Information processing device and control method

Abstract

To improve the usability of information processing equipment. [Solution] The information processing device performs a first setting control process in which, in a first process by the OS, an option from a first setting group containing multiple first setting options is made selectable as an OS setting, and a second setting control process in which, in a second process by a program executed on the OS, an option from a second setting group containing each of the second settings associated with each of the multiple first settings is made selectable. When the first setting control process is enabled, in the second setting control process, in response to a specific operation being input, the first setting selected by the first setting control process is obtained, and the second setting associated with the obtained first setting is selected from the second setting group. When the first setting control process is disabled, in the second setting control process, in response to a specific operation being input, a second setting is selected from the second setting group, and settings related to the operation of the information processing device are made based on the selected second setting.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Some information processing apparatuses such as notebook PCs (personal computers) have power modes (performance modes) that operate with performance priority, power-saving modes that operate with power consumption priority, and balance modes that operate with a balance between performance and power consumption in order to optimize performance and power consumption. In addition, since electronic devices such as CPUs (Central Processing Units) generate heat according to their operation and the temperature rises, general information processing apparatuses have cooling fans for heat dissipation in order to suppress the temperature rise of the housing (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The information processing apparatus performs control such as optimization of performance and power consumption and suppression of temperature rise (so-called "thermal control") by performing control such as control of the power mode and control of the cooling fan as described above.

[0003] For example, although an information processing apparatus has a power mode as described above as an OS setting, in addition, some vendors provide a thermal control function that can be executed on the OS in order to perform more optimal control. For example, as a thermal control function, it has various modes (hereinafter referred to as "thermal modes") related to settings such as performance, power consumption, and cooling fan settings, which are similar to the power mode settings provided by the OS.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When a user selects the thermal mode described above, for example in Windows, it is necessary to perform multiple operations (for example, around four operations) starting with the battery icon on the taskbar of the desktop screen (for example, the operation when selecting the power mode), which is not very user-friendly. Therefore, if it were possible to directly select the thermal mode using, for example, a hotkey, the user experience would be improved.

[0006] However, certain applications or tools running on Windows (registered trademark) may arbitrarily change the Windows (registered trademark) power plan. The power plan includes hardware and system settings that manage how power is used, and a power plan that balances performance and power consumption (e.g., Balanced) is set as the default. In the default setting, it is possible to change the power mode as described above, but if the default power plan is changed, it may become impossible to change the power mode depending on the content of the changed hardware and system settings. Therefore, if the thermal mode is controlled in correspondence with at least part of the power mode, changing from the default power plan may also make it impossible to change the thermal mode, resulting in a problem where operations using hotkeys will not work.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and one of its objectives is to provide an information processing device and a control method that can improve operability. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a processor that performs a first process by an OS (Operating System) and a second process by a program executed on the OS, wherein the processor performs, in the first process, a first setting control process that controls the selection of an option in a first setting group which includes a plurality of first setting options as settings of the OS, in the second process, a second setting control process that controls the selection of an option in a second setting group which includes each of the second settings associated with each of the plurality of first settings included in the first setting group as an option, in the second process, an operation setting process that performs settings related to the operation of the information processing device based on the second setting selected by the second setting control process, wherein when the first setting control process is enabled, the second setting control process obtains a first setting selected from the first setting group by the first setting control process in response to a specific operation being input, and selects a second setting associated with the obtained first setting from the second setting group, and when the first setting control process is disabled, the second setting control process selects a second setting from the second setting group in response to a specific operation being input.

[0009] In the above-described information processing device, the processor may, in the second process, issue an instruction to the display unit to display display information corresponding to the second setting selected by the second setting control process.

[0010] In the above-described information processing device, the first setting included in the first setting group and the second setting included in the second setting group may include settings that affect performance and power consumption.

[0011] In the above-described information processing device, the second setting included in the second setting group may include a setting that affects the temperature rise inside the housing of the information processing device.

[0012] The above-described information processing device is equipped with a cooling fan for releasing heat from inside the housing of the information processing device to the outside, and the second setting included in the second setting group may include a setting related to the control of the cooling fan.

[0013] In the above-described information processing device, whether the first setting control process is enabled or disabled may be determined based on a setting selection different from the selection of the first setting included in the first setting group among the settings of the OS.

[0014] In the above-described information processing device, whether the first setting control process is enabled or disabled may be determined based on the selection of hardware settings and system settings related to power among the settings of the OS.

[0015] In the above-described information processing device, the specific operation may be an operation on a pre-configured hotkey.

[0016] Furthermore, the information processing device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes a processor that performs a first process by an OS (Operating System) and a second process by a program executed on the OS, wherein the processor performs, in the first process, a first setting control process that controls the selection of an option in a first setting group which includes a plurality of first setting options as settings of the OS, in the second process, a second setting control process that controls the selection of an option in a second setting group which includes each of the second settings associated with each of the plurality of first settings included in the first setting group as an option, in the second process, an operation setting process that performs settings related to the operation of the information processing device based on the second setting selected by the second setting control process, and in the second setting control process, a first selection process that acquires a first setting selected from the first setting group by the first setting control process in response to a specific operation being input and selects a second setting associated with the acquired first setting from the second setting group, and a second selection process that selects a second setting from the second setting group in response to a specific operation being input, switching between these according to a specific setting among the settings of the OS that is different from the first setting.

[0017] Furthermore, the information processing device according to the third aspect of the present invention includes a processor that performs a first process by an OS (Operating System) and a second process by a program executed on the OS, wherein the processor performs, in the first process, a first setting control process that controls the selection of an option in a first setting group which includes a plurality of first setting options as settings of the OS, in the second process, a second setting control process that controls the selection of an option in a second setting group which includes each of the second settings associated with each of the plurality of first settings included in the first setting group as an option, in the second process, an operation setting process that sets the operation of the information processing device based on the second setting selected by the second setting control process, and in the second setting control process, a second setting is selected from the second setting group independently of the first setting control process in response to a specific operation being input.

