Information processing apparatus and control method

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing apparatus and a control method capable of increasing the opportunity of being usable when there is a surplus battery remaining power. The power supply circuit supplies power supplied from an external power supply or a battery to the computer system, and the computer system is capable of switching a system state between a normal state, a first low-power state in which power consumption is less than that of the normal state, and a second low-power state in which power consumption is less than that of the first low-power state. When the first low-power state is started, the computer system determines a set value at which the remaining power is reduced so that the value becomes larger as the remaining power of the battery becomes larger, and changes the system state to the second low-power state when the first low-power state continues until the amount of reduction in the remaining power reaches the set value when the first low-power state starts.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing device and a control method. Background Art

[0002] In recent years, the way information processing devices such as PCs (Personal Computers) are used has changed. For example, when workers perform work, they generally use PCs installed in the office. However, with the popularity of remote work and hybrid work, PCs are increasingly used in various places such as homes, rental offices, restaurants, and transportation. With this, the time periods for using PCs have become more diverse and are generally not limited to the prescribed working hours.

[0003] The information processing device is not limited to use in an environment where commercial power can be used, and sometimes consumes power previously stored in the battery. In order to maintain a state that can be used continuously for a long time, it is expected to reduce power consumption. On the other hand, sometimes two or more levels of low power states with lower power consumption than the normal working state are set in the information processing device. Generally speaking, the lower the power consumption of the system state, the longer it takes to recover to the normal working state. Therefore, sometimes two or more levels of low power states are used separately depending on which one is more important, the shortening of the recovery time or the reduction of power consumption.

[0004] For example, Patent Document 1 describes an information processing device that is supplied with power from a battery and, when the battery remaining power is in a low power state below a specified threshold, sets a portion of a memory to a low power consumption and unusable standby mode, and releases the standby mode of the memory when the battery remaining power is not in the low power state.

[0005] In Patent Document 2, the first sleep state is entered from the active state to the idle state. When the first sleep state is entered after the preset scheduled start time and before the scheduled end time of use, if the user's operation does not have the first idle time, the device is transferred to the second sleep state whose recovery time until the active state is longer than the first sleep state. When the first sleep state is entered after the scheduled end time of use and before the scheduled start time of use, if the user's operation does not have the second idle time shorter than the first idle time, the device is transferred to the second sleep state. For example, modern standby and hibernation are respectively used as the first sleep state and the second sleep state.

[0006] Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2015-49808

[0007] Patent Document 2: Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-220101

[0008] However, in the information processing devices described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, the transition conditions from modern standby to a state with extremely low power consumption such as hibernation are standardized. Although it is assumed that the user wants to use the information processing device, it is sometimes not immediately restored to the normal working state because it is in a state of extremely low power consumption. On the other hand, as the low power consumption of information processing devices develops, as long as there is a certain degree of battery remaining, the modern standby state with more power consumption than hibernation can be maintained for a long time. Or, even if the battery remaining is not fully charged, it is sometimes possible to maintain the activated state for a certain duration. Summary of the invention

[0009] The present application is completed to solve the above-mentioned problems. An information processing device involved in one method of the present application includes a computer system and a power supply circuit. The power supply circuit supplies power supplied from an external power supply or a battery to the computer system. The computer system can switch the system state between a normal state, a first low-power state and a second low-power state. The first low-power state is a state in which the power consumption is less than the normal state, and the second low-power state is a state in which the power consumption is less than the first low-power state. When the first low-power state is started, the computer system determines a set value for the remaining power reduction in such a way that the value becomes larger as the remaining power of the battery increases. When the first low-power state continues until the reduction in the remaining power from the start of the first low-power state reaches the set value, the system state is changed to the second low-power state.

[0010] The information processing device may be configured such that the computer system determines the setting value to be equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit value.

[0011] In the information processing device, the computer system may determine, as the set value, a larger one of a difference between the remaining power at the start of the first low power state and a predetermined target value and the lower limit value.

[0012] The information processing device may be configured such that, for the computer system, a target value is not less than 50% and not more than 70% of the capacity of the battery.

[0013] The information processing device may be configured such that the first low power state is modern standby, and the second low power state is sleep.

[0014] The information processing device may be configured such that, when power is supplied from an external power source, the power supply circuit stores the remaining power that is not consumed in the power in the battery, and, when power is not supplied from the external power source, supplies the power discharged from the battery to the computer system.

[0015] A control method involved in another embodiment of the present application is a control method for an information processing device, the information processing device comprising a computer system and a power supply circuit, the power supply circuit supplies power supplied from an external power supply or a battery to the computer system, the computer system can switch a system state between a normal state, a first low power state and a second low power state, the first low power state being a state in which power consumption is less than that of the normal state, and the second low power state being a state in which power consumption is less than that of the first low power state, in the control method, the information processing device executes: when starting the first low power state, a step of determining a set value for a remaining power reduction in such a manner that the value becomes larger as the remaining power of the battery increases; and a step of changing the system state to the second low power state by the information processing device when the first low power state continues until the reduction in the remaining power from the start of the first low power state reaches the set value.

