KR101294407B1 - Apparatus and method for saving power consumption in Information Processing Device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a method of applying a clock by referring to clock information corresponding to a new task in a clock table when a new task is requested to be performed during an operation of an information processing device such as an MP3 player; And calculating a new clock value in the sampling period of the first frame and applying a newly calculated clock value to provide a method for reducing power consumption of the information processing device and an apparatus therefor. According to the present invention, even if the user performs other functions while listening to music, the clock table provided for power consumption management can be applied, thereby adaptively updating the clock value supplied for the operation of the information processing device to the load on the system. By setting it, the power consumption of information processing devices such as MP3 players can be reduced.

MP3 Players, Information Processing Equipment, Reduced Power Consumption, Clock Conversion

Description

Apparatus and method for saving power consumption in Information Processing Device}

1 is a view for explaining the operation control method of the scheduler (Schedule) of the MP3 player using a clock table according to the prior art

2 is a diagram illustrating a relationship between TASKs and wasted time when the clock table is not used.

3 is a view for explaining a power consumption control device of the MP3 player according to an embodiment of the present invention

4 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of a method of controlling power consumption of an MP3 player according to an embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a second embodiment of a power consumption control method of an MP3 player according to an embodiment of the present invention.

6A and 6B are diagrams for describing states before and after clock conversion according to a method of controlling power consumption of an MP3 player according to the present invention.

<Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: scheduler 110: execution module

120: maximum clock supply unit 130: clock table storage unit

200: clock value calculator

The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for reducing power consumption of an information processing device for reducing power consumption of an information processing device such as an MP3 player.

In general, in the case of an information processing device such as an MP3 player, an operation for playing a music file does not take into account the format, bit rate, or operating frequency of the music file. By using a fixed clock of the MPU, it causes unnecessary power consumption in the overall operation of the MP3 player.

In recent years, however, MP3 players can generate and store a clock table in consideration of the format, bit rate, operating frequency, etc. of music files to reduce power consumption, and adjust the operating frequency based on the clock table. Technology is used.

1 is a view for explaining the operation control method of the scheduler (Schedule) of the MP3 player using a clock table according to the prior art, Figure 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between the TASK and time wasted when the clock table is not used .

Referring to FIG. 1, an operation control apparatus of an MP3 player using a clock table according to the related art may be provided by another MP3 player including a scheduler 100 and a music file sampling task 111 for processing a music file. Execution module including modules for performing a plurality of tasks, such as task A (TASK A) 112, task B (TASK B) 113, task C (TASK C) 114 to perform various functions 110, a maximum clock supply unit 120 for providing a maximum clock frequency provided by the system, and a clock table corresponding to a format, bit rate, operating frequency, etc. of a music file. And a clock table storage unit 130.

In the MP3 player operation control apparatus using the clock table according to the related art having the above configuration, when the user selects the MP3 file playback function, the scheduler 110 refers to the clock table storage unit 130. By setting a clock necessary for performing the MP3 player function corresponding to the format, bit rate, operating frequency, etc. of the music file to be reproduced, the music file sampling task (Task) 111 is controlled to operate according to the clock.

However, in accordance with the prior art as described above, if the user has to perform a task other than playing an MP3 file, for example, any one or more of TASK A, TASK B, or TASK C, another task to be performed. Due to the load on the system, the speed of the system is significantly slowed down. In order to prevent this, the clock of the MPU needs to be set back to MAX. Therefore, when a user listens to music and executes other tasks at the same time, such as executing a picture file or outputting a text file to read a novel, the output of the maximum clock supply unit (MAX Clock) 130 is used. There is a problem in that the clock table stored in the clock table storage unit 130 provided to reduce the value becomes meaningless.

As described above, as the other tasks (TASK) are performed at the same time, the relationship between the TASK performed when the maximum clock frequency is used instead of the clock table and wasted time is shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 shows a case in which A TASK and B TASK are simultaneously performed at a predetermined time point as music sampling and some other two functions as tasks for reproducing a music file. According to the prior art, when the performance of the music file is requested to perform other functions, the operation at the maximum clock frequency has been described above.

