KR20000050640A - multimedia computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A system of a multi-media computer is provided to operate additional function circuits having a compact disk playing function and a radio receiving function, although a computer system is not operated. CONSTITUTION: A system of a multi-media computer comprises a power supplying circuit(10), power switches(20,21,22), an audio circuit(60), and a power managing controller(30). The power supplying circuit(10) supplies a main power, an auxiliary power, and a keep alive power. The power switches(20,21,22) indicate the auxiliary power supply to a radio circuit and a compact disk(CD)-read only memory(ROM) drive embarked in the system, under a condition that the system power is turned off. The audio circuit(60) amplifies an audio signal generated from the CD-ROM drive and the radio circuit to a speaker to output the audio signal. The power managing controller(30) is operated by supplying the keep alive power. The power managing controller(30) responds to an input of the power switches so that the power supplying circuit supplies the auxiliary power to the CD-ROM drive or the radio circuit, and supplies the power to the audio circuit.

Description

Multimedia computer system

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a computer system, and more particularly to a multimedia computer system having additional function circuits such as a CD-ROM drive, an audio circuit, a radio circuit, and the like. computer system).

At present, with the development of semiconductor technologies such as microprocessors and memory devices, the performance of computer systems is rapidly developing. With the development of semiconductor technology, the computational processing power of computer systems has become very high. In addition, various additional functions of the computer system, such as audio / video playback function, radio reception function, and communication function, are installed on the computer system. Such computer systems are generally referred to as multimedia computers.

The various additional functions of the multimedia computer system satisfy the various needs of the user, and the computer system can be used in various ways. However, these various additional functions can be used only when the computer system is running. For example, if a user wants to listen to audio only, the computer system must be run. And even if only the additional functions are desired, the entire computer system must be operated, which leads to unnecessary waste of power.

If the multimedia system of various functions included in the computer system is able to operate independently without the control of the computer system, that is, even when the computer system is not in operation, it will be convenient to use.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a computer system in which additional function circuits are operated even when the computer system is not in operation as proposed to solve the above-mentioned problems.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of additional function circuits and power supply related circuits of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

2 is a view showing in detail the configuration of the power supply circuit shown in FIG.

3 is a view specifically showing a connection relationship and an audio circuit of the additional function circuit shown in FIG. 1;

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of additional function circuits and power supply related circuits of a computer system according to another embodiment of the present invention;

5 is a block diagram specifically showing a circuit configuration of the CD-ROM drive shown in FIG. 4; And

FIG. 6 is a block diagram specifically illustrating a circuit configuration of the radio circuit shown in FIG. 4.

* Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings *

10: power supply 20: CD-ROM drive power switch

21: radio power switch 22: main power switch

30: power management control 40: PCI bus

52: transfer buffer 50: CD-ROM drive

60: audio function circuit 62: speaker

70: radio circuit

According to a feature of the invention for achieving the object of the invention as described above, a computer system comprises: a power supply circuit for supplying main power, auxiliary power and keep alive power; Wow; Respective power switches for instructing supply of the auxiliary power to a CD-ROM drive and a radio circuit mounted in the system when the system is powered off; An audio circuit for amplifying and outputting an audio signal generated from the CD-ROM drive and a radio circuit to a speaker; A power management control unit which operates by receiving the surviving power and controls the power supply circuit to supply the auxiliary power to a CD-ROM drive or a radio circuit and to supply power to the audio circuit in response to an input of the power switches; It includes.

In this embodiment, the power supply circuit comprises: a power supply for supplying a main power supply, an auxiliary power supply and a surviving power supply; And a switching unit for supplying / blocking the auxiliary power supply to the CR-ROM drive, the audio circuit, and the radio circuit, respectively, for supplying / blocking the main power.

In this embodiment, a buffer configured in a data path between the CD-ROM drive and a system bus, wherein the buffer is inactivated when auxiliary power is input to the CD-ROM drive while the system is powered off. -Disconnect the ROM drive from the system bus.

In this embodiment, the audio circuit comprises: an audio controller for processing an audio signal; An audio amplifier for amplifying and outputting an audio signal; A first buffer for inputting an audio signal input from the CD-ROM drive to the audio controller; A second buffer for inputting an audio signal input from the CD-ROM drive to the audio amplifier, wherein the first buffer is deactivated and the second buffer is activated when the auxiliary power is input to the audio circuit. .

In this embodiment, the CD-ROM drive operates by receiving the surviving power while the system is powered off, and detects an input of a CD-ROM drive control switch to request an auxiliary power supply to the power management controller. And an interrupt generator for generating an interrupt signal.

