JP2010271967A - Start control device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a start-up control device that starts a system at high speed without reducing the memory capacity used by an OS during normal system operation.
When a system power is turned off, a save area for storing data necessary for starting the system is created in the OS management area on the RAM that has been nonvolatileized by battery backup or the like, and the required data on the ROM is saved. After that, turn off the system power. When the system is restarted, the memory capacity used by the OS during normal system operation is reduced by reading data from the save area and releasing unnecessary data in the save area to the OS after the system startup is completed. Without starting up the system.
[Selection] Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to an activation control apparatus that controls system activation in an information terminal apparatus, and more particularly to an activation control apparatus that performs activation at high speed from power OFF.

  As a conventional technique for shortening the startup time of a system, for example, there is a hibernation technique in which the contents of a memory (RAM) are stored as they are in a hard disk or the like when the system power is turned off and restored to the memory when the power is turned on.

  Further, there has been a suspend technique in which the memory is always turned on with a battery or the like, the device state or program is stored in the memory as it is when the system power is turned off, and the device or program is restored to the previous state when the power is turned on.

  However, the hibernation technique requires the same amount of storage area as the memory in order to save the contents of the memory. For this reason, it is not suitable for an embedded device having a limited amount of memory. In the suspend technology, it is necessary to add control for saving and restoring the device state, and it is necessary to modify the device driver. For these reasons, in information terminal devices for embedded devices, startup speed is increased by a method different from the above-described speed-up technology.

  Conventional techniques include building a RAM disk area in battery-backed RAM and starting the system at high speed using data stored in the RAM disk when the system is restarted (for example, Patent Document 1). In the OS management area, a RAM disk area set so as not to be used for purposes other than storing system startup data is constructed, and data necessary for system startup is stored. This ensures that the data in the RAM disk area is preserved even after restarting. Furthermore, it is possible to start up the system at high speed by reading data from a high-speed RAM disk area instead of a low-speed ROM.

JP-A-8-147225

  However, in the conventional configuration, the RAM disk area created in the OS management area is reserved as a fixed area and cannot be dynamically allocated as a memory that can be used by an application, a device driver, or the like. Therefore, the ratio of the memory capacity that can be used for dynamic allocation of the OS is reduced, and there is a problem that a larger memory capacity is required to realize a comfortable operation as a system.

  The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a startup control device that starts up a system at high speed without reducing the memory capacity used by the OS during normal system operation. .

  In order to solve the above-described conventional problems, the activation control device of the present invention is configured so that the activation data required at the system activation in the ROM area is stored in the RAM area where the power is held by battery backup or the like when the system power is turned off. This is a startup control device that temporarily stores data, and during the power-off process, after the system is restarted and the contents of the RAM are initialized, a save area for storing the startup data is secured in the OS management area. Evacuation area securing means to be stored, evacuation data storage means for storing the activation data from the ROM area to the evacuation area in descending order of the possibility of being used at the time of restart, and the evacuation area when the system is restarted A save area reading means for reading data necessary for system startup from the area, and unused data in the save area after the system restart is completed Characterized by comprising a save area release means for releasing the OS.

  With this configuration, the save area is created and used in the OS management area only during the period from when the power is turned off to when the system startup is completed, so that the memory capacity of the OS management area is not reduced during normal system operation. The system can be started at high speed.

  According to the activation control device of the present invention, the system can be activated at high speed without reducing the memory capacity of the OS management area during normal system operation.

The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the information terminal device provided with the starting control apparatus in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the structure in the save area which the save area management part in embodiment of this invention manages The figure which shows the structure of the information terminal device provided with the starting control apparatus in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the transition of the memory state of OS management area | region in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of operation | movement of the information terminal device provided with the starting control apparatus in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of operation | movement of the information terminal device provided with the starting control apparatus in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of operation | movement of the information terminal device provided with the starting control apparatus in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of operation | movement of the information terminal device provided with the starting control apparatus in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of the data in the save area in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the information terminal device provided with the starting control apparatus in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows the structure of the information terminal device provided with the starting control apparatus in embodiment of this invention The figure which shows an example of operation | movement of the information terminal device provided with the starting control apparatus in embodiment of this invention

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 shows a hardware configuration of an information terminal device provided with the activation control device of the present invention.

  The information terminal device includes a central processing unit (CPU) 1, a ROM 2, an optical drive 3, an input device 4, a display device 5, a peripheral device 6, and a RAM 7. These are connected via an internal bus.

