JP5863309B2 - Information processing apparatus, information processing apparatus control method, and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a control method for the information processing apparatus, and a program.

In recent years, in an information processing apparatus having a communication function, it has become necessary to improve the information processing function and the communication function as the amount of data to be processed and the amount of data to be communicated increase. On the other hand, against the background of demand for energy saving in information processing apparatuses, there is an increasing need to reduce power consumption while improving functions and performance.
For this reason, there is a technique related to a multi-CPU system that incorporates a CPU (host unit) for controlling a wireless communication unit for connecting to a wireless network in addition to the main CPU. For example, in Patent Document 1, in a communication apparatus including a main CPU, a wireless communication unit for connecting to a wireless network, and a host unit that controls the wireless communication unit, the main unit of the host unit is set according to various conditions. A technique for controlling a power supply is disclosed. As a result, the host unit can be put into a sleep state or a wake-up state, and power consumption can be reduced.

  Patent Document 2 discloses a wireless WakeOnLAN technique as a method for switching between a sleep state and a wake-up state of a host unit based on an activation packet. In a communication device equipped with a plurality of CPUs and having a communication function, the host unit that controls the wireless communication unit can be changed from the sleep state to the wake-up state based on the activation packet of the wireless WakeOnLAN.

Special Table 2007-506302 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2005-18377

  However, a communication device compatible with wireless WakeOnLAN has turned on the wireless communication unit to receive the activation packet even in a situation where it is not necessary to activate the host unit. For this reason, power consumption during standby has increased.

  In view of the above problems, an object of the present invention is to reduce power consumption during standby of an information processing apparatus.

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention that achieves the above object is as follows.
An information processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing,
A communication means for performing wireless communication with an external device;
First processing means for controlling the operation of the communication means;
Second processing means for controlling the operation of the information processing apparatus and executing the predetermined processing;
Power supply means for turning on or off the power of the communication means ;
First confirmation means for confirming whether or not the second processing means is executing the predetermined process by the first processing means ;
The confirmation of the result, when said second processing means is confirmed to not running the predetermined processing, the second confirming means for confirming whether or turn off the power of the communication means to the user And having
Said power supply unit, when the that the second by the confirmation means may turn off the power can be confirmed, Turning off the said communication means
And wherein a call.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the power consumption at the time of standby of information processing apparatus can be suppressed.

1 is a configuration diagram of a communication device according to a first embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which concerns on 1st Embodiment. The figure which shows the output content which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. The flowchart which shows the procedure of the process which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. The correspondence table of the setting according to the state of the wireless LAN communication part 2 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment.

(First embodiment)
With reference to FIG. 1, the configuration of a communication apparatus that functions as an information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. The communication device includes a processor system 1, a wireless LAN communication unit 2, a memory 3, an external connection unit 4, an output unit 5, and an input unit 6. The detailed configuration of the processor system 1 will be described later. The wireless LAN communication unit 2 performs wireless communication conforming to IEEE 802.11n. The memory 3 stores programs for executing various processes according to the present invention and various data. The external connection unit 4 is connected to the outside of the communication device. The output unit 5 outputs information indicating the state of the communication device and various data. The input unit 6 inputs information indicating various settings designated by the user and various data.

  Hereinafter, the processor system 1 will be described in detail. The processor system 1 includes a communication dedicated CPU 101, a main CPU 102, a shared register 103, a memory controller 104, a wireless LAN communication unit interface 105, an input unit interface 106, an output unit interface 107, and an external connection unit. Interface 108. The processor system 1 also includes a communication dedicated CPU power control unit 109, a main CPU power control unit 110, a wireless LAN communication unit power control unit 111, a communication dedicated bus 112, a main bus 113, and a bus bridge 114. And further comprising.

  The communication dedicated CPU 101 (first processing unit) processes information related to communication in the communication device. The main CPU 102 plays a central role in the processing of the processor system 1 and controls the operation of each processing unit. The main CPU 102 (second processing unit) controls the operation of each processing unit. For example, when the communication device according to the present invention is installed in a printer, the main CPU 102 executes the printing function or the communication device When mounted on a digital camera, an imaging process is executed by an imaging function, or a process of storing a captured image is executed. The shared register 103 is a register for sharing information between the communication dedicated CPU 101 and the main CPU 102.

