Information processing device and control method

Abstract

To reduce a delay in power supply from a battery in the case of power shortage while reducing heat generation.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: a first conversion circuit unit that steps down a power supply voltage to a first voltage when the power supply voltage exceeds a first threshold voltage, and outputs the first voltage to a first power line, or outputs the power supply voltage directly to a first power supply line via a bypass line when the power supply voltage is equal to or less than the first threshold voltage; a second conversion circuit unit that converts the first voltage output to the first power supply line into a second voltage, supplies the second voltage to a main control unit and an image processing unit, and outputs the second voltage to a second power supply line connected to a battery; a switching unit that can supply power to a peripheral device of the main control unit by switching between a route from the first power supply line and a route from the second power supply line; and a power supply control unit that controls the switching unit to supply power to the peripheral device from the first power supply line when the power supply voltage is equal to or more than a second threshold voltage, or to supply power to the peripheral device from the second power supply line when the power supply voltage is less than the second threshold voltage.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, among information processing apparatuses such as notebook personal computers (notebook PCs), those equipped with a USB (Universal Serial Bus) Type-C power supply connector have become widespread (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the USB Type-C (USB Power Delivery) standard, new 48V power supply has been added, and 48V power supply by USB is also required in information processing apparatuses. However, in conventional information processing apparatuses, for example, when attempting to achieve 48V power supply, if it is configured with, for example, a single battery charging conversion circuit, when high voltage is supplied, heat generation becomes a problem because power flows concentratedly. Also, when distributed among multiple conversion circuits, it becomes difficult to directly connect to the battery, so when the power supplied from the power supply connector is insufficient, there may be a delay until switching from the charging mode to the discharging mode.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus and a control method capable of reducing heat generation and reducing the delay in power supply from the battery when power is insufficient.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, in one aspect of the present invention, when the power supply voltage supplied from the outside via the power supply connector exceeds the first threshold voltage, the power supply voltage is stepped down to a first voltage and output to a first power supply line, and when the power supply voltage is equal to or lower than the first threshold voltage, the power supply voltage is directly output to the first power supply line via a bypass line. A first conversion circuit unit; a second power supply line that converts the first voltage output to the first power supply line into a second voltage and supplies power to a main control unit and an image processing unit, and outputs the second voltage to the second power supply line to which a battery is connected. A second conversion circuit unit; a switching unit capable of switching and supplying power from the first power supply line and from the second power supply line to peripheral devices of the main control unit; and when the power supply voltage is equal to or higher than a preset second threshold voltage, power is supplied from the first power supply line to the peripheral devices, and when the power supply voltage is smaller than the second threshold voltage, the switching unit is controlled to supply power from the second power supply line to the peripheral devices. An information processing apparatus comprising a power supply control unit.

[0007] Also, in one aspect of the present invention, in the above information processing apparatus, an embedded controller that operates independently of the main control unit is provided, and the embedded controller may include the power supply control unit.

[0008] Also, in one aspect of the present invention, in the above information processing apparatus, the power supply control unit may be configured by a discrete logic circuit including a comparator circuit that compares the power supply voltage with the second threshold voltage.

[0009] Also, in one aspect of the present invention, in the above information processing apparatus, the switching unit may include a first ideal diode circuit disposed between the first power supply line and a third power supply line that supplies power to the peripheral devices, and a second ideal diode circuit disposed between the second power supply line and the third power supply line.

[0010] In addition, in one aspect of the present invention, in the above information processing apparatus, the power supply connector may be a USB Type-C standard connector.

[0011] In addition, in one aspect of the present invention, when the power supply voltage supplied from the outside through the power supply connector exceeds the first threshold voltage in the first conversion circuit unit, the first conversion circuit unit steps down the power supply voltage to the first voltage and outputs it to the first power supply line, and when the power supply voltage is equal to or lower than the first threshold voltage, the first conversion circuit unit directly outputs the power supply voltage to the first power supply line via a bypass line, a first conversion step; a second conversion circuit unit converts the first voltage output to the first power supply line into a second voltage and outputs the second voltage to a second power supply line that supplies power to the main control unit and the image processing unit, and the second power supply line to which a battery is connected, a second conversion step; a power supply control unit includes a switching unit capable of switching and supplying power to the peripheral devices of the main control unit from the first power supply line and from the second power supply line, and when the power supply voltage is equal to or higher than a preset second threshold voltage, supplies power to the peripheral devices from the first power supply line, and when the power supply voltage is smaller than the second threshold voltage, controls to supply power to the peripheral devices from the second power supply line.

