Information processing apparatus

By integrating power mode selection and corresponding operation parameter management within the information processing apparatus, the control of auxiliary storage devices is optimized, addressing inefficiencies in heat management and performance variability.

JP7690099B1Active Publication Date: 2025-06-09LENOVO (SINGAPORE) PTE LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2024157289
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2024-09-11
Publication Date
2025-06-09
Estimated Expiration
2044-09-11

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The power mode of an information processing device has not been sufficiently considered in the control of auxiliary storage devices like SSDs, leading to inefficient heat management and performance variability.

Method used

An information processing apparatus that includes a host system and an auxiliary storage device, where the host system selects a power mode with different power limit values, retrieves corresponding operation parameters from a non-volatile memory, and sets these parameters in the auxiliary storage device to optimize its operation based on the host system's power mode.

Benefits of technology

This solution allows the auxiliary storage device to operate efficiently and effectively match the performance status of the host system, thereby enhancing the overall performance and heat management of the information processing apparatus.

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Abstract

Control the auxiliary storage device according to the power mode of the host system. 【Solution means】Comprising a host system and an auxiliary storage device, the host system selects any one of a plurality of power modes with different power limit values, operates according to the selected power mode, and obtains, from a non-volatile memory in which operation parameters regarding the auxiliary storage device are stored in advance for each power mode, the operation parameters corresponding to the selected power mode, and sets the obtained operation parameters in the auxiliary storage device.
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Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the setting of temperature management for an information processing device, for example, an auxiliary storage device.

Background Art

[0002] An information processing device such as a personal computer (PC) may be equipped with an auxiliary storage device. The auxiliary storage device stores various programs and data in a readable and writable manner. As the auxiliary storage device, a large-capacity storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD) may be applied. The SSD enables faster random access than the HDD and is advantageous in terms of reducing power consumption, size, and weight. Therefore, in recent years, the SSD has become very popular. However, the SSD has a disadvantage in that it generates more heat than the HDD.

[0003] Therefore, an SSD having a thermal throttling function has been proposed. The thermal throttling function is a function that monitors its own temperature and reduces the processing power to suppress heat generation when the temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold. Patent Document 1 describes a control device for controlling an SSD having a thermal throttling function. The control device activates the thermal throttling function with an initial setting value from startup to startup completion, and after startup completion, the thermal throttling function can be activated at a temperature different from the initial setting value.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The information processing apparatus includes a processor that executes various arithmetic processes, and the power consumption of the processor occupies most of the power consumption of the entire information processing apparatus. The processor has a plurality of power modes with different power limit values, and determines one of the power modes according to the operation status, and operates under the determined power mode. Since the processing speed of the processor varies depending on the power mode, the heat generation amount of the SSD that receives access from the processor may also vary. However, the power mode has not been sufficiently considered in the control of the SSD.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] The present application has been made to solve the above problems, and an information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the present application is an information processing apparatus including a host system and an auxiliary storage device, wherein the host system selects one of a plurality of power modes with different power limit values, operates according to the one power mode, and obtains operation parameters corresponding to the selected power mode from a non-volatile memory in which operation parameters related to the auxiliary storage device are stored in advance for each power mode, and sets the obtained operation parameters in the auxiliary storage device.

[0007] In the above information processing apparatus, the host system may save the one power mode in the auxiliary storage device and operate according to the saved power mode after the start of the startup process.

[0008] In the above information processing apparatus, an input device that generates an operation signal according to an operation and a display are provided, and the host system may display a setting screen representing the plurality of power modes on the display and specify the power mode indicated by the operation signal among the plurality of power modes.

[0009] In the above information processing apparatus, the operation parameter includes a throttling temperature, the auxiliary storage device includes a temperature sensor that detects temperature, and when the temperature becomes equal to or higher than the throttling temperature, throttling may be executed.

[0010] In the above information processing apparatus, the host system may read operation parameters corresponding to the system configuration of its own system from a non-volatile memory in which operation parameters for each system configuration are stored.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the embodiment of the present application, the auxiliary storage device can be controlled according to the power mode of the host system.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the drawings. A configuration example of the information processing apparatus 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment. In the example of FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 1 is configured as a general-purpose PC.

