JP2001312338A - Information processing system, information processing device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) Abstract: A system comprising a CD-R / RW drive device and a personal computer, wherein the CD-R / RW
An appropriate system operation is obtained according to the remaining battery power of the drive device, and power saving of the battery of the CD-R / RW drive device is effectively performed. SOLUTION: A CD-R / RW drive device 0 starts a BA operation.
Send TTERY INFORMATION to the host computer 80. In the host computer 80, the BATTERY INFO
The power saving mode is set based on the current operation status and the possible operation continuation time corresponding to the remaining battery power stored in the RMATION. Depending on the setting of the power saving mode, the recording speed / access speed is reduced, the volume of the reproduced sound is limited, the brightness of the display unit is reduced, or switching to non-display is performed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to, for example, a personal computer, an information processing apparatus as a peripheral device thereof, and an information processing system including the information processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, as a recording / reproducing apparatus, a write-once type C
DR (Recordable) and rewritable CD-RW (Rewrita
For example, CD-R / RW drive devices for recording and reproducing data corresponding to a disk capable of recording and reproducing data, such as ble), have become widespread. Such a CD-R / RW drive device can, for example, independently reproduce a disc recorded in a CD-DA (Digital Audio) format by itself, but generally, for example, the US
By being connected to a personal computer via a data interface such as B or SCSI, it is used as a peripheral device of the personal computer. As is well known as a usage form, first, application software for controlling a CD-R / RW drive device is installed in a personal computer. The user activates this application and performs an operation on the personal computer to read data from a disc loaded in the CD-R / RW drive connected to the personal computer, and to read data from the personal computer. Can be written.

In recent years, so-called notebook personal computers have also become widespread. This notebook personal computer is smaller and lighter than a so-called desktop personal computer, for example, and can be powered by a battery such as a rechargeable battery in addition to an AC power supply.
It is portable and enables a user to use a personal computer while moving, for example. Against this background, for example, the CD
-Peripheral devices such as an R / RW drive device are also becoming smaller and lighter so that portability can be obtained. And to get better portability,
As a CD-R / RW drive device, a device capable of supplying power with a rechargeable battery or a dry battery has been proposed.

[0004]

By the way, CD-R /
The RW drive device can record a relatively large amount of data, for example, up to about 630 MB. However, for example, at present, the disk rotation drive speed is about several times higher, so that the data recording / reproduction is performed. Takes some time. Therefore, the CD-R
In driving the / RW drive device, it is not practical unless the operation continuation time is too long. Therefore, in a personal computer system in which a recording / reproducing device such as a CD-R / RW drive device is connected as a peripheral device, when the peripheral device is driven by a battery, power is effectively saved in the recording / reproducing device. Thus, there is a need to extend the battery life.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-mentioned problems, the present invention is firstly configured as an information processing system as follows. An information processing system according to the present invention includes at least a first information processing device and a second information processing device communicably connected to each other. The first information processing apparatus includes a power supply unit capable of supplying power to the inside by at least a battery; a power supply information generation unit configured to generate power supply information storing predetermined information regarding the power supply unit; And an information transmitting means for transmitting the information to the second information processing apparatus. Further, the second information processing apparatus performs a required operation of reducing the power consumption in the first information processing apparatus based on the remaining battery level information which can indicate the remaining battery level stored in the received power information. The information processing system is provided with control means for controlling the information to be obtained.

[0006] The information processing apparatus is configured as follows. That is, a connection unit that communicably connects to another information processing apparatus side, a power supply unit that can supply power to the inside by at least a battery, and power supply information that stores predetermined information regarding the power supply unit are generated. Power information generating means, information transmitting means for transmitting power information to another information processing apparatus via the connection means, and power consumption transmitted from another information processing apparatus via the connection means for reducing power consumption When control information for instructing the operation of
Control means capable of controlling the internal operation based on the control information.

Further, the information processing apparatus is configured as follows. First, there is provided a connection means for communicatively connecting to at least another information processing apparatus which can supply power to the inside by a battery. Then, when power supply information, which is transmitted from another information processing device and stores predetermined information on the power supply, is received through the connection means, the received power supply information may indicate the remaining amount of the battery. Control means for controlling a required operation for reducing power consumption in another information processing device based on the remaining battery amount information to be executed in the information processing device and / or the other information processing device; It is provided with.

According to each of the above-described configurations, the information processing apparatus is communicably connected to the information processing system, and one of the information processing apparatuses (the first information processing apparatus) receives predetermined information regarding its own power supply. Is transmitted to the other information processing apparatus (second information processing apparatus). Here, since the first information processing apparatus can be driven by a battery, predetermined information on the battery driving is also stored in the power information. Then, the second information processing apparatus executes, for example, an internal control process based on the information regarding the remaining battery level stored in the received power information, and issues a required instruction to the first information processing apparatus. Thus, the operation is performed so that the power consumption of at least the first information processing apparatus is reduced. That is, the first and second information processing apparatuses can execute cooperative operations so that the second information processing apparatus becomes a center and power saving is performed in the first information processing apparatus. It is.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. An information processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a host computer as an information processing device,
It is provided with a CD-R / RW drive device which is a recording / reproducing device capable of recording / reproducing corresponding to CD-R and CD-RW. The CD-R according to the present embodiment
/ RW drive device is CD-DA (Digital Audio)
It is also possible to reproduce a reproduction-only medium in a so-called CD format such as a CD-ROM or a CD-ROM. Here, the data interface for connecting the host computer and the CD-R / RW drive device is a USB interface.
(Universal Serial Bus). That is, for example, actually, the host computer 8 and the CD-R / RW
The drive device 0 is physically connected via a USB cable.

The following description will be made in the following order. 1. Information processing system 1-1. CD-R / RW drive device 1-2. Host computer 2. Recording method 3. BATTERY INFORMATION ４. 4. Operation during data recording and reproduction Operation for each recording mode

1. Information processing system 1-1. CD-R / RW Drive FIG. 1 shows an internal configuration of a CD-R / RW drive, which is a peripheral device in the system of the present embodiment. FIG.
Shows the configuration of the CD-R / RW drive device 0 of the present embodiment. In this figure, a disc 90 is a CD-R, CD-RW, CD-DA, CD-ROM which is assumed to be compatible with the CD-R / RW drive device 0 previously.
It is made either of Here, the CD-R is of a write-once type, as is well known, and pits (recording marks) are formed by irradiating the recording layer of the organic dye with laser light at a recording level. The CD-RW is a rewritable medium using a technique in which pits are formed by phase change when a laser beam is irradiated. Also, C
D-DA and CD-ROM are exclusively for reproduction, and data is recorded by physical emboss pits.

The disk 90 is loaded on the turntable 7 and chucked, and has a constant linear velocity (CLV) by the spindle motor 6 during the recording / reproducing operation during the recording / reproducing operation.
Alternatively, it is driven to rotate at a constant angular velocity (CAV). Then, pit data (phase change pits or pits due to organic dye change (reflectance change)) on the disk 90 is read by the optical pickup 1. CD-
In the case of DA or CD-ROM, the pits are embossed pits. In addition, for the spindle motor 6, an FG (Frequency Geometry) for detecting a rotation cycle thereof is provided.
nerator) 6a. The FG 6a outputs one pulse at every predetermined rotation angle of the spindle motor 6.

A pickup 1 has a laser diode 4 as a laser light source, a photodetector 5 for detecting reflected light, an objective lens 2 as an output end of the laser light,
An optical system (not shown) for irradiating the laser beam to the disk recording surface via the objective lens 2 and guiding the reflected light to the photodetector 5 is formed. A monitor detector 22 that receives a part of the output light from the laser diode 4
Is also provided.

The objective lens 2 is held by a biaxial mechanism 3 so as to be movable in a tracking direction and a focusing direction. The entire pickup 1 can be moved in the disk radial direction by a thread mechanism 8. The laser diode 4 in the pickup 1 is driven to emit laser light by a drive signal (drive current) from a laser driver 18.

The information of the reflected light from the disk 90 is detected by the photodetector 5, converted into an electric signal corresponding to the amount of received light, and supplied to the RF amplifier 9. The RF amplifier 9 includes a current-voltage conversion circuit, a matrix operation / amplification circuit, and the like corresponding to output currents from a plurality of light receiving elements as the photodetector 5, and generates necessary signals by matrix operation processing. For example, it generates an RF signal as reproduction data, a focus error signal FE for servo control, a tracking error signal TE, and the like. The reproduction RF signal output from the RF amplifier 9 is supplied to a binarization circuit 11, and the focus error signal FE and the tracking error signal TE are supplied to a servo processor 14. Note that the RF signal and the tracking error signal TE are also supplied to the traverse counter 23. The traverse counter 23 detects the number of tracks traversed by the laser spot irradiated on the disk 90 on the basis of the waveform of the tracking error signal TE, as described later. 14 is output. The information on the number of traversing tracks is used, for example, to determine the moving distance during seek.

As is well known, grooves (grooves) serving as guides for recording tracks are formed in advance on the disk 90 as a CD-R or CD-RW. Is wobbled (meandering) by an FM-modulated signal. Therefore, during the recording operation, tracking servo can be applied from the groove information, and the absolute address can be obtained from the wobble information of the groove. The RF amplifier 9 extracts the wobble information WOB (ATIP signal) by a matrix operation process and supplies it to the address decoder 24. In the address decoder 24,
By demodulating the supplied wobble information WOB (ATIP signal), absolute address information is obtained and output to the system controller 10. In the address decoder 24, the wobble information WOB (ATIP signal) includes
Various control information can also be extracted and output to the system controller 10. PLL information
By injecting the information into the circuit, the rotational speed information of the spindle motor 6 is obtained, and is compared with the reference speed information to generate and output a spindle error signal SPE.