[0018] Furthermore, a control method for an information processing device equipped with a processor that performs a first process by an OS (Operating System) and a second process by a program executed on the OS, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, includes the steps of: performing a first setting control process in the first process to control the selection of an option from a first setting group which includes a plurality of first setting options as settings of the OS; performing a second setting control process in the second process to control the selection of an option from a second setting group which includes each of the second settings associated with each of the plurality of first settings included in the first setting group as an option; and performing an operation setting process in the second process to perform an operation setting process which sets the operation of the information processing device based on the second setting selected by the second setting control process, wherein when the first setting control process is enabled, in the second setting control process, in response to a specific operation being input, the first setting selected from the first setting group by the first setting control process is obtained, and a second setting associated with the obtained first setting is selected from the second setting group; and when the first setting control process is disabled, in the second setting control process, a second setting is selected from the second setting group in response to a specific operation being input.

[0019] Furthermore, a control method for an information processing device equipped with a processor that performs a first process by an OS (Operating System) and a second process by a program executed on the OS, according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, includes the steps of: performing a first setting control process in the first process to enable selection of an option from a first setting group which includes a plurality of first setting options as settings of the OS; performing a second setting control process in the second process to enable selection of an option from a second setting group which includes each of the second settings associated with each of the plurality of first settings included in the first setting group as an option; and performing an operation setting process in the second process to perform an operation setting process which performs an operation setting of the information processing device based on the second setting selected by the second setting control process, wherein in the second setting control process, a first selection process is performed to obtain a first setting selected from the first setting group by the first setting control process in response to a specific operation being input, and to select a second setting associated with the obtained first setting from the second setting group; and a second selection process is performed to select a second setting from the second setting group in response to a specific operation being input, the process being switched according to a specific setting among the settings of the OS that is different from the first setting.

[0020] Also, a control method in an information processing apparatus including a processor that executes a first process by an OS (Operating System) and a second process by a program executed on the OS includes: a step in which the processor performs a first setting control process for controlling, in the first process, to be able to select an option of a first setting group including a plurality of first setting options as a setting of the OS; a step in which the processor performs a second setting control process for controlling, in the second process, to be able to select an option of a second setting group in which each of a plurality of second settings associated with each of the plurality of first settings included in the first setting group is included as an option; and a step in which the processor performs an operation setting process for setting an operation related to the own information processing apparatus based on the second setting selected by the second setting control process. In the second setting control process, in response to a specific operation being input, a second setting is selected from the second setting group regardless of the first setting control process.

Effects of the Invention

[0021] According to the above aspect of the present invention, the operability of the information processing apparatus can be improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0022] [Figure 1] [[ID=IS=15]]Perspective view showing the appearance of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Plan view schematically showing the inside of the equipment housing of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] Block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] Overview explanatory diagram regarding the selection of the thermal mode according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] Diagram showing an example of the relationship between the power plan and the power mode according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Diagram showing an example of the flow of the selection process of the thermal mode according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0023] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. [Overview of Information Processing Equipment] First, an overview of the information processing device according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the information processing device according to this embodiment. The illustrated information processing device 10 is a clamshell-type notebook PC (Personal Computer). The information processing device 10 comprises a display housing 101 on which a display unit 14 (display) is mounted, a device housing 102 on which a keyboard 32 is mounted, and a hinge mechanism 103. The display housing 101 and the device housing 102 are substantially rectangular plate-shaped (for example, flat plate-shaped) housings. One side of the display housing 101 and one side of the device housing 102 are connected via the hinge mechanism 103, and the display housing 101 and the device housing 102 are relatively rotatable around the axis of rotation formed by the hinge mechanism 103. When the opening angle θ around the axis of rotation of the display housing 101 and the device housing 102 is approximately 0°, the display housing 101 and the device housing 102 are overlapping and closed (referred to as the "closed state"). The state in which the display housing 101 and the device housing 102 are open relative to the closed state is called the "open state." The open state is a state in which the display housing 101 and the device housing 102 are rotated relative to each other until the opening angle θ becomes greater than a preset threshold (for example, 10°).

[0024] The surface of the display housing 101 on which the display unit 14 is located is referred to as the display surface 101a, and the surface opposite to the display surface 101a is referred to as the top surface 101b. Similarly, the surface of the device housing 102 on which the keyboard 32 is located is referred to as the keyboard surface 102a, and the surface opposite to the keyboard surface 102a is referred to as the bottom surface 102b. In the closed state, the display surface 101a and the keyboard surface 102a are surfaces facing each other. In the illustrated example, the keyboard 32 is a physical keyboard with multiple keys (an example of an operator) arranged to accept user input. Note that the keyboard surface 102a may also be provided with a touchpad or the like in addition to the keyboard 32.

[0025] In the closed state, the display surface 101a of the display housing 101 and the keyboard surface 102a of the device housing 102 overlap, making the display unit 14 invisible and preventing operation of the keyboard 32. On the other hand, in the open state, the display unit 14 is visible and the keyboard can be operated.

[0026] Figure 2 is a schematic plan view showing the inside of the device enclosure 102 of the information processing device 10. Inside the device enclosure 102 are a motherboard MB, a storage medium 23, an audio system 24, a battery 34, and a cooling fan 35. The motherboard MB is equipped with, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a video subsystem 13, a chipset 21, a BIOS (Basic Input Output System) memory 22, an embedded controller 31, and a power supply circuit 33.

