Electronic apparatus and control method for electronic apparatus

Abstract

To reduce consumption power in a sleep state.SOLUTION: An electronic apparatus switches between an operating state and a sleep state. The electronic apparatus comprises a controller that executes polling to periodically check a state of a battery when the electronic apparatus is in the operating state, and controls execution of the polling based on a notification signal output from the battery when the electronic apparatus is in the sleep state.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and a method for controlling an electronic device. [Background technology]

[0002] One standard for computer power management is the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). ACPI defines device power states (S0 to S5). General power states defined by ACPI are as follows: In S0, the computer is in operation, and in S1 and S2, the computer is in standby. In S3, the computer is in sleep (standby) state, and in S4, the computer is in hibernation state. In S5, the computer is shut down. In addition, a function called Modern Standby (hereinafter referred to as ModS) or S0i3 may be implemented in computers as a sleep state.

[0003] A computer is equipped with a battery. The computer needs to monitor the battery status to check the remaining battery power, etc. (See, for example, Patent Document 2). One method for monitoring the battery status is called polling. In this method, an embedded controller or a CPU (Central Processing Unit) periodically communicates with the battery to monitor the battery status. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-047293 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2023-067854 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] When the computer is in sleep state, the embedded controller or CPU can stop functioning, but it must wake up periodically to perform polling, which increases power consumption in sleep state.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device and a method for controlling an electronic device that can reduce power consumption in a sleep state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention is an electronic device that switches between an operating state and a sleep state, and includes a controller that performs polling to periodically check the status of a battery when the electronic device is in the operating state, and controls the execution of the polling based on a notification signal output from the battery when the electronic device is in the sleep state.

[0008] In one aspect of the present invention, the notification signal may be in either a first state or a second state, and when the notification signal is in the first state, the controller may perform the polling, and when the notification signal is in the second state, the controller may not perform the polling.

[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the electronic device may include the battery, and each time the remaining charge of the battery decreases by a predetermined first reference amount, the battery may output the notification signal in the first state, and after outputting the notification signal in the first state, the battery may output the notification signal in the second state.

[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, the electronic device may be equipped with the battery, and when the remaining charge of the battery is greater than a predetermined second reference amount, the battery may output the notification signal indicating the second state, and when the remaining charge of the battery becomes equal to or less than the second reference amount, the battery may output the notification signal indicating the first state.

[0011] In one aspect of the present invention, the electronic device may include the battery, and when the battery is in a normal state, the battery may output the notification signal in the second state, and when the battery is in an abnormal state, the battery may output the notification signal in the first state.

[0012] In one aspect of the present invention, the electronic device is connected to an external power source and includes a power supply circuit that outputs power supplied from the external power source to the battery, and when the external power source is connected to the power supply circuit, the controller executes the polling regardless of the notification signal, and when the electronic device is in the sleep state with the external power source not connected to the power supply circuit, the controller may control the execution of the polling based on the notification signal.

[0013] One aspect of the present invention is a control method for an electronic device that switches between an operating state and a sleep state, comprising the steps of: performing polling to periodically check the battery status when the electronic device is in the operating state; and controlling the execution of the polling based on a notification signal output from the battery when the electronic device is in the sleep state. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce power consumption in the sleep state. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of an electronic device according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] 4 is a timing chart showing an example of a waveform of a notification signal in the embodiment. [Figure 4] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the electronic device according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the electronic device according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] An example of the hardware configuration of an electronic device 10 according to an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the electronic device 10.

[0018] The electronic device 10 includes a CPU 11, a main memory 12, a video subsystem 13, a display unit 14, a chipset 21, a BIOS memory 22, a storage medium 23, an audio system 24, a WLAN card 25, a USB connector 26, an embedded controller 31, an input unit 32, a power supply circuit 33, and a battery 34.

[0019] The CPU 11 executes various arithmetic processes under program control and controls the entire electronic device 10. For example, the CPU 11 executes processes based on programs of an OS (Operating System) and a BIOS (Basic Input Output System). The CPU 11 is an example of a processor.

[0020] Main memory 12 is a writable memory used as a read area for the execution program of CPU 11 or as a work area for writing processing data for the execution program. Main memory 12 is composed of, for example, multiple DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) chips. This execution program includes an OS, various drivers for operating peripheral devices, various services / utilities, application programs, etc.