  Any CPU 1 can be used as long as the processing capability is sufficient.

  As the ROM 2, a NOR flash memory, a NAND flash memory, or the like can be used. In the ROM 2, program code 20, data information 21, an activation list 22, and a system activation factor 23 are stored.

  The program code 20 is various programs such as an OS, an application, middleware, and a device driver. The data information 21 is various data such as images and fonts and parameter setting values. The activation list 22 is a list that describes the storage locations in the ROM of programs and data information required when the system is activated. The system activation factor 23 is activation information at the next system activation, and is information for specifying an application to be activated first, and is stored in a readable / writable area. The storage location of the system activation factor does not need to be a ROM, such as FeRAM or MRAM, as long as it can retain data even when the power is turned off and can be read immediately upon activation.

  The optical drive 3 is capable of reproducing optical media such as CD, DVD, Blu-Ray Disk (hereinafter referred to as BD).

  The input device 4 uses a remote controller, a touch panel, a keyboard, a keypad, or the like to detect various operations performed by the user on the information terminal device and notify the CPU 1 of the various operations.

  The display device 5 includes a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, an organic EL display, and the like, and displays contents read from the optical drive 3.

  The peripheral device 6 is a variety of device devices that can be attached and detached by a user operation, and uses devices according to the purpose of use of the information terminal device. The peripheral device 6 is, for example, a communication device or a memory card.

  The RAM 7 can be a volatile memory such as an SRAM or a DRAM. The RAM 7 is always operated with the power on using a battery or the like, and retains data in the RAM 7 even when the system power is turned off. The RAM 7 can also use a non-volatile memory such as FeRAM or MRAM. The RAM 7 stores an OS 30 and an OS management area 40.

  The OS 30 includes a memory management unit 31, a save area management unit 32, and a file system control unit 33.

  The memory management unit 31 manages the OS management area 40 and manages the area that can be used by the OS 30 for dynamic memory allocation, the number of times each data is referenced, and the usage status.

  The OS management area 40 is a memory area managed by the memory management unit 31. When dynamic memory allocation is performed, necessary memory is secured from this area and used.

  The save area management unit 32 creates a save area 41 in the OS management area 40. The save area 41 is an area that is temporarily created only when the power is turned off, and is an area that can be uniquely specified at the time of restart. In the present embodiment, a case where the save area 41 is created as a physical continuation will be described as an example. In this area, program code 20 and data information 21 necessary for system startup are stored. Further, the save area management unit 32 stores data in the save area 41, reads data from the save area 41, releases the save area 41, and the like. When storing data, the data is stored in consideration of the system activation factor 23 and the connection status of the peripheral devices 6. Details of the save area management unit 32 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The file system control unit 33 reads the program code 20 and various data information 21 stored in the ROM 2, and saves the read contents as a file system cache in a dynamically secured area from within the OS management area. When reading the contents once read out, the file system cache is used. However, if the save area 41 exists, the save area management unit 32 is used to read necessary programs and various data from the save area 41. In this case, the file system control unit 33 registers the read data in the save area 41 itself as a file system cache.

  FIG. 2 shows details of the save area 41 created in the RAM 7 of the information terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The save area 41 is divided into a common area 100, a startup application area 110, a device area 120, and a spare area 130 for management.

  The common area 100 stores program code 20 and data information 21 that are always read from the ROM 2 when the system is started up. The startup application area 110 stores an application program that is first determined when the system is started, which is determined by a system startup factor. The device area 120 is a peripheral device 6 that can be attached and detached by a user operation, and stores a program related to the peripheral device 6 connected to the system when the power is turned off. The spare area 130 stores programs (device drivers) related to peripheral devices that may be newly connected while the system power is turned off. In addition to the device driver, the spare area 130 stores an application program that may be executed first when the system power is turned on and the system is started.

  FIG. 3 shows details of the save area management unit 32 of the activation control apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  The save area management unit 32 includes save area securing means 200, save data storage means 210, save area management list 220, save area reading means 230, and save area releasing means 240.

  The save area securing unit 200 notifies the memory management unit 31 in the OS 30 of the start address and use size used as the save area 41. The memory management unit 31 creates the save area 41 by setting the area notified from the save area securing unit 200 as an area that the OS 30 cannot use for dynamic memory allocation.

  The save data storage unit 210 includes an activation list management unit 211, an activation factor confirmation unit 212, and a device connection state confirmation unit 213.

  The activation list management unit 211 manages the activation list 22 stored on the ROM 2 and reads the activation list 22.

