Information processing apparatus, display control method, and recording medium

A control unit inquires each digital apparatus stored in a memory table in a memory about a power supply mode of the apparatus through an IEEE1394 serial bus. When a response indicates a power-on mode, corresponding icons 61-1 and 61-2 are normally displayed. When the response indicates a connection standby mode, a corresponding icon 61-3 is mesh-displayed. If there is no response, corresponding icons 61-4 and 61-5 are inversion-displayed. A connection detecting circuit 111 detects a bias voltage of an IEEE1394 serial bus 101 and outputs a detection signal to a main control circuit 122. On the basis of the input detection signal, the main control circuit 122 controls a power supplying circuit 117 so as to supply a standby electric power to a standby power supplying circuit 116. On the basis of a command from the main control circuit 122, the standby power supplying circuit 116 supplies a standby electric power to a physical connecting circuit 112, a logical connecting circuit 113, and a standby control circuit 121.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a display control method, and a recording medium. More particularly, the invention relates to an information processing apparatus, a display control method, and a recording medium, in which in case of, for example, mutually connecting a plurality of digital apparatuses by an IEEE1394 serial bus, a mode of a power source of each digital apparatus is displayed. The invention also relates to an information processing apparatus and a power control method, in which a standby electric power is supplied to only a corresponding circuit from a connecting state of the IEEE1394 serial bus.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, even in an ordinary home, digital apparatuses such as a D-VTR (Digital Video Tape Recorder) for recording digital broadcast and the like are being spread. In association with it, the operation such that the digital broadcast is received and outputted to a television receiver and the digital broadcast is monitored or the operation such that the digital broadcast is transferred to the D-VTR and recorded as a digital signal as it is can be easily performed.

For example, the IEEE (The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) 1394 serial bus having a high degree of freedom of connection and high durability is used for mutual connection of the digital apparatuses.

According to the IEEE1394 serial bus, even when a power source of the electronic apparatus connected thereto is in a standby mode, the power source of the electronic apparatus can be turned on by sending a command. Each electronic apparatus, therefore, is set to the standby mode and a current is always supplied to the apparatus.

However, when the power source of the electronic apparatus is OFF (disconnecting state), since no command can be received, the existence of the electronic apparatus cannot be recognized. Further, there is a problem such that when the number of electronic apparatuses connected to a network increases, it is difficult to distinguish the electronic apparatus in the standby mode including a power-on state from the electronic apparatus in the disconnecting state.

Therefore, although there is a method of always setting the power sources of all of the electronic apparatuses connected to the network into the standby mode, an electric power is supplied even to the electronic apparatus whose use frequency is low, so that there is a problem such that a large electric power (standby electric power) is eventually consumed.

There is also a problem such that since the IEEE1394 serial bus communicates with many apparatuses, in the apparatuses connected to the bus, it is necessary to make many circuits operative and, since the apparatus operates at a high speed, a large electric power (standby electric power) is consumed even in the standby mode.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

The invention is made in consideration of such a situation and intends to display a mode of a power source of each electronic apparatus and enable the power source of the electronic apparatus to be easily managed.

The invention is made in consideration of such a situation and intends to reduce a standby electric power in accordance with a connecting state of a bus.

An information processing apparatus according to an aspect of the invention includes memory means for storing a plurality of apparatuses connected to a network, and display control means for controlling a display of a current supply mode, a standby mode, or a current non-supply mode of the plurality of apparatuses stored in the memory means so that the modes can be distinguished.

Apparatuses disconnected from the network can be also stored in the memory means.

Power input instructing means for instructing a power input through the network can be further provided for the apparatus in the standby mode.

The IEEE1394 serial bus can be used as a network.

A display control method according to a further aspect of the invention includes a storage control step of controlling storage of a plurality of apparatuses connected to a network, and a display control step of controlling a display of a current supply mode, a standby mode, or a current non-supply mode of the plurality of apparatuses stored by the control in the storage control step so that the modes can be distinguished.

A program for a recording medium according to a still further aspect of the invention includes a storage control step of controlling storage of a plurality of apparatuses connected to a network, and a display control step of controlling a display of a current supply mode, a standby mode, or a current non-supply mode of the plurality of apparatuses stored by the control in the storage control step so that the modes can be distinguished.

