JP3714064B2 - Power management control method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a power management control method and apparatus suitable for use in a personal computer system that cools a mounted component including a CPU by controlling rotation with a cooling fan and controlling the processing capacity of the CPU.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In the field of personal computers (PCs), small laptops, light laptops, and portable laptops have become popular in place of conventional desktop computers. Due to the nature of this type of PC system, it is driven by a battery (AC adapter is also possible), and a flat type such as a liquid crystal (LCD) is often used as a display panel.
By the way, the component that generates the most heat among the components of this type of PC system is a CPU that is the control center of the system. If the CPU generates excessive heat, the entire system may stop due to thermal runaway. Conventionally, power management has been performed to prevent such a situation.
[0003]
FIG. 4 shows a conventional system configuration for power management. Here, the power management control circuit 41 controls the processing capability of the CPU 43, which is the control center of the PC system, and the rotation control of the cooling fan 44, thereby implementing heat management (hereinafter referred to as thermal management).
[0004]
There are two types of thermal management, an active cooling method and a passive cooling method. Actually, thermal management as a PC system is carried out by either one or a combination of the two methods. The active cooling system exhausts heat by rotating the cooling fan 44, so that the processing capacity of the CPU 43 is ensured to the maximum, but on the other hand, it also has the disadvantages of increased power consumption and noise generated by the cooling fan 44. Have.
[0005]
On the other hand, the passive cooling system controls the processing capacity of the CPU 43 using a CPU processing capacity control signal 48. If the processing capacity is lowered, the heat generation of the CPU 43 can be suppressed, so that the heat management of the PC system can be performed without rotating the cooling fan 44 as much as possible. The advantage obtained here is excellent in quietness and power saving because it is not necessary to rotate the cooling fan 44 as much as possible, but it also has a disadvantage that the processing capacity of the CPU 43 is lowered.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
By the way, two temperature threshold values of an active cooling point and a passive cooling point can be set in the temperature sensor 42 in advance. The active cooling point defines the rotation and stop temperatures of the cooling fan 44, and the passive cooling point defines whether or not the processing capacity control of the CPU 43 can be performed.
[0007]
Conventionally, the temperature threshold values of the active cooling point and passive cooling point are fixed during system operation, and if the set value of the active cooling point is lower than the set value of the passive cooling point, the maximum processing capacity of the CPU 43 is ensured. However, there are disadvantages in that power consumption increases and noise is generated by the cooling fan 44.
On the other hand, when the set value of the passive cooling point is lower than the set value of the active cooling point, there is an advantage that it is excellent in quietness and power saving, but there is a disadvantage that the processing capacity of the CPU 43 is reduced correspondingly. It was.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and in the PC system that performs power management by adjusting the rotation of the cooling fan or the processing capacity of the CPU, or a combination thereof, the above-described control mode is adopted. Furthermore, the user can dynamically switch between the active cooling point and the passive cooling point during system operation in response to external events such as changes in the power supply mode and changes in the case heat dissipation characteristics caused by opening and closing the display panel. An object of the present invention is to provide a power management control method and apparatus capable of realizing optimum power management in each state without bothering the user.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-described problem, the power management control method of the present invention includes either an active cooling mode performed by rotation control of a cooling fan, a passive cooling mode performed by controlling processing capacity of a CPU, or the The cooling step of cooling by combination, the temperature detection step of detecting the temperature by the temperature sensor mounted on the system, and the temperature detected by this temperature detection step and the temperature threshold set in advance for each mode are compared. A selection step for selecting an optimum mode, and a system main body including an input device during system operation detects an opening / closing operation of a display panel that is rotatably mounted via a hinge mechanism , for selecting the mode. A setting step for reflecting the temperature threshold setting, the setting step , If the display panel is detected to be in spread condition if the temperature threshold value of the active cooling mode low Ku set than the temperature threshold of the passive cooling mode, it is detected to be in the closed state, the active cooling mode a temperature sensed by a process to perform an optimum mode selected dynamically by the temperature threshold value higher rather set than the temperature threshold of the passive cooling mode, characterized by.
