Electronic equipment and control methods for electronic equipment

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic device and a control method for the electronic device that can reset or restart its power supply in response to the operation of a single switch. [Solution] The electronic device includes a switch that enters a first state or a second state, a power control circuit that stops the output of power from the battery when the state of the switch changes from the first state to the second state in a first mode in which power is not supplied to the battery from an external power source, and a system control circuit that starts the system when the state of the switch changes from the first state to the second state after the output of power from the battery has started in a second mode in which power is supplied to the battery from an external power source.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] There are cases where a freeze occurs in which the system of a personal computer (PC) does not respond, and a forced reset (shutdown) of the power supply is necessary. For example, there is a PC having a function of resetting the power supply when the power button is pressed for a long time (e.g., 20 seconds). Alternatively, there is a PC having a function of resetting the power supply when a predetermined button provided independently of the power button is pressed in the DC mode.

[0003] After the power supply is reset, it is necessary to restart the power supply. In a PC having a predetermined button for resetting the power supply, it is possible to restart the power supply by pressing the power button after the AC power supply is connected to the PC. Further, there is a PC that displays a menu for selecting a startup method when a predetermined button is pressed while the power supply is off, and starts up in the selected startup method.

[0004] The power control device disclosed in Patent Document 1 forcibly turns off the power supply when the power switch is continuously pressed for a predetermined time and a power-off signal is output, and the power-off signal is not output from the firmware even after a predetermined time has elapsed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In conventional technology, separate switches (buttons) are provided for resetting the power and for restarting the power. Therefore, two switches are required, and space is needed to accommodate them.

[0007] The present invention aims to provide an electronic device and a method for controlling an electronic device that can reset or restart its power supply in response to the operation of a single switch. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] One aspect of the present invention is an electronic device comprising: a switch that enters a first state or a second state; a power control circuit that stops the output of power from the battery when the state of the switch changes from the first state to the second state in a first mode in which power is not supplied to the battery from an external power source; and a system control circuit that starts the system when the state of the switch changes from the first state to the second state after the output of power from the battery has started in a second mode in which power is supplied to the battery from an external power source.

[0009] In one embodiment of the present invention, when the second mode is started, the system control circuit may output a signal to the battery to start outputting power from the battery.

[0010] In one embodiment of the present invention, the system control circuit may start a hardware diagnostic tool after the system has been started.

[0011] In one embodiment of the present invention, the switch may be a button, and when the switch is not pressed, the state of the switch may be the first state, and when the switch is pressed, the state of the switch may be the second state.

[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the switch may be a different button from the power button.

[0013] One aspect of the present invention is a control method for electronic equipment comprising: a step of stopping the output of power from the battery when the state of the switch changes from a first state to a second state in a first mode in which power is not supplied to the battery from an external power source; and a step of starting the system when the state of the switch changes from the first state to the second state after the output of power from the battery has started in a second mode in which power is supplied to the battery from an external power source. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the present invention, the power supply can be reset or restarted by operating a single switch. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of the main hardware configuration of a notebook PC according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a hardware configuration related to power control in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of the power control state in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This figure shows an example of the power control state in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] This figure shows an example of the operation of an embedded controller in an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the main hardware configuration of the notebook PC 1 according to this embodiment. The notebook PC 1 is a notebook-type PC. As shown in FIG. 1, the notebook PC 1 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 communication unit 25, a USB connector 26, an imaging unit 27, an embedded controller 31, an input unit 32, and a power supply circuit 33. In this embodiment, the CPU 11 and the chipset 21 correspond to the main control unit 10.

[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 programs of the CPU 11 or as a working area for writing the processing data of the execution programs. The main memory 12 is composed of, for example, a plurality of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) chips. The execution programs include an OS (Operating System), various drivers, various services / utilities, and application programs.

[0019] The video subsystem 13 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 to the display unit 14 as drawing data (display data). 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.

[0020] The chipset 21 includes controllers such as 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, to which a plurality of devices are connected. In FIG. 1, as examples of devices, a BIOS memory 22, an SSD 23, an audio system 24, a communication unit 25, a USB connector 26, and an imaging unit 27 are connected to the chipset 21. Also, the chipset 21 has an RTC (Real Time Clock) function.

[0021] The BIOS (Basic Input Output System) memory 22 is composed of an electrically rewritable non-volatile memory such as, for example, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or flash ROM. The BIOS memory 22 stores the BIOS and stores system firmware such as for controlling an embedded controller 31 and the like.

[0022] The SSD (Solid State Drive) 23 (an example of a non-volatile storage device) stores an OS, various drivers, various services / utilities, application programs, and various data. The audio system 24 records, plays back, and outputs audio data. An HDD (Hard Disk Drive) may be used instead of the SSD.

