U.S. patent application number 16/848124 was filed with the patent office on 2020-09-03 for control device, information processing system, and computer program product.
This patent application is currently assigned to FUJITSU CLIENT COMPUTING LIMITED. The applicant listed for this patent is FUJITSU CLIENT COMPUTING LIMITED. Invention is credited to Taketoshi Hayashi, Hirotaka Yakame.
Application Number | 20200278729 16/848124 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004780946 |
Filed Date | 2020-09-03 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200278729 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yakame; Hirotaka ; et
al. |
September 3, 2020 |
CONTROL DEVICE, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM
PRODUCT
Abstract
A control device controls power supply to a terminal device and
includes: a power supply controller that connects to the terminal
device via a cable, supplies power to the terminal device and
communicates information with the terminal device via the cable,
and determines a combination of a supply voltage and a supply
current to the terminal device through communication with the
terminal device via the cable; a reconnection controller that
causes the power supply controller to disconnect power supply to
and communication of information with the terminal device via the
cable, and then reconnect power supply to and communication of
information with the terminal device via the cable, when changing
the combination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the
terminal device; and a cable-status notifier that transmits
notification information indicating a connection state of the cable
to an information processing device.
Inventors: |
Yakame; Hirotaka; (Kawasaki,
JP) ; Hayashi; Taketoshi; (Osaka, JP) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
FUJITSU CLIENT COMPUTING LIMITED |
Kanagawa |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
FUJITSU CLIENT COMPUTING
LIMITED
Kanagawa
JP
|
Family ID: |
1000004780946 |
Appl. No.: |
16/848124 |
Filed: |
April 14, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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16796186 |
Feb 20, 2020 |
|
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16848124 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06F 1/28 20130101; G06F
1/3228 20130101; G06F 1/3212 20130101; G06F 1/266 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/26 20060101
G06F001/26; G06F 1/3228 20190101 G06F001/3228; G06F 1/28 20060101
G06F001/28; G06F 1/3212 20190101 G06F001/3212 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 28, 2019 |
JP |
2019-036445 |
Feb 28, 2019 |
JP |
2019-036446 |
Feb 28, 2019 |
JP |
2019-036560 |
Feb 28, 2019 |
JP |
2019-036561 |
Feb 28, 2019 |
JP |
2019-036571 |
Claims
1. A control device that controls power supply to a terminal
device, comprising a power supply controller that connects to the
terminal device via a cable, supplies power to the terminal device
and communicates information with the terminal device via the
cable, and determines a combination of a supply voltage and a
supply current to the terminal device through communication with
the terminal device via the cable; a reconnection controller that
causes the power supply controller to disconnect power supply to
and communication of information with the terminal device via the
cable, and then reconnect power supply to and communication of
information with the terminal device via the cable, when changing
the combination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the
terminal device; a cable-status notifier that transmits
notification information indicating a connection state of the cable
to an information processing device, in response to a change in the
connection state of the cable; and a notification mask that mask
the notification information on the connection state of the cable
to the information processing device during execution of a power
delivery sequence for changing the combination of a supply voltage
and a supply current to the terminal device.
2. The control device according to claim 1, wherein after end of
the power delivery sequence, the cable-status notifier transmits
the notification information indicating the connection state of the
cable to the information processing device, in response to a change
in the connection state of the cable from before the power delivery
sequence.
3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the
reconnection controller gives a reset instruction to the power
supply controller to disconnect power supply to and communication
of information with the terminal device via the cable, and gives a
reset cancelling instruction to the power supply controller to
reconnect power supply to and communication of information with the
terminal device via the cable.
4. An information processing system comprising: a terminal device;
and a control device that controls power supply to the terminal
device, wherein the control device comprises a power supply
controller that connects to the terminal device via a cable,
supplies power to the terminal device and communicates information
with the terminal device via the cable, and determines a
combination of a voltage and a current to be supplied to the
terminal device through communication with the terminal device via
the cable; a reconnection controller that causes the power supply
controller to disconnect power supply to and communication of
information with the terminal device via the cable, and then
reconnect power supply to and communication of information with the
terminal device via the cable, when changing the combination of a
supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device; a
cable-status notifier that transmits notification information
indicating a connection state of the cable to an information
processing device, in response to a change in the connection state
of the cable; and a notification mask that masks the notification
information on the connection state of the cable to the information
processing device during execution of a power delivery sequence for
changing the combination of a supply voltage and a supply current
to the terminal device.
5. A computer program product including programmed instructions
embodied in and stored on a non-transitory computer readable
medium, the instructions to be executed by a processor of a control
device that controls power supply to a terminal device, the control
device comprising a power supply controller that is connectable to
the terminal device via a cable, supplies power to the terminal
device and communicates information with the terminal device via
the cable, and determines a combination of a supply voltage and a
supply current to the terminal device through communication with
the terminal device via the cable, wherein when executed by the
processor, the instructions cause the processor to function as: a
reconnection controller that causes the power supply controller to
disconnect power supply to and communication of information with
the terminal device via the cable, and then reconnect power supply
to and communication of information with the terminal device via
the cable, when changing the combination of a supply voltage and a
supply current to the terminal device; a cable-status notifier that
transmits notification information indicating a connection state of
the cable to an information processing device, in response to a
change in the connection state of the cable; and a notification
mask that mask the notification information on the connection state
of the cable to the information processing device during execution
of a power delivery sequence for changing the combination of a
supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-036571, No.
2019-036560, No. 2019-036561, No. 2019-036445, No. 2019-036446, all
filed Feb. 28, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated
herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] Embodiments described herein relate generally to a control
device, an information processing system, and a computer program
product.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In recent years, education-purpose use of a tablet computer
(hereinafter, referred to as a tablet) in schools has been studied.
In such a case, tablets are stored and managed in a dedicated rack
installed in a classroom, for example. Before start of a class,
each student takes out a tablet from the rack, and boots the tablet
at his or her own desk for use. After the class ends, the students
shut down their tablets, store them in the rack, and connect the
tablets to a control device inside the rack via a cable.
[0004] The control device in the rack serves to charge the tablets
via the cable. An information processing device is installed in the
rack to update software of the tablets for maintenance in
accordance with remote control via a network, for example.
[0005] At the start of maintenance of the tablet, the control
device in the rack turns on the power switch of each tablet in
response to a command from a high-order information processing
device. After the end of the maintenance, the control device in the
rack turns off the power switch of the tablet in response to a
command from the high-order information processing device.
[0006] However, the power switch of the tablet serves as a push
switch that alternately operates, so that it typically uses the
same signal for turning on and off the power switch. Thus, in
response to receipt of a command for turning off the power switch
from the high-order information processing device during shutdown
of the tablet, the control device turns on the power switch of the
tablet. In response to receipt of a command for turn on the power
switch from the high-order information processing device while the
tablet runs, the control device turns off the power switch of the
tablet.
SUMMARY
[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a control device
controls power supply to a terminal device. The control device
includes a power supply controller that is connectable to the
terminal device via a cable, the power supply controller that
supplies power to the terminal device and communicates information
with the terminal device via the cable; a power-command acquirer
that receives a wake-up command from an information processing
device, the wake-up command serving to boot the terminal device; a
power-switch controller that instructs the power supply controller
to output a switch-push signal to the terminal device, in response
to receipt of the wake-up command, the switch-push signal serving
to switch a state of a power switch of the terminal device; and a
power-command mask that masks the wake-up command, in response to
receipt of the wake-up command during a running state of the
terminal device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an information processing
system by way of example;
[0009] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating external appearance of an
exemplary charging cabinet;
[0010] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the periphery of a terminal
device contained in the charging cabinet;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
configuration of the charging cabinet containing terminal devices
together with an in-school server and a wireless communication
device;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of power supply to
the terminal device;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of information when
an information processing device controls the terminal device via a
cable by way of example;
[0014] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a flow of information when
the information processing device transmits/receives the
information to/from the terminal device via wireless
communication;
[0015] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a flow of information when
the terminal device accesses the in-school server;
[0016] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration
of a charging cabinet including a plurality of charge control
devices;
[0017] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware
configuration of the charge control device together with a
plurality of terminal devices;
[0018] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating exemplary hardware
configurations of the terminal device and of a terminal controller
of the charge control device;
[0019] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration
of a charging communication processor according to a first
embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the
charging communication processor according to the first
embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration
of a charging communication processor according to a second
embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating processing of the
charging communication processor according to the second
embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration
of a charging communication processor according to a third
embodiment;
[0024] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the
charging communication processor according to the third
embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration
of a charging communication processor according to a fourth
embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating processing of the
charging communication processor according to the fourth
embodiment;
[0027] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration
of a processing circuit according to a fifth embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating first processing of the
processing circuit according to the fifth embodiment; and
[0029] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating second processing of the
processing circuit according to the fifth embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0030] The following will describe an information processing system
10 according to embodiments. The embodiments are merely exemplary
and are not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.
Throughout the embodiments, elements having same or like functions
are denoted by same or like reference numerals, and redundant
description will not be repeated.
First Embodiment
[0031] First, the information processing system 10 according to a
first embodiment is described.
[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the information processing
system 10 of the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the
information processing system 10 serves as a teaching aid system at
school. The information processing system 10 may be applicable to
different environments, in addition to teaching aid in a school.
For example, the information processing system 10 may be applied to
any environment such as in a company, a seminar, or a conference as
long as a large number of participants work or learn with a
computer.
[0033] The information processing system 10 includes a plurality of
terminal devices 20, an in-school server 22, a wireless
communication device 24, and a charging cabinet 26.
[0034] Each of the terminal devices 20 serves as a tablet computer
or a laptop computer. The terminal device 20 includes an
information input/output function and an information processing
function. The terminal device 20 includes a secondary battery, and
is operable by electric power charged in the secondary battery.
Thus, the terminal device 20 can be carried by a user. The terminal
device 20 also includes a wireless communication function, and can
communicate information with other devices without a communication
cable.
[0035] The in-school server 22 serves as a server computer, and is
accessed by the terminal devices 20 via an internal network. For
example, the in-school server 22 limits access from devices on an
external network to devices on the internal network, or from
devices on the internal network to devices on the external
network.
[0036] The wireless communication device 24 is located outside the
charging cabinet 26. The wireless communication device 24 is in
wired connection to the internal network. The wireless
communication device 24 is connected to each of the terminal
devices 20 via wireless communication. The wireless communication
device 24 causes the wirelessly connected terminal device 20 to
access another device on the internal network.
[0037] The charging cabinet 26 accommodates the terminal devices
20. Users can extract the terminal devices 20 from the charging
cabinet 26.
[0038] The charging cabinet 26 charges the terminal devices 20
stored therein. The charging cabinet 26 can boot or shut down the
terminal devices 20. The charging cabinet 26 can communicate with
the terminal devices 20 in a wired manner. Additionally, the
charging cabinet 26 can wirelessly communicate with the terminal
devices 20 while running.
[0039] The charging cabinet 26 is also connected to the internal
network. The charging cabinet 26 can operate or communicate with
the terminal devices 20 in response to an instruction from an
external device.
[0040] Such an information processing system 10 works as follows.
Before start of a class, students take out the terminal devices 20
from the charging cabinet 26. During the class, students use the
terminal devices 20, and the terminal devices 20 access the
in-school server 22 via the wireless communication device 24.
Thereby, the terminal devices 20 can download material data from
the in-school server 22 to be referred to by the students during
the class. Additionally, during the class, the terminal device 20
can upload information input by the students (for example, an
answer to a question) into the in-school server 22.
[0041] Each of the terminal devices 20 is stored in the charging
cabinet 26 after the end of the class. The charging cabinet 26
charges the stored terminal device 20 before start of the next
class. Thus, the charging cabinet 26 can prevent the terminal
devices 20 from running out of power and becoming inoperable during
the class.
[0042] The charging cabinet 26 causes the stored terminal devices
20 to operate under the remote control of an external device. The
charging cabinet 26 causes the stored terminal device 20 to update
or install a computer program under remote control of an external
device. Thereby, the charging cabinet 26 allows a maintenance
worker in a remote location to perform maintenance of the terminal
devices 20.
[0043] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the external appearance of
the charging cabinet 26 by way of example. The charging cabinet 26
includes a storage area 28 inside. Each of the terminal devices 20
is placed in a given position in the storage area 28.