[0027] The CPU 11 may be a CPU and / or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or either one of them. The CPU 11 may be a type in which the CPU and GPU are formed on the same core. Furthermore, the CPU 11 may be a type in which the CPU and GPU are formed on separate cores and the load is shared. In addition, there may be multiple CPUs 11. The higher the operating frequency and power consumption of the CPU 11, the more heat it generates, which leads to a rise in temperature inside the device enclosure 102. Other electronic devices inside the device enclosure 102 can also be sources of heat.

[0028] The cooling fan 35 (an example of a heat dissipation unit) replaces the air inside the device housing 102 with outside air. For example, when the cooling fan 35 operates and the fan (impeller) rotates, outside air enters the device housing 102 through the intake port 81, exchanges heat with the heat sink (not shown), and is discharged outside the device housing 102 through the exhaust port 83. The heat sink is thermally coupled to the CPU 11 by a heat pipe (not shown), etc. Temperature sensors 36 are placed in the device housing 102 at predetermined locations, each of which is an electronic device requiring temperature control. For example, the temperature sensor 36a shown is placed to detect the temperature of the CPU 11. Other temperature sensors 36 (not shown) are also placed to similarly detect the temperature at their respective locations. The information processing device 10 can dissipate heat from inside the device housing 102 by rotating the cooling fan 35 based on the temperature detected by each temperature sensor 36.

[0029] [Hardware configuration of the information processing device 10] Next, with reference to Figure 3, the main hardware configuration of the information processing device 10 will be described. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 10.

[0030] The information processing device 10 includes a CPU 11, main memory 12, video subsystem 13, display unit 14, chipset 21, BIOS memory 22, storage medium 23, audio system 24, WLAN card 25, USB connector 26, embedded controller 31, keyboard 32, power supply circuit 33, battery 34, cooling fan 35, temperature sensor 36, and acceleration sensor 37.

[0031] The CPU 11 controls the entire information processing unit 10 by executing various arithmetic operations under program control. For example, the CPU 11 executes processes based on programs in the OS (Operating System) and BIOS. 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. This executable program includes the OS, various drivers for hardware operation of peripheral devices, various services / utilities, application programs, etc.

[0032] The video subsystem 13 is a subsystem for implementing functions related to image display and includes a video controller. This video controller processes drawing commands from the CPU 11, writes the processed drawing information to video memory, reads this drawing information from video memory, and outputs it to the display unit 14 as drawing data (display data).

[0033] The display unit 14 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display, and displays a display screen based on drawing data (display data) output from the video subsystem 13.

[0034] The chipset 21 includes controllers for 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 multiple devices are connected to it. For example, multiple devices include the BIOS memory 22 (described later), storage medium 23, audio system 24, WLAN card 25, USB connector 26, and embedded controller 31.

[0035] The BIOS memory 22 consists of electrically rewritable non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) or flash ROM. The BIOS memory 22 stores the BIOS and system firmware for controlling the embedded controller 31, etc.

[0036] The storage medium 23 includes components such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Drive). For example, the storage medium 23 stores the OS, various drivers, various services / utilities, application programs, and various data.

[0037] The audio system 24 is connected to a microphone and speaker (not shown) and records, plays back, and outputs sound data. For example, the microphone and speaker are built into the information processing device 10.

[0038] The WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) card 25 connects to the network via wireless LAN and performs data communication. For example, when the WLAN card 25 receives data from the network, it generates an event trigger indicating that data has been received. USB connector 26 is a connector for connecting peripheral devices that use USB.

[0039] The keyboard 32 is an input device with multiple keys (an example of an operator) arranged to accept user input. As shown in Figure 1, the keyboard 32 is provided on the keyboard surface 102a of the device housing 102. The keyboard 32 outputs input information (for example, an operation signal indicating the key that was operated on the keyboard) received by the user to the embedded controller 31.

[0040] The power supply circuit 33 includes, for example, a DC / DC converter, a charge / discharge unit, and an AC / DC adapter. 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 multiple voltages necessary to operate the information processing device 10. The power supply circuit 33 also supplies power to each part of the information processing device 10 based on control from the embedded controller 31.

[0041] The battery 34 is, for example, a lithium battery. When the information processing device 10 is powered by an external power source, it is charged via the power supply circuit 33. When the information processing device 10 is not powered by an external power source, the battery 34 outputs the charged power as the operating power of the information processing device 10 via the power supply circuit 33.

[0042] The acceleration sensor 37 includes an acceleration sensor 37A located inside the display housing 101 and an acceleration sensor 37B located inside the device housing 102. The information processing device 10 uses the detection results of the two acceleration sensors 37 (37A, 37B) to detect the opening angle θ between the display housing 101 and the device housing 102. For example, the information processing device 10 can detect the opening angle θ by estimating the orientation (posture) of the display housing 101 and the device housing 102 based on the detection signal output from acceleration sensor 37A and the detection signal output from acceleration sensor 37B.

[0043] 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 information processing device 10. The embedded controller 31 includes a CPU (not shown), ROM, RAM, multiple A / D input terminals, D / A output terminals, a timer, and digital input / output terminals. For example, a keyboard 32, a power supply circuit 33, a cooling fan 35, a temperature sensor 36, and an acceleration sensor 37 are connected to the digital input / output terminals of the embedded controller 31. The embedded controller 31 receives input information (operation signals) from the keyboard 32 and sensor signals from the temperature sensor 36, acceleration sensor 37, etc. The embedded controller 31 also controls the operation of the power supply circuit 33, the cooling fan 35, etc.

