JPH0478911A - Power source control system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To unitedly operate all devices for constituting the system by constituting the system so that all devices in the system execute the turn-on/cut-off control of a power source by executing a turn-on/cut-off instruction of the power source to one device in each device connected through an interface circuit. CONSTITUTION:Power source controllers 100, 110 of a small system for constituting a large system are connected by an interface line 150, so that a turn-on/cut- off instruction of a power source to the own device 100 can be outputted to the other device 110. Also, this system is constituted so that turn-on/cut-off of the power source of the own device 100 can be executed by a turn-on/cut-off instruction of the power source from the other device 110, and the turn-on/cut-off control of the power source of all power source control circuits 202 in the system can be executed by a turn-on/cut-off instruction of the power source to one power source controller. In such a way, all devices for constituting the system can be operated unitedly, and the operation burden of the system can be reduced remarkably.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Purpose of the Invention (Industrial Application Field) The present invention is characterized by a power on/off control mechanism for a plurality of devices constituting the system, for example in an information processing system. Regarding power control method.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, in a system composed of a combination of multiple devices, such as an information processing system, by issuing a power on/off instruction to a power supply control device provided in the system, 2. Description of the Related Art There is a power control method as a known technology in which power is turned on/off in a predetermined sequence for all devices in a system.

At this time, in systems where power on/off control is performed individually, for example, in a large system constructed by combining multiple systems with power control devices such as those described above, power on/off is controlled by each component. It is necessary to give instructions for each system, which poses a problem to unified operation as a large system.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) As mentioned above, conventionally, when constructing a large system using a system (or device) having a power supply control device as a component, turning on/off the power is controlled by one component. It is necessary to give instructions for each device (or device), which may impede unified operation as a large system.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances. Turn on the power uniformly as /
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a power supply control method that enables shutoff and local operation of the small system.

(Means and effects for solving the problem) The present invention connects the power control devices of small systems (main devices) constituting a large system with an interface line, and sends power on/off instructions to other devices. In addition to making it possible to output power to the device, the device can also be powered on/off by receiving a power on/off instruction from another device, so that it is possible to turn on/off power to any one power control device. The configuration is such that power on/off control for all power supply control circuits in the system can be performed with a shutdown instruction. In addition, by providing a switch for controlling the output and input of the interface for connecting external devices, it is possible to operate each device individually.

As a result, all the devices that make up the system can be operated in a unified manner, and the operational burden on the system can be significantly reduced. Furthermore, it is possible to selectively operate on a device-by-device basis, thereby providing flexibility in system operation.

(Example) An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration according to an embodiment of the present invention. In order to simplify the explanation, only two main units of a small system having a power supply control circuit are shown here, but it may be understood as a system including three or more similar units (n sets).

In FIG. 1, 100 is a first main unit, which includes an interface circuit 201, a power supply control circuit 202, and the like. Reference numerals 101 to 103 are input/output devices (I 10) whose power is controlled to be turned on/off by a power supply control circuit 202 provided in the first main unit 100, respectively.

Reference numeral 110 denotes a second main unit, which has the same configuration as the first main unit.

111 to 113 are input/output devices (Ilo) whose power is controlled to be turned on/off by the second main unit 110, respectively.
It is.

120 to 124 are input/output devices (input/output devices) that can be controlled to turn on/off the power from either the main unit 100 or 110, respectively.
Ilo).

130 is an input/output device (Ilo) 101, 102, 103
This is the power supply control line.

140 is an input/output device 1.20, 121. . . . 124 power control lines, each power control signal of the main unit 100, 110 is wired or connected to each input/output device 1.
20.121. ...124 is controlled.

150 is the first main body device 100 and the second main body device 110
This is an interface line that connects the

Figure 2 shows the main unit 100 (11,0) shown in Figure 1 above.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of FIG.

In FIG. 2, 201 is the interface line 15
This is an interface circuit 201 that transmits and receives various signals to and from the outside via 0.

A power control circuit 202 outputs a power on/off instruction signal via the interface circuit 201, and controls the power on/off of the internal power supply and each input/output device in accordance with the signal.