[0014]
The power management control device of the present invention is achieved by controlling a CPU mounted on a personal computer system, a fan for cooling a CPU, an active cooling mode performed by rotation control of the cooling fan, and a processing capacity of the CPU. A temperature detected by a temperature sensor mounted in the personal computer system, a temperature threshold set in advance for each mode, or a display panel opening / closing operation detection circuit, which is executed in any one or a combination of passive cooling modes The power management control circuit that performs power management by selecting the optimum mode by comparing the temperature threshold value reset by the above and the system main body including the input device during the operation of the personal computer system are: And a said display panel opening and closing detection circuit to be reflected in the re-setting of the temperature threshold value for the mode selected by detecting the opening and closing operation of the display panel mounted rotatably via a di mechanism, the display panel open The operation detection circuit sets the temperature threshold of the active cooling mode lower than the temperature threshold of the passive cooling mode when it is detected that the display panel is in a spread state, and when it is detected that the display panel is in a closed state, The temperature threshold of the active cooling mode is set higher than the temperature threshold of the passive cooling mode .
[0015]
In the above configuration, the drive power supply detection circuit outputs an AC adapter insertion / extraction event detection signal when power is supplied to the personal computer system via the AC adapter, and the display panel open / close operation detection circuit An event detection signal is generated when the spread state is set. These event detection signals are monitored by the power management control circuit, and the power management control circuit detects either the AC adapter insertion / extraction event detection signal or the rise / fall of the display panel open / close event detection signal to the CPU. An interrupt is notified. In response to this, the CPU recognizes the change in the power supply driving mode and the open / closed state of the LCD panel via the power management control circuit.
[0016]
Then, the power management control circuit performs active cooling points and passive cooling during system operation in response to external events typified by changes in the power supply drive mode and display panel opening / closing operations described above. By switching points dynamically, optimal power management is realized in each state without bothering the user. As a result, the optimum power management form for each case is automatically selected and executed, the battery life is extended when the battery is driven, and the reliability of the thermal management as a personal computer system is improved.
[0017]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. The difference from the conventional example shown in FIG. 4 is that a drive power supply detection circuit 21 and a display panel open / close operation detection circuit 22 are added, and the outputs of these circuits 21 and 22 are supplied to the power management control circuit 11. is there. The power management control circuit 11, the temperature sensor 12, the CPU 13, and the cooling fan 14 shown in FIG. 1 correspond to the blocks 41, 42, 43, and 44 shown in FIG. 4 and are the same.
[0018]
The drive power supply detection circuit 21 transmits “AC adapter insertion / extraction” to the power management control circuit 11 as an event (AC adapter insertion / extraction event detection signal).
Here, a liquid crystal monitor (LCD) is used as the display panel. The display panel open / close operation detection circuit 22 transmits “LCD panel open / close” to the power management control circuit 11 as an event (LCD panel open / close event detection signal). In the assumed personal computer (PC) system, the main body housing including an input device such as a keyboard is attached to the LCD panel via a hinge mechanism, and the LCD panel can be opened and closed. Suppose that it is detected by a micro switch built in the vicinity of the hinge. When the PC system is used, the micro switch is set to “OFF” when the LCD panel is set to be spread, and when the PC is not used, the state where the LCD panel is folded and carried is set to “ON”.
[0019]
In the configuration described above, the drive power supply detection circuit 21 is “LOW” as the AC adapter insertion / extraction event detection signal 23 when an AC adapter is inserted into the PC system and power is supplied to the PC system via the AC adapter. When the level signal is output and the AC adapter is disconnected, a “HIGH” level signal is output as the AC adapter insertion / extraction event detection signal 23. The AC adapter insertion / extraction event detection signal 23 is monitored by the power management control circuit 11, and the power management control circuit 11 detects either rising or falling of the AC adapter insertion / extraction event detection signal 23, and notifies the CPU 13. An interrupt (interrupt request signal 16) is notified. In response to this, the CPU 13 reads the current input level of the AC adapter insertion / extraction event detection signal 23 via the power management control circuit 11, changes the power supply drive mode, and is AC adapter drive or battery (DC) drive. Specifically identify them.
[0020]
Further, the LCD panel open / close event detection signal 24 becomes “LOW” level when the LCD panel is folded, and becomes “HIGH” level when the LCD panel is spread. The LCD panel open / close event detection signal 24 is also monitored by the power management control circuit 11, and the power management control circuit 11 detects either the rising or falling edge of the LCD panel open / close event detection signal 24 to the CPU 13. , An interrupt (interrupt request signal 16) is notified. In response to this, the CPU 13 reads the current input level of the LCD panel open / close event signal 24 through the power management control circuit 11 and identifies whether the LCD panel is closed or opened.
[0021]
FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts cited for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1, and a power management control method and an active cooling point when the passive cooling point is lower than the active cooling point, respectively. The operation procedure of the power management control method when is lower than the passive cooling point is shown.
