Information processing device

Abstract

The desired power mode is reflected early. [Solution] After the startup process has begun, and before the start of power control, which is a process that controls the power limit value based on temperature, the host system sets one power mode from among several power modes with different ranges of power limit values. This embodiment may be implemented in the form of an information processing device or the like that includes a host system. After the system setup is complete, the host system may set one power mode based on a second driver before starting the first driver related to power control, and then execute power control based on the set power mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to an information processing apparatus, for example, setting of power consumption.

Background Art

[0002] An information processing apparatus such as a personal computer (PC) includes a processor that executes various arithmetic processes. The power consumption of the processor occupies a large part of the power consumption of the entire information processing apparatus and varies greatly depending on the processing content. Generally, the higher the performance required with a large processing amount, the more power is consumed and the more heat is generated. For example, the information processing apparatus described in Patent Document 1 has multiple power modes, and depending on the operating situation, one of the power modes is determined and the apparatus operates according to the determined power mode.

[0003] On the other hand, the usage environments and purposes of information processing apparatuses are diverse. For example, in a situation where it is used while moving, the information processing apparatus consumes the power stored in a battery in advance. In order to be used continuously for a long time, it may be desired to suppress power consumption. Also, in places such as libraries and offices where there is a high need to maintain a quiet environment, it may be required to operate the heat dissipation fan, which causes noise, as little as possible. Some information processing apparatuses allow any one of multiple power modes to be arbitrarily selected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] Sometimes, when starting up an information processing device, it's desirable to apply the power mode that was previously set during use. However, immediately after startup, the factory default settings are applied. Therefore, the desired power mode may not be applied until the various driver software has finished starting up. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an information processing device according to one embodiment is an information processing device equipped with a host system, wherein the host system sets one power mode from a plurality of power modes with different ranges of power limits after the start of the startup process and before the start of power control, which is a process that controls the power limit value based on temperature.

[0007] In the above-described information processing device, the host system may, after the completion of system configuration and before starting the first driver related to power control, set the first power mode based on the second driver and start power control based on the power mode.

[0008] In the above-described information processing device, the host system may save a single power mode set during operation and read the power mode based on the second driver after the start of the startup process.

[0009] The above-described information processing device includes an input device that generates an operation signal in response to an operation, and a display that shows a screen. The host system may display a setting screen representing the multiple power modes on the display based on the second driver, and identify the power mode indicated by the operation signal from the multiple power modes.

[0010] In the above-described information processing device, the number of power mode stages may be three or more. [Effects of the Invention]

[0011] According to the embodiment of the present invention, the desired power mode can be applied early. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0012] [Figure 1] This is a schematic block diagram showing an example configuration of the information processing device according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the settings screen according to this embodiment. [Figure 3] This figure shows another example of the settings screen according to this embodiment. [Figure 4] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the boot process of the host system according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is an explanatory diagram illustrating the boot process of a host system related to a comparative example. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0013] The embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the drawings. An example of the configuration of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in Figure 1, the information processing device 1 is configured as a general-purpose PC.

[0014] The information processing device 1 comprises a host system 10, a display 14, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, an auxiliary storage device 23, a communication module 25, an input / output interface 26, an embedded controller 31 (EC), an input device 32, a power supply circuit 33, and a power switch 36.

[0015] The host system 10 is the core computer system of the information processing device 1. The host system 10 comprises a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, main memory 12, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) 13, and a chipset 21. In this application, the hardware constituting the host system 10 may be referred to as the "host device."

[0016] The CPU 11 controls the operation of the entire information processing device 1. In other words, the CPU 11 is the core processing unit that executes arithmetic processing instructed by various commands written in the software (program). The CPU 11's operations include reading and writing data to storage media such as the main memory 12 and auxiliary storage device 23, reading data from the ROM 22, and input / output with other devices. Programs executed by the CPU 11 include, for example, the OS (Operating System), firmware, device drivers (sometimes simply called "drivers" in this application), utility programs, and application programs (sometimes simply called "applications" or "apps" in this application). In this application, the execution of processing instructed by commands written in a program is sometimes referred to as "executing a program" or "program execution."

