Information processing apparatus and information processing method

Abstract

The information processing device includes at least: an arithmetic processing circuit capable of switching between an active state consuming power and a non-power-consuming state; an event detection module for detecting a first event that causes the arithmetic processing circuit to transition from the non-power-consuming state to the active state; a power separation circuit for separating the power supply of the arithmetic processing circuit from the power supply of the event detection module in the non-power-consuming state; and a separation release circuit for releasing the separation performed by the power separation circuit in the active state.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This technology relates to information processing devices (such as Internet of Things (IoT) devices) that require energy saving, as well as information processing methods. Background Technology

[0002] Systems that use Internet of Things (IoT) devices to collect and manage the state (such as environment, motion, and location) of monitored objects via a network have been discussed. Battery-powered IoT devices are required when it is desirable to acquire the state of monitored objects that exist in a distributed manner. Therefore, it is desirable to achieve power saving in IoT devices. The mainstream technology enabling power saving in IoT devices is to appropriately keep the system CPU in standby mode and, as needed, switch the system CPU from standby to active mode (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] Citation List

[0004] Patent documents

[0005] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 08-087361 Summary of the Invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] However, even when in standby mode, the CPU still needs to perform minimal necessary processing to trigger the transition from standby to active state. Therefore, the system CPU consumes power even in standby mode. This makes it difficult to extend the battery life of battery-powered IoT devices.

[0008] Therefore, the purpose of this technology is to provide an information processing device with stronger power-saving capabilities.

[0009] Solution to the problem

[0010] To address the aforementioned problems, an information processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present technology includes: an arithmetic processing circuit whose state is at least switchable between an active state consuming power and a non-power-consuming state not consuming power; an event detection module that detects a first event for transferring the state of the arithmetic processing circuit from the non-power-consuming state to the active state; a power separation circuit that separates the power supply of the event detection module from the power supply of the arithmetic processing circuit in the non-power-consuming state; and a separation release circuit that releases the separation performed by the power separation circuit in the active state.

[0011] The information processing apparatus according to embodiments of the present technology can be configured such that when the event detection module detects a first event, the arithmetic processing circuit is activated, and the separation release circuit releases the separation performed by the power separation circuit.

[0012] In the information processing apparatus according to embodiments of the present technology, the event detection module may be a communication module for communicating with a network, and the event detection module may be configured to determine a request received from the network side as a first event, the request being a request for data generated by the arithmetic processing circuit or a request to obtain external data on the network.

[0013] The communication module can at least maintain the setting information for communication set by the arithmetic processing circuit, as well as the variable information that changes dynamically in the communication module, and the communication module can be configured to provide the setting information and variable information to the arithmetic processing circuit when the state of the arithmetic processing circuit changes from a non-powered state to an active state.

[0014] The event detection module may include sensors that detect motion and may be configured to identify motion exhibiting a value greater than a specified value as a first event.

[0015] The event detection module can be configured to identify user actions on a switch as the first event.

[0016] The event detection module can be configured to identify a timer interrupt as the first event.

[0017] The event detection module can be configured to detect a second event that transitions the state of the arithmetic processing circuit to a non-powered state, and the decoupling circuit can be configured to decouple the power supply of the event detection module from the power supply of the arithmetic processing circuit when the second event is detected.

[0018] When the arithmetic processing circuit is in a non-powered state, the communication module can be configured such that when the communication module cannot resume operation on its own, the communication module causes the arithmetic processing circuit to transition to an active state and is restarted under the control of the arithmetic processing circuit.

[0019] The arithmetic processing circuit can be configured to determine the type of a first event that has occurred and to perform processing corresponding to the determined type of the first event.

[0020] The information processing method according to another embodiment of the present technology includes: in a non-powered state where no power is consumed, separating the power supply of an event detection module from the power supply of an arithmetic processing circuit, the arithmetic processing circuit being a circuit whose state can switch at least between a power-consuming active state and a non-powered state; the event detection module detecting a first event for transferring the state of the arithmetic processing circuit from the non-powered state to the active state; and, when the event detection module detects the first event, turning on the arithmetic processing circuit, transferring the state of the arithmetic processing circuit to the active state, and releasing the separation. Attached Figure Description

[0021] [Figure 1 This shows the changes in the state of the system CPU included in an IoT device with a typical configuration.

