TW546560B - Method of achieving computer power saving through memory throttling - Google Patents

Abstract

A kind of method for achieving computer power saving through memory throttling is disclosed in the present invention. By adding proper program code to the basic input/output system (BIOS), the invention can set up the register of north-bridge based on the user request so as to control the memory throttling function provided by the chipset and dynamically enable or disable for reaching the effect of saving computer power.

Description

546560 V. Description of the invention (1)

[Invention of this memory [Invention of electricity does not use power-consuming and power-consuming power-splitting devices, related fields, inventions of throttling background, computer power, but some of the power saving to the most closed is to save computer power The method of i η, especially a method of achieving computer power saving through g). Management is very important for the computer.> Part of the choice, sometimes, but it is not necessary to shut down immediately. At this time, it is often necessary to turn off some computer components, such as monitors, culverts, and hard drives. Dish ... wait, to save power. In fact, this only solves some of the problems. The computer will consume a lot. Just turning off the display and hard 4 is not enough to meet the power consumption of the brain. $ See the way to save power ’is nothing more than using the display disc off or controlling the central processing unit (such as: Intel ’s sleep settings

(Speed Step, Deeper Sleep)), etc., but in fact, the system still has a lot of power-consuming parts, 'not among the above three parts, such as chipset, memory, etc ... For this situation, how to control these remaining power-consumption parts through the system settings really needs a simple and convenient method to save the power consumption of the computer. [Objective and Summary of the Invention] In view of this, the present invention proposes a method for achieving computer power saving through memory throttling in order to solve the above problems, and achieves computer power saving by controlling memory throttling. This method is to add appropriate code to the computer's Basic Input / Output System (BIOS) to set the North Bridge (such as Intel's Br00kdale-M GMCH) register ( Register), enable

Page 4 546560 V. Description of the invention (2) Memory throttling (mem 〇rythr 〇111 ing) function, so when the set conditions are reached, the memory (memory) will start throttling (thr 〇111 ing) to achieve the power saving effect of the computer. The invention includes the following steps: First, set a register according to a user's set value, then execute a Power on Self Test (POST), then call an interrupt handler, issue an interrupt request, and display the setup day and options , And then store the user's selection results in Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM), restart the system (reb ot system), and give control to the operating system (0S) ° The details and concepts of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. [Detailed description of the invention] The present invention is a method for achieving computer power saving by controlling memory throttling (in em 〇rythro 1:11 ing). This method is based on the computer's Basic Input / Output System , BIOS) Add appropriate code to set the function of the temporary storage of the north bridge (n〇r ^ h bridge) to 'enable' the memory throttling (mem 0rythr ο ΐ 11i ng). In the past, power saving methods include turning off the monitor, hard disk, and controlling the Central Processing Unit (CPU), etc. When the monitor is turned off, the screen contains a black screen (without the screen power), or the screen power is turned off. , Indeed achieve the purpose of saving power; in addition

546560 V. Description of the invention (3) There is also a doze mode (Doze Mode), which allows the user to set how long the computer will go to sleep after being idle. The setting value is one minute to one hour. If it is set to not enabled (dis ab 1 e) In the power saving management, this state will be skipped and go directly to the next state (Standby or Suspend Mode); Standby Mode, the intermediate level of power saving mode, the settable value is also one minute to one hour, if you set If it is not enabled (disab 1 e), it will skip this state and enter the interrupt mode; the deepest power-saving mode of the interrupt mode (Suspend Mode) can also be set to a minute to an hour. If it is set to disable (disab 1 e), indicating that the system will not enter the interrupted state due to power saving.