In this embodiment, the radio circuit operates by receiving the surviving power while the system is powered off, and detects an input of a radio control switch to generate an interrupt signal for requesting an auxiliary power supply to the power management controller. And an interrupt generator.

According to the present invention as described above, when the user inputs the power switch for instructing the supply of the auxiliary power to the CD-ROM drive or radio circuit in the state that the computer system is powered off, the auxiliary to the CD-ROM drive or radio circuit The CD-ROM drive or radio circuitry operates even when power is supplied and the computer system is powered off.

(Example)

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The novel multimedia computer system of the present invention can operate the audio CD playback function and the radio reception function provided in the system even when the system is not in operation. When the user enters a power switch to operate a CD-ROM or radio circuit while the system is powered off, the power management control recognizes this and controls the power supply to supply power to the corresponding functional and audio circuits. . The audio signal generated by CD playback or radio reception is input to the audio amplifier of the audio circuit and output to the speaker.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of additional function circuits and power supply-related circuits of a computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, a multimedia computer system according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a power supply circuit 10, a CD-ROM drive power switch 20, a radio power switch 21, a main power switch 22, and a power supply. A general circuit configuration including a management control unit 30, a buffer 52, a CD-ROM drive 50, an audio circuit 60, a speaker 62, and a radio circuit 70, which is not shown but constitutes a computer system. (Eg, CPU, memory, video adapter circuitry, etc.).

The power supply circuit 10 inputs AC power from the outside to supply various powers required for the system, such as a main power Vman, a suspend power Vsus, and first to third auxiliary powers. (Vaux1, Vaux2, Vaux3) and keep alive power (Vkap).

FIG. 2 is a view showing in detail the configuration of the power supply circuit shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the power supply circuit 10 includes a power supply 12 and a switching unit 14. The power supply unit 12 inputs an external AC power and outputs a main power supply Vman, an auxiliary power supply Vaux, a suspend power supply Vsus, and a survival power supply Vkap. The switching unit 14 includes switches for supplying / blocking a plurality of powers output from the power supply unit 12, which operate according to a control signal input from the power management control unit 30.

The main power supply Vman is a power supply provided to the system when the system is powered on, and the auxiliary power supply Vaux is a CD-ROM drive 50, an audio circuit 60, and a radio circuit while the system is powered off. 70 is the power supply. The suspend power Vsus is a power provided when the system is in the suspend mode, and the surviving power Vkap is a power provided to the power management controller 30 even when the system is powered off.

The power management controller 30 operates by receiving the survival power Vkap. When the main power switch 22 is input, the power management control unit 30 supplies the main power Vman to the system. When the system enters the suspend mode, the power management control unit 30 cuts off the supply of the main power Vman. The power supply circuit 10 is controlled to supply the suspend power Vsus to the system. Such techniques are well known in the art and are typically implemented by microcontrollers.

The power management controller 30 controls the power supply circuit 10 when the CD-ROM drive power switch 20 is input when the system is in the power-off state, so that the first auxiliary power Vaux1 is connected to the CD-ROM. To the drive 50 and to the second auxiliary power supply Vaux2 to the audio circuit 60. In addition, when the system is in the power-off state, when the radio power switch 21 is input, the power supply circuit 10 is controlled so that the third auxiliary power Vaux3 is supplied to the radio circuit 70 and the second auxiliary power is supplied. Power Vaux2 is supplied to the audio circuit 60.

FIG. 3 is a diagram specifically illustrating a connection relationship and an audio circuit of the additional function circuit illustrated in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the audio circuit 60 is input from an audio controller 66 for processing an audio signal, an audio amplifier 68 for outputting the audio signal in a heavy state, and a CD-ROM drive 50. And a buffer 64 for inputting the audio signal to the audio controller 66 or the audio amplifier 68. The buffer 64 includes a first buffer 64a for inputting an audio signal input from the CD-ROM drive 50 to the audio controller 66 and an audio signal input from the CD-ROM drive 50. Is configured as a second buffer 64b for inputting the audio amplifier 68 to the audio amplifier 68, and the power management control unit 30 provides the second auxiliary power Vaux2 to the audio circuit 60. The first buffer 64a is inactivated and the second buffer 64b is activated by the control signal CTL #. Therefore, the audio signal input from the CD-ROM drive 50 is input to the audio amplifier 68.

The audio amplifier 68 amplifies an audio signal input from the CD-ROM drive 50, an audio signal input from the audio controller 66, and an audio signal input from the radio circuit 70, and outputs the amplified audio signal to the speaker 62. do. Although not shown in the drawing, the audio controller 66 includes an audio mixer and a digital analog conversion circuit therein to mix audio signals of various inputs, and converts digital audio data into analog audio signals and outputs them.