[0022] [ Figure 2 This illustrates the changes in the state of the system CPU included in an IoT device according to the present technology.

[0023] [ Figure 3 [Illustration 1] is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of an IoT device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present technology.

[0024] [ Figure 4 [This is a flowchart illustrating the process of transitioning from an active state to a deep sleep state.]

[0025] [ Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the operations performed when transitioning from a deep sleep state to an active state in response to data detected by a sensor.

[0026] [ Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the operations performed when transitioning from a deep sleep state to an active state in response to a data transmission / reception request from the communication module 16.

[0027] [ Figure 7 This shows an example of a UI screen displaying a user's movement history on an external device's display.

[0028] [ Figure 8 This is an example of a UI screen that indicates the status of the system CPU.

[0029] [ Figure 9 This shows an example of a UI screen that indicates the user's movement status.

[0030] [ Figure 10 This is an example of a UI screen that indicates the status of the system CPU and the user's movement status. Detailed Implementation

[0031] Embodiments according to this technology will now be described.

[0032] <First Embodiment>

[0033] In this embodiment, the technology is applied to an IoT device.

[0034] [Summary of the IoT device in this embodiment]

[0035] There is a demand for IoT devices that can achieve long battery life (such as several years) while ensuring powerful processing capabilities. On the other hand, there is a need for mobile, portable IoT devices that monitor and observe moving objects. The installation of large-capacity batteries to extend the battery life of such portable IoT devices makes it difficult to miniaturize and lighten their size. Figure 1 As shown, IoT devices with typical configurations enter a standby state when computational processing performed by circuitry such as the system CPU becomes unnecessary (e.g., when the system CPU's task is completed), resulting in reduced power consumption of the system CPU. However, even in standby mode, the system CPU still consumes a minimum amount of power (standby power) required to perform operations that monitor for events that would cause the system CPU to transition from standby to active mode (such as motion detection performed by the IoT device or receiving data transmission / reception requests from the network side). This standby power consumption is a barrier to achieving long battery life.

[0036] like Figure 2 As shown, the IoT device of this embodiment is configured to allow the system CPU to switch between a power-consuming active state and a deep sleep state, which is a power-free, non-power-consuming state. In the IoT device of this embodiment, the occurrence of a first event indicating the necessity for the system CPU to transition from a deep sleep state to an active state is detected by an event detection module, such as a sensor or communication module. When the event detection module detects the occurrence of the first event while the system CPU is in a deep sleep state, it activates a data request signal connected to the system CPU via a connection pin. The data request signal is also connected to a power IC via a gate circuit through the connection pin, and when the data request signal is activated, the power IC uses its internal power-on logic to turn on the power supply to the system CPU. This causes the system CPU to enter an active state. As described above, the IoT device of this embodiment enables the system CPU to switch between an active state and a deep sleep state. In the deep sleep state, since the system CPU is in a powered-off state, no power consumption occurs. This results in a further extension of the IoT device's battery life.

[0037] Furthermore, in the case of the IoT device in this embodiment, the system CPU is off in deep sleep mode, but event detection modules such as sensors and communication modules are on. Therefore, when the system CPU and event detection modules are directly connected to each other via connection pins, bias voltage from the event detection modules (such as sensors or communication modules) will be applied to the system CPU in deep sleep mode. This may cause CPU interruption and unnecessary current (energy) to flow out of the event detection modules. To address this issue, power disconnection logic is inserted between the various connection pins of the system CPU and the event detection modules. The power disconnection logic is configured to disconnect the connection pins of the event detection modules from the connection pins of the system CPU in deep sleep mode, and to reconnect the connection pins of the event detection modules to the system CPU in active mode.

