KR20120040354A - Computer system and method for controlling thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A computer system and a controlling method thereof are provided to connect a USB extended device with a plurality of USB connection ports when a storage media is separated. CONSTITUTION: A first storage media connected to a main board through an interface unit is separated by a user. A USB extended device is connected to the main board through the interface unit. The USB extended device includes a plurality of USB connection ports. The USB extended device is connected to at least one USB device. The USB extended device transceives data between the main board the USB device. A control unit(180) controls the main board to supply power to the USB extended device.

Description

COMPUTER SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THEREOF

The present invention relates to a computer system and a control method thereof, and more particularly, by applying a removable storage medium, and when the storage medium is separated, a universal serial bus including a plurality of Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection ports. A computer system capable of connecting expansion devices and a control method thereof.

Computer systems may be divided into mobile / portable computer systems and stationary computer systems according to their mobility. The mobile computer system may be classified into a notebook computer system, a netbook computer system, a tablet computer system, and the like.

Such computer systems are being implemented in a form having complex functions and having mobility as functions are diversified.

In order to support and increase the functionality of such a computer system, it may be considered to improve the structural and / or software parts of the computer system.

In general, in a computer system, a storage medium in addition to the main hard disk is separately connected through a predetermined interface, and used for a backup for copying and storing data in preparation for the loss of data stored in the main hard disk.

In this case, when the user does not use the storage medium, there is a problem that a portion not utilized in the computer system occurs, and a solution for this is required.

In addition, the computer system is provided to the user is limited to two or three Universal Serial Bus (USB) which can be connected to the Universal Serial Bus (USB) device, the peripheral connection through the Universal Serial Bus device as the generalized There is a need for a method that can connect more than one universal serial bus device to a computer system.

The present invention has been made to solve the problems of the general technology as described above, the object of the present invention by applying a removable storage medium, when the storage medium is separated, a plurality of Universal Serial Bus (USB: Universal Serial Bus) It is to provide a function to connect a universal serial bus expansion unit including a connection port.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a function of controlling the power supply to the universal serial bus expansion device connected in place of a removable storage medium when the computer system enters a power saving mode.

Technical problems to be achieved in the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned technical problems, and other technical problems not mentioned above will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. Could be.

Computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above object is a main board, a power supply for supplying power to the main board, a first storage medium capable of storing data, the main board and the first storage medium An interface unit for connecting a first storage medium connected to the main board through the interface unit is separated by a user, and connected to at least one universal serial bus device including a plurality of Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection ports. When the universal serial bus expansion device is connected to the main board through the interface unit to enable the transmission and reception of data between the main board and the universal serial bus device, the main board to supply power to the universal serial bus expansion device. It may include a control unit for controlling.

In addition, the computer system control method according to an embodiment of the present invention for realizing the above object is the step of separating the first storage medium connected to the motherboard by the user interface, a plurality of Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection port The step of connecting the universal serial bus expansion device including the main board through the interface unit and the main board supplied with power from the power supply unit supplies power to the universal serial bus expansion device, the universal serial bus expansion device May be driven.

The computer system according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above is connected to a universal serial bus expansion device including a plurality of universal serial bus (USB) connection ports in which a pre-connected storage medium is separated and separated into spaces. If so, the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is controlled to be driven to provide a greater number of universal serial bus ports to the user.

In addition, the computer system according to at least one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above may provide a menu for determining whether to supply power to a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device.

The effects obtainable in the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects not mentioned above may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description. will be.

1 is a block diagram of a computer system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
2 is a front perspective view of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a flow chart showing that the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is connected to the main board through the interface unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating that a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is connected to a main board through an interface unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.
5A and 5B show that power is supplied to a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device connected according to one embodiment of the invention.
6 is a flow chart illustrating a menu for determining whether power is supplied to a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
7A and 7B illustrate displaying a menu for determining whether to supply power to a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device through a key combination of a keyboard according to another embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a flowchart illustrating controlling not to supply power to a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device when the computer system enters a power saving mode according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating power not supplied to a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device in a power saving mode according to another embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

Hereinafter, a computer system related to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. The suffix "module" and " part "for the components used in the following description are given or mixed in consideration of ease of specification, and do not have their own meaning or role.

