Computer system, cumulative operation time management method, and computer program thereof

Abstract

To provide a computer system which enables a server to recognize a use time of application software being a management object even when the computer system is not always connected to a network.SOLUTION: The computer system comprises a management table, management means, and interface means. The management table is provided in a non-volatile storage area, and comprises items indicating an ID of an application, a main counter showing an operation time of the application after power-on, and a cumulative operation time of the application. The management means is provided in a basic input / output system and counts the operation time of the application to update the main counter and the cumulative operation time in the management table. The interface means is provided in the basic input / output system and, in response to a read request from the application, sends back a value of the main counter and / or a value of the cumulative operation time in the management table to the application.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a computer system, a method for managing cumulative operation time, and a computer program therefor.

Background Art

[0002] In the use of application software operating on a computer system, subscription services are increasing. Among subscription services, there are services based on time billing, and in such services, it is necessary to grasp the usage time of application software. If the computer system on which the application software operates uses a network, it can be confirmed by periodically sending information on the usage time from the application software to the billing server. However, when the computer system is not always connected to the network, it is difficult for the billing server to monitor the usage time of the target application software.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a method for managing the cumulative power-on time of a computer that enables obtaining the cumulative power-on time of a computer system. More specifically, the computer system has a counter for measuring time, measures the time during power-on, and when a predetermined time is reached, reads out the cumulative power-on time value of the computer stored in the non-volatile memory device. Then, the computer system adds a predetermined time value to this cumulative power-on time value, writes the added cumulative power-on time value to the non-volatile memory device, and resets the counter, so that the cumulative power-on time of the computer system can be obtained.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Although the cumulative power-on time management method described in Patent Document 1 can obtain the cumulative power-on time of a computer system, it cannot obtain the operating time of application software operating on the computer system. That is, in the cumulative power-on time management method described in Patent Document 1, when the computer system is not constantly connected to the network, the server cannot grasp the usage time of the application software to be managed.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a computer system, a cumulative operation time management method, and a computer program therefor that solve the above problems.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A computer system according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a management table provided in a non-volatile memory area and managed by a basic input / output system of the computer system, including an ID of an application operating on the computer system, a main counter indicating an operating time of the application after power-on in the computer system, and an item indicating a cumulative operating time of the application; management means provided in the basic input / output system for counting the operating time of the application and updating the main counter and the cumulative operating time of the management table corresponding to the ID of the application; interface means provided in the basic input / output system for returning a value of the main counter and / or a value of the cumulative operating time of the management table corresponding to the ID of the application to the application in response to a read request from the application.

[0008] A method for managing cumulative operation time according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a management table provided in a non-volatile memory area and managed by a basic input / output system of a computer system, the management table including an ID of an application operating in the computer system, a main counter indicating an operation time of the application after power-on in the computer system, and an item indicating a cumulative operation time of the application. Prepare the management table, count the operation time of the application by management means provided in the basic input / output system, update the main counter and the cumulative operation time of the management table corresponding to the ID of the application, and by interface means provided in the basic input / output system, in response to a read request from the application, return the value of the main counter and / or the value of the cumulative operation time of the management table corresponding to the ID of the application to the application.

[0009] A computer program for causing a computer system to realize a function for managing cumulative operation time according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a management table provided in a non-volatile memory area and managed by a basic input / output system of a computer system, the management table including an ID of an application operating in the computer system, a main counter indicating an operation time of the application after power-on in the computer system, and an item indicating a cumulative operation time of the application. Prepare the management table, count the operation time of the application by management means provided in the basic input / output system, update the main counter and the cumulative operation time of the management table corresponding to the ID of the application, and by interface means provided in the basic input / output system, in response to a read request from the application, return the value of the main counter and / or the value of the cumulative operation time of the management table corresponding to the ID of the application to the application. [[Effect of the Invention]]

[0010] According to the above aspect, even when the computer system is not constantly connected to the network, the server can grasp the usage time of the application software to be managed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0011]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Hereinafter, each embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same or corresponding components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and common descriptions are omitted.

[0013] First, the configuration of the computer system in the present disclosure will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the computer system 100. Referring to FIG. 1, the computer system 100 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 110, a north bridge 120, a memory 130, a south bridge 140, and an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory: non-volatile memory) 150 connected by a local bus. Also, the CPU 110 and the south bridge 140 are connected by an SMI (System Management Interrupt) signal.