[0038] [Configuration of IoT Device 1 in this embodiment]

[0039] The configuration and operation of the IoT device 1 in this embodiment will be described in more detail below.

[0040] Figure 3 This is a block diagram illustrating the hardware configuration of an IoT device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present technology. The IoT device 1 detects the state (such as environment, motion, and location) of a monitored object and uploads the detected state to an external device via a network. The external device can store the data uploaded by the IoT device 1 and verify the state of the monitored object.

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown, the IoT device 1 includes a system CPU 11, a memory 12, a peripheral module 13, a power integrated circuit (IC) 14, a sensor 15, a communication module 16, a first power separation module 17A, a second power separation module 17B, a system switch 18, and a gate circuit 19.

[0042] The system CPU 11 controls the various parts included in the IoT device 1 and performs various computational processes, such as data processing corresponding to detected events.

[0043] The memory 12 stores, for example, the programs required for the operation of the system CPU 11, and provides a working area for the operations performed by the system CPU 11.

[0044] Peripheral module 13 is a variety of devices used by connecting to system CPU 11, and examples of peripheral module 13 include a reader / writer for a storage device in which data is stored, and an interface for other devices (such as a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver).

[0045] Sensor 15 is a detector used to detect the state (such as environment, motion, and position) of a monitored object, and examples of sensor 15 include gyroscopes, accelerometers, temperature sensors, humidity sensors, and pressure sensors.

[0046] When the system CPU 11 is in a deep sleep state, the sensor 15 is also turned on and can continuously detect the status of the monitored object. The sensor 15 includes the following circuitry: when the sensor 15 detects an event, such as motion or temperature, that exceeds a threshold, the circuitry activates a first data request signal connected to the system CPU 11 via a connection pin.

[0047] Communication module 16 is used to enable IoT device 1 to communicate with other devices via a network. Communication module 16 is also activated when system CPU 11 is in deep sleep. Communication module 16 includes circuitry that activates a second data request signal connected to system CPU 11 via a connection pin when communication module 16 receives a request from the network side for data generated by system CPU 11, or when communication module 16 receives a request to obtain external data from the network.

[0048] Furthermore, the communication module 16 maintains the communication settings set by the system CPU 11. The communication module 16 is configured to synchronize the states of the system CPU 11 and the communication module 16 by reporting the communication settings and its own dynamically changing variable information to the system CPU 11, which has restarted from deep sleep and entered an active state.

[0049] System switch 18 is a switch operated by the user. When it is desired to switch the state of the system CPU 11 from the power-off state or standby state to the active state, the user performs the operation of switching the state of system switch 18 from the on state to the off state.

[0050] Gate circuit 19 is a circuit that uses logic AND to process events and report a first event occurrence signal to power IC 14, wherein the events are the event of the state of system switch 18 changing from the on state to the off state, the event of the first data request signal from sensor 15 to system CPU 11 becoming active, and the event of the second data request signal from communication module 16 to system CPU 11 becoming active.

[0051] The power supply IC 14 is a circuit that supplies operating power to each component included in the IoT device 1. The power supply IC 14 can generate operating power using a battery or from an external power source. When the system CPU 11 is in a deep sleep state, and a first event occurrence signal from gate circuit 19 is input to the power supply IC 14, the power supply IC 14 performs control to turn on the power supply to the system CPU 11 in order to transition the system CPU 11 to an active state.

[0052] Furthermore, when the system CPU 11 is in a deep sleep state, and the first event signal from the gate circuit 19 is input to the power IC 14, the power IC 14 outputs corresponding power separation control signals to the first power separation module 17A and the second power separation module 17B, respectively, to release the connection pin of the sensor 15 executed by the first power separation module 17A from the connection pin of the system CPU 11, and to release the connection pin of the communication module 16 executed by the second power separation module 17B from the connection pin of the system CPU 11.

