U.S. patent application number 15/210017 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-03 for control device, control method, computer program product, and electronic device.
The applicant listed for this patent is KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA. Invention is credited to Koichi Fujisaki, Hiroyoshi Haruki, Tatsunori Kanai, Tetsuro Kimura, Junichi Segawa, Akihiro Shibata, Satoshi Shirai, Yusuke Shirota, Masaya Tarui, Haruhiko Toyama.
Application Number | 20160320998 15/210017 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48815918 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160320998 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fujisaki; Koichi ; et
al. |
November 3, 2016 |
CONTROL DEVICE, CONTROL METHOD, COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT, AND
ELECTRONIC DEVICE
Abstract
According to an embodiment, a power control device includes a
storage unit, a monitor, a determining unit, and a controller. The
storage device stores a look-up table, which includes relationship
between needed power consumptions and start-up conditions of an
electronic device including a plurality of modules. The start-up
condition of the electronic device is determined from the needed
power consumption in the look-up table and specifies a power on/off
status of the modules in the electronic device. The monitor
monitors a voltage or available power supplied by a power source
when the electronic device is activated. The determining unit
determines a start-up condition corresponding to needed power
consumption, which corresponds to the voltage or available power
monitored by the monitor, with reference to the table. The
controller sets a start-up condition of the electronic device to
start up the electronic device in the start-up condition determined
by the determining unit.
Inventors: |
Fujisaki; Koichi;
(Kanagawa-ken, JP) ; Kimura; Tetsuro; (Tokyo,
JP) ; Kanai; Tatsunori; (Kanagawa-ken, JP) ;
Toyama; Haruhiko; (Kanagawa-ken, JP) ; Segawa;
Junichi; (Kanagawa-ken, JP) ; Shirai; Satoshi;
(Kanagawa-ken, JP) ; Tarui; Masaya; (Kanagawa-ken,
JP) ; Haruki; Hiroyoshi; (Kanagawa-ken, JP) ;
Shirota; Yusuke; (Kanagawa-ken, JP) ; Shibata;
Akihiro; (Tokyo, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
48815918 |
Appl. No.: |
15/210017 |
Filed: |
July 14, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13742769 |
Jan 16, 2013 |
9423852 |
|
|
15210017 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/3234 20130101;
Y02D 30/50 20200801; G06F 3/0685 20130101; G06F 3/0653 20130101;
G06F 1/3206 20130101; G06F 3/0625 20130101; G06F 3/0632 20130101;
Y02D 50/20 20180101; Y02D 10/00 20180101; G06F 1/3212 20130101;
Y02D 10/174 20180101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 3/06 20060101
G06F003/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 19, 2012 |
JP |
2012-009288 |
Claims
1. A power controller in an electronic device, comprising: a
monitor that monitors a voltage or available power supplied by a
power source when the electronic device is activated; a determining
unit configured to determine a start-up condition corresponding to
needed power consumption, which corresponds to the voltage or the
available power monitored by the monitor; a controller that sets
start-up condition of the electronic device to start up the
electronic device in the start-up condition determined by the
determining unit; a receiving unit configured to receive a wakeup
event signal of exiting a sleep mode in which the number of modules
that is included in the electronic device and that is supplied with
power is limited to a predetermined number and an operation of the
electronic device is stopped, wherein when the receiving unit
receives the wakeup event signal, the determining unit determines a
condition corresponding to the power monitored by the monitor, and
the controller sets a start-up condition of the electronic device
to start up the electronic device in the condition determined by
the determining unit.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No.
13/742,769 filed on Jan. 16, 2013; the entire contents of which are
incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2012-009288, filed on
Jan. 19, 2012; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
FIELD
[0003] Embodiments described herein relate generally to a control
device, a control method, a computer program product, and an
electronic device.
BACKGROUND
[0004] In the past, various techniques have been proposed to reduce
the power consumption of an electronic device. For example, there
is a technique in which data in a main memory or a processor is
saved in a nonvolatile storage device when there is no input from
the outside within a predetermined period of time, and power supply
to the main memory or the processor is stopped so as to let an
electronic device go into a sleep mode (low power mode). In the
technique, when an input (for example, a wakeup event signal of
exiting the sleep condition such as a touch operation of a panel or
a mouse) is received from the outside in the sleep mode, the data
saved in the nonvolatile storage device is returned into the main
memory or the processor, and the electronic device is returned to a
state before the electronic device goes into the sleep conditions
as to restart a process.
