DE102008043865B4 - Power saving and power saving system - Google Patents

Abstract

A power saving method for an optical disk drive (50) of a rugged electronic device (100), wherein the rugged electronic device (100) uses a watertight cover (51) disposed outside the optical disk drive (50) that can be opened, wherein The power switch (30) electrically connects the optical disk drive (50) to a power supply (40), and the robust electronic device (100) can determine whether a command to start the optical disk drive (50) has been received through a controller (20) characterized in that a sensor (10) determines whether the waterproof lid (51) is in an open or closed state, when the waterproof lid (51) is closed, detects a read / write head of the optical disk drive (50), whether an optical disk is present in the optical disk drive (50), the control means (20) starts measuring the predetermined time begins when the read / write head detects that there is no optical disk, and the controller (20) sends a first control signal to the power switch (30) to establish an electrical connection between the power supply (40) and the optical power supply Disk drive (50) after reaching the predetermined time to interrupt.

Description

The present invention relates to a power saving method and power saving system for an electronic device, and more particularly to a power saving method and power saving system for an optical disk drive of a rugged electronic device.

In general, entry into a robust electronic device, e.g. In the manner of a portable rugged computer, a built-in optical disk drive after a period of inactivity in a sleep mode to save power. In sleep mode, the optical disk drive motor shuts down to reduce noise and heat dissipation, and parts of electronic components on an optical disk drive circuit board also stop operating. However, some components, such as a host interface (HI), random access memory (RAM) arbiter, microcomputer unit (MCU) within an integrated circuit (IC), or dynamic RAM (DRAM) on the circuit board, continue to operate in sleep mode.

From the DE 196 36 290 A1 For example, a method is known for reducing electrical power consumption of drives by detecting the absence of a data carrier, with subsequent separation of the subject drive from an electrical power supply. The known method is based on the mechanical actuation of a switch or toggle switch by a respective data carrier.

JP 56 114 132 A discloses an optical data storage based method of recording events using optical writing and reading devices with respective upstream and downstream processing units. Saving potentials through appropriate procedures for at least temporary shutdown are not shown here.

The US 2003/0081934 A1 teaches a procedure to secure police and from motor vehicles from obtained surveillance recordings for evidence. Here, however, instead of measures to reduce an electrical power consumption only measures taken to protect against temporary interruptions in the electrical power supply.

Therefore, an object to be solved urgently is to provide a power saving method and power saving system for the optical disk drive of the rugged electronic device.

In order to solve the above-mentioned technical problems, the present invention provides a power saving method and power saving system for an optical disk drive of a rugged electronic device. The present invention detects the open / close state of a waterproof lid disposed outside the optical disk drive, and determines whether an optical disk is present in the optical disk drive, thereby determining whether or not to interrupt the power supplied to the optical disk drive. Therefore, the optical disk drive will no longer consume power even when it is in an inactive mode or in standby / sleep mode.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a power saving method is applied to an optical disk drive of a rugged electronic device. The rugged electronic device has a watertight lid disposed outside the optical disk drive so that it can be opened, the optical disk drive being electrically connected to a power switch, the power switch electrically connected to a power supply, and the rugged electronic device Control means for determining whether a command to start the optical disk drive has been received. The method comprises the following steps: First, a sensor determines whether the waterproof lid is in an open or closed state. When the waterproof lid is closed, a read / write head of the optical disk drive further determines whether an optical disk is present in the optical disk drive. Then, the controller starts measuring a predetermined time when the read / write head detects that there is no optical disk. Thereafter, the controller sends a first control signal to the power switch to interrupt an electrical connection between the power supply and the optical disk drive after the predetermined time has been reached.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an optical disk drive power saving system of a rugged electronic device has an optical disk drive, a waterproof lid, a sensor, a controller, and a power switch. The optical disk drive is disposed on one side of the rugged electronic device and selectively electrically connected to a power supply of the rugged electronic device, the optical disk drive having a read / write head for determining whether an optical disk is present in the optical disk drive , The waterproof lid is thus the connected to a robust electronic device that it can be opened, and it is located outside of the optical disk drive. The sensor detects a positional state of the waterproof lid, and generates a first detection signal corresponding to a closed state of the waterproof lid or a second detection signal corresponding to an open state of the waterproof lid. The controller is electrically connected to the sensor to detect a command to start the optical disk drive, wherein after receiving the first detection signal for the controller and after determining that there is no optical disk in the optical disk drive, the controller checks the measurement Time begins and generates a first control signal after a predetermined time has been reached. The power switch is electrically connected between the optical disk drive, the power supply, and the controller, wherein the power switch breaks an electrical connection between the power supply and the optical disk drive in accordance with the first control signal.

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are examples, and are intended to provide further explanation of the claimed invention.

The present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description given below by way of illustration, which is not limitative of the present invention. Show it:

1 FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a power saving method for an optical disk drive according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG.