[0016] According to the embodiments of the present application, the chance of being able to use the device immediately when there is enough remaining battery power can be increased. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Figure 1 This is an external view showing an external configuration example of an information processing device according to the present embodiment.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a schematic block diagram showing a hardware configuration example of the information processing device according to the present embodiment.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an information processing device according to the present embodiment.

[0020] Figure 4 This is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the standby budget and the system status.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a table illustrating standby budget setting values ​​according to the present embodiment.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the standby budget setting value and the remaining battery level according to the present embodiment.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of system state control according to the present embodiment.

[0024] Description of Reference Numerals

[0025] 1…information processing device; 10…system device; 11…processor; 12…main memory; 13…video subsystem; 14…display; 21…chip set; 22…BIOS memory; 23…storage device; 24…audio system; 25…WLAN card; 26…USB connector; 31…EC; 32…input device; 32k…keyboard; 32t…touch pad; 33…power supply circuit; 34…battery; 38…power button; 42o…insertion port; 44…cover sensor; 102, 104…frame; 108a, 108b…hinge; 110…main system; 114…event processing unit; 116…mode control unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] First, a hardware configuration example of an information processing device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the information processing device 1 is mainly a notebook PC (sometimes referred to as a "notebook PC" in the present application).

[0027] Figure 1 It is an external view showing an external configuration example of the information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0028] The information processing device 1 includes two frames 102 and 104. The frames 102 and 104 each have a horizontally long surface whose width is wider than the height, and a flat shape whose thickness is thinner than the height. One side surface of each of the frames 102 and 104 is arranged side by side in the width direction, and is engaged with each other using hinges 108a and 108b. One of the frames 102 and 104 is rotatably connected to the other around the rotation axis A. That is, the two frames 102 and 104 are opened and closed by making the angle formed by the surfaces of each of the frames 102 and 104 (hereinafter sometimes referred to as "opening angle") variable. An opening angle of 0° or an angle close to 0° (for example, 45° to 60° or less) corresponds to a state in which the frames 102 and 104 are closed. An opening angle that is sufficiently large (for example, an angle greater than 45° to 60°) corresponds to a state in which the frames 102 and 104 are opened. In a state in which no external force is applied to the frames 102 and 104, the opening angle is maintained constant.

[0029] The housing 102 is provided with a cover sensor 44 at a position away from the rotation axis A. The cover sensor 44 detects the open or closed state of the housings 102 and 104. Figure 1In the example, the cover sensor 44 has a magnetic sensor. In the frame 104, a permanent magnet 46 is provided at a position opposite to the cover sensor 44 when the frame 102 is closed. When the frames 102 and 104 are closed, the magnetic sensor is close to the permanent magnet, so a relatively strong magnetic field is detected. When the frames 102 and 104 are opened, the magnetic sensor is away from the permanent magnet, so the detected magnetic field becomes weaker. Therefore, the open and closed state of the frames 102 and 104 can be determined based on the strength of the detected magnetic field.

[0030] A keyboard 32k, a touch pad 32t, and a power button 38 are arranged on the surface of the housing 102. An insertion port (socket) 42o is provided on the side surface in the width direction of the housing 102. The insertion port 42o has a hollow portion into which the plug of the AC adapter 42 can be inserted, and the position of the plug is fixed in a state of contact with electrodes provided on the inner surface of the hollow portion by fitting with the inserted plug. DC power is supplied from the AC adapter 42 to the information processing device 1 via the plug inserted into the insertion port 42o.

[0031] AC adapter 42 is supplied with AC power from a commercial power source, and converts the supplied AC power into DC power having a constant voltage (for example, 3 V to 12 V).

[0032] Figure 2 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment. The information processing device 1 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, a video subsystem 13, a display 14, a chipset 21, a BIOS (Basic Input-Output System) memory 22, a storage device 23, an audio system 24, a WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) card 25, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector 26, an EC (Embedded Controller) 31, an input device 32, a power circuit 33, a battery 34, a power button 38, and a lid sensor 44.

[0033] The processor 11 executes calculations according to various instructions described in the program, and controls the operation of the entire information processing device 1. The processor 11 may include, for example, one or more CPUs (Central Processing Units).

[0034] The main memory 12 is a writable memory used as a read-in area for a program executed by the processor 11 or a work area for writing processing data of the execution program. The main memory 12 is configured to include, for example, one or more DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) chips. Programs include, for example, an OS (Operating System), a driver program for controlling the operation of peripheral devices, various services / utilities (sometimes referred to as "utilities" in this application), and application programs (sometimes referred to as "applications" in this application).

