KR20030005960A - Notebook computer and method of controlling the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A computer system and a controlling method thereof are provided to minimize the electric power consumption, and to offer the user's convenience. CONSTITUTION: A memory(32) stores an OS(Operating System) including an electric power management routine to rush into an electric power saving mode. An opening/closing detection part(26) detects the opening/closing of a display(5). A controlling part(30) rushes into the electric power saving mode state according to the OS of the memory if the closing of the display(5) is detected by the opening/closing detection part(26) and switches the electric power saving mode to a normal mode state if the opening of the display(5) is detected. The controlling part(30) turns off a rear lighting part if the closing of the display(5) is detected by the opening/closing detection part and turns on the rear lighting part(5) if the opening of the display is detected.

Description

Portable computer and its control method {NOTEBOOK COMPUTER AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a portable computer and a control method thereof, and more particularly, to a portable computer and a control method thereof, which save power and provide convenience for use.

In general, a portable computer has a main body in which a keyboard and a floppy disk drive, etc. are installed, and a display device that is folded and folded in a hinge structure. As a display device of a portable computer, a portable display panel is generally used by using a flat display panel such as a plasma display, a liquid crystal display, or the like. Since the use time of the portable computer is determined according to the life of the battery, efforts have been made to minimize the possible power consumption.

A method for reducing power consumption in a portable computer is to close the LCD panel so that the backlight of the LCD is turned off. In this case, the LCD panel is provided with a panel switching unit which is turned on or off depending on whether the LCD panel is closed, and when the LCD panel is closed by turning on / off the backlight in conjunction with the on / off state of the panel switching unit, the backlight is turned off and the LCD panel is turned off. Open will cause the back light to turn on again.

In addition, there is a power saving mode function as a method of controlling the power supply according to the system usage environment. The power saving mode function controls the power so that power is supplied only to the required system part according to the system state. In general, the power saving mode is performed in five stages, and the power control of the hard disk, the display device, and the memory is controlled according to each stage, so that the system consumes the minimum power in a state in which the system is not shut down.

The power saving mode function can be executed by the user selecting a hotkey provided in the portable computer, and selecting the power saving function release key cancels the power saving mode and the system returns to the normal state. Alternatively, when there is no signal input for a predetermined time, it is also possible to set to automatically enter the power saving mode.

However, the backlight saving function and the power saving mode function, which are power saving functions of the portable computer, are performed independently, so that when the user closes the LCD panel, the backlight is turned off, but the system continues to operate normally until a certain time elapses before entering the power saving mode. It operates in a state. Therefore, there is a problem in that power is continually consumed even though the LCD panel is not closed until the power saving mode function is performed. In addition, when the system enters the power saving mode after the LCD panel is closed, the user is inconvenient to open the LCD panel and select the power saving function release key for switching the system back to the normal state.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a portable computer that minimizes power consumption and provides ease of use.

1 is a perspective view of a portable computer,

2 is a control block diagram of a portable computer according to the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of entering a power saving mode by a portable computer according to the present invention;

3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of switching a portable computer to a normal mode according to the present invention.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

1: portable computer 3: body

5: display unit 7: keyboard

9: LCD10: power switch

20: SMPS22: Micom

24: key input controller 26: opening and closing detection unit

28: system motherboard 30: CPU

32: memory 40: LCD power control unit

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable computer including a computer main body and a display unit folded on the main body, the portable computer comprising: a memory storing an operating system including a power management routine for entering a power saving mode; An opening / closing detection unit detecting whether the display unit is closed; When the closing of the display unit is detected from the opening / closing detection unit, the display enters the power saving mode according to the operating system of the memory, and when the opening of the display unit is detected from the opening / closing detecting unit, the power saving is performed according to the operating system of the memory. And a control unit for switching from the mode to the normal mode.

In addition, an LCD provided in the display unit; Further comprising a back light for illuminating the LCD; The control unit may turn off the rear lighting unit when the display unit is closed from the opening / closing sensing unit, and turn on the rear lighting unit when the opening of the display unit is detected from the opening / closing sensing unit to provide convenience for use. desirable.

A power saving selection unit for outputting the power saving mode selection signal according to a user's power saving mode selection; A power saving release selection unit for outputting the power saving mode release signal according to the user's power saving mode release selection; The control unit enters the power saving mode according to the operating system of the memory when the power saving mode selection signal is detected from the power saving selection unit, and when the power saving mode cancel signal is detected from the power saving release selection unit, It is also possible to switch from the power saving mode to the normal mode according to the operating system.