In this case, the MP3 player operates at the maximum clock frequency under the control of the scheduler 100. Referring to FIG. 2, the music file sampling is performed in the M section, the A TASK is the A section, and the B during the entire operation period T. TASK is performed during the B section, and so-called wasted time is generated during which the clock is supplied without performing any function during the remaining W sections.

As described above, the MP3 player system operates at the maximum clock frequency in response to the activation of other tasks during music file playback, causing unnecessary power wastage, thereby reducing the operating time of MP3 players that generally use portable battery power. do.

The present invention allows a clock table that takes into account the format, bitrate, frequency, etc. of a music file to be played in an information processing device such as an MP3 player to be flexibly applied according to the system load to reduce power consumption. An object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus and method for controlling power consumption of an information processing device.

In addition, the present invention calculates the idle time according to the sampling period of the task of sampling the actual music in the information processing device, such as an MP3 player, the set clock corresponding to the calculated value among the data stored in the clock table storage unit By setting the clock by combining the values, the power consumption of the information processing device enables the application of the clock table to reduce power consumption even if the user takes action to execute other functions while listening to music. Its purpose is to provide a control device and method.

An apparatus for controlling power consumption of an information processing apparatus according to the present invention for achieving the above object includes a scheduler for controlling execution of a program for performing a predetermined function corresponding to a user input command, and a music file sampling task for processing a music file. A plurality of execution modules for performing predetermined functions provided by other information processing apparatuses including a task, a maximum clock supply unit for providing a maximum clock frequency provided by the information processing apparatus, and a format of a music file A clock table storage unit for storing clock information corresponding to a bit rate and an operating frequency and a clock calculation for calculating an optimal clock frequency for minimizing power consumption while simultaneously playing the new task and the music file according to the execution of the new task. Characterized in that it comprises a part.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the power consumption control method of the information processing apparatus for achieving the object of the present invention, when the execution of a new task is requested, the clock is referenced by referring to the clock information corresponding to the new task in the clock table. And applying a newly calculated clock value by calculating a new clock value in a sampling period of the first frame.

The newly calculated clock value is applied after sampling of the first frame.

In addition, according to another embodiment of the power consumption control method of the information processing device to achieve the object of the present invention, the step of driving the system by applying the maximum clock value when the execution of a new task is requested, and the current playback Computing a clock value (NC) according to each sampling period until the end of the song, and when the next song is requested to run after the playback of the current song is finished, the characteristics of the music file for the next song are previously And comparing the characteristics of the music file of the reproduced song with the characteristics of the music file and setting the clock value to the highest value among the calculated NCs when the characteristics of the music file are the same.

The characteristic of the music file is characterized by including the format and bit rate of the music file.

If the characteristics of the music file are not the same as the result of the comparison, the step of recalculating the clock value (NC) according to each sampling period until the reproduction of the next song is performed.

According to the power consumption control method of the information processing device according to the present invention configured as described above, a user frequently occurs in the use environment of the information processing device, in particular the MP3 player, listen to music and read the novel displayed on the screen or text In this case, in order to adaptively apply a clock table considering a format of a music file to be played, a bit rate, an operating frequency, and the like according to the system load, first, the children according to the sampling period of the task sampling the actual music ( IDLE) calculates the time, and then combines the calculated value with the clock value set in the clock table to newly set the clock at which the MP3 player system operates, so that the user can manage power consumption even if the user performs other functions while listening to music. MP3 play by enabling the application of the prepared clock table And there is an effect that it is possible to reduce the power consumption at the same time obtain information processing equipment such.

Hereinafter, a power consumption control apparatus and method for an information processing apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

3 is a view for explaining a power consumption control device of the MP3 player according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, an apparatus for controlling power consumption of an MP3 player according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a scheduler 100, a plurality of execution modules 110, a maximum clock driver 130, and a clock table storage unit. 130 and the clock calculation unit 200 and the like.

The scheduler 100 controls the execution of a program for performing a predetermined function corresponding to a user input command.

