TWI386919B - Power management method of an external storage apparatus - Google Patents

Power management method of an external storage apparatus Download PDF

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TWI386919B
TWI386919B TW99116531A TW99116531A TWI386919B TW I386919 B TWI386919 B TW I386919B TW 99116531 A TW99116531 A TW 99116531A TW 99116531 A TW99116531 A TW 99116531A TW I386919 B TWI386919 B TW I386919B
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storage device
external storage
hard disk
power
external
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TW99116531A
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TW201142832A (en
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Longsing Jhong
Chucheng Hsu
Jungchien Lin
Ssuming Cheng
Hsinchu Chen
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Avermedia Tech Inc
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Description

外接儲存裝置之電源管理方法Power management method for external storage device

本發明是有關於一種電源管理方法,且特別是有關於一種應用在外接儲存裝置之電源管理方法。The present invention relates to a power management method, and more particularly to a power management method applied to an external storage device.

目前市面上的多媒體視訊播放盒及數位電視機上盒,皆可支援USB外接硬碟或內建SATA硬碟以進行錄影或是播放多媒體檔案。但是這些產品皆沒有對硬碟此耗電甚多的元件加入省電的機制,所以當多媒體視訊播放盒或數位電視機上盒沒有在存取硬碟,例如:在看電視或是在閒置狀態時,此時硬碟馬達仍會持續運轉,此種非必要性之運轉仍持續消耗電力而造成莫大的浪費,且此種非必要性之運轉不僅會折損硬碟的壽命,更是一種噪音的來源。Currently, the multimedia video playback box and the digital TV set-top box on the market can support USB external hard disk or built-in SATA hard disk for recording or playing multimedia files. However, these products do not have a power saving mechanism for the hard disk, which consumes a lot of power, so when the multimedia video player box or the digital TV box is not accessing the hard disk, for example, watching TV or being idle. At this time, the hard disk motor will continue to operate at this time. This non-essential operation continues to consume power and cause great waste, and this non-essential operation will not only damage the life of the hard disk, but also be a kind of noise. source.

為了避免硬碟此種不必要之運轉,因此急需一種可根據硬碟使用狀況,進行電源管理之方法。In order to avoid such unnecessary operation of the hard disk, there is an urgent need for a method of power management according to the state of use of the hard disk.

本發明之主要目的即是在提供一種電源管理方法,能即時移除未進行運作外接儲存裝置之電源,藉以降低電力之損耗。The main object of the present invention is to provide a power management method capable of immediately removing power supply of an external storage device that is not operated, thereby reducing power loss.

本發明之一態樣在提供一種應用在一連接主機之第一外接儲存裝置中之電源管理方法,該方法至少包括:設定一特定待機時間;當於該待機時間中,均未對該第一外接儲存裝置進行存取時,設定該第一外接儲存裝置進入一省電模式;儲存該第一外接儲存裝置之至少一檔案列表以及一資訊至該主機之記憶體內;以及移除該第一外接儲存裝置之電源;其中在該第一外接儲存裝置之電源移除後,一使用者可瀏覽儲存在該主機記憶體內之該至少一檔案列表。An aspect of the present invention provides a power management method for use in a first external storage device connected to a host, the method comprising: at least setting a specific standby time; and not in the standby time When the external storage device is accessed, setting the first external storage device to enter a power saving mode; storing at least one file list of the first external storage device and a message into the memory of the host; and removing the first external connection a power source of the storage device; wherein after the power of the first external storage device is removed, a user can browse the at least one file list stored in the host memory.

在一實施例中,於移除該第一外接儲存裝置之電源前,更包括控制該第一外接儲存裝置進入一中斷模式。In an embodiment, before the power of the first external storage device is removed, the method further includes controlling the first external storage device to enter an interrupt mode.

在一實施例中,當該使用者點選該至少一檔案列表內之一第一檔案時,重新提供該電源給一第二外接儲存裝置,以及回復該第二外接儲存裝置之工作狀態。In an embodiment, when the user clicks on the first file in the at least one file list, the power is re-provided to a second external storage device, and the working state of the second external storage device is restored.