Advantages of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the delay in power supply from the battery when there is a power shortage while reducing heat generation.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0013]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus and a control method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the main hardware configuration of the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the notebook PC 1 (notebook personal computer) includes a CPU 11, a main memory 12, a video subsystem 13, a display unit 14, a chipset 21, a BIOS memory 22, an SSD 23, an audio system 24, a WLAN card 25, a USB connector unit 26, an embedded controller 31, an input unit 32, a power supply unit 33, and a PD controller 34.

[0017] In the present embodiment, the CPU 11 and the chipset 21 correspond to the main control unit 10. In this embodiment, the notebook PC 1 will be described as an example of the information processing apparatus.

[0018] The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 executes various arithmetic processes under program control and controls the entire notebook PC 1. The main memory 12 is a writable memory that is used as a loading area for the execution program of the CPU 11 or as a working area for writing the processing data of the execution program. The main memory 12 is composed of, for example, a plurality of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) chips. This execution program includes BIOS (Basic Input Output System), OS (Operating System), various drivers for operating peripheral devices in hardware, various services / utilities, application programs, and the like.

[0019] The video subsystem 13 includes a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and VRAM (Video Random Access Memory), and is a subsystem for realizing functions related to image display, and includes a video controller. This video controller processes the drawing commands from the CPU 11, writes the processed drawing information to the video memory, reads the drawing information from the video memory, and outputs it as drawing data (display data) to the display unit 14.

[0020] The display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, and displays a display screen based on the drawing data (display data) output from the video subsystem 13.

[0021] The chipset 21 is provided with controllers such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus), Serial ATA (AT Attachment), SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) bus, PCI (Peripheral Component Interconnect) bus, PCI-Express bus, and LPC (Low Pin Count) bus, and a plurality of devices are connected thereto. In FIG. 1, as an example of devices, a BIOS memory 22, an SSD 23, an audio system 24, a WLAN card 25, and a USB connector unit 26 are connected to the chipset 21.

[0022] The BIOS memory 22 is composed of an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory such as, for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash ROM. The BIOS memory 22 stores the BIOS and system firmware for controlling the embedded controller 31 and the like.

[0023] The SSD (Solid State Drive) 23 (an example of a non-volatile storage device) stores the OS, various drivers, various services / utilities, application programs, and various data.

[0024] The audio system 24 is, for example, an audio codec and records, plays back, and outputs audio data.

[0025] The WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) card 25 connects to a network via a wireless (radio) LAN and performs data communication. For example, when the WLAN card 25 receives data from the network, it generates an event trigger indicating that the data has been received and can be used to wake up (resume) the notebook PC 1 from the shutdown state.

[0026] The USB connector part 26 is a connector for connecting peripheral devices using USB (Universal Serial Bus). In this embodiment, it is assumed that the notebook PC 1 is provided with both a Type A connector and a Type C connector (USB-C connector) as the USB connector part 26.

[0027] The embedded controller 31 (an example of an embedded controller) is a one-chip microcomputer that monitors and controls various devices (components such as peripheral devices and sensors) regardless of the system state of the notebook PC 1. The embedded controller 31 also has a power management function for controlling the power supply unit 33. Note that the embedded controller 31 is composed of a CPU, a ROM (such as a flash ROM), a RAM, etc., which are not shown in the figure, and has a plurality of channels of A / D input terminals, D / A output terminals, timers, and digital input / output terminals. To the embedded controller 31, for example, an input unit 32, a power supply unit 33, etc. are connected via those input / output terminals, and the embedded controller 31 controls the operations of these. The embedded controller 31 is an embedded controller independent of the main control unit 10 and can operate in a state where the power supply to the main control unit 10 is stopped.

[0028] The input unit 32 is, for example, an input device such as a keyboard, a pointing device, a touch pad, and a power switch (start switch). The input unit 32 can, for example, cause a return from the shutdown state (restart of the notebook PC 1) when the power switch (start switch) is pressed.

[0029] The power supply unit 33 includes, for example, a DC / DC converter, a charge / discharge unit, a battery unit (battery), etc., and supplies power for operating the notebook PC 1. The power supply unit 33 converts the DC voltage supplied from an external AC / DC adapter or a battery into a plurality of voltages required for operating the notebook PC 1. Also, the power supply unit 33 supplies power to each part of the notebook PC 1 based on the control from the embedded controller 31. Details of the power supply unit 33 in this embodiment will be described later.