Another way to save power is to turn off the hard disk. The power required for hard disk operation in the computer system accounts for a large proportion of the computer system. The user can set the time when the hard disk is not accessed. It is 1 to 15 minutes, and the default is disabling (disab 1 e). However, if a certain time value is set, once the hard disk is suspended and resumes system operation, it must take some time to recover. The method proposed by the present invention is accomplished by setting the memory throttling of the North Bridge. Generally speaking, a chipset (Chi pset includes two chips, of which the North Bridge is a high-frequency part, and Processor, system memory and display hardware are connected because Northbridge requires

There are more pins, so the Northbridge seems larger. Because the interface to the processor and memory contains a large number of ^ lines, a large number of pins also need to be prepared when packaging the Northbridge chip, because the Northbridge chip determines The flow rate of the data between the processor, the memory and the display device also has an effect on the performance of the system ^. 1 Significant impact because the North Bridge contains an interface to system memory, a

546560 V. Description of the invention (4) Use of system memory. The influence of the Northbridge chip on system performance mainly lies in: memory bandwidth, overall latency (1 atency), individual memory delay, data bandwidth of the connected and connected display devices, and data bandwidth of the southbridge. In a multi-working environment When reading and writing the main memory data through the north bridge, the memory processing time can be reduced, so that the transmission performance can be significantly improved. Therefore, the present invention will use this feature to complete the current system manufacturer does not provide Power saving function. Because Intel does not support changing this function by Windows (Winc | 〇ws), so no product currently provides users with the option to adjust this function. If the operating system supports memory throttling provided by the chipset ) Function, you can reduce the memory bandwidth to achieve the effect of saving power. At present, some chipsets provide this function, but because this function does not affect normal operation, BI OSS does not activate this function 'or Although this function is turned on, it cannot be selected by the user. The present invention uses a preferred embodiment to illustrate the specific feasibility of the method proposed by the present invention. 'Please refer to "Figure 1", which is a flowchart of a method for achieving computer power saving through memory throttling provided by the present invention. To explain the process of the present invention, the explanation is as follows: The system information of a general personal computer is recorded in Non-Voiatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM). This NVRAM can be a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (Complementary Meta (Oxide Semiconductor, CMOS). The information recorded in NVRAM includes the type of general hard disk, the number of magnetic disks, the number of magnetic disks per disk,

546560 V. Description of the invention (5) Record the number of magnetic surfaces of the lean material, as well as the system time and date, the number and capacity of the floppy disk drives, the type of display, and the amount of memory. Usually these δ values can be obtained from Learned or changed in the Basic Input / Output System (BIOS). BI0S is a program that is burned into the flash memory on the motherboard. It records all hardware in the computer. It also acts as a communication bridge with the operating system. This program does not lose data due to shutdown. Most high-end computers support the power saving function. In addition, BI 0S also provides an interface between the operating system and the hardware. When the operating system needs some hardware equipment, it will be processed through BI 0S. The program proposed by the present invention is to read the user setting value (step 100) by NVRAM, then set the Northbridge register according to this setting value (step 1 10), and then execute the power self test (Power on Sel f Test, POST) (step 120), execute the BIOS setup program (step 130), call the interrupt handler (step 140), issue an interrupt request (the interrupt vector for this interrupt request is INT 10h), and issue the interrupt After that, the setup day and options (step 150) are displayed for the user to choose. After the user's selection is completed, the user's selection result is stored in NVRAM (step 160), and the system is restarted (reb〇). 〇tsys ΐ e ra) (step 170), give control to the operating system (OS) (step 180), so the user can decide whether to enable (enable) according to his own needs or use conditions ) This function, as long as the user enters the setup function of BI 0 S (such as F 1 0 Setup of BI 0 S), the memory throttling (mem 〇ry thro ttl ing) can be activated ( enable) or disable For switching, the present invention has considerable convenience and flexibility.

