first embodiment shifts from ACPI-S0 to any one of ACPI-S3 to S5. 6 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the computer according to the first embodiment returns from any one of ACPI-S3 to S5 to an ACPI-S0 state. The block diagram for demonstrating the power supply control with respect to each part on hardware in the computer of 2nd Embodiment. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the computer according to the second embodiment shifts from ACPI-S0 to any state of ACPI-S4 or S5. The block diagram for demonstrating the power supply control with respect to each part on hardware in the computer of embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 ... Chip set, 13 ... CPU, 14 ... Power supply part, 15 ... SD card slot, 16 ... SD card controller, 17 ... RAM, 18 ... BIOS-ROM, 21 ... HDD, 22 ... Device, 30 ... Switch, 32 ... Logic circuit

In the following embodiments, a computer as an information processing apparatus will be described. In each of the following embodiments, a computer that can accept an SD card as a recording medium will be described. However, the recording medium is not limited to an SD card, and any medium that stores data may be used. For example, another type of memory card such as a memory stick (registered trademark) may be used as the recording medium.

1. First Embodiment (1-1) Power Control Mode The computer according to the present embodiment has a power saving function compliant with ACPI. FIG. 2 shows a power supply control mode defined by ACPI.
As shown in FIG. 2, this computer includes ACPI-S0 to S5 as power control modes. ACPI-S0 is a normal operation state in which the computer is turned on. ACPI-S1 is in a state of lower power consumption than ACPI-S0. ACPI-S2 is a state in which power supply to the CPU is turned off. ACPI-S3 is in a sleep state and means suspend to RAM. In the sleep mode, when the computer is turned off, the HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and various devices are turned off, but power is supplied to the RAM and the data being executed is held as it is. ACPI-S4 is in a dormant state (hibernation) and means suspending to the HDD. In the hibernation state, the contents of the RAM are saved in the HDD, and then the power of various devices including the RAM is turned off. When the computer is subsequently turned on, the contents saved in the HDD are read out to the RAM and restored. ACPI-S5 is in a state where the computer is turned off by software (shutdown).

In the example of the power control mode shown in the present embodiment, ACPI-S0 corresponds to the first mode, and any of ACPI-S3 to S5 corresponds to the second mode.

(1-2) Computer Hardware Configuration FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the computer.
As shown in FIG. 3, the computer includes a chip set 12 (power control unit), a CPU 13, a power supply unit 14, an SD card slot 15 (recording medium receiving unit), an SD card controller 16 (recording medium control unit), a main A RAM 17 as a memory, a BIOS-ROM 18, an HDD 21, and various devices 22 for computer input / output are included. The chip set 12 is connected to each part of the computer by a bus.

The CPU 13 executes various programs provided in the computer. The RAM 17 is a main memory of the CPU 13 and is a volatile storage device for temporarily storing programs executed by the CPU 13 and data referred to by the CPU 13.

The chip set 12 includes a control circuit for an interface between the CPU 13 and other units, and a register for controlling the units. The chip set 12 corresponds to GPI (General Purpose Interface) which is a general purpose interface. For this GPI, a plurality of GPIO (General Purpose Input / Output) terminals (a plurality of terminals) are provided in the chipset 12. The chip set 12 is configured to start up the computer (including “return” from the power saving state) or shut down based on an external input signal to each GPIO terminal.
Each GPIO terminal is managed by setting a control register in the chipset 12 as to whether to enable or disable the startup or shutdown of the computer based on the input to the GPIO terminal. In the following description, an event that the computer starts (including “return” from the power saving state) based on an input to the GPIO terminal is referred to as a “GPI event”.

The BIOS-ROM 18 stores a basic input / output system (BIOS) that is a basic input / output system (program) for performing basic input / output processing with hardware. In the BIOS, a GPI event reception setting is made for validating or invalidating a GPI event generated by insertion (acceptance) of an SD card. The GPI event reception setting value is, for example, 1-bit data indicating “valid” or “invalid”, and is reflected in the setting of the control register of the GPIO (n) terminal of the chipset 12.

