JP4916466B2 - Power saving management method and power saving management program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a power saving management method for an information processing apparatus and an information processing system, and more particularly, to a technology for automatic transition to and automatic return to a power saving mode.

Conventionally, as a power saving management method of an information processing apparatus or an information processing system, an arithmetic processing apparatus that performs power saving control described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-256088 (Patent Document 1), or Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-62947. There is an automatic recovery computer that automatically recovers in response to a communication request from a network device described in (Patent Document 2) or a user input operation.
JP 2003-256088 A JP 2002-62947 A

  However, in Patent Document 1, the power saving tool provided by the OS has only one setting method, that is, when one idle time is set and no operation is performed within this idle time, the power saving mode is set. There was a problem that multiple settings were not possible.

  In addition, since an automatic return method is not provided after shifting to the power saving mode, an operation on the apparatus is required to return, and processing such as automatic processing cannot be performed within the time of the power saving mode. There was a problem.

  Further, in Patent Document 2, although automatic recovery is performed, there is a problem that if one idle time is set and no operation is performed within this idle time, the mode is simply shifted to the power saving mode.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a power saving management method capable of shifting to a power saving mode and automatically returning to a power saving mode by a plurality of settings, enabling use of a detailed power saving mode, and reducing power consumption. It is to provide a power saving management program.

  The above and other objects and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the description of this specification and the accompanying drawings.

  Of the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  That is, a typical outline is a schedule including a return time for returning the information processing apparatus from the power saving mode and a power saving start time for shifting the information processing apparatus to the power saving mode by the power saving management unit on the information processing apparatus. Read the information, set the return time as the next return time in the return means based on the schedule information, and shift to the power saving mode before the power saving start time and after the power saving start time based on the power saving start time The idle time is set to a different idle time.

  Among the inventions disclosed in the present application, effects obtained by typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  That is, the effect obtained by the representative one enables the use of a detailed power saving mode and reduces power consumption.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

  A configuration of an information processing system to which a power saving management method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system to which a power saving management method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

  In FIG. 1, in the information processing system, a remote device 1 that is an information processing device and a terminal device 2 are connected to each other via a network 3.

  A keyboard 20 and a mouse 21 are connected to the terminal device 2 to operate the remote device 1.

  The remote device 1 includes a hardware 10 including a mother board on which a CPU (Central Processing Unit) is mounted and a storage device connected to the motherboard, an RTC (Real Time Clock) 11 as a recovery means, and a BIOS (Basic Input / Output System). ) 12, memory 13 and the like.

  On the memory 13 of the remote device 1, the power saving management means that performs processing of the OS (Operating System) 14 stored in the storage device of the hardware 10 or the power saving management method of the present embodiment. The management program 15 is read and various processes are performed by the hardware 10.

  In addition, the power saving management program 15 is deployed and operates in the memory 13 on the remote device 1, and provides an operation schedule management and a plurality of power saving settings linked to the remote device 1 which are remote and cannot be directly operated. .

  In the operation schedule management of the power saving management program 15, the remote device 1 is provided with a function of starting and stopping the operation according to the schedule using the OS 14 and the RTC 11.

  In the power saving management of the power saving management program 15, the input from the mouse 21 and the keyboard 20, which are input devices of the terminal device 2 connected via the network 3, is monitored and during any power saving setting time linked with the schedule management. When the input from the terminal device 2 is not performed, the function shifts to the power saving mode, and provides the function of setting the return date and time set in the operation schedule management to the RTC 11 when shifting. The two functions provided by the power saving management program 15 enable efficient operation and optimum power saving of the remote device 1 at a remote location.

  Next, the outline of the power saving management method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram for explaining the outline of the power saving management method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 2, the power saving management program 15 has a power saving management schedule therein and also controls the general application 16.

  Between the OS 14 and the hardware 10, the OS 14 controls the hardware 10, and the hardware 10 sends a response to the control to the OS 14.

  Further, between the BIOS 12 and the hardware 10, the BIOS 12 controls the hardware 10, and the hardware 10 sends a response to the control to the BIOS 12.

  Between the OS 14 and the BIOS 12, some hardware control is performed via the BIOS 12, and a response to the control is sent from the BIOS 12 to the OS 14.

  Between the power saving management program 15 and the OS 14, power saving control is performed using the power saving function of the OS 14, and an operating status response is sent from the OS 14 to the power saving management program 15.

  Between the power saving management program 15 and the BIOS 12, the function of the BIOS 12 is used to control the RTC 11.

  The RTC 11 is directly controlled via the hardware 10 between the power saving management program 15 and the RTC 11.

  Between the power saving management program 15 and the general application 16, an arbitrary application is executed during power saving control and when returning from the power saving state.

  Between the OS 14 and the general application 16, the general application 16 is managed, and the function of the general application 16 is operated by using the function of the OS 14.