An information processing apparatus according to another aspect of the invention includes detecting means for detecting a connecting state of a bus; and control means for controlling a supply of an electric power so as to supply the electric power to a predetermined circuit among a plurality of circuits on the basis of a detection result of the detecting means.

The detecting means can detect a bias voltage from a signal line of the bus.

An IEEE1394 serial bus can be used as a bus.

A power control method according to an additional aspect of the invention includes a detecting step of detecting a connecting state of a bus; and a control step of controlling so as to supply the electric power to a circuit among a plurality of circuits on the basis of a detection result in the detecting step.

In the information processing apparatus, the display control method, and the recording medium of the invention, the plurality of apparatuses connected to the network are stored and the display of the current supply mode, standby mode, or current non-supply mode of the plurality of apparatuses is controlled so that the modes can be distinguished. In the information processing apparatus and the power control method of the invention, the connecting state of the bus is detected and the electric power is supplied to the predetermined circuit on the basis of the detection result.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

FIG. 1shows a constructional example of a network system to which the invention is applied. A television receiver1is connected to an STB (Set Top Box)2through an IEEE1394 serial bus11. The STB2is connected to a D-VHS (Digital Video Home System) (trademark)4as a digital video tape recorder through the IEEE1394 serial bus11. The STB2demodulates a signal of a predetermined channel from a reception signal of a satellite broadcast wave received by a parabolic antenna3.

A digital video camera5is connected to the television receiver1through the IEEE1394 serial bus11. A VHS6as an analog video tape recorder is also connected to the TV receiver1through an analog cord12.

The STB2is constructed as shown in, for example,FIG. 2. A tuner21receives a signal of a predetermined transmission channel (transmission channel including a broadcast channel instructed from a control unit29) from the reception signal of the broadcast wave received by the parabolic antenna3on the basis of a command from the control unit29and outputs it to a demultiplexer22.

The demultiplexer22extracts the signal of a predetermined broadcast channel from the inputted signal of the transmission channel on the basis of a command from a control unit29, outputs a video signal in the extracted signal to a video decoder23, and outputs an audio signal to an audio decoder24, respectively. The demultiplexer22also extracts a signal of a desired broadcast channel to be recorded and supplies it to an IEEE1394 interface (I/F)28.

If the supplied video signal has been compressed by an MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) format or the like, the video decoder23decompresses it, corrects a delay time between an audio sound and a video image due to the compression and decompression, and outputs the video signal to a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube)53. If the supplied audio signal has been compressed, the audio decoder24decompresses it and outputs it as an analog audio signal to a speaker54. The CRT53displays a video image corresponding to the input video signal. The speaker54reproduces the input audio sound.

The IEEE1394 interface28outputs the signal supplied from the demultiplexer22to the IEEE1394 serial bus11and supplies the signal from the IEEE1394 serial bus11to the demultiplexer22.

The control unit29controls the tuner21, demultiplexer22, and memory30on the basis of a command from an input unit51. The control unit29allows a category of the apparatus, a name of a manufacturer, a function, a node unique ID, and the like as specification (property) information of each of the digital apparatuses (television receiver1, D-VHS4, and digital video camera5) which is inputted from the IEEE1394 interface28through the IEEE1394 serial bus11to be stored into a memory table in the memory30. The VHS6as an analog apparatus cannot be directly connected to the IEEE1394 serial bus11as a digital bus. Thus, the IEEE1394 interface28cannot detect the VHS6. Accordingly, the user operates the input unit51, so that the property information of the VHS is directly inputted.

The input unit51is constructed by, for example, a remote commander or the like and operated by the user when the user inputs various commands to the control unit29. An output unit52is constructed by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, selects a predetermined type from the memory table stored in the memory30on the basis of a command from the control unit29and displays it. A magnetic disk41, an optical disk42, a magnetooptic disk43, a semiconductor memory44, or the like can be inserted into a drive31.

The specification information collecting process which is executed every bus reset will now be described with reference to a flowchart ofFIG. 3.

In step S1, the control unit29selects one of the digital apparatuses connected to the network. In step S2, the control unit29inquires the apparatus selected in step S1of the property information of the apparatus from the IEEE1394 interface28through the IEEE1394 serial bus11.

