Information processing apparatus

Abstract

Reflect the desired power mode at an early stage. 【Solution means】After the start of the startup process and before the start of power control, which is a process of controlling the power limit value based on temperature, the host system sets one of the power modes in a plurality of stages with different ranges of power limit values. This embodiment may be realized in the form of an information processing apparatus including a host system. After the completion of system settings and before the start of the first driver related to power control, the host system may set one power mode based on the second driver and execute power control based on the set power mode.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

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

[0003] On the other hand, the usage environments and purposes of information processing apparatuses are diverse. For example, in a situation where it is used while moving, the information processing apparatus consumes the power stored in the battery in advance. In order to be used continuously for a long time, it may be desirable to suppress power consumption. Also, in places where it is highly necessary to maintain a quiet environment such as a library or an office, it may be required to minimize the operation of the heat dissipation fan that causes noise. Some information processing apparatuses allow any one of multiple power modes to be arbitrarily selected.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] There may be a case where it is desired to apply the power mode set during past use when the information processing apparatus is started. However, immediately after startup, the initial values at the time of shipment are applied. Therefore, the desired power mode may not be applied unless after the startup of various driver softwares is completed.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] This application was made to solve the above problems, and an information processing apparatus according to one aspect is an information processing apparatus including a host system, wherein the host system is after the start of the startup process and before the start of power control, which is a process of controlling a power limit value based on temperature, sets one of a plurality of stages of power modes with different ranges of power limit values.

[0007] In the above information processing apparatus, the host system may set the one-stage power mode based on a second driver after the system settings are completed and before the first driver related to the power control is started, and start power control based on the power mode.

[0008] In the above information processing apparatus, the host system may save the one-stage power mode set during operation, and read out the power mode based on the second driver after the start of the startup process.

[0009] In the above information processing apparatus, including an input device that generates an operation signal according to an operation and a display that displays a screen, the host system may display a setting screen representing the plurality of stages of power modes on the display based on the second driver, and specify the power mode indicated by the operation signal from the plurality of stages of power modes.

[0010] In the above information processing apparatus, the number of stages of the power mode may be three or more.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the embodiment of the present application, a desired power mode can be applied early.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0012]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Modes 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 this 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 auxiliary storage device 23, a communication module 25, an input / output I / F (Interface) 26, an EC (Embedded Controller) 31, an input device 32, a power circuit 33, and a power switch 36.

[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 device that executes arithmetic processing instructed by various instructions (commands) described in software (programs). The CPU 11 includes reading and writing of data with storage media such as the main memory 12 and the auxiliary storage device 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 the present application), a utility program, an application program (which may be simply referred to as an "application" or an "app" in the present application), and the like. In the present application, executing the processing instructed by the instructions described in the program may be referred to as "executing the program", "execution of the program", and the like.

[0017] The main memory 12 is a writable memory that is used as a loading area for the execution program of the CPU 11 or as a working area for writing the processing data of the execution 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 forms 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 commands issued from the CPU 11 and writes the display data indicating the obtained display information into the video memory provided in itself. The GPU 13 sequentially reads out the display data written from the video memory and outputs the read display data to the display 14. The GPU 13 may share some processes with the CPU 11. The GPU 13 may be integrated with the CPU 11 and formed on the same core, or may be formed on a core separate from the CPU 11. The GPU 13 may execute parallel arithmetic processing other than image processing or share some processes with the CPU 11.

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

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

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

[0022] The auxiliary storage device 23 stores various data used in the processing of the host system 10, various data obtained by those processes, or various programs and the like. The auxiliary storage device 23 may be, for example, any of an SSD (Solid State Drive), an HDD (Hard-disk Drive), or the like.

[0023] The communication module 25 connects 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 that connects to a wireless LAN.

[0024] The input / output I / F 26 connects to various devices so as to be able to input and output data wirelessly or by wire. The input / output I / F 26 includes, for example, a connector (USB connector) for inputting and outputting data by wire in accordance with the USB standard.

[0025] 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, and a power switch 36 are connected to the EC 31.

[0026] The input device 32 detects a user's operation, generates an operation signal according to the detected operation, and outputs it to the EC 31. The input device 32 may be, for example, any of a keyboard, a touch pad, or the like.

[0027] 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 destination device. The power supply circuit 33 executes power supply to the devices according to the control of the EC 31. The power supply circuit 33 includes a charger. 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.

