JP2005149225A - Computer system and starting method for the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To shorten time to enable operation when a main switch is turned on. <P>SOLUTION: In addition to a main power source part 4, an auxiliary power source part 6 is provided. While the main switch 3 is off, the auxiliary power source part 6 supplies an operating voltage to a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a pre-boot loader 14 and a microcomputer 15. Between when a plug 2 is inserted in an electrical outlet and when the main switch 3 is turned on, the pre-boot loader 14 reads out an OS kernel stored in the ROM 12 to transfer it to the RAM 13, which stores it. Just after the main switch 3 is turned on, the OS kernel is executed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a computer system mounted on an electronic device such as a personal computer or a recording / reproducing apparatus equipped with a hard disk.

  In general, a computer system requires time from when a user inserts a plug into an outlet and turns on a main switch until the user can work.

  More specifically, in the computer system 100 shown in FIG. 3A, first, the CPU 101 to which the operating voltage is supplied reads the boot loader stored at a predetermined address on the ROM 102 and transfers it to the RAM 103. Next, the boot loader transferred to the RAM 103 is decompressed and recorded in the RAM 103. Next, the CPU 101 executes a boot loader recorded in the RAM 103 to read out an OS (Operating System) basic function (hereinafter referred to as an OS kernel) (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Next, the CPU 101 performs decompression processing on the OS kernel transferred to the RAM 103 and records it in the RAM 103. Then, the CPU 101 executes the OS kernel stored in the RAM 103.

  Therefore, in the computer system 100, the CPU 101 stores the boot loader stored in the ROM 102 as shown in FIG. 3B from when the user inserts the plug into the outlet and turns on the main switch and becomes ready to work. And a time T1 for reading out the OS kernel and transferring it to the RAM 103, a time T2 for performing decompression processing on the boot loader and the OS kernel and recording them in the RAM 103, and a time for executing the boot loader and the OS kernel stored in the RAM 103 by the CPU 101 The total time of T3 is required.

  In other words, the computer system 100 takes a long time to be ready for work, and stresses the user during use.

  Therefore, as a method for shortening the time until the computer system 100 is ready for work, there is a method in which the OS kernel subjected to the decompression process is stored in the ROM 102 and the CPU 101 executes the OS kernel stored in the ROM 102. Proposed.

  By adopting this method, as shown in FIG. 3C, the computer system 100 stores in the ROM 102 until the computer system 100 becomes operable after the plug is inserted into the outlet and the main switch is turned on. The time T1 for reading the stored boot loader and OS kernel and transferring it to the RAM 103, and the time T2 for performing the decompression process on the boot loader and OS kernel are shortened, and the CPU 101 executes the boot loader and OS kernel stored in the RAM. Instead of the time T3 to execute, the time T4 for the CPU 101 to execute the OS kernel stored in the ROM 102 is required.

  However, the time required for the CPU 101 to access the ROM 102 is longer than the time required to access the RAM 103. In particular, as compared with SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) that enables so-called burst transfer, the access time of the CPU 101 to the ROM 102 is about five times.

  Therefore, even when the OS kernel that has been decompressed is recorded in the ROM 102 and the CPU 101 uses the OS kernel stored in the ROM 102, the electronic device equipped with the computer system 100 can work. It takes a long time to reach a state, and it becomes impossible to reduce the stress applied to the user.

JP-A-5-217005

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described conventional situation, has a computer function, and can be operated after the main power source is connected to an external power source through a connection terminal and the switch is turned on. An object is to provide a computer system that takes a short time to become.

  The computer system according to the present invention includes a storage unit storing an initial program, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and an initial program recording for transferring and recording the initial program stored in the storage unit to the RAM. Means, a program execution means for executing a program stored in the RAM, and a main power supply for supplying an operating voltage to the storage means, the RAM, and the program execution means. Auxiliary power supplied with voltage from the external power supply and supplying operating voltage to the storage means, the RAM, and the initial program recording means, and a connection terminal for connecting the main power supply and the auxiliary power supply to the external power supply Supply of the operating voltage from the main power supply unit to the storage means, the RAM, and the program execution means. And the auxiliary power supply is configured such that when the switch is turned off and connected to the external power supply by the connection terminal, the storage means, the RAM, and the initial power supply An operating voltage is supplied to the program recording means. The initial program recording means is supplied from the auxiliary power source when the switch is turned off and the auxiliary power source is connected to an external power source by the connection terminal. The initial program stored in the storage means is transferred to and recorded in the RAM using the recorded operating voltage, and the program execution means is stored in the RAM when the switch is turned on. The execution of the initial program is started.

