Information processing apparatus, method, and program

Abstract

To provide an information processing device, method and program for suppressing power consumption in return processing from a power saving mode.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes a main CPU 201 and a sub CPU 202 with power consumption of the sub CPU 202 smaller than that of the main CPU 201. The sub CPU 202 includes a processing reception part 321 for determining whether processing received by the information processing device in a power saving state can be executed by the sub CPU 202, a power saving mode management part 322 for returning the sub CPU 202 from the power saving state in the case that the processing reception part 321 determines that the sub CPU 202 can execute the processing, and a processing execution part 323 for executing the processing after the sub CPU 202 returns.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, method, and program for suppressing power consumption.

Background Art

[0002] There is known an information processing apparatus that switches to a power saving mode while no operation or processing is being performed in order to suppress power consumption. When a process is requested during the power saving mode, the information processing apparatus switches the hardware to the normal operation mode and executes the process.

[0003] Here, technologies have been developed to more efficiently suppress power consumption when returning from the power saving mode. For example, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-197950 (Patent Document 1), there is provided an image processing apparatus including a first processing unit having a power saving function and a second processing unit having a lower power consumption during operation than the first processing unit. When the first processing unit stopped by the power saving function is activated in response to the reception of a network packet, a determination unit that determines the operating frequency of the first processing unit based on the type of the network packet is provided. According to Patent Document 1, since processing can be performed at an appropriate operation clock according to the type of packet related to the return process from the power saving mode, power consumption can be suppressed more efficiently.

[0004] However, in Patent Document 1, after the second processing unit turns on the power of the first processing unit, a return request is sent from the first processing unit to the second processing unit, and it is necessary to start the OS on the second processing unit. Therefore, the return process cannot be performed without starting the first processing unit, and improvement has been demanded from the viewpoint of further efficiency improvement.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the problems in the above prior art, and an object thereof is to provide an information processing apparatus, a method, and a program for suppressing power consumption in the return process from the power saving mode.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] That is, according to the present invention, An information processing apparatus including a first processing device and a second processing device, wherein the power consumption of the second processing device is smaller than that of the first processing device, The second processing device Determination means for determining whether or not the process received by the information processing apparatus in the power saving state can be executed by the second processing device; State management means for returning the second processing device from the power saving state when the determination means determines that the process can be executed by the second processing device; And processing means for executing the process after the second processing device has returned. Including Look, the determination means determines whether the process can be executed by the second processing device based on the amount of processing for executing the process. An information processing apparatus is provided.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] According to the present invention, an information processing apparatus, a method, and a program for suppressing power consumption in the return process from the power saving mode can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

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Figure 6

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. In each of the figures referred to below, the same reference numerals are used for common elements, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0010] In each of the figures referred to below, the same reference numerals are used for common elements, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Also, in the embodiments described below, an image forming apparatus 100 is shown as an example of an information processing apparatus, but the embodiments are not particularly limited, and various information processing apparatuses can be adopted.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an image forming apparatus 100 that executes the present invention. The image forming apparatus 100 is connected to a personal computer terminal 120 via a network 110 and can perform processes such as printing and scanning. Note that the method of connecting from the image forming apparatus 100 or the personal computer terminal 120 to the network 110 may be either wired or wireless. Also, in FIG. 1, an image forming apparatus 100 is shown as an example of an information processing apparatus, but the embodiments are not particularly limited.

[0012] Next, the hardware configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration included in the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the image forming apparatus 100 includes a main CPU 201, a sub CPU 202, a ROM 203, a main RAM 204, a sub RAM 205, a memory 206, a printer device 207, a scanner device 208, a communication I / F 209, a display 210, and an input device 211, and each hardware is connected via a bus.

[0013] The main CPU 201 is composed of a processing device such as a processor, and controls the operations of each part and the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 100. Further, the main CPU 201 has a power saving function, and shifts to the power saving mode under predetermined transition conditions to stop the operation.

[0014] The sub CPU 202 is composed of a processing device such as a processor, and controls the operations of each part and the overall operation of the image forming apparatus 100 during the period when the main CPU 201 is stopped due to the power saving function. Note that the sub CPU 202 may also have a power saving function that suspends functions other than those for executing the processing related to the operation.

[0015] The ROM 203 is a non-volatile storage device for storing programs, firmware, etc. executed in the image forming apparatus 100.