[0005] In the traditional technique, when exiting the sleep mode,
the electronic device goes into the same state as the state before
the electronic device goes into the sleep mode, and thus an
equivalent of power before the electronic device goes into the
sleep mode is necessary. However, depending on states of a power
source, the equivalent of the power before the electronic device
goes into the sleep mode may not be obtained.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration
example of an electronic device according to an embodiment;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a
functional configuration of a power control device according to the
embodiment;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a power
consumption table according to the embodiment;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a change
process according to the embodiment; and
[0010] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a condition
control according to the embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] According to an embodiment, a power control device includes
a storage unit, a monitor, a determining unit, and a controller.
The storage device stores therein a look-up table, which includes
relationship between needed power consumptions and start-up
conditions of an electronic device including a plurality of
modules. The start-up condition of the electronic device is
determined from the needed power consumption in the look-up table
and specifies a power on/off status of the modules included in the
electronic device. The monitor monitors a voltage or available
power supplied by a power source when the electronic device is
activated. The determining unit determines a start-up condition
corresponding to the needed power consumption, which corresponds to
the voltage or available power monitored by the monitor, with
reference to the look-up table. The controller sets a start-up
condition of the electronic device to start up the electronic
device in the start-up condition determined by the determining
unit.
[0012] Hereinafter, various embodiments will be described in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an
electronic device 100 which is a personal computer (PC) for
example. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the electronic device 100
includes a processor 10, a main memory 20, a nonvolatile storage
30, an input device 40, a power control device 60, a communication
device 66, a sleep control unit 50, and a power source 70. Herein,
it may be considered that the electronic device 100 includes a
plurality of modules which are individually controlled by power
control device 60. The module includes a module within the
component and a component that may individually control power. For
example, a module in a system on chip (SoC) including the processor
10, the main memory 20, and the nonvolatile storage 30 may be the
module.
[0014] The processor 10 reads data (for example, an OS or
application software of the electronic device 100) from the main
memory 20 and executes the programs, thereby controlling the entire
operation of the electronic device 100. The processor 10 includes a
central processing unit (CPU) and registers (not illustrated). In
addition, a cache memory (not illustrated), which stores a command
or data that is frequent to be accessed by the processor 10, is
provided between the processor 10 and the main memory 20. In the
embodiment, the cache memory includes a first cache storing
frequently used data and a secondary cache memory storing an
overflow of data from the first cache memory. That is, the cache
memory of the embodiment consists of two levels. The first cache
memory is placed closer to the processor 10 in relation to the
secondary cache memory.
[0015] The nonvolatile storage 30 consists of nonvolatile memories.
The nonvolatile storage 30 can hold internal data even when power
supply to the nonvolatile storage 30 is stopped.
[0016] The input device 40 is a device used for various inputs, and
may be configured as, for example, a mouse or a keyboard.
[0017] The sleep control unit 50 changes a state of the electronic
device 100 to a sleep mode when a predetermined condition is
satisfied. Herein, the predetermined condition indicates that an
input through the input device 40 is not performed for a
predetermined period of time. However, the predetermined condition
is not limited thereto, and may be arbitrarily set.
[0018] In the embodiment, when an input through the input device 40
is not performed for a predetermined period of time, the sleep
control unit 50 saves data stored in the main memory 20 or the
register inside the processor 10 into the nonvolatile storage 30,
and then controls the power source 70 such that power supply to the
main memory 20 or the processor 10 is stopped. In this way, a state
of the electronic device 100, which has a predetermined limited
number of modules to be supplied with power, goes into the sleep
mode. It may be considered that the sleep mode is a state in which
the electronic device 100 is temporarily stopped. Here, in the
embodiment, power supply to the power control device 60 continues
even in the sleep mode. When a process of changing a state to the
sleep mode is completed, the sleep control unit 50 informs the
power control device 60 that changing of a state to the sleep mode
is completed. In this way, the power control device 60 monitors
that a state of the electronic device 100 has gone into to the
sleep mode.