In step S3, the control unit29discriminates whether a response has been received from the apparatus inquired in step S2or not. If it is determined that no response is received, the processing routine is returned to step S1and the foregoing processes are repeated. If it is decided in step S3that the response has been received, step S4follows and the control unit29discriminates whether the received property information has already been recorded in the memory table in the memory30or not.

If it is determined in step S4that the property information is not recorded in the memory table yet, step S5follows. The control unit29allows the received property information to be stored into the memory table in the memory30together with the date. If it is decided in step S4that the received property information has already been stored in the memory table, step S6follows. The control unit29updates the date of the registration of the corresponding property information stored in the memory table in the memory30.

After the process in step S5or S6, the control unit29discriminates whether all of the digital apparatuses connected to the network have been selected or not in step S7. If it is determined that all of the apparatuses are not selected yet, the processing routine is returned to step S1and the foregoing processes are repeated.

If it is determined in step S7that all of the digital apparatuses connected to the network have been selected, step S8follows. The control unit29discriminates whether the property information whose registration date has expired by one year or more exists in the property information stored in the memory table in the memory30or not. If it is decided that the property information whose registration date has expired by one year or more, step S9follows. The control unit29deletes the property information whose registration date has expired by one year or more exists from the property information stored in the memory table in the memory30. The processing routine is finished. If it is decided in step S8that the property information whose registration date has expired by one year or more does not exist, the process in step S9is skipped. The processing routine is finished.

Although whether the registration date has expired by one year or more or not is discriminated in the above example, the number of days in such a case can be arbitrarily set.

The power managing process which is executed every predetermined time will now be described with reference to a flowchart ofFIG. 4.

In step S21, the control unit29selects one of the digital apparatuses (property information) stored in the memory table in the memory30. In step S22, the control unit29inquires the apparatus selected in step S21of a power supply mode of such an apparatus through the IEEE1394 serial bus11from the IEEE1394 interface28. In step S23, the control unit29discriminates whether a response has been received from the apparatus inquired in step S22or not, that is, whether the connecting state is in the disconnection mode (since the apparatus whose power source is OFF can neither receive an inquiry nor return the response, when no response is returned, it is determined that the apparatus is in the disconnection mode) or not. If it is decided that no response is received, step S24follows. The control unit29selects the tape of apparatus from the property information stored in the memory table in the memory30and allows the icon corresponding to the apparatus whose mode has been determined as a disconnection mode to be inversion-displayed on the output unit52. For example, as shown inFIG. 5, if the apparatus is the digital video camera5, an icon61-4corresponding thereto is inversion-displayed.

If it is decided in step S23that the response has been received, step S25follows. The control unit29discriminates whether the power supply mode of the received response is a power-on mode or not. If it is decided that the power supply mode is the power-on mode, step S26follows. The control unit29selects the type of such an apparatus from the property information stored in the memory table in the memory30and allows the icon corresponding to such an apparatus which has been determined to be the power supply mode to be normally displayed on the output unit52. For example, as shown inFIG. 5, if the apparatus is the television receiver1, the icon61-1corresponding to it is normally displayed.

If it is determined in step S25that the power supply mode of the response is not the power-on mode, step S27follows. Since the power supply mode of the response is the connection standby mode (standby mode in which although a main power switch is ON, a sub power switch is OFF), the control unit29selects the type of such an apparatus from the property information stored in the memory table in the memory30and allows the icon corresponding to the apparatus whose power supply mode has been determined to be the connection standby mode to be mesh-displayed on the output unit52. For example, if the apparatus is the D-VHS4as shown inFIG. 5, the icon61-3corresponding to such an apparatus is mesh-displayed.

After the processes in steps S24, S26, and S27, the control unit29discriminates whether all of the digital apparatuses stored in the memory table in the memory30have been selected or not in step S28. If it is determined that all of the digital apparatuses are not selected yet, the processing routine is returned to step S21and the foregoing subsequent processes are repeated. If it is determined in step S28that all of the digital apparatuses have been selected, the processing routine advances to step S29and the control unit29discriminates whether a predetermined time has elapsed or not. If it is decided that the predetermined time does not elapse, the apparatus waits until it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed in step S29. The predetermined time can be arbitrarily set. If it is decided that the predetermined time has elapsed, the processing routine is returned to step S21and the foregoing processes are repeated. In the example ofFIG. 5, further, the self icon61-2is normally displayed and the icon61-5of the VHS6is inversion-displayed.