Computer systems described herein may include notebook computer systems, netbook computer systems, tablet computer systems, and the like. However, it will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the configuration according to the embodiments described herein may also be applied to fixed devices such as digital TVs, except where applicable only to computer systems.

1 is a block diagram of a computer system related to an embodiment of the present invention.

The computer system 100 may include a memory 110, an audio / video input unit 120, a user input unit 130, an output unit 150, an interface unit 160, a controller 180, and a power supply unit. 190, and the like. The components shown in FIG. 1 are not essential, so that computer system 100 having more or fewer components may be implemented.

Hereinafter, the components will be described in order.

The memory unit 110 may store a program for processing and controlling the controller 180 or may perform a function for temporarily storing input / output data. The memory unit 110 may also store a frequency of use of each of the data.

The memory 110 may include a flash memory type, a hard disk type, a multimedia card micro type, a card type memory (for example, SD or XD memory), RAM Random Access Memory (RAM), Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM), Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM), Magnetic Memory, Magnetic It may include a storage medium of at least one type of disk, optical disk.

An audio / video (A / V) input unit 120 is for inputting an audio signal or a video signal, and may include a camera 121 and a microphone 122. The camera 121 processes image frames such as still images or moving images obtained by the image sensor in the video call mode or the photographing mode. The processed image frame may be displayed on the display unit 151.

At this time, two or more cameras 121 may be provided according to the use environment.

The microphone 122 receives an external sound signal by a microphone in a call mode, a recording mode, a voice recognition mode, etc., and processes the external sound signal into electrical voice data. The microphone 122 may implement various noise removing algorithms for removing noise generated in the process of receiving an external sound signal.

The user input unit 130 generates input data for the user to control the operation of the terminal. The user input unit 130 may include a keyboard, a touch pad (static pressure / capacitance), a mouse, and the like.

The output unit 150 is used to generate an output related to visual, auditory or tactile senses, and may include a display unit 151, a sound output module 152, and the like.

The display unit 151 displays (outputs) information processed by the computer system 100. The display unit 151 includes a liquid crystal display (LCD), a thin film transistor-liquid crystal display (TFT LCD), an organic light-emitting diode (OLED), and a flexible display (flexible). and at least one of a 3D display.

Some of these displays can be configured to be transparent or light transmissive so that they can be seen from the outside. This may be referred to as a transparent display. A representative example of the transparent display is TOLED (Transparant OLED). The rear structure of the display unit 151 may also be configured as a light transmissive structure.

When the display unit 151 and a sensor for detecting a touch operation (hereinafter, referred to as a touch sensor) form a mutual layer structure (hereinafter referred to as a touch screen), the display unit 151 may be configured in addition to an output device. Can also be used as an input device. The touch sensor may have, for example, a form of a touch film, a touch sheet, a touch pad, or the like.

The touch sensor may be configured to convert a change in pressure applied to a specific portion of the display unit 151 or capacitance generated in a specific portion of the display unit 151 into an electrical input signal. The touch sensor may be configured to detect not only the position and area of the touch but also the pressure at the touch.

If there is a touch input to the touch sensor, the corresponding signal (s) is sent to the touch controller. The touch controller processes the signal (s) and then transmits the corresponding data to the controller 180. As a result, the controller 180 can know which area of the display unit 151 is touched.

The sound output module 152 may output audio data stored in the memory 110. The sound output module 152 may also output sound signals related to functions performed in the computer system 100. The sound output module 152 may include a receiver, a speaker, a buzzer, and the like.