[0014] Here, the CPU 110 controls the entire computer system 100. The North Bridge 120, also called the Memory Controller Hub, has a memory controller function that controls reading, writing, etc. of the memory 130, which serves as the main memory for exchanging information with the CPU 110 at high speed. The memory 130 stores programs executed by the CPU 110 and data to be referenced. The South Bridge 140, also called the I / O Controller Hub, has an I / O controller function that controls input / output devices such as a mouse, keyboard, hard disk, and recording devices. The computer system 100 may be any device as long as it is a system capable of network connection, such as a personal computer, and has an environment in which application software can operate. In FIG. 1, descriptions of input / output devices such as a mouse, keyboard, and display device, recording devices such as a hard disk, connection ports for connecting to input / output devices, connection ports for connecting to a network, and buses connecting the CPU 110, memory 130, etc. are omitted.

[0015] South Bridge 140 includes SMI logic 141 and CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) 143 which is a non-volatile memory device. The SMI logic 141 is equipped with a mechanism for generating an SMI signal to cause the CPU 110 to shift to the SMM (System Management Mode). The SMI logic 141 can output the SMI signal to the CPU 110 at regular time intervals. In order to output the SMI signal to the CPU 110 at regular time intervals, the SMI logic 141 includes an ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) timer 142 in FIG. 1. Note that, instead of the ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) timer 142, an APM (Advanced Power Management) timer may be provided. Hereinafter, an example using the APM timer will be described. A counter indicating the number of occurrences of the SMI signal is stored in the CMOS 143.

[0016] The EEPROM 150 is connected to the South Bridge 140 and stores the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) 151 and the management table 152. In addition to an initialization program and the like, the BIOS 151 includes an SMI handler which is a program executed in the SMM. The BIOS 151 also includes a program for counting up the cumulative operation time and a program for updating the management table 152. Note that the method for counting up the cumulative operation time, the configuration of the management table 152, and the method for updating the management table 152 will be described separately.

[0017] Figure 2 is a diagram that blocks and hierarchically represents the functions operating in the computer system 100 in the present disclosure. The application 210 is a subscription program that wants to obtain the cumulative execution time of a program. Hereinafter, the "application program" may be simply referred to as "application". Below the application 210, there is an operating system (OS) 220, and the operating system 220 also includes a driver that is an interface with the BIOS program 230. The management table 152 can be referred to from the BIOS program 230.

[0018] As an interface standard between the operating system 220 and the BIOS program 230, for example, there is WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation). When the reference to the operating time from the application is to be performed by this WMI interface, the interface function (interface means) that is part of the program for managing the cumulative operating time of the application is implemented as the WMI interface program of the BIOS.

[0019] <First Embodiment> Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0020] Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management table 152 according to the present disclosure. The management table 152 includes an ID10, a main counter 20, and a cumulative operating time 30 as management items. Here, the ID10 is a number that uniquely identifies an application operating in the computer system 100. The main counter 20 is an item for storing the value incremented by an interrupt by an APM timer (to be described separately) in order to measure the operating time of the application specified by the ID10. The cumulative operating time 30 is an item for managing the cumulative operating time of the application specified by the ID10.

[0021] Next, the initialization operation of the computer system 100 will be described. When the power of the computer system 100 is turned on, the program of the BIOS 151 is read into the memory 130, and the CPU 110 executes the BIOS initialization program read. When the execution of the initialization program is completed, the SMI signal, which is a periodic interrupt signal, becomes valid. When the CPU 110 receives the SMI signal, it shifts to the SMM (System Management Mode) and executes the SMI handler of the BIOS 151 in the memory 130 each time. Note that the SMI handler is a type of program that is expanded in a dedicated area of the memory 130 by the BIOS 151 at the startup of the computer system 100. This dedicated area of the memory 130 becomes an area used by the BIOS 151 and the firmware when shifting to the SMM (System Management Mode). Also, when the BIOS initialization program is executed, processing related to the initialization of the management table 152 is also performed.

[0022] The process of updating the main counter 20 and the cumulative operation time 30, which are items of the management table 152, will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the process of updating the main counter 20 and the cumulative operation time 30 by the SMI handler, which is a type of function of the BIOS. The update of the main counter 20 and the cumulative operation time 30 is realized as a management function (management means) by the SMI handler, which is a type of function of the BIOS.