[0044] [Functional configuration of the information processing device 10] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment. The information processing device 10 includes a control unit 100 as part of its functional configuration. The control unit 100 includes a first processing unit 111 as a functional configuration realized by the CPU 11 executing an OS program. The control unit 100 also includes a second processing unit 112 as a functional configuration realized by the CPU 11 executing a thermal control driver program on the OS.

[0045] The first processing unit 111 executes various processes performed by the OS. For example, the first processing unit 111 controls the selection of multiple modes included in the power mode. Here, the multiple modes included in the power mode include settings that affect performance and power consumption, as OS settings.

[0046] The second processing unit 112 executes processing by a thermal control driver that runs on the OS. For example, the second processing unit 112 controls the selection of multiple modes included in the thermal mode. Here, the multiple modes included in the thermal mode are thermal control functions that can be executed on the OS and are provided independently by vendors, etc., separate from the OS settings, and include settings that affect performance, power consumption, and temperature rise inside the enclosure (mainly inside the device enclosure 102).

[0047] Furthermore, the second processing unit 112 sets the operation of the information processing device 10 based on the mode selected from among the multiple modes included in the thermal mode. For example, it sets the operating frequency limit of the CPU 11, the screen brightness of the display unit 14, and the rotation speed of the cooling fan 35.

[0048] Here, the relationship between the selection of the thermal mode in the thermal control function and the power mode (power mode) set by the OS will be explained with reference to Figure 5.

[0049] Figure 5 is an overview diagram illustrating the selection of the thermal mode according to this embodiment. In the illustrated example, the thermal modes include Performance mode, which prioritizes performance; Eco mode, which prioritizes power consumption; and Balanced mode, which balances performance and power consumption.

[0050] Furthermore, power modes include options such as Best performance mode (for example, in Windows®), Best power efficiency mode (for prioritizing power efficiency), and Balanced mode (for balancing performance and power efficiency).

[0051] Previously, selecting a power mode required four actions (four clicks), starting with, for example, tapping the battery icon on the desktop taskbar. Furthermore, the thermal mode options were linked to the OS power mode options; once a power mode was selected (after four clicks), the thermal mode option associated with that power mode was automatically selected. Thus, selecting a thermal mode previously required multiple actions (e.g., four), which was not considered user-friendly.

[0052] Therefore, the four operations that previously began with operations on the taskbar are changed in this embodiment to operations on pre-configured hotkeys (for example, fn + F8) among the keys arranged on the keyboard 32. As a result, the thermal mode options are selected sequentially in a toggle manner in response to the press of the hotkey, improving usability. The selection of thermal modes in this embodiment will be described in detail below.

[0053] Specifically, since the thermal mode options are associated with the OS power mode options, pressing a hotkey will select an OS power mode option, and the thermal mode option associated with that selected power mode option will be selected.

[0054] For example, the Performance mode in Thermal Mode is associated with the Best performance mode in Power Mode. The Eco mode in Thermal Mode is associated with the Best power efficiency mode in Power Mode. The Balanced mode in Thermal Mode is associated with the Balanced mode in Power Mode.

[0055] When a hotkey is pressed once, for example, selecting Best Performance mode in Power Mode selects Performance mode in Thermal Mode. Pressing the hotkey again selects Balanced mode in Power Mode selects Balanced mode in Thermal Mode. Pressing the hotkey one more time selects Best power efficiency mode in Power Mode selects Eco mode in Thermal Mode.

[0056] In this way, by repeatedly pressing the hotkey, the OS power mode options are toggled sequentially, and through these selections, the thermal mode options are also toggled sequentially.

[0057] Furthermore, mode icons M10 corresponding to the performance mode, balanced mode, and power saving mode (Eco), which are included as options in the thermal mode, are set as display information, and the mode icon M10 corresponding to the selected mode is displayed on the display unit 14.

[0058] However, certain applications or tools running on Windows® may arbitrarily change the Windows® Power Plan. The Power Plan includes hardware and system settings that manage how power is used, with a default setting (e.g., Balanced) that balances performance and power consumption. While the default setting allows for the change of the power mode, changing the default Power Plan may prevent you from changing the power mode depending on the modified hardware and system settings.

[0059] Figure 6 shows an example of the relationship between the power plan and the power mode according to this embodiment. As shown in Figure 6(A), when the power plan is set to the standard "Balanced," a list of options is displayed on the power mode setting screen and can be selected. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 6(B), when the power plan is set to something other than "Balanced," the list of options is not displayed and selection is not possible. In detail, even with power plans other than "Balanced," it may be possible to select the power mode depending on the hardware and system settings. However, there is no guarantee that power mode selection is possible with power plans other than "Balanced," and the detailed settings are determined by the OS, making them difficult to understand from outside the OS.

[0060] Therefore, as an example, the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment performs different thermal mode selection processes when the power plan is set to "Balanced" (i.e., when power mode selection is possible) and when the power plan is set to something other than "Balanced".

[0061] [Thermal mode selection process] Figure 7 shows an example of the flow of the thermal mode selection process according to this embodiment. The operation of the thermal mode selection process in the information processing device 10 will be explained with reference to Figure 7.

[0062] (Step S100) The second processing unit 112 obtains OS configuration information from the first processing unit 111 and determines whether the OS power plan is set to "Balanced" or to something other than "Balanced". If the second processing unit 112 determines that the power plan is set to "Balanced", it proceeds to step S111 and performs a thermal mode selection process using the OS power mode selection (conventional method). On the other hand, if the second processing unit 112 determines that the power plan is set to something other than "Balanced", it proceeds to step S121 and performs a thermal mode selection process that does not use the OS power mode selection (new method).

[0063] First, let's explain the process of selecting the thermal mode when the power plan is set to "Balanced" (the conventional method). (Step S111) If a hotkey (for example, the fn+F8 key) is pressed, the second processing unit 112 proceeds to step S113.