Reference numeral 203 denotes an internal power supply device of the main device 100, which is controlled to be turned on/off by the power supply control circuit 202.

210 is a signal line for inputting a power on/off instruction signal (PC-1) by a switch or the like (or a command) to the power supply control circuit 202.

211 is a power on/off instruction signal (
A signal line 2 for outputting the PC-2) to the power supply control circuit 202
12 is a signal line for outputting a power on/off instruction signal (PC-3) from the power control circuit 202 to the interface line 150; 213 is a signal line for outputting a power on/off instruction signal from the power control circuit 202 to the internal power supply device 203; Signal (PC
-4) is a signal line for sending out.

The operation of an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

A power on/off switch (
(not shown), a power on/off instruction signal (PC-1) is sent to the power supply control circuit 202 via the signal line 210.
is input.

When the power supply control circuit 202 receives a power on/off instruction signal (PC-1) via the signal line 210, it generates a power on/off instruction signal (PC-4, PC-5) according to the content of the signal.
, PC-6) to the signal line 213 and the power control line 130,
Output to 140. As a result, the internal power supply device 203,
The input/output devices 101 to 103 and the power supply to the input/output devices 120 to 124 are controlled to be turned on/off.

On the other hand, a power on/off instruction signal (PC-3) is also input from the power supply control circuit 202 to the interface circuit 201 via the signal line 212.

This instruction signal (PC-3) is input to the second main unit 110 via the interface line 150.

The inside of the second main unit 110 is also similar to that of the first main unit 10.
It works exactly the same as 0. That is, the main unit 1 shown in FIG.
Interface line 1 from the power supply control circuit 202 of 00
The power on/off instruction signal sent to 50 is input to the interface circuit 201 of the second main unit 110, and accordingly, the power is turned on from the interface circuit 201 to the power control circuit 202 via the signal line 211. /Shutoff instruction signal 211 is input. As a result, in the second main unit 110 as well, the signal line 213 and the power control lines 130, 140
Power on/off instruction signal (PC-4, PC-5゜P
C-6) is output, and the power on/off of the power supply device 21) 3 and the input/output devices 111 to 113 and 120 to 124 is controlled. At this time, the means for transmitting the power on/off instruction signal from the first main body device 100 to the second main body device 110 may use a known information transmission technique, and its explanation will be omitted here.

The power supply control circuit 202 shown in FIG.
A power on/off instruction signal from another main unit is input through 01.

In determining the contents of instructions to the internal power control signal line 213 and the power control lines 130 and 140 from these inputs, the power supply can be controlled as follows using a known technique using firmware control, for example. .

a) Any one power supply on/off instruction signal 213
, and power supply control lines 130 and 140, respectively.

b) When all the power supplies are turned on/off, a power on/off instruction is sent to the signal line 213 and the power control lines 1, 30 and 140, respectively.

c) Regarding the power cutoff, similarly to a) and b) above, the power supply can be controlled to be cut off by any one cutoff instruction or by matching all the cutoff instructions.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are block diagrams for explaining other embodiments of the present invention, respectively.

Figure 3 shows the power on/off to the interface circuit 201.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention in which output of a cutoff instruction signal can be prohibited.

In FIG. 3, 301 is the main unit 100 (or 110
) is a new setting switch.

This setting switch 301 is input to the gate circuit 302 provided in the power supply control circuit 202, and the signal line 211
Gating 2 inputs/outputs.

With the configuration shown in FIG. 3, the output of the setting switch 301 can selectively prohibit the output to the signal line 212 or the input from the signal line 211, or Each signal can be prohibited/permitted together.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention in which the control functions shown in FIG. 3 are connected.

In Figure 4, 401.403 is a setting switch, 40
2.404 is a gate circuit.

By using the main unit having the configuration shown in FIG.
The system as a whole will have the following functions.

That is, both the setting switches 401 and 403 are connected to the signal line 21.
1212 is set to a state where input/output is not prohibited, multiple main devices 100, 110 . - All devices in the system are controlled to be powered on/off by a power on/off instruction from any one of them.

Next, the main device 100 prohibits signal input to the signal line 211, and other main devices other than the main device 100 prohibit signal input to the signal line 211.
Switches 401 and 403 are set to prohibit signal output. At this time, power on/off control can be performed only from the main device 100.