As mentioned above, since the power supply mode is inquired every predetermined time and the corresponding icon is displayed on the basis of its response, the user can easily confirm the power supply mode of each apparatus from the display state of the icon.

When the icon of the connection standby mode (icon61-3in the example ofFIG. 5) among the foregoing icons is clicked, a power-on command is transmitted to the apparatus corresponding to the icon. For example, although the icon61-3inFIG. 5now indicates the connection standby mode, if this icon is clicked by the user, the power-on command is transmitted to the corresponding apparatus (D-VHS4in this case). At this time, for a time interval from the transmission of the power-on command to the switching from the mode of the D-VHS4to the power-on mode, the control unit29of the STB2allows a bar graph71to be displayed on the output unit52(for example, LCD) as shown inFIG. 6(A), thereby enabling the user to confirm the fact that the command has been sent. After completion of the transmission of the command, the bar graph71becomes as shown inFIG. 6(B). The icon61-3is changed to the normal display as shown inFIG. 7.

Since each digital apparatus is inquired the power supply mode through the IEEE1394 serial bus11and the icon corresponding to the power-on mode, connection standby mode, or disconnection mode is displayed as mentioned above, the power source can be easily managed. In case of the connection standby mode, even if the power switch of the apparatus is not directly turned on, by clicking its icon, the power-on command is transmitted. Therefore, the mode can be easily switched even for an apparatus installed at a remote location.

Although the category of the apparatus in the property information stored in the memory table has been displayed on the icon in the above example, according to the invention, the other items such as name of manufacturer, function, node unique ID, and the like can be also displayed. Further, although the icons61-1to61-5have been normally displayed, mesh-displayed, or inversion-displayed in order to distinguish the modes of the power source, an arbitrary display method can be used so long as three modes of the power source can be distinguished by, for example, colors or the like.

Software to execute the foregoing series of processes is installed from the recording medium into a computer in which a program constructing the software has been built in dedicated hardware or, for example, into a general personal computer or the like in which various functions can be executed by installing various programs.

As shown inFIG. 2, the recording medium is constructed not only by the control unit29which is provided for the user in a state where it has previously been built in the STB2and in which the program has been recorded but also by a package media comprising the magnetic disk41(including a floppy disk), optical disk42(including a CD-ROM (Compact Disk-Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disk)), magnetooptic disk43(including an MD (Mini-Disk)), semiconductor memory44, or the like which is distributed to provide the program to the user separately from the computer and in which the program has been recorded.

In the specification, a step of describing the program which is recorded into the recording medium includes not only processes which are time-sequentially executed in the disclosed order but also processes which are executed in parallel or individually even if they are not always time-sequentially executed.

In the specification, the system shows the whole apparatus constructed by a plurality of apparatuses.

A construction of an electronic apparatus which can reduce a standby electric power in accordance with a connecting state of the bus will now be described with reference toFIG. 8. Although the foregoing STB2will be described as an example as an electronic apparatus102, an apparatus such as television receiver, D-VHS, digital video camera, or the like can be also used. The electronic apparatus102is connected to an external apparatus (for example, personal computer) through an IEEE1394 serial bus101. A plug (not shown) of the IEEE1394 serial bus101is connected to a terminal of a physical connecting circuit112. Thus, in the electronic apparatus102, a supply of digital data transmitted from the external apparatus through the IEEE1394 serial bus101is received by the physical connecting circuit112and the digital data is transmitted from the physical connecting circuit112to the external apparatus through the IEEE1394 serial bus101.

A connection detecting circuit111detects a bias voltage of the IEEE1394 serial bus101and outputs a detection signal to a main control circuit122of a control circuit115. The physical connecting circuit112is constructed by, for example, an IEEE1394 digital interface or the like, amplifies the digital data inputted through the IEEE1394 serial bus101, and outputs it to a logical connecting circuit113. The physical connecting circuit112also amplifies the digital data inputted from the logical connecting circuit113and outputs it to the external apparatus through the IEEE1394 serial bus101.