The power supply unit 14 performs power control, which will be described later, in cooperation with the chipset 12, and supplies power to each unit of the computer or restricts power supply.
The HDD 21 as a storage is a non-volatile storage device, and stores an OS such as Windows (registered trademark) and a program executed on the OS. The device 22 generically represents one or a plurality of input / output devices of a computer such as a mouse as an input device and a display device as an output device.
The SD card slot 15 is configured so that an SD card as an external recording medium can be inserted or removed. The SD card slot 15 is connected to an SD card controller 16 having an interface function with the SD card.

(1-3) Software Running on Computer Here, software running on this computer will be described with reference to FIG. 4 and FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a hierarchical relationship on hardware of software operating on the computer according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram exemplifying a setting screen after a data capturing program described later is started.
In FIG. 4, a virtual device driver is a virtual device driver provided by the BIOS. The data capture program is a program that starts with the OS after the power is turned on, and stays in the RAM 17 after the computer is started until the power is turned off. When the setting process of the data capturing program is executed, a setting screen illustrated in FIG. 5 is displayed on a display device (not shown) connected to the computer. Recognizing the input from the computer user made through this setting screen, the data capture program stores the following action setting data (action setting data; first setting information) in the registry of the OS.
The CPU 13 that executes the data capturing program is an embodiment of the execution unit of the present invention.
[Action settings]
-Settings for selecting whether to enable or disable power-on when an SD card is inserted (second setting information)
-Settings related to action selection performed when enabled (4th setting information)

The application programs P1 to P3 that are executed when the power-on when the SD card is inserted are enabled correspond to each action that can be set by the data capture program. For example, the application program P1 is a program for automatically fetching data in the SD card to a predetermined area in the HDD 21, and corresponds to the action “automatic data fetch” in FIG. The application program P2 is a program for automatically reproducing a slide show based on data in the SD card, and corresponds to the action “slide show automatic reproduction” in FIG. The application program P3 is a program for displaying a predetermined selection screen regarding data in the SD card, and corresponds to the action of “selection screen display” in FIG. Even when the power-on when the SD card is inserted is validated, the selection of “do nothing” can be taken.

The data capture program sets the GPI event reception setting provided in the BIOS to “valid” via the virtual device driver based on the selection of whether to enable or disable the power-on when the SD card is inserted in the action setting. "Or" Invalid ". As described above, the setting value of the GPI event reception of the BIOS is reflected in the setting of the control register (third setting information) of the GPIO (n) terminal of the chip set 12 described later.

(1-4) Power Control in Computer Next, aspects regarding power control in the computer of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. FIG. 6 is a block diagram for explaining power control for each unit on the hardware in the computer according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the contents of a register related to power control provided in the chip set 12.
In FIG. 6, the solid line (power (always)) drawn from the power supply unit 14 is in a state where power is supplied in the power saving state (for example, ACPI-S3 to S5) as in the normal operation state (ACPI-S0). Is shown. In the present embodiment, power is constantly supplied to the chipset 12 and the SD card controller 16. A dotted line drawn from the power supply unit 14 indicates a state in which power supply is restricted more than in a normal operation state in the power saving state.

In the description of the embodiment, the limitation of power supply is to reduce the power supplied to a part or all of the computer from the normal operation state or to stop the power supply to a part or all of the computer. Including that. In addition, the specifications of power supply to each part of the computer in each state of ACPI-S0 to S5 (power supply state of each part) are defined in advance. The power supply unit 14 performs power supply defined in advance for each state of ACPI-S0 to S5.

State transition from ACPI-S0 (normal operation state) to ACPI-S3 (sleep), ACPI-S4 (sleep state), ACPI-S5 (shutdown) (transition of power control mode) is selected by the user on the OS Is done. According to the user's selection, the OS sets the selected state in the chip set 12. This setting is performed for the power supply control register in the chip set 12. Referring now to FIG. 7, in ACPI-S0 (normal operation state), only the value of the S0 flag indicates “1”, and the values of the other flags all indicate “0”. Then, for example, when a state transition is made from ACPI-S0 to ACPI-S3, the OS rewrites the power supply control register so that only the value of the S3 flag indicates “1” and the values of the other flags all indicate “0”. It will be.
The chip set 12 sequentially refers to the power control register and sends a power control signal corresponding to the value of the power control register to the power supply unit 14. The power supply unit 14 sets a power supply state for each unit in the computer based on the power control signal from the chipset 12.