[0035] The processor 11, the main memory 12 and the chipset 21 constitute the main system 110 ( Figure 3 ) is the minimum hardware required to support the main system 110. In this application, the devices constituting the main system 110 are sometimes collectively referred to as "system devices 10". The main system 110 is a computer system that becomes the core of the information processing device 1. The processor 11 executes a specified program and cooperates with the main memory 12 and other hardware to realize the functions of the main system 110. In this application, "executing a program" or "execution of a program" includes the meaning of performing the processing indicated by the instructions described in the program.

[0036] The video subsystem 13 is a subsystem for realizing functions related to image display. The video subsystem 13 is configured to include a video controller (not shown). The video controller performs processing instructed by the rendering command input from the processor 11, and writes the display data obtained by the processing into a video memory (not shown) provided in the video controller. The video controller reads the display data written from the video memory, and outputs the read display data to the display 14.

[0037] The display 14 displays various display screens based on the display data input from the video subsystem 13. The display 14 may be any type of display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display.

[0038] The chipset 21 is connected to one or more peripheral devices to control the input and output of various data. The chipset 21 has various input and output interfaces to connect the devices corresponding to them. The chipset 21 has controllers corresponding to various input and output methods. For example, the chipset 21 has controllers related to any one or any combination of USB (Universal Serial Bus), Serial ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment), SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) bus, PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, PCI-Express bus and LPC (Low Pin Connect) bus. Figure 2 In the figure, as peripheral devices connected to the chipset 21, a BIOS memory 22, a storage device 23, an audio system 24, a WLAN card 25, a USB connector 26, and an EC 31 are exemplified.

[0039] System firmware such as BIOS is pre-stored in the BIOS memory 22. Firmware for controlling the operation of EC31 and other devices may also be stored in the BIOS memory 22. The BIOS memory 22 is configured to include a rewritable nonvolatile memory (e.g., EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), flash ROM, etc.).

[0040] The storage device 23 is an auxiliary storage device that stores various programs and data executed by the processor 11. The storage device 23 is configured to include a rewritable non-volatile memory. The storage device 23 may also be any one of an SSD (Solid State Drive) and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive).

[0041] The audio system 24 performs input, output, and recording of audio data. The audio system 24 includes a speaker and plays sound based on the audio data input to the system. The audio system 24 includes a microphone and collects the sound reaching the system and acquires audio data representing the collected sound.

[0042] The WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network, wireless LAN) card 25 is connected to a wireless LAN and performs data communication with other devices directly or indirectly connected to the wireless LAN. The wireless LAN can transmit and receive various data between devices according to a predetermined wireless communication method (for example, IEEE802.11).

[0043] The USB connector 26 is a connector for connecting to a peripheral device so as to enable data input and output in accordance with the USB (Universal Serial Bus) standard.

[0044] EC31 monitors the operating environment regardless of the system status of the main system, and monitors and controls the status of various devices (peripheral devices, sensors, etc.). EC31 has a processor, a memory, and an input / output terminal independently, and is configured as a microcomputer. EC31 uses the input / output terminal to connect input device 32, power circuit 33, power button 38, cover sensor 44, etc.

[0045] EC31 has a power management function and controls the operating state of the power circuit 33. EC31 controls the power circuit 33 based on the system state notified from the main system 110, for example. The system state that the main system 110 can adopt is, for example, a normal working state (sometimes referred to as an "activated state" or a "normal state" in this application) and two levels of low power states. The normal mode is the most active state (called the S0 state) among the multiple levels of system states specified by ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface). The low power state is a system state that consumes less power than the normal mode. In the low power state, the action or function of at least some devices (for example, the video subsystem 13 and the display 14) is stopped. In the low power state, the action or function of devices involved in the user interface, such as the audio system 24, the input device 32, etc., can also be stopped.

[0046] Two levels of low power states include modern standby and hibernation. Modern standby is an extended state of the S0 state, and can recover to normal mode more quickly than hibernation. Modern standby is sometimes also called the S0ix state. Hibernation is a system state that consumes less power than modern standby. Hibernation is a dormant state in which the power supply to the processor 11 and the main memory 12 is stopped and the operation of the main system 110 is stopped, which is equivalent to the S4 state specified by ACPI. In hibernation, the operation of more peripheral devices, such as all peripheral devices connected to the chipset 21, is stopped compared to modern standby. Modern standby and hibernation are examples of the first low power state and the second low power state, respectively.

[0047] The input device 32 receives the user's operation, generates an operation signal corresponding to the received operation, and outputs the generated operation signal to the EC 31. The input device 32 includes, for example, any one of the pointing devices such as a keyboard, a touch pad, a mouse, or any combination thereof. The EC 31 outputs the operation signal input from the input device 32 to the main system 110 via the chipset 21.