[0022]
The operation of the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 1 will be described in detail below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
In general, when the power source driving form is battery driving, it is preferable to execute power management suitable for power saving. Further, when the LCD panel is closed, the heat dissipation characteristic tends to be worse than when the LCD panel is opened. Therefore, it is preferable to execute power management suitable for power saving. Therefore, in these cases, by setting the passive cooling point setting lower than the active cooling point setting, a cooling method that controls the CPU processing capacity first and directly suppresses heat generation is practiced. To.
[0023]
Specifically, when the system is started up, the CPU 13 directly reads the level values of the AC adapter insertion / removal event detection signal 23 and the LCD panel open / close event detection signal 24 via the power management control circuit 11, and the AC adapter insertion / removal event detection signal. If 23 is at a high level (battery drive) or the LCD panel open / close event detection signal 24 is at a “LOW” level (LCD panel is closed), the set value of the passive cooling point is set from the set value of the active cooling point. Also, the CPU 11 is configured so that the processing capacity control of the CPU 11 is executed before the cooling fan 14 is turned.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 2, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 12 exceeds each cooling point, the power management control circuit 11 is notified via the temperature alarm signal 15 (step S201). In response to this, the power management control circuit 11 issues an interrupt request signal 16 to the CPU 13 to notify the interrupt (step S202). In response to this interruption, the CPU 13 reads the temperature from the temperature sensor 12 (step S203).
The temperature read here is compared with the active cooling point and the passive cooling point (steps S204, S205). As a result, the power management shown in steps S206, S207, S208, that is, the cooling fan 14 is stopped, respectively. Thus, any one of the modes in which the processing capacity control of the CPU 13 is not performed, the cooling fan is stopped and the processing capacity control of the CPU 13 is performed, or the cooling fan 14 is rotated and the processing capacity control of the CPU 13 is performed. It is selected according to. In this case, the power saving property is excellent.
[0025]
Further, when the system is started up, the AC adapter insertion / extraction event detection signal 23 is at the “LOW” level (AC power supply drive), and the LCD panel open / close event detection signal 24 is at the “HIGH” level (the LCD panel is open). If there is, the set value of the active cooling point is set lower than the set value of the passive cooling point, and the cooling fan 14 is rotated before the processing capacity control of the CPU 13.
[0026]
As shown in FIG. 3, when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 12 exceeds each cooling point, the fact is notified to the power management control circuit 11 via the temperature alarm signal 15 (step S301). In response to this, the power management control circuit 11 issues an interrupt request signal 16 to the CPU 3 to notify the interrupt (step S302). In response to this interruption, the CPU 3 reads the temperature of the temperature from the temperature sensor 12 (step S303).
The temperature read here is compared with the active cooling point and the passive cooling point (steps S304 and S305). As a result, the power management configuration shown in steps S306, S307, and S308, that is, the cooling fan 14 is stopped. The processing capacity control of the CPU 13 is not performed, the cooling fan is stopped and the processing capacity control of the CPU 13 is performed, or the cooling fan 14 is rotated and the processing capacity control of the CPU 13 is performed in each scene. Is selected accordingly. In this case, the system processing capability is excellent.
[0027]
Next, power management control when an AC adapter is inserted / removed during system operation or when an LCD panel open / close event occurs will be described. First, when the AC adapter is removed from the inserted state, a rising edge appears as the AC adapter insertion / extraction event detection signal 23. The power management control circuit 11 detects this rising edge and sends an interrupt request signal 16 to the CPU 13. To issue an interrupt. In response to this, the CPU 13 reads that the current input level of the AC adapter insertion / extraction event detection signal 23 is “HIGH” level via the power management control circuit 11 and recognizes that the AC adapter has changed to battery drive.
As a result, the setting value of the passive cooling point is reset to be lower than the setting value of the active cooling point (the vertical relationship is switched), and the processing capacity control of the CPU 13 is performed in preference to turning the cooling fan 14. (See the flowchart of FIG. 2 described above. In this case, the power saving performance is excellent).
[0028]
Next, when the AC adapter is removed and inserted into the PC system, a falling edge appears in the AC adapter insertion / extraction event detection signal 23, and the power management control circuit 11 detects this falling edge to the CPU 13. An interrupt request signal 16 is issued to notify the interrupt. In response to this, the CPU 13 reads that the current input level of the AC adapter insertion / extraction event detection signal 23 is the “LOW” level via the power management control circuit 11, and indicates that the battery drive has changed to the power supply drive by the AC adapter. recognize.
As a result, the set value of the active cooling point is reset to be lower than the set value of the passive cooling point (the vertical relationship is switched), and the cooling fan 14 is rotated in preference to the processing capacity control of the CPU 13 (see FIG. 3). (Refer to the flowchart shown in this case, where the system processing capability is excellent).