[0044] The charging cabinet 26 further includes a charge control
device 30 and an information processing device 32. The charge
control device 30 controls charging and communication over the
terminal devices 20. The information processing device 32
communicates with other devices via the internal network. The
information processing device 32 controls the charge control device
30, and wirelessly communicates with the stored terminal devices
20.
[0045] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the periphery of the terminal
devices 20 stored in the charging cabinet 26. Inside the charging
cabinet 26, the terminal devices 20 are connected to the charge
control device 30 via cables 34.
[0046] The cables 34 are detachable from the terminal devices 20.
For storing, users manually attach the terminal devices 20 to the
cables 34. For extraction, users manually detach the terminal
devices 20 from the cables 34.
[0047] The cables 34 conform to a standard that defines
specifications for power supply and information and communications
between two devices. In the present embodiment, the cables 34 are
USB Type-C cables conforming to a Universal Serial Bus (USB)-C
standard. Under this standard, power supply and communications of
information are feasible between two devices.
[0048] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
configuration of the charging cabinet 26 storing the terminal
devices 20 together with the in-school server 22 and the wireless
communication device 24. The charging cabinet 26 includes the
charge control device 30, the information processing device 32, the
cables 34, and a power strip 36.
[0049] The charge control device 30 is connected to the one or more
terminal devices 20 via the one or more cables 34. One end terminal
of each of the cables 34 is connected to the charge control device
30 while the other end terminal can be connected to the terminal
device 20.
[0050] The charge control device 30 controls charging and
communication over each of the one or more terminal devices 20. The
configuration of the charge control device 30 will be described
later in more detail with reference to FIG. 10 and the subsequent
drawings.
[0051] The information processing device 32 serves as a computer
including a communication function and an information processing
function. The information processing device 32 is connected to the
internal network to communicate information with other devices on
the internal network. The information processing device 32
communicates information with other devices on the external network
via the in-school server 22.
[0052] The information processing device 32 is connected to the
charge control device 30 via an internal communication cable 38.
Thereby, the information processing device 32 can control the
charge control device 30.
[0053] The internal communication cable 38 connects between the
information processing device 32 and the charge control device 30.
The internal communication cable 38 is a USB Type-A to C cable
conforming to the USB-C standard. The internal communication cable
38 is not limited thereto, and may be a cable conforming to another
standard.
[0054] The information processing device 32 includes an internal
wireless communication device 40. The internal wireless
communication device 40 is connected to the one or more terminal
devices 20 stored in the charging cabinet 26 via wireless
communication. Thus, the information processing device 32 can
transmit/receive information to/from each of the one or more
terminal devices 20 stored in the charging cabinet 26 via wireless
communication. The internal wireless communication device 40 may be
located inside or outside the information processing device 32.
[0055] The power strip 36 is connected to a commercial AC power
receptacle in a classroom via an AC cable. The power strip 36
includes a plurality of sub-power receptacles. The sub-power
receptacles of the power strip 36 is connected to an AC cable for
AC power supply to the information processing device 32. Thus, the
information processing device 32 can operate by AC power as a power
source.
[0056] The sub-power receptacle of the power strip 36 are connected
to an AC cable for AC power supply to the charge control device 30.
That is, the charge control device 30 can operate by AC power as a
power source. The charge control device 30 and the information
processing device 32 may receive DC power from an AC adapter that
converts AC power into DC power.
[0057] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a flow of power supply to
the terminal devices 20 stored in the charging cabinet 26. The
charge control device 30 receives electric power from the
commercial AC power receptacle, and supplies DC power to the
terminal device 20 connected to the cable 34.
[0058] The charge control device 30 can change a combination of a
voltage and a current to be supplied to the one or more terminal
devices 20 connected to the cable 34 under the control of the
information processing device 32. Thereby, the charge control
device 30 can supply electric power to the terminal devices 20
within an available power range of the commercial AC power
receptacle. The charge control device 30 may also charge part of
the terminal devices 20 in order under the control of the
information processing device 32.
[0059] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a flow of information when
the information processing device 32 controls the terminal device
20 while stored in the charging cabinet 26 via the cable 34.
[0060] The information processing device 32 gives various commands
to the charge control device 30 via the internal communication
cable 38. Thereby, the information processing device 32 can control
the operation of the one or more terminal devices 20 connected to
the cable 34. The information processing device 32 receives various
notifications from the charge control device 30 via the internal
communication cable 38. Thereby, the information processing device
32 can detect statuses of the one or more terminal devices 20
connected to the cable 34.
[0061] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a flow of information when
the information processing device 32 transmits/receives information
to/from the terminal devices 20 stored in the charging cabinet 26
via wireless communication.
[0062] While the terminal devices 20 stored in the charging cabinet
26 are running, the internal wireless communication device 40 of
the information processing device 32 provides a
wireless-communication access point (first access point) to the
terminal devices 20. The information processing device 32 can
transmit/receive information to/from the terminal devices 20 in the
charging cabinet 26 via the first access point.
[0063] The information processing device 32 can download data from
another device on the external network, and transmit the downloaded
data to the terminal devices 20 in the charging cabinet 26 via the
first access point. Thus, the information processing device 32 can
cause the terminal device 20 to install or update a computer
program.
[0064] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating a flow of information when
the terminal device 20, while located outside the charging cabinet
26, accesses the in-school server 22.
[0065] While located outside the charging cabinet 26, the terminal
device 20 is wirelessly connected to an access point (second access
point) provided by the wireless communication device 24. The
wireless communication device 24 is located outside the charging
cabinet 26 unlike the internal wireless communication device 40.
Thus, outside the charging cabinet 26, the terminal device 20 can
be connected to the in-school server 22 on the internal network via
the second access point outside the charging cabinet 26.
[0066] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary configuration
of a charging cabinet 26 including a plurality of charge control
devices 30. The charging cabinet 26 may include two or more charge
control devices 30. In the present embodiment, the charge control
devices 30 are connected in cascade via the internal communication
cable 38. The information processing device 32 may be individually
or in parallel connected to the charge control devices 30.
[0067] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary hardware
configuration of the charge control device 30 together with the
terminal devices 20. The charge control device 30 includes a
high-order convertor 42, a device controller 44, and a plurality of
terminal controllers 46.
[0068] The high-order convertor 42 is connected to the information
processing device 32 via the internal communication cable 38. The
high-order convertor 42 converts a signal format between a signal
line of the internal communication cable 38 and input/output signal
lines of the device controller 44 and the terminal controllers
46.
[0069] In the present embodiment, the device controller 44 and the
terminal controllers 46 input or output a signal of RS485 format.
Thus, in the present embodiment, the high-order convertor 42
converts a signal format between the USB-C and the RS485.
[0070] In the case of the device controller 44 and the terminal
controllers 46 inputting or outputting a USB-C signal, the charge
control device 30 may not include the high-order convertor 42. The
high-order convertor 42 may convert the signal format into another
format other than the RS485.
[0071] The device controller 44 includes a processor circuit
inside. The device controller 44 controls the charge control device
30 as a whole.
[0072] The terminal controllers 46 can be connected to the terminal
device 20 via the cables 34, respectively. The terminal controllers
46 control charging and communication over the respective terminal
devices 20 in connection via the corresponding cables 34. Each of
the terminal controllers 46 may be connected to two or more
terminal devices 20 via two or more cables 34.
[0073] Each of the terminal controllers 46 receives a command from
the information processing device 32 via the high-order convertor
42. Each of the terminal controllers 46 can also control charging
and communication in response to the command from the information
processing device 32. Each of the terminal controllers 46 notifies,
via the high-order convertor 42, the information processing device
32 of a state of the terminal device 20 in connection via the
corresponding cable 34.
[0074] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating exemplary hardware
configurations of the terminal device 20 and the terminal
controller 46 of the charge control device 30.
[0075] The terminal controllers 46 of the charge control device 30
each include a charging power-delivery (PD) controller 52 (power
supply controller), a charging communication processor 54, a
low-order convertor 56, and a charging power supply 58.
[0076] The charging PD controller 52 can be connected to the
terminal device 20 via the cable 34. The charging PD controller 52
supplies power and communicates information via the cable 34 in
accordance with a standard defining specifications for power supply
and communications of information via the cable 34.
[0077] In the present embodiment, the charging PD controller 52
supplies power to and communicate information with the terminal
device 20 in compliance with the USB-C standard. In the present
embodiment, the charging PD controller 52 transmits/receives a
vendor defined messaging (VDM) signal to/from the terminal device
20 via a configuration channel (CC) signal line of the cable 34
conforming to the USB-C standard.
[0078] In connection with the terminal device 20 via the cable 34,
the charging PD controller 52 determines a combination of supply
voltage and supply current to the terminal device 20 by executing,
together with the terminal device 20, a predefined sequence (power
delivery sequence) by the standard. In the present embodiment, the
charging PD controller 52 determines the combination of supply
voltage and supply current to the terminal device 20 by executing
predefined power delivery sequence by the USB-C standard. The
charging PD controller 52 then instructs the charging power supply
58 to supply electric power with the determined voltage and current
to the terminal device 20.
[0079] The charging communication processor 54 includes a central
processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), and a random
access memory (RAM), and controls the charging PD controller 52.
The charging communication processor 54 loads a pre-stored computer
program from the ROM into the RAM, for example, to control the
charging PD controller 52 in accordance with the computer program.
The charging communication processor 54 receives a command from the
information processing device 32 via the low-order convertor 56 and
the high-order convertor 42 by the computer program. The charging
communication processor 54 also notifies the information processing
device 32 of information through the low-order convertor 56 and the
high-order convertor 42 by the computer program.
[0080] The low-order convertor 56 is connected to the high-order
convertor 42 via a bus. The low-order convertor 56 converts a
signal format between a signal line of a bus connected to the
high-order convertor 42 and an input/output signal line of the
charging communication processor 54.
[0081] In the present embodiment, the charging communication
processor 54 inputs and outputs a signal in universal asynchronous
receiver/transmitter (UART) format. Thus, in the present
embodiment, the low-order convertor 56 converts between RS485 and
UART.
[0082] While the charging communication processor 54 serve to input
and output the RS485 signal, the terminal controller 46 may not
include the low-order convertor 56. The low-order convertor 56 may
convert the signal format into a format other than RS485.
[0083] The charging power supply 58 receives electric power from a
power converter that converts AC voltage into direct current. The
charging power supply 58 supplies electric power with a designated
combination of voltage and current to the terminal device 20 via
the cable 34 in accordance with an instruction from the charging PD
controller 52.
[0084] The terminal device 20 includes a terminal PD controller 62
(power supply controller), a terminal communication processor 64, a
processing circuit 66, a wireless communicator 68, a battery 70, a
terminal power supply 72, and a power switch 74.
[0085] The terminal PD controller 62 can be connected to the charge
control device 30 via the cable 34. The terminal PD controller 62
is supplied with power and communicates information via the cable
34 in accordance with a standard defining specifications for power
supply and information and communications via the cable 34.
[0086] In the present embodiment, the terminal PD controller 62 is
supplied with power from the charge control device 30 and
communicates information therewith in compliance with the USB-C
standard. In the present embodiment, the terminal PD controller 62
transmits/receives a VDM signal to/from the charge control device
30 via a CC signal line of the cable 34 conforming to the USB-C
standard.
[0087] In connection with the charge control device 30 via the
cable 34, the terminal PD controller 62 determines a combination of
voltage and current to receive from the charge control device 30 by
executing a predefined sequence (power delivery sequence) by the
standard with the charge control device 30. In the present
embodiment, the terminal PD controller 62 determines the
combination of voltage and current to receive from the charge
control device 30 by executing the power delivery sequence defined
by the USB-C standard. The terminal PD controller 62 then instructs
the terminal power supply 72 to receive electric power with the
determined voltage and current from the charge control device
30.
[0088] The terminal communication processor 64 includes a CPU, a
ROM, and a RAM, and controls the terminal PD controller 62. The
terminal communication processor 64 loads a pre-stored computer
program from the ROM into the RAM, for example, to control the
terminal PD controller 62 in accordance with the computer program.
For example, the terminal communication processor 64 gives, to the
processing circuit 66, information on the charge control device 30
in connection via the cable 34. The terminal communication
processor 64 receives the information from the charge control
device 30 via the cable 34 to control the state of the power switch
74 on the basis of the information.