As shown in FIG. 6, in this computer, a signal line between the SD card slot 15 and the SD card controller 16 branches, and a signal line L15 between the SD card slot 15 and the chip set 12 is provided. The signal line L15 is connected to a GPIO (n) terminal (first terminal) which is one of the plurality of GPIO terminals of the chip set 12.
Since power is always supplied to the chipset 12, the SD card slot 15 is inserted into the SD card slot 15 in a state where the SD card is inserted into the SD card slot 15 or not in the power saving state of the computer. Are switched on (card detection signal is at low level) or off (card detection signal is at high level). In accordance with the logic level of the card detection signal, GPIO (n) of the chip set 12 becomes a high level or a low level.

Although FIG. 6 shows that power is supplied to the SD card controller 16 even in the power saving state, it is not necessarily supplied in the power saving state. That is, in the computer according to the present embodiment, the signal line L15 for directly taking the card detection signal into the chip set 12 is provided. Therefore, the chip set 12 does not need to recognize that the SD card has been inserted via the bus with the SD card controller 16. Therefore, in the present embodiment, power supply to the SD card controller 16 may be stopped in the power saving state of the computer.

In the computer of the embodiment, an input to the GPIO terminal for the chipset 12 (always power supply) or another request signal that can start the computer (for example, in FIG. 6, a wake-up signal based on pressing of the power button) (Wakeup) is described.) Is configured to return from the power saving state to the normal operation state. That is, for example, when the input level to a predetermined GPIO terminal changes (for example, from a high level to a low level), the chip set 12 rewrites the power supply control register according to the change, and further changes the value of the rewritten power supply control register. Based on this, the power control signal is set. In particular, this computer is provided with the signal line L15 for connecting the SD card slot 15 and the GPIO (n) terminal of the chipset 12 as described above. Therefore, the chip set 12 can determine whether or not the return from the power saving state to the normal operation state is due to the insertion of the SD card by monitoring the logic level of the GPIO (n) terminal. . The chip set 12 sets the return determination flag (see FIG. 7) of the return determination register to “1” when the return from the power saving state to the normal operation state is due to the insertion of the SD card; 0 ”. The return determination register is used for recognizing a factor when the computer returns from the power saving state.

As described above, based on the action setting by the data capturing program, that is, based on the selection (second setting information) on whether to enable or disable the power-on when the SD card is inserted, the chipset 12 The GPIO (n) terminal control register (third setting information) is set. Therefore, depending on the setting of this control register, the return from the power saving state to the normal operation state by inserting the SD card is enabled or disabled.

(1-5) Computer Operation Next, the operation of the computer of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an action setting procedure in the data capture program. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the computer shifts from ACPI-S0 to any one of ACPI-S3 to S5. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure when the computer returns from the ACPI-S3 to S5 state to the ACPI-S0 state.

(A) Action Setting Setting Procedure in Data Acquisition Program As described above, the action setting in the data acquisition program is to select whether to enable or disable the power-on when the SD card is inserted, and to turn the power on This is a setting related to the selection of an action to be performed when is enabled.
The procedure shown in FIG. 8 is performed in advance when the computer is in a normal operation state. First, the user activates an action setting process for a data capture program that is a resident program (step S10). The setting screen on the computer display in the action setting process is, for example, as shown in FIG. Through this setting screen, the user selects whether to enable or disable power-on, and the action when power-on is enabled (step S12). After the action setting data is generated according to the user's selection, the action setting process of the data fetch program ends (step S14). When the action setting process ends, the data capture program stores the generated action setting data in the OS registry (step S16).