[0016] The main RAM 204 is composed of a volatile semiconductor memory device such as a DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory), and is used as a work area for the main CPU 201. Various programs and various parameters executed by the main CPU 201 are read from the ROM 203 and expanded in the main RAM 204.

[0017] The sub RAM 205 is composed of a volatile semiconductor memory device such as an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), and is used as a work area for the sub CPU 202. Various programs and various parameters executed by the sub CPU 202 in the power saving state are read from the ROM 203 and expanded in the sub RAM 205.

[0018] The memory 206 is a readable and writable non-volatile storage device that stores an OS, various software, setting information, various data, etc. that enable the image forming apparatus 100 to function. Examples of the memory 206 include an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and an SSD (Solid State Drive). Note that the memory 206 may include the ROM 203.

[0019] The printer device 207 is a device configured to form an image on a sheet of paper by a laser method, an inkjet method, or the like. The scanner device 208 is a device configured to read an image of a printed matter and convert it into data. Further, for example, the image forming device 100 can copy a printed matter by the cooperation of the scanner device 208 and the printer device 207.

[0020] The communication I / F 209 connects the image forming device 100 and the network 110 and enables communication with other devices via the network 110. The communication via the network 110 may be either wired communication or wireless communication, uses a predetermined communication protocol such as TCP / IP, and can transmit and receive various data.

[0021] The display 210 is a device that displays various data and the state of the image forming device 100 to the user. Examples include an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display). The input device 211 is a device for the user to operate the image forming device 100. Examples include buttons. Note that the display 210 and the input device 211 may be separate devices or may have both functions like a touch panel display.

[0022] In addition, the main CPU 201 in the present embodiment has a higher processing capacity than the sub CPU 202. Also, the power consumption of the sub CPU 202 in the present embodiment is lower than the power consumption in the normal state (a state that is not the power saving mode) of the main CPU 201.

[0023] The hardware configuration included in the image forming device 100 of the present embodiment has been described above. Next, the functional means executed by each hardware in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a software block diagram included in the image forming device 100 of the present embodiment.

[0024] As shown in FIG. 3, the main CPU 201 of the present embodiment includes modules such as a power-saving mode management unit 311 and a processing execution unit 312. Further, the sub-CPU 202 of the present embodiment includes modules such as a processing reception unit 321, a power-saving mode management unit 322, and a processing execution unit 323.

[0025] The processing reception unit 321 is a means for receiving various processes when the image forming apparatus 100 is in a power-saving state. Here, examples of the processes received by the processing reception unit 321 include operations of the input device 211 and reception of packets from outside the apparatus via the network 110, but the embodiment is not particularly limited. The processing reception unit 321 of the present embodiment determines the content of the received process and determines whether to execute the process by the sub-CPU 202 or by the main CPU 201.

[0026] The power-saving mode management unit 311 of the main CPU 201 and the power-saving mode management unit 322 of the sub-CPU 202 are means for switching between the power-saving mode and the normal mode.

[0027] The processing execution unit 312 of the main CPU 201 and the processing execution unit 323 of the sub-CPU 202 are means for executing the processes received by the processing reception unit 321.

[0028] Note that the above-described software blocks correspond to functional means realized by causing each hardware to function by the main CPU 201 or the sub-CPU 202 executing the program of the present embodiment. Further, all of the functional means shown in each embodiment may be realized software-wise, or a part or all of them may be implemented as hardware providing equivalent functions.

[0029] In addition to the software blocks shown in FIG. 3, the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can include, for example, functional means related to image forming processing.

[0030] Next, the return process performed by each functional means of the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram of a process that requires a return from the power saving mode. Note that at the stage of starting the process of FIG. 4, it is assumed that the image forming apparatus 100 according to the embodiment is in the power saving mode. Further, the sub-CPU 202 in the power saving mode of the present embodiment suspends functions other than those for executing processes for receiving return processes.