The interface unit 160 serves as a path to all external devices connected to the computer system 100. The interface unit 160 receives data from an external device, receives power, transfers the power to each component inside the computer system 100, or transmits data within the computer system 100 to an external device. For example, wired / wireless headset ports, external charger ports, wired / wireless data ports, memory card ports, ports for connecting devices with identification modules, audio input / output (I / O) ports, The video input / output (I / O) port, the earphone port, and the like may be included in the interface unit 160.

The identification module is a chip that stores various types of information for authenticating the use authority of the computer system 100, and includes a user identification module (UIM), a subscriber identify module (SIM), and a universal user authentication module (UI). Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM), and the like. Devices with identification modules (hereinafter referred to as "identification devices") can be manufactured in a smart card format. Thus, the identification device can be connected to the computer system 100 through a port.

The interface unit may be a passage through which power from the cradle is supplied to the computer system 100 when the computer system 100 is connected to an external cradle, or various command signals input from the cradle by a user may be input to the computer. It can be a passage to the system. Various command signals or power input from the cradle may be operated as signals for recognizing that the computer system is correctly mounted in the cradle.

In addition, in terms of structure, the interface unit may also serve as a fixing device for connecting an external device to a computer system.

The controller 180 typically controls the overall operation of the computer system 100. The controller 180 may include a multimedia module for playing multimedia. The multimedia module may be implemented in the controller 180 or may be implemented separately from the controller 180.

The controller 180 may perform a pattern recognition process for recognizing a writing input or a drawing input performed on the touch screen as text and an image, respectively.

The power supply unit 190 receives an external power source and an internal power source under the control of the controller 180 to supply power for operation of each component.

Various embodiments described herein may be implemented in a recording medium readable by a computer or similar device using, for example, software, hardware or a combination thereof.

According to a hardware implementation, the embodiments described herein include application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and the like. It may be implemented using at least one of processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, and electrical units for performing other functions. The described embodiments may be implemented by the controller 180 itself.

And a motherboard is hardware that contains basic circuits and components within a computer system, also called a motherboard or motherboard.

The above-described processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, memory 110 and the like are arranged in a predetermined form in the main board, so that a part of the computer system Can be configured.

According to the software implementation, embodiments such as the procedures and functions described herein may be implemented as separate software modules. Each of the software modules may perform one or more functions and operations described herein. Software code can be implemented in a software application written in a suitable programming language. The software code may be stored in the memory 110 and executed by the controller 180.

2 is a front perspective view of an example of a computer system related to the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, the system unit (not shown) and the keyboard 220 integrally form the main body 210. The main body 210 includes a case (casing, housing, cover, etc.) forming an external appearance.

In the present embodiment, the main body 210 may be divided into a front case and a rear case. Various electronic components are built in the space formed between the front case and the rear case. At least one intermediate case may be further disposed between the front case and the rear case. In the main body 210, an audio output unit 152, a user input unit 130, an interface unit 160, a controller 180, and the like are disposed.

The keyboard 220 includes a plurality of keys, and when a user presses a hot key or a function key among the plurality of keys, one function of the computer system may be immediately executed.

The liquid crystal display 230 is provided at one side of the unitary body portion 210. The sound output unit 151 and the camera 121 may be disposed in an area adjacent to one end of both ends of the liquid crystal display 230.

A hard disk is a type of auxiliary memory that can store data. In a computer system, a hard disk is responsible for storing various data of a user and is disposed in a predetermined area of a main board.

In this case, the user may further connect and use a separate storage medium while using the main hard disk as the main storage means of the data in the computer system.

When a storage medium is additionally connected in addition to the main hard disk, data stored in the main hard disk can be copied and stored in the storage medium, thereby preventing data stored in the main hard disk from being lost by a predetermined event.

Types of storage media include secondary hard disks, compact discs (CDs), digital versatile discs (DVDs), and the like.