[0089] The processing circuit 66 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM,
and controls the terminal device 20 as a whole. The processing
circuit 66 loads a pre-stored computer program from the ROM into
the RAM, for example, and controls the terminal device 20 in
accordance with the computer program. The processing circuit 66
gives a command to the terminal communication processor 64 or
acquires information from the terminal communication processor 64
along with the execution of the computer program. The processing
circuit 66 also controls the wireless communicator 68 along with
the execution of the computer program.
[0090] The wireless communicator 68 performs wireless communication
under the control of the processing circuit 66. In the present
embodiment, the wireless communicator 68 performs wireless
communication with the wireless communication device 24 and the
internal wireless communication device 40. The wireless
communicator 68 then relays information and communications between
the processing circuit 66 and another device.
[0091] The battery 70 is a secondary battery. The battery 70
supplies electric power to the circuits of the terminal device
20.
[0092] The terminal power supply 72 receives electric power from
the battery 70, and supplies the electric power to the circuits
such as the processing circuit 66 and the wireless communicator 68
via the power switch 74. The terminal PD controller 62, the
terminal communication processor 64, and the terminal power supply
72 are constantly supplied with electric power irrespective of a
state of the power supply of the terminal device 20.
[0093] The terminal power supply 72 can also receive electric power
from the charge control device 30 via the cable 34 in accordance
with an instruction from the terminal PD controller 62. In this
case, the terminal power supply 72 supplies the received electric
power to the circuits such as the processing circuit 66 and the
wireless communicator 68 via the power switch 74. The terminal
power supply 72 supplies the received electric power to the battery
70 via the cable 34 to charge the battery 70.
[0094] In an ON state the power switch 74 supplies the electric
power output from the terminal power supply 72 to the circuits such
as the processing circuit 66 and the wireless communicator 68. In
an OFF state, the power switch 74 disconnects power supply to the
circuits such as the processing circuit 66 and the wireless
communicator 68.
[0095] The power switch 74 is a push switch that alternately
operates. For example, the state of the power switch 74 is switched
in response to a user's press to a power button located on a
housing. For example, being pressed in the OFF state, the power
switch 74 is switched to the ON state. Being pressed in the ON
state, the power switch 74 is switched to the OFF state.
[0096] The state of the power switch 74 is also switched in
accordance with a signal from the internal circuitry of the
terminal device 20. In the present embodiment, the terminal
communication processor 64 can switch the state of the power switch
74.
[0097] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary functional
configuration of the charging communication processor 54 according
to the first embodiment.
[0098] The charging communication processor 54 of the first
embodiment includes a power-status manager 112, a power-command
acquirer 114, a power-switch controller 116, a power-status
notifier 118, and a power-command mask 120. The charging
communication processor 54 functions as the power-status manager
112, the power-command acquirer 114, the power-switch controller
116, the power-status notifier 118, and the power-command mask 120
by executing a given computer program.
[0099] The power-status manager 112 manages a running state or a
non-running state of the terminal device 20 on the basis of the
information received from the terminal device 20 via the cable 34.
For example, the charging PD controller 52 receives a VDM signal
from the terminal device 20 via the cable 34, and acquires the
state of the power supply of the terminal device 20 from the
received VDM signal. The power-status manager 112 acquires the
state of the power supply of the terminal device 20 from the
charging PD controller 52.
[0100] The running state is such that the power switch 74 of the
terminal device 20 is in the ON state and that the processing
circuit 66 (main storage and a CPU) regularly runs. The running
state is also referred to as an S0 state.
[0101] The non-running state refers to a state other than the
running state. The power-status manager 112 manages a shutdown
state, a hibernation, and a sleep state as the non-running state in
a distinctive manner.
[0102] The shutdown state is such that the power switch 74 of the
terminal device 20 is in the OFF state and that the circuitry,
except for constantly running circuitry, is supplied with no power.
Examples of the constantly running circuitry include the terminal
PD controller 62, the terminal communication processor 64, and the
terminal power supply 72. The shutdown state is also referred to as
a G3 state.
[0103] The hibernation is such that the power switch 74 of the
terminal device 20 is in the OFF state and that the content of the
main storage of the processing circuit 66 is copied to a
non-volatile auxiliary storage. The non-volatile auxiliary storage
is, for example, a hard disk or a flash memory. During hibernation,
the circuitry, except for constantly running circuitry, is supplied
with no power. The hibernation is also referred to as an S4
state.
[0104] The sleep state is such that the power switch 74 of the
terminal device 20 is in the ON state and that the processing
circuit 66 (the main storage and the CPU) and the circuitry, except
for the constantly running circuitry, are supplied with no power.
The sleep state is also referred to as an S3 state. Alternatively,
the sleep state may be such that the main storage of the processing
circuit 66 is supplied with power but the CPU is not in
operation.
[0105] The power-command acquirer 114 receives a wake-up command
for booting the terminal device 20 from the information processing
device 32. The power-command acquirer 114 receives a shutdown
command for shutting down the terminal device 20 from the
information processing device 32.
[0106] In response to the power-command acquirer 114's receipt of
the wake-up command or the shutdown command, the power-switch
controller 116 instructs the charging PD controller 52 to output a
switch-push signal to the terminal device 20. The switch-push
signal serves as switching the state of the power switch 74 of the
terminal device 20.
[0107] Receiving the instruction to output the switch-push signal
to the terminal device 20, the charging PD controller 52 transmits
the switch-push signal to the terminal device 20 via the cable 34.
The terminal PD controller 62 of the terminal device 20 acquires
the switch-push signal from the charging PD controller 52. After
the terminal PD controller 62 acquires the switch-push signal, the
terminal communication processor 64 of the terminal device 20
switches the state of the power switch 74. For example, upon
acquiring the switch-push signal during the ON state of the power
switch 74, the terminal communication processor 64 switches the
power switch 74 to the OFF state. Upon acquiring the switch-push
signal during the OFF state of the power switch 74, the terminal
communication processor 64 switches the power switch 74 to the ON
state.
[0108] In response to a change in the state of the power supply of
the terminal device 20 managed by the power-status manager 112, the
power-status notifier 118 notifies the information processing
device 32 of the state of the power supply after change. Thus, the
power-status notifier 118 can notify the information processing
device 32 of the state of the power supply of the terminal device
20.
[0109] For example, if the power-command acquirer 114 receives the
shutdown command while the terminal device 20 is running, the
power-status notifier 118 returns notification information on the
state of the power supply of the terminal device 20 to the
information processing device 32 after the terminal device 20
transitions from the running state to the non-running state.
Thereby, the power-status notifier 118 can notify the information
processing device 32 of the event that that the state of the
terminal device 20 is changed to the non-running state.
[0110] For example, if the power-command acquirer 114 receives the
wake-up command during the non-running state of the terminal device
20, the power-status notifier 118 returns notification information
on the state of the power supply of the terminal device 20 to the
information processing device 32 after the terminal device 20
transitions from the non-running state to the running state. Thus,
the power-status notifier 118 can notify the information processing
device 32 of the event that the state of the terminal device 20 is
changed to the running state.
[0111] In response to receipt of the wake-up command during the
running state of the terminal device 20, the power-command mask 120
masks the wake-up command. Thereby, the power-command mask 120 can
control the charging PD controller 52 not to output the switch-push
signal to the terminal device 20. Thus, irrespective of
transmission of the wake-up command from the information processing
device 32 in the running state of the terminal device 20, the
power-command mask 120 enables the terminal device 20 not to be
placed in the non-running state but to be maintained in the running
state.
[0112] In response to receipt of the wake-up command during the
running state of the terminal device 20, the power-command mask 120
returns notification information on the state of the power supply
(running state) of the terminal device 20 to the information
processing device 32. Thereby, the power-command mask 120 can
notify the information processing device 32 of the running state of
the terminal device 20.
[0113] In response to receipt of the shutdown command during the
non-running state of the terminal device 20, the power-command mask
120 masks the shutdown command. Thereby, the power-command mask 120
can control the charging PD controller 52 not to output the
switch-push signal to the terminal device 20. Thus, irrespective of
transmission of the shutdown command from the information
processing device 32 in the non-running state of the terminal
device 20, the power-command mask 120 enables the terminal device
20 not to be placed in the running state but to be maintained in
the non-running state.
[0114] In response to receipt of the shutdown command during the
non-running state of the terminal device 20, the power-command mask
120 returns the notification information on the state of the power
supply of the terminal device 20 to the information processing
device 32. Thereby, the power-command mask 120 can notify the
information processing device 32 of the non-running state of the
terminal device 20.
[0115] FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating the processing of the
charging communication processor 54 according to the first
embodiment. In the first embodiment, the charging communication
processor 54 performs processing, following the procedure
illustrated in FIG. 13.
[0116] At S111, the charging communication processor 54 determines
whether to have received a power command (wake-up command or
shutdown command) from the information processing device 32. After
determining no receipt of the power command (No at S111), the
charging communication processor 54 stands by at S111. After
determining receipt of the power command (Yes at S111), the
charging communication processor 54 proceeds to S112.
[0117] At S112, the charging communication processor 54 determines
whether the power command is the wake-up command. After determining
the power command as not the wake-up command but the shutdown
command (No at S112), the charging communication processor 54
proceeds to S113. After determining the power command as the
wake-up command (Yes at S112), the charging communication processor
54 proceeds to S119.
[0118] At S113, the charging communication processor 54 determines
whether the terminal device 20 is running. After determining that
the terminal device 20 is running (Yes at S113), the charging
communication processor 54 proceeds to S114. After determining that
the terminal device 20 is not running (No at S113), it proceeds to
S117.
[0119] At S114, the charging communication processor 54 instructs
the charging PD controller 52 to output the switch-push signal.
Thereby, the charging PD controller 52 can transmit the switch-push
signal to the terminal device 20.
[0120] Subsequently, at S115, the charging communication processor
54 determines whether the terminal device 20 has been shut down.
After determining that the terminal device 20 is not shut down (No
at S115), the charging communication processor 54 stands by at
S115. After determining that the terminal device 20 is shut down
(Yes at S115), at S116 the charging communication processor 54
returns notification information indicating the shutdown of the
terminal device 20 to the information processing device 32. After
completing S116, the charging communication processor 54 ends this
processing.
[0121] At S117, the charging communication processor 54 masks the
received shutdown command. That is, the charging communication
processor 54 does not give any instruction to the charging PD
controller 52. Thus, the charging PD controller 52 transmits no
switch-push signal. At S118, the charging communication processor
54 returns notification information indicating a current state of
the power supply of the terminal device 20 to the information
processing device 32. After completing S118, the charging
communication processor 54 ends this processing.
[0122] At S119, the charging communication processor 54 determines
whether the terminal device 20 is in the non-running state. If the
terminal device 20 is in the non-running state (Yes at S119), the
charging communication processor 54 proceeds to S120. If the
terminal device 20 is not in the non-running state (No at S119), it
proceeds to S123.
[0123] At S120, the charging communication processor 54 instructs
the charging PD controller 52 to output the switch-push signal.
Thereby, the charging PD controller 52 can transmit the switch-push
signal to the terminal device 20.
[0124] At S121, the charging communication processor 54 determines
whether the state of the power supply of the terminal device 20 has
changed. After determining that the state of the power supply of
the terminal device 20 has not changed (No at S121), the charging
communication processor 54 stands by at S121. After determining
that the state of the power supply of the terminal device 20 has
changed (Yes at S121), at S122 the charging communication processor
54 returns the notification information indicating the current
state of the power supply of the terminal device 20 to the
information processing device 32. After completing S122, the
charging communication processor 54 ends this processing.
[0125] At S123, the charging communication processor 54 masks the
received wake-up command. Thereby, the charging communication
processor 54 does not give any instruction to the charging PD
controller 52. Thus, the charging PD controller 52 transmits no
switch-push signal. Subsequently, at S124, the charging
communication processor 54 returns the notification information
indicating the running state of the terminal device 20 to the
information processing device 32. After completing S124, the
charging communication processor 54 ends this processing.
[0126] When receiving the shutdown command in the sleep state of
the terminal device 20, the charging communication processor 54 may
instruct the charging PD controller 52 to output the switch-push
signal without masking the shutdown command. Thereby, in the case
of receiving the shutdown command during the sleep state of the
terminal device 20, the charging communication processor 54 can
shut down the terminal device 20.