[0030] The PD controller 34 performs control corresponding to USB PD (Power Delivery). The PD controller 34 manages the power supply function for supplying power to the PC1B via the VBUS (power line) terminal of the USB. The PD controller 34 determines, for example, whether an energized AC adapter is connected to the USB-C connector 261 (see FIG. 2), and determines the type of power supplied to the VBUS terminal (voltage range, current range, allowable power value, etc.).

[0031] Next, with reference to FIG. 2, the details of the power supply unit 33 of the notebook PC1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the details of the power supply unit 33 of the notebook PC1 according to the present embodiment.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, the notebook PC1 includes a USB-C connector 261, an embedded controller 31, a power supply unit 33, a PD controller 34, a main system 100, and a peripheral device 20.

[0033] The USB-C connector 261 (an example of a power supply connector) is one of the connectors included in the above-described USB connector unit 26, and is a connector conforming to the USB Type-C standard. The USB-C connector 261 has an external AC adapter (not shown) connected thereto, and power is supplied to the notebook PC1 via the VBUS terminal.

[0034] The main system 100 includes a main control unit 10 and a video subsystem 13 (image processing unit), and consumes the most power in the processing of the notebook PC1. It is assumed that the main control unit 10 includes the main CPU 11 and the chipset 21, and the video subsystem 13 includes a GPU and a VRAM.

[0035] The peripheral device 20 corresponds to a peripheral device not included in the main system 100 of the notebook PC 1, and includes, for example, an SSD 23, a display unit 14, an audio system 24, a WLAN card 25, and the like. The peripheral device 20 is a POL, and is a memory other than the CPU / GPU and the SSD 23 inside the notebook PC 1.

[0036] The PD controller 34 negotiates and determines the type of power supply power supplied by the AC adapter connected to the USB-C connector 261. Further, the PD controller 34 detects the voltage (power supply voltage) of the power supply line L0 that supplies power supply power from the CBUS terminal of the USB-C connector 261, and controls a preregulator unit 41 described later according to the detected power supply voltage. Further, the PD controller 34 supplies information indicating the detected power supply voltage to the embedded controller 31.

[0037] The power supply unit 33 includes a preregulator unit 41, an NVDC charging unit 42, a battery 43, and a power supply switching unit 44.

[0038] When the power supply voltage supplied from the outside via the USB-C connector 261 (power supply connector) exceeds the threshold voltage (first threshold voltage), the preregulator unit 41 (an example of a first conversion circuit unit) steps down the power supply voltage to the first voltage and outputs it to the power supply line L1 (first power supply line). When the power supply voltage is equal to or lower than the threshold voltage (equal to or lower than the first threshold voltage), the power supply voltage is directly output to the power supply line L1 via a bypass line. Note that the power supply line that supplies power supply power (power supply voltage) from the USB-C connector 261 to the preregulator unit 41 is defined as the power supply line L0.

[0039] Further, the power supply voltage is, for example, 5V (volts) to 48V, and a maximum of 240W of power can be supplied to the USB-C connector 261. Also, the threshold voltage (the first threshold voltage) is, for example, 36V. When the power supply voltage exceeds, for example, 36V, the pre-regulator unit 41 steps down the power supply voltage to the first voltage (for example, 16V to 20V) and outputs it to the power supply line L1. Also, when the power supply voltage is, for example, 36V or less, the pre-regulator unit 41 directly outputs the power supply voltage (for example, 5V to 36V) to the power supply line L1.

[0040] The pre-regulator unit 41 supplies the first voltage (for example, 16V to 20V) to the peripheral device 20 via a power supply switching unit 44 described later. The pre-regulator unit 41 includes a step-down circuit 411 and a bypass switch 412.

[0041] The step-down circuit 411 is, for example, a step-down regulator that steps down the power supply voltage (for example, 36V to 48V) to the first voltage (for example, 16V to 20V) and outputs it to the power supply line L1. Note that the step-down circuit 411 stops operating when the bypass switch 412 is controlled to be in the on state (conducting state) by the PD controller 34.

[0042] The bypass switch 412 is, for example, a MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor) that connects the power supply line L0 and the power supply line L1 and bypasses and outputs the power supply voltage to the power supply line L1. When the bypass switch 412 is controlled to be in the on state by the PD controller 34, it outputs the power supply voltage (for example, 5V to 36V) to the power supply line L1. to output.