  Further, according to the computer system startup method of the present invention, the storage means storing the initial program, the RAM (Random Access Memory), the program execution means for executing the program stored in the RAM, the external A main power supply for supplying an operating voltage to the storage means, the RAM, and the program execution means, a connection terminal for connecting the main power supply to the external power supply, and the storage from the main power supply unit. And a switch for turning on or off the supply of the operating voltage to the program execution means, wherein the main power source is connected to the external power source via the connection terminal. And an initial step of transferring and recording the initial program stored in the storage means to the RAM. A program recording step, an operation voltage supply step of turning on the switch and supplying an operation voltage to the program execution means, and the program execution means using the operation voltage supplied in the operation voltage supply step. And an initial program execution step for executing the initial program recorded in the RAM in the recording step.

  In the computer system according to the present invention, the initial program recording means is operated by the operating voltage supplied from the auxiliary power source after the main power source and the external power source are connected by the connection terminal until the switch is turned on. The initial program stored in the storage means is read out and transferred to the RAM for recording.

  Further, according to the computer system startup method of the present invention, the initial program stored in the storage means is stored after the main power source and the external power source are connected by the connection terminal until the switch is turned on. Read and transfer to RAM for recording.

  That is, according to the computer system and the startup method thereof according to the present invention, the initial program stored in the storage means is read out and transferred to the RAM from when the switch is turned on until it can be operated. Time is omitted. Therefore, the program execution means can execute the initial program stored in the RAM immediately after the switch is turned on.

  Therefore, according to the computer system and the activation method thereof according to the present invention, the time required from when the switch is turned on to when the work can be performed is shortened, and the convenience is improved. In addition, it is possible to reduce the stress felt by the user after the switch is turned on.

  Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, a computer system 1 to which the present invention is applied as shown in FIG. 1 will be described. The computer system 1 is mounted on an electronic device such as a personal computer or a recording / reproducing apparatus equipped with a hard disk.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the computer system 1 includes a plug 2, a main switch 3 connected to the plug 2, and a main power supply unit 4 connected to the main switch 3. Further, the computer system 1 is connected to the sub switch 5 connected to the plug 2, the auxiliary power supply unit 6 connected to the sub switch 5, and the auxiliary power supply unit 6, and the first output terminal 7a, And a change-over switch 7 provided with a second output terminal 7b and an input terminal 7c.

  The computer system 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11 connected to the main power supply unit 4, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 connected to the main power supply unit 4 and the first output terminal 7a, A RAM (Random Access Memory) 13 connected to the main power supply unit 4, the first output terminal 7a, and the second output terminal 7b, and a preboot loader 14 connected to the first output terminal 7a are provided. .

  The computer system 1 is connected to the main power supply unit 4, the first output terminal 7 a, and the second output terminal 7 b, and based on the connection of the main switch 3, the connection of the sub switch 5 and the changeover switch 7 is performed. A microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 15 is provided.

  The CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, and the preboot loader 14 are connected via a bus 16.

  The plug 2 is inserted into an outlet. When the plug 2 is inserted into the outlet, a voltage is supplied from the commercial AC power source to the main power source unit 4 or the auxiliary power source unit 6.

  The main switch 3 is provided between the plug 2 and the main power supply unit 4 and is a switch for turning on or off the supply of voltage from the commercial AC power supply to the main power supply unit 4. When the supply of voltage from the commercial AC power supply to the main power supply unit 4 is turned on, the supply of voltage from the main power supply unit 4 to each unit is started. Further, when the supply of voltage from the commercial AC power supply to the main power supply unit 4 is turned off, the supply of voltage from the main power supply unit 4 to each unit is stopped. The main switch 3 is turned on or off by being operated by the user.

  The main power supply unit 4 is supplied with a voltage from a commercial AC power supply when the main switch 3 is on, and supplies an operating voltage to the CPU 11, the ROM 12, the RAM 13, and the microcomputer 15. Although illustration is omitted, the main power supply unit 4 also supplies an operating voltage to each unit constituting the electronic device in which the computer system 1 is mounted. For example, when the computer system 1 is mounted on a personal computer, an operating voltage is supplied to a display unit, a hard disk drive, and the like.

  The sub switch 5 is provided between the plug 2 and the auxiliary power supply unit 6 and is a switch for turning on or off the supply of commercial AC power to the auxiliary power supply unit 6. The sub switch 5 is turned off when the main switch 3 is turned on, and turned on when the main switch 3 is turned off. The sub switch 5 is turned on and off based on the control of the microcomputer 15. In the present embodiment, the sub switch 5 is turned on when the plug 2 is pulled out from the outlet.