[0014] The information processing apparatus 1 includes a host system 10, a display 14, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, an SSD 23, a communication module 25, an input / output I / F (Interface) 26, an EC (Embedded Controller) 31, an input device 32, a power supply circuit 33, a heat dissipation mechanism 35, and a power switch 36. The host system 10, the display 14, the ROM 22, the SSD 23, the communication module 25, the input / output I / F 26, the EC 31, the input device 32, the power supply circuit 33, the heat dissipation mechanism 35, and the power switch 36 are housed in a housing.

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

[0016] The CPU 11 controls the operation of the entire information processing apparatus 1. That is, the CPU 11 is a core processing unit that executes arithmetic processing instructed by various instructions (commands) described in software (program). The CPU 11 includes reading and writing of data with storage media such as the main memory 12 and the SSD 23, reading of data from the ROM 22, and input / output with other devices. Programs executed by the CPU 11 include, for example, an OS (Operating System), firmware, a device driver (which may be simply referred to as a "driver" in this application), a utility program, and an application program (which may be simply referred to as an "application" or an "app" in this application). Note that in this application, executing the processing instructed by the instructions described in the program may be referred to as "executing the program", "execution of the program", etc.

[0017] The main memory 12 is a writable memory that is used as a loading area for the program executed by the CPU 11 or as a working area for writing the processing data of the executed program. The main memory 12 is composed of, for example, a plurality of DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) chips. The CPU 11 and the main memory 12 are the minimum hardware that makes up the host system 10.

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

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

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

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

[0022] The SSD 23 stores various data used for the processing of the host system 10, various data obtained by those processes, or various programs and the like. The SSD 23 functions as an auxiliary storage device. The SSD 23 includes an access controller, a temperature sensor, and a memory. The access controller accesses the memory according to a command input from the host system, and executes writing or reading of information stored in the memory. The access controller generates a clock signal and executes access to the memory and data transmission with the host system in synchronization with the generated clock signal.

[0023] The temperature sensor measures the temperature of its own part and notifies the measured temperature to the host system 10 via the access controller. The temperature sensor may be built into the SSD23 or mounted on the surface of the SSD23. In the present application, the temperature sensor built into or mounted on the SSD23 may be referred to as the "SSD temperature sensor". The temperature detected by the SSD temperature sensor may be referred to as the "SSD temperature".

[0024] The memory stores (writes) various data provided by the access controller upon access from the access controller. Alternatively, the data already stored is read, and the read data is returned to the access controller. The memory is configured to include, for example, a NAND type flash memory. Electric charge accumulates in the memory or is discharged from the memory due to memory access. In this process, power is consumed and heat is generated.

[0025] Therefore, a throttling temperature is set in the access controller, and it is determined whether the SSD temperature notified from the temperature sensor is equal to or higher than the throttling temperature. When the SSD temperature becomes equal to or higher than the throttling temperature, the access controller executes throttling to suppress the heat generation amount. Throttling is a process of reducing the clock frequency below the standard frequency to reduce the access speed or data transfer speed. Note that the access controller does not execute throttling when the SSD temperature is lower than the throttling temperature. As will be described later, in the present embodiment, the host system 10 determines the throttling temperature according to the power mode.

[0026] The communication module 25 is connected to a communication network so as to be able to transmit and receive various data wirelessly or by wire. The communication module 25 communicates various data with other devices connected to the communication network. The communication module 25 is, for example, a wireless LAN module connected to a wireless LAN.

[0027] The input / output I / F 26 is connected in a wired or wireless manner so as to be able to input and output data to and from various devices. The input / output I / F 26 includes, for example, a connector (USB connector) for inputting and outputting data in a wired manner according to the USB standard.

[0028] The EC 31 is a controller that monitors and controls the operations of various devices connected to itself regardless of the operating state of the host system 10. The EC 31 includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a timer, and an input / output I / F separately from the host system 10. Devices with a lower data transfer speed than the chipset 21 can be connected to the EC 31. In the example of FIG. 1, an input device 32, a power supply circuit 33, a heat dissipation mechanism 35, and a power switch 36 are connected to the EC 31.

[0029] The input device 32 detects a user's operation, generates an operation signal according to the detected operation, and outputs the operation signal to the EC 31. The input device 32 may be, for example, any of a keyboard, a touch pad, and the like.

[0030] The power supply circuit 33 includes a voltage converter. The voltage converter converts the voltage of the DC power supplied from an external power supply or a battery (not shown) into the voltage required for the operation of each device constituting the information processing apparatus 1, and supplies the power having the converted voltage to the device to be supplied. The power supply circuit 33 executes the power supply to the devices according to the control of the EC 31. The power supply circuit 33 includes a charger.