[0031] When the user operates the image forming apparatus 100 in the power saving state, in step S1001, the process reception unit 321 that has received the process determines whether it can be executed by the sub-CPU 202 based on the content of the process related to the operation. Note that the process received by the process reception unit 321 is not limited to the operation by the user, and may be, for example, reception of a packet. The determination in step S1001 can be made, for example, based on the magnitude of the processing amount. For example, when the processing amount is smaller than a predetermined threshold value, the process reception unit 321 can determine that it can be executed by the sub-CPU 202. Further, the determination in step S1001 may be made based on the type of the packet or the type of the required process. Here, the sub-CPU 202 stores list information indicating the types of packets and requests that can be processed by the sub-CPU 202, and when a packet included in the list information is received, it can be determined that it can be executed by the sub-CPU 202. For example, for a packet that can be answered based on information stored in a memory accessible by the sub-CPU 202, such as a packet for confirming that the image forming apparatus 100 is connected to the network or a packet for confirming the state of the image forming apparatus 100, it is determined that it can be executed by the sub-CPU 202.

[0032] When it can be executed by the sub-CPU 202, the processes of the following steps S1002 to S1005 are performed. In step S1002, the process reception unit 321 notifies the power saving mode management unit 322 that a factor for returning from the power saving mode has occurred. Upon receiving the notification, in step S1003, the power saving mode management unit 322 returns the sub-CPU 202 from the power saving mode to the normal mode and activates the process execution unit 323. After the sub-CPU 202 returns to the normal mode, in step S1004, the power saving mode management unit 322 requests the process execution unit 323 to execute the process received by the process reception unit 321. In step S1005, the process execution unit 323 that has received the request executes the process.

[0033] On the other hand, when it is determined that it cannot be executed by the sub-CPU 202, in step S1006, the process reception unit 321 notifies the main CPU 201 that a factor for returning from the power saving mode has occurred. Thereafter, in step S1007, the power saving mode management unit 311 of the main CPU 201 returns the main CPU 201 to the normal mode, and the process execution unit 312 executes the process.

[0034] According to the process shown in FIG. 4, it is possible to change whether to perform the process by the sub-CPU 202 or the main CPU 201 according to the content. When it can be executed by the sub-CPU 202, since the process can be executed without returning the main CPU 201 with relatively high power consumption, the power consumption can be suppressed.

[0035] Next, a modified example of the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIGS. 5 and 6 are sequence diagrams for performing a process that requires return from the power saving mode in the modified example of the present embodiment.

[0036] First, FIG. 5 will be described. Note that steps S2001 to S2005 in FIG. 5 are the same as steps S1001 to S1005 in FIG. 4, so the details are omitted. Also, the process when it cannot be executed by the sub-CPU 202 is the same as in FIG. 4, so the details are omitted.

[0037] In a modification of the embodiment according to FIG. 5, after the processing execution unit 323 executes the processing in step S2005, it notifies the power saving mode management unit 322 in step S2006 that the processing has been completed. Upon receiving the notification, the power saving mode management unit 322 causes the sub CPU 202 to shift to the power saving mode again in step S2007. As a result, power consumption after the processing can be suppressed.

[0038] Next, FIG. 6 will be described. Since steps S3001 to S3005 in FIG. 6 are the same as steps S1001 to S1005 in FIG. 4, the details will be omitted. Also, the processing when the sub CPU 202 cannot execute is the same as that in FIG. 4, so the details will be omitted.

[0039] When a process that requires a return from the power saving mode is input, there is a possibility that a new process will be subsequently input. Therefore, in a modification of the embodiment according to FIG. 6, after the sub CPU 202 executes the process, the main CPU 201 is returned to the normal mode. Therefore, after the processing execution unit 323 executes the processing in step S3005, it notifies the power saving mode management unit 322 in step S3006 that the processing has been completed. Upon receiving the notification, the power saving mode management unit 322 requests the main CPU 201 to return to the normal mode in step S3007. When the main CPU 201 receives the request, in step S3008, the power saving mode management unit 311 of the main CPU 201 returns the main CPU 201 to the normal mode and waits for a new process to be received. As a result, the main CPU 201 can be switched to the normal mode and standby, so that even when a new process is input later, the time required to start the main CPU 201 can be shortened.

[0040] By the various processes described above, the image forming apparatus 100 of the present embodiment can suppress power consumption in the return process from the power saving mode and improve convenience.

[0041] In the embodiments described so far, an image forming apparatus has been given as an example of the information processing apparatus. However, the embodiments are not particularly limited thereto, and any information processing apparatus can be adopted. Further, the described embodiments are particularly effective for an information processing apparatus such as an image forming apparatus including two processing apparatuses, such as a processing apparatus (for example, main CPU 201) that performs main control of the apparatus and a processing apparatus (for example, sub CPU 202) that performs auxiliary control (in a constantly powered-on state).