[0019] The power control device 60 controls the electronic device
100 such that an operation is performed according to a state of the
power source 70. Detailed description of the power control device
60 will be made below. The function of communication device 66 is
an exchange of data with an external device.
[0020] The power source 70 supplies power to each module included
in the electronic device 100. For example, the power source 70
includes a power generation module such as a solar cell, and a
battery that saves power generated by the power generation
module.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a
functional configuration of the power control device 60. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, the power control device 60 includes a
storage unit 61, a monitor 62, a determining unit 63, a control
unit 64, and a receiving unit 65.
[0022] The storage unit 61 stores therein a power consumption table
(a look-up table) that includes relationship between needed power
consumptions and start-up conditions of the electronic device 100.
The start-up condition of the electronic device 100 indicates a
condition in which the electronic device 100 starts up, and may
include a condition in which an operation is stopped (for example,
the sleep mode). FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the
power consumption table. In FIG. 3, a "first condition" given as an
example of a start-up condition indicates a condition in which
power is supplied to all modules included in the electronic device
100 and an operating clock of the processor 10 is set to a normal
value. A "second condition" indicates a condition in which power
supply to a cache is stopped and an operating clock of the
processor 10 is set to a smaller value than a normal value (a clock
is set to a low speed). In the example of FIG. 3, needed power
consumption "X" corresponding to the first condition is set to a
greater value than needed power consumption "Y" corresponding to
the second condition. Herein, needed power consumption associated
with each condition has a fixed value. However, the embodiment is
not limited thereto, and needed power consumption associated with
each condition has a predetermined range. For example, needed power
consumption corresponding to the first condition may be set to a
value in a range of X1 (<X) to X2 (>X), and needed power
consumption corresponding to the second condition may be set to a
value in a range of Y1 (<Y) to Y2 (>Y). In conclusion, needed
power consumption associated with each condition may have a fixed
value, or may have a predetermined range.
[0023] Returning back to FIG. 2, description is continued. The
monitor 62 monitors a voltage or available power supplied by the
power source 70 when the electronic device 100 is activated. As it
is described below, the monitor 62 monitors available power (or
alternatively, a voltage) supplied by the power source 70 when a
wakeup event signal of cancelling the sleep mode is received by the
receiving unit 65. Herein, it may be considered that a time when
the electronic device 100 is activated refers to a point in time at
which a signal causing the electronic device 100 to be changed to
an operable state is received by the receiving unit 65. The
determining unit 63 determines a start-up condition corresponding
to power monitored by the monitor 62 (available power supplied by
the power source 70) with reference to the power consumption table
stored in the storage unit 61. In the example of FIG. 3, when the
power corresponding to the needed power consumption "X" is
monitored by the monitor 62, the first condition is determined as a
start-up condition corresponding to the monitored power. In
addition, for example, when the power corresponding to the needed
power consumption "Y" is monitored by the monitor 62, the second
condition is determined as a start-up condition corresponding to
the monitored power. In addition, for example, in the power
consumption table, when power corresponding to the first condition
is set to a value in the range of X1 (<X) to X2 (>X), and the
power corresponding to the power "X" is monitored by the monitor
62, a start-up condition corresponding to the monitored power is
determined to be the first condition. Similarly, in the power
consumption table, when power corresponding to the second condition
is set to a value in the range of Y1 (<Y) to Y2 (>Y), and the
power corresponding to the power "Y" is monitored by the monitor
62, a start-up condition corresponding to the monitored power is
determined to be the second condition. In conclusion, using the
power consumption table stored in the storage unit 61 and power
monitored by the monitor 62, the determining unit 63 determines a
start-up condition feasible with the monitored power.
[0024] The control unit 64 sets a start-up condition to start up
the electronic device 100 in the star-up condition determined by
the determining unit 63. For example, when the start-up condition
determined by the determining unit 63 is the first condition, the
control unit 64 controls the power source 70 such that power is
supplied to the entire modules included in the electronic device
100, and sets an operating clock of the processor 10 to a normal
value. In addition, when the start-up condition determined by the
determining unit 63 is the second condition, the control unit 64
controls the power source 70 such that power supply to the cache is
stopped, and power is supplied to each module other than the cache,
and sets an operating clock of the processor 10 to a smaller value
than the normal value.