  The activation factor confirmation unit 212 reads the system activation factor 23 on the ROM 2 and acquires application information that is activated first at the time of rebooting. When there is no area for storing the system activation factor, the application information to be activated may be determined from the media information inserted in the optical disc.

  The device connection state confirmation unit 213 confirms the connection state of the peripheral device 6 that can be attached and detached by a user operation, and acquires device information that is currently connected to the system.

  The save data storage unit 210 acquires the activation list information from the activation list management unit 211, and confirms information to be stored in the common area 100 described in the activation list information. The save data storage unit 210 reads the confirmed data from the program code 20 and the data information 21 on the ROM, and stores the data in the common area 100 in the save area 41. Next, the saved data storage unit 210 confirms the application information acquired from the activation factor confirmation unit 212, reads the corresponding application program from the activation list information, and similarly stores it in the activation application area 110. Further, the saved data storage unit 210 acquires device information from the device connection state confirmation unit 213, reads the relevant peripheral device 6 related program from the activation list information, and similarly stores it in the device area 120. Finally, the saved data storage unit 210 reads from the activation list 22 device-related programs whose connection has not been confirmed by the device connection state confirmation unit 213 and application programs that have not been selected by the activation factor confirmation unit 212. The saved data storage unit 210 stores the read device-related program and application program in the spare area 130. When storing data in the spare area 130, the saved data storage unit 210 may provide use priorities within the peripheral device 6 and within the application, and store them in the spare area 130 in descending order of priority. Alternatively, the saved data storage unit 210 may acquire the usage history of the application or the peripheral device 6 and store the usage history in the spare area 130 in descending order of usage frequency. When storing the data in the save area 41 as described above, the save data storage unit 210 records in the save area management list 220 where the data described in the activation list 22 is stored, and the storage destination address. Keep it.

  The save area reading unit 230 searches the save area management list 220 for the program code 20 and various data 21 on the ROM 2 requested by the file system control unit 33. Further, the save area reading unit 230 notifies the file system control unit 21 of the storage destination address of the retrieved data.

  The save area releasing unit 240 is called at an arbitrary timing after the system startup is completed, and notifies the memory management unit 31 of the start address and the used size of the save area 41. The memory management unit 31 sets the area notified from the save area releasing unit 240 as an area that the OS 30 can use for dynamic memory allocation. In addition, the memory management unit 31 specifies a data area that is not used at the time of system startup from the data in the save area 41 from the data reference count, sets the specified data area as an unused area, and thereafter the OS is an empty area. It can be used as The transition of the memory state in the OS management area 40 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 4 shows the transition of the memory state in the OS management area 40. Here, the respective memory states before the system startup (S4-1, S4-4), during startup (S4-2, S4-5), and after completion of startup (S4-3, S4-6) are shown. S4-1, S4-2, and S4-3 show conventional operations, and S4-3, S4-4, and S4-5 show operations according to the present invention.

  In the conventional operation, the OS management area 40 is unused before the system is started (S4-1). During system startup, the program code 20 and various data 21 read from the ROM 2 are stored in the OS management area 40 (S4-2), and the system startup is completed (S4-3).

  In the case of the present invention, before starting the system, the save area 41 is created in the OS management area 40 when the power is turned off (S4-4). During system activation, necessary data is read from the save area 41 (S4-5). When the system startup is completed, the unused data area in the save area 41 becomes an empty area of the OS (S4-6). Comparing S4-3 and S4-6, the available memory capacity in the OS management area 51 is equal.

  With the above configuration, the save area 41 can be created and used in the OS management area 40 only temporarily from when the system power is turned off to when the system startup is completed. This makes it possible to start up the system at high speed without reducing the memory capacity of the OS management area 40 during normal operation.

  5, 6, 7, and 8 are flowcharts illustrating an example of an operation until the system power is turned off by the system power-off operation and then the system restart is completed by the system power-on operation. Here, it is assumed that there are three types of applications that are activated first when the system is activated. These three are applications that play DVDs (hereinafter referred to as DVD playback applications), applications that play back BDs (hereinafter referred to as BD playback applications), and applications that display screen savers (hereinafter referred to as standby applications). is there. Note that the above-described standby application is activated when an optical medium is not inserted. Even in the case where the DVD playback application or the BD playback application is activated first, the standby application may be activated first depending on the user's remote control operation. As for peripheral devices, information terminal devices that can use SD cards and LAN cards are assumed.