The logical connecting circuit113depacketizes the digital data which was inputted from the physical connecting circuit112and has been packetized and multiplexed, thereby separating it into a video signal, an audio signal, and a control signal. The circuit113outputs the video signal and audio signal to a signal processing circuit114and outputs the control signal to a standby control circuit121of the control circuit115. The logical connecting circuit113also executes an addition of an error correction code, a multiplexing process, and the like to the video signal or audio signal inputted from the signal processing circuit114and outputs the resultant signal to the physical connecting circuit112.

The signal processing circuit114supplies the inputted video signal and audio signal to built-in video decoder and audio decoder (they are not shown), respectively. The video decoder decodes the inputted video data and outputs it to a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) (not shown) as necessary. The audio decoder decodes the inputted audio data and outputs it to a speaker (not shown) as necessary. The signal processing circuit114also encodes the video signal and audio signal by the built-in-video encoder and audio encoder and outputs them to the logical connecting circuit113.

The standby control circuit121outputs a signal corresponding to the control signal inputted from the logical connecting circuit113to the main control circuit122. When a power switch (main power source) of the main body is turned on by the user, the standby control circuit121supplies its command (control signal) to the main control circuit122.

The main control circuit122is constructed by, for example, a microcomputer or the like and controls a power supplying circuit117so as to supply an electric power to a standby power supplying circuit116on the basis of the detection signal inputted from the connection detecting circuit111. The main control circuit122also controls the power supplying circuit117so as to supply an electric power to the signal processing circuit114on the basis of a command (command to turn on the main power source) from the user.

The standby power supplying circuit116supplies a standby electric power to the physical connecting circuit112, logical connecting circuit113, and standby control circuit121on the basis of a command from the main control circuit122. When a power plug (not shown) is connected to a power plug terminal of the electronic apparatus102and the power switch (not shown) is ON, the power supplying circuit117supplies the standby electric power to the connection detecting circuit111and main control circuit122. The power supplying circuit117also supplies the electric power to the standby power supplying circuit116or signal processing circuit114on the basis of a command from the main control circuit122.

A specific example of the operation for detecting the connecting state of the IEEE1394 serial bus101and supplying the electric power to each circuit on the basis of its detection result will now be described with reference to a flowchart ofFIG. 9.

In step S31, the power supplying circuit117sets the mode of the electronic apparatus102into a power-off mode. That is, the power supplying circuit117does not supply an electric power to all of the circuits (connection detecting circuit111, physical connecting circuit112, logical connecting circuit113, signal processing circuit114, standby power supplying circuit116, standby control circuit121, and main control circuit122) as shown inFIG. 10(D). In the diagram, o indicates that the electric power is supplied from the power supplying circuit117and x denotes that the electric power is not supplied from the power supplying circuit117. At this time, no electric power is supplied.

In step S32, the power supplying circuit117discriminates whether the power plug has been connected to the power plug terminal of the electronic apparatus102or not (and whether the main power switch has been turned on or not). If it is determined that the power plug is not connected, the apparatus waits until it is determined that the power plug has been connected in step S32.

If it is determined that the power plug has been connected (and that the main power switch has been turned on) in step S32, in step S33, the power supplying circuit117sets the disconnection standby mode and supplies a standby electric power to the connection detecting circuit111and main control circuit122(FIG. 10(A)). Thus, when the detection signal showing that the IEEE1394 serial bus101has been connected is inputted from the connection detecting circuit111, the main control circuit122can shift the mode of the electronic apparatus102from the disconnection (state where the IEEE1394 serial bus1is not connected) standby mode to the connection standby mode (standby mode in a state where the IEEE1394 serial bus1has been connected). In the disconnection standby mode, since the number of circuits to which the electric power is supplied is smaller than that in the case of the connection standby mode or power-on mode, the electric power consumption can be suppressed by an amount corresponding to it.

In step S34, the connection detecting circuit111discriminates whether the plug of the IEEE1394 serial bus101has been connected to the physical connecting circuit112or not, that is, whether a bias voltage has been detected from the IEEE1394 serial bus101or not. If it is determined that the plug of the IEEE1394 serial bus101is not connected, the apparatus waits until it is determined that the plug of the IEEE1394 serial bus101has been connected.

In step S34, if it is determined that the plug of the IEEE1394 serial bus101has been connected, the connection detecting circuit111outputs the detection signal to the main control circuit122. At this time, in step S35, the main control circuit122controls the power supplying circuit117so as to set the connection standby mode and allows the standby power supplying circuit116to supply an electric power. The standby power supplying circuit116supplies a standby electric power to the physical connecting circuit112, logical connecting circuit113, and standby control circuit121on the basis of a command from the main control circuit122(FIG. 10(B)).