[0017] Main memory 12 is writable memory used as a reading area for the CPU 11's executable program, or as a work area for writing processing data for the executable program. Main memory 12 is composed of, for example, multiple DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) chips. The CPU 11 and main memory 12 constitute the minimum hardware that makes up the host system 10.

[0018] The GPU 13 is an arithmetic processing unit mainly for realizing functions related to image display. The GPU 13 processes (image processes) drawing commands issued from the CPU 11 and writes display data indicating the obtained display information into a video memory provided in itself. The GPU 13 sequentially reads out the display data written from the video memory and outputs the read display data to the display 14. The GPU 13 may share some processing with the CPU 11. The GPU 13 may be integrated with the CPU 11 and formed on the same core, or may be formed on a core separate from the CPU 11. The GPU 13 may execute parallel arithmetic processing other than image processing or share some processing with the CPU 11.

[0019] The display 14 displays a display screen based on the display data input from the GPU 13. The display 14 may be, for example, any of a liquid crystal display (LCD), an OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) display, and the like.

[0020] The chipset 21 includes a plurality of controllers and enables connection so that a plurality of devices and various data can be input and output. The controllers provided in the chipset 21 may be, for example, any of a USB (Universal Serial Bus), an SPI (Serial Peripheral Interface) bus, a PCI-Express bus, and the like. In the example of FIG. 1, the chipset 21 is connected to the ROM 22, the auxiliary storage device 23, the communication module 25, the input / output I / F 26, and the EC 31.

[0021] The ROM 22 mainly stores firmware. The firmware stored in the ROM 22 includes BIOS and other firmware related to individual devices. The ROM 22 is configured to include a rewritable non-volatile memory such as an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or a flash ROM.

[0022] The auxiliary storage device 23 stores various data used in the processing of the host system 10, various data acquired through such processing, or various programs. The auxiliary storage device 23 may be, for example, an SSD (Solid State Drive) or an HDD (Hard-disk Drive).

[0023] The communication module 25 connects to a communication network, enabling it to send and receive various types of data wirelessly or via wired connections. The communication module 25 communicates various types of data with other devices connected to the communication network. The communication module 25 is, for example, a wireless LAN module that connects to a wireless LAN.

[0024] The I / F26 input / output interface connects to various devices for data input and output via wired or wireless connections. For example, the I / F26 includes a connector (USB connector) for wired data input and output in accordance with USB specifications.

[0025] EC31 is a controller that monitors and controls the operation of various devices connected to it, regardless of the operating state of the host system 10. EC31 has a separate CPU, ROM, RAM, timer, and input / output interface from the host system 10. Devices with a lower data transfer speed than the chipset 21 can be connected to EC31. In the example shown in Figure 1, an input device 32, a power supply circuit 33, and a power switch 36 are connected to EC31.

[0026] The input device 32 detects user operations, generates an operation signal according to the detected operation, and outputs it to EC31. The input device 32 may be, for example, a keyboard, a touchpad, or any other.

[0027] The power supply circuit 33 includes a voltage converter. The voltage converter converts the voltage of DC power supplied from an external power source or a battery (not shown) to the voltage required for the operation of each device constituting the information processing device 1, and supplies power with the converted voltage to the receiving device. The power supply circuit 33 performs power supply to the device according to the control of EC31. The power supply circuit 33 includes a charger. The charger charges the battery with the power remaining from the power supplied from the external power source that is not consumed by each device. If power is not supplied from the external power source, or if the power supplied from the external power source does not meet the demand, the charger supplies power discharged from the battery to each device. The battery charges with power supplied from the power supply circuit 33, or discharges power stored in itself to the power supply circuit 33. The battery may be, for example, a lithium-ion battery, a sodium-ion battery, or any other.

[0028] Each time a press operation is received, the power switch 36 controls the power supply state to the host system 10 to either power ON or power OFF. When a press operation is received, the power switch 36 outputs a press signal to EC31. When the information processing device 1 is powered off and a press signal is input from the power switch 36, EC31 instructs the power supply circuit 33 to start supplying power to each device of the information processing device 1 (power on). When power is supplied to the information processing device 1 and a press signal is input from the power switch 36, EC31 causes the host system 10 to perform a shutdown process.