[0023] The communication unit 25 connects to a communication network via a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or a wired LAN and performs data communication. The communication unit 25 may also include communication devices that perform wireless communication such as Bluetooth®. For example, the communication unit 25 can communicate with Bluetooth®-compatible wireless mice and wireless keyboards using Bluetooth®.

[0024] The USB connector 26 is a connector for connecting peripheral devices that use USB. The imaging unit 27 is a webcam that captures images. The imaging unit 27 is connected to the chipset 21, for example, via a USB interface.

[0025] The embedded controller 31 is a one-chip microcomputer that monitors and controls various devices (peripherals and sensors, etc.) regardless of the system state of the notebook PC 1. The embedded controller 31 also has a power management function that controls the power supply circuit 33. The embedded controller 31 consists of a CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (not shown), and is equipped with multiple channels of A / D input terminals, D / A output terminals, a timer, and digital input / output terminals. The embedded controller 31 is connected to, for example, the input unit 32 and the power supply circuit 33 via these input / output terminals, and the embedded controller 31 controls the operation of these components.

[0026] The input section 32 is, for example, an input device such as a keyboard, a pointing device, and a touchpad. The power supply circuit 33 includes, for example, a DC / DC converter, a charge / discharge unit, a battery unit, and an AC / DC adapter (so-called AC adapter), and converts the DC voltage supplied from the AC / DC adapter or battery unit into multiple voltages necessary to operate the notebook PC 1. The power supply circuit 33 also supplies power to various parts of the notebook PC 1 based on control from the embedded controller 31.

[0027] Figure 2 shows an example of a hardware configuration related to power control. An embedded controller 31, a battery 34, a charging IC 40, a DC / DC converter 41, a switch 42, a FET (Field Effect Transistor) 43, and a FET 44 are shown in Figure 2. The charging IC 40, DC / DC converter 41, FET 43, and FET 44 are included in the power supply circuit 33.

[0028] The charging IC 40 outputs the DC voltage from the battery 34, which is a DC power source, to the DC / DC converter 41. The charging IC 40 also converts the AC voltage output from the AC power source (external power source) to a DC voltage and outputs the DC voltage to the DC / DC converter 41. When the AC / DC adapter is connected to the notebook PC 1, the charging IC 40 outputs a signal SIG1 to the embedded controller 31 indicating that AC voltage is being supplied from the AC power source.

[0029] The DC / DC converter 41 converts the DC voltage output from the charging IC 40 to a voltage within the range required for the operation of the notebook PC 1, and outputs the converted DC voltage to the embedded controller 31. The embedded controller 31 operates according to the operating mode of the notebook PC 1.

[0030] The operating mode of Notebook PC 1 is set to either DC mode or AC mode. DC mode and AC mode are switchable. When the AC / DC adapter is not connected to Notebook PC 1, Notebook PC 1 is not connected to AC power. In this case, the operating mode of Notebook PC 1 is set to DC mode, and power is supplied to the Notebook PC 1 system from battery 34. When the AC / DC adapter is connected to Notebook PC 1, Notebook PC 1 is connected to AC power. In this case, the operating mode of Notebook PC 1 is set to AC mode, and the battery 34 is charged by power from the AC power supply, and power is supplied to the Notebook PC 1 system from battery 34. As described later, when the operating mode of Notebook PC 1 is AC mode, the embedded controller 31 outputs a signal SIG2 to battery 34 to start and continue the output of power from battery 34.

[0031] Switch 42 is a switch for resetting or restarting the power supply. The state of switch 42 can be switched between two or more states. For example, switch 42 is a push button different from the power button. Switch 42 may also be a slide switch or the like. The following describes an example in which switch 42 is configured as a push button.

[0032] Switch 42 is located, for example, inside a hole formed in the bottom surface of the notebook PC 1. Switch 42 may also be located on the side of the notebook PC 1. When switch 42 is not pressed, switch 42 does not output signal SIG3 to FET 43. When switch 42 is pressed, switch 42 outputs signal SIG3 to FET 43.

[0033] The gate of FET43 is connected to switch 42, and the signal SIG3 output from switch 42 is input to the gate of FET43. One of the source and drain of FET43 is connected to ground, and the other of the source and drain of FET43 is connected to the gate of FET44 and the embedded controller 31. When the signal SIG3 is output from switch 42, FET43 outputs a low-level signal SIG4 to FET44 and the embedded controller 31.