The performing module 110 is a music file sampling task for processing a music file and tasks A (TASK A) 112 and task B (TASK B) 113 for performing various functions provided by other MP3 players. May include multiple tasks, such as TASK C 114.

The maximum clock driver 130 provides the maximum clock frequency provided by the MP3 player system.

The clock table storage unit 130 corresponds to the format, bit rate and operating frequency of the music file so that the scheduler 100 can use it to select an appropriate clock according to the characteristics of the music file and activation of a new task. Saves the clock information set in the array.

The clock calculation unit 200 calculates and outputs a new clock value NC required for simultaneous execution of a new task and a music file playing task when a new task is requested to be executed. At the same time, it means a clock value at which the system can operate with minimum power consumption in executing the new task.

When a new task is requested to be executed, the clock calculator 200 calculates an optimal clock value that can minimize power consumption of the system while simultaneously performing a new task using a calculation formula below.

For convenience of explanation, the variables used in the following formulas are defined as follows.

Sampling period = ST

Max Clock = MC,

Clock value = BC, before new task (TASK) occurs

Current clock value = PC,

Execution time of sampling task = SE,

New task execution time = NE,

Define the task execution time = {T1E, T2E, T3E, ...}.

Using the variables defined above, calculate the time required by the system when the maximum clock value is applied as the execution time of each task according to the clock value applied before the new task TASK is requested. The following formula is expressed by the following formula (1).

(Equation 1)

AT = MC / BC

Then, the execution time of tasks after the clock value referred to with reference to the clock table is applied to the system is expressed by the following equation (2).

(Equation 2)

TE = SE + NE + T1E + T2E + T3E

In addition, the IDLE time in the sampling period when the new clock value is applied is represented by the following (Equation 3).

(Calculation 3)

IT = ST-TE

In addition, the calculation equation for applying the new clock value according to the load of the system is represented by the following (Equation 4).

(Calculation 4)

NC = PC * (ST / IT)

Hereinafter, the operation of the power consumption control device of the MP3 player and the power consumption control method in the MP3 player according to the embodiment of the present invention configured as described above will be described in detail.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a first embodiment of a method of controlling power consumption of an MP3 player according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is a second of a method of controlling power consumption of an MP3 player according to an embodiment of the present invention. 6A and 6B are diagrams for describing states before and after clock conversion according to a method of controlling power consumption of an MP3 player according to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, a first embodiment of a method of controlling power consumption of an MP3 player according to an embodiment of the present invention is first supplied with power to the MP3 player, and the system starts operation (S410).

The scheduler 100 of the MP3 player determines whether a music file play task should be performed by inputting a predetermined music file play command to listen to music (S420). After analyzing information on the format and bit rate of the music file to be played in order to determine a clock to use a predetermined music file to execute a play task, the format of the analyzed music file is referred to by referring to the clock table storage unit 130; The clock value information corresponding to the bit rate is detected.

The scheduler 100 controls the music file reproducing task to perform the task by applying the clock according to the clock value detected according to the process (S430).

By performing a task by applying a clock value corresponding to the characteristics of the music file to be reproduced according to the process (S430), the power consumption is smaller than when applying the maximum clock value.

As described above, a clock value corresponding to a characteristic of a music file currently being played is selected from the clock values stored in the clock table storage unit 130 so as to perform a music file playing task and for one frame of the music file. In the sampling process, the load on the entire MP3 player system is analyzed by music file playback.

That is, the scheduler 100 calculates a new minimum clock value required for music file reproduction in the MP3 player system so that the current music file reproduction task can be executed using the minimum power. Subsequently, after sampling one frame of the music file, the new clock value considering the system total load calculated is applied (S440).

According to the step S440, the optimum clock value for minimizing power consumption is calculated according to the execution state of the currently executed task, not the maximum clock value, and the maximum clock value is uniformly applied by applying the calculated clock value. Compared with the prior art, it reduces the unnecessary power consumption.

In the case of the first embodiment of the power consumption control method of the MP3 player according to the present invention that acts as described above is particularly useful when there is only one task for music sampling that requires real-time data processing It can be a way. In particular, the MP3 player consumes very little power throughout the system, so the power consumption of the processor (MPU) including the scheduler is relatively high. In this case, the battery life time can be significantly increased. .

