JP3762908B2 - Computer system control method and computer system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a computer system control method, and more particularly to a computer system control method and a computer system that can be easily connected to a wireless network simply by pulling out an antenna.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the development of the network environment, the network adapter necessary to connect to the network in the computer system has become an essential item for computer configuration. In particular, by attaching a wireless network connection module to portable computers, PDAs, etc. where mobility is important, wireless connection to the network has become possible. Such wireless network connection modules include, for example, a wireless LAN card for connection to the Internet, a CDMA communication module for connection to a mobile communication network, a Bluetooth module for short-range wireless communication, and the like. is there.
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
US Pat. No. 5,739,791 [Patent Document 2]
US Pat. No. 5,903,548 [Patent Document 3]
US Pat. No. 6,181,284 [Patent Document 4]
US Pat. No. 6,266,017 [Patent Document 5]
Korean Patent Publication No. 41789, 1998 [Patent Document 6]
Korean Patent Publication No. 38877, 2000 [Patent Document 7]
Korean Patent Publication No. 109601 No. 2001 [Patent Document 8]
Korean Patent Publication No. 9130/2002 [Patent Document 9]
Korean Registered Utility Model No.226170 [Patent Document 10]
JP 2000-163170 A [Patent Document 11]
JP 2000-174527 A [Patent Document 12]
JP 2000-284854 A [Patent Document 13]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-67143
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
When connecting to the network using the wireless network connection module, the user can connect to the wireless network by executing software for connecting to the network on the OS (Operation System) of the computer. That is, in order to make a phone call or connect to the Internet using a computer system, the program must be executed after the system is started.
[0005]
On the other hand, the wireless network connection module is equipped with an antenna for transmitting and receiving signals. Here, in the case of an external antenna, since the antenna is exposed on one side of the main body of the computer system, the user directly pulls out the antenna when connecting to the network. Therefore, in order for the user to connect to the network using the wireless network connection module, the network connection software must be executed while the antenna has to be pulled out.
[0006]
An object of the present invention is to provide a computer system and a computer system control method that can be easily connected to a wireless network by simply pulling out an antenna in order to solve the above-described problems.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a computer system control method according to the present invention has an antenna that can be manually pulled out and controls a computer system that wirelessly connects to a network and transmits and receives system data wirelessly. A method of sensing whether the antenna is pulled out or retracted; and, if it senses that the antenna is pulled out , a network connection program for preparing to connect to the network without connecting to the network. step of execution and; only contains the antenna which is integrated into the computer system, after pulled out manually to the outside, characterized in that it is bendable in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.
[0008]
With such a configuration, it is possible to easily connect to a wireless network simply by pulling out the antenna.
[0009]
Here, when it is detected that the antenna is pulled out, it is confirmed whether or not the system is in a power saving mode; when the system is detected as being in a power saving mode, the system is switched to a steady mode. And a step of executing a network connection program when the system is changed to a steady state. With such a configuration, even when the network connection program cannot be executed immediately, the network connection program can be automatically started after the system is changed to a steady state.
[0010]
In addition, when it is detected that the antenna is pulled out, it is confirmed whether or not the system is turned off; when it is confirmed that the system is turned off, power is applied to the system; The system may further include a step of starting the system; and a step of executing a network connection program after the completion of the start of the system. With this configuration, even if the system is turned off, the network connection program can be executed after the system is started (booted).
[0011]
In order to achieve the above object, a computer system of the present invention has an antenna that can be manually pulled out, and is a computer system that wirelessly connects to a network and wirelessly transmits and receives system data. , An antenna sensing unit for sensing whether the antenna is pulled out or housed; a system signal generating unit for generating a system control signal for system control; the antenna is pulled out as a result of sensing by the antenna sensing unit If sensed as being not connected to a network, and a control unit for controlling the system signal generation unit such that the drive signal of the network connection program for ready to connect to the network is outputted; look including the antenna is It is integrated with the computer system, and after being pulled out manually, Wherein the direction of the longitudinal direction and the vertical is bendable.
[0012]
Here, when it is detected that the antenna is pulled out in the power saving mode state of the system, the control unit outputs a power saving mode release signal for releasing the power saving mode, and then the drive signal of the network connection program is output. The system signal generator can be controlled so that it is output.