[0043] The NVDC (Narrow Voltage Direct Charging) charging unit 42 (an example of the second conversion circuit unit) is, for example, a power supply circuit for charging the battery 43 in the NVDC mode. The NVDC charging unit 42 converts the first voltage (for example, 5V to 36V, or 16V to 20V) output to the power line L1 into the second voltage (for example, 9V to 13.5V, or 12V to 18.2V), and outputs the second voltage to the power line L2 (the second power line) that supplies power to the main control unit 10 and the video subsystem 13 (image processing unit), to which the battery 43 is connected.

[0044] Note that the power line L2 is connected to the main control unit 10 and the video subsystem 13 of the main system 100 and the battery 43, and the second voltage is supplied to the main control unit 10 and the video subsystem 13 via the power line L2. Also, charging power is supplied to the battery 43 from the NVDC charging unit 42 via the power line L2, and power is supplied from the battery 43 to the main control unit 10 and the video subsystem 13 via the power line L2. Also, the NVDC charging unit 42 supplies the second voltage (for example, 9V to 13.5V) to the peripheral device 20 via the power supply switching unit 44 described later.

[0045] The battery 43 is, for example, a battery unit composed of a lithium-ion battery and is directly connected to the power line L2. The battery 43 is charged by the power supplied from the NVDC charging unit 42 via the power line L2, and discharges to supply power to operate the main system 100 and the peripheral device 20 when the power for operating the main system 100 and the peripheral device 20 is insufficient.

[0046] The power supply switching unit 44 (an example of the switching unit) can switch and supply power to the peripheral device 20 of the main control unit 10 (main system 100) from the power line L1 and from the power line L2. The power supply switching unit 44 switches and connects either the power line L1 or the power line L2 to the power line L3, and outputs either the first voltage of the power line L1 or the second voltage of the power line L3 to the power line L3. The power supply switching unit 44 includes an inverter circuit 441, a MOSFET 442, and an ideal diode circuit (443, 444).

[0047] The inverter circuit 441 is, for example, a logic inversion circuit that logically inverts a control signal (switching signal) supplied from the embedded controller 31 and outputs it to the control terminal of the MOSFET 442.

[0048] The MOSFET 442 is connected between the power supply line L1 and the power supply line L3, and its control terminal (gate terminal) is connected to the output terminal of the inverter circuit 441. When the MOSFET 442 is turned on by the output signal of the inverter circuit 441, it outputs the voltage of the power supply line L1 to the anode terminal of the ideal diode circuit 443.

[0049] The ideal diode circuit 443 (an example of a first ideal diode circuit) is arranged between the power supply line L1 and the power supply line L3 (the third power supply line) that supplies power to the peripheral device 20. The ideal diode circuit 443 has its anode terminal connected to the output line of the MOSFET 442 and its cathode terminal connected to the power supply line L3.

[0050] The ideal diode circuit 443 has its on-state and off-state controlled by the output of the inverter circuit 441 and prevents reverse current from the power supply line L3. When the MOSFET 442 is in the on-state, the ideal diode circuit 443 turns on and outputs the voltage of the power supply line L1 to the power supply line L3.

[0051] The ideal diode circuit 444 (an example of a second ideal diode circuit) is arranged between the power supply line L2 and the power supply line L3. The ideal diode circuit 444 has its anode terminal connected to the power supply line L2 and its cathode terminal connected to the power supply line L3. The on-state and off-state of the ideal diode circuit 444 are controlled by the output of the control signal of the embedded controller 31 and it prevents reverse current from the power supply line L3. When the MOSFET 442 is in the off-state, the ideal diode circuit 444 turns on and outputs the voltage of the power supply line L2 to the power supply line L3.

[0052] The embedded controller 31 (an example of an embedded controller) includes a power control unit 45 and outputs a control signal for performing switching control of the power switching unit 44.

[0053] When the power supply voltage supplied via the USB-C connector 261 is equal to or higher than a preset second threshold voltage (for example, 43 V or higher), the power control unit 45 supplies power to the peripheral device 20 from the power supply line L1. When the power supply voltage is lower than the second threshold voltage (for example, less than 43 V), the power control unit 45 controls the power switching unit 44 to supply power to the peripheral device 20 from the power supply line L2.