[0029] Next, we will describe an example of the functional configuration of the host system 10. The functions of the host system 10 are realized by the CPU 11 executing various programs in cooperation with the main memory 12, chipset 21, and other hardware. In this application, the firmware relating to the host system 10 is referred to as "system firmware." The system firmware includes a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System). The BIOS is a program for performing input and output with hardware resources. The BIOS includes a system BIOS based on the UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) standard. In this application, the system firmware may sometimes be referred to as BIOS.

[0030] CPU11 starts booting when power is turned on. CPU11 executes the boot loader and reads the BIOS from ROM22. The BIOS is the first thing executed after power is turned on. CPU11 performs the POST (Power On Self Test) process according to the BIOS. The POST process includes basic device initialization, consistency verification, device detection, system configuration, and system startup (OS startup).

[0031] The host system 10 operates according to one of several predetermined power modes. Power control parameters are set in the registers of the CPU 11 for each power mode.

[0032] Power control parameters may include, for example, a first power limit (PL1). PL1 corresponds to the rated power. The rated power is a threshold that allows the moving average of the CPU 11's power consumption to temporarily exceed this value, but prevents it from consistently exceeding this value (for example, for several seconds to tens of seconds or more). The window length in the moving average (i.e., the observation period for the moving average of power consumption) is, for example, about 1 to 10 seconds. Power control parameters may also include a second power limit (PL2). PL2 is a threshold that prevents the power consumption from exceeding this value, even if only temporarily. Generally, the higher the clock frequency of the CPU 11, the more calculations it performs, and consequently, the more power it consumes. The CPU 11 adjusts its clock frequency, for example, so that the instantaneous value of power consumption does not exceed PL2, and the moving average of power consumption does not exceed PL1.

[0033] The host system 10 may select a power mode indicated by an operation signal input from the input device 32 in response to user operation, or it may select a power mode that satisfies the power consumption due to the processing of the CPU 11 or the application program being executed. The host system 10 notifies EC31 of the selected power mode.

[0034] Power modes include, for example, performance mode, balanced mode, and eco mode. PL1 is set to decrease in the order of performance mode, balanced mode, and eco mode, and to be largest relative to performance mode. PL2 may decrease in the order of performance mode, balanced mode, and eco mode, or it may be equal across some or all power control modes.

[0035] The host system 10 displays a setting screen on the display 14 showing multiple power modes and selects a power mode indicated by an operation signal input from the input device 32 in response to user operation. The host system 10 may also select a power mode that satisfies the power consumption due to the processing of the CPU 11 or the application program currently running. The host system 10 notifies the EC31 of the selected power mode and stores the power limit value corresponding to that power mode in the main memory 12. The host system 10 controls the power consumption of its own system according to the power limit value stored in the main memory 12.

[0036] Figure 2 shows an example of a settings screen according to this embodiment. The settings screen illustrated in Figure 2 is configured based on a slider bar. The slider bar has a horizontally extending bar and a pointer, and the position of the pointer can be set to one of three pre-set locations on the bar according to the operation. The host system 10 identifies the power mode corresponding to the set pointer position. In the example in Figure 2(a), the pointer is positioned at the left end of the bar. In this state, the Eco (high efficiency) mode is selected. In the example in Figure 2(b), the pointer is positioned in the center of the bar. In this state, the Balanced mode is selected. In the example in Figure 2(c), the pointer is positioned at the right end of the bar. In this state, the Performance (high performance) mode is selected.

[0037] Figure 3 shows another example of the settings screen according to this embodiment. The settings screen illustrated in Figure 3 is configured based on radio buttons. The settings screen lists multiple power modes that can be set in each row. Radio buttons are placed at the beginning of each row, and one of the power modes is exclusively selected depending on the operation. The host system 10 displays the last radio button indicated in response to the operation, including a black circle in the center, and displays the other radio buttons in a blank state. Displaying the radio button including a black circle indicates that the power mode shown in that row is selected. Figure 3 illustrates the state in which eco mode is selected. The host system 10 identifies the last power mode selected in response to the operation from among the three power modes.

[0038] When EC31 instructs the host system 10 to shut down, the host system 10 initiates the shutdown process. The host system 10 stops processing any programs currently running and saves image data representing the execution state at that time to the auxiliary storage device 23. The image data includes various parameters used in the processing, intermediate values ​​generated by the processing, etc. The power mode selected during the operation of the host system 10 (for example, the power mode selected according to the operation) is included in the image data as part of the parameters related to power control and saved.