[0023] The operation starts when the SMI handler is executed by the SMI signal generated by the APM timer. The SMI handler confirms that the cause of the SMI signal is the APM timer (step S110). The SMI handler reads the count value stored in the CMOS 143 (step S120), counts up the timer time (interval) in the counter value (step S130), and writes the counter value back to the CMOS 143 (step S140). Thereby, the cumulative operation time of the computer system 100 after the power is turned on can be counted.

[0024] The SMI handler further performs the process of updating the management table 152 (step S150). FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the flow of the process of updating the management table 152 by the SMI handler, which shows the details of the update process (step S150). Note that the registration of information including the ID of the application in the management table 152 will be separately described with reference to FIG. 6.

[0025] The SMI handler checks the item with ID 10 in the management table 152 (step S160). When an ID is set in the item with ID 10 in the management table 152 (step S161, Yes), the timer time is added to the value of the main counter 20 of the application specified by the ID and counted up, and the timer time is also added to the value of the cumulative operation time 30 to update the cumulative operation time of the application specified by the ID (step S162). The SMI handler performs this for all the IDs set in the item with ID 10 in the management table 152 (steps S160 to S170). Here, the value of the main counter 20 indicates the operation time of the target application after the computer system 100 is powered on, and the cumulative operation time indicates the cumulative operation time of the target application after a predetermined timing. Note that the "predetermined timing" will be separately described.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a process for starting counting the operation of an application by a notification regarding the start of operation from the application. After the computer system 100 is powered on, the process shown in FIG. 6 is started when the application accesses using the ID of the application and an argument indicating the start of counting by WMI. The BIOS program checks that the cause is the start of counting (step S210), and then checks whether the ID specified in the management table 152 exists (step S220). If the ID specified in the management table 152 does not exist (step S220, No), the BIOS program newly sets the specified ID to ID10 in the management table 152, and sets "0" as the initial value of the main count in the item of the main counter 20. Further, the BIOS program writes the count value regarding the cumulative operation time of the application with the specified ID held in the CMOS 143 to the item of the cumulative operation time 30 in the management table 152 (step S230), and returns success to the application (step S240). If the ID specified in the management table already exists (step S220, Yes), the BIOS program returns failure to the application (step S250). Note that the process of FIG. 6 is realized by an interface function (interface means) provided as a part of the BIOS program.

[0027] Here, it is assumed that in CMOS143, the cumulative operation time for each application before the power-on of the computer system 100 is stored together with the ID of the application. For example, when initializing the management table 152 by turning on the power of the computer system 100, after associating the ID of the application recorded in the management table 152 before initialization with its cumulative operation time and storing or updating it in CMOS143, the management table 152 is initialized. Thereby, the BIOS program can set the cumulative operation time of the application for the specified ID up to before the power-on of the computer system 100 in the management table 152. Note that when there is no ID of the target application in CMOS143 during the process of step S230 in FIG. 6, the BIOS program sets the initial value "0" in the item of the cumulative operation time 30 in the management table 152.

[0028] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of returning the count value related to the operation of an application to the application by a notification regarding the reading of the count from the application. The process of FIG. 7 is started when the application accesses the WMI with the ID of the application and a value indicating the count reading as arguments. The BIOS program confirms that the cause is the count reading (step S310), and checks whether the specified ID exists in the management table 152 (step S320). If the specified ID exists in the management table 152 (step S320, Yes), the BIOS program returns the value of the main counter 20 that matches the specified ID in the management table 152 to the application (step S330). If the specified ID does not exist (step S320, No), the BIOS program returns a failure to the application (step S340). The process of FIG. 7 is realized by an interface function provided as part of the BIOS program. Note that in step S330 of FIG. 7, at least one of the value of the main counter 20 that matches the specified ID and the value of the cumulative operation time 30, or both values may be returned to the application.

[0029] As described above, the computer system 100 of the present disclosure can provide the operation time from the start of operation of each application to each application by the management table 152 and the management function and interface function provided as the BIOS program.

[0030] <Second Embodiment> The computer system 100 that can provide accurate operation time even when an application stops on the computer system 100 will be described with respect to the above-described computer system 100. In the computer system 100 of the present disclosure, an item "status" 320 indicating the operation status of the application is added to the management table 152. For the status, for example, "start" of the count for managing the operation time and "stop" for stopping the count are set. Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the management table 152 in the present disclosure. The management table 152 newly includes an item "status" 320. The items "ID" 310, "main counter" 330, and "cumulative operation time" 340 respectively correspond to the items "ID" 10, "main counter" 20, and "cumulative operation time" 30 in FIG. 3.