  The memory controller 104 controls the memory 3. The wireless LAN communication unit interface 105 is an interface for exchanging data with the wireless LAN communication unit 2. The input unit interface 106 is an interface for exchanging data with the input unit 6. The output unit interface 107 is an interface for exchanging data with the output unit 5.

  The external connection unit interface 108 is an interface for exchanging data with the external connection unit 4. The communication dedicated CPU power supply control unit 109 controls the power supply of the communication dedicated CPU 101. The main CPU power control unit 110 controls the power of the main CPU 102. The wireless LAN communication unit power supply control unit 111 controls the power supply of the wireless LAN communication unit 2. The communication dedicated bus 112 connects a processing unit related to communication of the wireless LAN communication unit 2. The bus bridge 114 relays data flowing through the communication dedicated bus 112 and data flowing through the main bus 113. The timer 115 measures various times. The communication dedicated CPU power control unit 109, the main CPU power control unit 110, and the wireless LAN communication unit power control unit 111 are described as separate control units, but one control unit has these functions. It may be a configuration.

  Next, with reference to a flowchart of FIG. 2, a procedure of processing by the communication dedicated CPU 101 of the communication apparatus of FIG. 1 will be described. In the initial state, it is assumed that the power sources of the dedicated CPU 101 for communication, the main CPU 102, and the wireless LAN communication unit 2 are on.

  In step S201, the timer 115 starts measuring time. In step S202, the dedicated CPU 101 sets the wireless LAN communication unit 2 in the activation packet waiting state.

  In step S203, the dedicated CPU 101 determines whether the wireless LAN communication unit 2 has received a wireless WakeOnLAN activation packet. When it is determined that the wireless LAN communication unit 2 has received the wireless WakeOnLAN activation packet (S203; YES), the process proceeds to S204. On the other hand, when it is determined that the wireless LAN communication unit 2 has not received the wireless WakeOnLAN activation packet (S203; NO), the process proceeds to S205.

  In step S <b> 204, the communication dedicated CPU 101 activates the wireless LAN communication unit 2 that has been in the activation packet waiting state. Thereafter, the process ends.

  On the other hand, in step S205, the communication-only CPU 101 acquires time information from the timer 115, and determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the time measurement was started. Here, for example, it is determined whether 10 minutes have elapsed since the start of timing. That is, it is determined whether or not the activation packet has not been received for a predetermined time. The setting information of the time from the start of measurement is stored in the memory 3, and the communication dedicated CPU 101 acquires the setting information from the memory 3 when the timer 115 starts measuring time. Then, it is possible to easily switch the setting information according to the state of the device or according to the setting of the user. When it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of timing (S205; YES), the process proceeds to S206. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of timing (S205; NO), the process returns to S203.

  In step S <b> 206, the dedicated CPU 101 inquires the main CPU 102 to confirm whether the wireless LAN communication unit 2 can be powered off.

  In step S207, the communication-only CPU 101 determines whether the wireless LAN communication unit 2 is permitted to be turned off from the main CPU 102 as a result of the confirmation. Here, permission to turn off the power is determined based on whether or not the main CPU 102 is executing processing. When the main CPU 102 is executing the processing, the main CPU 102 does not give permission to turn off the wireless LAN communication unit 2. When the communication apparatus according to the present embodiment is a printing apparatus having a communication function, for example, whether or not the power is turned off is obtained depending on whether or not the main CPU 102 is executing a printing process. Further, when the communication apparatus according to the present embodiment is an imaging apparatus having a communication function, for example, whether or not the power is turned off is obtained depending on whether or not the main CPU 102 is executing an imaging process. In addition, it may be a case where the communication apparatus according to the present embodiment functions as an apparatus other than those listed here, and various examples of processing contents can be considered. If it is determined that the power-off permission has been obtained (S207; YES), the process proceeds to S208. On the other hand, when it is determined that the power-off permission has not been obtained (S207; NO), the process returns to S203.

  In S <b> 208, the communication dedicated CPU 101 outputs information indicating whether or not the wireless LAN communication unit 2 can be turned off to the output unit 5 via the output unit interface 107. The output contents notify the user of a message screen as shown in FIG. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the waiting state continues for 10 minutes, but may be another predetermined time.

  In S209, the communication-only CPU 101 determines whether or not the input content from the input unit 6 received via the input unit interface 106 is power-off as a response indicating whether the power is off from the user with respect to the output content in S208. Determine. When it is determined that the input content is power off (S209; YES), the process proceeds to S210. On the other hand, when it is determined that the input content is not power-off (S209; NO), the process ends.