(B) Processing Procedure when Computer Moves from ACPI-S0 to ACPI-S3 to S5 Referring to FIG. 9, first, the user performs a predetermined operation on the computer to execute “ One of the power saving states of “sleep” (ACPI-S3), “hibernation” (ACPI-S4), or “shutdown” (ACPI-S5) is selected (step S20). The OS notifies each program that the power saving state has been selected (step S22). Next, the data capture program (resident program) refers to the action setting data stored in the registry of the OS (step S24). As a result, when the action setting (second setting information) indicates “power-on enabled” (Yes in step S26), the data capture program sets the BIOS GPI event reception setting to “enabled” via the virtual device driver. (Step S28). Accordingly, the control register (third setting information) of the GPIO (n) terminal of the chipset 12 is set by the BIOS to enable the return from the power saving state to the normal operation state by inserting the SD card. The
On the other hand, when the action setting data is referred to and the action setting indicates “power-on disabled” (No in step S26), the data capturing program sets the BIOS GPI event reception setting to “disabled” via the virtual device driver. (Step S29). Accordingly, the control register (third setting information) of the GPIO (n) terminal of the chipset 12 is set by the BIOS to invalidate the return from the power saving state to the normal operation state due to the insertion of the SD card. The
Next, the OS sets a value indicating the power saving state selected in step S20 in the power supply control register of the chipset 12 (step S30). That is, any one of the S3 flag, S4 flag, and S5 flag of the power control register is set to “1”, and the other flags are set to “0” (see FIG. 7).

After step S30, the computer shifts to the power saving state (any one of ACPI-S3 to S5) selected in step S20 (step S32). That is, the chip set 12 sends a power control signal corresponding to the value of the power control register set in step S30 to the power supply unit 14. Based on the power supply control signal from the chipset 12, the power supply unit 14 sets the power supply state for each unit in the computer to a state set in advance as ACPI-S3, S4, or S5.

(C) Processing procedure when computer returns to ACPI-S0 from ACPI-S3, S4 or S5 Referring to FIG. 10, when a user inserts an SD card into SD card slot 15, SD card slot 15 and chip The card detection signal of the signal line L15 connecting the set 12 becomes a low level. The chip set 12 detects that the level of the GPIO (n) terminal has changed from the high level to the low level, and recognizes that the user has inserted the SD card into the SD card slot 15 (step S40). In response to the level change of the GPIO (n) terminal, the chip set 12 sets the return determination flag (see FIG. 7) of the return determination register to “1”. Further, the chip set 12 rewrites the power control register so that only the value of the S0 flag indicates “1” and the values of the other flags all indicate “0”. The chip set 12 sends a power control signal corresponding to the rewritten power control register value to the power supply unit 14. Based on the power supply control signal from the chipset 12, the power supply unit 14 sets the power supply state for each unit in the computer to the normal operation state (ACPI-S0) (step S42).

Once the computer returns to the normal operation state (ACPI-S0), the computer can detect the insertion and removal of the SD card from the SD card slot 15 by the OS and the virtual device driver. Here, it is assumed that the return to the normal operation state (ACPI-S0) is due to factors other than the insertion of the SD card, such as a factor due to pressing of the power button or the occurrence of another GPI event. If the insertion has been performed, the activation of a preset application program becomes unexpected for the user and may cause a malfunction. Therefore, the BIOS preferably sets the GPI event reception setting to “invalid” until an application program described later is started (step S44). In accordance with this BIOS setting, the control register of the GPIO (n) terminal of the chip set 12 is set so as to invalidate the return from the power saving state to the normal operation state due to the insertion of the SD card.

Next, the BIOS checks the cause of the computer returning from the power saving state (step S46). Specifically, this factor check is performed by the BIOS referring to the value (first information) of the return determination flag in the return determination register of the chip set 12 (steps S46 and S48). As a result, if the return is not due to the insertion of the SD card (No in step S48), the normal return process is performed without performing the procedure after step S52 (step S50). If the recovery is due to the insertion of the SD card (Yes in step S48), the BIOS stacks data indicating the recovery factor (recovery due to the insertion of the SD card) in a memory (for example, the RAM 17) (step S52). The OS is restored (step S54). The OS notifies each program that it has returned (step S56).
In the BIOS, it is assumed that unique data indicating a return factor is defined for each return factor.