[0013]
The system further includes a system power supply controller that supplies drive power to the system. When the controller senses that the antenna is pulled out while the system is turned off, the system power supply controller through the system signal generator After the system power signal is applied to the system and the drive power is supplied to the system, the system signal generator can be controlled so that the drive signal of the network connection program is output. With this configuration, in a state where the system power supply is turned off, the network connection program can be executed after starting the system.
[0014]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Several embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the present specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configuration are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.
[0015]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a computer (portable) to which a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, and FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the computer system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
[0016]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the portable computer 1 includes a main body 3 and a display panel 2 that is hingedly connected to an upper portion of the main body 3 so as to be rotatable. In the housing space of the main body 3, various system components such as a CPU 5, a main memory 7, a BIOS ROM 9, a system bus 6, a system power supply control unit 14, and a wireless network connection module 10 are provided.
[0017]
The CPU 5, the main memory 7, the BIOS ROM 9, and the system bus 6 as central processing units are components for performing control and calculation functions of the computer system, and various data are moved through the system bus 6 according to the control of the CPU 5. Processing and operations are performed to perform system functions.
[0018]
The system power supply control unit 14 supplies drive power to each component of the computer system in accordance with a power supply selection signal applied by the user's power supply selection. The wireless network connection module 10 transmits and receives wireless signals through the antenna 12 so that the computer system can be wirelessly connected to the network. The antenna 12 of the wireless network connection module 10 is provided so as to be pulled out through an antenna outlet 4 provided in a region of the peripheral edge of the main body 3 in order to improve reception sensitivity.
[0019]
Accordingly, when wirelessly connecting to the network, the user pulls out the antenna 12 of the wireless network connection module 10 through the antenna outlet 4 and extends the antenna 12 so that the antenna 12 protrudes outside the main body 3. In this way, radio signal transmission / reception sensitivity is improved. Further, when the wireless network connection module 10 is not driven, the antenna 12 is used in a state of being housed in the housing space in the main body 3.
[0020]
Here, when the antenna 12 is pulled out, the wireless network connection module 10 outputs a program drive signal for connection to the network, and the CPU 5 executes the program according to the program drive signal applied from the wireless network connection module 10. To be executed.
[0021]
In addition, when the antenna 12 is pulled out with the system turned off, the wireless network connection module 10 applies a system power signal to the system power controller 14 and then outputs a program drive signal for wireless network connection. Thereby, when the antenna 12 is pulled out in a state where the system is turned off, a program for connecting to the wireless network is executed after the system is activated.
[0022]
The configuration of the wireless network connection module 10 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the wireless network connection module 10 senses the antenna 12 for wireless signal transmission / reception, the wireless transmission / reception unit 22, the data processing unit 24 for processing transmitted / received data, and the extraction or insertion of the antenna 12. It includes an antenna sensing unit 26, a signal generation unit 28 for generating system signals, a control unit 20 for controlling these, and a system interface 30 for data input / output with the system side.
[0023]
The system interface 30 interfaces data input / output between the wireless network connection module 10 and the system so that system data is transmitted to the wireless network connection module 10. Further, the data received through the wireless network connection module 10 and the signal generated by the wireless network connection module 10 are provided to the system side. As the system interface 30, a PCI interface, a PCMCIA interface, a USB interface, or the like is applied according to the system connection method of the wireless network connection module 10. When the wireless network connection module 10 is in an on-board state mounted on the main board of the computer, an interface of a method of directly transmitting data to the system bus 6 side can be adopted.
[0024]
The control unit 20 controls the wireless transmission / reception unit 22 and the data processing unit 24 to convert the data input through the system interface 30 into a form that can be transmitted to the network. Then, wireless transmission is performed through the antenna 12 and the wireless transmission / reception unit 22, and the received data is processed through the data processing unit 24 and provided to the system side.
[0025]
Meanwhile, the antenna sensing unit 26 senses whether the antenna 12 protruding outside the main body 3 can be pulled out or inserted, and provides the sensing result to the control unit 20.
[0026]
The signal generation unit 28 applies system signals such as a network connection program drive signal and a system power supply signal to the system side through the system interface 30 under the control of the control unit 20.