  In S210, the communication-only CPU 101 turns off the power of the wireless LAN communication unit 2 and ends the process.

  As described above, the wireless LAN communication unit 2 can be easily selected between the activation packet waiting state and the power-off state according to the user's request. Power saving can be achieved. Also, appropriate power saving can be achieved according to the usage state of the main CPU.

  In the present embodiment, the power saving effect of the communication unit does not change even if the state of the main CPU 102 in the initial state is the operating state or the power saving state. In contrast, the communication dedicated CPU 101 may determine whether or not the main CPU 102 is in the power saving state in the initial state. And when it is judged that it is a power saving state, you may start the process after S201. In that case, since it is assumed that the user does not use the communication device, it is possible to prevent the user's convenience from being impaired, and in addition to the power saving of the main CPU 102, the communication device can be further saved. Electric power can be achieved.

(Second Embodiment)
The configuration of the communication apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment. With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4, the procedure of the process by the communication dedicated CPU 101 according to the second embodiment will be described. In the initial state, it is assumed that each power source of the dedicated CPU 101 for communication, the main CPU 102, and the wireless LAN communication unit 2 is on.

  In step S401, the timer 115 starts measuring time. In step S402, the dedicated CPU 101 determines whether the wireless LAN communication unit 2 is connected to the communication partner by obtaining information from the wireless LAN communication unit 2 via the wireless LAN communication unit interface 105. . When it is determined that the wireless LAN communication unit 2 is connected to the communication partner (S402; YES), the process proceeds to S403. On the other hand, when it is determined that the wireless LAN communication unit 2 is not connected to the communication partner (S402; NO), the process proceeds to S404.

  In step S <b> 403, the communication-only CPU 101 executes power saving settings according to the connected communication partner. Here, the power saving setting according to the communication partner is, for example, intermittent reception of wireless data at intervals designated by the wireless LAN access point. That is, the power is periodically turned off. Even if wireless data is received intermittently with the power turned off periodically, if the wireless connection state can be maintained, power savings can be achieved by shortening the power-on time. Is possible. Thereafter, the process ends.

  On the other hand, in step S404, the dedicated CPU 101 sets the wireless LAN communication unit 2 in the activation packet waiting state.

  In step S405, the dedicated CPU 101 determines whether or not the wireless LAN communication unit 2 has received a wireless WakeOnLAN activation packet. When it is determined that the wireless LAN communication unit 2 has received the wireless WakeOnLAN activation packet (S405; YES), the process proceeds to S406. On the other hand, when it is determined that the wireless LAN communication unit 2 has not received the wireless WakeOnLAN activation packet (S405; NO), the process proceeds to S407.

  In step S <b> 406, the communication-only CPU 101 activates the wireless LAN communication unit 2 that has been in the activation packet waiting state. Thereafter, the process ends.

  On the other hand, in step S407, the dedicated CPU 101 obtains time information from the timer 115 and determines whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed since the time measurement was started. Here, for example, as in the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not 10 minutes have elapsed since the start of time measurement. When it is determined that a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of time measurement (S407; YES), the process proceeds to S408. On the other hand, when it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed since the start of timing (S407; NO), the process returns to S402.

  In step S <b> 408, the communication dedicated CPU 101 inquires of the main CPU 102 whether or not the wireless LAN communication unit 2 can be powered off. In step S <b> 409, the communication-only CPU 101 determines whether the power-off permission for the wireless LAN communication unit 2 has been obtained from the main CPU 102. Here, the determination of permission to turn off the power is the same as in the first embodiment. If it is determined that the power-off permission has been obtained (S409; YES), the process proceeds to S410. On the other hand, when it is determined that the power-off permission has not been obtained (S409; NO), the process returns to S402.

  In step S <b> 410, the communication dedicated CPU 101 turns off the power of the wireless LAN communication unit 2 via the wireless LAN communication unit power control unit 111. In step S411, the communication-only CPU 101 issues a power-off request to the main CPU. The main CPU 102 that has received the power-off request turns off its own power via the main CPU power control unit 110 when its own power can be turned off.

  In step S412, the communication dedicated CPU 101 finally turns off its own power supply via the communication dedicated CPU power supply control unit 109. This is the end of all processing.