[0064] (Step S113) The second processing unit 112 sends instruction information to the first processing unit 111 to select a power mode option in response to the hotkey being pressed. That is, the thermal control driver sets the power mode to the OS in response to the hotkey being pressed. Then, the process proceeds to step S115.

[0065] (Step S115) The second processing unit 112 obtains the power mode selection made by the first processing unit 111. That is, the thermal control driver obtains the selected power mode selection from the OS. Then, the process proceeds to steps S117 and S119.

[0066] (Step S117) The second processing unit 112 selects a thermal mode option associated with the power mode option acquired in step S115, and issues an instruction to display the mode icon M10 corresponding to the selected thermal mode option as an OSD (On Screen Display) on the display unit 14. For example, it calls a utility (base utility) to display the OSD from the thermal control driver and sets the mode icon M10 corresponding to the selected thermal mode option on the OSD.

[0067] (Step S119) The second processing unit 112 selects a thermal mode option associated with the power mode option acquired in step S115, and configures the operation of the information processing device 10 based on the selected thermal mode option. For example, the thermal control driver configures the BIOS to set thermal mode settings such as limiting the operating frequency of the CPU 11, the screen brightness of the display unit 14, and the rotation speed of the cooling fan 35.

[0068] Note that the order in which steps S117 and S119 are performed does not matter; either step can come first, or they can be performed simultaneously.

[0069] Next, we will explain the process for selecting the thermal mode when the power plan is set to something other than "Balanced" (a new method). (Step S121) If a hotkey (for example, the fn+F8 key) is pressed, the second processing unit 112 proceeds to step S123.

[0070] (Step S123) The second processing unit 112 sends instruction information to the first processing unit 111 to select a power mode in response to the hotkey being pressed. However, the second processing unit 112 only sends this instruction information to the first processing unit 111, and does not obtain a power mode selection from the first processing unit 111 because the first processing unit 111 is unable to select a power mode. The second processing unit 112 directly selects a thermal mode in response to the hotkey being pressed. That is, when a hotkey is pressed, the second processing unit 112 performs the thermal mode selection process, regardless of the power mode selection process. Then, the process proceeds to steps S127 and S129.

[0071] (Step S127) The second processing unit 112 issues an instruction to display the mode icon M10 corresponding to the thermal mode selection made in step S123 as an OSD on the display unit 14. For example, it calls a utility (base utility) that displays the OSD from the thermal control driver and sets the mode icon M10 corresponding to the selected thermal mode selection as the OSD.

[0072] (Step S129) The second processing unit 112 configures the operation of the information processing device 10 based on the thermal mode selection made in step S123. For example, the thermal control driver configures the BIOS to set thermal mode parameters such as the operating frequency limit of the CPU 11, the screen brightness of the display unit 14, and the rotation speed of the cooling fan 35.

[0073] Note that the order in which steps S127 and S129 are processed does not matter; either step can come first, or they can be performed simultaneously.

[0074] [Summary of Embodiments] As described above, the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment includes a processor (e.g., CPU 11) that performs a first process by the OS and a second process by a program (e.g., a thermal control driver) executed on the OS. In the first process, the information processing device 10 performs a first setting control process to enable selection of options in a first setting group (e.g., power mode options), which includes a plurality of first setting options as OS settings. In the second process, the information processing device 10 performs a second setting control process to enable selection of options in a second setting group (e.g., thermal mode options), which includes each of the second settings associated with each of the plurality of options (first settings) included in the power mode. In the second process, the information processing device 10 performs an operation setting process to configure the operation of the information processing device 10 based on the thermal mode option (second setting) selected by the second setting control process.

[0075] When the first setting control process (selection of power mode) is enabled, the information processing device 10, in the second setting control process (selection of thermal mode), obtains the option (first setting) selected from the power modes by the first setting control process in response to a specific operation being input (for example, pressing a hotkey), and selects a thermal mode option (second setting) associated with the obtained option (first setting) from among the thermal modes. On the other hand, when the first setting control process (selection of power mode) is disabled, the information processing device 10, in the second setting control process, selects a thermal mode option (second setting) from among the thermal modes in response to a specific operation being input (for example, pressing a hotkey).

[0076] As a result, when the information processing device 10 uses the first setting of the OS (e.g., power mode setting) to perform a second setting (e.g., thermal mode setting) in a second processing by a program executed on the OS, it can perform the second setting (e.g., thermal mode setting) in response to a specific operation input (e.g., pressing a hotkey) regardless of whether the first setting (e.g., power mode setting) is enabled or disabled, thereby improving usability.

[0077] Furthermore, in the second processing, the information processing device 10 issues an instruction to display a mode icon M10 (an example of display information) on the display unit 14 that corresponds to the thermal mode selection (second setting) selected by the second setting control processing.

[0078] This allows the user to easily confirm what is selected each time the information processing device 10 performs a second setting (for example, setting the thermal mode) in response to a specific operation being input (for example, pressing a hotkey).

[0079] For example, the power mode options (an example of a first setting included in the first setting group) and the thermal mode options (an example of a second setting included in the second setting group) include settings that affect performance and power consumption.

[0080] This allows the information processing device 10 to improve the usability when the user selects settings that affect performance and power consumption.

[0081] Furthermore, for example, the thermal mode options (an example of a second setting included in the second setting group) include settings that affect the temperature rise inside the enclosure of the information processing device 10.

[0082] This allows the information processing device 10 to improve the operability when the user selects settings that affect performance, power consumption, and the temperature rise inside the enclosure.