The reproduced RF signal obtained by the RF amplifier 9 is 2
The signal is binarized by the value conversion circuit 11 to be a so-called EFM signal (8-14 modulated signal), which is supplied to the encoding / decoding unit 12.

The encoding / decoding unit 12 has a functional part as a decoder at the time of reproduction and a recording part as an encoder at the time of recording. During reproduction, processing such as EFM demodulation, CIRC error correction, deinterleaving, and CD-ROM decoding are performed as decoding processing.
The reproduction data converted into the M format data is obtained.
The encoding / decoding unit 12 also performs a subcode extraction process on the data read from the disk 90, and supplies a TOC, address information, and the like as the subcode (Q data) to the system controller 10. Further, the encode / decode section 12 generates a reproduction clock synchronized with the EFM signal by the PLL processing, and executes the decoding processing based on the reproduction clock. The rotation speed information of the spindle motor 6 is obtained from the reproduction clock. , And comparing it with the reference speed information, a spindle error signal SPE can be generated and output.

At the time of reproduction, the encoding / decoding unit 12
Accumulates the data decoded as described above in the buffer memory 20. As the reproduction output from the drive device, the data buffered in the buffer memory 20 is read and transferred and output.

The USB interface 13 is connected to an external host computer 80 via the USB bus 100, and communicates with the host computer 80 such as recording data, reproduction data, and various commands. At the time of reproduction, the data is decoded and stored in the buffer memory 2.
0 stored in the interface unit 13
Is transferred to the host computer 80 via the. The read command, write command and other signals from the computer 80 are transmitted through the USB interface 13
Is supplied to the system controller 10 via the. The USB bus 100 is physically connected to the CD-R /
The connector of the USB interface 13 of the RW drive device 0 and the connector of the USB interface of the host computer 80 are connected by a USB cable. Also, as is well known, the USB interface is capable of supplying DC power from the host to the peripheral device side together with data. Therefore, the USB bus 100 transmits data as shown in the figure. A data bus 101 and a power bus 10 for transmitting power.
2. Here, the USB interface is used for communication with the host computer 80. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
E1394 and an ATAPI interface may be employed.

When audio data is being reproduced, that is, a CD-DA or a CD-DA on which audio data is recorded in the same format as the CD-DA.
In the case where reproduction is performed for R (and CD-RW), for example, the data decoded by the encoding / decoding unit 12 and stored in the buffer memory 20 is the encoding / decoding unit in the case of FIG. 12, through a D / A converter 40, for example, to convert the analog audio signal into an analog audio signal.
Amplify and adjust the volume, and output to the headphone terminal 42. The volume adjustment in the variable amplifier 41 is performed by, for example, the system controller 40 in response to an operation performed on a volume control operator provided on the operation unit 28.
Controls.

On the other hand, at the time of recording, the host computer 8
Recording data (audio data, CD-ROM data, user data such as various files, etc.) is transferred from 0, and the recording data is sent from the interface unit 13 to the buffer memory 20 and buffered.
In this case, the encoding / decoding unit 12 performs CD-R as encoding processing of the buffered recording data.
Processing for encoding OM format data into CD format data (when the supplied data is CD-ROM data), CIRC encoding and interleaving, subcode addition, EFM modulation, and the like are executed.

The EFM signal obtained by the encoding process by the encoding / decoding unit 12 is subjected to a process called write equalization by an equalizer 21 and then converted into a laser driver 1 as write data WDATA.
8 and written to disk. That is, the laser driver 18 gives the laser drive pulse modulated by the write data WDATA to the laser diode 4,
By performing the laser emission driving, pits (phase change pits and dye change pits) corresponding to the write data WDATA are formed on the disk 90.

APC circuit (Auto Power Control) 19
Is a circuit unit for controlling the output of the laser so as to be constant irrespective of the temperature while monitoring the laser output power by the output of the monitoring detector 22. The target value of the laser output is given from the system controller 10, and the laser driver 18 is controlled so that the laser output level becomes the target value.

The servo processor 14 detects the focus, tracking, thread, and spindle from the focus error signal FE and the tracking error signal TE from the RF amplifier 9 and the spindle error signal SPE from the encode / decode unit 12 or the address decoder 20. Generate various servo drive signals and execute servo operation. That is, the two-axis driver 1 generates the focus drive signal FD and the tracking drive signal TD according to the focus error signal FE and the tracking error signal TE.
6 The two-axis driver 16 drives the focus coil and the tracking coil of the two-axis mechanism 3 in the pickup 1. As a result, a tracking servo loop and a focus servo loop are formed by the pickup 1, the RF amplifier 9, the servo processor 14, the two-axis driver 16, and the two-axis mechanism 3.

In response to a track jump command from the system controller 10, the tracking servo loop is turned off and a jump drive signal is output to the two-axis driver 16 to execute a track jump operation.

The servo processor 14 further sends a spindle error signal S to the spindle motor driver 17.
A spindle drive signal generated according to the PE is supplied. The spindle motor driver 17 applies, for example, a three-phase drive signal to the spindle motor 6 according to the spindle drive signal, and executes the CLV rotation of the spindle motor 6. In addition, the servo processor 14 generates a spindle drive signal in response to a spindle kick / brake control signal from the system controller 10, and causes the spindle motor driver 17 to execute operations such as starting, stopping, accelerating, and decelerating the spindle motor 6.

The servo processor 14 generates a thread drive signal based on, for example, a thread error signal obtained as a low-frequency component of the tracking error signal TE or an access execution control from the system controller 10 and supplies the thread drive signal to the thread driver 15. I do. The thread driver 15 drives the thread mechanism 8 according to a thread drive signal. Although not shown, the thread mechanism 8 has a mechanism including a main shaft for holding the pickup 1, a thread motor, a transmission gear, and the like.
5 drives the sled motor 8 according to the sled drive signal, whereby the required sliding movement of the pickup 1 is performed.

The various operations of the servo system and the recording / reproducing system as described above are controlled by a system controller 10 formed by a microcomputer. The system controller 10 executes various processes according to a command from the host computer 80. For example, when a reproduction command requesting transfer of certain data recorded on the disk 90 is supplied from the host computer 80, first, seek operation control is performed for the designated address. That is, a command is issued to the servo processor 14 to execute the access operation of the pickup 1 targeting the address specified by the seek command. Thereafter, operation control necessary for transferring the data in the specified data section to the host computer 80 is performed. That is, data reading / decoding / buffering from the disk 90 is performed, and the requested data is transferred.

When a write command (record command) is issued from the host computer 80, the system controller 10 first moves the pickup 1 to an address to be written. Then, the encoding / decoding unit 12 causes the data transferred from the host computer 80 to perform the encoding process as described above.
FM signal. Then, the write data WDATA equalized as described above is supplied to the laser driver 18 so that the recording is executed.

Here, the system controller 10 can set the reference speed information to the servo processor 14, and the servo processor 14 compares the set reference speed information with the rotation speed information from the decoder 12 to determine the spindle error. Generate a signal SPE. Further, by changing the setting of the reference speed information, it is possible to change and set the disk rotation drive speed. That is, in the case of reproduction, it is possible to reproduce at a predetermined double speed, which is higher than the normal rotation speed of the disk. At this time, the reproduction clock obtained by operating the PLL circuit in the encode / decode section 12 also has a frequency corresponding to the set double speed, so that signal processing corresponding to double speed reproduction is executed. You. Further, when the disk rotation drive speed is set to a double speed higher than 1 × speed at the time of recording, a frequency corresponding to the set double speed is set as a clock for recording. Encoding processing in encoding / decoding section 12 and equalizer 2
1 is performed according to this clock. Then, by supplying the data WDATA processed in this manner to the laser drive bar 18, recording on the disk is performed at a write rate corresponding to the set disk rotation drive speed.

The operation section 28 is composed of keys for operating the CD-R / RW drive device 0. In this case, for example, a power key and an eject key are provided. Further, since the CD-R / RW drive device 0 of the present embodiment can reproduce a CD-DA by itself without depending on control from the host computer 80, a key related to this reproduction is also provided. Have been. An operation information signal obtained in response to the operation on the operation unit 28 is supplied to the system controller 10, and the system controller 10 appropriately executes a required control process in accordance with the operation information signal.

The display unit 28 is, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crys).
tal Display) and the system controller 10
, The display according to the current operation status is performed. Further, the system controller 10 also performs control relating to lighting of a backlight in the LCD as the display unit 28.

The power supply unit 30 is provided to supply a DC voltage stabilized at a predetermined level as a power supply voltage to each functional circuit unit inside the CD-R / RW drive device 0. Here, as the power supply unit 30 of the present embodiment, DC power supplied from an AC adapter, a rechargeable battery, and a dry battery can be input. In the case of the present embodiment, the rechargeable battery and the dry battery are housed in a battery holder provided in the main body. The battery holder is provided at different positions for the rechargeable battery and the dry battery.
Further, in the case of the present embodiment, a DC power supplied from the host computer 80 via the power bus 102 of the USB bus 100 can also be input. Then, the power supply unit 30 selects and inputs an appropriate power source from those physically connected at present, and uses the input power source to internally supply a DC power source. To be supplied.

However, in the CD-R / RW drive device 0 according to the present embodiment, the current consumption increases to 500 mA or more, for example, when the rotation of the spindle motor is started. On the other hand, since the power that can be supplied by the USB interface is 5 V / 500 mA, the power supply by the USB power supply may be temporary, but the power may be insufficient and proper operation may not be expected. obtain. Therefore, for the sake of completeness, the CD-R / RW drive device 0 of the present embodiment is configured not to use a USB power supply in principle.