Thus, for example, when the power-on command is sent from the external apparatus through the IEEE1394 serial bus101or the self sub power switch is turned on, the electronic apparatus102(main control circuit122) can be set to the power-on mode. Although in the connection standby mode, an electric power larger than that in the disconnection standby mode is consumed, an electric power smaller than that in the power-on mode is consumed.

In step S36, the main control circuit122discriminates whether the user turns on the sub power switch or the command of the power-on mode has been sent from the external apparatus and the power-on mode has been instructed or not. If it is determined that the power-on mode is not instructed, the processing routine is returned to step S35and the foregoing processes are repeated. If it is determined in step S36that the power-on mode has been instructed, the main control circuit122controls the power supplying circuit117so as to supply an electric power to the signal processing circuit114in step S37(FIG.10(C)), thereby shifting the mode of the electronic apparatus102(the mode is at present the connection standby mode) to the power-on mode. At this time, although the largest electric power is consumed, the electronic apparatus102enters a state where all of the processes can be performed.

In step S38, the power supplying circuit117discriminates whether the release of the power-on mode has been instructed from an external apparatus or the self sub power switch has been operated and such a release has been instructed or not. If the release is instructed, the processing routine is returned to step S35and the mode is shifted to the operation standby mode. Further, the processing routine advances to step S36and the foregoing subsequent processes are executed. If the release of the power-on mode is not instructed, step S39follows. The connection detecting circuit111discriminates whether the connection of the plug of the IEEE1394 serial bus101has been released or not, that is, whether no bias voltage is detected from the IEEE1394 serial bus101or not. If it is decided that the connection of the plug of the IEEE1394 serial bus101is not released, step S40follows and the power supplying circuit117discriminates whether the connection of the power plug has been released or not. If it is determined that it is not released, the processing routine is returned to step S37and the foregoing processes are repeated.

If it is decided in step S39that the connection of the plug of the IEEE1394 serial bus101has been released, the main control circuit122returns to step S33and shifts the mode of the electronic apparatus102(the mode is at present the power-on mode) to the disconnection standby mode. Further, step S34follows and the foregoing subsequent processes are repeated. If it is decided in step S40that the connection of the power plug has been released, the main control circuit122returns to step S31and shifts the mode of the electronic apparatus102(the mode is at present the power-on mode) to the power-off mode. Further, step S102follows and the foregoing subsequent processes are repeated.

As mentioned above, when the main power switch is turned on, to detect the bias voltage of the IEEE1394 serial bus101, the standby electric power is supplied to the connection detecting circuit111and main control circuit122. Thus, when the plug of the IEEE1394 serial bus101is connected to the terminal of the physical connecting circuit111, the connection detecting circuit111detects the bias voltage. The main control circuit122receives the input of the detection signal and controls the power supplying circuit117so as to supply an electric power to the standby power supplying circuit116. The standby power supplying circuit116further supplies a standby electric power to the physical connecting circuit112, logical connecting circuit113, and standby control circuit121. Therefore, the electric power can be supplied only to a predetermined circuit in accordance with the connecting state of the bus.

Although the case of detecting the bias voltage of the IEEE1394 serial bus101in order to detect the connection standby mode of the bus has been described above as an example, the invention can be also constructed in a manner such that a contact to observe the conduction of a shield outside of the plug of the IEEE1394 serial bus101is provided on the reception side of the plug and the connection standby mode (the plug has been connected) is physically detected.

Although the case of detecting the connecting state of the IEEE1394 serial bus101has been described above as an example, the invention can be also applied to a case of detecting a connecting state of another bus.

As mentioned above, according to the information processing apparatus, the display control method of the invention, and the recording medium, a plurality of apparatuses connected to the network are stored and the display of the current supply mode, standby mode, or current non-supply mode of the plurality of stored apparatuses is controlled so that the modes can be distinguished. Therefore, the power source of the electronic apparatus can be easily managed.

According to the information processing apparatus and the power control method of the invention, since the connecting state of the bus is detected and the electric power is supplied to a predetermined circuit based on the detection result, the waste standby electric power can be reduced.