[0028] Each time a pressing operation is received, the power switch 36 controls to either turn on the power (Power ON) or turn off the power (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 pressing 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 (turn on the power). 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).

[0029] 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.

[0030] The CPU 11 starts booting when power is turned on. The CPU 11 executes a boot loader and reads the BIOS from the ROM 22. The BIOS is the first to be executed after power is turned on. 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).

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

[0032] The power control parameters include, 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 the CPU11 to temporarily exceed this value, but restricts it from constantly (for example, continuously for several seconds to tens 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 control parameters may include a second limit power (PL2: Power Limit 2). PL2 is a threshold value for restricting the power consumption from exceeding this value even if it is temporary. Generally, the higher the clock frequency of the CPU11, the more arithmetic processing it executes, and accordingly, the power consumption increases. The 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.

[0033] 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 that processing according to the change tendency of the power consumption of the CPU11 or the application program being executed. The host system 10 notifies the selected power mode to the EC31.

[0034] 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.

[0035] The host system 10 causes the display 14 to display a setting screen indicating multiple 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 change tendency 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 value 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 value stored in the main memory 12.

[0036] 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.

[0037] 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, multiple levels of power modes that can be set are listed in each row. At the beginning of each row, a radio button is arranged, and any one level of power mode is exclusively selected according to the operation. The host system 10 causes the radio button that was last instructed according to the operation to be displayed with a black circle in its center, and 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 that was last selected according to the operation among the three levels of power modes.

[0038] When the host system 10 is instructed to perform a stop process (shutdown) from the EC 31, 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 the image data indicating the execution state at that time in the auxiliary storage device 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.

[0039] Among the above processes, the host system 10 executes the process of controlling power consumption using power control parameters (power control) according to the commands described in the first driver. As the first driver, for example, a DTT (Dynamic Tuning Technology) driver may be used. When the information processing apparatus 1 includes a temperature sensor, the host system 10 may control the power control parameters with reference to the temperature detected by the temperature sensor. The host system 10 executes the process of selecting any one power mode from a plurality of power modes and the process of setting the power control parameters corresponding to the selected power mode according to the commands described in the second driver. As the second driver, for example, an ITS (Intelligent Thermal Solution) driver is used. The second driver has a function of complementing the function of the first driver.

[0040] Next, an example of the boot process of the host system 10 according to the present embodiment will be described. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the boot process of the host system 10 according to the present embodiment. When the power supply changes from a state where no power is supplied to a state where power is supplied upon power-on, the CPU 11 starts booting. The CPU 11 executes a preset boot loader and reads the BIOS from the ROM 22. After completing the reading of the BIOS, the CPU 11 executes the POST process according to the BIOS. Among the POST processes, the CPU 11 detects the display 14 during the process of initializing the basic devices. Thereafter, the CPU 11 causes the display 14 to display a predetermined startup screen. The startup screen may include the logo of the manufacturer of the information processing apparatus 1.

[0041] During the POST processing, in the system configuration process, the CPU 11 reads out a program and a parameter set used for the operation of the system including the OS from the auxiliary storage device 23. The CPU 11 stores the read parameter set in the main memory 12. The parameter set stored in the main memory 12 is the one set at the time of shipment of the information processing apparatus 1 and does not include parameters set during past operations such as user operations. Therefore, the power mode saved at this point is the one set at the time of shipment (for example, balanced mode). Also, the CPU 11 enables the CSM (Compatibility Supported Module) in the system configuration process. By enabling the CSM, a graphical user interface can be provided in the host system 10.

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

[0043] The parameters unique to the second driver include the power mode set during the operation before the startup of the host system 10. The power mode may be selected by a user operation. The CPU 11 identifies the last set power mode from the image data related to the second driver in the auxiliary storage device 23. Since a graphical user interface can be provided at this stage, the CPU 11 may display a setting screen showing multiple levels of power modes on the display 14 and wait for an operation signal input from the input device 32. The CPU 11 identifies the power mode indicated by the input operation signal. As part of the initialization process based on the BIOS, the CPU 11 stores the range of power limit values corresponding to the specified power mode in the main memory 12 and notifies the EC 31 of the power mode. The range of power limit values is defined, for example, using its upper and lower limits. The CPU 11 starts power control based on the stored power limit values. The EC 31 starts the control of the power circuit 33 based on the power mode notified from the CPU 11.