A ROM 26 and a RAM 27 are provided for the system controller 10. ROM2
6 stores, for example, a program to be executed by the system controller 10 and information necessary for the system controller 10 to perform various operation controls. R
The AM 27 holds various information obtained according to various control processes executed by the system controller 10.

1-2. Host Computer FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the host computer 80.
The host computer 80 of the present embodiment is, for example, a personal computer device, and is configured by installing application software for controlling the recording / reproducing operation of the CD-R / RW drive device 0 into the personal computer device. By the program of this application, the host computer 8
The data transferred from the CD-R / RW drive device 0 is written to the disc loaded in the
It is possible to read data from a disk loaded in the R / RW drive device 0 and the like. In this embodiment, as described later, a CD
-By communicating with the R / RW drive 0, the CD-
Recognize the power status including the remaining battery power of the R / RW drive device 0, and perform various recording / reproducing processes based on the power status and the CD-R / RW drive device 0.
Are controlled for various operations in. In the following, this application software will be referred to as "control application".
I will call it.

FIG. 2 shows the internal configuration of the host computer 80. The host computer 80 shown in FIG.
Has a USB interface 209 as an interface for exchanging data with the outside. U
The SB interface 209 is connected to the USB bus 100 to enable mutual communication with an external device. In the case of this embodiment, it is connected to the CD-R / RW drive device 0. The USB interface 209 is
The data received via the data bus 100 of the USB bus 100 is converted into a data format suitable for internal data communication, and
Output to 01. In addition, it inputs data output under the control of the CPU 201, performs modulation processing according to the USB format, and transmits and outputs the data to the outside via the USB bus 116.

The USB interface 209 can supply DC power to the peripheral devices connected via the USB bus 100 using the power bus 102 as a transmission line. For this reason, the USB interface 209 is configured to distribute a DC power supply voltage supplied from a power supply unit to be described later and transmit the DC power supply voltage via the power bus 102.

The CPU 201 executes various processes according to a program stored in the ROM 202, for example. In this embodiment, a program for controlling the USB interface 209 is also stored in the ROM 202 in order to enable transmission and reception of various data according to the USB standard. That is, the host computer 80 is provided with a set (hardware and software) capable of transmitting and receiving data via the USB interface. The CPU 20
For one, a cache memory 201a is provided. For example, as an actual cache memory,
Normally, a primary cache in the CPU chip and an external secondary cache are provided, but these are collectively shown as one cache memory. The RAM 203 appropriately stores data, programs, and the like necessary for the CPU 201 to execute various processes.

The input / output interface 204 is connected to a keyboard 205 and a mouse 206, and outputs operation signals supplied from these to the CPU 201. For example, in recent years, the interface between the keyboard 205 and the mouse 206 has been
In many cases, the B interface is employed, and this embodiment may employ such an operation system interface. Also, a hard disk drive 207 having a hard disk as a storage medium is connected to the input / output interface 204. In the case of the present embodiment, the control application 300 described above is installed in the hard disk drive 207, and the CPU 201 executes control processing in accordance with the program of the control application 300, whereby the CD-R / RW drive Various controls on the device 0 can be performed.
The CPU 201 can record or read data, programs, and the like on the hard disk of the hard disk drive 207 via the input / output interface 204. In this case, a display monitor 208 for displaying an image is further connected to the input / output interface 204. Internal bus 21
0 is, for example, PCI (Peripheral Component Intercon
nect) or a local bus or the like, and interconnects the internal functional circuit units.

The power supply section 211 receives, for example, a commercial AC power supply, generates a DC power supply voltage of a predetermined level, and outputs the DC power supply voltage to each internal functional circuit section. If the host computer 80 is, for example, a so-called notebook personal computer, it is configured to be able to supply a DC power supply voltage using a rechargeable battery or an AC adapter as a power source.

Although only the USB is shown here as an interface of the host computer 80, for example, the interface is actually IEEE1394.
Various interfaces including an interface and an interface with a PC card slot interposed therebetween may be adopted.

2. Recording Method In addition, a recording method that can be performed by the CD-R / RW drive device 0 in the system in which the CD-R / RW drive device 0 of the present embodiment and the control application 300 are installed will be described.

In the present embodiment, disc-at-once (DAO: Disc At Once), track-at-once (TAO: Track At Once), session-at-once (SAO: Session At Once), and packet write
Recording by four recording methods is enabled.

The disk-at-once is a recording method in which writing is performed only once on one medium, that is, additional recording is prohibited. In the CD format,
For example, as shown in FIG.
It is defined that data is recorded in the order of data → lead-out. Lead-in indicates the start position of data, and lead-out indicates the end position of data. In disc-at-once, recording is performed in the order of lead-in → data → lead-out.

The track-at-once is different from the disk-at-once, as shown in FIG.
Recording is performed in the order of data → lead-in → lead-out. However, the area for lead-in is
At the stage before data writing, immediately before the data recording start position is secured, the arrangement order of each area from the inner circumference to the outer circumference is the same as that of the disc-at-once. In track-at-once, one [lead-in-data-lead-out]
Is called a “session”, and writing data of lead-in and lead-out after writing data is also called “close”. In the track-at-once, data can be additionally written until the session is closed, for example, as shown as data 1, 2, and 3 in FIG. However, as shown in FIG. 4A, a joint called a link block is formed between each data.

In the track-at-once, even after a session has been closed once, it is possible to perform recording by additionally writing the next session. For example, a session in which data is recorded as shown in FIG. 4A is a first session as shown in FIG. 4B, and a second session can be recorded following this. is there. However, as shown in FIG.
In the same manner as described in (a), recording is performed in the order of data → lead-in → lead-out. That is, lead-in and lead-out are required for each session.

The session-at-once records one session in the order of data → lead-in → lead-out as shown in FIG. In this respect, it is similar to the disc-at-once, and no link block is formed between the tracks recorded in one session. In the case of session at once, a session can be additionally recorded as shown in FIG. 5B.

In the present embodiment, recording by a recording method called packet write is also possible. For example, in track-at-once, data is written in units of tracks (for example, data corresponding to one song in the case of audio data), whereas in packet writing, for example, a packet obtained by further dividing track data is obtained. Writing is performed in units. For example, this packet write is suitable for a case where data is written in file units such as texts and images handled by a personal computer, and the written data is frequently updated.

3. BATTERY INFORMATION As will be described in detail below, in the system of the present embodiment, when the CD-R / RW drive device 0 is operating in a state driven by a battery (rechargeable battery or dry battery), Various power saving operations are performed according to the remaining battery power. Further, an operation for protecting data recorded on the medium is performed. These operations are performed by the host computer 80 recognizing the remaining battery level of the CD-R / RW drive device 0 according to the program of the control application 300, and based on the recognized remaining battery level, the CD-R / RW drive device. It is made possible by appropriately performing necessary control on 0.

Therefore, for this purpose, a command set including at least information relating to the remaining battery level must be transmitted and received between the CD-R / RW drive device 0 and the host computer 80. Therefore, in the present embodiment, BATTERY INFORMATION is defined. For example, ATAPI, S adopted in various data processing devices
For interfaces such as CSI, IEEE 1394, and USB, a command set that conforms to the MMC (Multimedia Command Set) standard is used. It is defined as a vendor unique command that can be used.

As a command transaction by the MMC, for example, a command for a request is transmitted from the device as the controller to the target, and the target returns a response command in response to the request. Is to be.
And the above-mentioned BATTERY INFORMATION is also performed according to such transaction rules,
Therefore, a Get Battery Information command for requesting BATTERY INFORMATION is transmitted from the host computer 80 functioning as a controller, and the target CD-R / RW drive 0 responds to the Get Battery Information command in response to the Get Battery Information command. , BATTERY INFORMATION Page is returned.

FIG. 6 shows the Get Battery Information command.
6 shows an example of the data structure of d. As shown in this figure, G
The et Battery Information command is composed of, for example, a 12-byte area from the 0th byte to the 11th byte. First, an operation code indicating the type of the current command is arranged in the 0th byte. Here, for example, D5
h (where h indicates hexadecimal notation)
y Information is shown. For example, the first
The bytes are undefined.

The lower 6 bits (b
It5 to bit0) are used as Page Codes. For example, G
The BatteryInformation that can be requested by the et Battery Information command is allowed to have a plurality of pages (types) according to the contents and the like.
Page Code specifies the above page,
Here, for example, a bit string of (000001) indicates a Battery Information Page described later. The upper two bits of the second byte and the area from the third byte to the sixth byte are undefined.

The second byte consisting of the sixth and seventh bytes
The byte area is set to Allocation Length. Allocat
The ion length limits the maximum data size of the battery information returned from the target as a response. On the target side, Allocation Length
Send a response within the data size range described in. On the controller side, for example, a memory area for the data size indicated by the Allocation Length is reserved, so that the memory received by the controller side does not overflow and become unprocessable due to a response received. Is done.

In this case, the remaining 9th to 11th bytes are undefined.

Subsequently, the Get Battery shown in FIG.
Battery Information sent as a response from the target in response to the reception of the Information command
7 to 10 are shown in FIGS. For example, this Battery
Information is 42 from the 0th byte to the 41st byte.
7 to 10 show the contents of each of these areas in order.