[0083] Furthermore, the information processing device 10 is equipped with a cooling fan 35 for releasing heat from inside the enclosure to the outside, and the thermal mode options (an example of a second setting included in the second setting group) include settings related to the control of the cooling fan 35.

[0084] This allows the information processing device 10 to improve the operability when the user selects settings that take into account performance, power consumption, and noise generated by the rotation of the cooling fan 35.

[0085] Furthermore, whether the first setting control process (selection of power mode) is enabled or disabled is determined based on the selection of a setting in the OS other than the power mode selection.

[0086] As a result, the information processing device 10 can set the thermal mode without using the power mode, even if the OS power mode setting is disabled due to other OS settings being changed (for example, independently changed by another application or tool), thereby improving usability.

[0087] For example, whether the first setting control process (selection of power mode) is enabled or disabled is determined based on the selection of a power plan (an example of hardware and system settings related to power) in the OS settings.

[0088] As a result, the information processing device 10 can set the thermal mode without using the power mode, even if the OS power mode setting is disabled due to a change in the OS power plan settings (for example, changed independently by another application or tool), thereby improving usability.

[0089] Furthermore, specific operations include, for example, operations performed on pre-configured hotkeys (e.g., fn+F8).

[0090] As a result, the information processing device 10 can set the thermal mode by operating a hotkey, improving usability compared to when multiple operations (for example, four) are required.

[0091] Note that the specific operation for selecting the thermal mode is not limited to a hotkey (for example, the fn+F8 key). For example, this specific operation may be an operation on a hotkey using a function key other than the F8 key, or it may be an operation on an icon displayed on the display unit 14 by a GUI (Graphical User Interface) provided by a specific application that has a function for selecting the thermal mode.

[0092] Furthermore, in the second setting control process (selection of thermal mode), the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment switches between a first selection process, which acquires an option (first setting) selected from the power modes by the first setting control process in response to a specific operation being input (for example, pressing a hotkey), and selects a thermal mode option (second setting) associated with the acquired option (first setting) from among the thermal modes, and a second selection process, which selects a thermal mode option (second setting) from among the thermal modes in response to a specific operation being input (for example, pressing a hotkey), according to a specific setting in the OS settings that is different from the power mode settings (for example, power plan settings).

[0093] As a result, the information processing device 10 can switch between using the OS's first setting (e.g., power mode setting) and not using it when performing a second setting (e.g., thermal mode setting) in a second process run by a program on the OS. Therefore, whether the first setting (e.g., power mode setting) is enabled or disabled, the second setting (e.g., thermal mode setting) can be performed in response to a specific operation input (e.g., pressing a hotkey). Thus, the information processing device 10 can improve operability.

[0094] Furthermore, the control method in the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment includes the steps of: a processor (e.g., CPU 11) performing a first setting control process in a first process by the OS to enable selection of options in a first setting group (e.g., power mode options) which includes a plurality of first setting options as OS settings; a program executed on the OS (e.g., thermal control driver) performing a second setting control process in a second process to enable selection of options in a second setting group (e.g., thermal mode options) which includes each of the second settings associated with each of the plurality of options (first settings) included in the power mode; and in the second process, the thermal mode option (second setting) selected by the second setting control process. The process includes the steps of performing an operation setting process to set the operation of the information processing device 10 based on the specified value, and if the first setting control process (selection of power mode) is enabled, in the second setting control process (selection of thermal mode), in response to a specific operation being input (for example, pressing a hotkey), the option (first setting) selected from the power modes by the first setting control process is obtained, and the thermal mode option (second setting) associated with the obtained option (first setting) is selected from the thermal modes, and if the first setting control process (selection of power mode) is disabled, in the second setting control process, in response to a specific operation being input (for example, pressing a hotkey), the thermal mode option (second setting) is selected from the thermal modes.

[0095] As a result, the control method in the information processing device 10 can improve usability because, when a second setting (e.g., thermal mode setting) is performed in a second process by a program executed on the OS using the first setting (e.g., power mode setting) of the OS, the second setting (e.g., thermal mode setting) can be performed in response to a specific operation input (e.g., pressing a hotkey) regardless of whether the first setting (e.g., power mode setting) is enabled or disabled.

[0096] Furthermore, the control method in the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment includes the steps of: a processor (e.g., CPU 11) performing a first setting control process in a first process by the OS to enable selection of options in a first setting group (e.g., power mode options) which includes a plurality of first setting options as OS settings; a program executed on the OS (e.g., thermal control driver) performing a second setting control process in a second process to enable selection of options in a second setting group (e.g., thermal mode options) which includes each of the second settings associated with each of the plurality of options (first settings) included in the power mode; and in the second process, the thermal mode option (first setting) selected by the second setting control process. The process includes a step of performing an operation setting process to configure the operation of the information processing device 10 based on the second setting), and in the second setting control process (selection of thermal mode), a first selection process is performed to obtain an option (first setting) selected from the power modes by the first setting control process in response to a specific operation being input (for example, pressing a hotkey), and to select a thermal mode option (second setting) associated with the obtained option (first setting) from among the thermal modes, and a second selection process is performed to select a thermal mode option (second setting) from among the thermal modes in response to a specific operation being input (for example, pressing a hotkey), and these are switched according to a specific setting in the OS settings that is different from the power mode settings (for example, power plan settings).

[0097] As a result, the control method in the information processing device 10 can switch between using the OS's first setting (e.g., power mode setting) and not using it when performing the second setting (e.g., thermal mode setting) in the second processing by a program executed on the OS. Therefore, whether the first setting (e.g., power mode setting) is enabled or disabled, the second setting (e.g., thermal mode setting) can be performed in response to a specific operation input (e.g., pressing a hotkey). Thus, the control method in the information processing device 10 can improve operability.