[0053] The first power separation module 17A is disposed between the connection pins of the system CPU 11 and the sensor 15. The first power separation module 17A is configured to disconnect the connection pins of the sensor 15 from the corresponding connection pins of the CPU 11 when the system CPU 11 is in a deep sleep state; and to reconnect the corresponding connection pins of the system CPU 11 and the sensor 15 to release the disconnection when the system CPU 11 is in an active state or a standby state.

[0054] The second power separation module 17B is arranged between the connection pins of the system CPU 11 and the communication module 16. The second power separation module 17B is configured to disconnect the connection pins of the communication module 16 from the corresponding connection pins of the system CPU 11 when the system CPU 11 is in a deep sleep state; and to reconnect the corresponding connection pins of the system CPU 11 and the communication module 16 to release the disconnection when the system CPU 11 is in an active state or a standby state.

[0055] The connection / disconnection status of each of the power disconnection modules 17A and 17B is controlled according to instructions given by the system CPU 11, based on the power disconnection control signal generated by the power-on logic 14a included in the electrical IC 14.

[0056] [Operation of IoT Device 1]

[0057] Next, the operation of IoT device 1 will be described in the following order.

[0058] 1. Shifting from an active state to a deep sleep state

[0059] 2. In response to data detected by sensor 15, the device transitions from a deep sleep state to an active state.

[0060] 3. In response to a data reception request from communication module 16, transition from deep sleep state to active state.

[0061] [The process of transitioning from an active state to a deep sleep state]

[0062] Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating the process of transitioning from an active state to a deep sleep state.

[0063] Assume that system CPU 11 is currently active. In the active state, each of power disconnect modules 17A and 17B is deconnected. In other words, the corresponding connection pins of system CPU 11 and sensor 15 are interconnected, and the corresponding connection pins of system CPU 11 and communication module 16 are also interconnected.

[0064] When the specified conditions for transitioning to deep sleep are met (second event), i.e., when it is determined based on the output of sensor 15 that the IoT device 1 has no movement, no tasks are executed, and no tasks are scheduled to be executed within a specified time period ("Yes" in step S101), the system CPU instructs the power IC 14 to cause the power separation modules 17A and 17B to perform the corresponding power separation (step S102), and instructs the power IC 14 to turn off the power supply to the system CPU 11 (step S103). Therefore, sensor 15 and communication module 16 remain on, and the system CPU 11 is turned off (step S103). This results in the completion of the transition to deep sleep.

[0065] [The operation of transitioning from deep sleep to active state in response to data detected by sensor 15]

[0066] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating the operations performed when transitioning from a deep sleep state to an active state in response to data detected by sensor 15.

[0067] When, for example, the sensor 15 detects a movement that exceeds a threshold value due to the user carrying the IoT device 1 starting to move ("Yes" in step S201), the sensor 15 activates a first data request signal connected to the system CPU 11 via a connection pin (step S202).

[0068] When the first data request signal is activated, a first event signal from gate circuit 19 to power supply IC 14 is activated, and in response, power supply IC 14 turns on power to system CPU 11 (step S203). Therefore, system CPU 11 starts booting. After booting, system CPU 11 instructs power supply IC 14 to de-disconnect power supply modules 17A and 17B (step S204). In response to receiving the de-disconnect instruction, power supply IC 14 outputs corresponding power de-disconnect control signals to power de-disconnect modules 17A and 17B. Therefore, the de-disconnection of sensor 15's connection pin from system CPU 11, executed by the first power de-disconnection module 17A, and the de-disconnection of communication module 16's connection pin from system CPU 11, executed by the second power de-disconnection module 17B, are both released. This results in a transition to the active state.

[0069] When the system CPU 11 enters an active state, the system CPU 11 checks the initiation factor. In this operational example, for example, from the fact that the first data request signal is activated and the state is read from the sensor 15, the system CPU 11 can identify the data detected by the sensor 15 (i.e., the user's movement) as the initiation factor (step S205).

[0070] When the system CPU 11 identifies the user's movement as a triggering factor, the system CPU 11 performs event processing corresponding to the triggering factor, such as starting location measurement, for example, using GPS, and storing the location data in, for example, memory 12 (step S206).