Page 8 546560 V. Description of the invention (6) Please refer to "Figure 2". This figure is the user operation flow chart of the present invention, and describes the process procedure performed by the user. The steps are as follows: This flow chart is based on the user To explain the implementation steps of the present invention, after the user turns on the computer (step 2 0 0), first enter the BI 0S to set the day surface (step 2 1 0), and select the option setting value (step 2 2 0). After setting whether to enable the memory throttling (memorythr〇111 ing), leave the BI 0 S to set the day and night (step 2 3 0). When the general user uses the computer, if he wants to extend the operating time of the notebook computer, he can choose whether to enable (enab 1 e) the memory throttling function. If he wants to perform animation, he can turn off this function, or when the product During the development and testing phase, as the minimum efficiency case (worstcase) needs to be considered, product development and testing personnel can also turn off memory throttling through the function proposed by the present invention to perform thermal , Electromagnetic interference (EMI), battery life (battery life), etc. tests. [Effects of the invention] Through the above analysis of the technical solution of the present invention, it can be concluded that the method of the present invention has many advantages in practical applications: 1. Save computer power consumption, increase user's computer operation time, and improve convenience. 2. The user can choose whether to enable this function or not, which improves convenience. 3. This function is achieved by software, no need to increase hardware cost, and can increase computer product functions and buying points.

Page 9 546560 V. Description of the invention (7) Value. Although the present invention is disclosed in the foregoing preferred embodiment as above, it is not intended to limit the present invention. Any person skilled in the art can make some modifications and retouching without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. The scope of protection of the invention shall be determined by the scope of the attached patent application. «

Page 10 546560

Page 11 Brief Description of Drawings Figure 1 shows the flow chart of the present invention and Figure 2 shows the operation flow chart of the user of the present invention. [Symbol description] Step 100 Read the user set value by NVRAM Step 110 According to this set value ^ riL δ and determine the Northbridge register step 120 Perform the power self-test step 130 Run the BIOS setup program step 140 Beer call interrupt handler step 150 Display the setting day and options Step 160 Save the user's new settings to NVRAM Step 170 Restart the system Step 180 Give control to the operating system Step 200 Turn on the computer Step 210 Enter the BIOS setting Day and day Step 220 Select the option setting value Step 230 Leave the BIOS settings

Claims (1)

546560 6. Scope of patent application1. A method to achieve computer power saving through memory throttling (mem 〇rythr 〇111 ing), which sets the chipset (Chipset) through the Basic Input / Output System (BIOS) ) Provides a memory throttling (mem 〇rythro 111 ing) function. The method for achieving computer power saving through memory throttling includes the following steps: Reading a non-volatile random access memory (N 〇η-V ο 1 ati 1 e Random Access Memory (NVRAM) is a user set value to set a register according to the user set value; run a Power on Self Test (POST); call an interrupt handler, Issue an interrupt request; display a setup screen and options; store a user's new settings to non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM); restart the system (reb〇〇tsystem); and hand over control Give the operating system (〇perati 〇nsystem, 0 S). 2 · The method for achieving computer power saving through memory throttling as described in item i of the scope of the patent application, wherein the memory throttling (mem 〇rythr 〇111 ing) function is to reduce the memory processing (throughput) frequency width. 3. The method for achieving computer power saving through memory throttling as described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the non-volatile random access memory is a Complementary Metal-Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) ° 4 · The method for achieving computer power saving through memory throttling as described in item i of the scope of patent application, wherein the user setting value can be enabled (enab 1 e) Page 12 546560 6. The scope of patent application and any combination of non-enabled (d i s a b 1 e) memory throttling (me m m r r y t h r r 111 l n g). 5. The method for achieving computer power saving through memory throttling as described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the register (R e g s t e r) is a register (Register) of the North Bridge (η 〇 r t h bridge). 6. The method of achieving computer power saving through memory throttling as described in item 1 of the scope of patent application ', wherein the setup day and options are through the Basic Input / Output System (BIOS) Set it. 7. The method for achieving computer power saving through memory throttling as described in item 1 of the scope of the patent application, wherein one of the interrupt request interrupt vectors is I NT 10h. Φ ffiil 11 p. 13