[0127] After receiving the shutdown command during the hibernation
of the terminal device 20, the charging communication processor 54
instructs the charging PD controller 52 to output the switch-push
signal to boot the terminal device 20. Thereafter, the charging
communication processor 54 may instruct the charging PD controller
52 to output the switch-push signal again. Thereby, when receiving
the shutdown command in the hibernation of the terminal device 20,
the charging communication processor 54 can shut down the terminal
device 20.
[0128] After receiving the wake-up command in the sleep state, the
charging communication processor 54 may instruct the charging PD
controller 52 to output a transition signal for placing the
terminal device 20 in the running state from the sleep state, in
place of the switch-push signal. Thereby, when receiving the
wake-up command in the sleep state of the terminal device 20, the
charging communication processor 54 can cause the terminal device
20 to be placed in the running state.
[0129] The charge control device 30 of the first embodiment as
described above exhibits the following effects.
[0130] After receiving the wake-up command in the running state of
the terminal device 20, the charge control device 30 of the first
embodiment masks the wake-up command. Thereby, irrespective of
transmission of the wake-up command from the information processing
device 32 in the running state of the terminal device 20, the
charge control device 30 of the first embodiment is able to not
place the terminal device 20 in the non-running state but maintain
the terminal device 20 in the running state. Thus, the charge
control device 30 according to the first embodiment can
appropriately switch the state of the power supply of the terminal
device 20 under the control of the information processing device
32.
[0131] After receiving the shutdown command in the non-running
state of the terminal device 20, the charge control device 30 of
the first embodiment masks the shutdown command. Thereby,
irrespective of transmission of the shutdown command from the
information processing device 32 in the non-running state of the
terminal device 20, the charge control device 30 of the first
embodiment is able to not place the terminal device 20 in the
running state but maintain the terminal device 20 in the
non-running state.
[0132] After receiving the shutdown command in the running state of
the terminal device 20, the charge control device 30 of the first
embodiment returns the notification information indicating the
state of the power supply of the terminal device 20 to the
information processing device 32 after the terminal device 20
transitions from the running state to the non-running state. After
receiving the wake-up command in the non-running state of the
terminal device 20, the charge control device 30 of the first
embodiment returns the notification information indicating the
state of the power supply of the terminal device 20 to the
information processing device 32 after the terminal device 20
transitions from the non-running state to the running state.
Thereby, the charge control device 30 according to the first
embodiment can notify the information processing device 32 of the
state of the power supply of the terminal device 20.
[0133] After receiving the wake-up command in the running state of
the terminal device 20, the charge control device 30 of the first
embodiment returns the notification information indicating the
state of the power supply of the terminal device 20 to the
information processing device 32. After receiving the shutdown
command in the non-running state of the terminal device 20, the
charge control device 30 of the first embodiment returns the
notification information indicating the state of the power supply
of the terminal device 20 to the information processing device 32.
Thereby, the charge control device 30 according to the first
embodiment can notify the information processing device 32 of the
state of the power supply of the terminal device 20.
[0134] The charge control device 30 according to the first
embodiment manages the running state or the non-running state of
the terminal device 20 on the basis of information received from
the terminal device 20 via the cable 34. Thereby, the charge
control device 30 according to the first embodiment can ensure
masking of the shutdown command and the wake-up command.
[0135] The charge control device 30 of the first embodiment manages
the shutdown, the hibernation, and the sleep as the non-running
state in a distinctive manner. Thereby, the charge control device
30 according to the first embodiment can ensure masking of the
shutdown command.
Second Embodiment
[0136] Next, the following describes an information processing
system 10 according to a second embodiment. The information
processing system 10 of the second embodiment includes the same
hardware configuration as that of the first embodiment. The
information processing system 10 of the second embodiment is
different from that of the first embodiment in that the charging
communication processor 54 of the charge control device 30 includes
a different functional configuration.
[0137] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating the functional
configuration of the charging communication processor 54 according
to the second embodiment, by way of example.
[0138] The charging communication processor 54 of the second
embodiment includes a change-command acquirer 212, a reconnection
controller 214, and a profile changer 216. The charging
communication processor 54 functions as the change-command acquirer
212, the reconnection controller 214, and the profile changer 216
by executing a given computer program.
[0139] The change-command acquirer 212 receives, from the
information processing device 32, a change command for instructing
the acquirer 212 to change a supply voltage and a supply current to
the terminal device 20. The change command includes information
indicating a combination of the voltage and current after the
change.
[0140] To change a combination of supply voltage and supply current
to the terminal device 20, the reconnection controller 214 causes
the charging PD controller 52 to disconnect power supply to the
terminal device 20 and communication of information with the
terminal device 20 via the cable 34. For example, after the
change-command acquirer 212 receives the change command, the
reconnection controller 214 causes the charging PD controller 52 to
disconnect power supply to the terminal device 20 and communication
of information with the terminal device 20 via the cable 34. The
reconnection controller 214 may cause the charging PD controller 52
to disconnect power supply to and communication of information with
the terminal device 20 via the cable 34 in response to occurrence
of a predefined event, in place of receipt of the change
command.
[0141] After disconnecting power supply to and communication of
information with the terminal device 20 via the cable 34, the
reconnection controller 214 causes the charging PD controller 52 to
reconnect power supply to and communication of information with the
terminal device 20 via the cable 34.
[0142] For example, the reconnection controller 214 gives a reset
instruction to the charging PD controller 52 to disconnect power
supply to and communication of information with the terminal device
20 via the cable 34. For example, the reconnection controller 214
gives a reset cancelling instruction to the charging PD controller
52 to reconnect power supply to and communication of information
with the terminal device 20 via the cable 34. Thereby, the
reconnection controller 214 can reliably cause the charging PD
controller 52 to disconnect and reconnect power supply to and
communication of information with the terminal device 20 via the
cable 34.
[0143] To change the combination of supply voltage and supply
current to the terminal device 20, the profile changer 216 sets a
power profile to the charging PD controller 52. The power profile
represents a combination of a voltage and a current that can be
supplied to the terminal device 20. For example, in response to the
change-command acquirer 212's receiving the change command, the
profile changer 216 sets the power profile to the charging PD
controller 52.
[0144] In this case, the charging PD controller 52 executes power
delivery sequence in the following manner. First, the charging PD
controller 52 transmits power-delivery object information to the
terminal device 20. The power-delivery object information includes
one or more preset power profiles. Subsequently, the charging PD
controller 52 receives, from the terminal device 20, a response
representing a power profile requested by the terminal device 20.
The charging PD controller 52 starts supplying power to the
terminal device 20 in accordance with the power profile indicated
by the response. Through such a procedure, the charging PD
controller 52 can determine a combination of a supply voltage and a
supply current to the terminal device 20.
[0145] To execute such a power delivery sequence, the profile
changer 216 sets, to the charging PD controller 52, the power
profile indicating the voltage and the current that can be supplied
to the terminal device 20, in a period between disconnection and
reconnection of power supply to and communication of information
with the terminal device 20 via the cable 34. Thereby, the profile
changer 216 can ensure setting of the power profile to the charging
PD controller 52 before the charging PD controller 52 transmits the
power-delivery object information to the terminal device 20.
[0146] For example, the profile changer 216 sets, to the charging
PD controller 52, the power profile for the power supply to the
terminal device 20 after the reconnection controller 214 instructs
the charging PD controller 52 to cancel the resetting and before
the charging PD controller 52 transmits the power-delivery object
information to the terminal device 20. Thereby, the profile changer
216 can ensure the setting of the power profile to the charging PD
controller 52 when the reconnection controller 214 instructs the
charging PD controller 52 to reset and cancel the resetting.
[0147] According to the standard defining specifications for power
supply and communication of information via the cable 34, the
charging PD controller 52 cannot change the power profile while
maintaining the connection with the terminal device 20 via the
cable 34. For example, according to the USB-C standard, the
charging PD controller 52 cannot change the power profile while
maintaining power supply and communication of information via the
cable 34.
[0148] However, the charging communication processor 54 of the
second embodiment disconnects power supply to and communication of
information with the terminal device 20 via the cable 34.
Thereafter, the charging communication processor 54 of the second
embodiment reconnects power supply to and communication of
information with the terminal device 20 via the cable 34. To
reconnect the power supply and communication of information, the
charging communication processor 54 of the second embodiment sets,
to the charging PD controller 52, the power profile indicating the
combination of voltage and current that can be supplied to the
terminal device 20.
[0149] Thus, the charging communication processor 54 can optionally
change the combination of supply voltage and supply current to the
terminal device 20. For example, the charging communication
processor 54 can set a supply voltage and a supply current to the
terminal device 20, following an instruction from the information
processing device 32.
[0150] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram illustrating exemplary
processing of the charging communication processor 54 according to
the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the charging
communication processor 54, the charging PD controller 52, and the
terminal PD controller 62 perform processing, following the
procedure illustrated in FIG. 15.
[0151] At S211, the charging PD controller 52 and the terminal PD
controller 62 are physically connected to each other via the cable
34.
[0152] At S212, the charging PD controller 52 transmits, to the
terminal PD controller 62, power-delivery object information
(source PDO) including one or more power profiles preset inside the
controller 52.
[0153] The USB-C standard defines, as the power profiles, "5 V/900
mA", "5 V/3 A", "9 V/3 A", "12 V/3 A", "15 V/3 A", and "20 V/3 A".
According to the USB-C standard, the charging PD controller 52
transmits the source PDO including one or more power profiles that
the charging PD controller 52 can supply, among "5 V/900 mA", "5
V/3 A", "9 V/3 A", "12 V/3 A", "15 V/3 A", and "20 V/3 A".
[0154] The USB-C standard also defines a combination of minimum
voltage and minimum current "5 V/900 mA" to be a default power
profile. By the USB-C standard, devices conforming to the USB-C
standard are to be able to supply and receive power at the default
power profile.
[0155] Subsequently, at S213, the terminal PD controller 62
determines a profile to receive from among the one or more power
profiles indicated by the source PDO. The terminal PD controller 62
then transmits a response representing the determined power profile
to the charging PD controller 52.
[0156] At S214, the charging PD controller 52 starts supplying
power to the terminal PD controller 62 at the power profile
indicated by the response.
[0157] The operations from S212 to S214 are referred to as the
power delivery sequence. According to the USB-C standard, the
charging PD controller 52 and the terminal PD controller 62 cannot
change the determined power profile while maintaining the
connection via the cable 34 after completion of the power delivery
sequence.
[0158] Subsequently, at S215 the charging communication processor
54 receives, from the information processing device 32, a change
command for changing a supply voltage and a supply current to the
terminal device 20. The change command includes a combination of
supply voltage and supply current to the terminal device 20
requested by the information processing device 32.
[0159] At S216, the charging communication processor 54 gives a
reset instruction to the charging PD controller 52. In response to
the reset instruction, at S217 the charging PD controller 52
resets. By resetting, the charging PD controller 52 disconnects
power supply and communication of information via the cable 34
while the cable 34 is inserted into a connector. As a result, at
S218 the charging PD controller 52 and the terminal PD controller
62 are disconnected from each other in a pseudo manner. That is,
the charging PD controller 52 and the terminal PD controller 62
appear to be in mutual connection via the cable 34, however, they
are disconnected from each other in terms of an internal
signal-line level.
[0160] Subsequently, at S219 the charging communication processor
54 gives a reset cancelling instruction to the charging PD
controller 52. In response to the reset cancelling instruction, at
S220 the charging PD controller 52 cancels the resetting. By
resetting, the charging PD controller 52 connects power supply and
communication of information via the cable 34, for example. As a
result, at S221 the charging PD controller 52 and the terminal PD
controller 62 are connected to each other in a pseudo manner. That
is, the charging PD controller 52 and the terminal PD controller 62
not only appear to be mutually connected via the cable 34 and but
also are mutually connected in terms of the internal signal-line
level.
[0161] At S222, the charging communication processor 54 sets the
power profile to the charging communication processor 54. The set
power profile indicates the voltage and the current included in the
change command. That is, the set power profile indicates the
combination of supply voltage and supply current to the terminal
device 20 requested by the information processing device 32 after
the change. At S223, the charging communication processor 54 stores
the set power profile therein. The set power profile is one or more
power profiles as default power profile source PDO predefined by
the USB-C standard, "5 V/900 mA" or "5 V/3 A", "9 V/3 A", "12 V/3
A", "15 V/3 A", and "20 v/3 A".
[0162] Subsequently, at S224 the charging PD controller 52
transmits, to the terminal PD controller 62, the power-delivery
object information (source PDO) including the power profile stored
at S223.