2 10 is a block diagram of an optical disk drive power saving system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

3 a partial perspective view of a robust electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and

4 a partial side view of the robust electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention in a sectional view.

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. If possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawing. The name refers to the same or similar parts.

1 FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of a power saving method for an optical disk drive of a rugged electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The rugged electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention is a rugged laptop computer. The rugged electronic device has a watertight lid that is connected to the rugged electronic device so that it can be opened and that is located outside of an optical disc drive. The conventional watertight lid has a sealing member such as a rubber O-ring in order to achieve a waterproof effect when the waterproof lid is closed. Such a waterproof lid, which can be manually operated by a user, is well known to those skilled in the art. The connection between the watertight lid and the rugged electronic device is a simple mechanical connection without electronic components. Further, the optical disk drive of the rugged electronic device is usually located in a removable module. Therefore, to achieve the waterproof effect, the waterproof lid is usually a component disposed on the rugged electronic device rather than the optical disk drive. A sensor according to the present invention is disposed on the rugged electronic device and is located in a range of movement of the waterproof lid, and the sensor is used to determine whether the waterproof lid is in an open state or in a closed state. The optical disk drive is electrically connected to a power switch. The power switch is electrically connected to a power supply of the rugged electronic device.

The optical disk drive has at least two modes of operation, namely, a normal mode of operation and a power saving mode of operation. In the normal mode of operation, the robust electronic device provides the power needed to operate the optical disk drive. In power save mode, the rugged electronic device breaks the power required to operate the optical disk drive. In this way, the optical disk drive does not consume the electrical power of the rugged electronic device when the optical disk drive is inactive.

After the rugged electronic device completes a boot process, the optical disk drive is placed in the normal mode of operation. During this time, the sensor determines whether the waterproof lid is currently in a closed state (step 100 ).

When the sensor detects that the waterproof lid is in a closed state, a read / write head of the optical disk drive determines whether an optical disk is present in the optical disk drive (step 110 ). If the sensor detects that the watertight lid is in an open condition, the procedure goes to step 160 above.

When the read / write head of the optical disk drive determines that there is no optical disk, a timing mechanism of a controller in the rugged electronic device begins to measure a predetermined time period (step 120 ). The predetermined time of the controller can be set by the user.

Next, during the time measurement period, the controller determines whether a command to start the optical disk drive has been received (step 130 ).

If the controller determines that no command to start the optical disk drive has been received, the controller further determines whether the predetermined time has been reached (step 140 ). If the controller determines that the command to start the optical disk drive has been received, the procedure goes to step 160 above.

After the predetermined time has been reached and the controller determines that no command to start the optical disk drive has been received, the controller sends a first control signal to the power switch to break a connection between the power supply and the optical disk drive (step 150 ). At this time, the optical disk drive is set in the power save mode. If the predetermined time has not been reached, the procedure returns to step 130 where the controller further determines whether the command to start the optical disk drive has been received.

If the controller further determines that the command to start the optical disk drive has been received, the controller sends a second signal to the power switch to establish the connection between the power supply and the optical disk drive (step 160 ). At this time, the optical disk drive is set in the normal operation mode. The step of determining whether the command to start the optical disk drive has been received can be performed independently of all the above steps to periodically determine whether the command to start the optical disk drive has been received. Regardless of which state is given or which step is performed, the controller sends the second control signal to the power switch to turn on the power supply and the optical disk drive once the command to start the optical disk drive has been received.

The above-mentioned command to start the optical disk drive may be a hardware signal sent out by a button or a software command running under an operating system. Regardless of whether the software instructions or hardware signals correspond to an operation of starting the disk of the optical disk drive or a program operating the optical disk executes a specific process, such a signal or instruction may be used as a source of the optical disk drive starting command as long as the signal or command has anything to do with any use of the optical disk drive.

2 shows a block diagram of a power saving system 200 for the optical disk drive of the rugged electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention. As in 2 is shown, the power saving system 200 a sensor for the optical disk drive 10 , a control device 20 , a circuit breaker 30 , a power supply 40 and an optical disk drive 50 on. The power-saving system 200 for the optical disk drive is in the rugged electronic device 100 Installed. The robust electronic device 100 has one with a central processing unit (CPU) 1 connected system bus 3 , a system memory 2 , the control device 20 etc. on. The robust electronic device 100 also has other modules such as a display module and an input module, which will not be described here.

The sensor 10 is provided to a position of a waterproof lid 51 outside the optical disk drive 50 and generates a first detection signal corresponding to a closed state of the waterproof lid 51 corresponds, or a second detection signal, the open state of the waterproof lid 51 equivalent. In general, the waterproof lid 51 a sealing member such as a rubber O-ring, and the waterproof lid 51 is so with one side of the rugged electronic Connected device that he can be opened. The sensor 10 For example, it may be a microswitch or an electromagnetic switch adjacent to the watertight lid 51 is arranged on the robust electronic device.