As shown in FIG. 7, Battery Information
The 0th byte of the lower 6 bits (bits 5 to 5) following the undefined area of the upper 2 bytes (bits 7 and 6)
A page code is arranged in the area of bit 0), and a value for specifying the page of the battery information is indicated. Therefore, in this case, the Get Batt shown in FIG.
Just like the ery Information command and Page Code,
(000001) is stored. In the following first byte, P
age Length is indicated, and the data size of the Battery Information is indicated. Here, it is assumed that Page Length = 29h. For example, this value is the same as Get Battery described above.
It shall be within the range of the value indicated by the Allocation Length of the Information command.

The contents relating to various power supply states are shown after the second byte. The second byte is an area indicating the type of the power supply that is currently physically connected and usable.
Bit 2 is assigned to the dry cell, which is assigned to the bus power supply by the data bus connection by any of the IAs. Bit 1 is assigned to the rechargeable battery, and bit 0 is assigned to the AC adapter. Then, for example, if “1” is stored in the area of each bit, it indicates that it is physically connected and usable, and if “0” is stored, it is not physically connected, Indicates unavailable.

The third byte is an area indicating the type of power supply actually used at present, and the way of assigning the bit position for each type of power supply is the same as in the second byte. Then, by setting “1” as the bit value, it is indicated that the power supply assigned to the bit position is currently in use.

The fourth byte indicates the type of power supply that can be used when the target drive (CD-R / RW drive 0 in this embodiment) reads data as a computer peripheral device. The method of assigning to the bit position for each power supply type is the same as that of the second byte and the third byte. If "1" is stored in the bit position, it indicates that the area can be used.
If '0' is stored, it indicates that it cannot be used. In the fifth byte, sixth byte, and seventh byte, which will be described later, the power supply type, the assignment to the bit position, and the meaning indicated by the value of each bit position are the same. is there.

The fifth byte is an area indicating the type of power supply that can be used when the drive device writes data as a computer peripheral device.

The area from the 6th byte to the 14th byte is shown in FIG. The sixth byte is an area indicating the type of power supply that can be used when the drive device plays back a CD-DA as a computer peripheral device. The seventh byte is an area indicating the type of power supply that can be used when the drive device reproduces a CD-DA by itself.

The eighth byte is an area for indicating whether or not the rechargeable battery is currently being charged. If "1" is stored in the bit position of bit 0, the battery is being charged. When '0' is stored, it indicates that the battery is not being charged.

The three-byte area from the ninth byte to the eleventh byte is undefined.

The area of a total of 2 bytes of the 12th byte and the 13th byte indicates the battery capacity at the time of full charge. Here, the 1-bit area of bit 7 of the twelfth byte, which is msb, is defined as a valid bit area.
This is a flag indicating validity / invalidity of the content described in the two-byte area of the thirteenth byte. "1" indicates valid, and "0" indicates invalid. Then, bit 6 of the twelfth byte to bit 0 of the thirteenth byte
The 15 bits up to indicate the battery capacity at the time of full charge described above. Here, the value of the battery capacity is represented by a unit of mA × H.

In each area described below, a valid bit is set for the first bit, so that the validity / invalidity of the content indicated in each area is indicated.

The two-byte area of the 14th and 15th bytes contains the current battery capacity, that is, the remaining battery capacity.
It is shown in units of mA × H.

The area from the 16th byte to the 29th byte is shown in FIG. In the two-byte area of the 16th byte and the 17th byte, for example, the remaining battery charge of the charge value is 0
The time required from the state to the full charge is shown in minutes. This value is known in advance by, for example, the specifications of the charging circuit of the rechargeable battery and the power supply unit, and may be stored and held in, for example, a ROM in the drive device. , May be stored in this area.

In the two-byte area of the eighteenth byte and the nineteenth byte, in the fully charged state, the currently set predetermined conditions (disc rotation speed, brightness of the LCD backlight of the display unit (on / off) , Etc.), the possible operation continuation time when reading data is indicated in minutes. The 20th byte and the 21st byte area indicate the possible operation continuation time in minutes when data is to be written under a currently set predetermined operation condition in a fully charged state. If the disk rotation speed is high or if the LCD backlight is lit with high brightness, more power is consumed, so that the operation continuation time changes even with the same remaining battery power.
Therefore, the operation continuation time is calculated in consideration of an operation condition involving such a change in power consumption. Here, the operation condition items for calculating the operation continuation time are not particularly limited, and may also include the following operation conditions. For example, CD-R and C
In the D-RW, for example, since the reflectance of light on the signal surface is different, for example, the laser power applied to the signal surface is also different. If it is assumed that the difference in power consumption due to the difference in laser power has a considerable effect on the operation continuation time, the operation continuation time may be determined using such an operation condition as one of the factors. . In the next area of the 22nd and 23rd bytes, the CD-
The operation continuation time when the DA is reproduced and output is indicated in minutes.

In the area of the following 24th and 25th bytes, the operable continuation time in the case where data is read out under the currently set predetermined operating condition with the current remaining battery level is in minutes. Shown. The area of the 26th byte and the 27th byte indicates the possible operation continuation time in minutes when data is to be written under the currently set predetermined operation condition with the current remaining battery level. The area of the 28th byte and the 29th byte indicates in minutes the possible operation continuation time when the CD-DA is reproduced and output from the fully charged state.

The operation continuation time according to the current battery remaining amount and the operating condition can be simply regarded as the battery remaining amount replaced with the operation continuation allowable time. Assuming that there is information on the current battery remaining amount but not the operation continuation time, when such an operation continuation time is required, the host computer 80 uses the battery remaining amount and other parameters to perform the operation. You have to calculate
Processing of the host computer 80 becomes heavy. Therefore, by including the operation continuation time in the Battery Information as described above, the host computer 80 can recognize the operation continuation time by directly referring to this value. In addition, since the operation continuation time is obtained by taking into account various operating conditions currently set for the remaining battery power, information with higher accuracy than when simply based on the remaining battery power is obtained. It becomes.

The information on the possible operation continuation time is recorded on a CD.
When the R / RW drive device 0 creates the profile, a profile such as power consumption for each of the various operation condition items is stored in the ROM 26.
When generating Battery Information, the system controller 10
A required parameter is read out from the contents of the profile held in 26 and, for example, a predetermined function is applied to this parameter and the current battery remaining amount, thereby calculating each of the above operation continuation times. is there.

The area from the 30th byte to the 41st byte is shown in FIG. The area from the 30th byte to the 33rd byte is currently undefined. 34th byte to 3rd
The 5-byte 2-byte area indicates the current terminal voltage of the rechargeable battery in mV units. The area of the 36th byte and the 2nd byte of the 37th byte indicates the current consumption current value in units of mA. The two-byte area of the 38th byte and the 39th byte indicates the current battery temperature. In order to obtain the value stored here, for example, C
In the DR-RW drive device 0, a thermometer circuit for measuring the temperature of a battery (particularly a rechargeable battery) is provided in the power supply unit 30. Various uses of the current battery temperature information can be considered, for example, CD-R / RW.
When charging the rechargeable battery in the drive device 0, the host computer 80 may execute control such that the charging current is reduced if the temperature is high and the charging current is increased if the temperature is low.

The two-byte area of the 40th byte and the 41st byte indicates the operation inhibition temperature.

Here, as described above, the upper 1 bit of each area from the 12th byte to the 41st byte is a valid bit. Only when this valid bit is "1", the upper one bit is there. The described information is valid, and when it is '0', it is invalid.

The valid bit is provided as described above for the following reason, for example. For example, when the drive device starts a certain predetermined operation, a relatively large load fluctuation appears. For example, when starting rotation of a disk, a load becomes heavy to start rotation of a spindle motor. For example, the terminal voltage of a rechargeable battery temporarily decreases. As described above, depending on the operation state of the drive device, there may be a case where some state related to the power supply is not stabilized. For example, based on the current power state detected in this state, various types of information as described above are generated and B
If the information is stored in ATTERRY INFORMATION, such information becomes unreliable. For example, even if the host computer 80 executes control based on this information, this may lead to malfunction. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described above, in a situation where the value of the current information is considered to have low reliability, the valid bit is set to '0' and invalidated. Things. This prevents the malfunction of the system. This is realized by the system controller 10 monitoring the current operation status.
Also, the Battery Information shown in FIGS.
, A certain group of areas always starts from an even byte position (even address). this is,
For example, some personal computers functioning as controllers cannot process data areas from odd addresses, and this is taken into account.

For example, in the system of the present embodiment,
CD-ROM as a peripheral device to the host computer 80
It is assumed that the R / RW drive device 0 is connected, the host computer 80 is in a state where the control application 300 has been activated, and the CD-R / RW drive device 0 can be controlled. Then, in this state, when it becomes necessary for the host computer 80 to grasp the power supply state of the CD-R / RW drive device 0, Get shown in FIG.
The battery information command is transmitted to the CD-R / RW drive device 0 via the USB bus 100. On the CD-R / RW drive 0, GetBattery
When the information command is received, the information corresponding to the current power supply state is stored in each area having the structure shown in FIGS.
Generate Then, the battery information is transmitted to the host computer 80. The host computer 80 can recognize the current power state of the CD-R / RW drive device 0 by identifying the content stored in the received Battery Information. Then, according to the recognized power supply state of the CD-R / RW drive device 0, the system operation is controlled as described below. That is, it controls the operation of the host computer 80 itself and controls the CD-R / RW drive device 0.

4. Operation at the time of data recording / reproduction FIG. 11 shows that the host computer 80 operates as a CD-R / RW.
The figure shows control contents executed at the time of recording / reproduction according to the power supply state of the drive device 0. CD-
The power supply state of the R / RW drive device 0 is roughly divided into power supply by connecting an AC adapter and power supply by a battery (rechargeable battery, dry battery). As described above, the present embodiment is configured not to use USB power.