[0054] The power control unit 45 obtains the value of the power supply voltage from, for example, the PD controller 34. When the obtained value of the power supply voltage is, for example, 43 V or higher (for example, 48 ± 4.8 V), the power control unit 45 outputs a control signal to the power switching unit 44 such that the MOSFET 442 and the ideal diode circuit 443 of the power switching unit 44 are turned on and the ideal diode circuit 444 is turned off. Note that the power control unit 45 may control the MOSFET 442 and the ideal diode circuit 443 to be turned on when the voltage of the power supply line L1 is 16 V to 20 V, and control the MOSFET 442 and the ideal diode circuit 443 to be turned off when the voltage of the power supply line L1 becomes 20 V or higher.

[0055] Also, when the obtained value of the power supply voltage is, for example, less than 43 V, the power control unit 45 outputs a control signal to the power switching unit 44 such that the MOSFET 442 and the ideal diode circuit 443 of the power switching unit 44 are turned off and the ideal diode circuit 444 is turned on.

[0056] Next, with reference to the drawings, the operation of the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams for explaining an example of the operation of the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, the operation of the notebook PC 1 when the power supply voltage is not supplied with 48V (the power supply voltage is less than about 43V) will be described.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 3, in this case, the power control unit 45 outputs a control signal to the power switching unit 44 such that the MOSFET 442 and the ideal diode circuit 443 of the power switching unit 44 are turned off and the ideal diode circuit 444 is turned on. Therefore, the power supply voltage supplied via the USB-C connector 261 supplies power to the peripheral device 20 through the path RT1: pre-regulator unit 41 → power line L1 → NVDC charging unit 42 → power line L2 → ideal diode circuit 444 of the power switching unit 44 → power line L3. Also, the main system 100 and the battery 43 are supplied with power from the power line L2 in the same manner as the peripheral device 20.

[0058] Also, in FIG. 4, the operation of the notebook PC 1 when the power supply voltage is supplied with 48V (the power supply voltage is, for example, 48 ± 4.8V) will be described.

[0059] As shown in FIG. 4, in this case, the power control unit 45 outputs a control signal to the power switching unit 44 such that the MOSFET 442 and the ideal diode circuit 443 of the power switching unit 44 are turned on and the ideal diode circuit 444 is turned off. Therefore, the power supply voltage supplied via the USB-C connector 261 supplies power to the peripheral device 20 through the path RT3: pre-regulator unit 41 → power line L1 → MOSFET 442 and ideal diode circuit 443 of the power switching unit 44 → power line L3. Also, the main system 100 and the battery 43 are supplied with power through the path RT2: pre-regulator unit 41 → power line L1 → NVDC charging unit 42 → power line L2.

[0060] In this case, the power supplied via the USB-C connector 261 is distributed and consumed in the path RT2 and the path RT3.

[0061] Next, with reference to FIG. 5, the details of the operation of the power control unit 45 of the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the notebook PC according to the embodiment.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 5, the power control unit 45 first determines whether the power supply voltage (VBUS) is equal to or higher than the threshold voltage (equal to or higher than the second threshold voltage) (step S101). The power control unit 45 obtains the value of the power supply voltage from the PD controller 34 and determines whether the power supply voltage is 43 V or higher (second threshold voltage: about 48 - 4.8 V or higher). When the power control unit 45 determines that the power supply voltage is 43 V or higher (second threshold voltage: about 48 - 4.8 V or higher) (step S101: YES), the process proceeds to step S102. Also, when the power control unit 45 determines that the power supply voltage is less than 43 V (second threshold voltage: about 48 - 4.8 V less) (step S101: NO), the process proceeds to step S103.

[0063] In step S102, the power control unit 45 controls the power switch unit 44 to supply power to the peripheral device 20 from the power line L1. That is, the power control unit 45 switches from the state of the path RT1 described above to the states of the paths RT2 and RT3 and controls to the state shown in FIG. 4. After the process of step S102, the power control unit 45 returns the process to step S101.

[0064] Also, in step S103, the power control unit 45 controls the power switch unit 44 to supply power to the peripheral device 20 from the power line L2. That is, the power control unit 45 switches from the states of the paths RT2 and RT3 described above to the state of the path RT1 and controls to the state shown in FIG. 3. After the process of step S103, the power control unit 45 returns the process to step S101.

