FR2891638A1 - Hard disk simulating device for computer system, has core logic chip controlling read/write of data of main memory module, and conversion interface controller converting hard disk read/write signal to memory read/write signal - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a main memory module with a memory, and a setting module to set the memory module to have a memory access area and a hard disk access area. A core logic chip with a core logic body controls a read/write of data of the memory module. Memory and conversion interface controllers are connected to the logic body and receive memory and hard disk read/write signals to control the read/write of data of the memory and hard disk access areas, respectively. The interface controllers convert the hard disk read/write signal to the memory read/write signal. An independent claim is also included for a method of simulating a hard disk.

Description

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR SIMULATING A HARD DISK CONTEXT OF THE INVENTION

  Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a device and method for simulating a hard disk and, more particularly, a device and method using memory to simulate a hard disk.

Description of the prior art

  With the continued popularity of computers, the functions of a computer have become increasingly powerful and there are more and more devices that support computers such as card readers, USB devices, 1394 devices, and more. cetera. With the development of software technology and the availability of various types of software on the market, users are encouraged to use computers more and more frequently. Computers have become indispensable tools in everyday life, and they usually store various data for user access.

  However, it still takes a lot of time for a computer to search for data. A lot of data is stored on a computer's hard drive. Due to the structure of a hard drive, much of the access time is wasted in search time for moving the magnetic head and the rotation time of the spindle motor. These are the main reasons why the speed of access to data on a hard disk is not comparable to the speed of access to memory. Therefore, when a computer accesses data on a hard drive, even if the CPU is fast, it must still wait for the hard drive processing time.

  To increase the speed of the hard disk, US Patent No. 5,594,926 describes a hard disk acceleration system for a computer, in which an input / output (I / O) instruction sent by a conventional central processor is separated. in a read operation and a write operation that can be executed simultaneously. In addition, a programmable hardware register adjusts the I / O cycle time of the hard disk to achieve maximum compatibility with different hard disk speeds. The above US patent still stores data on hard disks. Therefore, while accessing data on a hard drive, the waste of search time to move the magnetic head and the rotation time of the spindle motor can not be avoided.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a device and method for simulating a hard disk, in which a simulated hard disk is provided in a main memory module to increase the speed of the computer.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a device for simulating a hard disk and used in a computer system. The device for simulating a hard disk includes a main memory module, comprising at least one memory, a configuration module used to configure the main memory module to have a memory access area and a disk access area hard, and a central logic integrated circuit. The central logic integrated circuit comprises a central logic body for controlling the read / write of data of the main memory module, a memory controller connected to the central logic body and used for receiving a read / write memory signal for controlling reading / writing data from the memory access area, and a conversion interface controller connected to the central logic body and used to receive a hard disk read / write signal to control the read / write of data from the hard disk access area. The conversion interface controller also converts the hard disk read / write signal into a memory read / write signal. When the central logic integrated circuit receives a read / write signal sent to the main memory module from the computer system, it determines whether the read / write signal is a memory read / write signal or a read / write signal. read / write hard drive. The read / write signal will be sent to the memory controller if it is a read / write memory signal, and the read / write signal will be sent to the conversion interface controller if it is a Hard disk read / write signal.

  The memory can be a volatile memory.

  The configuration module can be a BIOS.

  The central logic integrated circuit may be a north bridge integrated circuit.

  The central logic integrated circuit may be an integrated circuit integrating a north bridge and a south bridge.

  The conversion interface controller may be a hard disk interface with the memory interface controller.

  The device may further include a power source connected to the main memory module.

  The power source may be a backup power source in said computer system or a battery.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention also provides a method for simulating a hard disk and used in a computer system. The method for simulating a hard disk includes the steps of: configuring a main memory module in the computer system to have a memory access area and a hard disk access area; providing a central logic integrated circuit having a memory controller for controlling access to the data of the memory access area and a conversion interface controller for controlling access to the data of the access area to the memory access area. Hard disk; using the central logic integrated circuit to receive a read / write signal sent to the main memory module from the computer system and determine whether the read / write signal is a memory read / write signal or a read / write signal. hard disk read / write; send the read / write signal to the memory controller if it is a read / write memory signal; and sending the read / write signal to the conversion interface controller if it is a hard disk read / write signal.

  A computer system BIOS may be used to define the main memory module in the configuration step of said computer system.

  The method may further include a step of providing a power source for the main memory module.