[0021] Video subsystem 13 is a subsystem for realizing functions related to image display, and includes a video controller. The video controller processes drawing commands from CPU 11, writes the processed drawing information to a video memory, and also reads the drawing information from the video memory and outputs it to display unit 14 as drawing data (display data).

[0022] The display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and displays a display screen based on the drawing data (display data) output from the video subsystem 13.

[0023] The chipset 21 includes controllers for a Universal Serial Bus (USB), a Serial AT Attachment (Serial ATA), a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) bus, a Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus, a PCI-Express bus, and a Low Pin Count (LPC) bus, and is connected to a plurality of devices, such as a BIOS memory 22 (described later), a storage medium 23, an audio system 24, a WLAN card 25, a USB connector 26, and an embedded controller 31.

[0024] The BIOS memory 22 is configured with an electrically rewritable nonvolatile memory such as 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. The BIOS memory 22 is an example of a sub-memory.

[0025] The storage medium 23 includes a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), etc. For example, the storage medium 23 stores an OS, various drivers, various services / utilities, application programs, and various data.

[0026] The audio system 24 is connected to a microphone and a speaker (not shown) and records, plays back, and outputs sound data. The microphone and the speaker are built into the electronic device 10, for example.

[0027] The WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) card 25 connects to a network via a wireless LAN to perform 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. The USB connector 26 is a connector for connecting peripheral devices that use USB.

[0028] The input unit 32 collectively refers to input devices (input equipment) provided in the electronic device 10. The input unit 32 includes a keyboard, a mouse, etc. The input unit 32 outputs input information input by a user operation to the embedded controller 31.

[0029] The power supply circuit 33 includes, for example, a DC / DC converter, a charge / discharge unit, an AC / DC adapter, etc. For example, the power supply circuit 33 converts a DC voltage supplied from an external power source such as an AC adapter (not shown) or a battery 34 into a plurality of voltages required to operate the electronic device 10. The power supply circuit 33 also supplies power to each component of the electronic device 10 based on control from the embedded controller 31.

[0030] The battery 34 is, for example, a secondary battery such as a lithium ion battery. When power is supplied to the electronic device 10 from an external power source, the battery 34 is charged via the power supply circuit 33. When power is not supplied to the electronic device 10 from an external power source, the battery 34 outputs the stored power via the power supply circuit 33 as operating power for the electronic device 10.

[0031] The embedded controller 31 is a one-chip microcomputer that monitors and controls various devices (peripheral devices, sensors, etc.) regardless of the system state of the electronic device 10. The embedded controller 31 includes a CPU, ROM, RAM, A / D input terminals for multiple channels, a D / A output terminal, a timer, and digital input / output terminals (not shown). The digital input / output terminals of the embedded controller 31 are connected to an input unit 32, a power supply circuit 33, etc., and the embedded controller 31 controls the operations of these components. The embedded controller 31 also controls changes in the clock frequency of the CPU 11 via the chipset 21.

[0032] The electronic device 10 may be a clamshell-type personal computer, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or other portable device in which a display device is integrally attached to a housing. Alternatively, the electronic device 10 may be a desktop personal computer in which the device body and the display device are separate. The electronic device according to this embodiment is applicable to all devices equipped with a CPU.

[0033] An example of the functional configuration of the electronic device 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the electronic device 10 relating to control of the power state.

[0034] The electronic device 10 includes a control unit 100, a storage unit 110, a power supply circuit 33, and a battery 34. The functions of the control unit 100 are realized by a CPU 11, an embedded controller 31, or a combination of the CPU 11 and the embedded controller 31.

[0035] The storage unit 110 stores programs executed by the control unit 100, data used by the control unit 100, and data generated by the control unit 100. The functions of the storage unit 110 are realized by the main memory 12, the storage medium 23, or a combination of the main memory 12 and the storage medium 23.

[0036] When the external power source 40 is connected to the power supply circuit 33, the power supply circuit 33 outputs the power supplied from the external power source 40 to the battery 34. When the external power source 40 is not connected to the power supply circuit 33, the power supply circuit 33 outputs the power supplied from the battery 34 to each unit within the electronic device 10.