  As described above, by using the power saving function of the OS 14 and controlling the RTC 11 by the power saving management program 15, the power saving control reflecting the schedule is performed.

  Next, the power saving management operation by the power saving management method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a power saving management operation by the power saving management method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, from the power saving state, it automatically recovers with an automatic recovery time set in advance in the RTC 11 (S301), and the power saving management program 15 starts after OS recovery.

  Then, the user-set power saving shift / return schedule is read (S302).

  Then, the setting state of the program 1 that needs to be executed at startup is determined (S334).

  If the program 1 is set in S334, the program 1 is executed (S335). If the program 1 is not set in S334, the next automatic return time is set in the RTC 11 based on the schedule read in S302 ( S303).

  Then, the idle time counting timer is cleared (S304), and based on the schedule read in S302, it is determined whether the operation time is within or outside the operation time (S305).

  If it is within the operation time in S305, an idle time within the operation time is set (S306). If it is outside the operation time in S305, an idle time outside the operation time is set (S311), and the input device (mouse 21 / keyboard 20) Monitor input.

  As a result, the idle time is lengthened during the operation time, for example, the shift to the power saving mode is not performed as much as possible in the normal work during the work time, and the short idle time is, for example, outside the work time during the operation time. By shifting to the power saving mode, the shift to the power saving mode such as after work hours can be performed quickly, and more detailed power saving management can be performed.

  Then, the input of the input device (mouse 21 / keyboard 20) is monitored, for example, in units of one second, and it is determined whether or not there is an input state from the input device (S307).

  If there is no input from the input device in S307, the idle timer count is added (S308), it is determined whether the idle time set in S306 or S311 has been reached (S309), and the idle time has not been reached in S309 In the case, return to S305.

  If the input is performed from the input device in S307, it is determined whether or not a short-time power saving request is executed from the user (S321).

  If the short-time power saving request is not executed in S321, the process returns to S304. If the short-time power saving request is executed in S321, the short-time automatic return time specified by this request is set as the RTC11. (S322), and shifts to the power saving mode requested by the user (S310).

  When the idle time is reached in S309, the setting state of the program 2 that needs to be executed when shifting to the power saving mode is determined (S331).

  If there is the setting program 2 in S331, the program 2 is executed (S332), the CPU use / non-use situation of the activated program 2 is monitored, and the end of the program 2 is determined (S333). When there is no setting program 2 in S331, the process shifts to the power saving mode set by the user (S310).

  If the program 2 has not ended in S333, the process returns to S333, and if it is determined in S333 that the program 2 has ended, the process shifts to a power saving mode set by the user (S310).

  Next, with reference to FIG. 4, a description will be given of the relationship of user schedule operations by the power saving management method according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the relation of the user schedule operation by the power saving management method according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  In FIG. 4, FIG. 4 (a) shows a general work system time zone, FIG. 4 (b) shows a power saving schedule scheduled with reference to the general work system time zone, and FIG. c) shows a power saving schedule when power saving is set for a short time in the working hours.

  In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4B, the execution time of the program 1 that is executed before the working time from the starting time of the working time as shown in FIG. 4B with respect to the working system time zone as shown in FIG. The earlier time is set as the return / start-up time, and the end time of work hours is set as the power saving transition start time. The operation idle time is set within the time set in the schedule, and the non-operation idle time is set after the power saving transition start time.

  Therefore, during work hours, it does not shift to the power saving mode during normal work, and outside work hours, it shifts to the power saving mode with a short idle time. After execution, the mode is shifted to the power saving mode.

  In addition, it is possible to shift to and return to a more detailed power saving mode as shown in FIG. 4C by a short time automatic return time arbitrarily designated by the user.

  In this embodiment, the return is described as an example of the automatic return by the RTC 11, but it is possible not only to return automatically but also to return manually by a user operation outside the working hours.

  Even in such a case, it is possible to perform power saving control by performing the processing after S302 in FIG.

  As described above, in this embodiment, the user standby time can be reduced by automatic transition and return of the power saving mode.

  In addition, since a power saving / shutdown transition / automatic return operation such as a meal, a conference, and a movement can be performed in a short time, it is possible to perform power saving / shutdown transition / automatic recovery in detail. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the consumption of useless standby power by a short power saving transition, and to reduce the user standby time by the automatic return operation.

  Further, since the power saving control is performed by the power saving management program 15 on the remote device 1, it is possible to perform the power saving control without performing the power saving shift / return remote operation.

  Next, a specific example of an information processing system to which the power saving management method according to one embodiment of the present invention is applied will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7 are configuration diagrams showing specific examples of an information processing system to which a power saving management method according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 5 is a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a PC) and a PC remote environment. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a thin client system environment, and FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an environment with only a client PC.