[0039] The host system 10 executes the process of controlling power consumption using power control parameters (power control) according to the instructions described in the first driver. For example, a DTT (Dynamic Tuning Technology) driver may be used as the first driver. If the information processing device 1 is equipped with a temperature sensor, the host system 10 may control the power control parameters by referring to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The host system 10 executes the process of selecting one power mode from among several power modes, and the process of setting power control parameters corresponding to the selected power mode, according to the instructions described in the second driver. For example, an ITS (Intelligent Thermal Solution) driver may be used as the second driver. The second driver has functions that complement the functions of the first driver.

[0040] Next, an example of the boot process of the host system 10 according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the boot process of the host system 10 according to this embodiment. When the CPU 11 is powered on, it changes from a state where power is not supplied to a state where power is supplied, and starts booting. The CPU 11 executes a pre-configured boot loader and reads the BIOS from the ROM 22. After the CPU 11 has finished reading the BIOS, it performs POST processing according to the BIOS. During the basic device initialization process of POST processing, the CPU 11 detects the display 14. After that, the CPU 11 displays a predetermined startup screen on the display 14. The startup screen may include the manufacturer's logo of the information processing device 1.

[0041] During the POST process, specifically the system configuration process, the CPU 11 reads the OS and other programs and parameter sets used for system operation from the auxiliary storage device 23. The CPU 11 saves the read parameter set to the main memory 12. The parameter set saved to the main memory 12 is the one set at the time of shipment of the information processing device 1, and does not include parameters set during past operation, such as user operations. Therefore, the power mode saved at this point will be the one set at the time of shipment (for example, balanced mode). In addition, the CPU 11 enables the CSM (Compatibility Supported Module) during the system configuration process. Enabling the CSM enables the host system 10 to provide a graphical user interface.

[0042] The CPU 11 starts the OS after the system configuration process is completed during the POST process. In this embodiment, the CPU 11 starts the OS and begins the initialization process. At this stage, the CPU 11 starts the second driver and executes the primary configuration process. The CPU 11 reads the second driver from the auxiliary storage device 23 and begins executing the read second driver. During the primary configuration process, parameters unique to the second driver that are not handled by the first driver are stored in the main memory 12.

[0043] The parameters unique to the second driver include the power mode set during the operation before the host system 10 starts up. The power mode may be selected by user operation. The CPU 11 identifies the last set power mode from the image data related to the second driver in the auxiliary storage device 23. Since a graphical user interface can be provided at this stage, the CPU 11 may display a setting screen showing multiple power modes on the display 14 and wait for operation signals input from the input device 32. The CPU 11 identifies the power mode indicated by the input operation signal. As part of the initialization process based on the BIOS, the CPU 11 saves the range of power limits corresponding to the identified power mode to the main memory 12 and notifies the EC31 of the power mode. The range of power limits is defined, for example, using an upper and lower limit. The CPU 11 starts power control based on the saved power limits. The EC31 starts controlling the power supply circuit 33 based on the power mode notified by the CPU 11.

[0044] After the OS initialization process is complete, CPU 11 becomes ready to perform the logon process. CPU 11 displays a predetermined logon screen on display 14. The logon screen displays guidance information to guide pre-registered users in entering authentication information. For example, users may be instructed to enter a password, fingerprint, or iris scan as authentication information.

[0045] The CPU 11 starts the first driver and begins processing based on the first driver. The CPU 11 can identify the last set parameters from the image data related to the first driver in the auxiliary storage device 23 and set them in the main memory 12. The parameters identified at this stage may include the last set power limit value. When CPU11 starts processing based on the first driver, it also starts the secondary configuration process for the second driver.

[0046] In the secondary configuration process, the CPU 11 sets parameters of the second driver that depend on the functionality of the first driver. The CPU 11 sets parameters that were not set in the primary configuration process in the main memory 12 from the image data of the second driver. The parameters set in the secondary configuration process include parameters used in processes that presuppose the startup of the first driver. Based on the second driver, the CPU 11 may display a configuration screen on the display 14 and set various parameters of the second driver in response to user operations.