[0034] The gate of FET44 is connected to FET43, and the signal SIG4 output from FET43 is input to the gate of FET44. One of the source and drain of FET44 is connected to ground, and the other source and drain of FET44 is connected to battery 34 via resistor R1. When a low-level signal SIG4 is output from FET43, FET44 outputs a low-level signal SIG5 to battery 34.

[0035] Figure 3 shows an example of the power supply control state in DC mode. The power supply control method in DC mode will be explained with reference to Figure 3.

[0036] When the operating mode of the notebook PC 1 is DC mode, the embedded controller 31 does not control signal SIG2 regardless of the state of signal SIG4 output from FET 43. When switch 42 is pressed, switch 42 outputs signal SIG3 to FET 43. FET 43 outputs a low-level signal SIG4 to FET 44. FET 44 outputs a low-level signal SIG5 to battery 34 to shut down battery 34. When signal SIG5 is input to battery 34, battery 34 shuts down and stops outputting power to the notebook PC 1 system. Because battery 34 stops outputting power, the embedded controller 31 stops operating. The main control unit 10, main memory 12, video subsystem 13, display unit 14, BIOS memory 22, SSD 23, audio system 24, communication unit 25, and imaging unit 27 in the notebook PC 1 system also stop operating.

[0037] Figure 4 shows an example of the power control state in AC mode. The power control method in AC mode will be explained with reference to Figure 4.

[0038] One of the standards for computer power management is ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface). ACPI defines the power states of a device (S0 to S5). The common power states defined by ACPI are as follows: S0 means the computer is running; S1 and S2 mean the computer is in standby mode; S3 means the computer is in sleep mode; S4 means the computer is in hibernation mode; and S5 means the computer is shut down.

[0039] The following describes the power control method when the operating mode of Notebook PC 1 is AC mode and the power state of Notebook PC 1 is S4 or S5. When the power state is S4 or S5, the main control unit 10, main memory 12, video subsystem 13, display unit 14, BIOS memory 22, SSD 23, audio system 24, communication unit 25, and imaging unit 27, etc., in the Notebook PC 1 system are stopped.

[0040] After the battery 34 stops outputting power, the AC / DC adapter is connected to the notebook PC 1. The notebook PC 1 is connected to the AC power supply, and power is supplied to the notebook PC 1 from the AC power supply. The charging IC 40 converts the AC voltage output from the AC power supply to a DC voltage and outputs the DC voltage to the DC / DC converter 41. The DC / DC converter 41 performs the conversion of the DC voltage output from the charging IC 40 and outputs the converted DC voltage to the embedded controller 31. The embedded controller 31 starts operating based on this DC voltage.

[0041] The embedded controller 31 identifies that the operating mode of the notebook PC 1 is AC mode based on the signal SIG1 output from the charging IC 40. The embedded controller 31 outputs a high-level signal SIG2 to the battery 34 to initiate power output from the battery 34. Based on the signal SIG2, the battery 34 begins outputting power to the notebook PC 1 system. Power supply voltage is output from the battery 34 to the switch 42, FET 43, and FET 44, enabling the switch 42, FET 43, and FET 44 to operate.

[0042] When switch 42 is pressed, switch 42 outputs signal SIG3 to FET 43. FET 43 outputs a low-level signal SIG4 to embedded controller 31. Based on signal SIG4, the embedded controller 31 starts up the notebook PC 1 system. The main control unit 10, main memory 12, video subsystem 13, display unit 14, BIOS memory 22, SSD 23, audio system 24, communication unit 25, and imaging unit 27 in the notebook PC 1 system start up. Furthermore, the embedded controller 31 starts a hardware diagnostic tool (hardware scan) to check the operation of the notebook PC 1 hardware.

[0043] The embedded controller 31 may display a menu on the display unit 14 to allow the user to select a startup method when the notebook PC 1 system starts up. The embedded controller 31 may start the notebook PC 1 system using the startup method selected from that menu. For example, the embedded controller 31 may start the BIOS setup.

[0044] While the operating mode of the notebook PC 1 is AC mode, the embedded controller 31 continues to output a high-level signal SIG2 to the battery 34 to ensure that power output from the battery 34 continues. When switch 42 is pressed, the FET 44 outputs a low-level signal SIG5. However, because the embedded controller 31 continues to output a high-level signal SIG2 to the battery 34, the battery 34 continues to output power without shutting down.

[0045] Figure 5 shows an example of the operation of the embedded controller 31 in AC mode. The operation of the embedded controller 31 in AC mode will be explained with reference to Figure 5.

[0046] (Step S100) Based on the signal SIG1 output from the charging IC 40, the embedded controller 31 identifies that the operating mode of the notebook PC 1 is AC mode and outputs a high-level signal SIG2 to the battery 34. Based on the signal SIG2, the battery 34 begins outputting power to the notebook PC 1 system.