  When the sub switch 5 is turned on, that is, when the main switch 3 is turned off, the auxiliary power supply unit 6 is supplied with a voltage from a commercial AC power supply, and the ROM 12 and the RAM 13 are connected via the changeover switch 7. The operating voltage is supplied to the preboot loader 14 and the microcomputer 15.

  The changeover switch 7 switches the connection between the auxiliary power supply unit 6 and the ROM 12, RAM 13, preboot loader 14, and microcomputer 15. Specifically, the changeover switch 7 is provided with a first output terminal 7a, a second output terminal 7b, and an input terminal 7c.

  The first output terminal 7 a is connected to the ROM 12, RAM 13, preboot loader 14, and microcomputer 15, and the second output terminal 7 b is connected to the RAM 13 and microcomputer 15. That is, when the first output terminal 7 a and the input terminal 7 c are connected, the voltage output from the auxiliary power supply unit 6 is supplied to the ROM 12, RAM 13, preboot loader 14, and microcomputer 15. Further, when the second output terminal 7 b and the input terminal 7 c are connected, the voltage output from the auxiliary power supply unit 6 is supplied to the RAM 13 and the microcomputer 15.

  The changeover switch 7 connects one of the first output terminal 7 a and the second output terminal 7 b and the input terminal 7 c based on the control of the microcomputer 15. Specifically, the first output terminal 7a and the input terminal 7c are connected and the main switch 3 is turned off until the main switch 3 is turned on after the plug 2 is inserted into the outlet. Until the plug 2 is pulled out from the outlet, the second output terminal 7b and the input terminal 7c are connected. In other words, when the plug 2 is not inserted into the outlet and the plug 2 is inserted into the outlet and the main switch 3 is turned off, the first output terminal 7a and the input terminal 7c is connected, and the second output terminal 7b and the input terminal 7c are connected when the main switch 3 shifts from the on state to the off state and is not pulled out from the plug 2. .

  The CPU 11 executes a program stored in the RAM 13 and controls each unit provided in the computer system 1 and each unit provided in an electronic device in which the computer system 1 is mounted. The program stored in the RAM 13 is a program that has been transferred to a program recorded in the ROM 12 or a memory (not shown) and subjected to processing such as decompression. The CPU 11 is supplied with an operating voltage from the main power supply unit 4 when the main switch 3 is turned on.

  The ROM 12 stores programs such as an OS (Operating System) and data. The ROM 12 is supplied with an operating voltage from the main power supply unit 4 when the main switch 3 is turned on, and the auxiliary power supply unit from when the user inserts the plug 2 into the outlet until the main switch 3 is turned on. An operating voltage is supplied from 6.

  The RAM 13 serves as a work area for the CPU 11. Specifically, a program stored in the ROM 12 or a memory is transferred to the RAM 13 and stored in a decompressed state when compressed. The program stored in the RAM 13 is executed by the CPU 11. Further, during the period from when the main switch 3 is turned off until the plug 2 is pulled out from the outlet, the stored program is continuously stored using the operating voltage supplied via the second output terminal 7b. . The RAM 13 is supplied with operating voltage from the main power supply unit 4 when the main switch 3 is turned on, and is supplied with operating voltage from the auxiliary power supply unit 6 when the main switch 3 is turned off.

  As the RAM 13, an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory) is preferably used. The SDRAM can perform burst transfer of stored data. Therefore, by adopting the SDRAM, the time required for the CPU 11 to execute the boot loader after the main switch 3 is turned on can be shortened.

  Note that the data stored in the RAM 13 is erased when the operating voltage is no longer supplied to the RAM 13. That is, it is erased when the plug 2 is pulled out from the outlet.

  The preboot loader 14 stores basic functions (hereinafter referred to as OS kernels) of an OS (Operation System) stored in the ROM 12 between the plug 2 being inserted into the outlet and the main switch 3 being turned on. Read out, transfer to RAM 13, and record. When the OS kernel is stored in the ROM 12 in a compressed state, the OS kernel is decompressed, and the decompressed OS kernel is recorded in the RAM 13. The preboot loader 14 is supplied with an operating voltage from the auxiliary power supply unit 6.