[0047] Next, we will mainly explain the differences between the boot process of the host system 10 in the comparative example and that of this embodiment. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the boot process of the host system 10 in the comparative example. The CPU 11 starts booting, similar to the example in Figure 4, reads the BIOS from ROM 22, and starts executing POST processing according to the BIOS. The CPU 11 differs from this embodiment in that, after starting the OS startup, it starts the first driver, and then starts the second driver.

[0048] In the example shown in Figure 5, the CPU 11 starts the first driver after the OS initialization process is complete and the system is ready for logon. Then, after the startup process of the first driver is complete, the CPU 11 starts the second driver. After the startup process of the second driver is complete, the CPU 11 sets the parameters related to the second driver in the main memory 12. In the comparative example, at this stage, both the parameters related to the primary setting process and the parameters related to the secondary setting process according to this embodiment are set.

[0049] Thus, in the comparative example, the CPU 11 starts the second driver after the OS initialization process has finished and the first driver startup process has finished. Once the second driver startup process is complete, the CPU 11 sets the parameters related to the second driver in the main memory 12. Therefore, even after the OS has finished starting up, the power mode set during previous operation is not immediately applied, and the initial parameters set at the time of shipment are applied.

[0050] In contrast, in this embodiment, the second driver starts immediately after the OS initialization process is completed, and the power mode is set. Therefore, before the first driver starts, the power mode set during the operation of the information processing device 1, or a power mode arbitrarily set according to the operation, is set early. The above explanation primarily focuses on the case where the power mode has three stages, but it is not limited to this. The power mode may have two stages or four or more stages.

[0051] As described above, the information processing device 1 according to this embodiment includes a host system 10. After the start of the startup process and before the start of power control, which is a process that controls a power limit value (e.g., PL1) based on temperature, the host system 10 sets one power mode from among several power modes with different ranges of power limit values ​​(e.g., performance mode, balance mode, eco mode). In this configuration, one of several power modes is selected before power control begins. Therefore, a power mode reflecting usage history or a user-requested power mode is applied to power control early on.

[0052] After the system configuration is complete, the host system 10 sets one of the power modes based on the second driver before starting the first driver related to temperature-based power control, and then starts power control based on the set power mode. In this configuration, the power mode is set based on the second driver before the first driver related to power control is started. Since the power mode is set before power control begins, power control based on the power mode starts early.

[0053] The host system 10 saves a single power mode set during operation and reads the power mode based on the second driver after the startup process begins. With this configuration, the power mode set during operation is saved, and the saved power mode is applied at startup. Power control is performed according to the operating history based on the previously set power mode.

[0054] The host system 10 includes an input device 32 that generates operation signals in response to operations, and a display 14 that displays a screen. The host system 10 displays a setting screen on the display 14 that represents multiple power modes based on a second driver, and identifies the power mode indicated by the operation signal from among the multiple power modes. In this configuration, a settings screen representing multiple power modes appears on the display 14, and one of the power modes is selected based on the operation signal from the input device 32. Therefore, the user's desired power mode is set from among the multiple configurable power modes.

[0055] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configurations are not limited to the embodiments described above, and include designs and the like that do not depart from the spirit of this invention. The configurations described in the embodiments described above can be combined in any way. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0056] 1...Information processing unit, 10...Host system, 11...CPU, 12...Main memory, 13...GPU, 14...Display, 21...Chipset, 22...ROM, 23...Auxiliary storage device, 25...Communication module, 26...Input / Output I / F, 31...EC, 32...Input device, 33...Power supply circuit, 36...Power switch

Claims

1. An information processing device equipped with a host system, The aforementioned host system After the startup process has begun, but before the start of power control, which is the process of controlling the power limit value based on temperature, Select one of several power modes with different power limit ranges. Information processing device.

2. The aforementioned host system After the system setup is complete, before starting the first driver related to power control... Based on the second driver, set the first power mode, Start power control based on the aforementioned power mode. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The aforementioned host system Save the power mode setting during operation. After the startup process has started, the power mode is read based on the second driver. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2.

4. An input device that generates an operation signal in response to an operation, It includes a display that shows the screen, The aforementioned host system Based on the second driver, a setting screen representing the multiple power modes is displayed on the display. From the aforementioned multiple power modes, the power mode indicated by the operation signal is identified. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The number of power mode stages is three or more. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

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