A buffer 52 is configured in the data path between the CD-ROM drive 50 and the system bus 40, and the buffer 52 is configured to provide a first auxiliary power supply to the CD-ROM drive when the system is powered off. As Vaux1) is input, the control signal CTL # provided by the power management controller 30 is inactivated to block the connection between the CD-ROM drive 50 and the system bus 40.

4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of additional function circuits and power supply-related circuits of a computer system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this other embodiment, unlike the circuit configuration shown in FIG. 1, the CD-ROM drive power switch 20 and the radio power switch 21 are not provided separately. On the other hand, a CD-ROM drive 50a and a radio circuit 70a each having an interrupt generation circuit are provided.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram specifically showing a circuit configuration of the CD-ROM drive shown in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a block diagram specifically showing a circuit configuration of the radio circuit shown in FIG.

As shown in Fig. 5, the CD-ROM drive 50a includes a CD-ROM function circuit 52, an interrupt generator 56, and a CD-ROM drive control switch 54 (e.g., a play switch, Stop switch, track movement switch, etc.). The interrupt generator 56 operates by receiving the surviving power Vkap while the system is powered off, and detects an input of the CD-ROM drive control switch 54 to supply the power management controller 30 to the power management controller 30. 1 Generates an interrupt signal REQ1 requesting supply of the auxiliary power supply Vaux1.

The radio circuit 70a includes a radio function circuit 72, an interrupt generator 76, and a radio control switch 74 (e.g., a radio channel control key, etc.). The interrupt generator 76 operates by receiving the survival power Vkap while the system is powered off, senses an input of the radio control switch 74, and supplies a third auxiliary power to the power management controller 30. Requires supply of Vaux.

Referring to FIG. 4, the power management controller 30 controls the power supply circuit in response to the interrupt signals REQ1 and REQ2 input from the CD-ROM drive 50a or the radio circuit 70a. The first auxiliary power Vaux1 or the third auxiliary power Vaux3 is supplied, and thus the second auxiliary power Vaux2 is controlled to be supplied to the audio circuit 60.

In the above, the configuration and operation of the circuit according to the present invention are shown in accordance with the above description and drawings, but this is merely described, for example, and various changes and modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. .

According to the present invention as described above, the CD playback function and the radio reception function provided in the multimedia computer system can be operated even when the system is powered off, which is convenient to use. In addition, when only CD playback or radio listening is desired, only the corresponding function circuit is operated to prevent unnecessary waste of power.

Claims (6)

In a computer system: A power supply circuit for supplying main power, auxiliary power and keep alive power; Respective power switches for instructing supply of the auxiliary power to a CD-ROM drive and a radio circuit mounted in the system when the system is powered off; An audio circuit for amplifying and outputting an audio signal generated from the CR-ROM drive and a radio circuit to a speaker; A power management control unit which operates by receiving the surviving power and controls the power supply circuit to supply the auxiliary power to a CD-ROM drive or a radio circuit and to supply power to the audio circuit in response to an input of the power switches; Computer system comprising a. The method of claim 1, The power supply circuit A power supply for supplying a main power supply, an auxiliary power supply, and a surviving power supply; And a switching unit for supplying / blocking the auxiliary power supply to the CR-ROM drive, the audio circuit, and the radio circuit, respectively, for supplying / blocking the main power. The method of claim 1, A buffer configured in a data path between the CD-ROM drive and a system bus, wherein the buffer is deactivated when auxiliary power is input to the CD-ROM drive while the system is powered off. A computer system for breaking connections between buses. The method of claim 1, The audio circuit is An audio controller for processing an audio signal; An audio amplifier for amplifying and outputting an audio signal; A first buffer for inputting an audio signal input from the CD-ROM drive to the audio controller; A second buffer for inputting an audio signal input from the CD-ROM drive into the audio amplifier, And the first buffer is inactivated and the second buffer is activated when the auxiliary power is input to the audio circuit. The method of claim 1, The CD-ROM drive is The system includes an interrupt generator configured to receive the surviving power while the system is powered off, and detect an input of a CD-ROM drive control switch to generate an interrupt signal for requesting an auxiliary power supply to the power management controller. Characterized by a computer system. The method of claim 1, The radio circuit may include an interrupt generator configured to receive the surviving power while the system is powered off, detect an input of a radio control switch, and generate an interrupt signal for requesting an auxiliary power supply to the power management controller. And a computer system.