[0071] [Operation to transition from deep sleep state to active state in response to a data transmission / reception request from communication module 16]

[0072] Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating the operations performed when transitioning from a deep sleep state to an active state in response to a data transmission / reception request from the communication module 16.

[0073] When the communication module 16 receives a request from the network side for data generated by the system CPU 11 (step S301), or when the communication module 16 receives a request to obtain external data on the network, the communication module 16 activates a second data request signal connected to the system CPU 11 via a connection pin (step S302).

[0074] When the second data request signal is activated, a first event signal from gate circuit 19 to power supply IC 14 is activated, and in response, power supply IC 14 turns on power to system CPU 11 (step S303). Therefore, system CPU 11 starts booting. After booting, system CPU 11 instructs power supply IC 14 to de-disconnect power supply modules 17A and 17B (step S304). In response to receiving the de-disconnect instruction, power supply IC 14 outputs corresponding power de-disconnect control signals to power de-disconnect modules 17A and 17B. Therefore, the de-disconnection of sensor 15's connection pin from system CPU 11, executed by the first power de-disconnection module 17A, and the de-disconnection of communication module 16's connection pin from system CPU 11, executed by the second power de-disconnection module 17B, are both released. This results in a transition to the active state.

[0075] When the system CPU 11 enters an active state, the system CPU 11 checks the initiation factors. In this operational example, for example, from the fact that the second data request signal is activated and the status is read from the communication module, the system CPU 11 can identify the data send / receive request from the communication module 16 as the initiation factor (step S305).

[0076] When the system CPU 11 recognizes a data transmission / reception request from the communication module 16 as a triggering factor, the system CPU 11 performs event processing corresponding to the triggering factor, such as performing a process of using the communication module 16 to send the latest GPS positioning data update stored in, for example, memory 12 to an external device (step S306).

[0077] By storing GPS location data in response to event processing performed in response to the user's movement, and by updating the GPS location data to an external device or the cloud in response to a data transmission / reception request from the communication module 16, the user's movement history carrying the IoT device 1 can be collected in an external device.

[0078] Here, various information terminals, including those with display functions (such as smartphones, tablets, personal computers, and dedicated information processing terminals), can be used as external devices.

[0079] Figures 7 to 10 This shows an example of a UI screen displaying a user's movement history on an external device's display.

[0080] On the UI screen, user markers M1 and M2, each indicating the location of the user carrying IoT device 1, are placed on map 21. The locations of user markers M1 and M2 on map 21 are calculated separately based on the most recent GPS location data sent from IoT device 1. The UI screen is configured with differences in how user markers M1 and M2 are displayed, allowing users of external devices to easily determine whether each user's IoT device 1 is in a deep sleep state or an active state, for example, as... Figure 7 and Figure 8 As shown. For example, as Figure 8 As shown, there are methods for setting differences between user markers M1 and M2, for example, in terms of display transparency.

[0081] When IoT device 1 enters a deep sleep state, it sends data to report that it is about to enter a deep sleep state. External devices or the cloud can determine whether IoT device 1 is in a deep sleep state based on the transmitted data.

[0082] In addition, the UI screen can display whether the user is moving, for example, Figure 9 As shown in area 22 for displaying detailed user information, the user's movement can be estimated based on the differences between multiple GPS location data continuously acquired from the IoT device 1 by an external device. Furthermore, the external device can determine, for example, the user's movement speed and mode of movement (walking / bicycle / car) based on the differences between multiple GPS location data continuously acquired from the IoT device 1, and the determined results can be reflected in the UI screen 23. Figure 9 The UI indicates that the two users are currently walking.

[0083] exist Figure 10 In the scenario, one user is walking, and their IoT device 1 is active; while another user is walking, but their IoT device 1 is in a deep sleep state. This is indicated by increased transparency.

[0084] As described above, this embodiment enables continuous monitoring of the triggers used to activate the system CPU 11 for the longest possible period of time, and the power consumption of the system CPU 11 can be suppressed to zero. This results in an IoT device 1 that provides stronger power-saving performance.