Also, as is clear from the above embodiment, the main unit in which signal input/output is prohibited for both signal lines 211 and 212 does not receive power on/off instructions from other devices, and only the signal line 210 can be used locally. Turn on the power/
Can be controlled to shut off. Such settings can be used when repairing or maintaining only that device.

[Effects of the Invention] As described in detail above, according to the present invention, power supply control devices are connected by an interface line, and it is possible to output turn-on/shut-off instructions to the own device to other devices, and also to output power on/off instructions to other devices. It is possible to turn on/off the own device by turning on/off the power on/off instruction of the power control device, and it is possible to turn on/off the power of all the power control circuits in the system by giving the power on/off instruction to any one power control device. By adopting a configuration that allows for shutdown control, all of the devices that make up the system can be operated in a unified manner, and the operational burden on the system can be significantly reduced. In addition, by providing a switch to selectively enable or disable the input/output of the interface for connecting external devices, it is possible to operate each device individually, making it easier to repair, maintain, etc. It is possible to simplify the system operation and provide flexibility in system operation.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main unit in the above embodiment,
FIGS. 3 and 4 are block diagrams showing other embodiments of the present invention, respectively. 1.00, 110...Main device, 101, 102
, 103. 111.112, 113.120, 121.124...
Input/output device (Ilo), 201...interface circuit, 202...power control circuit, 130, 140...
Power control line, 150...interface line, 2o
3... Internal power supply device, 210, 211, 212, 21
3-Signal line, 301°401.403...Setting switch, 302,402,404...Gate circuit. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue

Claims (6)

[Claims] (1) In a system whose component is a device or system having a power control circuit that controls power on/off of the device according to instructions by a switch or a command,
An interface circuit that interfaces between multiple devices, and an output that outputs a power on/off signal to the outside via the above interface circuit when a device is instructed to turn on/off power by a switch or command. and an input circuit that instructs the power supply control circuit of the device to turn on/off the power when a power on/off signal is input through the interface circuit, and is connected through the interface circuit. Power supply control characterized by controlling the power on/off of all devices in the system by instructing to turn on/off the power to any one of the devices in the system using a switch or a command. method. (2) An interface circuit that connects multiple devices as an interface in a system configured using a device including a power supply control circuit that controls power on/off of the device according to instructions from a switch or a command. and an output circuit that outputs a power on/off signal to the outside via the above interface circuit when the device is instructed to turn on/off the power by a switch or a command; input/
Any one of the devices in the system connected via the interface circuit has an input circuit that instructs the power supply control circuit of the device to turn on/off the power when a cutoff signal is input. When one device is instructed to turn on the power by a switch or a command, all devices in the system turn on the power, and when one device in the system is instructed to turn off the power by a switch or a command,
A power control method characterized by cutting off the power to all devices in the system. (3) Each device in the system connected via the interface circuit is provided with a setting means consisting of a switch or a register, and the output of the power on/off signal to the interface circuit is prohibited depending on the output state of the setting means. The power supply control system according to claim (1) or (2), wherein: (4) Each device in the system connected via the interface circuit is provided with a setting means consisting of a switch or a register, and the input of the power on/off signal from the interface circuit is prohibited depending on the output state of the setting means. The power supply control system according to claim (1) or (2), wherein: (5) Each device in the system connected via the interface circuit is provided with a setting means consisting of a switch or a register, and when the setting means is in the first state, a power on/off signal is sent to the interface circuit. and prohibits the output of the power on/off signal from the interface circuit, and allows the input of the power on/off signal from the interface circuit, and allows the output of the power on/off signal to the interface circuit when the setting means is in the second state. The power supply control method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising inhibiting input of a power on/off signal from the interface circuit. (6) Each device in the system connected via the interface circuit is provided with a setting means consisting of a switch or a register, and when the setting means is in the first state, a power on/off signal is sent to the interface circuit. and permit the input of a power on/off signal from the interface circuit, and prohibit the output of a power on/off signal to the interface circuit when the setting means is in a second state. The power supply control method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising inhibiting input of a power on/off signal from the interface circuit.