The control device 20 is with the sensor 10 and also with the CPU 1 and the system memory 2 the rugged electronic device 100 over the system bus 3 connected. The control device 20 has a timing mechanism. When the controller 20 receives the first detection signal and determines that there is no optical disk in the optical disk drive 50 is present, the timing mechanism is triggered to begin measuring a predetermined period of time. After the predetermined time has been reached, the controller generates 20 a first control signal. When the controller 20 determines that an optical disk in the optical disk drive 50 is present generates the controller 20 a second control signal.

The circuit breaker 30 is electrical with the optical disk drive 50 , the power supply 40 and the controller 20 connected. The circuit breaker 30 interrupts an electrical connection between the power supply 40 and the optical disk drive 50 when it receives the first control signal. The circuit breaker 30 represents the electrical connection between the power supply 40 and the optical disk drive 50 when it receives the second control signal.

The power supply 40 is electrical with the circuit breaker 30 connected. The power supply 40 may be, for example, an internal battery or an external direct current (DC) power supply.

The optical disk drive 50 is electrical with the circuit breaker 30 connected and located on one side of the robust electronic device. The optical disk drive 50 is removably inserted into one side of the rugged electronic device or embedded in and secured within a side of the rugged electronic device. The connected waterproof lid 51 is outside the optical disk drive 50 and is arranged on the rugged electronic device so that it can be opened. The sealing element of the waterproof lid 51 Provides a waterproof effect when the waterproof lid 51 closed is. The waterproof lid connected to the rugged electronic device 51 can be fastened by a screw and opened by loosening the screw, or it can be manually pulled by a user to be opened, or pressed to be locked and tightly closed. The connection between the waterproof lid 51 and the rugged electronic device is a simple mechanical structure. The sensor 10 is disposed on the rugged electronic device and is located in a range of movement of the waterproof lid 51 , and the sensor 10 is provided to determine if the waterproof lid 51 in an open state or in a closed state. The optical disk drive 50 is electrical with the circuit breaker 30 connected, and the circuit breaker 30 is electric with the power supply 40 connected in the rugged electronic device. The optical disk drive 50 has at least two modes of operation, namely a normal mode of operation and a low power mode of operation. In the normal mode of operation, the rugged electronic device provides one for the operation of the optical disk drive 50 required power ready. In the power save mode, the rugged electronic device interrupts the operation of the optical disk drive 50 required power. This consumes the optical disk drive 50 the performance of the rugged electronic device during a standby state.

A basic input / output system (BIOS) 60 is electrically connected to the control device 20 connected. The BIOS 60 provides a user interface for setting the aforementioned predetermined time.

3 FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view of the rugged electronic device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. As in 3 is shown, is the optical disk drive 50 on one side of the rugged electronic device 100 , and the sensor 10 is adjacent to the optical disk drive 50 and in the moving range of the waterproof lid (in the figure, below the optical disk drive 50 ) arranged. The waterproof lid 51 is so with the rugged electronic device 100 and outside the optical disk drive 50 connected at one end of this, that it can be opened. Because the power saving control process of the optical disk drive 50 that according to the embodiment of the 1 and 2 is equal to, the detection process of the sensor 10 only explained below.

As in 4 is shown, is the waterproof lid 51 with the rugged electronic device 100 connected. The sensor 10 is below the optical disk drive 50 arranged. The sensor 10 is a microswitch and has a projection 10a on. In addition, the sensor can 10 also be an optical measuring switch or an electromagnetic switch.

When the waterproof lid 51 is in the open state, is an upper end of the projection 10a over a front panel 50a the optical disk drive 50 in front. At this time, there is the lead 10a of the sensor 10 in a dissolved state. Therefore, the sensor generates 10 the second detection signal for the controller 20 according to the open condition of the waterproof lid 51 ,

When the waterproof lid 51 when closed, is the upper end of the projection 10a through the waterproof lid 51 pressed. At this time, there is the lead 10a of the sensor 10 in a depressed state. Therefore, the sensor generates 10 the first detection signal for the controller 20 according to the closed state of the waterproof lid 51 ,

In view of the above, it should be noted that the power saving method and system for the optical disk drive 50 of the rugged electronic device according to the present invention determine whether the power supply of the optical disk drive 50 is to interrupt by an operating state of the optical disk drive 50 after starting the optical disk drive 50 is continuously detected, and alleviate the problem that is that the optical disk drive 50 the power of the rugged electronic device is still consumed in the inactive or standby state.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

Central processing unit (CPU)

2

system memory

3

system

10

sensor

10a

head Start

20

control device

30

breakers

40

power supply

50

optical disk drive

50a

front panel

51

waterproof lid

60

Basic input / output system (BIOS)