Next, the data fetching program resident in the RAM 17 is executed, and the action setting data stored in the OS registry is referred to (step S58). In the action setting (second setting information), “power on valid” Is set (step S60). If “power-on invalid” is set in the action setting, the normal recovery process is performed without performing the processes after step S62 (step S50). If the action setting is “power-on enabled”, the data fetching program inquires of the BIOS that the computer has returned from the power saving state via the virtual device driver (step S62). The BIOS that has received the inquiry refers to the data stacked in the memory in step S52 to determine whether or not the return is due to the insertion of the SD card (step S64). As a result, when it is determined that the return is not due to the insertion of the SD card, the normal return process is performed without performing the processes after step S66 (step S50). If it is determined that the return is due to the insertion of the SD card, the process proceeds to step S66.

In step S66, the data capture program refers to the action setting data (fourth setting information) again. Since it has already been found that “Power ON Enabled” is already set in the action setting, here, a specific action selection (in the example shown in this embodiment, the application programs P1 to P3 or “what” Refer to the selection of “No”. As a result, unless the action setting is “do nothing” (No in step S68), the program corresponding to the action set in the action setting (any one of the application programs P1 to P3) is started and executed ( Step S70). For example, when the application program P2 is executed, slide show automatic reproduction using the image data in the SD card inserted in step S40 is executed.

As described above, in the computer according to the present embodiment, the card detection signal (first signal) indicating that the SD card is inserted (SD card is newly received) is directly applied to a specific GPIO terminal of the chipset. Entered. When in the power saving state, the chipset controls the power supply unit based on this input, and returns the computer to the power supply state in the normal operation state. Furthermore, the data capture program stores action setting data describing a desired action to be performed at the time of return in the OS registry in advance. Then, at the time of return, the registry is referred to and a program corresponding to the action (any one of the application programs P1 to P3 in this embodiment) is activated. Therefore, according to the computer of the present embodiment, the recovery from the power saving state is triggered by accepting a recording medium such as an SD card in the power saving state, and a desired application program is started as a desired procedure. Can be made. The application program corresponding to the action is preferably a program that uses data in the receiving target recording medium, such as a slide show automatic reproduction using image data in an SD card as a recording medium.

(2) Second Embodiment Next, a computer according to a second embodiment will be described.
The computer of the present embodiment is intended for further power saving compared to the computer of the first embodiment. Specifically, in the computer of this embodiment, power supply to the SD card controller 16 in the power saving state is stopped.

(2-1) Hardware Configuration of Computer Hereinafter, the hardware configuration of the computer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a block diagram for explaining power control for each unit on the hardware in the computer according to the embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 11, in the computer of this embodiment, a switch 30 whose conduction state is controlled by a predetermined GPIO (m) terminal of the chipset 12 is provided. The switch 30 is provided on a power supply line connecting the power supply unit 14 and the SD card controller 16.
When the computer shifts from the normal operation state (ACPI-S0) to the power saving state (ACPI-S4 or S5 in this embodiment), the chipset 12 changes the logic level of the GPIO (m) terminal, and this level change In response to this, the switch 30 is turned off. Thereby, in the power saving state (ACPI-S4 or S5) of the computer, the power supply to the SD card controller 16 is stopped. Conversely, when the computer shifts from the power saving state (ACPI-S4 or S5) to the normal operation state (ACPI-S0), the chipset 12 changes the logic level of the GPIO (m) terminal and responds to this level change. Thus, the switch 30 becomes conductive. Thereby, the power supply to the SD card controller 16 is resumed.

Therefore, in the computer according to the present embodiment, unlike the first embodiment, since power supply to the SD card controller 16 in the power saving state (ACPI-S4 or S5) is stopped, further power saving is realized. become. Note that power is supplied to the switch 30 even in the power saving state of the computer, but the power consumption is very small.