On the other hand, according to another field of the present invention, in accordance with another field of the present invention, in the control method of a portable computer for performing a power saving mode function according to a predetermined operating system, comprising a computer main body and a display unit folded on the main body, Outputting a power saving mode selection signal; Turning off the backlight of the LCD; Invoking the operating system according to the power saving mode selection signal; It is also achieved by a computer control method comprising the step of performing the power saving mode function of the operating system.

Outputting a power saving release selection signal when the display unit is opened; Turning on the backlight of the LCD; Invoking the operating system according to the power save mode wake up signal; Most preferably, the step of switching from the power saving mode state of the operating system to a normal state.

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

1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of a portable computer. As shown in the figure, the portable computer 1 has a main body 3 having electrical devices and a display portion 5 which is folded in a hinge structure to the main body 3.

The main body 3 is provided with a keyboard 7 which is an input device composed of numeric keys, character keys, effect keys and the like, a power switch 10 and the like.

The display unit 5 is provided with an LCD (9) panel for displaying the video signal output from the main body (3), the LCD (9) panel does not have its own luminous ability, so the rear of the LCD (9) not shown in the rear Lighting equipment is installed.

2 is a control block diagram of a portable computer according to the present invention. The portable computer 1 includes a power supply unit for supplying and cutting off power to the system, a power control unit for controlling power applied to each system unit from the power supply unit, a system motherboard 28 constituting a computer system, and a display unit ( 5), a keyboard 7 as an external input device, a key input controller 24 for generating a key interrupt signal in response to selection of an input key such as the keyboard 7, and the opening and closing of the display unit 5 The key input controller 24 and the opening and closing detection unit 26 for outputting a predetermined signal to the LCD power supply unit 34 of the display unit 5 to be described later.

Here, the power supply unit is a switching mode power supply (SMPS) 20, which is a conventional power supply including an adapter and a battery for supplying power to the portable computer 1, the power control unit is a portable computer from the SMPS (20) It is a microcomputer 22 which supplies and cuts off the power supplied to each system part of (1).

The system motherboard 28 includes a CPU 30 that performs a data processing function, and main circuits that make up a computer system, such as a memory 32. The memory 32 includes a ROM, a RAM, and the like, and stores general information for controlling the computer, such as a BIOS, an operating system (O / S), and data being processed.

An operating system including a power management routine for entering a power saving mode is stored in the memory 32 of the system motherboard 28. When a predetermined signal is applied to the CPU 30, the CPU 30 stores the memory 32. Power control mode by outputting a control signal to the microcomputer 22 in accordance with the power management routine of the operating system called in the) can perform a power saving mode function. In this embodiment, a case in which ACPI is applied as a standard for performing a power saving mode function is illustrated.

Power management functions including the power saving mode function include APM (Advanced Power Management) and ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface). In particular, ACPI is a power management function applied to recently developed computer systems, and is supported by an operating system (O / S), hardware, a motherboard, and a BIOS so that power management can be effectively managed. Accordingly, in the case of ACPI-enabled systems, power is managed by the Windows operating system.

On the other hand, the power saving mode function can be performed by the user to select the hot key of the keyboard (7). When the user selects a hot key of the keyboard 7 (eg, <Fn> + <F9 / Reset> keys), a key interrupt is generated from the key input controller 24 indicating that the power saving mode has been selected and input to the CPU 30. do. Accordingly, the CPU 30 calls the operating system (O / S) to perform a power management routine for entering the power saving mode.

In order to cancel the power saving mode function, when the user selects the power saving release selection unit (for example, the power switch 10), a key interruption is generated from the power switch 10, and the power saving release signal is input to the CPU 30. 30) the computer system is switched from the power saving mode to the normal mode by the power management routine of the operating system (O / S).

The power saving mode is a low power mode that does not require booting to return to the normal mode. However, the user cannot execute the program. The power consumption or the processor power supply vary depending on the elapsed time.

On the other hand, the display unit 5 includes an LCD power supply unit 34 for applying driving power to a back light, a predetermined circuit for processing an image signal, and an LCD 9 panel displaying an image signal. An inverter is mainly used as the LCD power supply unit 34 that applies the driving power. The power applied from the SMPS 20 may satisfy the power condition input to the display unit 5 through the inverter, and the rear light may blink by adjusting the output of the inverter.

The opening / closing detection unit 26 outputs a signal to the LCD power supply unit 34 to blink a rear light in association with the opening and closing of the display unit 5. Accordingly, when the display unit 5 is opened, the opening / closing detection unit 26 controls the LCD power supply unit 34 to turn on the rear light, and when the display unit 5 is closed, the opening / closing detection unit 26 turns off the rear light. Be sure to

In addition, the open / close detection unit 26 outputs a predetermined signal to the key input controller 24 when the display unit 5 is closed so that a key interrupt signal is generated from the key input controller 24. When the key input controller 24 receives a signal from the open / close detection unit 26, the key input controller 24 recognizes that the power saving mode is selected through the keyboard 7 and generates a key interrupt to inform the CPU 30 that the power saving mode is selected. . Upon detecting a key interrupt, the CPU 30 calls the operating system O / S from the memory 32 to perform a power management routine to enter the power saving mode.