[0065] As described above, the notebook PC 1 (information processing apparatus) according to the present embodiment includes a pre-regulator unit 41 (first conversion circuit unit), an NVDC charging unit 42 (second conversion circuit unit), a power supply switching unit 44 (switching unit), and a power supply control unit 45. When the power supply voltage supplied from the outside via the USB-C connector 261 (power supply connector) exceeds the first threshold voltage (for example, 36 V), the pre-regulator unit 41 steps down the power supply voltage to the first voltage (for example, 16 V to 20 V) and outputs it to the power supply line L1 (first power supply line). When the power supply voltage is equal to or lower than the first threshold voltage (for example, 36 V or lower), the pre-regulator unit 41 directly outputs the power supply voltage to the power supply line L1 via the bypass line. The NVDC charging unit 42 converts the first voltage output to the power supply line L1 into the second voltage (for example, 9 V to 13.5 V, or 12 V to 18.2 V), and outputs the second voltage to the power supply line L2 (second power supply line) that supplies power to the main control unit 10 and the video subsystem 13 (image processing unit), where the battery is connected. The power supply switching unit 44 (switching unit) can switch and supply power to the peripheral devices 20 of the main control unit 10 from the power supply line L1 and from the power supply line L2. When the power supply voltage is equal to or higher than a preset second threshold voltage (for example, 43 V or higher), the power supply control unit 45 supplies power to the peripheral devices 20 from the power supply line L1. When the power supply voltage is lower than the second threshold voltage (for example, 43 V), the power supply control unit 45 controls the power supply switching unit 44 to supply power to the peripheral devices 20 from the power supply line L2.

[0066] As a result, when the notebook PC 1 (information processing apparatus) according to the present embodiment performs power supply of 48V, for example, as in the state shown in FIG. 4 described above, the power is distributed to the path RT2 (power supply to the main control unit 10 and the video subsystem 13) and the path RT3 (power supply to the peripheral device 20) to supply power. Therefore, the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment can reduce heat generation due to 48V power supply. Further, in the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment, since the battery 43 is directly connected to the power line L2, even when a power shortage occurs due to the operation of the main control unit 10 and the video subsystem 13, the power can be quickly replenished from the battery 43 without delay. Therefore, the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment can reduce heat generation and reduce the delay in power supply from the battery 43 (delay until switching from the charging mode to the discharging mode) in the case of 48V power supply, for example.

[0067] Further, the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment includes an embedded controller 31 (embedded controller) that operates independently of the main control unit 10. The embedded controller 31 includes the power control unit 45 described above.

[0068] As a result, since the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment uses the embedded controller 31 to configure the power control unit 45, there is no need to newly add the power control unit 45. Therefore, the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment can easily realize 48V power supply by using the conventional embedded controller 31.

[0069] Further, in the present embodiment, the power switch unit 44 includes an ideal diode circuit 443 (first ideal diode circuit) and an ideal diode circuit 444 (second ideal diode circuit). The ideal diode circuit 443 is disposed between the power line L1 (first power line) and the power line L3 (third power line) that supplies power to the peripheral device 20. The ideal diode circuit 444 is disposed between the power line L2 (second power line) and the power line L3 (third power line).

[0070] As a result, the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment can switch between the power supply line L1 (first power supply line) and the power supply line L2 (second power supply line) by using the ideal diode circuits 443 and 444 without the voltage being wasted (dropping). Further, the notebook PC 1 according to the present embodiment can appropriately prevent the reverse flow of the power supplied to the peripheral device 20 by using the ideal diode circuits 443 and 444.

[0071] Further, in the present embodiment, the USB connector unit 26 is a connector conforming to the USB Type-C standard (USB-C connector 261). As a result, the notebook PC 1 (information processing apparatus) according to the present embodiment can realize power supply of 48V by using the USB connector (USB-C connector 261).

[0072] Further, the control method according to the present embodiment includes a first conversion step, a second conversion step, and a power supply control step. In the first conversion step, when the power supply voltage supplied from the outside via the USB connector unit 26 exceeds the first threshold voltage, the preregulator unit 41 steps down the power supply voltage to the first voltage and outputs it to the power supply line L1, and when the power supply voltage is equal to or lower than the first threshold voltage, the power supply voltage is directly output to the power supply line L1 via the bypass line. In the second conversion step, the NVDC charging unit 42 converts the first voltage output to the power supply line L1 into the second voltage and outputs the second voltage to the power supply line L2 that supplies power to the main control unit 10 and the video subsystem 13, and to which the battery is connected. In the power supply control step, the power supply control unit 45 (embedded controller 31) controls the power supply switching unit 44 capable of switching between supplying power from the power supply line L1 and supplying power from the power supply line L2 to the peripheral device 20 of the main control unit 10, so that when the power supply voltage is equal to or higher than a preset second threshold voltage, power is supplied from the power supply line L1 to the peripheral device 20, and when the power supply voltage is lower than the second threshold voltage, power is supplied from the power supply line L2 to the peripheral device 20.