[0048] The power circuit 33 is supplied with DC power from an AC (Alternating Current) adapter (not shown) via the socket 42o or from the battery 34. The power circuit 33 converts the voltage of the supplied DC power into the voltage required for the operation of each device constituting the information processing device 1, and supplies the power having the converted voltage to the device of the supply destination. The power circuit 33 has a voltmeter for measuring the voltage of the power supplied from the AC adapter, and notifies the EC31 of the measured voltage as the supply voltage. EC31 determines whether the power from the AC adapter is supplied based on the supply voltage notified from the power circuit 33. EC31 can determine whether it is AC mode or DC mode based on whether the supply voltage notified from the power circuit 33 is above a predetermined supply voltage threshold. The AC mode is a power mode that mainly consumes the power supplied from the AC adapter. The DC mode is a power mode that mainly consumes the power discharged from the battery 34. EC31 notifies the main system 110 of the determined power mode via the chipset 21.

[0049] The power supply circuit 33 is configured to include, for example, a DC / DC (Direct Current) converter and a charge / discharge unit. The power supply circuit 33 controls whether power supply to each device of the information processing apparatus 1 is required according to the control from the EC 31. The power supply circuit 33 adjusts the supply amount of operating power to a predetermined device (for example, the processor 11) among the devices requiring power supply.

[0050] When power is supplied from the AC adapter, the charge-discharge unit supplies the remaining power that is not consumed by each device to the battery 34. When power is not supplied from the AC adapter 42, or when the power supplied from the AC adapter 42 is less than the required power, the charge-discharge unit supplies the power discharged from the battery 34 to each device via the DC / DC converter. The power supply circuit 33 determines the device to be operated based on the instruction from the EC31, and supplies the power required for the operation to the determined device.

[0051] In addition, the power circuit 33 is provided with a voltmeter for measuring the electromotive force of the battery 34, and the measured electromotive force is notified to the EC31 in a state where charging is not performed. Information indicating the relationship between the electromotive force and the remaining amount is preset in the EC31, and the amount of charge accumulated in the battery 34 is estimated as the remaining amount based on the electromotive force notified from the power circuit 33. The EC31 notifies the estimated remaining amount of the battery 34 to the system device 10 via the chipset 21. The EC31 may also notify the system device 10 of the estimated remaining amount of the battery 34 at regular intervals (for example, 1 to 15 minutes), or may notify the system device 10 of the remaining amount obtained by the change whenever the estimated remaining amount of the battery 34 changes to a new remaining amount discretized into a predetermined value range (for example, every 1%). As described later, the remaining amount notified to the system device 10 is used for controlling the system state.

[0052] A secondary battery is used as the battery 34. The secondary battery is a storage battery that can be charged and discharged. As the secondary battery, for example, there is a lithium ion battery.

[0053] Whenever the power button 38 receives a pressing operation, it controls the power supply state of the main system 110 of the information processing device 1 to be either power ON or power OFF. When receiving the pressing operation, the power button 38 outputs a pressing signal indicating the pressing to the EC31.

[0054] The cover sensor 44 detects the open / closed state of the housings 102 and 104. The cover sensor 44 generates a detection signal indicating the detected open / closed state and outputs it to the EC31. The EC31 determines the open / closed state based on the detection signal input from the cover sensor 44. For example, when the cover sensor 44 is a magnetic sensor, the EC31 can determine whether the housings 102 and 104 are closed based on whether the intensity of the magnetic field indicated by the detection signal is greater than a predetermined intensity threshold.

[0055] In the following description, the state in which the housings 102 and 104 are open is sometimes referred to as an "open state" (cover open), and the state in which the housings 102 and 104 are closed is sometimes referred to as a "closed state" (cover closed). The EC 31 notifies the system device 10 of the determined open and closed state via the chipset 21. The open and closed state notified to the system device 10 is sometimes used for controlling the system state.

[0056] Next, a functional configuration example of the information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 3 It is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the information processing device 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0057] The main system 110 of the information processing device 1 includes an event processing unit 114 and a mode control unit 116 .

[0058] The event processing unit 114 acquires events related to the control of the system state of the main system 110. The event processing unit 114 acquires, for example, notification information from the EC31. The notification information from the EC31 includes the power mode, the remaining amount of the battery 34, the open / closed state of the housing 102, 104, the input of the operation signal input from the input device 32, and the like. The event processing unit 114 detects the operating status of the main system 110. The elements of the operating status include the execution status of each program, the power consumption of the processor 11, and the like. The event processing unit 114 notifies the mode control unit 116 of the acquired event.