[0027]
Here, when the control unit 20 detects that the antenna 12 is pulled out as a result of detection through the antenna detection unit 26, the control unit 20 controls the signal generation unit 28 so that a network connection program driving signal is output. The network connection program drive signal generated through the signal generator 28 is transmitted to the system bus 6 and the CPU 5 side through the system interface 30. The CPU 5 causes the network connection program to be executed in response to the network connection program drive signal.
[0028]
When it is determined that the antenna 12 is pulled out while the system is in the power saving mode, the control unit 20 generates a power saving mode release signal through the signal generation unit 28 and outputs the signal to the system side so that the system enters the steady mode. After the conversion, the network connection program drive signal is output.
[0029]
On the other hand, when the control unit 20 senses that the antenna 12 is pulled out with the system turned off, the control unit 20 first controls the signal generation unit 28 so that the system power supply signal is applied to the system power supply control unit 14. The system power supply control unit 14 applies drive power to each part of the system circuit in accordance with a system power supply application signal applied from the wireless network connection module 10 so that the system is started. After the activation of the system is completed, the control unit 20 of the wireless network connection module 10 generates a network connection program drive signal through the signal generation unit 28 and applies it to the system side so that the network connection program is executed.
[0030]
In this way, the control unit 20 of the wireless network connection module 10 executes the network connection program when the antenna 12 is pulled out, so that after the user pulls out the antenna 12, the control unit 20 enters the wireless network through the network connection program. Connect and be able to work immediately.
[0031]
When the network connection program cannot be immediately executed, such as the power saving mode state or the turn-off state, the control unit 20 of the wireless network connection module 10 can first drive the program by applying a control signal corresponding to the system state. Switch the system to Accordingly, in the power saving mode state, the control unit 20 first applies a power saving mode release signal to the system side, and in the turn-off state, the control unit 20 applies a system power supply signal so that the system is switched to a steady state. Apply a program drive signal.
[0032]
In the above description, the wireless network connection module 10 includes a device that has an antenna 12 that can be pulled out to the outside and connects to the network wirelessly. Examples of such a wireless network connection module 10 include a wireless LAN card, a CDMA communication module, and a Bluetooth module.
[0033]
The wireless network connection program differs according to the type of the wireless network connection module 10. For example, when the wireless network connection module 10 is a wireless LAN card, the network connection program can use a web browser, and when the wireless network connection module 10 is a CDMA communication module, the network connection program uses a telephone call program. Can do.
[0034]
In the above description, the portable computer 1 is taken as an example of a computer system to which the wireless network connection module 10 is mounted. However, a PDA or palmtop computer that has an antenna 12 that can be pulled out to the outside and is connected wirelessly. It can also be applied to computer systems such as desktop computers.
[0035]
FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of the computer control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. In order to establish a wireless connection to the network, in step S10, the user pulls out the antenna 12 of the wireless network connection module 10 (S10). The control unit 20 of the wireless network connection module 10 senses whether the antenna 12 is pulled out through the antenna sensing unit 26, and when it is sensed that the antenna 12 is pulled out, in step S12, the control unit 20 performs wireless communication. It is confirmed whether a network connection program is being executed (S12). When it is confirmed that the network connection program for wireless communication is not executed, the control unit 20 of the wireless network connection module 10 applies a drive signal for the network connection program through the signal generation unit 28. When the network connection program drive signal is output from the wireless network connection module 10, the CPU 5 causes the network connection program to be executed in step S14 (S14). When the network connection program is executed, in step S16, the user can connect to the network using the wireless network connection program and transmit / receive data (S16).
[0036]
On the other hand, FIG. 5 shows a control flowchart of the computer control system according to another embodiment of the present invention when the network connection program cannot be executed immediately. When the user pulls out the antenna 12 of the wireless network connection module 10 in step S20 (S20), the control unit 20 of the wireless network connection module 10 detects that the antenna 12 is pulled out through the antenna sensing unit 26, and step S22. Then, it is confirmed whether or not the system power supply is turned on (S22).
[0037]
Here, when the system power supply is turned on, the control unit 20 of the wireless network connection module 10 confirms whether or not a network connection program for wireless communication is being executed in step S32 (S32). When it is confirmed that the network connection program is not executed, a drive signal for the network connection program is applied so that the network connection program is executed.