[0032] FIG. 9 is a flow showing the operation of the SMI handler at the start of counting when the item "status" 320 is added to the management table 152. The difference from FIG. 4 showing the operation of the SMI handler when there is no item "status" is in step S450. That is, in step S450, the SMI handler updates the values of the main counter 330 and the cumulative operation time 340 of the ID whose item "status" 320 is "start" when the ID exists in the management table 152. The processes shown in steps S410 to S440 in FIG. 9 are the same as the processes shown in steps S110 to S140 in FIG. 4.

[0033] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing details of the process of step S450 in FIG. 9 by the SMI handler. The difference from FIG. 5 showing the operation of the SMI handler when there is no item "status" is in step S462. The SMI handler determines whether the item "status" 320 in the management table 152 is "start" (step S462). If it is "start" (step S462, Yes), the main counter 330 and the cumulative operation time 340 are updated. On the other hand, if it is not "start" (step S462, No), the SMI handler skips the process of step S463. Note that steps S460, S461, S462, and S470 in FIG. 10 are the same as the processes shown in steps S160 to S162 and S170 in FIG. 5. Thereby, it becomes possible to count the operation time of the application operating in the computer system 100 only for that application.

[0034] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the BIOS program at the start of counting when an item "status" 320 is added to the management table 152. The differences from the case when there is no item "status" (FIG. 6) are in steps S530 and S540. That is, when the ID specified in the management table 152 exists (step S520, Yes), the BIOS program checks whether the status 320 indicates "stop" (step S530). If the status 320 indicates "stop" (step S530, Yes), the BIOS program rewrites the status 320 in the management table 152 from "stop" to indicate "start". On the other hand, if the status 320 does not indicate "stop" (step S530, No), the BIOS program returns "failure" to the application (step S570). Note that steps S510, S520, S550, S560, and S570 in FIG. 11 are the same as the processes shown in steps S210 to S250 in FIG. 6. Thereby, it becomes possible to count the operation time of the application in the computer system 100 from the start of the operation of that application. Note that the process in FIG. 11 is realized by an interface function (interface means) provided as a part of the BIOS program.

[0035] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the operation of the BIOS program when a count stop is notified. When an application accesses the BIOS program via WMI with the ID of the application and an argument indicating count stop, the BIOS program starts operating. When the BIOS program confirms that the cause is a count stop (step S610), it checks whether the ID specified in the management table 152 exists (step S620). If the ID specified in the management table 152 exists (step S620, Yes), the BIOS program checks whether the status 320 of that ID indicates "start" (step S630). If the status 320 of that ID indicates "start" (step S630, Yes), the BIOS program changes the status 320 that matches the ID in the management table 152 to indicate "stop" (step S640) and returns success to the application (step S650). On the other hand, if the specified ID does not exist in the management table 152 (step S620, No) or the status 320 of the specified ID does not indicate "start" (step S630, No), the BIOS program returns failure to the application (step S660). Note that the process of FIG. 13 is realized by an interface function provided as part of the BIOS program.

[0036] As described above, by the processes shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the computer system 100 can count the operation time of an application while the application is running.

[0037] <Third Embodiment> FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a computer system 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The computer system 100 includes a management table 152, a management unit 161, and an interface unit 162. The management table 152 is provided in a non-volatile memory area, managed by the basic input / output system (BISO) of the computer system 100, and includes an ID of an application operating on the computer system 100, a main counter indicating the operating time of the application after power-on in the computer system, and an item indicating the cumulative operating time of the application. The management unit 161 is provided in the basic input / output system, counts the operating time of the application, and updates the main counter and the cumulative operating time in the management table corresponding to the ID of the application. The interface unit 162 is provided in the basic input / output system, and returns the value of the main counter and / or the value of the cumulative operating time in the management table corresponding to the ID of the application to the application in response to a read request from the application.

[0038] As described above, even if the computer system 100 according to the present disclosure is not always connected to the network, a server that manages the operating time (usage time) of an application can manage the operating time of the application operating on the computer system 100. Further, the computer system 100 according to the present disclosure manages the operating time of the application operating on the computer system 100 by using the management table 152 managed by the BIOS 151 in the EEPROM 150 which is a non-volatile memory area. Therefore, even if the user resets the OS time or reinstalls the application or the OS, the management table 152 managed by the BIOS program is retained in the non-volatile memory area, so that the operating time of each application operating on the computer system 100 can be accurately managed.