[0059] The mode control unit 116 controls the system state (operation mode) based on one or both of the operation status and the usage environment of the information processing device 1. In the mode control unit 116, the transition condition from the system state 1 of the transition source to the system state 2 of the transition destination is preset for each group of a certain system state 1 and another system state 2. The mode control unit 116 refers to the transition condition from the system state 1 of the current time point to the system state 2, and based on the event notified from the event processing unit 114, when the operation status or the usage environment of the current time point meets the transition condition to the system state 2, the system state 1 of the current time point is transferred to the system state 2. The mode control unit 116 notifies the EC 31 of the system state determined by the control via the chipset 21. A specific example of the system state of the main system 110 will be described later.

[0060] A standby budget is set in the mode control unit 116. The standby budget is an element of the transition condition from modern standby to hibernation. That is, the standby budget is one of the parameters referenced when determining whether to transition the system state from modern standby to hibernation. More specifically, the standby budget is equivalent to the reduction in the remaining amount of the battery 34 from the beginning of modern standby to the remaining amount when the system state is transitioned to hibernation.

[0061] The setting value of the standby budget is set to a value that increases as the remaining amount of the battery 34 at the start (entry) of modern standby (hereinafter, sometimes referred to as "starting remaining amount"). Generally speaking, there is a tendency that the smaller the setting value of the standby budget, the higher the possibility of frequent transition to hibernation, and the larger the setting value of the standby budget, the higher the possibility of maintaining modern standby (see Figure 4 ). If the system state is transferred to hibernation, the risk of battery 34 running out of power (battery dead) is reduced, but conversely, the disadvantage of increasing the time required to return to normal mode is increased. Therefore, when the need to save power is high due to low power of battery 34, the system is prompted to transfer to hibernation. On the other hand, when the power consumption is high due to high power of battery 34, the possibility of maintaining modern standby is increased by setting a larger standby budget, thereby achieving rapid recovery to normal mode.

[0062] That is, when modern standby is started by transitioning from another system state (for example, normal mode), the mode control unit 116 determines the remaining power of the battery 34 according to the event notified from the event processing unit 114. The mode control unit 116 refers to the setting information indicating the correspondence relationship between the remaining power of the battery 34 and the standby budget, which is set in advance, and determines the set value of the standby budget corresponding to the determined starting remaining power. When modern standby continues as the system state until the amount of decrease from the starting remaining power of the battery 34 notified by the event processing unit 114 reaches the determined setting value of the standby budget, the mode control unit 116 transitions the system state to hibernation.

[0063] Next, an example of a system state according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0064] Power off is a state in which the power supplied from the external power supply or the battery 34 is not consumed. In the power-off state, except for some devices with low power consumption, the operation of most peripheral devices stops. When a press signal is input from the power button 38 in the power-off state, EC31 causes the power circuit 33 to start supplying power to each device of the information processing device 1 (power on). When the processor 11 detects the start of power supply to itself, it reads the BIOS from the BIOS memory 22, loads the read BIOS into the main memory 12, and performs a startup process (boot) according to the BIOS. In the startup process, the processor 11 loads the data stored in the storage device 23 into the main memory 12. Then, the processor 11 starts the OS, and after the startup of the OS is completed, it starts executing the device drivers involved in the control of other devices. At this stage, the system state is transferred to the normal mode (S0 state).

[0065] Hibernation (S4 state) is a dormant state in which the operation of the system device 10 stops. In hibernation, image data indicating the execution state of the program before the transition to hibernation is stored in the storage device 23. Even in hibernation, except for some devices with low power consumption, the operation of most peripheral devices stops. When a press signal is input from the power button 38 in the hibernation state, the EC31 transfers the system state to the normal mode in the same way as in the power-off state. At this time, the processor 11 uses the stored image data to restart the execution of the program from the execution state before the transition to hibernation.

[0066] When the system state is normal mode or modern standby and a request is input from the OS or a press signal is input from the power button 38, EC31 causes the system device 10 to perform a stop process (shutdown). During the stop process, the mode control unit 116 saves the data that exists in the main memory 12 as a work area at that time in the storage device 23. After completing the data saving, the mode control unit 116 stops the processing of the application, device driver, and other programs executed at that time. Then, the processor 11 notifies EC31 that the stop process is completed. EC31 causes the power circuit 33 to stop supplying power to each device. At this time, the system state becomes power off.

[0067] When the prescribed transition conditions to modern standby are met in normal mode, the mode control unit 116 transitions the system state to modern standby (S0ix state). The transition conditions from normal mode to modern standby include, for example, the following events: when the display screen does not change for a certain period of time (for example, 3 to 10 minutes) or more and no operation signal from the input device 32 is detected, when there is no application executed according to the operation instruction, when the opening and closing state of the frame 102, 104 changes from the open state to the closed state, etc. In modern standby, in addition to EC31, some peripheral devices such as the storage device 23 and the WLAN card 25 can continue to operate. In addition, the input device 32 can also be activated, and the event processing unit 114 waits for the operation signal from the input device 32 via EC31 and the chipset 21.

