Information processing apparatus and power supply control method

Abstract

In standby mode, memory contents are saved to a hard disk. After AC power has been removed by disconnecting the AC plug, when the AC power is restored the data saved on the hard disk is automatically restored into memory to set the power-saving mode back to the standby mode. When the power is turned on next, quick resumption from standby mode can be accomplished.

1 . A power supply control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising:
 shutting down the information processing apparatus to a standby mode;   saving information stored in a volatile storage unit into a nonvolatile storage unit through a process executed independently of an operating system, when said information processing apparatus enters the standby mode;   storing, in the nonvolatile storage unit, first information indicating that said information is stored into the nonvolatile storage unit;   determining whether said first information is stored in the nonvolatile storage unit, when a power plug of said information processing apparatus is reconnected with a power source after the power plug and the power source are disconnected;   restoring said information saved in the nonvolatile storage unit into said volatile storage unit, if said first information is determined to be stored in the nonvolatile storage unit by the determining;   deleting said first information from said nonvolatile storage unit when completing the restoring;   setting said information processing apparatus in the standby mode when said power source is connected to said information processing apparatus;   starting up said information processing apparatus from the standby mode by turn-on of the information processing apparatus; and   performing a process to resume from the standby mode by activating said information processing apparatus from said standby mode.   
   
   
       2 . The power supply control method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the information includes an application program and said operating system issues an instruction to the application program to save work data when said information processing apparatus enters standby mode. 
   
   
       3 . The power supply control method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said nonvolatile storage device is a hard disk. 
   
   
       4 . A power supply control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising:
 shutting down the information processing apparatus to a standby mode;   saving information stored in a volatile storage unit into a nonvolatile storage unit through a process executed independently of an operating system, when said information processing apparatus enters the standby mode;   detecting a disconnection and a connection between a power source and a power plug of said information processing apparatus in the standby mode;   restoring said information saved in said nonvolatile storage unit into said volatile storage unit, if the power plug is detected to be reconnected to the power source after the power plug is disconnected from the power source;   setting said information processing apparatus in the standby mode when completing said restoring; and   starting up said information processing apparatus from the standby mode by turn-on of the information processing apparatus.   
   
   
       5 . The power supply control method as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the information includes an application program and said operating system issues an instruction to the application program to save work data when said information processing apparatus enters standby mode. 
   
   
       6 . The power supply control method, as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein said nonvolatile storage device is a hard disk. 
   
   
       7 . A power supply control method for an information processing apparatus, comprising:
 saving information stored in a volatile storage unit into a nonvolatile storage unit when said information processing apparatus enters a hibernation mode;   setting said information processing apparatus in a standby state after first information set through a process executed independently of an operating system, to hold information on a peripheral device in said volatile unit;   calling said operating system after checking the information on a peripheral device in said volatile storage unit and restoring said information saved in the nonvolatile storage unit into said volatile storage unit through said operating system when said information processing apparatus is activated,   entering said information processing apparatus into a turn-on state.   
   
   
       8 . The power supply control method as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein said nonvolatile storage device is a hard disk. 
   
   
       9 . An information processing apparatus, comprising:
 a volatile storage unit storing information to use for said processing;   a nonvolatile storage unit storing information;   a power control unit, connected through a power plug to a power source, controlling and detecting a power supply into said information processing apparatus; and   a processing unit processing information stored in said volatile storage unit; said processing unit processing information further comprising:
 means for saving information stored in the volatile storage unit to the nonvolatile storage unit through a process executed independently of an operating system, when said information processing apparatus enters standby mode; 
 means for storing in the nonvolatile storage unit first information indicating that said information is stored into the nonvolatile storage unit; and 
 means for performing process to resume from the standby mode by activating said information processing apparatus in said standby mode; 
 said means for performing process to resume from the standby mode further comprising, 
 means for restoring said information saved in the nonvolatile storage unit into the volatile storage unit and deleting said first information, if the first information is stored in said nonvolatile storage unit when a power control unit of the information processing apparatus is detected to be reconnected to a power source after the power plug and the power source are disconnected; 
 means for setting said information processing apparatus in the standby mode when the power plug is reconnected to the power source; and 
 means for resuming said information processing apparatus from the standby mode by turn-on of the information processing apparatus. 
   
   
   
       10 . The information processing apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the information includes a application program and said operating system issues an instruction to the application program to save work data when said information processing apparatus enters standby mode. 
   
   
       11 . The information processing apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein said nonvolatile storage device is a hard disk. 
   
   
       12 . An information processing apparatus comprising a volatile storage unit, a nonvolatile storage unit and a processing unit, further comprising:
 means for saving information stored in the volatile storage unit to the nonvolatile storage unit through a process executed independently of an operating system, when a transition is made to a standby mode in said information processing apparatus;   means for detecting disconnection and connection between a power source and a power plug of said information processing apparatus in the standby mode;   means for restoring said information saved in the nonvolatile storage unit in the volatile storage unit, if the power plug is detected to be disconnected from the power source and then reconnected to the power source; and   means for setting said information processing apparatus in the standby mode when completing said restoring;   means for starting up said information processing apparatus from the standby mode by turn-on of the information processing apparatus.   
   
   
       13 . The information processing apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the information includes an application program and said operating system issues an instruction to the application program to save work data when said information processing apparatus enters standby mode. 
   
   
       14 . The information processing apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said nonvolatile storage device is a hard disk. 
   
   
       15 . An information processing apparatus comprising a volatile storage unit, a nonvolatile storage unit and a processing unit, further comprising:
 means for saving information stored in the volatile storage unit into the nonvolatile storage unit when said information processing apparatus enters a hibernation mode;   means for setting said information processing apparatus in a standby state after setting first information set through a process executed independently of an operating system, to hold information on a peripheral device in said volatile storage unit;   means for calling said operating system after checking the information on a peripheral device in said volatile storage unit and restoring said information saved in the nonvolatile storage unit into the volatile storage unit through said operating system, when processing apparatus is activated; and   means for entering said information processing apparatus into a turn-on state, when processing apparatus is activated.   
   
   
       16 . The information processing apparatus as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said nonvolatile storage device is a hard disk.