[0025] Specifically, the power control device 60 (the control unit
64) commands the power source 70 to supply a voltage value to the
processor 10 and the main memory 20 depending on a type of
condition (start-up condition stored in the power consumption
table) determined by the determining unit 63, and commands the
power source 70 to supply a voltage value to the communication
device 66 so that the communication device 66 operates. Further,
the power control device 60 reports an operating clock when
activating the processor 10, and an operating clock of a clock
supplied to the main memory 20. Herein, depending on conditions,
power that is necessary to use the communication device 66 is not
enough. In this case, the power control device 60 requests the
power source 70 not to supply power to the communication device
66.
[0026] The receiving unit 65 receives a wakeup event signal of
cancelling the sleep mode. In the embodiment, when a user operates
the input device 40 (including a touch operation), the input device
40 sends a signal corresponding to the operation to the power
control device 60. In the embodiment, the signal from the input
device 40 is the wakeup event signal. However, the embodiment is
not limited thereto, and the wakeup event signal may be arbitrarily
set.
[0027] When a signal is received from the input device 40 in the
sleep mode, the power control device 60 changes a condition of the
electronic device 100 from the sleep mode to a start up condition
corresponding to available power supplied by the power source 70 at
the point in time (this process is referred to as "change
process"). FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the
change process performed by the power control device 60.
Hereinafter, the change process will be described in detail with
reference to FIG. 4.
[0028] As illustrated in FIG. 4, when a wakeup event signal (for
example, an input signal from the input device 40) is received by
the receiving unit 65 (Yes in step S1), the monitor 62 monitors
available power (or alternatively, a voltage) supplied by the power
source 70 at this point in time (step S2). That is, the monitor 62
monitors available power supplied by the power source 70 at a point
in time when the wakeup event signal is received. Subsequently, the
determining unit 63 determines a start-up condition corresponding
to the power monitored in step S2 by using the power monitored in
step S2 and a power consumption table stored in the storage unit 61
(step S3). In other words, the determining unit 63 determines a
start-up condition feasible with available power supplied by the
power source 70 at a point in time when the wakeup event signal is
received. Subsequently, the control unit 64 sets a start-up
condition of the electronic device 100 to start up the electronic
device 100 in the start-up condition which is determined in step S3
(step S4).
[0029] Specifically, according to the determined condition, the
power control device 60 (control unit 64) informs the power source
70 of a voltage supplied to the processor 10 and the main memory
20, and commands an operating clock when the processor 10 is
activated, and a frequency of a clock supplied to the main memory
20. For example, in the start-up condition determined in step S3,
when power enough to perform communication using the communication
device 66 is present, the power source 70 is commanded to supply
power to the communication device 66 so as to operate the
communication device 66. On the other hand, when power that is
necessary to communicate using the communication device 66 is not
enough, the power source 70 is commanded not to supply power to the
communication device 66. That is, in this case, when returning from
the sleep mode, the electronic device 100 is activated without
communicating with an external device.
[0030] As described in the foregoing, when a wakeup event signal is
received in the sleep mode, the power control device 60 according
to the embodiment controls the electronic device 100 to operate in
a start-up condition feasible with available power supplied by the
power source 70 at a point in time when the wakeup event signal is
received. Accordingly, it is possible to operate the electronic
device 100 within a range of available energy (power). That is,
according to the embodiment, after exiting the sleep mode, the
electronic device 100 may be set to an appropriate operating state
(condition).
[0031] As an modification, when the electronic device 100 is
operating (or in an operable state), the power control device 60
may monitor available power supplied by the power source 70 at
predetermined intervals, and set the start-up condition of the
electronic device 100 to start up the electronic device 100 in the
start-up condition feasible with the monitored power. In this case,
the control by the power control device 60 is referred to as a
condition control, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an
example of the condition control.