[0031] The charger charges the battery with the power remaining without being consumed in each device among the power supplied from the external power supply. When power is not supplied from the external power supply, or when the power supplied from the external power supply does not satisfy the demand, the charger supplies the power discharged from the battery to each device. The battery charges the power supplied from the power supply circuit 33, or discharges the power stored in itself to the power supply circuit 33. The battery may be, for example, any of a lithium ion battery, a sodium ion battery, and the like.

[0032] The heat dissipation mechanism 35 controls the heat dissipation of the heat generated inside the housing based on the detected temperature according to the control of the EC 31. The heat dissipation mechanism 35 includes, for example, a temperature sensor, a drive circuit, and a heat dissipation fan. In the present application, this temperature sensor is called a "temperature sensor for heat dissipation" to distinguish it from the SSD temperature sensor. The temperature sensor for heat dissipation is installed, for example, on the surface of the housing, detects the temperature of the housing surface (hereinafter referred to as "skin temperature"), and notifies the detected surface temperature to the EC 31. The drive circuit supplies power from the power supply circuit 33 to the heat dissipation fan according to the control of the EC 31. The output of the heat dissipation fan, that is, the heat dissipation amount, is controlled according to the power supplied from the power supply circuit 33.

[0033] The heat dissipation fan includes a motor that rotates by consuming the power supplied from the drive circuit, and the motor rotates the blades. The rotation of the blades causes an air flow by allowing air to flow into the housing. The inflowing air exchanges heat with the components of the information processing apparatus 1 and is discharged outside the housing.

[0034] Each time a pressing operation is received, the power switch 36 controls either power-on (Power ON) or power-off (Power OFF) as the power supply state to the host system 10. When a pressing operation is received, the power switch 36 outputs a pressing signal indicating the press to the EC 31. When the information processing apparatus 1 is powered off and a pressing signal is input from the power switch 36, the EC 31 causes the power supply circuit 33 to start supplying power to each device of the information processing apparatus 1 (power-on). When power is supplied to the information processing apparatus 1 and a pressing signal is input from the power switch 36, the EC 31 causes the host system 10 to execute a stop process (shutdown).

[0035] Next, a functional configuration example of the host system 10 will be described. The functions of the host system 10 are realized by the CPU 11 executing various programs and cooperating with the main memory 12, the chipset 21, and other hardware. In this application, the firmware related to the host system 10 is referred to as "system firmware". The system firmware includes BIOS (Basic Input / Output System). BIOS is a program for performing input / output with hardware resources. The BIOS includes a system BIOS based on the UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface) standard. In this application, the system firmware may be referred to as BIOS. The memory that is the access destination based on the BIOS may be referred to as "BIOS memory". A part of the storage area of the ROM 22 may be used as the BIOS memory, or a memory separate from the ROM 22 may be used as the BIOS memory.

[0036] The CPU 11 starts booting when the power is turned on. The BIOS is the program that starts execution first after the power is turned on. The CPU 11 executes a boot loader and reads the BIOS from the ROM 22. The CPU 11 executes POST (Power On Self Test) processing according to the BIOS. The POST processing includes processes such as basic device initialization, consistency verification, device detection, system setting, and system startup (OS startup). The host system 10 may execute processing indicated by instructions instructed by calls from the OS or other programs after the system is started.

[0037] The host system 10 operates according to any one of a plurality of predetermined power modes. For the host system 10, a power limit value is set in advance for each power mode. Also, in the BIOS memory, a throttling temperature is set for each power mode. In the example of FIG. 4, throttling temperatures TST1, TST2, and TST3 are set for the eco mode, balance mode, and performance mode, respectively. The throttling temperature is set so that it becomes higher as the power limit value related to the corresponding power mode is larger. The throttling temperatures TST1, TST2, and TST3 increase in that order, and TST3 is the highest.

[0038] The power limit value includes, for example, a first limit power (PL1: Power Limit 1). PL1 corresponds to the rated power. The rated power is a threshold value that allows the moving average of the power consumption of CPU11 to temporarily exceed this value, but restricts it from constantly (e.g., continuously for several seconds to dozens of seconds or more) exceeding this value. The window length in the moving average (i.e., the observation period related to the moving average of the power consumption) is, for example, about 1 to 10 s. The power limit value may include a second limit power (PL2: Power Limit 2). PL2 is a threshold value for restricting the consumption power from exceeding this value even if the consumption power is temporary. Generally, the higher the clock frequency of CPU11, the more arithmetic processing it executes, and accordingly, the power consumption increases. CPU11 adjusts the clock frequency so that, for example, the instantaneous value of the power consumption does not exceed PL2 and the moving average of the power consumption does not exceed PL1.