[0163] In this case, the charging PD controller 52 transmits the
source PDO including the power profile stored at S223.
[0164] At S225, the terminal PD controller 62 determines one
profile to receive from among the one or more power profiles
indicated by the source PDO. The terminal PD controller 62 then
transmits a response indicating the determined power profile to the
charging PD controller 52.
[0165] At S226, the charging PD controller 52 starts supplying
power to the terminal PD controller 62 at the power profile
indicated by the response.
[0166] In the present embodiment, the charging communication
processor 54 provides a reset instruction and a reset cancelling
instruction, and sets the power profile upon receipt of the change
command from the information processing device 32. Alternatively,
the charging communication processor 54 may provide a reset
instruction and a reset cancelling instruction, and set the power
profile in response to occurrence of another event.
[0167] For example, the charging communication processor 54 may
provide a reset instruction and a reset cancelling instruction, and
set the power profile in response to completion of charging the
terminal device 20. For another example, the charging communication
processor 54 may provide a reset instruction and a reset cancelling
instruction, and set the power profile at certain time
intervals.
[0168] The charge control device 30 according to the second
embodiment described above exhibits the following effects.
[0169] The charge control device 30 according to the second
embodiment disconnects power supply to and communication of
information with the terminal device 20 via the cable 34, and then
reconnects power supply to and communication of information with
the terminal device 20 via the cable 34. To reconnect power supply
and communication of information, the charge control device 30 of
the second embodiment sets, to the charging PD controller 52, the
power profile indicating the combination of voltage and current
that can be supplied to the terminal device 20. Thereby, the charge
control device 30 of the second embodiment can switch the setting
of power supply to the terminal device 20.
[0170] The charge control device 30 of the second embodiment and
the terminal device 20 perform the power delivery sequence.
Thereby, the charge control device 30 of the second embodiment can
change the combination of supply voltage and supply current to the
terminal device 20.
[0171] The charge control device 30 of the second embodiment sets
the power profile to the charging PD controller 52 in a period
between disconnection and reconnection of power supply to and
communication of information with the terminal device 20 via the
cable 34. Thereby, the charge control device 30 according to the
second embodiment can ensure the setting of the power profile to
the charging PD controller 52.
[0172] The charge control device 30 of the second embodiment gives
a reset instruction to the charging PD controller 52 to disconnect
power supply to and communication of information with the terminal
device 20 via the cable 34. Further, the charge control device 30
of the second embodiment gives a reset cancelling instruction to
the charging PD controller 52 to reconnect power supply to and
communication of information with the terminal device 20 via the
cable 34. Thereby, the charge control device 30 according to the
second embodiment can ensure the disconnection and reconnection of
power supply and communication of information.
[0173] The charge control device 30 of the second embodiment sets,
to the charging PD controller 52, the power profile for the power
supply to the terminal device 20 after giving a reset canceling
instruction and before the charging PD controller 52 transmits the
power-delivery object information to the terminal device 20.
Thereby, the charge control device 30 according to the second
embodiment can ensure the setting of the power profile to the
charging PD controller 52 when the reconnection controller 214
instructs the charging PD controller 52 to reset and cancel the
resetting.
Third Embodiment
[0174] Next, the following describes an information processing
system 10 according to a third embodiment. The information
processing system 10 of the third embodiment includes the same
hardware configuration as those of the first and second
embodiments. The information processing system 10 according to the
third embodiment is different from that of the second embodiment in
that the charging communication processor 54 of the charge control
device 30 includes a different functional configuration.
[0175] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the functional
configuration of the charging communication processor 54 according
to the third embodiment, by way of example.
[0176] The charging communication processor 54 of the third
embodiment includes the change-command acquirer 212, the
reconnection controller 214, the profile changer 216, a sequence
manager 312, a power supply manager 314, and a change-command mask
316. The charging communication processor 54 functions as the
change-command acquirer 212, the reconnection controller 214, the
profile changer 216, the sequence manager 312, the power supply
manager 314, and the change command mask 316 by executing a given
computer program.
[0177] The charging communication processor 54 of the third
embodiment differs from the second embodiment in additionally
including the sequence manager 312, the power supply manager 314,
and the change command mask 316. The differences in the charging
communication processor 54 from the second embodiment will be
mainly described.
[0178] The sequence manager 312 manages execution or non-execution
of the power delivery sequence for determining a supply voltage and
a supply current to the terminal device 20. For example, the
sequence manager 312 acquires a notification indicating execution
or non-execution of the power delivery sequence from the charging
PD controller 52, and stores the notification therein.
[0179] The change-command acquirer 212 receives, from the
information processing device 32, a change command for changing a
supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device 20.
Additionally, in the present embodiment, the change-command
acquirer 212 rejects reception of the change command from the
information processing device 32 during execution of the power
delivery sequence. The change-command acquirer 212 determines
whether the power delivery sequence is being executed, on the basis
of the information stored in the sequence manager 312.
[0180] That is, the change-command acquirer 212 can prevent the
charging PD controller 52 from performing unexpected operation,
which would otherwise occur by resetting during execution of the
power delivery sequence. The change-command acquirer 212 can also
prevent unexpected error in the charging PD controller 52, which
would otherwise occur by resetting during execution of the power
delivery sequence. Thus, the charge control device 30 can allow the
charging PD controller 52 to reliably execute the power delivery
sequence.
[0181] After having rejected reception of the change command, the
change-command acquirer 212 returns, to the information processing
device 32, the notification information indicating rejection of
reception of the change command. Thereby, the change-command
acquirer 212 can notify the information processing device 32 of the
rejection of reception of the change command.
[0182] The power supply manager 314 manages at least one of the
power profiles used by the charging PD controller 52 which supplies
the power to the terminal device 20. For example, after the
charging PD controller 52 executes the power delivery sequence, the
power supply manager 314 acquires a notification of the power
profile based on which the charging PD controller 52 supplies
power, and stores the notification therein. For example, according
to the USB-C standard, the power supply manager 314 stores any of
the power profiles "5 V/900 mA", "5 V/3 A", "9 V/3 A", "12 V/3 A",
"15 V/3 A", and "20 V/3 A".
[0183] After the change-command acquirer 212 acquires the change
command, the change command mask 316 determines whether the change
command is an instruction for supplying power at a default power
profile or a non-default power profile.
[0184] The default power profile represents a combination of
voltage and current defined as default by the standard defining
specifications for power supply and communication of information
using the cable 34. The non-default power profile represents
combinations of voltage and current other than default by the
standard defining specifications for power supply and communication
of information using the cable 34.
[0185] For example, the default power profile indicates a
combination of the minimum voltage and the minimum current among
voltages and currents defined to be able to supply by the standard.
For example, under the USB-C standard, the default power profile is
set to the combination "5 V/900 mA". Under the USB-C standard,
non-default power profiles are set to combinations other than "5
V/900 mA", that is, "5 V/3 A", "9 V/3 A", "12 V/3 A", "15 V/3 A",
and "20 V/3 A".
[0186] After the change-command acquirer 212 acquires the change
command, the change command mask 316 determines whether the
charging PD controller 52 is supplying power at the default power
profile or the non-default power profile, on the basis of the
information from the power supply manager 314.
[0187] Upon receiving the change command for power supply at the
default power profile while the charging PD controller 52 is
supplying power at the default power profile, the change command
mask 316 masks the change command. Upon receiving the change
command for power supply at the non-default power profile while the
charging PD controller 52 is supplying power at the non-default
power profile, the change command mask 316 masks the change
command.
[0188] Since the change command is masked, the reconnection
controller 214 receives no change command. That is, the
reconnection controller 214 gives no instruction for resetting or
cancellation of resetting to the charging PD controller 52. With
the masked change command, the profile changer 216 refrains from
receiving the change command. That is, the profile changer 216 does
not set the power profile to the charging PD controller 52.
[0189] Thereby, upon receiving the change command for power supply
at the default power profile while the charging PD controller 52 is
supplying power supply at the default power profile, the change
command mask 316 can prevent the charging PD controller 52 from
varying the supply voltage and supply current to the terminal
device 20. Upon receiving the change command for power supply at
the non-default power profile during the power supply at the
non-default power profile, the change command mask 316 can prevent
the charging PD controller 52 from varying the supply voltage and
supply current to the terminal device 20.
[0190] Thus, the change command mask 316 can eliminate unnecessary
power delivery sequence such as changing the power profile to the
same power profile.
[0191] FIG. 17 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary processing of
the charging communication processor 54 according to the third
embodiment. In the third embodiment, the charging communication
processor 54 performs processing following the procedure
illustrated in FIG. 17.
[0192] At S311, the charging communication processor 54 determines
whether to have received the change command from the information
processing device 32. With no receipt of the change command (No at
S311), the charging communication processor 54 stands by at S311.
With receipt of the change command (Yes at S311), the charging
communication processor 54 proceeds to S312.
[0193] At S312, the charging communication processor 54 determines
whether the power delivery sequence is being executed. During
execution of the power delivery sequence (Yes at S312), the
charging communication processor 54 proceeds to S313. During no
execution of the power delivery sequence not being executed (No at
S312), it proceeds to S314.
[0194] At S313, the charging communication processor 54 rejects
reception of the change command. Additionally, at S313 the charging
communication processor 54 may notify the information processing
device 32 of the rejection of reception of the change command.
After completing S313, the charging communication processor 54 ends
this processing.
[0195] At S314, the charging communication processor 54 determines
whether the received change command is an instruction for supplying
power at the default power profile. After determining that the
received change command is an instruction for supplying power at
the default power profile (Yes at S314), the charging communication
processor 54 proceeds to S315. After determining that the received
change command is not an instruction for supplying power at the
default power profile, that is, the received change command is an
instruction for supplying power at the non-default power profile
(No at S314), the charging communication processor 54 proceeds to
S318.
[0196] At S315, the charging communication processor 54 determines
whether the currently set power profile is default. If the
currently set power profile is default (Yes at S315), the charging
communication processor 54 masks the change command at S316. That
is, the charging communication processor 54 performs no processing.
Thus, the charging PD controller 52 executes no power delivery
sequence. After completing S316, the charging communication
processor 54 ends this processing.
[0197] If the currently set power profile is not default, that is,
non-default (No at S315), the charging communication processor 54
proceeds to S317. At S317, the charging communication processor 54
causes the charging PD controller 52 to execute the power delivery
sequence to supply power at the default power profile. After
completing S317, the charging communication processor 54 ends this
processing.
[0198] At S318, the charging communication processor 54 determines
whether the currently set power profile is non-default. If the
currently set power profile is non-default (Yes at S318), the
charging communication processor 54 masks the change command at
S319. That is, the charging communication processor 54 performs no
processing. Thus, the charging PD controller 52 executes no power
delivery sequence. After completing S319, the charging
communication processor 54 ends this processing.
[0199] If the currently set power profile is not non-default, that
is, default (No at S318), the charging communication processor 54
proceeds to S320. At S320, the charging communication processor 54
causes the charging PD controller 52 to execute the power delivery
sequence to supply power at the non-default power profile indicated
by the change command. After completing S320, the charging
communication processor 54 ends this processing.
[0200] The charge control device 30 according to the third
embodiment described above exhibits the following effects.
[0201] The charge control device 30 of the third embodiment rejects
reception of the change command during execution of the power
delivery sequence for determining a supply voltage and a supply
current to the terminal device 20. Thereby, the charge control
device 30 of the third embodiment can prevent the charging PD
controller 52 from performing unexpected operation and prevent
occurrence of unexpected error in the charging PD controller 52.
Thus, the charge control device 30 according to the third
embodiment can cause the charging PD controller 52 to reliably
execute the power delivery sequence.
[0202] In the power delivery sequence, the charge control device 30
of the third embodiment transmits the power-delivery object
information to the terminal device 20, receives a response
indicating a requested power profile from the terminal device 20,
and starts supplying power to the terminal device 20 at the power
profile indicated by the response. Thereby, the charge control
device 30 of the third embodiment can change the combination of
supply voltage and supply current to the terminal device 20.
[0203] Upon rejecting reception of the change command, the charge
control device 30 of the third embodiment returns, to the
information processing device 32, the notification information
indicating the rejection of reception of the change command.
Thereby, the charge control device 30 can notify the information
processing device 32 of the rejection of reception of the change
command.