When the display unit 5 is opened, the open / close detection unit 26 outputs a predetermined signal to the key input controller 24 to generate a key interrupt signal from the key input controller 24. When the key input controller 24 receives a signal from the open / close detection unit 26, the key input controller 24 recognizes that the power switch 10, which is the power saving release key, is selected, and a key interrupt that informs the CPU 30 that the power saving mode release is selected. Occurs. The CPU 30 that detects the key interrupt calls the operating system (O / S) from the memory 32 to switch from the power saving mode to the normal mode.

The control method of the portable computer 1 according to the present invention having such a configuration will be described with reference to Figs. 3 shows a method for the portable computer 1 according to the present invention to enter the power saving mode. When the user closes the display unit 5 of the portable computer 1 (S10), the open / close detection unit 26 outputs a signal to turn off the back light to the LCD power supply unit 34 to turn off the back light and the key input controller. A signal is also output to 24 (S12). When the signal from the open / close detection unit 26 is input to the key input controller 24, the key input controller 24 applies the same key interrupt as the power saving mode is selected from the keyboard 7 to the CPU 30 (S14). . Upon receiving the key interrupt, the CPU 30 calls the operating system (O / S) from the memory 32 (S16), and determines whether the system state is a power saving mode (S17). If the determination result is not in the power saving mode state, the CPU 30 enters the power saving mode state by performing a power management routine of the operating system (S18).

4 shows a method of switching from the power saving mode state to the normal mode state. When the user opens the display unit 5 of the portable computer 1 (S20), the open / close detection unit 26 outputs a signal for turning on the rear light to the LCD power supply unit 34, and also a signal to the key input controller 24. Outputs (S22). When the signal from the open / close detection unit 26 is input to the key input controller 24, the key input controller 24 generates a key interrupt and applies it to the CPU 30 (S24). Upon receiving the key interrupt, the CPU 30 calls the operating system (O / S) from the memory 32 (S26) and determines whether the system state is a power saving mode (S27). As a result of determination, the CPU 30 performs the power management routine of the operating system to switch the system to the normal mode (S28).

As described above, the present invention is linked to the opening and closing of the display unit, by turning on / off the backlight of the LCD, and calling the power management routine of the operating system, by closing the display when using the system, the backlight of the LCD is turned off at the same time The system enters the power saving mode to maximize the power saving effect. On the other hand, when the display unit is opened again, the backlight of the LCD is turned on and the system is automatically switched to the normal mode to provide convenience for use.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to save power of the portable computer, and on the other hand, it is possible to provide convenience for the user.

Claims (5)

A portable computer comprising a computer main body and a display unit folded on the main body, A memory storing an operating system including a power management routine for entering a power saving mode; An opening and closing detection unit detecting whether the display unit is closed; When the closing of the display unit is detected from the opening / closing detection unit, the display enters the power saving mode according to the operating system of the memory, and when the opening of the display unit is detected from the opening / closing detecting unit, the power saving is performed according to the operating system of the memory. And a control unit for switching from the mode to the normal mode. The method of claim 1, An LCD provided in the display unit; Further comprising a back light for illuminating the LCD; The controller may be configured to turn off the rear lighting unit when the display unit is closed from the opening / closing sensing unit, and turn on the rear lighting unit when the opening of the display unit is detected from the opening / closing sensing unit. The method of claim 1, A power saving selection unit for outputting the power saving mode selection signal according to a user's power saving mode selection; A power saving release selection unit for outputting the power saving mode release signal according to the user's power saving mode release selection; The control unit enters the power saving mode according to the operating system of the memory when the power saving mode selection signal is detected from the power saving selection unit, and when the power saving mode cancel signal is detected from the power saving release selection unit, The portable computer according to the operating system to switch from the power saving mode to the normal mode. In the control method of a portable computer including a computer main body, a display unit folded on the main body, performing a power saving mode function according to a predetermined operating system, Outputting a power saving mode selection signal when the display unit is closed; Turning off the backlight of the LCD; Invoking the operating system according to the power saving mode selection signal; And performing the power saving mode function of the operating system. In the control method of a portable computer including a computer main body, a display unit folded on the main body, performing a power saving mode function according to a predetermined operating system, Outputting a power saving release selection signal when the display unit is opened; Turning on the backlight of the LCD; Invoking the operating system according to the power save mode wake up signal; And transitioning from the power saving mode state of the operating system to a normal state.