[0039] The host system 10 may select a power mode instructed by an operation signal input from the input device 32 according to a user operation, or may select a power mode that satisfies the power consumption by the processing according to the change tendency of the power consumption of CPU11 or the application program being executed. The host system 10 notifies the selected power mode to the EC 31.

[0040] The power modes include, for example, a performance mode, a balance mode, and an eco mode. PL1 is set to be the smallest in the order of the performance mode, the balance mode, and the eco mode, and is the largest for the performance mode. PL2 may be the smallest in the order of the performance mode, the balance mode, and the eco mode, or may be equal among some or all of the power control modes.

[0041] The host system 10 causes the display 14 to display a setting screen indicating multiple levels of power modes, and selects a power mode instructed by an operation signal input from the input device 32 according to a user operation. The host system 10 may select a power mode that satisfies the power consumption by its processing according to the changing trend of the power consumption of the CPU 11 or the application program being executed. The host system 10 notifies the EC 31 of the selected power mode and stores the power limit parameter corresponding to the power mode in the main memory 12. The host system 10 controls the power consumption of its own system according to the power limit parameter stored in the main memory 12.

[0042] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the setting screen according to the present embodiment. The setting screen illustrated in FIG. 2 is configured based on a slider bar. The slider bar has a bar extending in the horizontal direction and a pointer, and the position of the pointer can be set to any one of three preset positions on the bar according to an operation. The host system 10 identifies the power mode corresponding to the set position of the pointer. In the example of FIG. 2(a), the position of the pointer is arranged at the left end of the bar. In this state, the eco (high efficiency) mode is selected. In the example of FIG. 2(b), the position of the pointer is arranged at the center of the bar. In this state, the balance mode is selected. In the example of FIG. 2(c), the position of the pointer is arranged at the right end of the bar. In this state, the performance (high performance) mode is selected.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the setting screen according to the present embodiment. The setting screen illustrated in FIG. 3 is configured based on radio buttons. In the setting screen, power modes that can be set are listed in each row. A radio button is arranged at the head of each row, and one of the power modes at any one stage is exclusively selected according to the operation. The host system 10 causes the radio button last instructed according to the operation to be displayed with a black circle included in its central part, and causes the other radio buttons to be displayed in a blank state. By displaying including the black circle, the state in which the power mode shown in that row is selected is expressed. FIG. 3 illustrates a state in which the eco mode is selected. The host system 10 identifies the power mode last selected according to the operation among the three-stage power modes.

[0044] When the host system 10 is instructed to perform a stop process (shutdown) from the EC31, the host system 10 starts the stop process. The host system 10 stops the processing of the program being executed at that time, and stores image data indicating the execution state at that time in the SSD 23. The image data includes various parameters used for the processing, intermediate values generated by the processing, and the like. The power mode selected during the operation of the host system 10 (for example, the power mode selected according to the operation) is stored in the image data as part of the parameters related to power control.

[0045] Next, an example of control of the heat dissipation mechanism 35 by the EC31 will be described. A surface temperature is set for each power mode in the EC31. In the example of FIG. 5, surface temperatures TSO1, TSO2, and TSO3 are set for the eco mode, balance mode, and performance mode, respectively. The surface temperatures TSO1, TSO2, and TSO3 increase in that order, and the surface temperature TSO3 is the highest. The EC31 identifies the surface temperature corresponding to the power mode notified from the host system 10, and operates the heat dissipation mechanism 35 so that the surface temperature notified from the heat dissipation temperature sensor is equal to or lower than the identified surface temperature. Here, the EC31 supplies power to the drive circuit so that the heat dissipation fan operates so that the notified surface temperature decreases to be equal to or lower than the identified surface temperature. For a power supply mode (e.g., eco mode) where the power consumption is expected to be equal to or less than a predetermined amount and not exceed the target surface temperature, the operation of the heat dissipation mechanism 35 may be stopped.

[0046] Next, an example of the procedure for setting the throttling temperature according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the procedure for setting the throttling temperature according to the present embodiment. In a storage medium accessible from the host system 10, at least the throttling temperature is set in advance for each power supply mode. In the examples of FIGS. 6 and 7, for each system configuration, the throttling temperature is set for each power supply mode. Here, the system configuration refers to a set of a host system and peripheral devices that constitute the information processing apparatus 1. Each individual system can be specified by a model number, a model number, or a combination of model numbers for each device.