[0073] As a result, the control method according to the present embodiment has the same effect as the above-described notebook PC1. For example, in the power supply of 48V, it is possible to reduce heat generation and reduce the delay in power supply from the battery 43 (delay until switching from the charging mode to the discharging mode) when there is a power shortage.

[0074] (Second Embodiment) Next, with reference to the drawings, the notebook PC1a according to the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, a modification will be described in which the power supply control unit 45 of the first embodiment is provided outside the embedded controller 31.

[0075] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the details of the power supply unit 33 of the notebook PC1a according to the second embodiment. Note that since the hardware configuration of the notebook PC1a according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1 described above, the description thereof will be omitted here.

[0076] Also, in FIG. 6, the same components as those shown in FIG. 2 described above are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof is omitted.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 6, the notebook PC1a includes a USB-C connector 261, an embedded controller 31, a power supply unit 33, a PD controller 34, a main system 100, and a peripheral device 20. Further, the power supply unit 33 in the present embodiment includes a pre-regulator unit 41, an NVDC charging unit 42, a battery 43, a power supply switching unit 44, and a power supply control unit 45a.

[0078] Note that in the present embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment is that the embedded controller 31 does not include the power supply control unit 45, and the power supply control unit 45a is provided outside the embedded controller 31.

[0079] The power supply control unit 45a has the same functions as the power supply control unit 45. When the power supply voltage is equal to or higher than a preset second threshold voltage (for example, 43 V or higher), it supplies power from the power supply line L1 to the peripheral device 20. When the power supply voltage is lower than the second threshold voltage (for example, 43 V), it controls the power supply switching unit 44 to supply power from the power supply line L2 to the peripheral device 20. In addition, the power supply control unit 45a includes a comparator 451 and a constant voltage power supply 452.

[0080] The comparator 451 is, for example, a comparator of discrete components. Its positive input terminal (non-inverting input terminal) is connected to the output line of the constant voltage power supply 452, its negative input terminal is connected to the VBUS terminal of the USB-C connector 261, and its output terminal is connected to the control signal line. The comparator 451 compares the voltage of the constant voltage power supply 452 (for example, the second threshold voltage) with the power supply voltage, and outputs the comparison result as a control signal to the power supply switching unit 44.

[0081] When the power supply voltage is equal to or higher than the voltage of the constant voltage power supply 452 (for example, the second threshold voltage), the comparator 451 outputs a control signal to the power supply switching unit 44 such that the MOSFET 442 and the ideal diode circuit 443 of the power supply switching unit 44 are turned on and the ideal diode circuit 444 is turned off.

[0082] Also, when the power supply voltage is lower than the voltage of the constant voltage power supply 452 (for example, the second threshold voltage), the comparator 451 outputs a control signal to the power supply switching unit 44 such that the MOSFET 442 and the ideal diode circuit 443 of the power supply switching unit 44 are turned off and the ideal diode circuit 444 is turned on.

[0083] The constant voltage power supply 452 is a constant voltage generation circuit that generates a second threshold voltage for comparison. The output line of the constant voltage power supply 452 is connected to the positive input terminal of the comparator 451.

[0084] As described above, in the present embodiment, the power supply control unit 45a includes a comparator circuit (comparator 451) that compares the power supply voltage with the second threshold voltage. The power supply control unit 45a is composed of discrete logic circuits. Accordingly, the notebook PC 1a according to the present embodiment can easily realize power supply of 48V by using a simple logic circuit composed of discrete logic circuits.

[0085] Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the power supply system of the present invention, For example, in each of the above embodiments, an example in which the information processing apparatus is the notebook PC 1 (1a) has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, other information processing apparatuses such as a tablet terminal apparatus and a desktop PC may be used.

[0086] Also, in each of the above embodiments, an example in which the power supply connector is the USB-C connector 261 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and a connector of another interface that supplies large power as the power supply power may be used.

[0087] Also, in each of the above embodiments, an example in which the first threshold voltage and the second threshold voltage are different threshold voltages has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first threshold voltage and the second threshold voltage may be different voltage values.

[0088] Also, in the first embodiment described above, an example in which the power supply control unit 45 includes the embedded controller 31 has been described, but the present invention is not limited thereto, and for example, a configuration in which the PD controller 34 includes the power supply control unit 45 may be used.

