CZ20031965A3 - Method and system for controlling feeding in a system fitted with internal USB hub - Google Patents

Abstract

A method and system for managing power in a computer system is disclosed. The computer system (100) includes a host (102). The method and system include providing a Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub (106), at least one USB connector (104, 108, 110) and attach/removal detection logic (120). The at least one USB connector is coupled with the USB hub. The attach/removal detection logic is coupled with the USB hub. The attach/removal detection logic determines whether a USB device is connected to the at least one USB connector, logically decouples the USB hub from the host if the USB device is not connected to the at least one USB connector and logically couples the USB hub to the host if the USB device is connected to the at least one USB connector.

Description

Technical field

The invention relates to computer systems, and more particularly to a method and system for controlling power in a system having an internal USB hub.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In computer systems, the universal serial bus (USB) connection is increasingly popular. Giant. 1 illustrates a conventional computer system 10 that includes USB connectors. A conventional computer system 10 may be a variety of computers, including, for example, a notebook or desktop computer. A conventional computer system 10 includes a host computer 12, a first USB connector 14, a USB hub 16, USB connectors 18 and 20, and a power supply 22. The host computer 12 includes integrated circuits and thus a processor (not explicitly shown) that controls the operating system (not explicitly shown) of the computer system 10. For example, the host computer 12 may comprise four INTEL ™ integrated circuits. Thus, the host computer 12 may include INTEL ™ processors running an operating system from MICROSOFT ™. The conventional computer system 10 also includes a USB connector 14. The conventional computer system 10 may include an additional USB connector (not explicitly shown) and function as needed. Due to the popularity of USB

86421 (2786421_EN.doc) August 25, 2003 The connection requires that a conventional computer system 10 have a large number of USB connectors. Therefore, a USB hub 16 is provided that connects the host computer 12 to the USB connectors 18 and 20. Thus, the USB hub 16 allows the inclusion of additional USB connectors 18 and 20 in the computer system 10. The USB hub may be connected and powered from a power supply 22. A conventional computer system has components 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 typically integrated within the housing.

Although the conventional computer system 10 operates, one of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that it may have a higher power than desired. For certain operating systems and processors, such as the MICROSOFT ™ operating system and certain INTEL ™ processors, using a USB device connected to the processor's USB connector will prevent the lowest power state known as the C3 state from being used. In other words, due to certain USB host computer implementations, if the operating system detects the presence of a USB device at the host computer 12, the processor cannot enter its lowest power state. In a conventional computer system 10, in accordance with the requirements of the USB specifications, the operating system in the host computer 12 considers the USB hub 16, which is integrated into the computer system 10, to be a USB device. Therefore, USB devices are always detected even when no external USB devices are used. As a result, the processors in the host computer 12 will never be able to enter the lowest power state. Thus, a conventional computer system 10 may have more power than desired. This is particularly a problem if the conventional computer system 10 is a computer system, e.g., a laptop, that has a mobile mode. In such a computer system, the power supply 22 includes a battery for powering the conventional computer system 10 when in mobile mode. In mobile mode it is desirable to

86421 (2786421_EN.doc) August 25, 2003 4 host computer 12 has been allowed to enter the lowest power state to conserve battery power, eg when host computer 12 is not actively used . Because the processors on the host computer cannot enter the lowest power state, the battery runs out faster. The battery may be discharged, preventing the user from using the conventional computer system 10 as needed.

Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method for providing a system that allows a computer system with a USB hub to control power. The present invention meets such requirements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method and system for controlling power in a computer system. The computer system includes a host computer. The method and system comprise providing a Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub, at least one USB connector, and a connect / disconnect detection logic. At least one USB connector is connected to a USB hub. The connection / disconnect detection logic is connected to the USB hub. The mount / detect detection logic determines whether the USB device is connected to at least one USB connector, logically disconnects the USB hub from the host computer if the USB device is not connected to at least one USB connector, and logically connects the USB hub to the host computer USB device connected to at least one USB connector.

According to the system and method described herein, the present invention allows to control power in a computer system by allowing processors in the host computer to enter a state

86421 (2786421_EN.doc) 25.8.2003

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Overview of the drawings

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional computer system comprising a USB hub; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of one embodiment of a computer system comprising a USB hub according to the present invention; FIG. 4 is a more detailed block diagram of a second embodiment of a computer system comprising a USB hub according to the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to improvements in computer systems. The following description is provided to enable one skilled in the art to practice and use the invention and is set forth in the context of the patent application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and generally applicable principles may be applied to other embodiments.

86421 (2786421_EN.doc) 25.8.2003

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Thus, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but is intended to be as broad as possible in accordance with the principles and features set forth herein.