  The device and method for simulating a hard disk of the present invention provides a simulated hard disk in the main memory module. Data can be stored on the simulated hard drive to effectively increase the speed of the computer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

  The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a diagram of the system architecture of a device for simulating a disk hard according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a diagram of the system architecture of a device for simulating a hard disk according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a method for simulating a hard disk according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention provides a device and method for simulating a hard disk to allow the memory of a computer system to have the hard disk access function. The present invention uses a portion of the space in the memory as a simulated hard disk, and places data in that space. Since the data access speed of the memory is much faster than that of a hard disk, the present invention can improve the speed of a computer.

  As shown in FIG. 1, a device for simulating a hard disk according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a central processor 10, a central logic integrated circuit 11, a main memory module 12, a configuration module 13 a southbridge (southbridge) integrated circuit 14 and a hard disk 15. The central logic integrated circuit 11 further comprises a central logic body 111, a memory controller 112 and a conversion interface controller 113. The memory controller 112 and the conversion interface controller 113 are connected to the central logic body 111. The central logic body 111 is used to control the read / write of data of the main memory module 12.

  The conversion interface controller 113 is used to receive a memory read / write signal, and controls the read / write of data stored in the main memory module 12 based on this memory read / write signal. The conversion interface controller 113 is used to receive a hard disk read / write signal, and provides the format conversion for this hard disk read / write signal and converts it to a memory read / write signal. compatible with the main memory module 12. The conversion interface controller 113 then controls the read / write of data stored in the main memory module 12 on the basis of this converted memory read / write signal. The central logic integrated circuit 11 may receive a read / write signal sent to the main memory module 12 from the computer system and determine whether this read / write signal is a memory read / write signal or a signal read / write hard drive. If the read / write signal is a read / write memory signal, it is sent to the memory controller 112; if the read / write signal is a hard disk read / write signal, it is sent to the conversion interface controller 113.

  The main memory module 12 is connected to the central logic integrated circuit 11, and is used to receive a memory read / write signal sent by the memory controller 112 or the conversion interface controller 113. The memory module main 12 is composed of a plurality of memories 121. These memories 121 belong to volatile memories with a faster read speed, such as SDRAM, DDRAM, et cetera. In this embodiment, in addition to providing data or program memory for running the computer system, the main memory module 12 may also be used as a simulated hard disk. The configuration module 13 defines the main memory module 12 to have a memory access area as a main memory in the computer system and a hard disk access area as a simulated hard disk. The computer system distinguishes the main memory system 12 according to this configuration. Because the memories 121 used in the main memory module 12 are volatile, to avoid the loss of data due to the absence of a power source when the computer system is turned off, a power source 16 is also proposed. for the main memory module 12 to ensure that the hard disk access area used as a simulated hard disk in the main memory module 12 can still retain the data. This power source is a back-up power source in the computer system or a battery (for example, a mercury battery).

  In this embodiment, the configuration module 13 is connected to the south bridge integrated circuit 14. In the configuration of the main memory module 12, the memory access area above and the access area to the hard disk are divided with the memory 121 in the main memory module 12 as the unit. Once defined by the configuration module 13 and restarted, the computer system can distinguish between the hard disk 15 connected to the south bridge 14 and the simulated hard disk in the main memory module 12. This embodiment uses the main memory module 12 to simulate a hard disk. For this computer system, performing read / write data on this simulated hard drive is just like doing read / write data on a normal hard drive. When the central processor 10 sends a hard disk read / write signal, if the data to be accessed by this hard disk read / write signal is on the hard disk 15, this hard disk read / write signal will be transferred to the hard disk 15. hard disk 15 through the south bridge integrated circuit 14; if the data to be accessed by this hard disk read / write signal is in the hard disk access area in the main memory module 12, this hard disk read / write signal will be transferred to the access area hard disk in the main memory module 12 through the conversion interface controller 113.

  The central logic integrated circuit 11 above is a north bridge integrated circuit. The conversion interface controller 113 is a hard disk interface with the memory interface controller. The hard disk interface can be an IDE or SATA interface. The configuration module 13 is a basic input-output system (BIOS).

  Fig. 2 is a system architecture diagram of a device for simulating a hard disk according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is different from the above embodiment in that the central logic integrated circuit 17 is an integrated circuit integrating a north bridge and a south bridge, and the configuration module 13 and the hard disk 15 are connected to the Central logic integrated circuit 17. The operation of the simulated hard disk in this embodiment is the same as in the above embodiment. In other words, a hard disk access area as a simulated hard disk is formed in the main memory module 12.