在一實施例中,其中當該第二外接儲存裝置之工作狀態被回復後,更包括判斷該第二外接儲存裝置是否即為該第一外接儲存裝置。其中當該第二外接儲存裝置即為該第一外接儲存裝置時,執行該第一檔案。當該第二外接儲存裝置並非該第一外接儲存裝置時,讀取該第二外接儲存裝置內容。In an embodiment, after the working state of the second external storage device is restored, the method further includes determining whether the second external storage device is the first external storage device. When the second external storage device is the first external storage device, the first file is executed. When the second external storage device is not the first external storage device, the second external storage device content is read.

在一實施例中,判斷該第二外接儲存裝置是否即為該第一外接儲存裝置,更包括,判斷儲存在該主機記憶體內之該第一外接儲存裝置之資訊是否存在於該第二外接儲存裝置中。In an embodiment, determining whether the second external storage device is the first external storage device, and further comprising determining whether the information of the first external storage device stored in the host memory is present in the second external storage device In the device.

綜合上述所言,本發明之電源管理方法,會設定在外接硬碟經過一特定時間未被存取時則進入“省電模式”,藉以減少不必要的功率消耗。且當進入“省電模式”時,該外接硬碟內的檔案列表會暫存在主機的記憶體內,因此,使用者仍可透過此暫存資訊,瀏覽該外接硬碟內儲存之檔案,而不需重新喚醒該外接硬碟。因此可達到節能與不影響使用者方便性之雙贏結果。In summary, the power management method of the present invention sets a "power saving mode" when an external hard disk is not accessed for a certain period of time, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption. And when entering the "power saving mode", the file list in the external hard disk is temporarily stored in the memory of the host, so the user can still browse the file stored in the external hard disk through the temporary storage information, instead of You need to wake up the external hard drive again. Therefore, a win-win result can be achieved that saves energy and does not affect user convenience.

目前市售外接儲存裝置例如外接硬碟分為IDE、序列ATA(Serial Advanced Technology Attachment)介面,當與一多媒體視訊播放盒或數位電視機上盒耦接時,可經過一橋接晶片將儲存之資料格式轉換成USB、IEEE1394或eSATA格式進行傳送。Currently, an external storage device such as an external hard disk is divided into an IDE and a Serial Advanced Technology Attachment interface. When coupled to a multimedia video playback box or a digital television set box, the data can be stored via a bridge chip. The format is converted to USB, IEEE1394 or eSATA format for transmission.

而本發明在進行外接硬碟之卸載或裝載之流程中,即是,透過多媒體視訊播放盒或數位電視機上盒的主晶片發送一控制指令,並透過橋接晶片來對外接硬碟的馬達驅動晶片進行控制。在一實施例中,例如,設定在外接硬碟經過一特定時間未被存取時則進入“省電模式”,亦即控制外接硬碟驅動馬達停止運轉,藉以減少不必要的功率消耗。當進入“省電模式”時,本發明之流程會先將外接硬碟內的必要資訊,例如檔案列表(file table)以及硬碟資訊暫存在多媒體視訊播放盒或數位電視機上盒的記憶體內。換言之,即使外接硬碟已進入“省電模式”,此時,使用者仍可透過此暫存資訊,瀏覽外接硬碟內儲存之檔案,除非進行存取,否則不需重新喚醒外接硬碟。因此可達到節能與不影響使用者方便性之雙贏結果。In the process of performing the unloading or loading of the external hard disk, the present invention transmits a control command through the main video of the multimedia video playing box or the digital television set box, and drives the external hard disk by the bridge chip. The wafer is controlled. In an embodiment, for example, when the external hard disk is not accessed for a certain period of time, the "power saving mode" is entered, that is, the external hard disk drive motor is controlled to stop, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption. When entering the "power saving mode", the process of the present invention first temporarily stores the necessary information in the external hard disk, such as a file table and hard disk information, in the memory of the multimedia video playing box or the digital television box. . In other words, even if the external hard drive has entered the "power saving mode", the user can still browse the files stored in the external hard disk through the temporary storage information. Unless the access is performed, the external hard disk does not need to be re-awakened. Therefore, a win-win result can be achieved that saves energy and does not affect user convenience.