  The preboot loader 14 is a kind of direct memory access controller, and sequentially reads data from a specific address on the ROM 12 and transfers it to the RAM 13. The transferred data is recorded in an area on the RAM 13 starting from an address (hereinafter, also referred to as a head address) where data read out immediately after the CPU 11 is stored. Since the storage location of the OS kernel in the ROM 12, the start address of the RAM 13, the data amount of the OS kernel, and the like are uniquely determined by the system architecture, they can be set in the preboot loader 14 in advance.

  The microcomputer 15 controls the sub switch 5 and the changeover switch 7. More specifically, it is detected that the main switch 3 is turned on, the sub switch 5 is turned on, and it is detected that the main switch 3 is turned off, and the sub switch 5 is turned off. Further, the microcomputer 15 detects that the plug 2 has been inserted from the state where it is not inserted into the outlet, and connects the first output terminal 7 a and the input terminal 7 c provided in the changeover switch 7. Then, it is detected that the main switch 3 has shifted from the on state to the off state, and the second output terminal 7b and the input terminal 7c provided in the changeover switch 7 are connected. The microcomputer 15 is supplied with an operating voltage from the main power supply unit 4 when the main switch 3 is turned on, and is supplied with an operating voltage from the auxiliary power supply unit 6 when the main switch 3 is turned off.

  An example of a method for detecting that the plug 2 has been inserted from a state where it is not inserted into the outlet is a method for detecting that the operating voltage has been supplied to the microcomputer 15 itself.

  Next, the operation of the computer system 1 will be described.

  When the user first inserts the plug 2 into the outlet, the microcomputer 15 connects the input terminal 7c of the changeover switch 7 and the first output terminal 7a. Since the sub switch 5 is on, the input terminal 7c of the changeover switch 7 and the first output terminal 7a are connected, so that the auxiliary power supply unit 6 allows the ROM 12, the RAM 13, the preboot loader 14, and the microcomputer 15 to be connected. In addition, an operating voltage is supplied.

  Next, the preboot loader 14 reads out the OS kernel stored in the ROM 12 and transfers it to the RAM 13. Further, the OS kernel transferred to the RAM 13 is decompressed and then recorded in the RAM 13.

  When the user turns on the main switch 3, the microcomputer 15 turns off the sub switch 5. Further, when the sub switch 5 is turned off and the main switch 3 is turned on, an operating voltage is supplied from the main power supply unit 4 to the CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, and microcomputer 15.

  Next, when the CPU 11 executes the OS kernel stored in the RAM 13, the computer system 1 is ready for work.

  Next, when the user turns off the main switch, the microcomputer 15 turns on the sub switch 5 to connect the input terminal 7c of the changeover switch 7 and the second output terminal 7b. By connecting the input terminal 7 c and the second output terminal 7 b of the changeover switch 7, an operating voltage is supplied from the auxiliary power supply unit 6 to the RAM 13 and the microcomputer 15. The RAM 13 continues to store the stored data using the supplied operating voltage.

  When the user pulls out the plug 2 from the outlet, the supply of the operating voltage to the RAM 13 and the microcomputer 15 is stopped, and the data stored in the RAM 13 is erased.

  According to the computer system 1 described above, after the main switch 3 is turned on, the boot loader and OS kernel stored in the ROM 12 are read and transferred to the RAM 13, and the boot loader and OS kernel are decompressed. Therefore, the time required for the work to be ready is only the time T for the CPU 11 to execute the OS kernel stored in the RAM 13, as shown in FIG.

  More specifically, the total time required for the CPU 11 to read the boot loader and OS kernel stored in the ROM 12 and transfer them to the RAM 13 and the time to decompress the boot loader and OS kernel and record them in the RAM 13 is about 10 seconds. Since the time T for executing the OS kernel stored in the RAM 13 by the CPU 11 is 2 to 3 seconds, the computer system 1 takes the time required until the main switch 3 is turned on to be ready for work. It is possible to shorten the time by about 10 seconds to 2 to 3 seconds.

  The decompressed OS kernel is stored in the ROM 12, and the time required for the CPU 11 to execute the OS kernel stored in the ROM 12 is 20 to 30 seconds. Therefore, according to the computer system 1, it is possible to reduce the time required to be able to work even when compared with the case where the expanded boot loader is stored in the ROM 12.

  As described above, according to the computer system 1 to which the present invention is applied, the operating voltage supplied from the auxiliary power supply unit 6 after the plug 2 is inserted into the outlet until the main switch 3 is turned on. As a result, the pre-boot loader 14 operates. Next, the OS kernel stored in the ROM 12 is read and transferred to the RAM 13. The transferred OS kernel is decompressed and stored in the RAM 13.