[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 5, first, the monitor 62 monitors
available power (or alternatively, a voltage) supplied by the power
source 70 at this point in time (step S10). Subsequently, the
determining unit 63 determines a start-up condition corresponding
to the monitored power by using the power monitored in step S10 and
a power consumption table stored in the storage unit 61 (step S11).
In other words, the determining unit 63 determines a start-up
condition feasible with available power supplied by the power
source 70 at this point in time. Subsequently, the control unit 64
sets a start-up condition of the electronic device 100 to start up
the electronic device 100 in the start-up condition which is
determined in step S11 (step S12).
[0033] Specifically, according to the determined condition, the
power control device 60 (control unit 64) informs the power source
70 of a voltage supplied to the processor 10 and the main memory
20, and commands an operating clock when the processor 10 is
activated, and a frequency of a clock supplied to the main memory
20. For example, in the start-up condition determined in step S11,
when power enough to perform communication using the communication
device 66 is present, the power source 70 is commanded to supply
power to the communication device 66 so as to operate the
communication device 66. On the other hand, when power that is
necessary to communicate using the communication device 66 is not
enough, the power source 70 is commanded not to supply power to the
communication device 66. The power control device 60 repeatedly
performs the above-described condition control at predetermined
intervals.
[0034] In addition, for example, the processor 10 may perform a
checking process of checking a current condition of the electronic
device 100 at predetermined intervals. In this way, the processor
10 may not inquire the power control device 60 about the current
condition of the electronic device 100. In addition, for example,
the power control device 60 informs the processor 10 of a changed
condition each time the electronic device 100 is changed to a
determined condition. In this case, the processor 10 may perform
the above-described checking process.
[0035] The above-described power control device 60 has a central
processing unit (CPU), a ROM, a RAM, and a communication I/F
device. A function of each of the above-described units (the
monitor 62, the determining unit 63, the control unit 64, and the
receiving unit 65) is implemented by a program, which is stored in
a ROM. In addition, the invention is not limited thereto, and at
least some of the functions of the respective units (the monitor
62, the determining unit 63, the control unit 64, and the receiving
unit 65) may be implemented by a separate circuit (hardware).
[0036] Further, in the above-described embodiment, the power
control device 60 and the processor 10 are constructed on separate
chips. However, the invention is not limited thereto. For example,
the above-described embodiment is implemented by using a system on
chip (SoC) which includes the power control device 60 and the
processor 10.
[0037] In addition, a program executed by the above-described power
control device 60 may be stored in a computer connected to a
network such as the Internet, and be provided by downloading the
program via the network. In addition, a program executed by the
above-described power control device 60 may be provided or
distributed via a network such as the Internet. In addition, a
program executed by the power control device 60 according to the
embodiments and modifications may be incorporated into a ROM in
advance, and be provided.
[0038] The above-described embodiment may be applied, for example,
when an available power of a battery is decreasing due to a
self-discharge, or when an equivalent of power before the state
change to the sleep mode may not be generated since a solar cell is
being used. In particular, since a power generation of the solar
cell varies in response to an external environment, it may be more
likely to fail to obtain an equivalent of an available power before
the state goes into the sleep mode. The above-described embodiment
is effective in such a case.
[0039] In addition, for example, in a case where an available power
(available power supplied by the power source 70) which is present
at a point in time when an electronic device is to be returned from
the sleep mode is less than power before the electronic device goes
into the sleep mode, and the available power is exhausted when a
returning process of returning the electronic device 100 from the
sleep mode is ended or when the returning process is being
performed, the electronic device 100 may be in an inoperative
state. The above-described embodiment is also effective in such a
case.
[0040] Further, a type or the number of conditions stored in the
power consumption table may be arbitrarily set. For example, the
sleep mode and the power may be associated with each other in the
power consumption table. In this configuration, when the power
monitored by the monitor 62 indicates a sufficiently small value in
step S2 of FIG. 4, and the sleep mode is determined in step S3 of
FIG. 4 as a condition associated with the power monitored in step
S2, the electronic device 100 returns to the sleep mode again (step
S4 of FIG. 4).
[0041] While certain embodiments have been described, these
embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel
embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other
forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in
the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without
departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying
claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or
modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the
inventions.
* * * * *