  FIG. 5 shows operations from when the user performs an operation to turn off the system to when the system is turned off.

  The process is started when the power OFF button of the input device 4 is pressed by a user operation (step S5-1). As a result, the input device 4 notifies the CPU 1 that the power-off button has been pressed, and the CPU 1 executes the system power-off processing, stores the next system activation factor, and performs power-off processing of various devices. Step S5-2). Thereafter, the system reboots and initializes the contents of the RAM 7 (step S5-3). After the system reboot, the CPU 1 executes a boot loader process and performs initial settings of the CPU, ROM, RAM, etc. (step S5-4). The CPU 1 reads the OS program from the ROM 2 into the RAM 2 and activates the OS 30 (step S5-5).

  After the completion of the startup of the OS 30, the save area securing unit 200 notifies the memory management unit 31 in the OS 30 of the start address and use size of the RAM 7 used as the save area 41. The memory management unit 31 creates the save area 41 by setting the notified area as an area that cannot be used for dynamic memory allocation in the OS management area 40 (step S5-6).

  After creating the save area 41, the save data storage unit 210 stores data necessary for system activation in the save area 41 (step S5-7). A detailed procedure for creating data in the save area 41 will be described later with reference to FIG.

  After completing the data storage in the save area 41, the system executes a power-off process (step S5-8), and the system power is turned off (step S5-9).

  FIG. 6 shows details of the saved data storage process.

  First, the saved data storage unit 210 acquires the activation list 22 stored in the ROM 2 by the activation list management unit 211 (step S6-1). The saved data storage unit 210 confirms data to be stored in the common area 100 from the acquired activation list information, and stores the data read from the ROM 2 in the common area 100 (step S6-2).

  Next, the saved data storage unit 210 acquires application information to be activated first at the next system activation from the activation factor confirmation unit 212 (step S6-3). The saved data storage unit 210 confirms necessary data from the activation list information based on the acquired application information, and stores the data read from the ROM 2 in the activation application area 110 (step S6-4). Details of the data storage processing in the activation application area will be described later with reference to FIG.

  Next, the saved data storage unit 210 acquires the peripheral device 6 information connected to the system from the device connection state confirmation unit 213 (step S6-5). The saved data storage unit 210 determines the connected peripheral device and switches the process (step S6-6).

  If the connected device is a LAN and an SD card, the saved data storage unit 210 confirms programs related to these from the activation list information and stores them in the device area 120 (step S6-7).

  If the connected device is only the LAN, the saved data storage unit 210 confirms a program related thereto from the activation list information and stores it in the device area 120 (step S6-8). Further, the saved data storage unit 210 stores an SD card related program that may be connected by a user operation in the spare area 130 (step S6-9).

  If the connected device is only an SD card, the saved data storage unit 210 confirms a program related thereto from the activation list information and stores it in the device area 120 (step S6-10). Further, the saved data storage unit 210 stores a LAN-related program that may be connected by a user operation in the spare area 130 (step S6-11).

  If there is no connected peripheral device, the save data storage unit 210 does not create the device area 120 and stores the LAN-related and SD card-related programs in the spare area 130 (step S6-12).

  Thus, the data storage process in the save area 41 is completed. An example of data stored in the save area will be described later with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 7 shows details of data storage processing in the startup application area 110.

  The saved data storage unit 210 determines the startup application information and switches processing (step S7-1).

  When the application to be activated first is a DVD playback application, the saved data storage unit 210 confirms the related application program from the activation list information and stores it in the activation application area 110 (step S7-2). Further, a program related to the standby application that may be activated first by a user operation is stored in the spare area 130 (step S7-3).

  If the application to be activated first is a BD playback application, the saved data storage unit 210 confirms the related application program from the activation list information and stores it in the activation application area 110 (step S7-4). Further, a program related to the standby application that may be activated first by a user operation is stored in the spare area 130 (step S7-5).

  When the application to be activated first is a standby application, the saved data storage unit 210 confirms the related application program from the activation list information and stores it in the activation application area 110 (step S7-6). If there is no other application that can be activated by a user operation, no data is stored in the spare area 130.

  Thus, the data storage process in the startup application area 110 is completed.

  FIG. 8 shows operations from when the user performs an operation to turn on the system until the system is started.

  The process starts when the power ON button of the input device 4 is pressed by a user operation (step S8-1). As a result, the input device 4 notifies the CPU 1 that the power ON button has been pressed, and the CPU 1 executes boot loader processing to power on the system and performs initial settings of the CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like (step S8). -2). The CPU 1 reads the OS program from the ROM 2 into the RAM 2 and activates the OS 30 (step S8-3).