On the other hand, the present invention provides a method for preventing the operation of the MP3 player system from slowing down even in the worst case where the MP3 player needs to execute a plurality of tasks at the same time unlike the first embodiment. This is an optimal clock value that allows the user to input a predetermined command during the music file playback operation so as to consume a minimum amount of power while performing a sufficient load on the entire system including the new task even when a new task is executed at the same time. The calculated clock value can be applied to the execution of the task.

Referring to FIG. 5, a second embodiment of a method of controlling power consumption of an MP3 player according to the present invention, in which a worst case situation in which a plurality of tasks must be executed simultaneously is considered, is described. In operation S510, the music file playing task is performed by applying a clock value corresponding to the music file currently being played.

In the state where the music file playing task is performed as described above, it is determined whether an execution command of a new task is input (S520).

As a result of the determination (S520), when a command to execute a new task is inputted, it is changed to the maximum clock value provided by the MP3 player and applied (S530).

However, if the new task execution command is not input, the determination result (S520) determines again whether a new music file play command is input (S540).

In the case where the determination result (S540) is not a new task execution command, it is determined whether a new music file play command is input, and when a new music play command is input, the new music file is divided into a format of a previously played song and a music file. It is determined whether the characteristics of the music file, such as the bit rate and the operating frequency, are the same (S545).

As a result of the determination (S545), when the characteristics of the music file are the same, a new music file is reproduced by applying the clock value applied previously as it is (S580).

However, if the characteristics of the music file are not the same as the determination result (S545), the new music file is played by first applying the maximum clock value instead of the previously applied clock value (S530).

At the same time as playing the new music file by applying the maximum clock value as described above, the clock value calculator 200 calculates the NC according to the sampling period for the music to be played until one song (S540).

Thereafter, it is determined whether the music file of the previously reproduced song has the same characteristics of the music file such as the format, bit rate, operating frequency, etc. of the newly started song (S560).

As a result of the determination (S560), when the characteristics of the music file are not the same, even if the power consumption is maximized, in order to ensure the operation of the MP3 player system is applied to the maximum clock value as it is to play a new music file (S530) ).

However, when the determination result (S560), the characteristics of the music file is the same, the new clock value considering the total load that takes the highest NC value among the NC value calculated by the clock value calculation unit 200 to the system including the execution of other tasks In step S570, the controller selects and applies it to the task execution (S570), and plays a new music file according to the newly applied clock value (S580).

In accordance with the above process, the MP3 player system is executed at the present time instead of the maximum power by supplying a clock having a value smaller than the maximum clock value sufficient for simultaneous execution of a task for executing a newly input command together with the execution of a music file playing task. Only the power required for the job will be consumed by the system, preventing unnecessary power consumption.

In the case of the second embodiment of the present invention operating as described above, the present invention may be viewed as an algorithm suitable for PDA (Personal Digital Assistance) or PMP (Portable Multimedia Player), in which two or more tasks requiring real-time execution exist. Although it is not possible to maintain an optimal clock speed for reducing power consumption than in the case of the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the power consumption compared to the prior art by adjusting the clock speed to a certain degree. However, even at this time, if the user does not perform a task that requires real-time processing other than listening to music, the power consumption reduction effect is almost similar to that of the first embodiment of the present invention.

6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining states before and after clock conversion according to the power consumption control method of the MP3 player according to the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, power consumption by changing the clock value setting according to the present invention will be described. It describes the action of reducing the.

FIG. 6A illustrates a state in which a task is performed according to a maximum clock value before clock value conversion according to the present invention, and FIG. 6B illustrates a reduction in power consumption after a new task is added to convert the clock value according to the present invention. The task is performed according to the optimal clock value.