[0098] In this embodiment, when the power plan is "Balanced," that is, when the first setting control process (selection of power mode) is enabled, the thermal mode selection process using the OS power mode selection (conventional method) is performed, and when the power plan is anything other than "Balanced," the thermal mode selection process that does not use the OS power mode selection (new method) is performed (see Figure 7). However, the method is not limited to this, and the thermal mode selection process that does not use the OS power mode selection (new method) may be performed regardless of the power plan setting (regardless of whether the power mode selection is enabled or disabled).

[0099] For example, in the first processing by the OS, the information processing device 10 performs a first setting control processing to enable selection of options in a first setting group (for example, options for power modes) which includes multiple options for first settings as OS settings. Furthermore, in the second processing by a program executed on the OS (for example, a thermal control driver), the information processing device 10 performs a second setting control processing to enable selection of options in a second setting group (for example, options for thermal modes) which includes each of the second settings associated with each of the multiple options (first settings) included in the power mode. Furthermore, in the second processing, the information processing device 10 performs an operation setting processing to configure the operation of the information processing device 10 based on the thermal mode option (second setting) selected by the second setting control processing. In the second setting control processing (selection of thermal mode), the information processing device 10 may select a thermal mode option independently of the first setting control processing (selection of power mode) in response to a specific operation being input (for example, pressing a hotkey).

[0100] As a result, the information processing device 10 can perform a second setting (e.g., setting the thermal mode) in a second process run by a program on the OS without using the OS's first setting (e.g., setting the power mode). Therefore, regardless of whether the first setting (e.g., setting the power mode) is enabled or disabled, the second setting (e.g., setting the thermal mode) can be performed in response to a specific operation (e.g., pressing a hotkey). Thus, the information processing device 10 can improve operability.

[0101] Furthermore, the control method in the information processing device 10 according to this embodiment includes the steps of: performing a first setting control process in which a processor (e.g., CPU 11) controls the selection of options in a first setting group (e.g., power mode options) that includes a plurality of first setting options as OS settings in a first processing by the OS; performing a second setting control process in which a program executed on the OS (e.g., thermal control driver) controls the selection of options in a second setting group (e.g., thermal mode options) that includes each of the second settings associated with each of the plurality of options (first settings) included in the power mode as options; and performing an operation setting process in the second processing to set the operation of the information processing device 10 based on the thermal mode option (second setting) selected by the second setting control process, wherein in the second setting control process (selection of thermal mode), the thermal mode option may be selected independently of the first setting control process (selection of power mode) in response to a specific operation being input (e.g., pressing a hotkey).

[0102] As a result, the control method in the information processing device 10 can perform the second setting (e.g., setting the thermal mode) in the second processing by a program executed on the OS without using the first setting of the OS (e.g., setting the power mode). Therefore, regardless of whether the first setting (e.g., setting the power mode) is enabled or disabled, the second setting (e.g., setting the thermal mode) can be performed in response to a specific operation input (e.g., pressing a hotkey). Thus, the control method in the information processing device 10 can improve operability.

[0103] Although embodiments of this 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. For example, the configurations described in the embodiments described above can be combined in any way.

[0104] In the above embodiment, the power mode was used as an example of the first setting (first setting group) as an OS setting, and the thermal mode was used as an example of the second setting (second setting group) by the thermal control driver. However, these settings may be applied to other settings. Furthermore, although an example was described in which whether the first setting (e.g., the power mode setting) is enabled or disabled is determined based on the selection of a power plan among the OS settings, the configuration may also be such that whether the first setting (e.g., the power mode setting) is enabled or disabled is determined by a setting other than the power plan.

[0105] The information processing device 10 described above has a computer system inside. The processing in each configuration of the information processing device 10 may be performed by recording a program for realizing the functions of each configuration of the information processing device 10 onto a computer-readable recording medium, loading the program recorded on this recording medium into the computer system, and executing it. Here, "loading the program recorded on the recording medium into the computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into the computer system. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as the OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer system" may include multiple computer devices connected via a network including communication lines such as the Internet, WAN, LAN, and dedicated lines. Also, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, ROMs, CD-ROMs, and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. Thus, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM.

[0106] Furthermore, the recording medium also includes internal or external recording media accessible from the distribution server for distributing the program. The program may be divided into multiple parts, downloaded at different times, and then combined in each configuration of the information processing device 10. The distribution servers for each of the divided programs may also be different. Moreover, "computer-readable recording media" includes volatile memory (RAM) within computer systems that act as servers or clients when a program is transmitted over a network, which retains the program for a certain period of time. The program itself may also be intended to implement some of the functions described above. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the functions described above in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0107] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of the information processing device 10 in the above-described embodiment may be implemented as an integrated circuit such as an LSI (Large Scale Integration). Each function may be individually processorized, or some or all of them may be integrated into a single processor. In addition, the method of implementing the integrated circuit is not limited to LSIs; it may also be implemented using dedicated circuits or general-purpose processors. Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that can replace LSIs emerges due to advances in semiconductor technology, an integrated circuit using that technology may be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0108] 10 Information processing unit, 101 Display housing, 101a Display surface, 101b Top surface, 102 Device housing, 102a Keyboard surface, 102b Bottom surface, 103 Hinge mechanism, 11 CPU, 12 Main memory, 13 Video subsystem, 14 Display unit, 21 Chipset, 22 BIOS memory, 23 Storage medium, 24 Audio system, 24 WLAN card, 26 USB connector, 31 Embedded controller, 32 Keyboard, 33 Power supply circuit, 34 Battery, 35 Cooling fan, 36 Temperature sensor, 37 Accelerometer, 100 Control unit, 111 First processing unit, 112 Second processing unit

Claims

1. It comprises a processor that performs a first process by an OS (Operating System) and a second process by a program executed on the OS, The aforementioned processor, The first process includes a first setting control process that controls the selection of an option from a first setting group, which includes multiple options for first settings as settings for the OS, The second process includes a second setting control process that controls the selection of an option in a second setting group, in which each of the second settings associated with each of the multiple first settings included in the first setting group is included as an option, In the second process, an operation setting process is performed to set the operation of the self-information processing device based on the second setting selected by the second setting control process, Perform If the first setting control process is enabled, the second setting control process obtains a first setting selected from the first setting group by the first setting control process in response to a specific operation being input, and selects a second setting associated with the obtained first setting from the second setting group. If the first setting control process is invalid, the second setting control process selects a second setting from the second group of settings in response to a specific operation being input. Information processing device.