[0037] The control unit 100 controls the power state of the electronic device 10 according to the remaining charge of the battery 34. The power state of the electronic device 10 is set to one of S0 (operating state), ModS (sleep state), S4 (hibernation state), and S5 (shutdown state). ModS may be S0i3. When the electronic device 10 is in S0, the control unit 100 performs polling to periodically check the state of the battery 34. When the electronic device 10 is in ModS, the control unit 100 controls the execution of polling based on a notification signal output from the battery 34. Switching between S0 and ModS is performed, for example, according to a user instruction.

[0038] The battery 34 includes a battery control unit 34a, a rechargeable battery 34b, and a memory 34c. The rechargeable battery 34b is a secondary battery. The battery control unit 34a monitors the state of the rechargeable battery 34b in accordance with firmware recorded in the memory 34c. The memory 34c includes a ROM in which the firmware is recorded and a RAM that stores the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery 34b, etc.

[0039] The battery control unit 34a outputs a notification signal having a voltage level according to the state of the rechargeable battery 34b. The notification signal has a high level (H) or a low level (L). The notification signal is input to the control unit 100 via the power supply circuit 33.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows an example of the waveform of the notification signal. Under normal conditions, the notification signal is at a high level. The notification signal goes low every time the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery 34b decreases by a first reference amount. For example, the first reference amount is 1% of the full charge capacity. The first reference amount is recorded in the ROM of the memory 34c. At time T1, when the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery 34b decreases by the first reference amount, the notification signal goes low. The notification signal is maintained at a low level for a predetermined period (for example, 250 ms) from time T1, and then returns to a high level.

[0041] At time T2, when the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery 34b has decreased by a first reference amount from the remaining charge at time T1, the notification signal goes low. The notification signal is maintained at low for a predetermined period (e.g., 250 ms) from time T2, and then returns to high.

[0042] At time T3, the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery 34b falls below a preset second reference amount. For example, the second reference amount is 5% or 2% of the full charge capacity. The second reference amount is recorded in the ROM of the memory 34c. At time T3, the notification signal goes low and is maintained at low level thereafter. The notification signal also goes low when an abnormality such as a temperature abnormality occurs.

[0043] In this embodiment, the battery 34 outputs a notification signal having a low level. This allows the battery 34 to wake up the control unit 100, which is in a sleep state. When the notification signal having a low level is output, the control unit 100 checks the status of the battery 34. If the remaining charge of the battery 34 is low or if some abnormality has occurred in the battery 34, the control unit 100 performs polling to prevent an abnormal shutdown from occurring. This reduces power consumption in the sleep state compared to when polling is performed constantly.

[0044] In the above example, the first reference amount for the decrease in the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery 34b is 1% of the full charge capacity. The first reference amount is set so that the time required for the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery 34b to decrease by the first reference amount is longer than the polling interval (polling interval).

[0045] Personal computers have various operating modes, and the intervals appropriate for checking the status of the battery 34 differ depending on the operating mode. The ROM capacity of the battery 34 is limited, and it is difficult to record various conditions for checking the status of the battery 34 in the ROM of the battery 34.

[0046] In this embodiment, when the electronic device 10 is in a sleep state, the control unit 100 controls the execution of polling based on a notification signal output from the battery 34. In particular, when the external power supply 40 is not connected to the power supply circuit 33 and the electronic device 10 is in a sleep state, the control unit 100 controls the execution of polling based on the notification signal. This makes it possible to reduce power consumption in the sleep state. When the external power supply 40 is connected to the power supply circuit 33 or when the electronic device 10 is in a power state other than the sleep state, the control unit 100 performs normal polling.

[0047] The operation of the electronic device 10 will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. Figure 4 shows an example of processing executed by the control unit 100.

[0048] (Step S100) The control unit 100 monitors the state of the power supply circuit 33 and determines whether the external power supply 40 is connected to the power supply circuit 33 or not.

[0049] (Step S101) If the external power supply 40 is not connected to the power supply circuit 33, the control unit 100 checks the power supply state of the electronic device 10.

[0050] (Step S102) When the electronic device 10 is in ModS, the control unit 100 stops functioning. The control unit 100 maintains the stopped state while a high-level notification signal is output from the battery 34. When a low-level notification signal is output from the battery 34, the control unit 100 starts up.