[0089] Note that each component included in the above-described notebook PC 1 (1a) has a computer system inside. Then, a program for realizing the functions of each component included in the above-described notebook PC 1 (1a) is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on this recording medium is read into the computer system and executed to perform the processing in each component included in the above-described notebook PC 1 (1a). Here, "reading and executing the program recorded on the recording medium by the computer system" includes installing the program in the computer system. The "computer system" mentioned here is assumed to include hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. Also, the "computer system" may include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. The "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, ROM, CD-ROM, or a storage device such as a hard disk built into the computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0090] Also, the recording medium includes an internal or external recording medium provided so as to be accessible from a distribution server for distributing the program. Note that the program may be divided into a plurality of parts, downloaded at different timings, and then combined in each component included in the notebook PC 1 (1a), or the distribution servers for distributing the divided programs may be different.

[0091] Furthermore, the "computer-readable recording medium" shall include those that hold a program for a certain period of time, such as volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted via a network. Also, the above program may be for realizing a part of the functions described above. Furthermore, it may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can realize the above functions in combination with a program already recorded in a computer system.

[0092] Also, part or all of the functions described above may be realized as an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each of the functions described above may be made into an individual processor, or part or all of them may be integrated and made into a processor. Also, the method of integrating into a circuit is not limited to LSI and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. Also, when a technology for integrating into a circuit that replaces LSI appears due to the progress of semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit using such technology may be used.

Explanation of Signs

[0093] 1, 1a Notebook PC 10 Main control unit 11 CPU 12 Main memory 13 Video subsystem 14 Display unit 20 Peripheral devices 21 Chipset 22 BIOS memory 23 SSD 24 Audio system 25 WLAN card 26 USB connector part 31 Embedded controller (EC) 32 Input unit 33 Power supply unit 34 PD controller 41 Preregulator part 42 NVDC charging part 43 Battery 44 Power switching unit 45, 45a Power control unit 100 Main system 411 Step-down circuit 412 Bypass switch 441 Inverter circuit 442 MOSFET 443, 444 Ideal diode circuit 451 Comparator 452 Constant voltage power supply

Claims

1. When the power supply voltage supplied from the outside via the power supply connector exceeds the first threshold voltage, the power supply voltage is stepped down to a first voltage and output to the first power supply line. When the power supply voltage is equal to or lower than the first threshold voltage, the power supply voltage is directly output to the first power supply line via a bypass line. A first conversion circuit unit; A second power supply line that converts the first voltage output to the first power supply line into a second voltage and supplies power to the main control unit and the image processing unit, and outputs the second voltage to the second power supply line to which a battery is connected. A second conversion circuit unit; A switching unit capable of switching and supplying power to peripheral devices of the main control unit from the first power supply line and from the second power supply line; A power supply control unit that controls the switching unit so that when the power supply voltage is equal to or higher than a preset second threshold voltage, power is supplied to the peripheral devices from the first power supply line, and when the power supply voltage is lower than the second threshold voltage, power is supplied to the peripheral devices from the second power supply line An information processing apparatus comprising:

2. An embedded controller that operates independently of the main control unit is provided, The embedded controller includes the power supply control unit The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The power supply control unit is configured by a discrete logic circuit including a comparator circuit that compares the power supply voltage with the second threshold voltage The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The switching unit is A first ideal diode circuit disposed between the first power supply line and a third power supply line that supplies power to the peripheral devices; A second ideal diode circuit disposed between the second power supply line and the third power supply line The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:

5. The power supply connector is a connector conforming to the USB Type-C standard The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. A first conversion step in which when the power supply voltage supplied from the outside via the power supply connector exceeds the first threshold voltage, the first conversion circuit unit steps down the power supply voltage to a first voltage and outputs it to the first power supply line. When the power supply voltage is equal to or lower than the first threshold voltage, the power supply voltage is directly output to the first power supply line via a bypass line; A second conversion step in which a second conversion circuit section converts the first voltage output to the first power line into a second voltage and outputs the second voltage to a second power line that supplies power to the main control section and the image processing section, and to which a battery is connected; A power supply control step in which a power supply control section controls a switching section capable of switching and supplying power to peripheral devices of the main control section from the first power line and from the second power line, such that when the power supply voltage is equal to or higher than a preset second threshold voltage, power is supplied to the peripheral devices from the first power line, and when the power supply voltage is lower than the second threshold voltage, power is supplied to the peripheral devices from the second power line; A control method including the above.

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