Specifically, before the clock value conversion according to the present invention, referring to 6a, a music sampling task and a plurality of tasks including an A task A task and a B task are performed. In the state where the maximum clock value is applied, the task is performed for a predetermined clock time. At this time, since the maximum clock value is applied, Cm is a clock time for performing a music sampling task, Ca is a clock time for performing an A task, and Cb is a clock time for performing a B task. Cv, which is allocated and the remaining clock time of the entire sampling period, is a clock that is consumed regardless of system operation, thus causing power waste.

After the clock value is converted according to the present invention, referring to 6b, when a plurality of tasks including a music sampling task and an A task and a task B TASK are performed, power consumption Since the clock value is calculated and applied to operate with the optimal clock value so as to minimize the error, the total sampling period is determined by each of the clock times allocated for each task, such as CM, CA, and CB. Will be allocated. Therefore, since Cv, which is a consumption factor that occurs before clock conversion, is not wasted, power consumption for this is reduced, thereby reducing power of the MP3 player.

In the power consumption control method of the MP3 player according to the present invention described in detail above, it is preferable to selectively apply the first and second embodiments according to the characteristics of the system.

In the case of the first embodiment, the power consumption efficiency is optimal, whereas the worst case according to the sampling cycle for playing a new task and a new music file is not considered. May occur. However, if the execution priority (priority) of the sampling task is set to the highest, the music is not cut off.

Meanwhile, in the case of the second embodiment, since the worst case according to the sampling period for reproducing a new task and a new music file is considered, the power consumption may be somewhat higher than in the case of the first embodiment. Even if a task for playing a file is performed, a phenomenon in which a system operation is slowed down does not occur naturally. Therefore, the second embodiment can be generally used even in an environment such as a PDA and a PMP.

In the above, the power consumption reduction apparatus and the reduction method of the information processing device according to the present invention have been described in detail using the MP3 player as an example. However, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and many modifications are possible within the scope of the present invention by those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the technical idea of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to apply a clock value according to a characteristic to a music file for power management in an information processing device such as an MP3 player at all times regardless of the load on the system, thereby reducing power consumption. There is.

In particular, even if the user performs other functions while listening to music, the clock table provided for power consumption control can be applied so that the clock value supplied for the operation of the MP3 player can be set adaptively to the load on the system. By doing so, the power consumption of the MP3 player can be reduced.

Claims (9)

A scheduler for controlling execution of a program for performing a predetermined function corresponding to a user input command; A plurality of execution modules each for performing a predetermined function provided by an information processing device including a music file sampling task for processing a music file; A maximum clock driver for providing a maximum clock frequency provided by the information processing device; A clock table storage unit for storing clock information corresponding to at least one of a format, a bit rate, and an operating frequency of a music file; And A clock calculator for calculating an optimal clock frequency for minimizing power consumption while simultaneously playing the new task and the music file according to the execution of the new task, wherein the clock calculator is required to execute a new task An apparatus for controlling power consumption of an information processing device, comprising calculating a clock value necessary for simultaneously performing a new task and a music file playing task. The method of claim 1, The information processing device is a power consumption control device of the information processing device, characterized in that the MP3 player. delete When the execution of a new task is requested, applying a corresponding clock by referring to clock information corresponding to the new task in a clock table; And And calculating a new clock value in a sampling period of the first frame of the new task and applying a newly calculated clock value to the power consumption control method of the information processing device. 5. The method of claim 4, The newly calculated clock value is applied after sampling of the first frame, and the load of the system including the execution of the new task is considered. Driving a system by applying a maximum clock value when a new task is requested to be performed; Calculating a clock value (NC) according to each sampling period until the current song is finished; Comparing the characteristics of the music file of the next song with the characteristics of the music file of the previously played song when the playing of the current song is finished and the next song is requested to be executed; And setting the clock value to the highest value among the calculated NCs when the characteristics of the music file are the same as the comparison result. The method according to claim 6, The characteristic of the music file includes a format and a bit rate of the music file. The method according to claim 6, If the characteristics of the music file are not the same as the result of the comparison, the step of recalculating the clock value (NC) for each sampling period until the end of the playback of the next song is performed, the power consumption control of the information processing device Way. The method according to claim 4 or 6, The information processing device is a power consumption control method of the information processing device, characterized in that the MP3 player.

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