[0051] (Step S103) The control unit 100 outputs a status confirmation request to the battery 34 to confirm the status of the battery 34. The control unit 100 receives a status confirmation response output from the battery 34 and determines the status of the battery 34 based on the status confirmation response. The status confirmation response includes information indicating the status of the battery 34. For example, the status confirmation response includes information indicating the remaining charge of the battery 34 and information indicating whether an abnormality has occurred in the battery 34.

[0052] If the remaining charge of the battery 34 is greater than a preset second reference amount and the battery 34 is in a normal state, the control unit 100 stops functioning. After that, the electronic device 10 transitions to the state in step S102.

[0053] (Step S104) If the remaining charge of the battery 34 is less than the second reference amount or if the battery 34 is in an abnormal state, the control unit 100 sets the polling interval to 5 seconds and starts polling. After that, the same processing as normal polling is executed.

[0054] (Step S105) If the external power supply 40 is connected to the power supply circuit 33, the control unit 100 sets the polling interval to 2 seconds and starts polling, after which the same processing as normal polling is executed.

[0055] (Step S106) When the electronic device 10 is in S0, the control unit 100 outputs a status confirmation request to the battery 34 to confirm the status of the battery 34. The control unit 100 receives a status confirmation response output from the battery 34 and determines the status of the battery 34 based on the status confirmation response.

[0056] If the remaining charge of the battery 34 is less than the second reference amount or if the battery 34 is in an abnormal state, the control unit 100 sets the polling interval to 5 seconds in step S104 and starts polling. After that, the same process as normal polling is executed.

[0057] (Step S107) If the remaining charge of the battery 34 is greater than the second reference amount and the battery 34 is in a normal state, the control unit 100 sets the polling interval to 30 seconds and starts polling. After that, the same process as normal polling is executed.

[0058] FIG. 5 shows an example of processing executed by the battery control unit 34a of the battery 34.

[0059] (Step S200) The battery control unit 34a checks the remaining amount of the rechargeable battery 34b. When the first remaining amount check is executed, the battery control unit 34a records the remaining amount of the rechargeable battery 34b in the memory 34c.

[0060] (Step S201) The memory 34c stores the remaining capacity confirmed in the first remaining capacity check or the remaining capacity confirmed the last time a low-level notification signal was output from the battery 34. The battery control unit 34a determines whether the remaining capacity confirmed in step S200 has decreased by a first reference amount from the remaining capacity recorded in the memory 34c. For example, the first reference amount is 1% of the fully charged capacity of the rechargeable battery 34b.

[0061] (Step S202) When the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery 34b decreases by the first reference amount, the battery control unit 34a outputs a notification signal having a low level, and records the remaining charge confirmed in step S200 in the memory 34c.

[0062] (Step S203) After outputting the notification signal having a low level, the battery control unit 34a determines whether or not it has received a state check request output from the control unit 100. If it has not received a state check request, the battery control unit 34a checks the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery 34b in step S200.

[0063] (Step S204) If a status check request has been received, the battery control unit 34a checks the status of the rechargeable battery 34b and outputs a status check response including status information indicating that status. Then, in step S200, the battery control unit 34a checks the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery 34b.

[0064] (Step S205) If the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery 34b has decreased by the first reference amount, the battery control unit 34a checks the state of the rechargeable battery 34b. If the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery 34b is equal to or less than the second reference amount or if the rechargeable battery 34b is in an abnormal state, the battery control unit 34a outputs a notification signal having a low level in step S202. The battery control unit 34a also records the remaining charge checked in step S200 in the memory 34c. If the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery 34b is greater than the second reference amount and the rechargeable battery 34b is in a normal state, the battery control unit 34a checks the remaining charge of the rechargeable battery 34b in step S200.

[0065] As described above, the electronic device 10 switches between an operating state (S0) and a sleep state (ModS). When the electronic device 10 is in the operating state, the control unit 100 (controller) executes polling to periodically check the state of the battery 34. When the electronic device 10 is in the sleep state, the control unit 100 controls the execution of polling based on a notification signal output from the battery 34. This allows the electronic device 10 to reduce power consumption in the sleep state.

[0066] The notification signal is either at a low level (first state) or a high level (second state). When the notification signal is at a low level, the control unit 100 performs polling. When the notification signal is at a high level, the control unit 100 does not perform polling.