In order for the main hard disk and the storage medium to transmit and receive data, the storage medium must be connected to the main board on which the main hard disk is arranged. In this case, a predetermined interface unit is used to connect the main board and the storage medium.

When the storage medium is connected to the main board through the interface unit, the main hard disk and the storage medium included in the main board can transmit and receive data to each other under the control of the controller 180, thereby providing convenience to the user.

However, the storage medium is often not used after being connected to the main board by the user. This is because if the data you want to keep does not exist on the main hard disk, the backup function of the storage medium is not necessary.

In this case, since the portion in which the storage medium is disposed is not utilized in the computer system, a solution that can be used for other purposes is required.

In addition, in a computer system, a user may be provided with a limited number of two or three universal serial bus ports that may be connected to a universal serial bus (USB) device.

Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices are external data storage devices that can connect to computer systems and exchange data.

Recently, Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices are frequently used by users because they can store large amounts of data and exchange data with computer systems at high speed.

In this case, when the user wants to connect the universal serial bus device to the computer system more than the general serial bus port number limited to the computer system or the exterior design, a limited number of ports including a plurality of universal serial bus (USB) connection ports A universal serial bus extension device can be used to connect more universal serial bus devices.

However, in this case, there is a problem of how to connect and arrange the universal serial bus expansion device on a computer system.

Therefore, the present invention provides a function to implement the above-described storage medium as a solution to the above, detachable from the computer system when the storage medium is not used, and to connect the universal serial bus expansion device.

That is, if the removable storage medium is not used after being connected to the main board through the interface unit, the user may detach the removable storage medium from the computer system and connect the universal serial bus expansion device with the main board through the interface unit.

Hereinafter, for convenience of description, a removable storage medium of the storage medium is referred to as a first storage medium, and the content of the present invention will be described with reference to specific embodiments.

First Example

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the first storage medium connected to the main board through the interface unit is separated by the user, and the universal serial bus expansion device is connected to the main board through the interface unit, the power supply unit expands the universal serial bus. By supplying power to the device, it can be controlled to drive the universal serial bus expansion device.

This will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 to describe in detail.

3 is a flow chart illustrating that a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is connected to a main board through an interface unit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the main board and the first storage medium may be connected via the interface unit 310.

When the main board and the first storage medium are connected, the main hard disk and the first storage medium included in the main board can transmit and receive data with each other.

Thereafter, the first storage medium connected to the main board may be separated by the user (S320).

When the first storage medium is separated from the main board, the user may connect the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device with the main board through the interface unit (S330).

When the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is connected to the main board, the controller 180 may control the power supply unit 190 to supply power to the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device.

At this time, the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is supplied with power can be driven (S340), the user will be able to connect more than a limited number of universal serial bus devices.

However, after the first storage medium is connected to the main board, it is not necessary to be separated and replaced with a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device, and a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device may be connected without a replacement by a user.

 In addition, referring to FIG. 4 to describe in more detail that the first storage medium is separated from the main board, and instead, a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is connected.

4A to 4C are diagrams illustrating an example in which a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is connected to a main board through an interface unit, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, it will be assumed that the first storage medium is an auxiliary hard disk.

Referring to FIG. 4A, the main board 410 includes a CD-ROM, a main hard disk 420, and a removable auxiliary hard disk 440.

The USB connection port that can be used in a computer system includes USB 1 431, USB 2 432, and USB 3 433, and can be used by connecting a total of three external USB devices.

In this case, the user may detach the auxiliary hard disk 440 from the main board 410 and connect a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device to the space.

Referring to FIG. 4B, the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device 460 is connected to the main board 410 through the interface unit 450 in the space where the auxiliary hard disk 440 was located.

At this time, the controller 180 controls the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device 460 to be driven, and in addition to the existing USB connection ports USB 1 (431), USB 2 (432), USB 3 (433). The USB connection ports USB 4461, USB 5 462, and USB 6 463 are provided to the user.