[0047] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a configuration example of a parameter table according to the present embodiment. The parameter table illustrated in FIG. 7 is stored in a region classified as a BIOS memory in the storage area of the ROM 22. The parameter table describes the throttling temperature for each set of system configuration and power supply mode. That is, the parameter table forms a part of the parameter set of the BIOS. More specifically, for system A, the throttling temperatures are set to TST1A, TST2A, and TST3A for the eco mode, balance mode, and performance mode, respectively. The throttling temperatures TST1A, TST2A, and TST3A increase in that order, and the throttling temperature TST3A is the highest.

[0048] The host system 10 executes an SSD driver 10d for controlling the input / output between the BIOS 10b and the SSD 23 and realizes its functions. Here, the functional units realized by the BIOS 10b and the SSD driver 10d are simply referred to as the BIOS 10b and the SSD driver 10d. The host system 10 selects one of the three power modes. In the example of FIG. 6, the balance mode is selected. The SSD driver 10d queries the BIOS 10b for the selected power mode and the throttling temperature corresponding to its own system.

[0049] The BIOS 10b reads from the ROM 22 the throttling temperature corresponding to the power mode indicated by the query from the SSD driver 10d and the system configuration of its own system. The BIOS 10b notifies the read throttling temperature as a response to the query from the SSD driver 10d. The SSD driver 10d notifies the notified throttling temperature to the SSD 23. The access controller of the SSD 23 controls throttling based on the throttling temperature notified from the host system 10 and the SSD temperature detected by the SSD temperature sensor.

[0050] Note that the host system 10 may set the throttling temperature for the SSD 23 according to the following procedure. First, the CPU 11 starts POST processing according to the BIOS at startup. After detecting the SSD 23 in the POST processing, the CPU 11 sets the initial value of the throttling temperature set in advance in association with the BIOS to the SSD 23. The SSD 23 starts controlling throttling based on the set initial value and the SSD temperature. After the system is started by the POST processing, the power mode may be updated as described above. Therefore, the SSD driver 10d reads from the ROM 22 the throttling temperature corresponding to the updated power mode and the system configuration of its own system. The SSD driver 10d notifies the read throttling temperature to the SSD 23. The SSD 23 starts controlling throttling based on the newly notified throttling temperature and the SSD temperature instead of the existing throttling temperature.

[0051] In the comparative example of the other party, the throttling temperature was set uniformly regardless of the power mode. Generally, the higher the processing speed of the host system 10, the greater the amount of heat generated, and the higher the access speed from the host system 10 to the SSD 23. The higher the access frequency, the greater the amount of heat generated by the SSD 23 itself, leading to an increase in the SSD temperature. If throttling is performed uniformly to keep the SSD temperature low, the allowable access speed decreases. Since the reading and writing of data with the SSD 23 are delayed, the function of the host system 10 may not be exerted. In the present embodiment, since the throttling temperature is variably set for each power mode, the SSD 23 can be operated at an access speed according to the operating status of the host system 10.

[0052] In the above description, the throttling temperature of the SSD 23 is exemplified as the operation parameter regarding the SSD 23 corresponding to the power mode, but it is not limited to this. It can be applied to the operation parameters regarding the heat generation of the SSD 23 for each power mode. For example, it may be applied to the operation parameters of a heat dissipation mechanism (for example, a heat sink) for dissipating the heat generated by the SSD 23. The heat dissipation mechanism may be configured integrally with the SSD 23 or separately from the SSD 23. For an air-cooled heat dissipation mechanism having a heat dissipation fan, the reference output of the heat dissipation fan may be applied as the operation parameter.

[0053] The reference output of the heat dissipation fan is set so as to be larger for a power mode with a larger power limit value. For an air-cooled heat dissipation mechanism having a heat dissipation fan, the reference output of the heat dissipation fan may be applied as the operation parameter. For a circulation-type heat dissipation mechanism that circulates a refrigerant through a pipe arranged in a heat radiator, the reference output of a compressor that compresses the refrigerant may be applied as the operation parameter. The reference output of the compressor is set so as to be larger for a power mode with a larger power limit value. In the above description, the case where the number of stages of the power mode is three stages is mainly described, but it is not limited to this. The number of stages of the power mode may be two stages or four stages or more.