A conventional computer system may include a host computer, a USB hub, and a plurality of USB connectors integrated into a single unit. The host computer typically comprises one or more integrated circuits comprising at least one processor running an operating system ("OS") for a conventional computer system. As the USB device is becoming increasingly popular, a USB hub is connected to the host computer. There are a number of USB connectors connected to the USB hub that allow you to connect a USB device to a conventional computer system. Although this conventional computer system allows for the use of multiple USB devices, one skilled in the art will appreciate that a conventional computer system may not be able to adequately control power. A conventional computer system, as required by the USB specification, considers a USB hub to be a USB device connected to a conventional computer system. Therefore, the processors in the host computer of a conventional computer system cannot go into certain power states. As a result, a conventional computer system may have more power than desired.

The present invention provides a method and system for controlling power in a computer system. The computer system includes a host computer. The method and system comprise providing a universal serial bus (USB) hub, at least one USB connector, and a connect / disconnect detection logic. At least one USB connector is connected to a USB hub. The connection / disconnect logic is connected to the USB hub. Connect / disconnect detection logic detects whether a USB device is connected to at least one USB connector, logically

86421 (2786421_EN.doc) 25.8.2003

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USB device connected to at least one USB connector.

The present invention will be described using certain components and operating systems (OSs) and specific numbers of components. However, one skilled in the art will recognize that this method and system will work effectively for other components, different OSs, and different component counts. In addition, many components of the computer system of the present invention are omitted for clarity.

A more detailed illustration of the method and system of the present invention will now be made with reference to Fig. 2. 2 is a rough block diagram illustrating one embodiment of a computer system 100 according to the present invention. The computer system 100 includes a host computer 102, a first USB connector 104, a USB hub 106, USB connectors 108 and 110 connected to a USB hub 106, a power supply 112 connected to the USB hub 106, a connect / disconnect detection logic 120, and a connector 122. , the first USB connector 104, the USB hub 106, the USB connectors 108 and 110 and the power supply 112 are preferably the same as the host computer 12, the first USB connector 14, the USB hub 66, the USB connectors 18 and 20 and the power supply 22 of the conventional computer system 10 shown in FIG.

Referring again to Fig. 2, the mount / detect detection logic 120 is coupled to the USB connectors 108 and 110 and via a connector 122 to a power supply 112 and a USB hub 108. The mount / detect detection logic 120 detects whether it is USB devices (not shown) connected to either of the USB connectors 108 and 110. Functions

86421 (2786421_EN.doc) 8/25/2003 • · • 9

The on / off detection logic 120 is to logically disconnect the USB hub 106 from the host computer 102 when no USB device is connected to either of the USB connectors 108 and 110. In addition, the mount / detect detection logic 120 also logically connects the USB hub 106 to the host computer 102 when a USB device is connected to either of the USB connectors 108 and 110. The connect / disconnect detection logic 120 performs by controlling connector 122. The connect / disconnect detection logic 120 specifically controls connector 122 by connecting the connector 122 to connect the USB hub 106 to a power supply 112 when it is on one of the USB connectors 108 and 110 a USB device, and so that the connector 122 does not connect the USB hub 106 to the power supply 112 when no USB device is connected to either of the USB connectors 108 and 110. Thus, power is supplied to the USB hub 106 only when one or more of the USB connectors 108 and 110 provided by the USB hub 106 are used.

By using the connect / disconnect detection logic 120, the computer system 100 can better control power. The operating system of the host computer 102 can only recognize the USB hub 106 when power is supplied to the USB hub 106. Because the connect / disconnect detection logic 120 and connector 122 ensure that the power supply 112 is connected to the USB hub 106 only when one or more of the USB connectors 108 and 110 are connected, the operating system can recognize the USB hub 106 when it is USB device connected to one or more of the USB connectors 108 and 110. In other words, the USB hub 106 is logically disconnected from the host computer 102 when no USB device is connected to any of the USB connectors 108 and 110. Similarly, the USB hub 106 is logically connected to the host computer when a USB device is connected to one or more of the USB connectors 108 and 110. This is true even though the USB hub 106 remains physically constant

86421 (2786421_EN.doc) August 25, 2003 • · • *

Thus, the operating system for the host computer 102 considers the USB hub 106 to be a USB device connected to the host computer 102 only when one or more of the USB connectors 108 are used. Thus, when these connectors are not in use, the processors of the host computer 102 may enter the lowest power state. Thus, power will not be unnecessarily used due to the presence of the USB hub 106. Thus, power can be better controlled for the computer system 100.