[0085] [Supplements and revisions]

[0086] In the above embodiment, the system CPU 11 transitions from a deep sleep state to an active state in response to motion detection performed by sensor 15 and a receive request from communication module 16. However, for example, the system CPU 11 may transition from a deep sleep state to an active state in response to a timer interrupt (i.e., a specified time period), and may perform data uploads, for example, from memory 12 to an external device or the cloud. In other words, in a deep sleep state, the system CPU 11 may detect a timer interrupt as a first event each time a timer interrupt occurs (i.e., each time a specified time period elapses). Then, the system CPU 11 may instruct the power IC 14 to turn on the power, and may allow the power IC 14 to release the separation performed by power separation modules 17A and 17B.

[0087] When the system CPU 11 is in a deep sleep state, the communication module 16 can be configured to transfer the state of the system CPU 11 to an active state and restart it under the control of the system CPU 11 when the communication module 16 is unable to resume operation on its own.

[0088] The embodiments of applying the information processing apparatus according to the present technology to IoT devices have been described above. However, the information processing apparatus according to the present technology is not limited to IoT devices. The information processing apparatus according to the present technology can be applied to various other devices, and is particularly useful for general devices that remain in standby mode for long periods of time.

[0089] For example, the information processing device according to this technology can be used as a device placed in public facilities such as stations and vending machines and used as a telephone terminal in emergency situations. It is also sufficient that such a telephone terminal is in a deep sleep state when not in use, and that the user can enter an active state by pressing, for example, a button for starting use or a dial button to use the terminal.

[0090] Furthermore, the information processing device according to this technology can be configured as an installed terminal, and its state can transition from a deep sleep state to an active state in response to access by a centralized management device via a network to perform modifications such as updating data. More specifically, this technology can be applied to a display device, for example, placed in a large electronics store and displaying, for example, a product price list. When the price of a product changes, the product price data is sent from the centralized management device via a network. In response to the display device receiving the price data, the display device transitions from a deep sleep state to an active state, and the display device displays a product price list including the updated price data.

[0091] Note that this technology can also be configured as follows.

[0092] (1) An information processing device, comprising:

[0093] The arithmetic processing circuit can switch between at least an active state that consumes power and a non-power-consuming state that does not consume power.

[0094] An event detection module detects a first event that transitions the state of the arithmetic processing circuit from the non-powered state to the active state.

[0095] A power separation circuit, in the non-powered state, separates the power supply of the event detection module from the power supply of the arithmetic processing circuit; and

[0096] The disconnection release circuit, in the active state, releases the disconnection performed by the power disconnection circuit.

[0097] (2) The information processing apparatus according to (1), wherein

[0098] The information processing device is configured such that when the event detection module detects the first event, the arithmetic processing circuit is activated, and the separation release circuit releases the separation performed by the power separation circuit.

[0099] (3) The information processing apparatus according to (1) or (2), wherein

[0100] The event detection module is a communication module used for communicating with the network, and

[0101] The event detection module is configured to identify a request received from the network side as the first event, wherein the request is a request for data generated by the arithmetic processing circuit or a request to obtain external data on the network.

[0102] (4) The information processing apparatus according to (3), wherein

[0103] The communication module maintains at least the setting information for communication set by the arithmetic processing circuit, as well as the variable information that dynamically changes within the communication module.

[0104] The communication module is configured to provide the setting information and the variable information to the arithmetic processing circuit when the state of the arithmetic processing circuit changes from the non-powered state to the active state.

[0105] (5) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein

[0106] The event detection module includes sensors, and

[0107] The event detection module is configured to determine the occurrence of the first event based on the value of the detection performed by the sensor.

[0108] (6) The information processing apparatus according to (5), wherein

[0109] The sensor is a motion-detecting sensor and is configured to determine the first event as the detection of motion exhibiting a value greater than a specified value.

[0110] (7) The information processing apparatus according to (5), wherein

[0111] The sensor is a temperature sensor and is configured to determine the first event as the detection of a temperature that exhibits a value greater than a specified value.