[0068] When the specified transition condition to hibernation is met in modern standby, the mode control unit 116 causes the system state to transition to hibernation (S4 state). At this time, the mode control unit 116 saves the image data existing in the main memory 12 as a work area at that time in the storage device 23. After completing the data saving, the mode control unit 116 stops the processing of the application, device driver, and other programs executed at that time. Then, the processor 11 notifies the EC31 that the stop processing is completed. The EC31 causes the power supply circuit 33 to stop supplying power to each device.

[0069] The transition condition from modern standby to hibernation includes the case where the amount of reduction in the remaining battery power from the start of modern standby becomes greater than the standby budget setting value as described above. In addition, any one or any combination of the following may be applied as the transition condition, namely: when modern standby continues for a certain time (for example, 10 to 30 minutes) or more, when the time at that time point reaches a preset rest time, when sleep is indicated by an operation signal, when the remaining battery power 34 becomes less than a specified limit value, when the actual value of the power consumption of the information processing device 1 becomes less than a predetermined power consumption reference value, etc.

[0070] When the specified transition condition to the normal mode is satisfied in modern standby mode, the mode control unit 116 transitions the system state to the normal mode. The transition condition from modern standby to the normal mode includes, for example, an input of an operation signal from the input device 32, a press signal from the power button 38, or a change in the opening and closing state of the housings 102 and 104 from a closed state to an open state.

[0071] Alternatively, the mode control unit 116 may apply a transition condition that is previously defined in another program of the OS.

[0072] Next, a setting example of the standby budget will be described. Figure 5 This is a table showing the standby budget setting values ​​according to the present embodiment. Figure 5 The standby budget setting value and duration are expressed for each remaining battery level at the start of modern standby. The remaining battery level and the standby budget setting value are expressed as a ratio (%) to the capacity of the battery 34. The duration is the time during which modern standby continues as a system state and the remaining battery level decreases from the amount of remaining battery level at the start to the standby budget setting value. However, in Figure 5 In the example of FIG. 1 , the capacity of the battery 34 is assumed to be 50Wh, and the power consumption of the information processing device 1 in the current standby mode is assumed to be 200 mW.

[0073] Figure 5 The illustrated standby budget setting values ​​are generally set to increase as the battery remaining at the start of modern standby increases. For example, for battery remaining amounts of 80%, 90%, and 100%, the standby budget setting values ​​are set to 20%, 30%, and 40%, respectively. If the capacity of the battery 34 is assumed to be 50Wh and the power consumption in modern standby is assumed to be 200mW, the durations for these standby budget setting values ​​are 100h (approximately 4 days), 75h (approximately 3 days), and 50h (approximately 2 days), respectively.

[0074] The standby budget setting value can also be set to a lower limit (Lower Limit). Figure 5 In the example, for battery remaining level below 70%, the lower limit of the standby budget setting value is set to 10%. By setting a lower limit for the standby budget setting value, even when the battery remaining level is low, the transition to hibernation immediately after the start of modern standby can be avoided, thereby ensuring (maximizing) the opportunity to quickly return to normal mode as much as possible.

[0075] However, when the remaining battery level is below a predetermined lower limit value, it is not practical to continue operating the information processing device 1 in the normal mode by consuming power supplied from the battery 34. The lower limit value of the remaining battery level is set to a value smaller than the lower limit of the standby budget (eg, 3 to 8%).

[0076] Therefore, when the system state is in the normal mode or the modern standby mode and the remaining battery power is less than the limit value, the mode control unit 116 shifts the system state to the sleep state.

[0077] Setting information indicating the standby budget setting value for each remaining battery level is set in the mode control unit 116 as information indicating the transition condition from the modern standby state to the sleep state. Figure 5 As shown in the example, the setting information may be expressed in a data table or as a parameter of a function for deriving the standby budget setting value from the remaining battery level. Figure 6 The relationship between the remaining battery X and the standby budget setting value Y is shown as Y=X-T when X is greater than T+M and less than 100%, and as T=M when X is greater than 0% and less than T+M. In this case, the target value (Target) T and the lower limit (Lower Limit) M become parameters. When the remaining battery X becomes greater than T+M, the target value is equivalent to the reference value of the remaining battery when the system state is shifted from modern standby to hibernation.

[0078] exist Figure 5 , Figure 6 In the example of , the target value T and the lower limit M are 60% and 10%, respectively, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The target value T and the lower limit M may be appropriately changed according to the battery duration in design and the user's psychology. Typically, the target value T and the lower limit M may be about 50 to 70% and 5 to 15%, respectively.