2. The aforementioned processor, In the second process, an instruction is given to the display unit to display display information corresponding to the second setting selected by the second setting control process. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The first setting included in the first setting group and the second setting included in the second setting group include settings that affect performance and power consumption. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The second setting included in the second setting group includes a setting that affects the temperature rise inside the housing of the information processing device. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3.

5. The aforementioned information processing device is equipped with a cooling fan for releasing heat from inside the casing to the outside. The second setting included in the second group of settings includes a setting related to the control of the heat dissipation fan. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4.

6. Whether the first setting control process is enabled or disabled is determined based on the selection of a setting in the OS settings that is different from the selection of the first setting included in the first setting group. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. Whether the first setting control process is enabled or disabled is determined based on the selection of hardware settings and system settings related to power among the OS settings. The information processing apparatus according to claim 6.

8. The aforementioned specific operation is an operation on a pre-configured hotkey. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

9. It comprises a processor that performs a first process by an OS (Operating System) and a second process by a program executed on the OS, The aforementioned processor, The first process includes a first setting control process that controls the selection of an option from a first setting group, which includes multiple options for first settings as settings for the OS, The second process includes a second setting control process that controls the selection of an option in a second setting group, in which each of the second settings associated with each of the multiple first settings included in the first setting group is included as an option, In the second process, an operation setting process is performed to set the operation of the self-information processing device based on the second setting selected by the second setting control process, Perform In the second setting control process, a first selection process is performed to obtain a first setting selected from the first setting group by the first setting control process in response to a specific operation being input, and to select a second setting associated with the obtained first setting from the second setting group; and a second selection process is performed to select a second setting from the second setting group in response to a specific operation being input; these processes are switched according to a specific setting among the OS settings that is different from the first setting. Information processing device.

10. It comprises a processor that performs a first process by an OS (Operating System) and a second process by a program executed on the OS, The aforementioned processor, The first process includes a first setting control process that controls the selection of an option from a first setting group, which includes multiple options for first settings as settings for the OS, The second process includes a second setting control process that controls the selection of an option in a second setting group, in which each of the second settings associated with each of the multiple first settings included in the first setting group is included as an option, In the second process, an operation setting process is performed to set the operation of the self-information processing device based on the second setting selected by the second setting control process, Perform In the second setting control process, a second setting is selected from the second setting group independently of the first setting control process, in response to a specific operation being input. Information processing device.

11. A control method for an information processing device equipped with a processor that performs a first process by an OS (Operating System) and a second process by a program executed on the OS, The aforementioned processor, The first process includes the step of performing a first setting control process that controls the selection of an option from a first setting group, which includes a plurality of first setting options as the OS setting, to enable selection, The second process includes the step of performing a second setting control process that controls the selection of the second setting group, in which each of the second settings associated with each of the multiple first settings included in the first setting group is included as an option, The second process includes the step of performing an operation setting process that sets the operation of the self-information processing device based on the second setting selected by the second setting control process, Includes, If the first setting control process is enabled, the second setting control process obtains a first setting selected from the first setting group by the first setting control process in response to a specific operation being input, and selects a second setting associated with the obtained first setting from the second setting group. If the first setting control process is invalid, the second setting control process selects a second setting from the second group of settings in response to a specific operation being input. Control method.

12. A control method for an information processing device equipped with a processor that performs a first process by an OS (Operating System) and a second process by a program executed on the OS, The aforementioned processor, The first process includes the step of performing a first setting control process that controls the selection of an option from a first setting group, which includes a plurality of first setting options as the OS setting, to enable selection, The second process includes the step of performing a second setting control process that controls the selection of the second setting group, in which each of the second settings associated with each of the multiple first settings included in the first setting group is included as an option, The second process includes the step of performing an operation setting process that sets the operation of the self-information processing device based on the second setting selected by the second setting control process, Includes, In the second setting control process, a first selection process is performed to obtain a first setting selected from the first setting group by the first setting control process in response to a specific operation being input, and to select a second setting associated with the obtained first setting from the second setting group; and a second selection process is performed to select a second setting from the second setting group in response to a specific operation being input; these processes are switched according to a specific setting among the OS settings that is different from the first setting. Control method.

13. A control method for an information processing device equipped with a processor that performs a first process by an OS (Operating System) and a second process by a program executed on the OS, The aforementioned processor, The first process includes the step of performing a first setting control process that controls the selection of an option from a first setting group, which includes a plurality of first setting options as the OS setting, to enable selection, The second process includes the step of performing a second setting control process that controls the selection of the second setting group, in which each of the second settings associated with each of the multiple first settings included in the first setting group is included as an option, The second process includes the step of performing an operation setting process that sets the operation of the self-information processing device based on the second setting selected by the second setting control process, Includes, In the second setting control process, a second setting is selected from the second setting group independently of the first setting control process, in response to a specific operation being input. Control method.

Images