In a state where power is supplied by connecting the AC adapter, stable and stable power supply is performed. Therefore, as shown in FIG.
/ Write permission mode is set. That is, the host computer 80 sets a mode in which both reading and writing of data to and from the disk loaded in the CD-R / RW drive device 0 are possible. In this state, the power saving mode is not set. When the power saving mode is not set, the CD-R / RW drive device 0 operates with the highest performance allowed on the specifications. In the present embodiment, the host computer 80 performs control so that the performance of the CD-R / RW drive device 0 is forcibly reduced by a power saving mode described later. Four operations are performed: the disk rotation speed, the access speed, the electronic volume of the headphone output (variable amplifier 41), and the luminance of the backlight of the LCD display.

For example, in the case of the first stage, regarding the disk rotation speed during recording and reproduction, it is possible to set the maximum disk rotation speed permitted according to the current operation mode and the medium. It is said. The access speed in this case refers to the rotational drive speed of the sled motor provided in the sled mechanism 8, and the rotational drive speed of the sled motor can also be rotated at the maximum speed permitted by specifications. Further, the electronic volume can be adjusted, for example, up to a maximum level as a variable range. In addition, the backlight of the LCD display
It can be turned on with maximum brightness.

On the other hand, in the state where the power is supplied by the battery, the following control is performed in consideration of the fact that the remaining amount decreases according to the usage time.
Here, in the case of a battery, the range of the operable continuation time according to the remaining battery level is divided into four stages of first to fourth stages. Here, each break of each of the first to fourth stages is determined by predetermined boundary value 1, boundary value 2, and boundary value 3. The first stage is a range with a boundary value of 1 or more,
Since the battery has a sufficient remaining charge including the fully charged state, the operation continuable time can be sufficiently secured. Second
The steps are in the range of less than or equal to the boundary value 1 and greater than or equal to the boundary value 2. Although the number is smaller than that of the first step, there is still room for the remaining battery power and there is no problem in normal recording and reproduction. The continuation time is guaranteed. The third stage is boundary value 2
In the following, the range of the boundary value is 3 or more, which corresponds to a state in which the remaining battery power is reduced to such an extent that the operation continuation time sufficient for normal use cannot be guaranteed. In the fourth stage, the level is equal to or lower than the boundary value 3, and the remaining battery level is reduced to such an extent that the operation continuation time sufficient to complete the current data recording / reproduction cannot be guaranteed.

In the state of the first stage, the host computer 80 sets the Read / Write permission mode. That is, data reproduced from the disc loaded in the CD-R / RW drive device 0 is transferred to the host computer 8.
Both an operation of reading data to the 0 side (Read) and an operation of writing data transferred from the host computer 80 to a disk (Write) are possible. In the case of battery drive, a power saving mode for suppressing power consumption of the battery is set. In this power saving mode, the control level is changed in accordance with the stage. The one-level power saving mode is set. In the first-level power saving mode, overall performance is reduced so that power consumption is reduced compared to a full performance state in which the power saving mode is not set.

In the present embodiment, when the power saving mode is set to lower the performance of the CD-R / RW drive device 0, the following operation is performed by the CD-R
/ RW drive apparatus 0.
One is a decrease in disk rotation speed. For example, if the disk is rotated at a speed of 8 times to a speed of 4 times, the rotation speed of the spindle motor 6 is reduced and the power consumption is reduced accordingly. One is to decrease the access speed.
Here, the access speed means the rotation speed of a motor called a sled motor constituting the sled mechanism 8. That is, if the rotation speed of the sled motor is reduced, the moving speed of the optical pickup 1 in the disk radial direction is reduced, and the speed for the seek operation is reduced. In this case as well, the power consumption is reduced by the lower the rotational driving speed of the motor.

Further, the volume set by the electronic volume of the variable amplifier 41 is limited to a certain predetermined level. Thus, the power consumed by the variable amplifier 41 can be reduced. Then, the brightness of the backlight of the display unit 29 including the LCD is reduced. Alternatively, it is turned off. Since the backlight of the LCD requires a relatively large amount of current, power consumption can be effectively suppressed by controlling the backlight.

In the first power saving mode described above, for example, in the case of a disk rotation speed, a rotation speed that is one step lower than the maximum rotation speed permitted when the power saving mode is not set is set as an upper limit speed. Similarly, the access speed (thread motor rotation speed) is set to a rotation speed that is assumed to be one step lower, for example. Also, the level of the electronic volume is set to a predetermined level, which is one step lower than the maximum level, as an adjustable upper limit level, and the brightness of the LCD backlight is set to be one step lower than at the time of full performance. It is conceivable that the performance is reduced.

In the state of the second stage, Read / Writ
The e-permission mode is set in the same manner as in the first stage, but the second-level power saving mode is set as the power saving mode. In the second-level power saving mode, lower levels are set for the performance levels such as the disk rotation speed, the access speed, the volume level restriction, and the brightness of the LCD backlight. For example, regarding the disk rotation speed, if the 2nd speed is set in the first stage, the 1x speed which is lower than this is set in the second stage. First
The brightness is reduced to about 50% at the stage, and the brightness is reduced to about 20% (or turned off at this stage) in the second stage. In this way, the second-level power saving mode is designed to further reduce power consumption as compared with the first-level power saving mode.

For example, in the first level power saving mode, it is sufficient that the power consumption is reduced as compared to when the power saving mode is not set. In the second level power saving mode,
Since it is sufficient that the power consumption is lower than that of the first level power saving mode, the combination of each performance level is arbitrary. As a result, for example, when the power saving mode is not set, the first level power saving mode is switched to the first level power saving mode. And the second level power saving mode may have a common performance. That is, for example, regarding the LCD backlight, it is considered that the LCD backlight is turned off when the power saving mode is not set, and the LCD backlight is turned off in both the first level power saving mode and the second level power saving mode. It is. Further, for example, it is conceivable that the maximum rotation speed of the disk rotation speed is permitted when the power saving mode is not set and the first level power saving mode is set, and the speed is reduced only when the second level power saving mode is set. Each of the above operation items (disk rotation speed, access speed, volume, LCD backlight)
In addition to the above, if there is an operation that can obtain a power saving effect by changing the level of the performance, these operations can be included as control targets in the power saving mode.

In the third stage, a mode in which only Read is permitted is set. That is, data writing (Write) to the disk is prohibited. CD-R, CD-R
As described above, when recording the data, W records the lead-in and lead-out, that is, closes the session by writing the file system to the disc. There is a need to. For example, if the battery runs out during recording and the operation is stopped, the close process cannot be executed under the control of the host computer 80. , Leading to destruction of the disk media itself. Therefore, in the present embodiment, as described below, when the remaining battery level (operable continuation time) decreases until the fourth stage, the rejection is performed and the close process is forcibly executed. However, before proper recording is not performed due to insufficient battery power, at least data recorded so far is protected. The above described prohibition of Write is a procedure for preparation for this.

In the third stage, the second level power saving mode set in the second stage is similarly set. Then, an operation screen (GUI (Graphical User Interface) screen) of the control application displayed on the display monitor 208 of the host computer 80
In response to this, a warning display indicating that the remaining battery power of the CD-R / RW drive device 0 has run out is performed in a predetermined display mode. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the power supply by the battery is not recommended in the third stage or lower. (Including the case where a dry battery is loaded and the power supply is switched) from the state in which the power supply has been performed).

In the fourth stage, for example, at the time of recording, the above-described forced close processing is executed. Although not shown here, for example, in the case of Read, the data reading operation is stopped at timing when reading of a certain track (data) is completed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the performance of the device is changed and controlled in order to save power in accordance with the state of the power supply. By doing so, the data recorded on the disc is protected. Further, as the power saving mode, two levels of a first level power saving mode and a second level power saving mode with lower performance than this are prepared according to the remaining battery power. That is, for example, while the remaining battery level still has a margin, the first-level power saving mode sets a relatively good performance state so as not to stress the user, When there is not enough room, the first-level power-save mode further lowers the performance to emphasize battery life. In other words, when running on battery, while saving power,
It is realized to operate with the best possible performance. The number of stages of the remaining battery level and the number of stages of the power saving mode shown in FIG. 11 may be further subdivided, for example.

FIG. 12 shows the CD-R shown in FIG.
This is a processing operation for realizing control of the host computer 80 according to the power state of the / RW drive device 0. 9 is a flowchart showing a processing operation when the host computer 80 recognizes the CD-R / RW drive device 0 as a peripheral device and performs recording and reproduction when this process is executed. Here, mainly, when the CD-R / RW drive device 0 performs recording / reproduction, the CD-R / RW
This is a process for controlling the CD-R / RW drive device 0 so that a power saving operation is obtained according to the power supply state of the RW drive device 0. This processing is performed according to the program of the control application 300.
It is assumed that the CPU 201 of the host computer 80 executes the processing. When the processing shown in this figure is executed, it is assumed that the host computer 80 recognizes the CD-R / RW drive device 0 as a peripheral device.
Although not shown in this figure, the program of the control application 300 continuously transmits a Get Battery Information command at predetermined time intervals, and receives and acquires Battery Information returned as a response. The power supply state of the CD-R / RW drive device 0 is monitored.