Therefore, the user can connect and use three USB devices, but by using the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device 460, a total of six USB devices can be connected and used.

In addition, referring to FIG. 4C to describe in more detail that the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is connected to the main board through the interface unit.

First, the controller 410 may determine whether the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is mounted. In addition, the USB driving signal 430 terminal may be connected to a terminal that is not connected in the interface unit.

At this time, if the control unit determines that the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is connected to the main board, it changes the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device detect signal (the details thereof will be described later with reference to FIG. 5). The power supply unit 190 controls power to the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device through the USB drive signal 430.

When power is supplied from the power supply unit 190, the universal serial bus (USB) expansion unit controller 440 may supply the supplied power to the USB port 1 451, the USB port 2 452, the USB port 3 453, and the USB. Port 4 454 and USB port 5 455 are distributed.

In this case, the number of USB ports may be limited according to the capacity of the power allocated to the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device controller 440.

For example, if the electric shock capacity consumed by one USB port is 1.0 A and the electric shock capacity allocated to the universal serial bus (USB) expansion unit controller 440 is 3.0 A, the number of USB ports is limited to a maximum of three. Will be.

Power supplied to the universal serial bus (USB) expansion unit controller 440 is USB port 1 (451), USB port 2 (452), USB port 3 (453), USB port 4 (454), and USB port 5 (455). ), The user can connect up to five external universal serial buses (USB) to the ports 1 to 5.

However, the structure of FIG. 4 described above is exemplary and may be applied to various device configurations.

Meanwhile, in order to describe in more detail that power is supplied to a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device connected with reference to FIG. 4C, reference is made to FIG. 5.

5A and 5B illustrate that power is supplied to a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device connected according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the following description, it is assumed that the electric shock capacity allocated to each USB port is 1.0 A and the electric shock capacity allocated to the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device controller is 3.0 A, so that up to three USB ports may be included.

5A is a circuit diagram for controlling power supplied to a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device.

Signals for determining whether to supply power to the universal serial bus (USB) expansion unit among the circuits shown in FIG. 5A include the universal serial bus (USB) expansion unit South Bridge signal 510 and the universal serial bus (USB) extension. Device control signal 520, lid switch 540, universal serial bus (USB) expansion device signal 530, first universal serial bus (USB) expansion device drive signal 560, second universal serial bus (USB) expansion device driving signal 570, 5V system signal 550 and 5V universal serial bus (USB) expansion device signal 580.

A process of supplying power to the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device through the change of the signals will be described with reference to the signal flow diagram of FIG. 5B.

When the controller 180 determines that the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is connected to the computer system, the controller 180 sets the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device detect signal 420 from high to low. To.

The reason why the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device detect signal 420 changes from high to low is that it is possible to supply power to the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device. To provide.

Universal Serial Bus (USB) Expansion Unit When the detect signal changes to low, Universal Serial Bus (USB) expansion unit South Bridge signal (510) and Universal Serial Bus (USB) expansion unit The control signal 520 is changed from low to high.

 At this time, the lid switch 540 is a signal that can be controlled so that the Universal Serial Bus (USB) expansion device is not driven according to a user's manipulation of the display unit. can be changed to high.

Thereafter, when the + 5V system signal 550 is applied, the first universal serial bus (USB) expansion device driving signal 560 and the second universal serial bus (USB) expansion device driving signal 570 are low. Changed to high.

Accordingly, when the universal serial bus (USB) expansion unit signal 530 changes from low to high, the + 5V universal serial bus (USB) expansion unit signal 580 changes from low to high. Changed to high, power can be applied to a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device.

However, the signal flow diagram described above is a process according to an embodiment of the present invention and can be implemented through other methods, and is not limited to the above process.

Accordingly, through the signal flow of the process described with reference to FIG. 5, power is supplied to and driven by a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device, and a user connects a larger number of universal serial bus (USB) devices than a limited port. It is convenient because it can transmit and receive.