[0038]
On the other hand, if the system power is off, the controller 20 of the wireless network connection module 10 first outputs a system power signal to apply power to the system in step S24 (S24). When power is applied and the system is started in step S26 (S26), the controller 20 applies a drive signal for the network connection program to execute the network connection program in step S28 (S28). ). When the network connection program is executed, in step S30, the user can connect to the network using the wireless network connection program and transmit / receive data (S30).
[0039]
The control flow described above can be similarly applied to the power saving mode state in which the network connection program cannot be immediately executed. If the system is in the power saving mode, step S22 can be replaced by checking whether the power saving mode is present, and step S24 includes a step of applying a power saving mode release signal and a step S26. Can be applied in place of the transition from power saving mode to steady mode.
[0040]
As described above, when the computer control system according to the present embodiment is in a state where the network connection program cannot be executed immediately, the control unit 20 of the wireless network connection module 10 first applies a control signal corresponding to the system state, After switching the system to a state where the program can be driven, the network connection program is executed.
[0041]
As described above, the present embodiment has an antenna that can be pulled out to the outside. In a computer system that is wirelessly connected to a network, the network connection program is automatically executed when the antenna is pulled out. In addition, when the network connection program cannot be immediately executed, the network connection program is automatically executed after the system is changed to a steady state. Therefore, if the user pulls out the antenna, the user can wirelessly connect to the network without performing other operations.
[0042]
While the preferred embodiments of the computer system control method and the computer system according to the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. A person skilled in the art can conceive various modifications and changes within the scope of the technical idea described in the scope of the claims. It is understood that it is included in the scope.
[0043]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a computer system control method and a computer system that can be easily connected to a wireless network simply by pulling out an antenna.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable computer to which a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of the computer system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a control block diagram of the wireless network connection module of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a control flowchart of the computer system according to the embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a control flowchart of a computer system according to another embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Portable computer 2 Display panel 3 Main body 4 Antenna exit 5 CPU
6 System bus 7 Main memory 9 BIOS ROM
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Wireless network connection module 12 Antenna 14 System power supply control part 20 Control part 22 Wireless transmission / reception part 24 Data processing part 26 Antenna sensing part 28 Signal generation part 30 System interface

Claims (6)

A method of controlling a computer system having an antenna that can be manually pulled out and connected to a network wirelessly to transmit and receive system data wirelessly,
Sensing whether the antenna is pulled out or retracted;
Executing a network connection program for preparing to connect to the network without connecting to the network when detecting that the antenna is pulled out;
Only including,
A method of controlling a computer system, wherein the antenna is integrated with a computer system and can be bent in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal direction after being manually pulled out . Checking that the system is in a power saving mode if it senses that the antenna is pulled out;
If the system senses that it is in a power saving mode state, the system is switched to a steady mode state;
Running the network connection program when the system is converted to a steady state;
The method of controlling a computer system according to claim 1, further comprising: If the antenna is sensed as being pulled, checking if the system is turned off;
Applying power to the system if the system is confirmed to be turned off;
Starting the system in accordance with power application;
Executing the network connection program after completion of system startup;
The method for controlling a computer system according to claim 1, further comprising: A computer system that has an antenna that can be manually pulled out and that connects to the network wirelessly and transmits and receives system data wirelessly.
An antenna sensing unit for sensing whether the antenna is pulled out or housed;
A system signal generator for generating a system control signal for the system control;
As a result of sensing by the antenna sensing unit, when it is sensed that the antenna is pulled out, a drive signal of a network connection program for preparing to connect to the network is output without being connected to the network. A control unit for controlling the system signal generation unit;
Only including,
The computer system according to claim 1, wherein the antenna is integrated with the computer system, and can be bent in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction after being manually pulled out .   When it is detected that the antenna is pulled out in the power saving mode state of the system, the control unit outputs a power saving mode release signal for releasing the power saving mode, and then the drive signal of the network connection program 5. The computer system according to claim 4, wherein the system signal generator is controlled so as to be output. A system power supply controller for supplying drive power to the system;
When the control unit senses that the antenna is pulled out while the system is turned off, the control unit applies a system power signal to the system power control unit through the system signal generation unit, and drives the system. 6. The system signal generation unit according to claim 4, wherein the system signal generation unit is controlled so that a drive signal of the network connection program is output after power is supplied. 7. Computer system.

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