  Fig. 3 is a flowchart of a method for simulating a hard disk according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The method for simulating a hard disk of the present invention comprises the following steps. First, the computer is started (Step S301). The configuration module is then entered (Step S303). Next, the size of the simulated hard disk is set (Step S305). The computer divides the main memory module according to the defined size of the simulated hard disk (Step S307). Subsequently, a simulated hard disk is generated in the main memory module 12 (Step S309). At this point, the main memory module 12 has a memory access area and a hard disk access area. Finally, the configuration module 13 records the above configuration (Step S311). Therefore, after the computer is rebooted, it can distinguish the simulated hard disk in the main memory module 12.

  The present invention provides a device and method for enabling a main memory module in a computer to have the hard disk access function. A large amount of data that will be used on this hard drive can be placed on the simulated hard drive in the main memory module to dramatically improve the speed of the computer.

  In addition, the use of the hardware architecture of the main memory module to simulate a hard disk has the following advantages.

  1. The read / write speed of the simulated hard disk is synchronous with the processing speed of the main memory, hence no waiting time.

  2. The configuration of the simulated hard disk is accomplished with the BIOS, and the computer can automatically distinguish the simulated hard disk after configuration without using a driver.

  3. The read / write control of the simulated hard drive data is managed by the conversion interface controller without any loss of computer system resources.

  4. The present invention is compatible with any operating system.

  5. There is no additional cost.

  Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the details thereof. Various substitutions and modifications have been suggested in the foregoing description, and others will come to the mind of those skilled in the art. Therefore, any substitutions and modifications of this kind are intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

Claims (15)

  A device for simulating a hard disk (15) and used in a computer system, characterized by comprising: a main memory module (12), comprising at least one memory (121); a configuration module (13) used to configure said main memory module (12) to have a memory access area and a hard disk access area; and a central logic integrated circuit (11,17) comprising: a central logic body (111) for controlling read / write data from said main memory module; a memory controller (112) connected to said central logic body (111) and used to receive a memory read / write signal to control the read / write of data from said memory access area; and a conversion interface controller (113) connected to said central logic body (111) and used to receive a hard disk read / write signal to control read / write data from said hard disk access area said conversion interface controller (113) also converting said hard disk read / write signal to said memory read / write signal; whereby said central logic integrated circuit (11,17) receives a read / write signal sent to said main memory module (12) from said computer system and determines whether said read / write signal is a read signal / memory write or hard disk read / write signal, wherein said read / write signal is sent to said memory controller (112) if said read / write signal is a read / write signal from the memory, and said read / write signal is sent to said conversion interface controller (113) if said read / write signal is a hard disk read / write signal.   2. Device according to claim 1, said memory (121) being a volatile memory.   3. Device according to any one of claims 1 or 2, said configuration module (13) being a BIOS.   4. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, said central logic integrated circuit (11) being a north bridge integrated circuit.   5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, said central logic integrated circuit (17) being an integrated circuit integrating a north bridge and a south bridge.   The device of any one of claims 1 to 5, said conversion interface controller (113) being a hard disk interface with the memory interface controller.   The apparatus of any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a power source (16) connected to said main memory module (12).   The device of claim 7, said power source (16) being a backup power source in said computer system or a battery.   A method for simulating a hard disk (15) and used in a computer system, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: configuring a main memory module (12) in said computer system to have a memory access area and a hard disk access area; providing a central logic integrated circuit (11,17) having a memory controller (112) for controlling access to the data of said memory access area and a conversion interface controller (113) for controlling the accessing the data of said hard disk access area; using said central logic integrated circuit (11,17) to receive a read / write signal sent to said main memory module (12) from said computer system and determine if said read / write signal is a read signal / memory write or hard disk read / write signal; sending said read / write signal to said memory controller (112) if said read / write signal is a memory read / write signal; and sending said read / write signal to said conversion interface controller (113) if said read / write signal is a hard disk read / write signal.   The method of claim 9, wherein a BIOS of said computer system is used to define said main memory module (12) in said step of configuring said computer system.   The method of any of claims 9 or 10, said central logic integrated circuit (11) being a north bridge integrated circuit.   12. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said central logic integrated circuit is an integrated circuit integrating a north bridge and a south bridge.   The method of any one of claims 9 to 12, said conversion interface controller (113) being a hard disk interface with the memory interface controller.   The method of any one of claims 9 to 13, further comprising a step of providing a power source (16) for said main memory module (12).   The method of claim 14, said power source (16) being a backup power source in said computer system or a battery.