[0039] In addition, when the application is accessible via a network to the server that manages the application by the computer system 100, the application may be provided with a function (means) to notify the server of the value of the main counter returned by the read request shown in FIG. 7 and / or the usage time of the application based on the value of the cumulative operation time at any time or at a specified timing. Thereby, even if the computer system 100 is not always connected to the network, the server that manages the application can obtain the usage time of the application to be managed when the computer system 100 is accessible to the server via the network. Note that the usage time of the application after the power-on of the computer system 100 can be obtained from the main counter. Also, the cumulative operation time can obtain the total operation time of the application in the computer system 100 or the total operation time of the application after the initialization of the "cumulative operation time".

[0040] Here, when the application accesses the ID of the application and the argument indicating the initialization by WMI, the interface function provided as part of the BIOS program may initialize the items "main counter" and "cumulative operation time" of the management table 152 corresponding to the ID. Thereby, the server that manages the usage time of the application can also manage the usage time of the application at a predetermined time. For example, when the management period of the operation of the application is in units of months, the application may perform a process for initializing the "main counter" and the "cumulative operation time" at the first operation at the beginning of the month. At this time, the application may obtain and save the cumulative operation time of the previous month based on the value of the cumulative operation time returned by the read request shown in FIG. 7 before the process for initializing the "main counter" and the "cumulative operation time", and may be provided with means to notify the server of the cumulative operation time of the previous month when the computer system 100 is connected to the network.

[0041] Although the update of the value of the main counter and the value of the cumulative operation time in step S162 of FIG. 5 has been described as being updated by the timer time, it is not limited thereto. For example, the update of the value of the main counter and the value of the cumulative operation time may be updated by the number of interrupts by the timer. This is because it is possible to calculate the operation time of the application from the number of counted interrupts and the interval of the interrupt time of the timer.

[0042] As described above, the present disclosure has been described with reference to the embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various changes that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. And each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0043] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as follows in the appended claims, but are not limited thereto.

[0044] (Appended Note 1) A management table provided in a non-volatile memory area and managed by the basic input / output system of a computer system, the management table including an ID of an application operating in the computer system, a main counter indicating the operation time of the application after power-on in the computer system, and an item indicating the cumulative operation time of the application. Management means provided in the basic input / output system that counts the operation time of the application and updates the main counter and the cumulative operation time of the management table corresponding to the ID of the application. Interface means provided in the basic input / output system that returns the value of the main counter and / or the value of the cumulative operation time of the management table corresponding to the ID of the application to the application in response to a read request from the application. A computer system comprising:

[0045] (Appended Note 2) The management table further includes a status item for managing the start and stop of the operation of the application. For an application whose status in the management table indicates start, the management means updates the value of the main counter and the value of the cumulative operation time in the management table. The computer system according to Supplementary Note 1.

[0046] (Supplementary Note 3) In response to a notification of the start and stop of the overall application from the application, the interface means updates the status corresponding to the ID of the application. The computer system according to Supplementary Note 2.

[0047] (Supplementary Note 4) When the ID of the application is not present in the management table at the time of receiving a notification of the start of operation of the application, the interface means sets the ID of the application in the management table, sets an initial value for the main counter of the application, and sets the cumulative operation time of the application. The computer system according to Supplementary Note 2 or Supplementary Note 3.

[0048] (Supplementary Note 5) When a plurality of IDs are set in the management table, the management means updates the value of the main counter and the value of the cumulative operation time in the management table corresponding to each ID of the application whose status in the management table indicates start. The computer system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 2 to 4.

[0049] (Supplementary Note 6) When the computer system is powered on, the management means stores information regarding the ID of the application and the cumulative operation time of the application in the management table in a non-volatile memory. When the interface means notifies the start of operation of the application and there is no ID of the application in the management table, it acquires the cumulative operation time corresponding to the ID of the application from the information held in the non-volatile memory and sets it in the cumulative operation time of the management table. The computer system according to Supplementary Note 4.

[0050] (Supplementary Note 7) When the interface means receives a notification of initialization of the application, it initializes the main counter and the cumulative operation time corresponding to the ID of the application. The computer system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 2 to 6.

[0051] (Supplementary Note 8) When the computer system can access the server, the application includes means for notifying the server of the approximate usage time of the application based on the value of the main counter and / or the value of the cumulative operation time returned from the interface means in response to the read request. The computer system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7.