[0204] In response to the change command for supplying power at the
default power profile during the power supply at the default power
profile, the charge control device 30 of the third embodiment masks
the change command. Thereby, the charge control device 30 of the
third embodiment can eliminate unnecessary execution of power
delivery sequence to change the power profile to the same power
profile.
[0205] Upon receiving the change command for supplying power at the
non-default power profile during the power supply at the
non-default power profile, the charge control device 30 of the
third embodiment masks the change command. Thereby, the charge
control device 30 of the third embodiment can eliminate unnecessary
execution of power delivery sequence to change the power profile to
the same power profile.
[0206] In the third embodiment, the default power profile
represents the combination of the minimum voltage and the minimum
current among voltages and currents defined to be able to supply by
the standard. Thereby, the charge control device 30 of the third
embodiment can manage the combination of the minimum voltage and
the minimum current as the default power profile.
Fourth Embodiment
[0207] Next, the following describes an information processing
system 10 according to a fourth embodiment. The information
processing system 10 of the fourth embodiment includes the same
hardware configuration as those of the first to the third
embodiments. The information processing system 10 of the fourth
embodiment is different from those of the second and the third
embodiments in that the charging communication processor 54 of the
charge control device 30 includes a different functional
configuration.
[0208] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary functional
configuration of the charging communication processor 54 according
to the fourth embodiment.
[0209] The charging communication processor 54 of the fourth
embodiment includes the change-command acquirer 212, the
reconnection controller 214, the profile changer 216, the sequence
manager 312, a cable-status manager 412, a cable-status notifier
414, and a notification mask 416. The charging communication
processor 54 functions as the change-command acquirer 212, the
reconnection controller 214, the profile changer 216, the sequence
manager 312, the cable-status manager 412, the cable-status
notifier 414, and the notification mask 416 by executing a given
computer program.
[0210] The charging communication processor 54 of the fourth
embodiment differs from the second embodiment in additionally
including the sequence manager 312, the cable-status manager 412,
the cable-status notifier 414, and the notification mask 416.
Alternatively, the charging communication processor 54 of the
fourth embodiment may further include the cable-status manager 412,
the cable-status notifier 414, and the notification mask 416 in
addition to the elements of the third embodiment. The following
mainly describes differences in the charging communication
processor 54 between the fourth embodiment and the second
embodiment and the third embodiment.
[0211] The cable-status manager 412 manages a connection of the
cable 34 between the charging PD controller 52 and the terminal
device 20. That is, the cable-status manager 412 manages connection
or disconnection of power supply and communication of information
via the cable 34 between the charging PD controller 52 and the
terminal device 20. For example, the cable-status manager 412
acquires, from the charging PD controller 52, a notification
indicating connection or disconnection of power supply and
communication of information via the cable 34, and stores the
notification therein.
[0212] With a change in the connection state of the cable 34, the
cable-status notifier 414 transmits notification information
indicating the connection state of the cable 34 to the information
processing device 32. That is, the cable-status notifier 414
transmits notification information indicating connection or
disconnection of power supply and communication of information
between the charging PD controller 52 and the terminal device 20
via the cable 34.
[0213] During execution of the power delivery sequence for changing
the combination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the
terminal device 20, the notification mask 416 masks the
notification information on the connection state of the cable 34
and the information processing device 32. The notification mask 416
determines whether the power delivery sequence is being executed on
the basis of the information managed by the sequence manager
312.
[0214] Since the notification information on the connection state
of the cable 34 is masked, the charge control device 30 transmits
no notification information to the information processing device
32. Thus, during execution of the power delivery sequence the
notification mask 416 allows the charge control device 30 not to
transmit the notification information on the connection state of
the cable 34 to the information processing device 32.
[0215] The charging PD controller 52 of the present embodiment
disconnects power supply and communication of information via the
cable 34 during execution of the power delivery sequence, and then
reconnects power supply and communication of information via the
cable 34. That is, the cable-status notifier 414 outputs the
notification information twice during execution of the power
delivery sequence. However, the information processing device 32
performs no information processing using connection information and
disconnection information of the cable 34 during execution of the
power delivery sequence.
[0216] Thus, the notification mask 416 masks the notification
information on the connection state during execution of the power
delivery sequence. Thereby, the notification mask 416 can eliminate
unnecessary communication, simplifying the processing.
[0217] After end of the power delivery sequence, typically, the
connection state between the charging PD controller 52 and the
terminal device 20 does not change. However, for some reason the
connection state of the cable 34 between the charging PD controller
52 and the terminal device 20 may change.
[0218] In view of this, after the power delivery sequence, with a
change in the connection state of the cable 34 from before start of
the sequence, the cable-status notifier 414 transmits the
notification information to the information processing device 32.
Thereby, the cable-status notifier 414 can correctly notify the
information processing device 32 of the state of the connection to
the terminal device 20.
[0219] FIG. 19 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary processing of
the charging communication processor 54 according to the fourth
embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the charging communication
processor 54 performs the processing, following the procedure
illustrated in FIG. 19.
[0220] At S411, the charging communication processor 54 determines
start or non-start of execution of the power delivery sequence. If
the power delivery sequence has not started (No at S411), the
charging communication processor 54 proceeds to S412. At S412, the
charging communication processor 54 determines whether there is any
change in the connection state of the cable 34. After determining
no change in the connection state of the cable 34 (No at S412), the
charging communication processor 54 returns to S411 and stands by
until the power delivery sequence starts or the connection state of
the cable 34 changes. After determining a change in the connection
state of the cable 34 (Yes at S412), the charging communication
processor 54 proceeds to S413.
[0221] At S413, the charging communication processor 54 transmits,
to the information processing device 32, the notification
information indicating a current connection state of the cable 34.
After completing S413, the charging communication processor 54 ends
this processing.
[0222] After start of the power delivery sequence (Yes at S411),
the charging communication processor 54 proceeds to S414. At S414,
the charging communication processor 54 acquires and stores the
connection state of the cable 34 immediately before the execution
of the power delivery sequence.
[0223] Subsequently, at S415 the charging communication processor
54 masks transmission of the notification information indicating
the connection state. That is, at S415, the charging communication
processor 54 performs no processing.
[0224] At S416, the charging communication processor 54 determines
end or non-end of the execution of the power delivery sequence.
After determining that the power delivery sequence has not ended
(No at S416), the charging communication processor 54 stands by at
S416. After determining that the power delivery sequence has ended
(Yes at S416), the charging communication processor 54 proceeds to
S417.
[0225] At S417, the charging communication processor 54 acquires
the connection state of the cable 34 immediately after the end of
the power delivery sequence. At S418, the charging communication
processor 54 determines whether the connection state of the cable
34 remains unchanged from immediately before the start of the power
delivery sequence to immediately after the end of the power
delivery sequence. If the connected state of the cable 34 remains
unchanged (Yes at S418), the charging communication processor 54
ends this processing.
[0226] If the connection state of the cable 34 has changed from
immediately before the start of the power delivery sequence to
immediately after the end of the power delivery sequence (Yes at
S418), the charging communication processor 54 transmits the
notification information indicating the current connection state of
the cable 34 to the information processing device 32 at S419. After
completing S419, the charging communication processor 54 ends this
processing.
[0227] The charge control device 30 according to the fourth
embodiment described above exhibits the following effects.
[0228] The charge control device 30 of the fourth embodiment masks
the notification information on the connection state of the cable
34 to the information processing device 32 during execution of the
power delivery sequence. Thereby, the charge control device 30
according to the fourth embodiment can correctly notify the
connection state of the terminal device 20, eliminating complex
processing.
[0229] After the end of the power delivery sequence, with a change
in the connection state of the cable 34 from before the execution
of the power delivery sequence, the charge control device 30 of the
fourth embodiment transmits the notification information indicating
the connection state of the cable 34 to the information processing
device 32. Thereby, the charge control device 30 according to the
fourth embodiment can correctly notify the information processing
device 32 of the connection state of the terminal device 20.
[0230] The charge control device 30 of the fourth embodiment
provide a reset instruction to the charging PD controller 52 to
disconnect power supply to and communication of information with
the terminal device 20 via the cable 34. The charge control device
30 of the fourth embodiment provides a reset cancelling instruction
to the charging PD controller 52 to cancel the resetting and
reconnect power supply to and communication of information with the
terminal device 20 via the cable 34. Thereby, the charge control
device 30 according to the fourth embodiment can reliably
disconnect and reconnect power supply and communication of
information.
Fifth Embodiment
[0231] Next, the following describes an information processing
system 10 according to a fifth embodiment. The information
processing system 10 of the fifth embodiment includes the same
hardware configuration as those of the first to the fourth
embodiments.
[0232] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration
of the processing circuit 66 of the terminal device 20 according to
the fifth embodiment.
[0233] The processing circuit 66 of the fifth embodiment includes a
cable-connection determiner 512, a device determiner 514, and an
access-point controller 516. The processing circuit 66 functions as
the cable-connection determiner 512, the device determiner 514, and
the access-point controller 516 by executing a given computer
program.
[0234] The cable-connection determiner 512 manages the connection
state of the cable 34 between the terminal PD controller 62 and the
charge control device 30. That is, the cable-connection determiner
512 determines whether the terminal PD controller 62 is connected
to the charge control device 30 via the cable 34. For example, the
cable-connection determiner 512 acquires, from the terminal PD
controller 62, a notification indicating connection or
disconnection of power supply and communication of information via
the cable 34, and stores the notification therein.
[0235] If the terminal PD controller 62 in no connection to any
device becomes connected to a certain device via the cable 34, the
cable-connection determiner 512 notifies the device determiner 514
of the connection of the terminal PD controller 62 to the device.
If the terminal PD controller 62 connected to a certain device
becomes disconnected therefrom via the cable 34, the
cable-connection determiner 512 notifies the access-point
controller 516 of the disconnection of the terminal PD controller
62 from the device.
[0236] The device determiner 514 determines whether the device in
connection via the cable 34 is the charge control device 30 as
predefined. For example, after the terminal device 20 becomes
connected to a device via the cable 34, the device determiner 514
determines whether the device is the charge control device 30 on
the basis of the information received via the cable 34. Thereby,
the terminal device 20 can correctly determine whether the
connected device via the cable 34 is the charge control device
30.
[0237] When the connected device via the cable 34 is the charge
control device 30, the device determiner 514 transmits, to the
access-point controller 516, information that the connected device
via the cable 34 is the charge control device 30.
[0238] The access-point controller 516 controls the wireless
communicator 68 of the terminal device 20. The wireless
communicator 68 is wirelessly connected to the access point to
communicate information via a network.
[0239] After the device determiner 514 determines that the terminal
device 20 is connected to the charge control device 30 via the
cable 34, the access-point controller 516 causes the wireless
communicator 68 to wirelessly connect to the first access point
associated with the charge control device 30.
[0240] In the present embodiment, the internal wireless
communication device 40 of the information processing device 32
provides the first access point. Thus, after the terminal device 20
becomes connected to the charge control device 30 via the cable 34,
the access-point controller 516 causes the wireless communicator 68
to wirelessly connect to the internal wireless communication device
40 of the information processing device 32.
[0241] Thereby, while connected to the charge control device 30 via
the cable 34 inside the charging cabinet 26, the terminal device 20
can be connected to the information processing device 32 in a
wireless manner. Thus, while being stored in the charging cabinet
26, the terminal device 20 can transmit or receive data via the
information processing device 32, and can be subjected to remote
control via the information processing device 32. Thus, the
terminal device 20, while connected to the charge control device 30
via the cable 34, can be connected to an appropriate access point
in a wireless manner.
[0242] When the terminal device 20 is disconnected from the charge
control device 30 via the cable 34, the access-point controller 516
causes the wireless communicator 68 to wirelessly connect to a
predefined second access point different from the first access
point. The access-point controller 516 determines disconnection of
the terminal device 20 from the charge control device 30 via the
cable 34 on the basis of a result of the determination by the
cable-connection determiner 512 and a result of the determination
by the device determiner 514.
[0243] In the present embodiment, the wireless communication device
24 located outside the charging cabinet 26 provides the second
access point. Thus, when the terminal device 20 is disconnected
from the charge control device 30, the access-point controller 516
causes the wireless communicator 68 to connect to the wireless
communication device 24 in a wireless manner.
[0244] Thereby, being extracted from the charging cabinet 26, the
terminal device 20 can be wirelessly connected to the wireless
communication device 24. That is, the terminal device 20 can be
firmly connected to the access point in a wireless manner at higher
radio field intensity. In this manner, the terminal device 20, when
disconnected from the charge control device 30, can be wirelessly
connected to an appropriate access point.