  When the save area 41 exists in the OS management area 40 (YES in step S8-4), the save area reading unit 230 reads data necessary for system activation from the save area 41 (step S8-5). Next, the system is activated using the read data (step S8-6). After the system startup is completed, the save area releasing unit 240 sets the data in the save area 41 as an area that the OS 30 can use for dynamic memory allocation, and releases the unreferenced data to the OS 30 as an unused area. (Step S8-7). The unused area becomes a free area.

  When the save area 41 does not exist in the OS management area 40 (NO in step S8-4), the save area reading unit 230 reads data necessary for starting the system from the ROM 2 (step S8-8). Next, the system is activated using the read data (step S8-9).

  FIG. 9 shows an example of the case where the activation application information is a BD playback application and the connected device is a LAN as data stored in the save area 41.

  The startup application area 110 stores a program related to the BD playback application, and stores a LAN-related program in the device area 120. Further, the spare area stores a standby application-related program and an SD-related program.

  As described above, the save area is created and used in the OS management area only during the period from when the power is turned off to when the system startup is completed, so that the system capacity can be reduced without reducing the memory capacity of the OS management area during normal system operation. Can start up fast.

(Embodiment 2)
FIG. 10 shows a hardware configuration of an information terminal device provided with the activation control device of the present invention. In FIG. 10, a TV tuner 8, an external storage device 9, and a timer management device 10 are added to the configuration shown in FIG. Moreover, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as in FIG. Hereinafter, the newly added components will be described, and description of the same components will be omitted.

  As the TV tuner 8, an analog TV tuner, a digital TV tuner, a BS digital tuner, or the like can be used, and the information terminal device can receive TV broadcasts.

  The external storage device 9 can use a hard disk or the like, and can store a large amount of data such as a TV broadcast received by the TV tuner.

  The timer management apparatus 10 is operable even when the system is powered off and is still powered. When the information terminal device has a timer reservation function and the system power is turned off at the reserved time, the system can be turned on.

  FIG. 11 shows details of the save area management unit 32 of the information terminal device according to the embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 11, a timer reservation confirmation unit 214 and a startup application determination unit 215 are added to the save area management unit 32 shown in FIG. Further, the same reference numerals are used for the same components as those in FIG. Hereinafter, the newly added components will be described, and description of the same components will be omitted.

  The timer reservation confirmation unit 214 confirms the presence / absence of a timer from the timer management apparatus 10 and, if there is a timer reservation, confirms the timer reservation start time.

  The activated application determination unit 215 determines which of the application activated by the timer reservation and the application activated by the normal activation is given priority based on the information notified from the timer reservation confirming unit 214. The application that is determined to be given priority by the startup application determination unit 215 is stored in the startup application area 110 with priority. When there is no timer reservation, the activation application determination unit 215 notifies the saved data storage unit 210 of the application information acquired from the activation factor confirmation unit 212. When there is a timer reservation, the activation application determination unit 215 confirms the time until the timer reservation is started, and if it is within a preset threshold, notifies the saved data storage unit 210 of an application to be activated by the timer reservation. If it is equal to or greater than the threshold value, the activation application determination unit 215 notifies the saved data storage unit 210 of the application information acquired from the activation factor confirmation unit 212 and the timer reservation setting information.

  When the timer reservation setting information is notified from the activation application determination unit 215, the save data storage unit 210 stores, in the spare area 130, an application program that is activated by timer reservation.

  With the above configuration, even in an information terminal device having a timer reservation function, the activation control device can realize high-speed activation of the system in consideration of the timer reservation status. Only the data storage procedure (step S6-4) in the activation application area 110 in FIG. 6 is different from the first embodiment.

  FIG. 12 shows details of data storage processing in the startup application area 110. When timer reservation is started, it is assumed that an application that performs recording (hereinafter referred to as a recording application) is started.

  First, the activation application determination unit 215 confirms the presence / absence of a timer by the timer reservation confirmation unit 214 and notifies the activation application determination unit 215 (step S12-1). The activated application determination unit 215 determines whether or not there is a timer reservation (step S12-2). If there is no timer reservation, the process is the same as after step S7-1.

  When there is a timer reservation, the timer reservation confirmation unit 214 confirms the timer reservation start time and notifies the activation application determination unit 215 (step S12-3).