(2-2) Computer Operation Next, a processing procedure when the computer according to the present embodiment shifts from ACPI-S0 to ACPI-S4 or S5 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

Referring to FIG. 12, first, when the user performs a predetermined operation specified in advance by the computer, “Hibernate” (ACPI-S4) or “Shutdown” (ACPI-S5) is selected on the OS (Step S1). S80). The OS notifies each program that “Hibernate” or “Shutdown” has been selected (step S82). Next, the data fetch program (resident program) refers to the action setting data stored in the registry of the OS (step S84). As a result, when the action setting indicates “power-on enabled” (Yes in step S86), the data capturing program sets the BIOS GPI event reception setting to “enabled” via the virtual device driver (step S88). Accordingly, the control register of the GPIO (n) terminal of the chip set 12 is set by the BIOS to enable the return from the power saving state to the normal operation state due to the insertion of the SD card.
On the other hand, when the action setting data is referred to and the action setting indicates “power-on disabled” (No in step S86), the data capture program sets the BIOS GPI event reception setting to “disabled” via the virtual device driver. (Step S89). Accordingly, the control register of the GPIO (n) terminal of the chipset 12 is set by the BIOS so as to invalidate the return from the power saving state to the normal operation state due to the insertion of the SD card.

Next, the OS tries to set the value indicating “sleep state” or “shutdown” selected in step S80 in the power control register of the chipset 12 (step S90).
However, in the present embodiment, if the transition process to the ACPI-S4 or S5 state is performed by the OS, the control to the switch 30 described above is not performed, and thus the transition process by the OS needs to be suppressed. . Therefore, the BIOS traps a value (a value indicating “hibernation” or “shutdown”) that the OS tries to set in the power control register of the chipset 12 and stacks it in a memory (for example, the RAM 17) (step S92). ). During the stacking, the BIOS changes the logic level of the GPIO (m) terminal for controlling the switch 30 (step S94). As a result, the terminal switch 30 is turned off.

Thereafter, the BIOS calls the value (setting value) stacked in the memory and sets it in the power control register of the chipset 12 (step S96). That is, in the procedure of the present embodiment, the BIOS emulates the transition process to the ACPI-S4 or S5 state by the OS. In the setting of the power supply control register, in the case of “pause state” (ACPI-S4), only the S4 flag of the power supply control register is set to “1”, and the other flags are set to “0”. In the case of “shutdown” (ACPI-S5), only the S5 flag of the power control register is set to “1”, and the other flags are set to “0” (see FIG. 7). When the power supply control register is set, the power supply state of the computer shifts to “sleep state” (ACPI-S4) or “shutdown” (ACPI-S5) (step S98). That is, the chip set 12 sends a power control signal corresponding to the value of the power control register set in step S96 to the power supply unit 14. Based on the power supply control signal from the chipset 12, the power supply unit 14 sets the power supply state for each unit in the computer to a state preset as ACPI-S4 or S5.

The above is the processing procedure when shifting from ACPI-S0 to ACPI-S4 or S5.
In the present embodiment, it is preferable not to stop the power supply to the SD card controller 16 when shifting from the ACPI-S0 to the ACPI-S3 state. That is, the procedure for shifting from ACPI-S0 to ACPI-S3 is preferably the same as that described in FIG. This is to shorten the return period from the ACPI-S3 state to the ACPI-S0 state and to stabilize the operation when the device driver of the SD card controller 16 returns.

Further, in the computer of this embodiment, the processing procedure when the computer returns from the ACPI-S3, S4 or S5 to the ACPI-S0 state is the same as that shown in FIG. Absent.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. However, the information processing apparatus and the information processing method of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Of course, changes may be made.

For example, as shown in FIG. 13, a card detection signal (high level when an SD card is not inserted, low level when an SD card is inserted), and a wakeup signal (Wakeup: power supply) associated with pressing of a power button A logic circuit 32 (OR circuit) that inputs a high level when on and a low level when power is off may be provided. The output of the logic circuit 32 is connected to the GPIO (n) terminal. With such a configuration, the GPIO (n) terminal is at a low level only when an SD card is inserted and the power button is not pressed. Thereby, in the situation where the SD card is inserted at the same time as the power button is pressed, the possibility of software malfunction can be reduced. Note that a logic circuit (not limited to the OR circuit) for connecting to the GPIO (n) terminal can be configured based on the card detection signal and the power activation request signal other than the wake-up signal.