Giant. 3 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of a computer system 100 'comprising a USB hub according to the present invention. The computer system 100 'contains analogous components to those in the computer system 100. Therefore, these items are labeled similarly. However, for clarity, certain components are not displayed. The computer system 100 'comprises a host computer 102', a USB connector 104 'connected to the host computer 102', a USB hub 106 'and USB connectors 108' and 110 'connected to the USB hub 106'. The computer system 100 'also includes a connect / disconnect detection logic 120' and a connector 122 '. However, in computer system 100 ', connector 122' is connected between host computer 102 'and USB hub 106'. The mount / detect detection logic 120 'still logically disconnects the USB hub 106' from the host computer 102 'when no USB device is connected to any of the USB connectors 108' and 110 '. The mount / detect detection logic 120 'also logically connects the USB hub 106' to the host computer 102 'when a USB device is connected to one of the USB connectors 108' and 110 '. The connection / disconnect logic 120 'performs these functions by controlling the connector 122'. Specifically, the connect / disconnect logic 120 'controls connector 122' such that connector 122 'connects USB hub 106' to host computer 102 'when

86421 (2786421_EN.doc) August 25, 2003 · © · © · © · © · ©

99 «9 99 9 9 9 · A USB device is connected to one of the USB connectors 108 'and 110' on one of the USB connectors 108 'and 110'. Further, the connection / disconnect logic 120 'controls connector 122' such that connector 122 'does not connect the USB hub 106' to the host computer 102 'when no USB device is connected to any of the USB connectors 108' and 110 '.

By using the on / off detection logic 120 ', the computer system 100' can better control power. The operating system of the host computer 102 'can only recognize the USB hub 106' when the host computer 102 'is connected to the USB hub 106'. Since the connect / disconnect detection logic 120 'and connector 122' connect the USB hub 106 'to the host computer 102' only when one or more of the USB connectors 108 'and 110', the operating system can recognize the USB hub 106 'only, when a USB device is connected to one or more of the USB connectors 108 'and 110'. In other words, the USB hub 106 'is logically disconnected from the host computer when no USB device is connected to any of the USB connectors 108' and 110 '. Similarly, the USB hub 106 'is logically connected to the host computer when a USB device is connected to one or more of the USB connectors 108' and 110 '. The operating system of the host computer 102 'only considers the USB hub 106' to be a USB device connected to the host computer 102 'when using one or more of the USB connectors 108' and 110 '. Thus, when these connectors are not in use, the processors of host computer 102 'may enter the lowest power state. Thus, power will not be wasted due to the presence of the USB hub 106 '. Thus, power to the computer system 100 'can be better controlled.

Giant. 4 is a more detailed block diagram of a second embodiment of a computer system 100 '' comprising a USB hub 106 '' according to the present invention. The computer system 100 '' contains analogous components to those in the computer system 100. Therefore, they are

86421 (2786421_EN.doc) August 25, 2003 «· · · · · · · · · · · 9 · ·

-ίο • ··· · · ·· · »·. «· These items are marked similarly. However, for clarity, certain components are not shown. The computer system 100 '' comprises processors 102 '' that are stored in the host computer of the computer system 100 '', a USB hub 106 '' and USB connectors 108 '' and 110 ''. The computer system 100 '' also includes a connect / disconnect detection logic 120 '' and a connector 122 ''. The computer system 100 '' further comprises a transient damper 124. The transient attenuator 124 is used to prevent electrostatic discharge damage when a USB device (not shown) is not connected to any of the connectors 106 '' and 108 ''. The connect / disconnect detection logic includes integrated circuits 126 and 128 and logic gates 130, 132 and 134. Connector 122 '' is a field effect transistor (FET). Thus, connector 122 '' is not a connector in the traditional sense in that connector 122 '' does not physically disconnect USB hub 106 '' from processors 102 ''. Instead, the connector 122 '' is a connector in the sense that it allows logical connection or disconnection of the USB hub 106 '' from the processor 102 ''. When a USB device is connected to the USB connector 108 '' or 110 '', the connection / disconnect detection logic 120 '' emits a signal (H8USBON), which means switching. When this signal is given,

FET 122 '' is switched. The connection 121 between the processors 102 '' and the USB hub 106 '' is thus activated when a USB device is connected to one of the connectors 108 '' or 110 ''. As a result, the USB hub 106 '' is connected to the processors 102 '' only when the USB connector 108 '' or 110 '' is used. Thus, the processors 102 '' will recognize the USB hub 106 '' as a USB device only when the USB connector 108 '' or 110 '' is in use. In other cases, the processors 102 '' behave as if the USB hub 106 '' was not present in the computer system 100 ''. Therefore, the processors 102 '' can go into the lowest power state when the USB connectors 108 '' and 110 '' are not in use. This makes it easier to drive

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A method and system for controlling power in a system comprising an internal USB hub has been described. Although the present invention has been described in particular embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily recognize that changes may be made to the embodiments so as to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, one skilled in the art can make many modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Industrial applicability

The invention can be used to control power demand in an electrical communication system.