  In this embodiment, power saving control is performed by installing a power saving management program 15 on an information processing apparatus such as a PC or a client blade that is always turned on. In the example shown in FIG. The PC or home PC is accessed from a mobile PC used outside the office or home, and the power saving management program 15 is installed on the office PC or home PC, regardless of the operation from the mobile PC. It is possible to perform power saving control based on information input from the mobile PC and schedule information.

  Further, by directly operating the power saving management program 15 from the mobile PC, it is possible to execute fine power saving.

  In the example shown in FIG. 6, in the normal thin client system, power saving control such as the integrated client blade cannot be performed from the terminal device side, but the power saving management program 15 is installed on the integrated client blade side. By doing so, it is possible to perform power saving control based on the schedule.

  In the example shown in FIG. 7, even in the case of only a client PC, when the program is automatically executed and executed before the start of work or at the end of the work, the power saving management is performed when the power is always turned on. By installing the program 15, it is possible to perform more detailed power saving control, and the idle time can be set to two idle times according to the schedule of the user's work and usage status. Power can be executed, and power consumption can be saved.

  Furthermore, since the automatic return can be performed according to the return schedule, it is possible to save the waiting time of the user at the time of return.

  As mentioned above, the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Needless to say.

  For example, in this embodiment, the setting of the idle time has been described in two examples, but a plurality of idle times may be set within the operation time.

  In this embodiment, the recovery is performed by the RTC 11. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any recovery is possible as long as the hardware can recover the information processing apparatus from the power saving mode to the recovery time. Means may be used.

  The present invention relates to a power saving management method for an information processing apparatus and an information processing system, and can be applied to a system that automatically shifts to and returns to a power saving mode.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the information processing system to which the power saving management method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a functional block diagram for demonstrating the outline | summary of the power saving management method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a flowchart which shows the power saving management operation | movement by the power saving management method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the relationship of the operation | movement of a user schedule by the power saving management method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of the information processing system with which the power saving management method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of the information processing system with which the power saving management method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention is applied. It is a block diagram which shows the specific example of the information processing system with which the power saving management method which concerns on one embodiment of this invention is applied.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Remote device, 2 ... Terminal device, 3 ... Network, 10 ... Hardware, 11 ... RTC, 12 ... BIOS, 13 ... Memory, 14 ... OS, 15 ... Power-saving management program, 16 ... General application, 20 ... Keyboard 21 ... Mouse.

Claims (8)

A power saving management method in an information processing system having a return means, returning from a power saving mode by the return means, and connecting an information processing apparatus and a terminal device to be activated via a network ;
The power saving management means on the information processing apparatus, the schedule information comprising said information processing apparatus from the Ministry of the start power-save transit shifting time in the power mode during time and the information processing apparatus returns to return from the power saving mode reading, based on the schedule information, said the return during the time set to the return means as at the time the next return, the Ministry on the basis of the power transition start time, the power-saving transition start time before and the Ministry of after setting the idle time to transition to the power transition start time later the power saving mode to a different idle time, monitoring the input state from the terminal device, the input from the terminal device in the set idle time When there is no power, the information processing apparatus is shifted to the power saving mode, and when there is a short time power saving request input within the set idle time, the short time Saving management method, characterized in that the return time specified in the power-saving request is set to the return means as the next return time, shifts the information processing apparatus to the power saving mode. The power saving management method according to claim 1,
The schedule information is set based on working hours. The power saving management method according to claim 1,
By the power-saving management means on said information processing apparatus, the idle time after the power-save transit start time, when shifting the information processing apparatus to the power saving mode, it executes the processing at the time of power saving shift A power saving management method. The power saving management method according to claim 1,
A power saving management method, wherein the power saving management means on the information processing apparatus executes a process at the time of return from power saving upon return by the return means. The information processing apparatus for performing power saving management of an information processing system in which an information processing apparatus to be activated and a terminal apparatus are connected via a network. The
It reads the schedule information comprising said information processing apparatus from the Ministry of the start power-save transit shifting time in the power mode during time and the information processing apparatus returns to return from the power saving mode, based on the schedule information, the return when the time is set to the return means as the next during return time, the Ministry based on the power transition start time, to the power-save transit start time before time and the save transit start time later the power saving mode After setting the transition idle time to a different idle time, the input state from the terminal device is monitored, and if there is no input from the terminal device within the set idle time, the information processing device When a mode is entered and a short power saving request is input within the set idle time, the return time specified in the short power saving request is set to the next recovery time. Set the return means as the time, power saving management program of the information processing apparatus is characterized in that to function as a power-saving management means for shifting to the power saving mode. In the power saving management program according to claim 5 ,
The schedule information is set based on working hours. In the power saving management program according to claim 5 ,
The power saving management means, the idle time after the power-save transit start time, when shifting the information processing apparatus to the power saving mode, power saving and executes the processing at the time of power saving shift Management program. In the power saving management program according to claim 5 ,
The power saving management means executes a process at the time of return from power saving upon return by the return means.

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