第1圖所示為根據本發明一實施例之一外接硬碟進入“省電模式”之控制流程圖。在一實施例中,此流程例如,係執行於一數位電視機上盒中,且一硬碟外接於此數位電視機上盒。首先於步驟101,一使用者利用此數位電視機上盒接收影視訊號進行收視,換言之,此使用者並未存取此外接硬碟。當一特定待機時間經過後,例如15分鐘,此流程會執行步驟102,控制此外接硬碟進入“省電模式”,值得注意的是,上述之特定時間可由使用者自訂。FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the control of an external hard disk entering a "power saving mode" according to an embodiment of the invention. In one embodiment, the process is performed, for example, in a digital television set box, and a hard disk is externally attached to the digital television set. First, in step 101, a user uses the digital TV set box to receive the video signal for viewing, in other words, the user does not access the external hard disk. When a specific standby time elapses, for example, 15 minutes, the process proceeds to step 102 to control the external hard disk to enter the "power saving mode". It is worth noting that the specific time mentioned above can be customized by the user.

當外接硬碟進入“省電模式”後,於步驟1021,外接硬碟內的必要資訊,例如檔案列表(file table)以及硬碟資訊,會被暫存在數位電視機上盒的記憶體內,其中該硬碟資訊為可用以辨識該外接硬碟之資訊。暫存硬碟資訊,是為避免使用者於“省電模式”中抽換外接硬碟,造成在喚醒外接硬碟後,使用者欲存取之檔案實際上並未存在被喚醒之外接硬碟中,因此,藉由比較暫存之硬碟資訊,來判斷被喚醒之外接硬碟是否即為進入“省電模式”之外接硬碟。接著於步驟1022,當必要資訊被暫存在數位電視機上盒的記憶體後,控制硬碟進入中斷模式(Suspend Mode),接著於步驟1023,關閉外接硬碟運轉所需電力,由於外接硬碟電力直接被關閉,因此可節省相當大的耗電量。然值得注意的是,雖然供應外接硬碟之電力已被移除,然而使用者仍可透過儲存在數位電視機上盒記憶體內之暫存資訊,瀏覽外接硬碟內儲存之檔案,而不需重新喚醒外接硬碟。After the external hard disk enters the "power saving mode", in step 1021, the necessary information in the external hard disk, such as the file table and the hard disk information, is temporarily stored in the memory of the digital television box. The hard disk information is information that can be used to identify the external hard disk. The temporary storage of hard disk information is to prevent the user from swapping the external hard disk in the "power saving mode", so that after the external hard disk is woken up, the file that the user wants to access does not actually have a wake-up external hard disk. Therefore, by comparing the temporarily stored hard disk information, it is judged whether the external hard disk being woken up is to enter the "power saving mode" external hard disk. Next, in step 1022, when the necessary information is temporarily stored in the memory of the digital television box, the hard disk is controlled to enter the Suspend Mode, and then in step 1023, the power required for the external hard disk operation is turned off, due to the external hard disk. Power is turned off directly, which saves considerable power. It is worth noting that although the power for the external hard disk has been removed, the user can still browse the files stored in the external hard disk through the temporary storage information stored in the memory of the digital TV. Re-wake the external hard drive.