  As described above, when the communication partner is not connected and the activation packet of the wireless WakeOnLAN is not received between predetermined places, the communication dedicated CPU 101, the main CPU 102, and the wireless LAN communication unit 2 can be turned off. It becomes possible. As an application example of this embodiment, a battery-driven device may forget to turn off the power after using a wireless LAN. As a situation in which the state of not being connected to the communication partner passes for a certain period of time, it can be considered that the power of the wireless LAN communication unit is forgotten to be turned off.

  The power saving setting and the power-off process of the wireless LAN communication unit 2 described above are not limited to those executed only by the communication dedicated CPU 101, and may be configured to be executed by the main CPU 102.

(Third embodiment)
The configuration of the communication apparatus according to the present embodiment is the same as the configuration of FIG. 1 described in the first embodiment. With reference to the flowchart of FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the procedure of the process by the communication dedicated CPU 101 according to the third embodiment will be described. In the initial state, it is assumed that each power source of the dedicated CPU 101 for communication, the main CPU 102, and the wireless LAN communication unit 2 is on. In the present embodiment, the main CPU 102 is connected according to a predetermined condition (see FIG. 6) according to the communication status such as whether the communication partner is connected to the communication partner or whether the communication partner exists in the vicinity even if the communication partner is not connected. It is confirmed whether the power of the wireless LAN communication unit 2 can be turned off, and the subsequent operation of the communication device is determined.

  In step S501, the timer 115 starts measuring time. In step S <b> 502, the communication-only CPU 101 obtains information from the wireless LAN communication unit 2 via the wireless LAN communication unit interface 105 to determine whether the wireless LAN communication unit 2 is connected to the communication partner. . When it is determined that the wireless LAN communication unit 2 is connected to the communication partner (S502; YES), the process proceeds to S503. On the other hand, when it is determined that the wireless LAN communication unit 2 is not connected to the communication partner (S502; NO), the process proceeds to S504.

  In step S503, the communication dedicated CPU 101 sets the calling condition of the main CPU 102 as the first time, for example, “after 23:00”, sets the operation after calling the main CPU 102 to “automatically off”, and sets the return condition to the second condition. For example, the time is set to “6:00”. As a result, the communication dedicated CPU 101 calls the main CPU after 23:00 at night to automatically turn off the wireless LAN communication unit 2, and automatically turns on the wireless LAN communication unit 2 at 6:00 the next morning. Set to return. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S507.

  On the other hand, in step S504, the communication-only CPU 101 determines whether there is a communication partner. When it is determined that there is a communication partner (S504; YES), the process proceeds to step S505. On the other hand, when it is determined that there is no communication partner (S504; NO), the process proceeds to step S506.

  In step S505, the communication dedicated CPU 101 sets the calling condition of the main CPU 102 to, for example, “60 minutes later”, the operation after the calling of the main CPU 102 is “automatically off”, and the return condition is “no automatic recovery”. As a result, the main CPU 102 is called after 60 minutes, and the wireless LAN communication unit 2 is automatically turned off and then set so as not to be automatically restored. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S507.

  In step S506, the communication dedicated CPU 101 sets the calling condition of the main CPU 102 to “after 15 minutes”, the operation after the calling of the main CPU 102 is set to “inquiry of power-off”, and the return condition is set to “no automatic return”. As a result, the main CPU 102 is called after 15 minutes to inquire the user whether or not the wireless LAN communication unit 2 is to be turned off, and thereafter, the setting is made so as not to automatically return. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S507.

  A list shown in FIG. 6 summarizes the above settings. That is, when the wireless LAN communication unit 2 is not connected to the communication partner and there is no communication partner, the call condition of the main CPU is “after 15 minutes”, the operation after the call is “inquiry of power off”, and the return The condition is “no automatic recovery”. Similarly, if the communication partner is not connected and there is a communication partner as the state of the wireless LAN communication unit 2, the calling condition of the main CPU is “60 minutes later”, the operation after the call is “automatically off”, and the return The condition is “no automatic recovery”. When the wireless LAN communication unit 2 is connected to a communication partner, the calling condition of the main CPU is “after 23:00”, the operation after calling is “automatically off”, and the return condition is “6:00”. " The examples given in the table are merely examples, and each time can be arbitrarily set.

  In step S507, the dedicated CPU 101 determines whether or not the set calling condition of the main CPU 102 is satisfied. When it is determined that the calling condition is satisfied (S507; YES), the process proceeds to step S508. On the other hand, when it is determined that the calling condition is not satisfied (S507; NO), the process returns to step S502.

  In step S <b> 508, the communication dedicated CPU 101 inquires of the main CPU 102 whether the power can be turned off.