[0079] In addition, Figure 5 , Figure 6 In the example, when the remaining battery level is below a first threshold (e.g., 70%), a lower limit is set for the standby budget. Alternatively, when the remaining battery level is above a second threshold, an upper limit (UpperLimit) may be set for the standby budget. The second threshold is set to a value greater than the first threshold (e.g., 85-95%). In this case, the duration of modern standby is controlled so that the reduction in the remaining battery level is within the range of the upper limit of the standby budget.

[0080] In addition, the change rate of the standby budget setting value Y with respect to the remaining battery level X is not limited to 1, and may be a value greater than 0 and less than 1, such as 0.5.

[0081] The function that gives the relationship between the remaining battery level X and the standby budget setting value Y is not limited to Figure 6 The linear function exemplified. For example, a function may be a function that gives a function value closer to the asymptotic lower limit M as X approaches 0%. In the case of setting an upper limit for the standby budget, a function may be a function that gives a function value closer to the asymptotic upper limit as X approaches 100%. As the above-mentioned function, for example, a sigmoid function, an arc tangent function, etc. can be applied.

[0082] The function for assigning the standby budget setting value Y is not limited to a continuous function, and may be a discrete function, as long as the function assigns a larger function value as the remaining battery level X increases. That is, different fixed values ​​may be associated with each of the multiple (at least two or more) value ranges of the remaining battery level X as the standby budget setting value Y.

[0083] The parameters of the standby budget (in Figure 5 , Figure 6 In the example of , the target value T and the lower limit M) can also be set by user operation. In this case, the main system 110 causes the display 14 to display the setting screen, and sets the indicated value as a parameter for the setting item indicated by the operation signal input from the input device 32.

[0084] Next, an example of system state control according to the present embodiment will be described. Figure 7 This is a flowchart showing an example of system state control according to the present embodiment. Figure 7 The illustrated processing starts when the system state of the main system 110 is in the active state, and includes a process until the system state is shifted to the sleep state.

[0085] (Step S102) The mode control unit 116 determines whether the current operating state or usage environment satisfies the transition condition from the active state to the modern standby state. If it is determined to be satisfied (step S102 is yes), the process proceeds to step S104. If it is determined not to be satisfied (step S102 is no), the process of step S102 is repeated.

[0086] (Step S104) The mode control unit 116 acquires information on the remaining battery level notified from the EC 31 via the chipset 21 and the event processing unit 114. The remaining battery level notified at this point in time corresponds to the starting remaining battery level.

[0087] (Step S106 ) The mode control unit 116 refers to preset setting information and determines a standby budget setting value corresponding to the acquired remaining battery level.

[0088] (Step S108) The mode control unit 116 determines whether the current operating state or usage environment satisfies the transition condition from the modern standby state to the active state. If it is determined to be satisfied (step S108 is yes), the process returns to step S102. If it is determined not to be satisfied (step S108 is no), the process proceeds to step S110.

[0089] (Step S110 ) The mode control unit 116 acquires information on the remaining battery level notified from the EC 31 via the chipset 21 and the event processing unit 114 .

[0090] (Step S112) The mode control unit 116 calculates the amount of reduction in the remaining battery level by subtracting the latest remaining battery level from the remaining level at the start. The mode control unit 116 determines whether the calculated reduction has reached the determined standby budget setting value. If it is determined to have reached (Yes in Step S112), the process proceeds to Step S114. If it is determined not to have reached (No in Step S112), the process returns to Step S110.

[0091] (Step S114) The mode control unit 116 changes the system state of the main system 110 from modern standby to hibernation. Here, the mode control unit 116 saves the data existing in the main memory 12 at that time in the storage device 23, and after completing the data saving, stops the processing of the application, device driver, and other programs executed at that time. Then, the processor 11 notifies the EC31 that the stop processing is completed. The EC31 stops the power supply circuit 33 from supplying power to each device. Then, the end Figure 7 processing.

[0092] In the above description, the information processing device 1 is not limited to a notebook PC, and may be implemented as a portable electronic device in a different form such as a tablet PC or a 2-in-1 PC.

[0093] In addition, the first low power state and the second low power state are not limited to modern standby and hibernation, respectively. The second low power state can be any system state in which the power consumption of the main system 110 is less than that of the first low power state, that is, a system state in which it takes more time to recover to the normal state. For example, the first low power state and the second low power state can also be the S3 state and the S4 state specified by ACPI, respectively.

[0094] As described above, the information processing device 1 involved in this embodiment includes a computer system (e.g., a main system 110) and a power supply circuit 33, and the power supply circuit 33 supplies power supplied from an external power supply or a battery 34 to the computer system. The computer system is capable of switching the system state between a normal state (e.g., an activated state), a first low power state, and a second low power state. The first low power state is a state in which the power consumption is less than the normal state (e.g., an activated state), and the second low power state is a state in which the power consumption is less than the first low power state. When the first low power state is started, the computer system determines the set value (e.g., the standby budget) of the remaining power reduction in such a way that the value becomes larger as the remaining power of the battery 34 increases. When the first low power state continues until the reduction in the remaining power from the start of the first low power state reaches the set value, the computer system changes the system state to the above-mentioned second low power state.