[0052] (Supplementary Note 11) A management table provided in a non-volatile memory area and managed by the basic input / output system of the computer system, the management table including the ID of an application operating in the computer system, a main counter indicating the operation time of the application after power-on in the computer system, and an item indicating the cumulative operation time of the application. The management means provided in the basic input / output system counts the operation time of the application and updates the main counter and the cumulative operation time in the management table corresponding to the ID of the application. By the interface means provided in the basic input / output system, in response to a read request from the application, the value of the main counter in the management table corresponding to the ID of the application and / or the value of the cumulative operation time are returned to the application. Method for managing cumulative operation time.

[0053] (Appendix 12) The management table further includes a status item for managing the start and stop of the operation of the application. By the management means, for the application whose status in the management table indicates start, the value of the main counter in the management table and the value of the cumulative operation time are updated. Method for managing cumulative operation time according to Appendix 11.

[0054] (Appendix 13) By the interface means, in response to a notification of the start and stop of the operation of the general application from the application, the status corresponding to the ID of the application is updated. Method for managing cumulative operation time according to Appendix 12.

[0055] (Appendix 14) When the ID of the application does not exist in the management table at the time of notification of the start of the operation of the application by the interface means, in the management table, the ID of the application is set, an initial value is set for the main counter of the application, and the cumulative operation time of the application is set. Method for managing cumulative operation time according to Appendix 12 or Appendix 13.

[0056] (Appendix 15) By the management means, when a plurality of IDs are set in the management table, for each ID of the application whose status in the management table indicates start, the value of the main counter in the management table and the value of the cumulative operation time are updated. The method for managing the cumulative operation time according to any one of Supplementary Notes 12 to 14.

[0057] (Supplementary Note 16) By the management means, when the computer system is powered on, information on the ID of the application in the management table and the cumulative operation time of the application is held in the non-volatile memory. When the interface means is notified of the start of operation of the application and the ID of the application is not in the management table, the cumulative operation time corresponding to the ID of the application is acquired from the information held in the non-volatile memory and set in the cumulative operation time in the management table. The method for managing the cumulative operation time according to Supplementary Note 14.

[0058] (Supplementary Note 17) By the interface means, when the application is notified of initialization, the main counter and the cumulative operation time corresponding to the ID of the application are initialized. The method for managing the cumulative operation time according to any one of Supplementary Notes 12 to 16.

[0059] (Supplementary Note 18) When the computer system can access the server by the application, the approximate usage time of the application based on the value of the main counter and / or the value of the cumulative operation time returned from the interface means by the read request is notified to the server. The method for managing the cumulative operation time according to any one of Supplementary Notes 11 to 17.

[0060] (Supplementary Note 21) A management table provided in a non-volatile storage area and managed by the basic input / output system of the computer system, the management table including an ID of an application operating in the computer system, a main counter indicating the operation time of the application after the computer system is powered on, and an item indicating the cumulative operation time of the application is prepared. The management means provided in the basic input / output system counts the operation time of the application, and updates the main counter and the cumulative operation time in the management table corresponding to the ID of the application. The interface means provided in the basic input / output system returns the value of the main counter and / or the value of the cumulative operation time in the management table corresponding to the ID of the application to the application in response to a read request from the application. A computer program for causing a computer system to realize a function for managing cumulative operation time.

[0061] (Appendix 22) The management table further includes a status item for managing the start and stop of the operation of the application. For an application whose status in the management table indicates start by the management means, the value of the main counter and the value of the cumulative operation time in the management table are updated. The computer program according to Appendix 21.

[0062] (Appendix 23) The interface means updates the status corresponding to the ID of the application in response to a notification of the start or stop of the operation of the general application from the application. The computer program according to Appendix 22.

[0063] (Appendix 24) When the ID of the application does not exist in the management table at the time of notification of the start of the operation of the application by the interface means, in the management table, the ID of the application is set, an initial value is set for the main counter of the application, and the cumulative operation time of the application is set. The computer program according to Appendix 22 or Appendix 23.

[0064] (Appendix 25) When a plurality of IDs are set in the management table by the management means, the value of the main counter and the value of the cumulative operation time in the management table corresponding to each ID of the application whose status in the management table indicates start are updated. The computer program according to any one of Appendices 22 to 24.