[0042] As described above, according to the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide an information processing apparatus, method, and program for suppressing power consumption in the return process from the power saving mode.

[0043] Each function of the above-described embodiments of the present invention can be realized by a program executable by a device described in C, C++, C#, Java (registered trademark), etc. The program of the present embodiment can be stored and distributed in a device-readable recording medium such as a hard disk device, CD-ROM, MO, DVD, flexible disk, EEPROM (registered trademark), EPROM, etc., and can also be transmitted via a network in a form that can be processed by other devices.

[0044] As described above, the present invention has been described with embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and is included in the scope of the present invention as long as the functions and effects of the present invention can be achieved within the scope of embodiments that can be considered by those skilled in the art.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0045] 100... Image forming apparatus, 110... Network, 120... Personal computer terminal, 201... Main CPU, 202... Sub CPU, 203... ROM, 204... Main RAM, 205... Sub RAM, 206... Memory, 207... Printer device, 208... Scanner device, 209... Communication I / F, 210... Display, 211... Input device, 311, 322... Power saving mode management unit, 312, 323... Processing execution unit, 321... Processing reception unit

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0046] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-197950

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus including a first processing device and a second processing device, wherein the power consumption of the second processing device is lower than that of the first processing device, wherein the second processing device includes determination means for determining whether the processing received by the information processing apparatus in the power-saving state can be executed by the second processing device; state management means for returning the second processing device from the power-saving state when the determination means determines that the processing can be executed by the second processing device; and processing means for executing the processing after the second processing device has returned; and the determination means determines whether the processing can be executed by the second processing device based on the amount of processing to be executed. An information processing apparatus.

2. An information processing apparatus including a first processing device and a second processing device, wherein the power consumption of the second processing device is lower than that of the first processing device, wherein the second processing device includes determination means for determining whether the processing received by the information processing apparatus in the power-saving state can be executed by the second processing device; state management means for returning the second processing device from the power-saving state when the determination means determines that the processing can be executed by the second processing device; and processing means for executing the processing after the second processing device has returned; and the state management means is characterized in that after the processing means has executed the processing, the first processing device is returned from the power-saving state. An information processing apparatus.

3. When the determination means determines that the processing cannot be executed by the second processing device, the first processing device is returned from the power-saving state to execute the processing. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The state management means is characterized in that after the processing means has executed the processing, the second processing device is switched to the power-saving state. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. A method executed by an information processing apparatus including a first processing device and a second processing device, wherein the power consumption of the second processing device is lower than that of the first processing device, the method comprising: determining whether the processing received by the information processing apparatus in the power-saving state can be executed by the second processing device; When it is determined in the determining step that the second processing device can execute the process, a step of returning the second processing device from the power-saving state; A step of executing the process after the second processing device has returned; comprising; In the determining step, based on the amount of processing to be executed, it is determined whether the process can be executed by the second processing device. Method.

6. A method executed by an information processing device including a first processing device and a second processing device, wherein the power consumption of the second processing device is smaller than that of the first processing device, A step of determining whether a process received by the information processing device in the power-saving state can be executed by the second processing device; When it is determined in the determining step that the second processing device can execute the process, a step of returning the second processing device from the power-saving state; A step of executing the process after the second processing device has returned; After the executing step, a step of returning the first processing device from the power-saving state; comprising.

7. A program executed by an information processing device including a first processing device and a second processing device, wherein the power consumption of the second processing device is smaller than that of the first processing device, The program causes the second processing device to function as: Determining means for determining whether a process received by the information processing device in the power-saving state can be executed by the second processing device; State management means for returning the second processing device from the power-saving state when the determining means determines that the process can be executed by the second processing device; Processing means for executing the process after the second processing device has returned; function as, The determining means determines whether the process can be executed by the second processing device based on the amount of processing to be executed. Program.

8. A program executed by an information processing device including a first processing device and a second processing device, wherein the power consumption of the second processing device is smaller than that of the first processing device, The program causes the second processing device to function as: Determining means for determining whether a process received by the information processing device in the power-saving state can be executed by the second processing device; State management means for restoring the second processing device from a power-saving state when the determination means determines that the second processing device can execute the processing; Processing means for executing the processing after the second processing device has resumed; Functioning as; The state management means is characterized in that, after the processing means has executed the processing, the first processing device is restored from a power-saving state; Program.

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