第2圖所示為根據本發明一實施例之喚醒一處在“省電模式”下之外接硬碟之控制流程圖。首先於步驟201,一使用者欲存取外接硬碟內之資料,例如,在外接硬碟進入“省電模式”後,使用者觀看暫存在數位電視機上盒的記憶體內之檔案列表時,當發現欲執行之檔案時,其可對該檔案進行點選,而進入存取外接硬碟之流程。接著,於步驟202,本流程會將外接硬碟移除之電源重新提供給該外接硬碟,亦即對該外接硬碟進行供電。並於步驟203,回復外接硬碟之工作狀態。接著,為避免使用者於“省電模式”中抽換外接硬碟,造成使用者欲存取之檔案實際上並未存在被喚醒之外接硬碟中,因此,於步驟204,執行一判斷步驟來判斷被喚醒之外接硬碟與進入“省電模式”中之外接硬碟是否為同一硬碟。其判斷方法,例如,是藉由比較外接硬碟進入“省電模式”前暫存之硬碟資訊是否同樣存於被喚醒之外接硬碟中。若是,代表被喚醒之外接硬碟與之前進入“省電模式”中之外接硬碟為同一硬碟,執行步驟205,開啟並執行對應之檔案。反之,代表被喚醒之外接硬碟與之前進入“省電模式”中之外接硬碟非同一硬碟,進入步驟206,重新讀取該硬碟資訊,例如:重新載入被喚醒硬碟之檔案列表。FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the control of waking up an external hard disk in the "power saving mode" according to an embodiment of the invention. First, in step 201, a user wants to access the data in the external hard disk, for example, after the external hard disk enters the "power saving mode", when the user views the file list in the memory of the digital television box temporarily stored, When the file to be executed is found, it can click on the file and enter the process of accessing the external hard disk. Then, in step 202, the process re-provides the power of the external hard disk to the external hard disk, that is, supplies the external hard disk. And in step 203, the working state of the external hard disk is restored. Then, in order to prevent the user from swapping the external hard disk in the “power saving mode”, the file that the user wants to access does not actually exist in the external hard disk, so in step 204, a determining step is performed. To determine whether the external hard disk being woken up and the external hard disk in the "power saving mode" are the same hard disk. The judging method is, for example, whether the hard disk information temporarily stored before the external hard disk enters the "power saving mode" is also stored in the external hard disk that is woken up. If yes, the representative wake-up external hard disk is the same hard disk as the external hard disk that was previously entered in the "power saving mode", and step 205 is executed to open and execute the corresponding file. On the other hand, the representative wake-up external hard disk is not the same as the hard disk that was previously entered into the "power saving mode", and proceeds to step 206 to re-read the hard disk information, for example, reloading the file of the woken hard disk. List.

綜合上述所言,本發明應用在外接儲存裝置之電源管理方法,會設定在外接硬碟經過一特定時間未被存取時則進入“省電模式”,藉以減少不必要的功率消耗。且當進入“省電模式”時,本發明之流程更會先將外接硬碟內的檔案列表暫存在連接主機的記憶體內,因此,即使外接硬碟已進入“省電模式”,使用者仍可透過此暫存資訊,瀏覽外接硬碟內儲存之檔案,而不需重新喚醒外接硬碟。因此可達到節能與不影響使用者方便性之雙贏結果。In summary, the power management method of the present invention applied to an external storage device is set to enter a "power saving mode" when the external hard disk is not accessed for a certain period of time, thereby reducing unnecessary power consumption. When entering the "power saving mode", the process of the present invention first temporarily stores the file list in the external hard disk in the memory connected to the host, so even if the external hard disk has entered the "power saving mode", the user still This temporary information can be used to browse files stored on an external hard drive without having to re-wake up the external hard drive. Therefore, a win-win result can be achieved that saves energy and does not affect user convenience.

雖然本發明已以實施方式揭露如上,然其並非用以限定本發明,任何熟習此技藝者,在不脫離本發明之精神和範圍內,當可作各種之更動與潤飾,因此本發明之保護範圍當視後附之申請專利範圍所界定者為準。Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the present invention, and the present invention can be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application attached.

101-1023...步驟101-1023. . . step

201~206...步驟201~206. . . step

為讓本發明之上述和其他目的、特徵、優點與實施例能更明顯易懂,所附圖式之說明如下:The above and other objects, features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent and understood.

第1圖所示為根據本發明一實施例之一外接硬碟進入“省電模式”之控制流程圖。FIG. 1 is a flow chart showing the control of an external hard disk entering a "power saving mode" according to an embodiment of the invention.

第2圖所示為根據本發明一實施例之喚醒一處在“省電模式”下之外接硬碟之控制流程圖。FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the control of waking up an external hard disk in the "power saving mode" according to an embodiment of the invention.