In the processing shown in this figure, for example, the read / write permission mode is set in step S101, and the processing proceeds to the subsequent processing. After step S101, for example, in step S102, it is determined whether or not the type of the power supply currently in use is an AC adapter. This is Battery Info
It can be determined from the contents of the third byte (FIG. 7) of rmation. If a positive result is obtained in step S102, it means that power is currently being supplied by the AC adapter. Therefore, in this case, step S
By proceeding to step 103, the process returns to step S102 without setting the power saving mode.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step S104, it means that the battery (rechargeable battery or dry battery) is currently used as the power source. In this case, the process proceeds to step S104.

In step S104, the operation continuable time Trm and the boundary value 1 under the current remaining battery level are determined.
Are compared with each other, and it is determined whether or not the relationship represented by Trm> boundary value 1 has been obtained. The operation continuation time Trm under the current remaining battery level is based on whether the current operation is Read / Write / A
Two-byte areas of [24th byte-25th byte], [26th byte-27th byte], and [28th byte-29th byte] of Battery Information according to which of the audio data read and the audio data read ( It can be recognized by referring to any of FIG. 9).

Then, if a positive result is obtained in step S104, the process proceeds to step S105. At this time, the power supply state corresponds to the first stage described with reference to FIG. Therefore, in this case, the first level power saving mode is set. For this purpose, the CPU 201 of the host computer 80 transmits a command for causing the CD-R / RW drive device 0 to operate in the first-level power saving mode. On the CD-R / RW drive device 0 side, by controlling the internal operation in response to the received command, the operation in the first level power saving mode is executed. Also, for example, step S105
Here, the display indicating that the first-level power saving mode has been set is made on the display monitor 208 of the host computer 80 in accordance with the processing of the above.
Also, continuously, for example, the CD-R / RW drive device 0
As the power state of the power supply, the type of the power supply currently in use and the remaining battery level are displayed, and if charging is being performed, it is indicated that charging is in progress, or a display indicating the progress of charging is performed. Good.

Here, an example of a processing operation for setting the operation in the first power saving mode as the processing in step S105 for the CD-R / RW drive device 0 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. Keep it. here,
First, in step S501, an instruction to change the disk rotation speed for recording or reproduction to a predetermined speed is given to the CD-R / RW drive device 0. For this purpose, for example, a request command designating a required disk rotation speed lower than the disk rotation speed set up to now is transmitted to the CD-R / RW drive device 0. In response to this command, the system controller 10 of the CD-R / RW drive 0 reduces the disk rotation speed during recording or reproduction. For example, the value of the reference speed of the PLL circuit assumed to be in the encode / decode unit 12 is changed and set, and especially during recording, a clock frequency according to the disk rotation speed is set. As a result, data can be properly recorded on the disk at a transfer speed corresponding to the reduced disk rotation speed.

Here, for example, when the disk rotation speed in the CD-R / RW drive device 0 is reduced, for example, during recording or the like, the data write speed to the disk in the CD-R / RW drive device 0 is also reduced. It will decrease accordingly. Therefore, in this case, the recording data transferred from the host computer 80 also needs to correspond to the disk rotation speed. Therefore, in the subsequent step S502, the above step S
A data transfer speed corresponding to the disk rotation speed changed and set in step 501 is set. Thereafter, data is transmitted from the USB interface 13 at the data transfer rate set in step S502.

In the next step S503, a command for instructing a decrease in the access speed, that is, a decrease in the rotational speed of the sled motor, is transmitted to the CD-R / RW drive device 0 for output. The system controller 10 of the CD-R / RW drive device 0 controls the drive current of the sled motor in the sled mechanism 8 so that the rotation speed of the sled motor specified by the command is received.

In the next step S504, a command for instructing to lower the brightness of the LCD backlight of the display unit 29 to a required level is transmitted. When the LCD backlight should be turned off, the command can also be used to instruct turning off. The CD-R / RW drive device 0 controls the display unit 29 so as to obtain the brightness of the LCD backlight specified by the received command. When the processing up to step S504 is completed, for example, the control application notifies the user that, for example, the first level power saving mode is currently set on the display screen displayed on the display monitor. Is displayed by a predetermined mobile phone. By viewing this display, for example, the user can confirm that, for example, the cause of the decrease in the performance of the CD-R / RW drive device 0 is due to the entry into the power saving mode.

As described above, depending on the processing shown in FIG. 16, a command for designating each performance is transmitted from the host computer 80 to the CD-R / RW drive device 0, and the CD-R / RW The drive device 0 executes internal control so as to obtain the performance specified by the received command.
As a result, the CD-R / RW drive device 0 can operate in the power saving mode. In the setting of the power saving mode, for example, a command instructing the CD-R / RW drive device 0 to execute the power saving mode operation may be defined, and this command may be transmitted. . In this case, the command content is
The level of the power saving mode is specified. On the other hand, C
In the DR-RW drive device 0, the disk rotation speed, the access speed, the brightness of the LCD backlight, and the like described above are reduced as a program in a batch process according to the power saving level specified by the power saving mode request command. Control to be performed.

The description returns to FIG. If a negative result is obtained in step S104, the process proceeds to step S106. The case where a negative result is obtained in step S104 is a case where the stage is lower than the first stage shown in FIG. In step S106, a comparison is made between the operation continuation time Trm and the boundary value 2, and it is determined whether or not the relationship represented by Trm> boundary value 2 holds.

If an affirmative result is obtained in step S106, the power state is determined to be in the second stage shown in FIG. Therefore, in this case, the process proceeds to step S107, and the second level power saving mode is set. The actual processing in step S107 may be the same as the processing operation flow described above with reference to FIG. However, as the processing in step S107, for example, among the operations such as the disk rotation speed, the access speed, the limitation of the volume level, and the brightness reduction (extinguishing) of the LCD backlight, the performance level of the required operation is determined in step S105. Is set to a lower level than in the case of the processing of (1).

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step S106 and it is determined that the remaining battery level is lower than the second level, step S10
Proceed to step 8.

As described above with reference to FIG. 11, in the third stage, it is not recommended to operate the CD-R / RW drive device 0 with a battery, and a warning display is output. . Therefore, in step S108, a display control process is performed on the operation screen as the control application displayed on the display monitor 208 so as to perform a warning display for notifying that the remaining battery power is running low. . At this time, the user is prompted to connect the AC adapter or replace the battery as the warning content.

In the next step S109, the recording data is transferred from the host computer 80 and the CD-R / R
This process is performed when data recording is performed by the W drive device 0, and is not performed in a state where data reading (reproducing) is being performed under the processing shown in FIG. In this step S109,
Cache memory 201 assumed to be included in CPU 201
The recording data held in a is written out and transferred to the CD-R / RW drive device 0. As an example, if data recording is performed by packet writing, by this processing, all data to be written to the disk by packet writing is read from the cache memory and the CD-
The data is transferred to the R / RW drive device 0. CD-R / RW
By recording the transferred data on the disk, the drive device 0 can complete the recording of, for example, one packet (one file) of data on the disk. Then, in the next step S110, it is determined whether the AC adapter is connected or the battery is replaced. In this determination processing, for example, the third byte of Battery Information (FIG. 7)
The type of power supply currently used as described in
[14th byte-15th byte] of formation (Fig. 8)
Is referred to the current battery level. For example, if an AC adapter is connected, the third byte of Battery Information indicates that the AC adapter is the power supply currently in use, and if the battery is replaced, Battery In
This is changed so that the value of the remaining battery amount in the [14th byte-15th byte] of the formation increases.

If an affirmative result is obtained in step S110, the process returns to step S102. As a result, the host computer 80 prohibited from performing the processing in the previous step S109 receives the CD-R
The transfer of recording data to the / RW drive device 0 is permitted. In addition, the power saving mode that has been set so far is also released.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step S110, the process proceeds to step S111. In step S111, the permission mode is set to a mode in which data recording (Write) on the disc is prohibited and only data reading (Read) is permitted. As a result, in the following, writing of data from the host computer 80 to the CD-R / RW drive device 0 is prohibited. This state is, for example, that the AC adapter is connected later and the power saving mode is set. By being released or the battery being replaced, the operation is continued at least until the condition represented by the operation duration time Trm> boundary value 2 is satisfied.

Then, in the next step S112,
Again, a determination is made as to whether the AC adapter has been connected or the battery has been replaced. For example, here, neither the connection of the AC adapter nor the replacement of the battery is performed, and if a negative result is obtained in step S112, the process proceeds to step S113, where the operation continuation time Trm and the boundary value 3 are set. A comparison is made, and it is determined whether or not the relationship of Trm> boundary value 3 is established. Then, the third stage is maintained as the power supply state, and as long as a negative result is obtained in the above-described step S113,
The process returns to step S112. That is, in the third stage, all the data recorded in the cache memory 201a is transferred to the CD-R / RW drive device 0, and while the subsequent writing is prohibited, it waits for the connection of the AC adapter or the replacement of the battery. Is what you are doing. Then, in this state, the connection of the AC adapter or the replacement of the battery is performed, and if a positive result is obtained in step S112, the process returns to step S101.

Further, if the remaining battery level decreases until the power supply state reaches the fourth stage shown in FIG. 11 while the state as the third stage continues as described above, A negative result is obtained in step S113, and the process proceeds to step S114. Step S114
Is a process corresponding to the recording, and executes the forced closing process as described with reference to FIG. For this purpose, the CPU 201 of the host computer 80 creates a file system of the data that has been written to the disc as the current session, and executes the closing process so that the file system is recorded. That means, ultimately,
1 formed by lead-in-data-lead-out
C so that the area of the session is recorded on the disc
The necessary data (file system or the like) is transferred to the DR / RW drive device 0, and recording on the disc is executed. If the data was read,
For example, instead of the processing in step S114 described above, for example, the reproduction may be terminated when the reading of the data of a certain file (or track) by the host computer 80 is completed.