  The activated application determination unit 215 compares the time until the reservation start time with a threshold value (step S12-4).

  If it is not within the threshold value, the processing after step S7-1 is executed, and then the saved data storage unit 210 stores data related to the recording application in the spare area 130 (step S12-5).

  If it is within the threshold, the activated application determination unit 215 notifies the saved data storage unit 210 of the recorded application as activated application information. The saved data storage unit 210 stores application information related to the recording application in the activation application area 110 (step S12-6).

  Next, the saved data storage unit 210 determines the startup application information and switches processing (step S12-7).

  In the case of a DVD playback application, the saved data storage unit 210 stores application information related to the DVD playback application and the standby application in the spare area 130 (step S12-8).

  In the case of a BD playback application, the saved data storage unit 210 stores application information related to the BD playback application and the standby application in the spare area 130 (step S12-9).

  In the case of a standby application, the saved data storage unit 210 stores application information related to the standby application in the spare area 130 (step S12-10).

  Thus, the data storage process in the startup application area 110 is completed.

  As described above, the save area is created and used in the OS management area only during the period from when the power is turned off to when the system startup is completed, so that the system capacity can be reduced without reducing the memory capacity of the OS management area during normal system operation. Can start up fast.

  Further, in a system having a timer reservation function, it is possible to realize high-speed startup of the system by appropriately controlling the time of system startup by reservation and the normal system startup in consideration of the timer reservation status.

  Each functional block of the present invention is typically realized as software, but may be realized as an LSI which is an integrated circuit. The name used here is LSI, but it may also be called IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration. Further, the method of circuit integration is not limited to LSI's, and implementation using dedicated circuitry or general purpose processors is also possible. An FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after manufacturing the LSI, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connection or setting of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used. Furthermore, if integrated circuit technology comes out to replace LSI's as a result of the advancement of semiconductor technology or a derivative other technology, it is naturally also possible to carry out function block integration using this technology. Biotechnology can be applied.

  The activation control device according to the present invention is useful for information terminal devices and the like. In addition, it can be used in various types of home appliances, in-vehicle devices, and communication devices including mobile phones.

1 CPU
2 ROM
3 Optical Drive 4 Input Device 5 Display Device 6 Peripheral Device 7 RAM
8 TV tuner 9 External storage device 10 Timer management device 20 Program code 21 Data information 22 Startup list 23 System startup factor 30 OS
31 Memory management unit 32 Save area management unit 33 File system control unit 40 OS management area 41 Save area 100 Common area 110 Start application area 120 Device area 130 Spare area 200 Save area securing means 210 Save data storage means 211 Start list management means 212 Activation factor confirmation means 213 Device connection state confirmation means 214 Timer reservation confirmation means 215 Activation application determination section 220 Saved area management list 230 Saved area read means 240 Saved area release means

Claims (4)

A startup control device that temporarily stores startup data required at system startup in a ROM area in a RAM area where power is held by battery backup or the like only when the system power is turned off.
A save area securing means for securing a save area for storing the startup data in the management area of the OS after restarting the system and initializing the contents of the RAM during the power-off process;
Save data storage means for storing the start-up data in the save area from the ROM area in descending order of the possibility of being used when restarting;
A save area reading means for reading data necessary for system startup from the save area when the system is restarted;
An activation control device, comprising: save area releasing means for releasing unused data in the save area to the OS after completion of system restart. The save area is a common area that stores data that is always used when the system is started, a start application area that stores an application program that operates first when the system is started, and is detachable by a user operation. It has a device area for storing programs related to peripheral devices and a spare area for storing data that may be used by a user operation, and is characterized by stacking and managing data in order from the frequently used area. The activation control device according to claim 1. The save data storage means includes a start list management means for managing data necessary for system start, a start factor confirmation means for confirming a start factor at the next system start, and a device connection for confirming a connection state of peripheral devices. A state confirmation means,
During the power-off process, the saved data storage means stores a device-related program that may be newly connected by a user operation while the system power is off and an application program that may be activated first. The activation control device according to claim 2, wherein the activation control device is stored in an area. The activation factor confirmation means compares the time until the timer reservation time with a predetermined threshold value,
If the time is smaller than the threshold value, the saved data storage means stores an application to be activated by timer reservation in the activated application area, and if the time is greater than the threshold value, the saved data storage means sets the application to be activated by normal activation to the activated application. 4. The activation control device according to claim 3, wherein the activation control device is stored in an area.

Images