[0112] (8) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein

[0113] The event detection module is configured to identify the user's operation on the switch as the first event.

[0114] (9) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein

[0115] The event detection module is configured to identify a timer interrupt as the first event.

[0116] (10) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (9), wherein

[0117] The event detection module is configured to detect a second event that transitions the state of the arithmetic processing circuit to the non-powered state, and

[0118] The separation release circuit is configured to separate the power supply of the event detection module from the power supply of the arithmetic processing circuit when the second event is detected.

[0119] (11) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein

[0120] When the computing circuit is in a non-powered state, the communication module is configured such that when the communication module cannot resume operation on its own, the communication module causes the computing circuit to transition to an active state and is restarted under the control of the computing circuit.

[0121] (12) The information processing apparatus according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein

[0122] The arithmetic processing circuit is configured to determine the type of a first event that has occurred and to perform processing corresponding to the determined type of the first event.

[0123] (13) Information processing methods, including:

[0124] In a non-powered state, where no power is consumed, the power supply to the event detection module is separated from the power supply to the processing circuit, which is a circuit whose state can switch between at least a power-consuming active state and the non-powered state. The event detection module detects a first event that transitions the state of the processing circuit from the non-powered state to the active state; and

[0125] When the event detection module detects the first event, it activates the arithmetic processing circuit, causing the state of the arithmetic processing circuit to transition to the active state and then decouples it.

[0126] (14) According to the information processing method described in (13), wherein

[0127] The event detection module is a communication module used for communicating with the network, and

[0128] The event detection module will identify the request received from the network side as the first event. The request is either a request for data generated by the arithmetic processing circuit or a request to obtain external data on the network.

[0129] (15) According to the information processing method described in (13), wherein

[0130] The communication module maintains at least the setting information for communication set by the arithmetic processing circuit, as well as the variable information that dynamically changes within the communication module.

[0131] When the state of the arithmetic processing circuit changes from the non-powered state to the active state, the communication module provides the setting information and the variable information to the arithmetic processing circuit.

[0132] (16) The information processing method according to any one of (13) to (15), wherein

[0133] The event detection module includes a sensor and determines the occurrence of the first event based on the value detected by the sensor.

[0134] (17) According to the information processing method described in (16), wherein

[0135] The sensor is a motion sensor, and the detection of motion exhibiting a value greater than a specified value is determined as the first event.

[0136] (18) The information processing method according to (16), wherein

[0137] The sensor is a temperature sensor, and the detection of a temperature that exhibits a value greater than a specified value is determined as the first event.

[0138] (19) The information processing method according to any one of (13) to (18), wherein

[0139] The event detection module identifies the user's operation on the switch as the first event.

[0140] (20) The information processing method according to any one of (13) to (18), wherein

[0141] The event detection module identifies the timer interrupt as the first event.

[0142] (21) The information processing method according to any one of (13) to (20), wherein

[0143] The event detection module is configured to detect a second event that transitions the state of the arithmetic processing circuit to the non-powered state, and

[0144] When the second event is detected, the separation release circuit separates the power supply of the event detection module from the power supply of the arithmetic processing circuit.

[0145] (22) The information processing method according to any one of (13) to (21), wherein

[0146] When the computing circuit is in the non-powered state, and the communication module is unable to resume operation on its own, the communication module causes the computing circuit to switch to the active state, and the computing circuit restarts the communication module.

[0147] (23) The information processing method according to any one of (13) to (22), wherein

[0148] The arithmetic processing circuit determines the type of the first event that has occurred and performs processing corresponding to the determined type of the first event.