101-1023...步驟101-1023. . . step

Claims (10)

一種電源管理方法,係應用在連接一主機之一第一外接儲存裝置中,該方法至少包括:設定一特定待機時間;當於該待機時間中,均未對該第一外接儲存裝置進行存取時,設定該第一外接儲存裝置進入一省電模式;儲存該第一外接儲存裝置之至少一檔案列表以及一資訊至該主機之記憶體內;以及移除該第一外接儲存裝置之電源;其中在該第一外接儲存裝置之電源移除後,一使用者可瀏覽儲存在該主機之記憶體內之該至少一檔案列表。A power management method is applied to a first external storage device connected to a host, the method at least comprising: setting a specific standby time; and during the standby time, not accessing the first external storage device Setting the first external storage device to enter a power saving mode; storing at least one file list of the first external storage device and a message into the memory of the host; and removing the power of the first external storage device; After the power of the first external storage device is removed, a user can browse the at least one file list stored in the memory of the host. 如請求項1所述之方法,其中該第一外接儲存裝置為一IDE或一序列ATA(Serial Advanced Technology Attachment)介面硬碟。The method of claim 1, wherein the first external storage device is an IDE or a serial ATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) interface hard disk. 如請求項1所述之方法,其中於移除該第一外接儲存裝置之電源前,更包括控制該第一外接儲存裝置進入一中斷模式。The method of claim 1, wherein before the removing the power of the first external storage device, the method further comprises controlling the first external storage device to enter an interrupt mode. 如請求項1所述之方法,其中該資訊為可用以辨識該第一外接儲存裝置之資訊。The method of claim 1, wherein the information is information that is available to identify the first external storage device. 如請求項1所述之方法,更包括當該使用者點選該至少一檔案列表內之一第一檔案時,重新提供該電源給一第二外接儲存裝置,以及回復該第二外接儲存裝置之工作狀態。The method of claim 1, further comprising: when the user clicks on the first file in the at least one file list, re-provisioning the power to a second external storage device, and replying to the second external storage device Working status. 如請求項5所述之方法,其中該第二外接儲存裝置為一IDE或一序列ATA(Serial Advanced Technology Attachment)介面硬碟。The method of claim 5, wherein the second external storage device is an IDE or a serial ATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) interface hard disk. 如請求項5所述之方法,其中當該第二外接儲存裝置之工作狀態被回復後,更包括判斷該第二外接儲存裝置是否即為該第一外接儲存裝置。The method of claim 5, wherein after the working state of the second external storage device is restored, further comprising determining whether the second external storage device is the first external storage device. 如請求項7所述之方法,其中判斷該第二外接儲存裝置是否即為該第一外接儲存裝置,更包括:判斷儲存在該主機之記憶體內之該第一外接儲存裝置之該資訊是否存在於該第二外接儲存裝置中。The method of claim 7, wherein determining whether the second external storage device is the first external storage device further comprises: determining whether the information of the first external storage device stored in the memory of the host exists In the second external storage device. 如請求項7所述之方法,其中當該第二外接儲存裝置即為該第一外接儲存裝置時,執行該第一檔案。The method of claim 7, wherein the first file is executed when the second external storage device is the first external storage device. 如請求項7所述之方法,其中當該第二外接儲存裝置並非該第一外接儲存裝置時,讀取該第二外接儲存裝置內容。The method of claim 7, wherein the second external storage device is read when the second external storage device is not the first external storage device.
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Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5903765A (en) * 1992-01-02 1999-05-11 Smith Corona/Acer Power management system for a computer
TWI291087B (en) * 2005-05-10 2007-12-11 Quanta Comp Inc Portable computer and data backup method thereof
TW200818125A (en) * 2006-10-13 2008-04-16 Optimark Technology Co Ltd Power saving method for an external hard-disk

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US5903765A (en) * 1992-01-02 1999-05-11 Smith Corona/Acer Power management system for a computer
TWI291087B (en) * 2005-05-10 2007-12-11 Quanta Comp Inc Portable computer and data backup method thereof
TW200818125A (en) * 2006-10-13 2008-04-16 Optimark Technology Co Ltd Power saving method for an external hard-disk

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