TWI383291B - Computer system, power control system and method thereof - Google Patents

Description

Computer system, power control system and method thereof

The invention relates to a computer system, a power control system and a method, in particular to a computer system, a power control system and a method capable of completely cutting off power signal transmission.

With the development of technology, the functions of computer systems are becoming more and more powerful. Computer systems have also developed features that allow remote management or repair of the network, such as Intel The company's Active Management Technology (AMT). If the computer system supports active management technology, the computer system must ensure that some circuits can still operate normally when the computer system is shut down. Therefore, you must rely on the connection of the power module, including the connection of external power, internal battery modules or backup batteries that supply Real Time Clock (RTC).

However, in the prior art, if the computer system has problems during the development process or the production line test, it may be necessary to completely disconnect the power of the circuit of the computer system to re-set. In the case of an alternate power signal that supplies an instant clock, the spare battery on the motherboard must be removed. However, this will cost a lot of work, and disassembling the main unit may also cause damage to the parts.

Therefore, it is necessary to invent a new control system for controlling the transmission of power signals to solve the lack of prior art.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a power control system for controlling power signals transmitted from a power module to a memory module and a chipset.

Another main object of the present invention is a power control method.

To achieve the above objects, the power control system of the present invention is used in a computer system. The computer system includes a memory module, a chipset, a power module, and a power control system. The power module is used to supply power signals. The power control system includes an input signal module, a control module, a first switch circuit, and a second switch circuit. The input signal module is used to input a signal. The control module is electrically connected to the input signal module. The first switch circuit is electrically connected to the power module, the control module and the memory module. The second switching circuit is electrically connected to the power module, the control module and the chip set. After the input signal module inputs the signal, the control module controls the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit to cut off the power signal transmission of the power module and the memory module and the chipset, and then the first switch circuit and the first The second switch circuit is turned on to restore the power signal.

The power control method of the present invention includes the following steps: determining, by the power control system, whether to input a signal; if yes, controlling the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit to open to cut off the power signal; and controlling the first switch circuit and The second switch circuit is turned on to restore the power signal.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more <

Please refer to FIG. 1 for the architecture diagram of the computer system of the present invention.

The computer system 1 of the present invention may be a desktop computer or a notebook computer, but the invention is not limited thereto. The computer system 1 includes a power control system 10, a power module 30, a memory module 40, and a chipset 50. The power module 30 is configured to supply a power signal, and the power control system 10 determines whether the power signal can be transmitted to the memory module 40 and the chip set 50. The power module 30 includes a backup power signal for supplying a main power signal, such as an external power source and a battery supply, or a backup battery.

The memory module 40 is a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) for storing data to provide a basic input/output system (BIOS) for the computer system 1. Under normal circumstances, when the computer system 1 is turned off, the memory module 40 uses the backup power signal of the backup battery to make its Real Time Clock (RTC) component still sustainable. In this way, the computer system 1 can read the correct time when it is turned on. The chipset 50 can be a south bridge wafer of the computer system 1, but the invention is not limited thereto. Under normal circumstances, when the computer system 1 is turned off, the main power signal will still provide a small amount of power to the chipset 50. This is called the system power state S5.

The power control system 10 is used to control the power signals transmitted to the memory module 40 and the chipset 50. The power control system 10 includes a control module 11, an input signal module 12, a first switch circuit 21, and a second switch circuit 22. The control module 11 can be an embedded controller or a keyboard controller, but the invention is not limited thereto. The input signal module 12 is electrically connected to the control module 11 for inputting signals to the control module 11. The signal input by the input signal module 12 can be a continuous pressing of the typed signal by using the combination key. In this way, users can be prevented from accidentally touching. The combination key is first set by the control module 11. For example, the control module 11 can set the user to press the Fn and C keys first, and simultaneously press the power button for a certain period of time before inputting the signal. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described pressing method.

The first switch circuit 21 is electrically connected to the control module 11 , the power module 30 , and the memory module 40 . When the first switch circuit 21 is turned on, the power signal of the memory module 40 can be simultaneously supplied, including the main power signal and the standby power signal. The control module 11 controls the opening or conducting of the first switching circuit 21 to determine whether the memory module 40 can receive its power signal. Similarly, the second switch circuit 22 is electrically connected to the control module 11 , the power module 30 , and the chip set 50 . When the second switching circuit 22 is turned on, the chip group 50 main power signal can be supplied. The control module 11 controls the opening or conducting of the second switching circuit 22 to determine whether the chip set 50 can receive the main power signal.