2nd Example

Meanwhile, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a menu for determining whether to supply power to the universal serial bus expansion device through the user input unit may be controlled to be displayed on the display unit.

After the Universal Serial Bus (USB) expansion unit is connected to a computer system on behalf of the first storage medium, it is less necessary to use the Universal Serial Bus (USB) expansion unit if the user does not use many Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices. Therefore, a menu for selecting whether to use a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is needed according to a user's selection.

Hereinafter, a menu for determining whether to supply power to the universal serial bus expansion device will be described with reference to FIG. 6.

6 is a flowchart showing a menu for determining whether to supply power to a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Steps S610 to S630 are similar to steps S310 to S330 of FIG. 3, and thus descriptions thereof will be omitted for simplicity of the specification.

When the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is connected to the motherboard, a menu asking whether to use the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is displayed on the display unit (S640).

The menu may be immediately displayed when the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is connected to the main board or may be controlled to be displayed on the display unit in a predetermined situation according to a user's setting.

The menu may be implemented in the form of a pop-up window or a menu in a setting mode, but is not limited thereto. The menu may be displayed on the display unit in various forms.

When a menu asking whether to use a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is displayed on the display unit, the user may select to use the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device, in which case the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device Receiving power from the supply unit is driven according to the original function (S650).

On the contrary, when the user decides not to use the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device, the controller 180 controls the power supply unit not to supply power to the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device, thereby controlling the universal serial bus ( USB) may be controlled so that the expansion device is not driven (S660).

In addition, when the user input unit is a keyboard, the user presses at least one or more key combinations among the plurality of keys included in the keyboard, and a menu asking whether to use the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is displayed on the display unit in the form of a pop-up window. May be displayed.

As described above, a menu may be displayed asking whether the Universal Serial Bus (USB) expansion device is connected to the computer system or whether the Universal Serial Bus (USB) expansion device is used in a predetermined situation set by the user. Greater convenience is provided to the user if the menu can be displayed immediately in the form of a pop-up window.

A description with reference to FIG. 7 is as follows. 7A and 7B illustrate a menu for determining whether to supply power to a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device through a key combination of a keyboard according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 7A, a user may simultaneously press a combination of two keys 781 and 782 of the keyboard.

However, this is merely exemplary and may be implemented through a function key, a hot key, or one or more key combinations of the keyboard.

When the user presses two key combinations 781 and 782 simultaneously, a menu 770 asking whether to use the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device is displayed on the display in the form of a pop-up window as shown in FIG. 7B. do.

In this case, it may be determined whether to use the Universal Serial Bus (USB) expansion device according to the user's selection of the “YES 771” or “No 772” menu.

Therefore, if the user does not connect the USB device after the Universal Serial Bus (USB) expansion device is connected, the user can control the Universal Serial Bus (USB) expansion device not to be driven through the menu to prevent wasted power, thereby providing convenience. do.

Third Example

Meanwhile, according to another embodiment of the present invention, when the computer system enters a power saving mode, a function of controlling power supply to a universal serial bus expansion device connected in place of the first storage medium may be provided.

The power saving mode state refers to a state in which an unused device or program in a computer system is put to sleep or controlled to supply only a minimum of power to the computer system.

Examples of the power saving mode state include a suspend mode state and a hibernation mode state.

The suspend mode is a mode in which, when the computer system is not used for a certain period of time, only the programs currently running are left in memory and the remaining elements are turned off.

The hibernation mode is a mode in which only a minimum amount of power is supplied to the computer system without powering down.

The reason why a computer system enters a power saving mode is because it prevents unnecessary power waste to run the computer system in a low battery state and minimizes the initial boot time of the computer system.

Therefore, when the computer system enters the power saving mode, it is advantageous to control so that the connected universal serial bus expansion device is not driven. This is because operating a system with only a limited number of general purpose serial bus ports without using a general purpose serial bus expansion device is a method of efficiently operating low power.