Represented by:

Dr. Petr Kalenský v.r.

86421 (2786421_EN.doc) 25.8.2003% · frfr frfr frfr 'frfr frfr * ··

JUDr. Petr Kalensky attorney

120 00 Prague 2, Halkova 2

Claims (12)

PATENT CLAIMS A power management system in a computer system, wherein the computer system comprises a host computer, the system comprising: universal serial bus (USB) hub; at least one USB connector connected to a USB hub and a connection / disconnect detection logic associated with a USB hub, the connection / disconnect detection logic used to determine whether at least one USB connector is connected to a USB device to logically disconnect the USB hub from the host computer, if the USB device is not connected to at least one USB connector, and to logically connect the USB hub to the host computer if the USB device is connected to at least one USB connector. The system of claim 1, wherein the mount / detect detection logic is coupled to the host computer and the mount / detect detection logic disconnects the USB hub from the host computer when the USB device is not connected to at least one USB connector. The system of claim 2, wherein the connect / disconnect detection logic emits a first signal when the USB device is not connected to at least one USB connector, and a second signal when the USB device is connected to at least one USB connector, and the system further comprising: contains: a connector connected to the host computer, a connection / disconnect detection logic, and a USB hub, the connector used to connect the USB hub to the host 27 86421 (2786421_CZ.doc) 25.8.2003 φ φ φ φ φ • φ φ φ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ ♦ signal and to disconnect the USB hub from the host computer in response to the second signal. The system of claim 1, further comprising a power supply connected to the USB hub, and the attachment / disconnect detection logic disconnects the USB hub from the power supply when the USB device is not connected to at least one USB connector. The system of claim 4, wherein the connect / disconnect detection logic emits a first signal when the USB device is not connected to at least one USB connector, and a second signal when the USB device is connected to at least one USB connector, and the system further comprises: contains: a connector coupled to a power supply, a connection / disconnect detection logic, and a USB hub, the connector used to connect the USB hub to a power source in response to the first signal and to disconnect the USB hub from the power supply in response to the second signal. The system of claim 1, wherein the computer system is allowed to enter the lowest power state when the device is not connected to at least one of the USB connectors. A method for controlling power in a computer system comprising a host computer, a universal serial bus (USB) hub connected to the host computer, and at least one USB connector connected to a USB hub, comprising the steps of: (a) determining whether a USB device is connected to at least one USB connector; (b) logically disconnecting the USB hub from the host 27 86421 (2786421_EN.doc) August 25, 2003 a computer, unless a USB device is connected to at least one USB connector, and (c) logically connect the USB hub to the host a computer if a USB device is connected to at least one USB connector. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the determining step (a), the logical disconnection step (b) and the logical connection step (c) are carried out using the on / off detection logic. The method of claim 8, wherein the logical disconnect step (b) further comprises the step of: (b) disconnecting the USB hub from the host computer if at least one USB connector is not connected to a USB device. The method of claim 9, wherein the disconnect step (b1) further comprises the steps of: (bl) (i) outputting a first signal when the USB device is not connected to at least one USB connector, and a second signal when the USB device is connected to at least one USB connector, using the connect / disconnect detection logic, wherein the connect / disconnect the detection logic is coupled to the host computer and the at least one connector, and (bl) (ii) using a connector coupled to the host computer, the connect / disconnect detection logic and the USB hub to connect the USB hub to a power source in response to the first signal and disconnect USB hub from the power supply in response to the second signal. The method of claim 8, wherein the computer system further comprises a power supply associated with the USB hub and the logical disconnect step (b) further comprises: 27 86421 (2786421_EN.doc) 25.8.2003 99 99 99 8 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 Φ ΦΦΦΦ ΦΦ Φ ΦΦΦ ΦΦΦ Φ ΦΦΦ φ φ φ ΦΦΦΦ • φ φφφφ ΦΦΦΦ ΦΦ ΦΦ Step: (bl) disconnecting the USB hub from the power source if the USB device is not connected to at least one USB connector. The method of claim 11, wherein the disconnect step (b1) further comprises the steps of: (bii) outputting a first signal when the USB device is not connected to at least one USB connector, and a second signal when the USB device is connected to at least one USB connector, using a connect / disconnect detection logic, wherein the connect / disconnect detection logic is connected to the power supply and at least one USB connector, and (blii) use a connector connected to the power supply, connect / disconnect detection logic and USB hub to connect the USB hub to the power supply in response to the first signal and disconnect the USB hub from the power supply power in response to the second signal.