[0065] (Appendix 26) When the management means powers on the computer system, information regarding the ID of the application and the cumulative operation time of the application in the management table is held in the non-volatile memory. When the interface means is notified of the start of operation of the application and there is no ID of the application in the management table, the cumulative operation time corresponding to the ID of the application is acquired from the information held in the non-volatile memory and set in the cumulative operation time in the management table. The computer program according to Appendix 24.

[0066] (Appendix 27) When the interface means is notified of the initialization of the application, the main counter and the cumulative operation time corresponding to the ID of the application are initialized. The computer program according to any one of Appendices 22 to 26.

[0067] (Appendix 28) When the computer system is accessible to the server by the application, the approximate usage time of the application based on the value of the main counter and / or the value of the cumulative operation time returned from the interface means by the read request is notified to the server. The computer program according to any one of Appendices 21 to 27.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0068] 10, 310 ID section 20, 330 Main counter 30, 340 Cumulative operating time 100 Computer system 120 North Bridge 130 Memory 140 South Bridge 141 SMI Logic 142 ACPI Timer 143 CMOS 150 EEPROM 152 Management table 210 Application 220 Operating system 230 BIOS program 320 Status

Claims

1. A management table provided in a non-volatile memory area and managed by the basic input / output system of a computer system, the management table comprising: an ID of an application operating in the computer system; a main counter indicating the operation time of the application after power-on in the computer system; and an item indicating the cumulative operation time of the application. Management means provided in the basic input / output system for counting the operation time of the application and updating the main counter and the cumulative operation time in the management table corresponding to the ID of the application. Interface means provided in the basic input / output system for returning, in response to a read request from the application, the value of the main counter and / or the value of the cumulative operation time in the management table corresponding to the ID of the application to the application. A computer system comprising the above.

2. The management table further comprises a status item for managing the start and stop of the operation of the application. The management means updates the value of the main counter and the value of the cumulative operation time in the management table for an application whose status in the management table indicates start. The computer system according to Claim 1.

3. The interface means updates the status corresponding to the ID of the application in response to a notification of the start and stop of the operation of the general application from the application. The computer system according to Claim 2.

4. When the ID of the application does not exist in the management table at the time of notification of the start of the operation of the application, the interface means sets the ID of the application in the management table, sets an initial value for the main counter of the application, and sets the cumulative operation time of the application. The computer system according to Claim 2.

5. When a plurality of IDs are set in the management table, the management means updates the value of the main counter and the value of the cumulative operation time in the management table corresponding to each ID of the application whose status in the management table indicates start. The computer system according to Claim 2.

6. When the computer system is powered on, the management means holds information regarding the ID of the application in the management table and the cumulative operation time of the application in a non-volatile memory. When the interface means is notified of the start of operation of the application and the ID of the application is not present in the management table, the interface means acquires the cumulative operation time corresponding to the ID of the application from the information held in the non-volatile memory and sets it in the cumulative operation time in the management table. The computer system according to claim 4.

7. When the interface means is notified of the initialization of the application, the interface means initializes the main counter and the cumulative operation time corresponding to the ID of the application. The computer system according to claim 2.

8. When the computer system can access the server, the application includes means for notifying the server of the approximate usage time of the application based on the value of the main counter and / or the value of the cumulative operation time returned from the interface means in response to the read request. The computer system according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. A management table provided in a non-volatile storage area and managed by the basic input / output system of the computer system, the management table including an ID of an application operating in the computer system, a main counter indicating the operation time of the application after the computer system is powered on, and an item indicating the cumulative operation time of the application, is prepared. The management means provided in the basic input / output system counts the operation time of the application and updates the main counter and the cumulative operation time in the management table corresponding to the ID of the application. The interface means provided in the basic input / output system returns the value of the main counter and / or the value of the cumulative operation time in the management table corresponding to the ID of the application to the application in response to a read request from the application. A method for managing cumulative operation time.

10. A management table provided in a non-volatile memory area and managed by the basic input / output system of a computer system, the management table comprising an ID of an application operating in the computer system, a main counter indicating the operating time of the application after power-on in the computer system, and an item indicating the cumulative operating time of the application. The operating time of the application is counted by management means provided in the basic input / output system, and the main counter and the cumulative operating time of the management table corresponding to the ID of the application are updated. Interface means provided in the basic input / output system returns the value of the main counter and / or the value of the cumulative operating time of the management table corresponding to the ID of the application to the application in response to a read request from the application. A computer program for causing a computer system to realize a function for managing cumulative operating time.

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