[0149] List of reference numerals

[0150] 1. Video System

[0151] 10-camera system

[0152] 11. Camera device

[0153] 12 Camera control unit

[0154] 13 Camera cables

[0155] 20 Video Converters

[0156] 30 Main transmission lines

[0157] 35 Output transmission line

[0158] 114 CPU

[0159] 121 Teleportation Department

[0160] 122 HDR Processing Unit

[0161] 123 SDR Processing Department

[0162] 124 CPU

[0163] 201 Reverse HDR Processing Department

[0164] 202 SDR Processing Department

[0165] 203 CPU

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus, comprising: The arithmetic processing circuit can switch between at least an active state that consumes power and a non-power-consuming state that does not consume power. An event detection module detects a first event that transitions the state of the arithmetic processing circuit from the non-powered state to the active state. A power separation circuit separates the power supply of the event detection module from the power supply of the arithmetic processing circuit in the non-powered state. and The disconnection release circuit, in the active state, releases the disconnection performed by the power disconnection circuit. The power separation circuit is inserted between the connection pins of the arithmetic processing circuit and the connection pins of the event detection module. It is configured to separate the connection pins of the event detection module from the connection pins of the arithmetic processing circuit in the non-powered state, and to connect the connection pins of the event detection module and the connection pins of the arithmetic processing circuit to each other when the separation is released by the separation release circuit. Specifically, in the non-powered state, the power supply to the arithmetic processing circuit is turned off, and in the active state, the power supply to the arithmetic processing circuit is turned on.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein... The information processing device is configured such that when the event detection module detects the first event, the arithmetic processing circuit is activated, and the separation release circuit releases the separation performed by the power separation circuit.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein... The event detection module is a communication module used for communicating with the network, and The event detection module is configured to identify a request received from the network side as the first event, wherein the request is a request for data generated by the arithmetic processing circuit or a request to obtain external data on the network.

4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein The communication module maintains at least the setting information for communication set by the arithmetic processing circuit, as well as the variable information that dynamically changes within the communication module. The communication module is configured to provide the setting information and the variable information to the arithmetic processing circuit when the state of the arithmetic processing circuit changes from the non-powered state to the active state.

5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein... The event detection module includes sensors, and The event detection module is configured to determine the occurrence of the first event based on the value of the detection performed by the sensor.

6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein The sensor is a motion-detecting sensor and is configured to determine the first event as the detection of motion exhibiting a value greater than a specified value.

7. The information processing apparatus according to claim 5, wherein... The sensor is a temperature sensor and is configured to determine the first event as the detection of a temperature that exhibits a value greater than a specified value.

8. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The event detection module is configured to identify the user's operation on the switch as the first event.

9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The event detection module is configured to identify a timer interrupt as the first event.

10. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The event detection module is configured to detect a second event that transitions the state of the arithmetic processing circuit to the non-powered state, and The separation release circuit is configured to separate the power supply of the event detection module from the power supply of the arithmetic processing circuit when the second event is detected.

11. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein When the computing circuit is in a non-powered state, the communication module is configured such that when the communication module cannot resume operation on its own, the communication module causes the computing circuit to transition to an active state and is restarted under the control of the computing circuit.

12. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The arithmetic processing circuit is configured to determine the type of a first event that has occurred and to perform processing corresponding to the determined type of the first event.

13. An information processing method, comprising: In a non-powered state where no power is consumed, the power supply of the event detection module is separated from the power supply of the arithmetic processing circuit by a power separation circuit. The arithmetic processing circuit is a circuit whose state can switch between at least a power-consuming active state and the non-powered state. The event detection module detects a first event for transferring the state of the arithmetic processing circuit from the non-powered state to the active state. and When the event detection module detects the first event, it activates the arithmetic processing circuit, causing the state of the arithmetic processing circuit to transition to the active state, and then deactivates it. The power separation circuit is inserted between the connection pins of the arithmetic processing circuit and the connection pins of the event detection module. It is configured to separate the connection pins of the event detection module from the connection pins of the arithmetic processing circuit in the non-powered state, and to connect the connection pins of the event detection module and the connection pins of the arithmetic processing circuit to each other when the separation is released by the separation release circuit. Specifically, in the non-powered state, the power supply to the arithmetic processing circuit is turned off, and in the active state, the power supply to the arithmetic processing circuit is turned on.

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