[0095] The first low power state may be, for example, modern standby, and the second low power state may be hibernation.

[0096] According to this configuration, a larger value is set as the remaining power reduction setting value as the remaining power of the battery 34 increases. Therefore, when the remaining power of the battery 34 is large, the transition to the second low power state is suppressed by extending the elapsed time from the first low power state, thereby increasing the chance of quickly returning to the normal state and being able to use the information processing device 1.

[0097] In addition, the computer system may determine the setting value for the margin reduction to be equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit value.

[0098] According to this configuration, since the setting value of the remaining power reduction is set to a predetermined lower limit or more, the transition to the second low power state immediately after the first low power state starts is avoided. Therefore, by continuing the first low power state, the opportunity to quickly return to the normal state is ensured.

[0099] Alternatively, the computer system may determine the larger one of the difference between the remaining level of the battery 34 at the start of the first low power state and a predetermined target value and a predetermined lower limit value as the remaining level reduction setting value.

[0100] According to this configuration, when the remaining amount of the battery 34 at the start of the first low power state is large and the difference from the specified target value exceeds the specified lower limit value, the difference between the remaining amount of the battery 34 and the target value is determined as the set value for the remaining amount to be reduced, and when the remaining amount of the battery 34 at the start of the first low power state is small and the difference from the target value becomes less than the specified lower limit value, the specified lower limit value is determined as the set value for the remaining amount to be reduced. Therefore, the set value for the remaining amount to be reduced is determined to be greater than the specified lower limit value.

[0101] Alternatively, the predetermined target amount may be greater than or equal to 50% and less than or equal to 70% of the capacity of the battery 34 .

[0102] According to this structure, when the remaining amount of the battery 34 at the beginning of the first low power state is large and the difference from the specified target value exceeds the specified lower limit value, the first low power state is continued until the remaining amount of the battery 34 reaches the target value, thereby ensuring an opportunity to quickly return to the normal state, and if the remaining amount of the battery 34 is lower than the target value, it is transferred to the second low power state to maintain the remaining amount of the battery 34. As the target value, it is set to be 50% or more and 70% or less of the capacity of the battery 34, thereby ensuring the desired duration of the battery 34 according to the design or the user's psychology.

[0103] In addition, the power supply circuit 33 can also store the remaining power that is not consumed in the battery 34 when power is supplied from the external power supply, and supply the power discharged from the battery 34 to the computer system when power is not supplied from the external power supply.

[0104] According to this configuration, the remaining power that is not consumed in the power supplied from the external power source is stored in the battery 34. As the remaining power is stored, the remaining power of the battery 34 increases, and the setting value of the remaining power reduction increases. By extending the duration of the first low power state, the chance of quickly returning to the normal state can be increased.

[0105] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above-described embodiments and includes designs and the like that do not depart from the gist of the present invention. The configurations described in the above-described embodiments can be arbitrarily combined.

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising a computer system and a power supply circuit, wherein the power supply circuit supplies power supplied from an external power supply or a battery to the computer system, wherein the computer system is capable of switching a system state between a normal state, a first low power state, and a second low power state, wherein the first low power state is a state in which power consumption is less than that of the normal state, and the second low power state is a state in which power consumption is less than that of the first low power state, When the first low power state is started, the computer system determines a setting value for reducing the remaining power so that the value increases as the remaining power of the battery increases. When the first low power state continues until a decrease in the margin from the start of the first low power state reaches the set value, the computer system changes the system state to the second low power state.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The computer system determines the setting value to be equal to or greater than a predetermined lower limit value.

3. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein: The computer system determines, as the set value, a larger one of a difference between the remaining amount and a predetermined target value when the first low power state is started and the lower limit value.

4. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: The first low power state is modern standby. The second low power state is sleep.

5. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein: When electric power is supplied from an external power source, the power supply circuit stores the remaining electric power which is not consumed in the battery. When power is not supplied from the external power supply, power discharged from the battery is supplied to the computer system.

6. A control method, which is a control method for an information processing device, wherein: The information processing device includes a computer system and a power supply circuit, the power supply circuit supplies power supplied from an external power supply or a battery to the computer system, the computer system can switch the system state between a normal state, a first low power state, and a second low power state, the first low power state is a state in which power consumption is less than that of the normal state, and the second low power state is a state in which power consumption is less than that of the first low power state. In the above control method, the above information processing device executes: A step of determining a setting value for reducing the remaining power so that the value increases as the remaining power of the battery increases when the first low power state is started; and A step of changing the system state to the second low power state when the first low power state continues until a decrease in the margin from the start of the first low power state reaches the set value.

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