[0113] 5. Operation for Each Recording Mode The processing when recording and reproduction by the CD-R / RW drive device 0 is performed in cooperation with the system including the host computer 80 and the CD-R / RW drive device 0 is roughly described in FIGS. This is shown in FIG. However, as a recording method, disc-at-once (DAO), track-at-once (TAO),
There are four types: session at once (SAO) and packet write. Therefore, the recording mode is DAO
Mode, TAO mode, SAO mode, and packet write mode. Actually, the operation according to the processing shown in FIG. 12 is performed only in the packet write mode, and the operation is slightly different in the DAO mode, the TAO mode, and the SAO mode. This is because, for example, in packet write, additional writing can be performed in a relatively small data unit as a packet, whereas in DAO mode and SAO mode, for example, one data write of lead-in → data → lead-out is performed. This is because the session is closed by continuously performing, so that the disk rotation speed (recording speed) cannot be changed during recording. In the TAO mode, additional writing can be performed on the disc in track units unless the session is closed. However, the track usually has a relatively large data size, and the track is recorded. Even if the disk rotation speed (recording speed) cannot be changed on the way, a control operation different from that during packet writing is required.

Therefore, hereinafter, the control operation of the host computer 80 based on the power supply state of the CD-R / RW drive 0 corresponding to each actual recording mode will be described. In this description, reference is made to the flowcharts of FIGS. The processing shown in these figures is also performed according to the program as the control application 300.
U201 is to be executed. It is assumed that the processes shown in these figures are started from a state where the CD-R / RW drive uses a battery as a power source.

First, at the time of recording, in order for the host computer 80 to perform control in accordance with the power supply state (remaining battery power) of the CD-R / RW drive device 0, the current recording mode is set according to the processing of FIG. Is determined. This processing may be performed at a predetermined timing corresponding to the start of recording, for example. Here, first,
In step S201, it is determined whether or not the current recording mode is the DAO mode. If it is determined that the current recording mode is the DAO mode, the process proceeds to a DAO mode corresponding process. If a negative result is obtained in step S201 that the mode is not the DAO mode, the process proceeds to step S20.
The process proceeds to step 2, where it is determined whether or not the mode is the TAO mode. If a positive result is obtained here, the process proceeds to the TAO mode corresponding process. If a negative result is obtained, the process proceeds to step S203. In step S203. It is determined whether or not the mode is the SAO mode, and if an affirmative result is obtained, the process proceeds to a SAO mode corresponding process. If a negative result is obtained, the remaining packet write mode is set, and the process shifts to a packet write mode corresponding process.

FIG. 14 shows a process corresponding to the DAO mode, TA
The control operation as the O-mode corresponding processing and the SAO mode corresponding processing is shown. In each of the recording modes of DAO, TAO, and SAO, for example, recording is performed in different systems as described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4, and 5, so that the control related to data writing is different. Since the control operation corresponding to the state is substantially the same, only one process is shown here for convenience of explanation.

First, in step S301, the operation continuation time Trm according to the current remaining battery level and the performance status is compared with the boundary value A, and whether or not Trm> boundary value A is satisfied. Is determined. Here, the boundary value A corresponds to, for example, the boundary value 1 shown in FIG.

If an affirmative result is obtained in step S301, the process proceeds to step S302, for example, the first level power saving mode described with reference to FIG. 11 is set, and the mode setting status is displayed on the display monitor 208. To be done. Further, the processing relating to the power saving mode setting here is similar to the processing of step S105 in FIG. 12, for example. On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained, the process proceeds to step S303 to set the second level power saving mode and display the mode setting status. Then, after the processes of steps S302 and S303 are completed, the process proceeds to step S304.

In step S304, a comparison is made between the operation continuable time Trm and the boundary value B, and it is determined whether or not Trm> boundary value B. The boundary value B is lower than the boundary value A. That is, it corresponds to the remaining battery level lower than the boundary value A. In the DAO mode or the SAO mode, a value corresponding to a time required to record one session to be recorded is set. In the TAO mode, a value corresponding to the time required to record one track to be recorded is set. This is achieved by utilizing the recording speed (disc rotation speed) set as the current performance and the data size for one session or one track, for example.
1 is calculated. However, an average value may be held in advance if not much accuracy is required.

If a positive result is obtained in step S304, one session or one track of data can be written depending on the current remaining battery level. ,
The data writing process is started. After the data writing process is started once in this step S309, for example, one disk (D
In the case of the AO mode, data for one session (in the case of the SAO mode) or one track (in the case of the TAO mode) is written.

On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step S304, that is, if it is determined that data for one session or one track cannot be written depending on the current remaining battery level, Proceeds to step S305 to display a warning. In other words, it notifies that the remaining battery capacity is running out. At this time, a message for prompting the user to connect the AC adapter or replace the battery is displayed.

Then, in the next steps S306 and S307, the process waits for connection of the AC adapter and replacement of the battery. Here, it is determined whether or not the AC adapter is connected in step S306, and if a positive result is obtained,
First, the process proceeds to step S308, and if the power saving mode has been set by the processing so far, after canceling the power saving mode, the process proceeds to step S309 to start the data writing process. On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained, the process proceeds to step S307 to determine whether or not battery replacement has been performed. Step S3
If a positive result is obtained in 07 at the battery exchange, the process returns to step S301. On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained, the process moves to step S310. Step S3
In 10, a mode in which only Read is permitted is set, and Write is prohibited. As a result of this processing, the AC adapter is not connected or the battery is not replaced under the condition that the remaining battery power is low.
If it is not possible to guarantee that the recording of data for one session or one track is closed, it is prohibited to start writing data to the disc of the CD-R / RW drive device 0. As a result of prohibiting the start of data writing in this way, in the DOA mode, recording of data for one disk is canceled without starting, and in the TAO and SAO modes, one track and one track are recorded, respectively. Data recording for the session is canceled without starting.

FIG. 15 shows a control operation as a packet write mode corresponding process. As described above, the packet write mode-compatible processing is also shown by the control processing at the time of recording and reproduction shown in FIG. 12, but here, in particular, only the packet write mode-compatible processing is performed. And will be described in some detail.

Here, first, in step S401, the operable continuation time Trm and the boundary value 1 (see FIG. 11) according to the current operation status and the remaining battery power are determined by Tr.
It is determined whether or not m> boundary value 1 is satisfied. Here, if an affirmative result is obtained, the current power state is the remaining battery level as the first stage (see FIG. 11) during battery operation. Set and display this power saving mode status. On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step S403, the power state is the second or lower stage when the battery is driven. Therefore, the process proceeds to step S403 and the second level power saving is performed. A mode is set, and this power saving mode status is displayed. These steps S402 and S4
After the process of 03 is performed, the process proceeds to step S404.

In step S404, regarding the operation continuation time Trm and the boundary value 2, Trm> boundary value 2
Is determined as to whether or not. If a positive result is obtained here, the power state is determined to be in the first stage or the second stage during battery operation. In this case, the process proceeds to step S409 to start the data writing process. The data writing process in this case is a process for writing one packet of data to the disk. Then, in the next step S410, the CD-R / RW drive device 0 is read from the cache memory 201a of the host computer 80.
The recording data is transferred to the device, and the writing of the transferred data to the disk is awaited.

If it is determined in step 410 that the data writing has not yet been completed, the flow returns to step S401 to allow the operation continuation time Trm and the boundary value (1, 2, 2,. The comparison with 3) is performed, and the control process according to the comparison result is executed.

If the data writing is completed while the second stage (FIG. 11) is maintained as the remaining battery level, a positive result is obtained in step S410 and the processing routine is exited. .

If a negative result is obtained in step S404, it means that the power supply is at a stage lower than the third stage. In this case, the process proceeds to step S405 and subsequent steps. .

In step S 405, a warning display indicating that the remaining battery power is running short is displayed on the operation screen of the display monitor 208. As a warning display at this time, as described above, a message prompting the user to connect the AC adapter to the CD-R / RW drive device 0 or replace the battery is output. And
By the processing of the next step S406 → step S407, for example, it waits until the AC adapter or the battery is actually replaced within a predetermined time.

When the AC adapter is connected, an affirmative result is obtained in step S406. In this case, the process proceeds to step S408, and the second power saving mode set in the progress of the processing up to now is set. It is made to release. After that, the flow shifts to the data writing process in step S409. If the battery has been replaced, an affirmative result is obtained in step S407 and the process returns to step S401.

On the other hand, when neither the connection of the AC adapter nor the replacement of the battery is performed, a negative result is obtained in step S407, and the process proceeds to step S411 and subsequent steps. In step S411, it is determined whether or not the recording data is currently buffered in the cache memory 201a. If it is determined that the recording data is buffered, all the data in the cache memory is written out by the process of step S412, and the process proceeds to step S413. On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in step S411 that the recording data is not buffered in the cache memory 201a, the process proceeds to step S413 by passing step S412. In step S413, a mode is set in which only Read is permitted and Write is prohibited. This prohibits further writing of packet data. For example, even if the user performs an operation for recording a new packet on the host computer 80,
This will be canceled.