[0067] Each time the remaining charge of the battery 34 decreases by a predetermined first reference amount, the battery 34 outputs a notification signal having a low level. After outputting the notification signal having a low level, the battery 34 outputs a notification signal having a high level. After the battery 34 confirms that the remaining charge of the battery 34 has decreased by the first reference amount, the battery 34 outputs a notification signal having a high level until the battery 34 next confirms this.

[0068] While polling is stopped, the OS cannot obtain information about the remaining charge of the battery 34. Because the battery 34 outputs a notification signal with a low level every time the remaining charge of the battery 34 decreases by the first reference amount, the OS can output a status check request to the battery 34 and obtain information about the remaining charge of the battery 34.

[0069] When the remaining charge of the battery 34 is greater than a preset second reference amount, the battery 34 outputs a high-level notification signal. When the remaining charge of the battery 34 falls below the second reference amount, the battery 34 outputs a low-level notification signal. This allows the electronic device 10 to avoid an abnormal shutdown when the remaining charge of the battery 34 is low.

[0070] When the battery 34 is in a normal state, the battery 34 outputs a notification signal at a high level. When the battery 34 is in an abnormal state, the battery 34 continues to output a notification signal at a low level. This allows the electronic device 10 to avoid an abnormal shutdown when an abnormality occurs in the battery 34.

[0071] The external power source 40 is connected to the power supply circuit 33, and the power supply circuit 33 outputs the power supplied from the external power source 40 to the battery 34. When the external power source 40 is connected to the power supply circuit 33, the control unit 100 executes polling regardless of the notification signal. When the external power source 40 is not connected to the power supply circuit 33 and the electronic device 10 is in a sleep state, the control unit 100 controls the execution of polling based on the notification signal. The electronic device 10 can reduce power consumption in the sleep state.

[0072] The above has described in detail an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings, but the specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiment, and design changes and the like are also included within the scope that does not deviate from the gist of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 electronic device, 11 CPU, 12 main memory, 13 video subsystem, 14 display unit, 21 chipset, 22 BIOS memory, 23 storage medium, 24 audio system, 25 WLAN card, 25 WLAN card, 26 USB connector, 31 embedded controller, 32 input unit, 33 power supply circuit, 34 battery, 34a battery control unit, 34b rechargeable battery, 34c memory, 100 control unit, 110 storage unit

Claims

1. An electronic device that switches between an operating state and a sleep state, a controller that, when the electronic device is in the operating state, executes polling to periodically check the state of the battery, and, when the electronic device is in the sleep state, controls the execution of the polling based on a notification signal output from the battery; An electronic device comprising:

2. the notification signal is in one of a first state and a second state; If the notification signal is in the first state, the controller performs the polling; When the notification signal is in the second state, the controller does not perform the polling. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

3. The battery is provided. Each time the remaining charge of the battery decreases by a predetermined first reference amount, the battery outputs the notification signal indicating that the battery is in the first state; After outputting the notification signal in the first state, the battery outputs the notification signal in the second state. The electronic device according to claim 2 .

4. The battery is provided. When the remaining charge of the battery is greater than a second predetermined reference amount, the battery outputs the notification signal indicating that the battery is in the second state; When the remaining charge of the battery becomes equal to or less than the second reference amount, the battery outputs the notification signal indicating that the battery is in the first state. The electronic device according to claim 2 .

5. The battery is provided. When the battery is in a normal state, the battery outputs the notification signal that the battery is in the second state; When the battery is in an abnormal state, the battery outputs the notification signal in the first state. The electronic device according to claim 2 .

6. a power supply circuit connected to an external power supply and outputting power supplied from the external power supply to the battery; When the external power source is connected to the power supply circuit, the controller performs the polling regardless of the notification signal; When the electronic device is in the sleep state with the external power supply not connected to the power supply circuit, the controller controls the execution of the polling based on the notification signal. The electronic device according to claim 1 .

7. A control method for an electronic device that switches between an operating state and a sleep state, comprising: performing polling to periodically check the battery status when the electronic device is in the operating state; controlling execution of the polling based on a notification signal output from the battery when the electronic device is in the sleep state; A control method for an electronic device comprising:

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