  In step S <b> 509, the communication-only CPU 101 determines whether the power-off permission has been obtained from the main CPU 102. Here, the determination of permission to turn off the power is the same as in the first embodiment. If it is determined that the power-off permission has been obtained (S509; YES), the process proceeds to step S510. On the other hand, when it is determined that the power-off permission has not been obtained (S509; NO), the process returns to step S508.

  In step S510, after the return condition is set, the post-call operation is executed. In the case of passing through S506, since the main CPU has already been inquired of whether or not the power can be turned off in S508 as the operation after the call, no particular processing is executed. Thus, all the processes are completed.

  As described above, the wireless LAN communication unit 2 can be easily selected to be in the start-up packet waiting state or in the power-off state according to the usage status of the main CPU 102, the state of the wireless LAN communication unit 2, or the user's request. Therefore, the optimum power saving according to the use situation can be achieved.

  The operation and return condition after calling as described above are not limited to those set only by the communication dedicated CPU 101, but may be configured by the main CPU 102.

(Other embodiments)
The present invention can also be realized by executing the following processing. That is, software (program) that realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments is supplied to a system or apparatus via a network or various storage media, and a computer (or CPU, MPU, or the like) of the system or apparatus reads the program. It is a process to be executed.

Claims (11)

An information processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing,
A communication means for performing wireless communication with an external device;
First processing means for controlling the operation of the communication means;
Second processing means for controlling the operation of the information processing apparatus and executing the predetermined processing;
Power supply means for turning on or off the power of the communication means ;
First confirmation means for confirming whether or not the second processing means is executing the predetermined process by the first processing means ;
The confirmation of the result, when said second processing means is confirmed to not running the predetermined processing, the second confirming means for confirming whether or turn off the power of the communication means to the user And having
Said power supply unit, when the that the second by the confirmation means may turn off the power can be confirmed, Turning off the said communication means
The information processing apparatus according to claim and this. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit turns off the power supply of the second processing unit after turning off the power supply of the communication unit. 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the power supply means turns off the power of the first processing means after turning off the power of the second processing means. When the communication means receives a predetermined activation packet, the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that said first processing means is activated. When the predetermined activation packet is not received by the communication means for a predetermined time, the first processing means determines whether or not the second processing means is executing the predetermined processing. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein the information processing apparatus is confirmed. An information processing apparatus that performs predetermined processing,
A communication means for performing wireless communication with an external device;
First processing means for controlling the operation of the communication means;
Second processing means for controlling the operation of the information processing apparatus and executing the predetermined processing;
Power supply means for turning on or off the power of the communication means,
Based on the communication status of the communication means with the external device, the first processing means confirms with the second processing means whether or not the second processing means is executing the predetermined processing. and, the confirmation of the result, wherein when the second processing unit is not executing the predetermined process, said power supply means is information processing apparatus you characterized in that to turn off the said communication means. The information processing apparatus is a printing apparatus having a printing function,
Wherein the predetermined processing, the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a printing process. The information processing apparatus is an imaging apparatus having an imaging function,
Wherein the predetermined processing, the information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that an imaging process. A control method for an information processing apparatus that includes a communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external apparatus and performs predetermined processing,
A first processing step for controlling the operation of the communication means;
A second processing step of controlling the operation of the information processing apparatus and executing the predetermined processing;
A power control step of turning on or off the power of the communication means ;
A first confirmation step for confirming whether or not the predetermined processing is being executed in the second processing step ;
As a result of the confirmation, when it is confirmed that the predetermined processing is not being executed in the second processing step, a second confirmation step of confirming to the user whether or not the communication means may be turned off. And having
In the power supply control step, when it is confirmed that the power supply can be turned off in the confirmation step, the communication unit is turned off. A control method for an information processing apparatus that includes a communication unit that performs wireless communication with an external apparatus and performs predetermined processing,
A first processing step for controlling the operation of the communication means;
A second processing step of controlling the operation of the information processing apparatus and executing the predetermined processing;
A power control step of turning on or off the power of the communication means,
Based on the communication status with the external device by the communication means, it is confirmed whether or not the predetermined processing is being executed in the second processing step, and as a result of the confirmation, in the second processing step A method for controlling an information processing apparatus, wherein the power of the communication unit is turned off in the power control step when the predetermined processing is not being executed. The program for making a computer perform each process of the control method of the information processing apparatus of Claim 9 or 10.

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