[0044] After the initialization process of the OS is completed, the CPU 11 becomes in a state where the log-on process is possible. The CPU 11 causes the display 14 to display a predetermined log-on screen. On the log-on screen, guidance information for guiding the input of authentication information for a pre-registered user is displayed. As the authentication information, for example, the input of a password, fingerprint, iris, etc. is instructed.

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

[0046] In the secondary setting process, the CPU 11 sets the parameters among the parameters of the second driver that depend on the function of the first driver. The CPU 11 sets the parameters that were not set in the primary setting process from the image data of the second driver in the main memory 12. The parameters set in the secondary setting process include the parameters used for the process premised on the start of the first driver. The CPU 11 may cause the display 14 to display a setting screen based on the second driver and newly set various parameters of the second driver according to the user operation.

[0047] Next, differences between the present embodiment and the boot process of the host system 10 according to the comparative example will be mainly described. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram illustrating the boot process of the host system 10 according to the comparative example. The CPU 11 starts booting in the same manner as in the example of FIG. 4, reads the BIOS from the ROM 22, and starts executing the POST process according to the BIOS. The CPU 11 is different from the present embodiment in that after starting the OS, it starts the first driver and then, further, starts the second driver.

[0048] In the example of FIG. 5, the CPU 11 starts the first driver after the initialization process of the OS is completed and the system is in a state where log-on processing is possible. Then, after the start-up process of the first driver is completed, the CPU 11 starts the second driver. After the start-up process of the second driver is completed, the CPU 11 sets the parameters related to the second driver in the main memory 12. In the comparative example, at this stage, both the parameters related to the primary setting process and the parameters related to the secondary setting process according to the present embodiment are set.

[0049] As described above, in the comparative example, the CPU 11 starts the second driver after the initialization process of the OS is completed and the start-up process of the first driver is completed. At the stage where the start-up process of the second driver is completed, the CPU 11 sets the parameters related to the second driver in the main memory 12. Therefore, even after the start-up of the OS is completed, the power mode set during past operations is not immediately applied, and the initial parameters set at the time of shipment are applied.

[0050] On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the second driver is started immediately after the completion of the initialization process of the OS, and the power mode is set. Therefore, before starting the first driver, the power mode set during the operation of the information processing apparatus 1 or the power mode arbitrarily set according to the operation is set early. In the above description, the case where the number of levels of the power mode is three levels is mainly described, but it is not limited to this. The number of levels of the power mode may be two levels or four levels or more.

[0051] As described above, the information processing apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment includes a host system 10. The host system 10 sets one of a plurality of power modes (for example, a performance mode, a balance mode, an eco mode) having different power limit value ranges before the start of power control, which is a process of controlling a power limit value (for example, PL1) based on temperature after the start of startup processing. According to this configuration, one of the plurality of power modes is set before the start of power control. Therefore, the power mode reflecting the usage record or the power mode desired by the user is applied to power control at an early stage.

[0052] After the system settings are completed and before the first driver related to power control based on temperature is started, the host system 10 sets one of the power modes based on the second driver and starts power control based on the set power mode. According to this configuration, the power mode is set based on the second driver before the first driver related to power control is started. Since the power mode is set before the start of power control, power control based on the power mode is started at an early stage.

[0053] The host system 10 stores the one power mode set during operation and reads out the power mode based on the second driver after the start of startup processing. According to this configuration, the power mode set during operation is stored, and the power mode stored at startup is applied. Power control according to the operation results is executed based on the power mode set in the past.

[0054] The host system 10 includes an input device 32 that generates an operation signal according to an operation, and a display 14 that displays a screen. The host system 10 causes the display 14 to display a setting screen representing a plurality of power modes based on the second driver, and specifies the power mode indicated by the operation signal from the plurality of power modes. According to this configuration, a setting screen representing multiple power modes is displayed on the display 14, and one of the power modes is selected based on an operation signal from the input device 32. Therefore, the power mode desired by the user is set among the multiple power modes that can be set.

[0055] 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.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

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

Claims

1. An information processing device including a host system, The host system includes: After the system configuration process that is started in response to power-on is completed, a second driver is started during the boot process of the operating system, and one of a plurality of power modes having different ranges of power limit values ​​is set as the power mode; After the operating system is started, a first driver is started; Start power control based on the power mode and temperature Information processing device.

2. The host system includes: Save one power mode setting during operation. Reading the power supply mode based on the second driver The information processing device according to claim 1 .

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

4. The number of stages of the power supply mode is three or more. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

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