[0054] As described above, the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a host system 10 and an SSD 23. The host system 10 selects one of a plurality of levels of power modes having different power limit values, and operates according to the selected power mode. An operation parameter regarding the SSD 23 is acquired from a non-volatile memory (for example, ROM 22) in which operation parameters are stored in advance for each power mode, and the acquired operation parameter is set in the SSD 23. According to this configuration, the host system 10 operates according to the power mode selected from the plurality of levels of power modes, and the SSD 23 operates based on the operation parameter corresponding to the selected operation mode. Therefore, the SSD 23 can operate with performance corresponding to the operation status of the host system 10, and thus the performance of the entire information processing apparatus 1 can be exhibited.

[0055] The host system 10 may save the selected one-level power mode in the SSD 23, and operate according to the saved power mode after the start-up process is started. According to this configuration, the host system 10 operates according to the power mode saved in the past after the start-up process is started, and the SSD 23 operates based on the operation parameter corresponding to the power mode. Therefore, the performance of the information processing apparatus 1 can be exhibited by starting up in the power mode selected according to the past operation status.

[0056] The information processing apparatus 1 includes an input device 32 that generates an operation signal according to an operation, and a display 14. The host system 10 may display a setting screen representing a plurality of levels of power modes on the display 14, and specify the power mode indicated by the operation signal among the plurality of levels of power modes. According to this configuration, one of the plurality of levels of power modes shown on the setting screen is selected according to the operation, and the operation parameter corresponding to the selected power mode is set in the SSD 23. Therefore, the SSD 23 can operate based on the operation parameter corresponding to the power mode selected by the operation, and thus the performance of the information processing apparatus 1 can be exhibited.

[0057] The above operation parameters include the throttling temperature, and the SSD 23 is provided with a temperature sensor (for example, an SSD temperature sensor) that detects the temperature. When the detected temperature becomes equal to or higher than the throttling temperature, throttling is executed. According to this configuration, when the SSD temperature becomes equal to or higher than the throttling temperature, the amount of heat generated is suppressed by executing throttling. Therefore, the SSD 23 is protected from heat generated during operation.

[0058] The host system 10 reads operation parameters corresponding to the system configuration of its own system from a non-volatile memory (for example, the ROM 22) in which the operation parameters for each system configuration are stored. According to this configuration, among the operation parameters determined in advance for each system configuration, the operation parameters corresponding to the system configuration of its own system are set. By applying operation parameters according to different operation characteristics depending on the system configuration to the SSD 23, the SSD 23 can be operated with characteristics suitable for the system configuration of its own system.

[0059] As described above, the embodiments of the present application have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the specific configuration is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and designs and the like within the scope not departing from the gist of the present invention are also included. Each configuration described in the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined. For example, in the above description, the SSD 23 is cited as an example of the auxiliary storage device, but it is not limited thereto. Instead of the SSD 23, or in combination with the SSD 23, it may be applied to an auxiliary storage device configured to include a NAND type flash memory, for example, an eMMC (embedded Multimedia Card).

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0060] 1…Information processing apparatus, 10…Host system, 11…CPU, 12…Main memory, 13…GPU, 14…Display, 21…Chipset, 22…ROM, 23…SSD, 25…Communication module, 26…Input / output I / F, 31…EC, 32…Input device, 33…Power circuit, 35…Heat dissipation mechanism, 36…Power switch

Claims

1. An information processing device including a host system and an auxiliary storage device, The host system includes: Select one of a plurality of power modes having different power limit values, and operate according to the selected power mode; acquiring operation parameters corresponding to the set of the selected power supply mode and the system configuration of the own system from a non-volatile memory in which operation parameters related to the auxiliary storage device are pre-stored for each set of the power supply mode and the system configuration; The acquired operating parameters are set in the auxiliary storage device. Information processing device.

2. The host system includes: storing the one-stage power mode in the auxiliary storage device; After the start-up process starts, the device operates according to the saved power mode. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. an input device that generates an operation signal in response to an operation; A display; The host system includes: displaying a setting screen representing the plurality of power modes on the display; The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein a power mode instructed by the operation signal is specified from among the plurality of power modes.

4. the operating parameters include a throttling temperature; the auxiliary storage device includes a temperature sensor for detecting a temperature, When the temperature is equal to or greater than the throttling temperature, Implementing throttling The information processing device according to claim 1 .

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