[0245] When disconnected from the charge control device 30 via the
cable 34, the access-point controller 516 may invalidate setting
information for wireless connection to the first access point set
to the wireless communicator 68. Upon invalidation of the setting
information, the wireless communicator 68 searches the surroundings
for an appropriate access point, and wirelessly connect to the
access point. Thus, the terminal device 20, when disconnected from
the charge control device 30, can invalidate a wireless connection
to an inappropriate access point, and can wirelessly connect to an
appropriate, new access point.
[0246] FIG. 21 is a flowchart illustrating first processing of the
processing circuit 66 according to the fifth embodiment. In the
fifth embodiment, the processing circuit 66 performs processing,
following the procedure illustrated in FIG. 21.
[0247] At S511, the processing circuit 66 determines whether the
terminal device 20 is connected to any device via the cable 34. If
the terminal device 20 is not connected to any device (No at S511),
the processing circuit 66 stands by at S511. If the terminal device
20 is connected to a device (Yes at S511), the processing circuit
66 proceeds to S512.
[0248] At S512, the processing circuit 66 determines whether the
terminal device 20 is connected to the charge control device 30 via
the cable 34. If the terminal device 20 is not connected to the
charge control device 30 (No at S512), the processing circuit 66
ends this processing. If the terminal device 20 is connected to the
charge control device 30 (Yes at S512), the processing circuit 66
proceeds to S513.
[0249] At S513, the processing circuit 66 instructs the wireless
communicator 68 to wirelessly connect to the first access point
associated with the charge control device 30. In the present
embodiment, the processing circuit 66 instructs the wireless
communicator 68 to wirelessly connect to the internal wireless
communication device 40 of the information processing device 32.
After completing S513, the processing circuit 66 ends this
processing.
[0250] FIG. 22 is a flowchart illustrating second processing of the
processing circuit 66 according to the fifth embodiment. In the
fifth embodiment, the processing circuit 66 performs processing
while the terminal device 20 is connected to the charge control
device 30 via the cable 34, following the procedure illustrated in
FIG. 22.
[0251] At S521, the processing circuit 66 determines whether the
terminal device 20 is disconnected from the charge control device
30 via the cable 34. If the terminal device 20 is not disconnected
(No at S521), the processing circuit 66 stands by at S521. If the
terminal device 20 is disconnected (Yes at S521), the processing
circuit 66 proceeds to S522.
[0252] At S522, the processing circuit 66 instructs the wireless
communicator 68 to wirelessly connect to the second access point
different from the first access point. In the embodiment, the
processing circuit 66 instructs the wireless communicator 68 to
wirelessly connect to the wireless communication device 24 located
outside the charging cabinet 26. After completing S522, the
processing circuit 66 ends this processing.
[0253] At S522, the processing circuit 66 may invalidate the
setting information for a wireless connection to the first access
point set to the wireless communicator 68, instead of wirelessly
connecting the wireless communicator 68 to the second access point.
Upon invalidation of the setting information, the wireless
communicator 68 searches the surroundings for an appropriate access
point and wirelessly connect to the access point. In this manner,
the terminal device 20 can be wirelessly connected to the access
point at higher radio field intensity outside the charging cabinet
26.
[0254] The terminal device 20 according to the fifth embodiment
described above exhibits the following effects.
[0255] Being connected to the charge control device 30 via the
cable 34, the terminal device 20 of the fifth embodiment causes the
wireless communicator 68 to wirelessly connect to the first access
point associated with the charge control device 30. That is, while
being in connection with the charge control device 30 via the cable
34, the terminal device 20 of the fifth embodiment can be connected
to an appropriate access point in a wireless manner.
[0256] When disconnected from the charge control device 30 via the
cable 34, the terminal device 20 of the fifth embodiment causes the
wireless communicator 68 to connect to the second access point in a
wireless manner. Thereby, the terminal device 20 of the fifth
embodiment can be connected to an appropriate access point in a
wireless manner, when disconnected from the charge control device
30 via the cable 34.
[0257] When disconnected from the charge control device 30 via the
cable 34, the terminal device 20 of the fifth embodiment
invalidates the setting information for the wireless communicator
68 to wirelessly connect to the first access point set to the
wireless communicator 68. Thereby, the terminal device 20 of the
fifth embodiment can invalidate a wireless connection to an
inappropriate access point, and can be connected to an appropriate,
new access point.
[0258] When connected to a device via the cable 34, the terminal
device 20 of the fifth embodiment determines whether the device is
the charge control device 30 on the basis of the information
received via the cable 34. Thereby, the terminal device 20 of the
fifth embodiment can correctly determine whether the connected
device via the cable 34 is the charge control device 30.
[0259] Computer Program
[0260] The computer program executed by the charge control device
30 or the terminal device 20 in any of the first to fifth
embodiments is recorded and provided in an installable or
executable file format on a computer-readable recording medium such
as a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a flexible disk (FD),
a compact disc recordable (CD-R), and a digital versatile disc
(DVD).
[0261] The computer program executed by the charge control device
30 or the terminal device 20 in any of the first to fifth
embodiments may be stored and provided in a computer connected to a
network such as the Internet by being downloaded via the network.
The computer program executed by the charge control device 30 or
the terminal device 20 in any of the first to fifth embodiments may
be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. The
computer program executed by the charge control device 30 or the
terminal device 20 in any of the first to fifth embodiments may be
incorporated in advance in a ROM, for example.
[0262] 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
methods and systems described herein may be embodied in a variety
of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and
changes in the form of the methods and systems 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.
[0263] The first embodiment can include the following examples.
First Example of First Embodiment
[0264] A control device controls power supply to a terminal device.
The control device includes a power supply controller that is
connectable to the terminal device via a cable, and supplies power
to the terminal device and communicates information with the
terminal device via the cable; a power-command acquirer that
receives a wake-up command from an information processing device,
the wake-up command serving to boot the terminal device; a
power-switch controller that instructs the power supply controller
to output a switch-push signal to the terminal device, in response
to receipt of the wake-up command, the switch-push signal serving
to switch a state of a power switch of the terminal device; and a
power-command mask that masks the wake-up command, in response to
receipt of the wake-up command during a running state of the
terminal device.
Second Example of First Embodiment
[0265] According to the control device in the first example of the
first embodiment, the power-command acquirer receives a shutdown
command for shutting down the terminal device. The power-switch
controller instructs the power supply controller to output the
switch-push signal to the terminal device, in response to receipt
of the wake-up command or the shutdown command. The power-command
mask masks the shutdown command, in response to receipt of the
shutdown command during a non-running state of the terminal
device.
Third Example of First Embodiment
[0266] According to the second example of the first embodiment, the
control device further includes a power-status notifier. In
response to receipt of the shutdown command during the running
state of the terminal device, the power-status notifier returns
notification information to the information processing device after
the terminal device transitions from the running state to the
non-running state. The notification information represents a state
of the power supply of the terminal device. In response to receipt
of the wake-up command during the non-running state of the terminal
device, the power-status notifier returns the notification
information to the information processing device after the terminal
device transitions from the non-running state to the running
state.
Fourth Example of First Embodiment
[0267] According to the control device in the third example of the
first embodiment, the power-command mask returns the notification
information to the information processing device, in response to
receipt of the wake-up command during the running state of the
terminal device. The power-command mask returns the notification
information to the information processing device, in response to
receipt of the shutdown command during the non-running state of the
terminal device.
Fifth Example of First Embodiment
[0268] The control device according to one of the second to the
fourth examples of the first embodiment further includes a
power-status manager that manages the running state or the
non-running state of the power supply of the terminal device on the
basis of information received from the terminal device via the
cable.
Sixth Example of First Embodiment
[0269] According to the control device in the fifth example of the
first embodiment, the power-status manager manages a shutdown
state, a hibernation, and a sleep state as the non-running state in
a distinctive manner.
Seventh Example of First Embodiment
[0270] An information processing system includes a terminal device;
and a control device that controls power supply to the terminal
device. The control device includes a power supply controller that
is connectable to the terminal device via a cable, and supplies
power to the terminal device and communicates information with the
terminal device via the cable; a power-command acquirer that
receives a wake-up command from an information processing device,
the wake-up command serving to boot the terminal device; a
power-switch controller that instructs the power supply controller
to output a switch-push signal to the terminal device, in response
to receipt of the wake-up command, the switch-push signal serving
to switch a state of a power switch of the terminal device; and a
power-command mask that masks the wake-up command, in response to
receipt of the wake-up command during a running state of the
terminal device.
Eighth Example of First Embodiment
[0271] A computer program product includes programmed instructions
embodied in and stored on a non-transitory computer readable
medium. The instructions are to be executed by a processor of a
control device that controls power supply to a terminal device, and
includes a power supply controller that is connectable to the
terminal device via a cable, and supplies power to the terminal
device and communicates information with the terminal device via
the cable. The instructions, when executed by the processor, cause
the processor to function as a power-command acquirer that receives
a wake-up command from an information processing device, the
wake-up command serving to boot the terminal device; a power-switch
controller that instructs the power supply controller to output a
switch-push signal to the terminal device, in response to receipt
of the wake-up command, the switch-push signal serving to switch a
state of a power switch of the terminal device; and a power-command
mask that masks the wake-up command, in response to receipt of the
wake-up command during a running state of the terminal device.
[0272] The second embodiment can include the following
examples.
First Example of Second Embodiment
[0273] A control device controls power supply to a terminal device.
The control device includes a power supply controller that is
connectable to the terminal device via a cable, supplies power to
the terminal device and communicates information with the terminal
device via the cable, and determines a combination of a supply
voltage and a supply current to the terminal device through
communication with the terminal device via the cable; a
reconnection controller that causes the power supply controller to
disconnect power supply to and communication of information with
the terminal device via the cable, and then reconnect power supply
to and communication of information with the terminal device via
the cable, in the case of changing the combination of the supply
voltage and the supply current to the terminal device; and a
profile changer that sets a power profile to the power supply
controller in the case of changing the combination of the supply
voltage and the supply current to the terminal device, the power
profile representing the combination of a voltage and a current
that are able to be supplied to the terminal device.
Second Example of Second Embodiment
[0274] According to the control device in the first example of the
second embodiment, the power supply controller transmits, to the
terminal device, power-delivery object information including one or
more preset power profiles; receives, from the terminal device, a
response indicating the power profile requested by the terminal
device, and starts supplying power to the terminal device according
to the power profile indicated by the response.
Third Example of Second Embodiment
[0275] According to the control device in the second example of the
second embodiment, after disconnection of power supply and
communication of information with the terminal device via the
cable, the profile changer sets, to the power supply controller,
the power profile indicating a voltage and a current that are able
to be supplied to the terminal device after the change, before
reconnecting power supply and communication of information with the
terminal device via the cable.
Fourth Example of Second Embodiment
[0276] According to the control device in the second and the third
examples of the second embodiment, the reconnection controller
gives a reset instruction to the power supply controller to
disconnect power supply to and communication of information with
the terminal device via the cable, and gives a reset cancelling
instruction to the power supply controller to reconnect power
supply to and communication of information with the terminal device
via the cable.
Fifth Example of Second Embodiment
[0277] According to the control device in the fourth example of the
second embodiment, after the reconnection controller gives the
reset canceling instruction, the profile changer sets, to the power
supply controller, the power profile requesting a power supply to
the terminal device before the power supply controller transmits
the power-delivery object information to the terminal device.
Sixth Example of Second Embodiment
[0278] An information processing system includes a terminal device
and a control device that controls power supply to the terminal
device. The control device includes a power supply controller that
is connectable to the terminal device via a cable, supplies power
to the terminal device and communicates information with the
terminal device via the cable, and determines a combination of a
supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device through
communication with the terminal device via the cable; a
reconnection controller that causes the power supply controller to
disconnect power supply to and communication of information with
the terminal device via the cable, and then reconnect power supply
to and communication of information with the terminal device via
the cable, in the case of changing the combination of the supply
voltage and the supply current to the terminal device; and a
profile changer that sets a power profile to the power supply
controller in the case of changing the combination of the supply
voltage and the supply current to the terminal device, the power
profile representing the combination of a voltage and a current
that are able to be supplied to the terminal device.