  That is, after the main switch 3 is turned on, the time for reading the boot loader and OS kernel stored in the ROM 12 and transferring them to the RAM 13 and the time for decompressing the boot loader and OS kernel and recording them in the RAM 13 are omitted. For this reason, it is possible to reduce the time required from when the main switch 3 is turned on until the work can be performed.

  Therefore, the computer system 1 to which the present invention is applied is convenient because the time required from when the plug 2 is inserted into the power outlet to when the main switch 3 is turned on becomes ready for work is reduced. Become. In addition, it is possible to reduce the stress that the user feels after turning on the main switch 3.

  The program read from the ROM 12 by the pre-boot loader 14 and transferred to the RAM 13 between the plug 2 being inserted into the outlet and the main switch 3 being turned on is recorded in the RAM 13 except for the OS kernel. For example, an application program or content data may be used.

  Application programs, content data, and the like are read from the ROM 12 in advance by the pre-boot loader 14, transferred to the RAM 13, and stored in the RAM 13, whereby the application execution process can be performed simultaneously with turning on the main switch 3. .

It is a block diagram which shows the computer system to which this invention is applied. It is a schematic diagram which shows the process which the computer system performs before a main switch is turned on, and the process performed after a main switch is turned on. (A) is a block diagram showing a conventional computer system, (B) is a schematic diagram showing processing performed after the main switch is turned on by the computer system, and (C) is a diagram of the computer system The decompressed OS kernel stored in the ROM is a schematic diagram showing processing performed after the main switch is turned on.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Computer system, 2 plug, 3 main switch, 4 main power supply part, 5 sub switch, 6 auxiliary power supply part, 7 changeover switch, 7a 1st output terminal, 7b 2nd output terminal, 7c input terminal, 11 CPU, 12 ROM, 13 RAM, 14 preboot loader, 15 microcomputer, 16 bus

Claims (8)

Storage means for storing an initial program;
RAM (Random Access Memory),
Initial program recording means for transferring and recording the initial program stored in the storage means to the RAM;
Program execution means for executing a program stored in the RAM;
A main power source that is supplied with voltage from an external power source and supplies an operating voltage to the storage unit, the RAM, and the program execution unit;
An auxiliary power source that is supplied with voltage from the external power source and supplies an operating voltage to the storage unit, the RAM, and the initial program recording unit;
A connection terminal for connecting the main power source and the auxiliary power source to the external power source;
A switch for turning on or off the supply of the operating voltage from the main power supply unit to the storage unit, the RAM, and the program execution unit,
The auxiliary power supply supplies an operating voltage to the storage means, the RAM, and the initial program recording means when the switch is turned off and is connected to the external power supply through the connection terminal.
The initial program recording means uses the operating voltage supplied from the auxiliary power supply when the switch is turned off and the auxiliary power supply is connected to an external power supply through the connection terminal. The initial program stored in the storage means is transferred to the RAM and recorded,
The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the program execution means starts executing the initial program stored in the RAM when the switch is turned on.   When the initial program stored in the storage means is compressed data, the initial program recording means decompresses the initial program transferred to the RAM and then records the initial program in the RAM. The computer system according to claim 1.   2. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the initial program is an OS (Operation System).   2. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the external power source is a commercial AC power source, and the connection terminal is a plug inserted into an outlet.   2. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the RAM is an SDRAM (Synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory). A storage means storing an initial program, a RAM (Random Access Memory), a program execution means for executing a program stored in the RAM, a voltage supplied from an external power source, the storage means, the RAM, and A main power supply for supplying an operating voltage to the program execution means; a connection terminal for connecting the main power supply to the external power supply; and the operating voltage from the main power supply unit to the storage means, the RAM, and the program execution means. A computer system start-up method having a switch for turning on or off the power supply,
A connection step in which the main power source is connected to the external power source by the connection terminal;
An initial program recording step of transferring and recording the initial program stored in the storage means to the RAM;
An operating voltage supply step of turning on the switch and supplying an operating voltage to the program execution means;
The program execution means includes an initial program execution step of executing the initial program recorded in the RAM at the program recording step using the operation voltage supplied at the operation voltage supply step. A method for starting a computer system.   In the initial program recording step, when the initial program stored in the storage means is compressed data, the initial program transferred to the RAM is decompressed and recorded in the RAM. The method of starting a computer system according to claim 6. 7. The computer system startup method according to claim 6, wherein the initial program is an OS (Operation System).

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