100

robust electronic device

200

Power Saving System

Claims (13)

Power Saving Procedure for an Optical Disk Drive ( 50 ) a robust electronic device ( 100 ), wherein the robust electronic device ( 100 ) a waterproof lid ( 51 ) used outside the optical disk drive ( 50 ) and which can be opened, wherein a circuit breaker ( 30 ) the optical disk drive ( 50 ) electrically connected to a power supply ( 40 ) and the robust electronic device ( 100 ) via a control device ( 20 ) can determine whether a command to start the optical disk drive ( 50 ), characterized in that a sensor ( 10 ) determines whether the waterproof lid ( 51 ) is in an open or a closed state, when the closed state of the waterproof lid ( 51 ) a read / write head of the optical disk drive ( 50 ) determines whether an optical disk in the optical disk drive ( 50 ), the control device ( 20 ) starts measuring a predetermined time when the read / write head detects that there is no optical disc, and the control means ( 20 ) a first control signal to the circuit breaker ( 30 ) to establish an electrical connection between the power supply ( 40 ) and the optical disk drive ( 50 ) after reaching the given time. Power saving method according to claim 1, wherein when the control device ( 20 ) determines that the command to start the optical disk drive ( 50 ), the control device ( 20 ) a second signal to the circuit breaker ( 30 ) to control the electrical connection between the power supply ( 40 ) and the optical disk drive ( 50 ). Power saving method according to claim 1, wherein when the sensor ( 10 ) determines that the watertight lid ( 51 ) is in the closed state and the read / write head detects that the optical disk in the optical disk drive ( 51 ), the control device ( 20 ) the electrical connection between the power supply ( 40 ) and the optical disk drive ( 50 ). Power saving method according to claim 1, wherein the sensor ( 10 ) on the robust electronic device ( 100 ) in a range of movement of the waterproof lid 51 ) is arranged. Power saving method according to claim 1, wherein the sensor ( 10 ) is a microswitch, an optical detection switch or an electromagnetic switch. A power saving method according to claim 1, wherein said predetermined time is determined by a user through a basic input / output system of said robust electronic device ( 100 ) is set. The power saving method according to claim 1, wherein when the predetermined time has not been reached and it is determined that the command to start the optical disk drive (FIG. 51 ), the control device ( 20 ) the electrical connection between the power supply ( 40 ) and the optical disk drive ( 51 ). Power saving system for an optical disk drive of a rugged electronic device ( 100 ) comprising: an optical disk drive ( 50 ) located on one side of the robust electronic device ( 100 ) and selectively electrically connected to a power supply ( 40 ) of the robust electronic device ( 100 ), characterized in that the optical disk drive ( 50 ): a read / write head for determining whether an optical disk in the optical disk drive ( 50 ), - a watertight lid ( 51 ), so with the robust electronic device ( 100 ), that it can be opened, and outside the optical disk drive ( 50 ), - a sensor ( 10 ) for detecting a positional state of the waterproof lid ( 51 ) and for generating a first detection signal corresponding to a closed state of the waterproof lid ( 51 ) or a second detection signal corresponding to an open state of the waterproof lid ( 51 ), - a control device ( 20 ) electrically connected to the sensor ( 10 ) to issue a command to start the optical disk drive ( 51 ), the control device ( 20 ) is formed - after receiving the first detection signal for the control device ( 20 ) and, after determining that in the optical disk drive ( 50 ) there is no optical disk to start measuring the time and to generate a first control signal after the lapse of a predetermined time, and 30 ), which is electrically connected between the optical disk drive ( 50 ), the power supply ( 40 ) and the control device ( 20 ), the circuit breaker ( 30 ) an electrical connection between the power supply ( 40 ) and the optical disk drive ( 50 ) interrupts according to the first control signal. Power saving system according to claim 8, wherein, when the read / write head detects that the optical disk in the optical disk drive ( 50 ), the control device ( 20 ) for generating a second control signal for the circuit breaker ( 30 ) is adapted to the electrical connection between the power supply ( 40 ) and the optical disk drive ( 50 ). Power saving system according to claim 8, wherein the sensor ( 10 ) on the robust electronic device ( 100 ) in a range of motion of the watertight lid ( 51 ) is arranged. Power saving system according to claim 8, wherein the sensor ( 10 ) is a microswitch, an optical detection switch or an electromagnetic switch. Power-saving system according to claim 8, comprising a basic input / output system electrically connected to the control device ( 20 ) and allows a user to set the predetermined time at will. Power saving system according to claim 8, wherein if the predetermined time has not been reached and the control device ( 20 ) determines that a command to start the optical disk drive ( 50 ), the control device ( 20 ) the electrical connection between the power supply ( 40 ) and the optical disk drive ( 50 ).

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