Seventh Example of Second Embodiment
[0279] A computer program product includes programmed instructions
embodied in and stored on a non-transitory computer readable
medium. The instructions are to be executed by a processor of a
control device that controls power supply to a terminal device The
control device includes a power supply controller that is
connectable to the terminal device via a cable, supplies power to
the terminal device and communicates information with the terminal
device via the cable, and determines a combination of a supply
voltage and a supply current to the terminal device through
communication with the terminal device via the cable. When executed
by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to function
as a reconnection controller that causes the power supply
controller to disconnect power supply to and communication of
information with the terminal device via the cable, and then
reconnect power supply to and communication of information with the
terminal device via the cable, in the case of changing the
combination of the supply voltage and the supply current to the
terminal device; and a profile changer that sets a power profile to
the power supply controller in the case of changing the combination
of the supply voltage and the supply current to the terminal
device, the power profile representing the combination of a voltage
and a current that are able to be supplied to the terminal
device.
Eighth Example of Second Embodiment
[0280] A container stores a plurality of terminal devices to be
extractable by a user. The container includes a plurality of
control devices each of which is connectable to any of the terminal
devices via a cable, and controls power supply to the terminal
device connected via the cable; and an information processing
device that controls the control devices. The control devices each
include a power supply controller that is connectable to the
terminal device via a cable, supplies power to the terminal device
and communicates information with the terminal device via the
cable, and determines a combination of a supply voltage and a
supply current to the terminal device through communication with
the terminal device via the cable; a reconnection controller that
causes the power supply controller to disconnect power supply to
and communication of information with the terminal device via the
cable, and then reconnect power supply to and communication of
information with the terminal device via the cable, in response to
receipt of a change command for changing the supply voltage and the
supply current to the terminal device from the information
processing device; and a profile changer that sets a power profile
to the power supply controller in response to receipt of the change
command, the power profile representing the combination of a
voltage and a current that are able to be supplied to the terminal
device. The information processing device gives the change command
to the control devices to alternately charge part of the terminal
devices in order.
[0281] The third embodiment can include the following examples.
First Example of Third Embodiment
[0282] A control device controls power supply to a terminal device.
The control device includes that is connectable to the terminal
device via a cable, supplies power to the terminal device and
communicates information with the terminal device via the cable,
and determines a combination of a supply voltage and a supply
current to the terminal device through communication with the
terminal device via the cable; a change-command acquirer that
receives, from an information processing device, a change command
for changing a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal
device; and a profile changer that sets a power profile to the
power supply controller in response to receipt of the change
command, the power profile representing the voltage and the current
that are able to be supplied to the terminal device. The
change-command acquirer rejects reception of the change command
during execution of a power delivery sequence for determining a
supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device.
Second Example of Third Embodiment
[0283] According to the control device in the first example of the
third embodiment, in the power delivery sequence, the power supply
controller transmits, to the terminal device, power-delivery object
information including one or more preset power profiles; receives,
from the terminal device, a response indicating the power profile
requested by the terminal device; and starts supplying power to the
terminal device according to the power profile indicated by the
response.
Third Example of Third Embodiment
[0284] According to the control device in the first or the second
example of the third embodiment, after rejecting reception of the
change command, the change-command acquirer returns, to the
information processing device, notification information indicating
the rejection of reception of the change command.
Fourth Example of Third Embodiment
[0285] The control device according to any of the first to the
third examples of the third embodiment further includes a power
supply manager that manages at least one of the power profiles used
by the power supply controller which supplies power to the terminal
device; and a change command mask that masks the change command
during power supply according to a default power profile, in
response to receipt of the change command for supplying power
according to the default power profile, the default power profile
defined by the standard.
Fifth Example of Third Embodiment
[0286] According to the control device in the fourth example of the
third embodiment, the change command mask masks the change command
during power supply at a non-default power profile, in response to
receipt of the change command for supplying power at the
non-default power profile, the non-default power profile defined by
a standard defining specifications for power supply and
communication of information using the cable.
Sixth Example of Third Embodiment
[0287] According to the control device in the fourth or the fifth
example of the third embodiment, the default power profile
indicates a combination of a minimum voltage and a minimum current
among voltages and currents defined to be able to be supplied by
the standard.
Seventh Example of Third Embodiment
[0288] An information processing system includes a terminal device;
and a control device that controls power supply to the terminal
device. The control device includes a power supply controller that
is connectable to the terminal device via a cable, supplies power
to the terminal device and communicates information with the
terminal device via the cable, and determines a combination of a
supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal device through
communication with the terminal device via the cable; a
change-command acquirer that receives, from an information
processing device, a change command for changing a supply voltage
and a supply current to the terminal device; and a profile changer
that sets, to the power supply controller, a power profile
indicating the voltage and the current that are able to be supplied
to the terminal device, in response to receipt of the change
command. The change-command acquirer rejects reception of the
change command during execution of a power delivery sequence for
determining a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal
device.
Eighth Example of Third Embodiment
[0289] A computer program product includes programmed instructions
embodied in and stored on a non-transitory computer readable
medium. The instructions are to be executed by a processor of a
control device that controls power supply to a terminal device The
control device includes a power supply controller that is
connectable to the terminal device via a cable, supplies power to
the terminal device and communicates information with the terminal
device via the cable, and determines a combination of a supply
voltage and a supply current to the terminal device through
communication with the terminal device via the cable. When executed
by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to function
as a change-command acquirer that receives, from an information
processing device, a change command for changing a supply voltage
and a supply current to the terminal device; and a profile changer
that sets a power profile to the power supply controller, in
response to receipt of the change command, the power profile
indicating a voltage and a current that are able to be supplied to
the terminal device. The change-command acquirer rejects reception
of the change command during execution of a power delivery sequence
for determining a supply voltage and a supply current to the
terminal device.
[0290] The fourth embodiment can include the following
examples.
First Example of Fourth Embodiment
[0291] A control device controls power supply to a terminal device.
The control device includes a power supply controller that is
connectable to the terminal device via a cable, supplies power to
the terminal device and communicates information with the terminal
device via the cable, and determines a combination of a supply
voltage and a supply current to the terminal device through
communication with the terminal device via the cable; a
reconnection controller that causes the power supply controller to
disconnect power supply to and communication of information with
the terminal device via the cable, and then reconnect power supply
to and communication of information with the terminal device via
the cable, in the case of changing the combination of a supply
voltage and a supply current to the terminal device; a cable-status
notifier that transmits notification information indicating a
connection state of the cable to an information processing device,
in response to a change in the connection state of the cable; and a
notification mask that mask the notification information on the
connection state of the cable to the information processing device
during execution of a power delivery sequence for changing the
combination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the
terminal device.
Second Example of Fourth Embodiment
[0292] According to the control device in the first example of the
fourth embodiment, after end of the power delivery sequence, the
cable-status notifier transmits the notification information
indicating the connection state of the cable to the information
processing device, in response to a change in the connection state
of the cable from before the power delivery sequence.
Third Example of Fourth Embodiment
[0293] According to the control device in the first or the second
example of the fourth embodiment, the reconnection controller gives
a reset instruction to the power supply controller to disconnect
power supply to and communication of information with the terminal
device via the cable, and gives a reset cancelling instruction to
the power supply controller to reconnect power supply to and
communication of information with the terminal device via the
cable.
Fourth Example of Fourth Embodiment
[0294] An information processing system includes a terminal device;
and a control device that controls power supply to the terminal
device. The control device includes a power supply controller that
is connectable to the terminal device via a cable, supplies power
to the terminal device and communicates information with the
terminal device via the cable, and determines a combination of a
voltage and a current to be supplied to the terminal device through
communication with the terminal device via the cable; a
reconnection controller that causes the power supply controller to
disconnect power supply to and communication of information with
the terminal device via the cable, and then reconnect power supply
to and communication of information with the terminal device via
the cable, in the case of changing the combination of a supply
voltage and a supply current to the terminal device; a cable-status
notifier that transmits notification information indicating a
connection state of the cable to an information processing device,
in response to a change in the connection state of the cable; and a
notification mask that masks the notification information on the
connection state of the cable to the information processing device
during execution of a power delivery sequence for changing the
combination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the
terminal device.
Fifth Example of Fourth Embodiment
[0295] A computer program product includes programmed instructions
embodied in and stored on a non-transitory computer readable
medium. The instructions are to be executed by a processor of a
control device that controls power supply to a terminal device The
control device includes a power supply controller that is
connectable to the terminal device via a cable, supplies power to
the terminal device and communicates information with the terminal
device via the cable, and determines a combination of a supply
voltage and a supply current to the terminal device through
communication with the terminal device via the cable. When executed
by the processor, the instructions cause the processor to function
as: a reconnection controller that causes the power supply
controller to disconnect power supply to and communication of
information with the terminal device via the cable, and then
reconnect power supply to and communication of information with the
terminal device via the cable, in the case of changing the
combination of a supply voltage and a supply current to the
terminal device; a cable-status notifier that transmits
notification information indicating a connection state of the cable
to an information processing device, in response to a change in the
connection state of the cable; and a notification mask that mask
the notification information on the connection state of the cable
to the information processing device during execution of a power
delivery sequence for changing the combination of a supply voltage
and a supply current to the terminal device.
Sixth Example of Fourth Embodiment
[0296] A control device controls power supply to a terminal device.
The control device includes a power supply controller that is
connectable to the terminal device via a cable, supplies power to
the terminal device and communicates information with the terminal
device via the cable, and determines a combination of a supply
voltage and a supply current to the terminal device through
communication with the terminal device via the cable; a
reconnection controller that causes the power supply controller to
disconnect power supply to and communication of information with
the terminal device via the cable, and then reconnect power supply
and communication of information with the terminal device via the
cable, in the case of changing the combination of a supply voltage
and a supply current to the terminal device; a cable-status
notifier that transmits notification information indicating a
connection state of the cable to an information processing device,
in response to a change in the connection state of the cable;
and
[0297] a notification mask that prevents the cable-status notifier
from transmitting the notification information on the connection
state of the cable to the information processing device during
execution of a power delivery sequence for changing the combination
of a supply voltage and a supply current to the terminal
device.
[0298] The fifth embodiment can include the following examples.
First Example of Fifth Embodiment
[0299] A terminal device is a computer portable by a user. The
terminal device includes a power supply controller that is
connectable to a device via a cable and supplied with power from
the device, and communicates information with the device via the
cable; a wireless communicator that is wirelessly connected to an
access point to communicate information via a network; and an
access-point controller that causes, when connected to a predefined
control device via the cable, the wireless communicator to
wirelessly connect to a first access point associated with the
control device.
Second Example of Fifth Embodiment
[0300] According to the terminal device in the first example of the
fifth embodiment, when disconnected from the control device via the
cable, the access-point controller causes the wireless communicator
to wirelessly connect to a predetermined second access point
different from the first access point.
Third Example of Fifth Embodiment
[0301] According to the terminal device in the first example of the
fifth embodiment, when disconnected from the control device via the
cable, the access-point controller invalidates setting information
for wirelessly connecting to the first access point set to the
wireless communicator.
Fourth Example of Fifth Embodiment
[0302] The terminal device according to any of the first to the
third examples of the fifth embodiment further includes a device
determiner that determines, when connected to the device via the
cable, whether the device is the control device on the basis of
information received via the cable.
Fifth Example of Fifth Embodiment
[0303] An information processing system includes a terminal device
as a computer portable by a user; and a control device that
controls power supply to the terminal device. The terminal device
includes a power supply controller that is connectable to a device
via a cable and is supplied with power from the device, and
communicates information with the device via the cable; a wireless
communicator that is wirelessly connected to an access point to
communicate information via a network; and an access-point
controller that causes, when connected to a predefined control
device via the cable, the wireless communicator to wirelessly
connect to a first access point associated with the control
device.
Sixth Example of Fifth Embodiment
[0304] A computer program product includes programmed instructions
embodied in and stored on a non-transitory computer readable
medium. The instructions are to be executed by a processing circuit
of a terminal device serving as a computer portable by a user. The
terminal device includes a power supply controller that is
connectable to a device via a cable and supplied with power from
the device, and communicates information with the device via the
cable; and a wireless communicator that is wirelessly connected to
an access point to communicate information via a network. When
executed by the processing circuit, the instructions cause the
processing circuit to function as an access-point controller that
that causes, when connected to a predefined control device via the
cable, the wireless communicator to wirelessly connect to a first
access point associated with the control device.
* * * * *