[0029]
On the other hand, when the LCD panel changes from the spread state to the closed state, a falling edge appears in the LCD panel open / close event detection signal 24, and the power management control circuit 11 detects this falling edge and interrupts the CPU 13. A request signal 16 is issued to notify the interruption. In response to this, the CPU 13 reads that the current input level of the LCD panel open / close event detection signal 24 is the “LOW” level via the power management control circuit 11 and recognizes that the LCD panel is closed from the spread state. .
As a result, the set value of the passive cooling point is reset to be lower than the set value of the active cooling point (upper and lower relationship is switched), so that the processing capacity control of the CPU 13 is performed in preference to turning the cooling fan 14 ( Refer to the flowchart shown in Fig. 2. In this case, power saving is excellent).
[0030]
Further, when the LCD panel is set from the closed state to the spread state, a rising edge appears in the LCD panel open / close event detection signal 24, and the power management control circuit 11 detects the rising edge and issues an interrupt request to the CPU 13. Signal 16 is issued to notify the interruption. In response to this, the CPU 13 reads that the current input level of the LCD panel open / close event detection signal 24 is “HIGH” level via the power management control circuit 11 and sets the LCD panel from the closed state to the spread state. Recognize that As a result, the set value of the active cooling point is reset lower than the set value of the passive cooling point (the vertical relationship is switched), and the cooling fan 14 prioritized over the CPU processing capacity control is rotated (the flowchart shown in FIG. 3). (In this case, the system processing power is excellent).
[0031]
As described above, according to the present invention, in the PC system that performs power management by adjusting the rotation of the cooling fan or the processing capacity of the CPU, or a combination thereof, the change of the power supply driving mode or the opening / closing operation of the display panel In response to an external event typified by a change in housing heat dissipation characteristics due to the system, the active cooling point (temperature threshold) and passive cooling point (temperature threshold) are dynamically switched during system operation. It realizes optimum power management in each state without bothering the user.
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, the active cooling point and the passive cooling point according to the external event represented by the change of the power supply driving mode during the system operation and the change of the heat dissipation characteristic of the casing due to the opening and closing of the LCD panel. The power management mode that is optimal for each case is automatically selected and executed without bothering the user. As a result, the life of the battery can be extended when the battery is driven, and the reliability of the PC system is improved with respect to thermal management.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart cited for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart cited for explaining the operation of the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional power management control device.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11 ... Power management control circuit, 12 ... Temperature sensor, 13 ... CPU, 14 ... Cooling fan, 21 ... Drive power supply detection circuit, 22 ... Display panel (LCD) opening / closing operation detection circuit

Claims (2)

A cooling process that cools by either or a combination of an active cooling mode that is controlled by rotation of the cooling fan and a passive cooling mode that is controlled by controlling the processing capacity of the CPU, and a temperature sensor mounted on the system A temperature detection step for detecting temperature, a selection step for selecting an optimal mode by comparing a temperature detected by this temperature detection step with a temperature threshold set in advance for each mode, and during system operation, The system main body including the input device is configured by a setting step for detecting an opening / closing operation of a display panel that is rotatably attached via a hinge mechanism and reflecting it in setting a temperature threshold value for the mode selection,
In the setting step, when it is detected that the display panel is in a spread state, the temperature threshold of the active cooling mode is set lower than the temperature threshold of the passive cooling mode, and when it is detected that the display panel is in a closed state, power management control method and performing optimum mode selection dynamically by setting higher than the temperature threshold of the passive cooling mode the temperature threshold of the active cooling mode. A fan mounted on a personal computer system for cooling a CPU, an active cooling mode formed by controlling the rotation of the cooling fan, a passive cooling mode formed by controlling the processing capacity of the CPU, or a combination thereof The temperature detected and detected by a temperature sensor mounted on the personal computer system is compared with a temperature threshold set in advance for each mode or a temperature threshold reset by a display panel opening / closing operation detection circuit. Thus, a power management control circuit for performing power management by selecting an optimum mode and a system main body including an input device during operation of the personal computer system are rotatably attached via a hinge mechanism. And a said display panel opening and closing detection circuit to be reflected in the re-setting of the temperature threshold value for the mode selected by detecting the opening and closing operation of Le,
When the display panel opening / closing operation detection circuit detects that the display panel is in a spread state, the temperature threshold of the active cooling mode is set lower than the temperature threshold of the passive cooling mode and is detected as being closed. A power threshold value in the active cooling mode is set higher than a temperature threshold value in the passive cooling mode.

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