Hereinafter, a process in which the universal serial bus expansion device is not driven in the power saving mode will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8.

8 is a flowchart illustrating controlling not to supply power to a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device when the computer system enters a power saving mode according to another embodiment of the present invention.

First, the computer system may enter a power saving mode state (S810).

When the computer system enters the power saving mode, the controller 180 controls the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device from being powered from the power supply, and the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device that is not powered is driven. It is not (S820).

Thereafter, the controller determines whether the power saving mode state is terminated (S830), and when the power saving mode state is terminated, the power supply unit controls to supply power to the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device again to extend the universal serial bus (USB). The device is driven again (S840).

On the contrary, when the power saving mode state of the computer system is maintained, the power supply unit maintains the previous state so as not to supply power to the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device (S820).

In this regard, a process in which no power is supplied to the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device in the power saving mode state will be described below with reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating that power is not supplied to a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device in a power saving mode according to another embodiment of the present invention.

9 illustrates a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device detect signal 951 for determining whether power is supplied to a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device, and a universal serial bus (USB) expansion device South Bridge. ) Signal 952, Universal Serial Bus (USB) Expansion Unit Control Unit Signal (953), Universal Serial Bus (USB) Expansion Unit Signal (954), + 5V System Signal (955) and + 5V Universal Serial Bus (USB) Expansion Device signal 956 is displayed.

Suspend mode state 961 begins when the Universal Serial Bus (USB) expansion unit control signal 995 changes from high to low.

And the hibernation mode state 962 begins when the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device signal 954 changes from high to low.

Universal Serial Bus (USB) expansion unit control signal 953 changes from high to low or Universal Serial Bus (USB) expansion unit signal (954) changes from high to low And enter suspend mode state 961 or hibernation mode state 962, the + 5V system signal 955 changes from high to low.

Accordingly, the + 5V universal serial bus (USB) expansion device signal 956 is also changed from high to low, thereby entering the non-drive section 963.

Therefore, when the computer system enters the power saving mode, power is not supplied to the universal serial bus (USB) expansion device, thereby preventing unnecessary power waste and providing convenience to the user.

Further, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the above-described method can be implemented as a code that can be read by a processor on a medium on which the program is recorded. Examples of processor-readable media include ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage, and the like, and may be implemented in the form of a carrier wave (for example, transmission over the Internet). Include.

The above-described computer system is not limited to the configuration and method of the embodiments described above, but the embodiments may be configured by selectively combining all or part of the embodiments so that various modifications can be made. It may be.

Claims (5)

Main board;
A power supply for supplying power to the main board;
A first storage medium capable of storing data;
An interface unit for connecting the main board and the first storage medium; And
The first storage medium connected to the main board through the interface unit is separated by a user, and connected to at least one universal serial bus device including a plurality of Universal Serial Bus (USB) connection ports to connect the main board and the general purpose. And a controller for controlling the main board so that power is supplied to the universal serial bus expansion device when the universal serial bus expansion device that enables transmission and reception of data between serial bus devices is connected to the main board through the interface unit. Mobile terminal. The method of claim 1,
A user input unit for receiving a command of the user; And
And a display unit,
The control unit,
And a menu for determining whether to supply the power to the universal serial bus expansion device through the user input unit is displayed on the display unit. The method of claim 2,
The user input unit includes a plurality of key buttons,
The control unit,
When the user presses at least one key button of the plurality of key buttons alone or in combination,
And control the menu to be displayed on the display in the form of a pop-up window. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The control unit,
And when the computer system enters a power saving mode, controlling not to supply power to the universal serial bus expansion device. Separating the first storage medium connected to the motherboard through the interface unit by the user;
Connecting a universal serial bus expansion device including a plurality of universal serial bus (USB) connection ports to the main board through the interface unit; And
And the main board supplied with power from a power supply unit supplying power to the universal serial bus expansion device so that the universal serial bus expansion device is driven.

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