[0047] (Step S105) The embedded controller 31 monitors the state of the signal SIG4 output from the FET 43 and determines whether or not the switch 42 has been pressed. If the switch 42 is not pressed, the embedded controller 31 continues to monitor the state of the signal SIG4. When the switch 42 is pressed, the following step S110 is executed.

[0048] (Step S110) The embedded controller 31 determines whether the power state of the notebook PC 1 is S4 or S5. If the power state is any one of S0 to S3, step S105 is executed. If the power state is S4 or S5, the following step S115 is executed.

[0049] (Step S115) The embedded controller 31 starts up the system of the notebook PC 1. The main control unit 10, main memory 12, video subsystem 13, display unit 14, BIOS memory 22, SSD 23, audio system 24, communication unit 25, and imaging unit 27, etc., in the system of the notebook PC 1 start up.

[0050] (Step S120) The embedded controller 31 launches a hardware diagnostic tool. The hardware diagnostic tool checks the operation of the notebook PC 1's hardware. After the hardware diagnostic tool has finished checking the hardware operation, the diagnostic results are displayed on the display unit 14.

[0051] In the above embodiment, an example was described in which the electronic device is a notebook PC (notebook PC 1), but it is not limited to this, and the electronic device may be, for example, a desktop PC or a tablet terminal device.

[0052] As described above, the electronic device (notebook PC 1) includes a switch 42, a power control circuit (FETs 43 and FETs 44), and a system control circuit (embedded controller 31). Switch 42 can be in a first state or a second state. In the first mode (DC mode), when the state of switch 42 changes from the first state to the second state, and power is not supplied to the battery 34 from an external power source (AC power), the power control circuit stops the output of power from the battery 34. In the second mode (AC mode), when power is supplied to the battery 34 from an external power source, and power output from the battery begins, when the state of switch 42 changes from the first state to the second state, the system control circuit starts the system.

[0053] When the second mode is started, the system control circuit outputs a signal SIG2 to the battery 34 to initiate the output of power from the battery 34.

[0054] The system control circuit starts the hardware diagnostic tool after the system has booted up.

[0055] Switch 42 is a button. When switch 42 is not pressed, the state of switch 42 is the first state. When switch 42 is pressed, the state of the switch is the second state.

[0056] Switch 42 is a different button from the power button.

[0057] The electronic device according to the above embodiment can reset or restart its power supply in response to the operation of a single switch 42. Because a power supply control circuit separate from the system control circuit resets the power supply, the electronic device can reset its power supply even if the system control circuit hangs up.

[0058] When the power button is used to forcibly reset the power, the user has to press and hold the power button for a long time to reset the power, which is inconvenient for the user. Also, it is difficult for the system to determine whether the power button is being pressed or not. In the electronic device according to the above embodiment, a switch 42, which is different from the power button, has the function of resetting the power, thus improving user convenience.

[0059] While embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the embodiments described above, and may include design changes and the like that do not depart from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 1 Notebook PC, 10 Main control unit, 11 CPU, 12 Main memory, 13 Video subsystem, 14 Display unit, 21 Chipset, 22 BIOS memory, 23 SSD, 24 Audio system, 25 Communication unit, 26 USB connector, 27 Imaging unit, 31 Embedded controller, 32 Input unit, 33 Power supply circuit, 34 Battery, 40 Charging IC, 41 DC / DC converter, 42 Switch, 43,44 FET

Claims

1. A switch that enters either the first state or the second state, A power control circuit that stops the output of power from the battery when the state of the switch changes from the first state to the second state in the first mode in which power is not supplied to the battery from an external power source, In the second mode in which power is supplied to the battery from the external power source, after the output of power from the battery begins, when the state of the switch changes from the first state to the second state, a system control circuit starts the system. Electronic devices equipped with the following features.

2. When the second mode is started, the system control circuit outputs a signal to the battery to start outputting power from the battery. The electronic device according to claim 1.

3. The system control circuit starts the hardware diagnostic tool after the system has started up. The electronic device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

4. The aforementioned switch is a button, When the switch is not pressed, the state of the switch is the first state. When the switch is pressed, the state of the switch is the second state. The electronic device according to claim 1 or claim 2.

5. The aforementioned switch is a different button from the power button. The electronic device according to claim 4.

6. In the first mode in which power is not supplied to the battery from an external power source, when the state of the switch changes from the first state to the second state, the power control circuit stops the output of power from the battery. In the second mode in which power is supplied to the battery from the external power source, after the output of power from the battery begins, when the state of the switch changes from the first state to the second state, the system control circuit starts the system. A control method for electronic devices equipped with the following features.

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