In the next step S414, it is determined whether or not the relationship of operation continuation time Trm> boundary value 3 is satisfied. The boundary value 3 in this case is a value which is a boundary between the third stage and the fourth stage when the battery is driven as described with reference to FIG. 11, and in this case, particularly, in response to the packet write, The determination may be made based on the operation continuable time Trm which is sufficient for recording one packet of data. This step S4
If an affirmative result is obtained in 14, the process is temporarily exited, and the process returns to, for example, the last step S401. Thereby, for example, steps S401 to s
In the process of step 407, if the AC adapter is connected, the power saving mode is released and the data can be written. If the battery is replaced and the power state of the second or higher stage is maintained, the first or the second state is maintained. Data write processing can be performed in a state where the second level power saving mode is set.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S414 that a negative result is obtained and the power supply state of the fourth stage has been reached, the flow advances to step S415 to execute the forced closing process.

As can be seen from the above description, in the present embodiment, when the CD-R / RW drive device 0 is driven by a battery, first, the power saving mode is set, and the CD-R / RW drive is set. The performance of the device 0 is, for example, lower than when the AC adapter is connected. In the power saving mode, the performance is gradually reduced in accordance with the decrease in the remaining battery power, so that the power consumption can be further reduced.

When the remaining battery capacity is reduced to such an extent that the operation continuation time of the CD-R / RW drive device 0 is reduced, for example, a warning is displayed and the user is notified of the AC adapter. Connection or battery replacement, and set the recording prohibition mode. Thus, for example, in the case of DAO, TAO, and SAO, the start of data recording in session (for one disc) or track unit is prohibited at this stage. In the case of packet writing, the remaining battery power is further reduced from this state, and the remaining battery power is reduced to such an extent that the operation continuation time for newly recording one packet of data cannot be obtained. In this case, even if the packet data does not meet the user's intention, the forced closing process is performed on the packet data recorded so far. By obtaining such an operation, in the present embodiment, the duration of the battery can be extended, and the data recorded on the disc is prevented from being destroyed. In the present embodiment, such an operation is performed by the host computer 80 and the CD.
-In a system in which the R / RW drive device 0 is connected by a data interface, the Battery Inform
The transmission and reception of the ation command are executed, and the host computer 80 controls based on this.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various changes can be made. For example, in the above-described embodiment, a CD-R / RW drive device is used as a recording / reproducing device for a medium. However, for example, a disc having a recording / reproducing function corresponding to only a CD-R or only a CD-RW. The present invention is applicable to a drive device, and further applicable to a recording / reproducing device capable of recording / reproducing media corresponding to media other than a CD-R or a CD-RW, such as an MO. Is done. Further, if the recording method for the medium is changed in response to this, it is sufficient that the closing process is performed according to the recording method. Further, for example, the present invention can be applied to a system including a combination of a peripheral device other than the recording / reproducing device and a host computer.

[0137]

As described above, the present invention provides, for example,
As an operation of the information processing system in which a host computer as an information processing apparatus and a peripheral device are communicably connected, for example, the power state of the peripheral device is notified to the host by transmitting and receiving power information (Battery Information). can do. Then, in accordance with the contents of the power supply information, the host performs control so that various operations including operations relating to data recording and reproduction are appropriately executed. According to the present invention, when the peripheral device is driven by the battery based on the information (eg, the operation continuation time corresponding to the remaining battery) included in the power information, which indicates the remaining battery amount, It is possible to obtain appropriate system operation for reducing power consumption. That is, the present invention has, as a system operation, a power saving function in which, for example, when a peripheral device is driven by a battery, the battery is operated so as to have a longer duration than before. Thereby, the convenience of the system is improved accordingly.

In the power saving operation by the above system, when the peripheral device is a recording / reproducing device, an instruction is given to change the drive speed of the recording medium, and in response to this, the host side Is also changed. For example, in order to cooperate with the data transfer speed on the host side, it is not preferable to change the drive double speed on the peripheral device side by an independent judgment of only the peripheral device side. As described above, if the control is performed by the control of the host side, it can be easily realized, and the recording and reproduction of data is not hindered.

The power saving operation includes, for example, changing an access speed in a peripheral device as a recording / reproducing device,
By controlling the change of the volume, the change of the brightness of the display unit, or the switching of display / non-display, etc., more effective power saving is performed. For example, these operations are different from the above-described recording speed (driving speed of the recording medium), and can be changed and set even with the peripheral device alone. However, if control is performed on the host side as in the present invention, it is possible to grasp the performance status of the peripheral device on the host side without transmitting / receiving status information indicating the operation status of the device, for example. For example, it is advantageous to perform a certain required system operation on the host side. As an example, it is possible to easily display and output the performance status of the peripheral device.

Further, by changing the performance level of the peripheral device as a power saving operation in accordance with the remaining battery level, it is possible to effectively save power while operating in the best possible performance state. Become.

As described above, according to the present invention, the power saving in the peripheral device is performed as the system operation, so that a more effective effect can be obtained as compared with the case where the power saving operation is executed by the peripheral device alone. Is what it is.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a CD-R / RW drive device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of a host computer according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a disc-at-once recording method.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a track-at-once recording method.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a session-at-once recording method.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of a GET BATTERY INFORMATION command.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of BATTERY INFORMATION.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of BATTERY INFORMATION.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of BATTERY INFORMATION.

FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing the structure of BATTERY INFORMATION.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a correspondence between a power supply state and a control operation of the system in the present embodiment.

12 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for realizing a system control operation according to a power supply state shown in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process for determining a recording mode as a processing operation for realizing a system control operation corresponding to each recording mode.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating a processing operation for realizing a system control operation according to DAO, TAO, and SAO as recording modes.

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for realizing a system control operation according to a packet write as a recording mode.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing a processing operation for setting a power saving mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 pickup, 2 objective lens, 2 biaxial mechanism, 4
Laser diode, 9 RF amplifier, 10 system controller, 12 encoding / decoding unit, 13
USB interface, 14 servo processor, 1
6 two-axis driver, 19 APC circuit, 20 buffer memory, 25 asymmetry detection circuit, 26 ROM,
27 RAM, 80 host computer, 90 disk, 100 USB bus, 101 data bus, 10
2 power bus, 201 CPU, 201a cache memory, 202 ROM, 203 RAM, 204
I / O interface, 205 keyboard, 206
Mouse, 207 HDD, 208 display monitor, 209 USB interface, 300 control application

Claims (13)

[Claims] 1. An information processing system comprising at least a first information processing apparatus and a second information processing apparatus communicably connected to each other, wherein the first information processing apparatus supplies power to the inside by at least a battery Power supply means capable of performing power supply information, power supply information generation means for generating power supply information storing predetermined information on the power supply means, and information transmission means for transmitting the power supply information to the second information processing apparatus. The second information processing apparatus reduces power consumption in the first information processing apparatus based on remaining battery level information that can indicate the remaining battery level stored in the received power information. An information processing system, comprising: control means for controlling a required operation to be performed in the information processing system. 2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a recording / reproducing unit configured to record and / or reproduce data corresponding to a predetermined recording medium. Along with instructing the processing device to change the drive speed of the recording medium for recording or reproduction, the transfer speed of the recording data or reproduction data in the second information processing device is instructed. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the control is performed so as to change the drive speed according to the drive speed of the recording medium. 3. A connection means for communicatively connecting to another information processing apparatus side; a power supply means capable of supplying power to the inside by at least a battery; and power supply information storing predetermined information on the power supply means. Power information generating means for generating the power information, information transmitting means for transmitting the power information to the other information processing apparatus via the connection means, and transmission from the other information processing apparatus via the connection means And control means capable of controlling internal operations based on the control information when receiving control information instructing an operation for reducing power consumption. Processing equipment. 4. A recording / reproducing unit capable of recording and / or reproducing data corresponding to a predetermined recording medium, wherein the control unit is configured to control the other information processing device based on the control information. 4. The information according to claim 3, wherein the recording / reproducing means is controllable so as to set a drive speed of the recording medium, which corresponds to a set transfer speed of the recording data or the reproduction data. Processing equipment. 5. A recording / reproducing means capable of recording and / or reproducing data corresponding to a predetermined recording medium, wherein the control means can change and set an access speed based on the control information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured as follows. 6. An audio signal output unit for outputting an audio signal, wherein the control unit is configured to be capable of changing and setting a level of an output sound in the audio signal output unit based on the control information. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein 7. An access speed, comprising a display unit, wherein the control unit changes and sets an access speed based on the control information so that display brightness or display / non-display of the display unit can be controlled. The information processing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured as follows. 8. A connection unit communicably connected to another information processing apparatus capable of supplying power to the inside by at least a battery, and predetermined information regarding power supply transmitted from the other information processing apparatus. When the power information stored in the other information processing device is received via the connection unit, the power information stored in the received power information may indicate the remaining battery power. Control means for controlling a required operation for reducing power to be executed in the information processing device and / or the other information processing device. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the other information processing apparatus includes a recording / reproducing means capable of recording and / or reproducing data corresponding to a predetermined recording medium. On the other hand, while instructing to change the drive speed of the recording medium for recording or reproduction, the transfer speed of the recording data or the reproduction data in the information processing apparatus is set to correspond to the drive speed of the recording medium. 9. The control according to claim 8, wherein the control is executed so as to change.
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 10. An instruction for changing an access speed in said another information processing apparatus comprising a recording / reproducing means capable of recording and / or reproducing data corresponding to a predetermined recording medium. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the information processing apparatus is configured to perform the following. 11. The apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said control means is capable of giving an instruction for changing an audio output level of an audio signal output means provided in said another information processing apparatus. An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 12. The control means is configured to be capable of changing the display brightness of a display means provided in the other information processing apparatus or instructing display / non-display switching. Claim 8
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. 13. The other information processing unit according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is configured to change the power consumption to be reduced continuously or stepwise according to the remaining battery power determined by the remaining battery power information. 9. The information processing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein a required operation of the apparatus is configured to be controllable.