Claims

An information processing apparatus capable of receiving a recording medium from outside,
A recording medium receiving unit for generating a first signal indicating whether or not the recording medium is received;
A power supply unit that operates in a power control mode including a first mode that supplies power to each unit of the information processing device and a second mode that limits power supply more than the first mode;
A plurality of terminals for activating the information processing apparatus, a first terminal of which is assigned for the first signal, and the first signal when the power control mode is the second mode; A power control unit that controls the power supply unit to shift the power control mode from the second mode to the first mode when it is determined that the recording medium is newly received based on
An execution unit that executes a predetermined procedure according to preset first setting information when the power supply control mode shifts from the second mode to the first mode due to newly receiving a recording medium;
An information processing apparatus comprising:
It has a basic input / output system,
The basic input / output system acquires, from the power control unit, first information as to whether or not the transition from the second mode to the first mode of the power control mode is due to a new acceptance of the recording medium,
The execution unit executes the predetermined procedure with reference to the first information from a basic input / output system;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
After the power supply control mode shifts from the second mode to the first mode due to the newly received recording medium, the power supply control unit completes the execution of the predetermined procedure until the execution unit completes the execution of the predetermined procedure. Prohibiting activation of the information processing device based on an input to the first terminal;
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2.
It has a basic input / output system,
The first setting information is a second information on whether or not to enable the transition from the second mode to the first mode of the power control mode caused by newly accepting the recording medium according to the user's selection. Configuration information,
The basic input / output system acquires the second setting information from the first setting information.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
The power control unit includes third setting information as to whether or not to enable transition from the second mode to the first mode of the power control mode based on the first signal,
The basic input / output system sets the third setting information of the power control unit according to the second setting information.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.
A recording medium control unit having a data interface function between the recording medium and the power control unit, and power supply to the recording medium control unit is stopped while the power control mode is the second mode;
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
The first setting information of the execution unit includes fourth setting information about a selection result by a user of an application program executed in the predetermined procedure from among a plurality of application programs.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6.
The fourth setting information is stored in advance in the operating system;
When it is determined that the power control mode has shifted from the second mode to the first mode due to the input of the first signal, the execution unit refers to the operating system and the application program related to the fourth setting information Run the
The information processing apparatus according to claim 7.
Information processing capable of receiving a recording medium from the outside and operating in a power control mode including a first mode in which power is supplied to each unit of the information processing apparatus and a second mode in which power supply is restricted more than in the first mode An information processing method in an apparatus,
Generating a first signal indicating whether or not the recording medium is accepted;
When the power control mode is the second mode, the power control unit of the information processing device performs recording based on the first signal input to the first terminal among the plurality of terminals for starting the information processing device. If it is determined that the medium has been newly received, the power control mode is changed from the second mode to the first mode,
When the power supply control mode shifts from the second mode to the first mode due to the new reception of the recording medium by the program of the information processing apparatus, a predetermined procedure is executed according to preset first setting information ,
Information processing method.
For the program to execute a predetermined procedure,
The basic input / output system of the information processing apparatus receives first information as to whether or not the transition from the second mode of the power control mode to the first mode is due to a new acceptance of the recording medium, the power control unit Get from
The program executes the predetermined procedure with reference to the first information from the basic input / output system;
An information processing method according to claim 9, comprising:
After the power supply control mode shifts from the second mode to the first mode due to the new acceptance of the recording medium, the input to the first terminal until the program completes the execution of the predetermined procedure. Prohibiting activation of information processing devices based on
The information processing method according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising:
Second setting information as to whether or not to enable the transition from the second mode to the first mode of the power control mode caused by the program receiving a new recording medium according to the user's selection. Browse and
The basic input / output system of the information processing apparatus acquires the second setting information from the program;
The information processing method according to claim 9, further comprising:
Third setting information about whether or not the basic input / output system validates the transition from the second mode to the first mode of the power control mode based on the first signal according to the second setting information. Setting,
The information processing method according to claim 12, further comprising:
While the power control mode is the second mode, power supply to the recording medium control unit having a data interface function between the recording medium and the power control unit in the information processing apparatus is stopped.
The information processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, further comprising:
The program refers to fourth setting information about a selection result by a user of an application program executed in the predetermined procedure from a plurality of application programs;
The information processing method according to any one of claims 9 to 14, further comprising:
The program stores the selection result of the application program in advance in the operating system of the information processing apparatus, and refers to the application program related to the selection result in the operating system when executing the predetermined procedure; including,
The information processing method according to claim 15.