Next, please refer to FIG. 2 for a flowchart of the power control method of the present invention. It should be noted that the power control method of the present invention is described below by taking the computer system 1 having the power control system 10 as an example, but the power control method of the present invention is not limited to the power control system 10.

First, step 201 is performed: determining, by the power control system, whether a signal is input.

First, the power control system 10 first determines whether the input signal module 12 has a signal input. For example, the control module 11 uses a method of scanning the keyboard array to determine whether a combination key is pressed, or whether the combination key is pressed in a specific order.

If yes, proceed to step 202: determine whether the continuous input reaches a first specific time.

The control module 11 then determines whether the signal is continuously input for the first specific time. For example, the combination key is continuously pressed for more than eight seconds. The first specific time can be set by the control module 11.

If yes, proceed to step 203. If the first specific time is not continuously input, there is a possibility that the user may mistakenly touch the combination key, so the power supply control system 10 does not operate.

Step 203: Control a first switch circuit and a second switch circuit to cut off the power signal.

The control module 11 controls the first switch circuit 21 and the second switch circuit 22 to open the circuit. As a result, the memory module 40 and the chipset 50 are completely unable to receive the power signal, including the main power signal and the standby power signal in the system power state S5.

Finally, step 204 is performed: after waiting for a second specific time, the power signal is restored.

After the second specific time has elapsed, for example, the control module 11 waits for three seconds, and then controls the first switching circuit 21 and the second switching circuit 22 to turn on. In this way, the power supply is restored, and the memory module 40 and the chipset 50 can receive the main power signal and the standby power signal. The memory module 40 and the chipset 50 can be restarted by the power-off in step 203 and the process of restoring the power supply in step 204.

It should be noted that the power control method of the present invention is not limited to the above-described sequence of steps, and the order of the above steps may be changed as long as the object of the present invention can be achieved.

With the power control system 10 and method of the present invention, the memory module 40 and the chip set 50 can be reset without the hardware structure of the computer system 1. Especially for the process of cutting off the standby power signal, it is not necessary to remove the backup battery. Therefore, a lot of work can be saved, and the hardware of the computer system 1 can be avoided.

To sum up, the present invention, regardless of its purpose, means and efficacy, shows its distinctive features of the prior art. You are requested to review the examination and express the patent as soon as possible. It should be noted that the various embodiments described above are merely illustrative for ease of explanation, and the scope of the invention is intended to be limited by the scope of the claims.

1. . . computer system

10. . . Power control system

11. . . Control module

12. . . Input signal module

twenty one. . . First switching circuit

twenty two. . . Second switching circuit

30. . . Power module

40. . . Memory module

50. . . Chipset

1 is a block diagram of a computer system of the present invention.

2 is a flow chart of a power control method of the present invention.

1. . . computer system

10. . . Power control system

11. . . Control module

12. . . Input signal module

twenty one. . . First switching circuit

twenty two. . . Second switching circuit

30. . . Power module

40. . . Memory module

50. . . Chipset

Claims (18)

A computer system comprising: a memory module; a chipset; a power module for supplying a power signal; and a power control system for controlling transmission of the power module to the memory module and the The power control system of the chipset includes: an input signal module for inputting a signal; a control module electrically connected to the input signal module; a first switch circuit and the The power module, the control module and the memory module are electrically connected; and a second switch circuit is electrically connected to the power module, the control module and the chip set; wherein the input signal module is input After the signal, the control module controls the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit to cut off the power signal transmission between the power module and the memory module and the chip set, and then the first switch The circuit and the second switch circuit are turned on to resume the power signal transmission. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the input signal module uses a key combination to input the signal. The computer system of claim 2, wherein the control module further comprises: determining whether the signal is input for a first specific time. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the control module further comprises: waiting for a second specific time to turn on the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the control module is an embedded controller or a keyboard controller. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the power module comprises a main power signal and a standby power signal. The computer system of claim 1, wherein the memory module is a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS). The computer system of claim 1, wherein the chipset is a south bridge wafer. A power control system for controlling a power module to transmit power signals to a memory module and a chip set, the power control system comprising: an input signal module for inputting a signal; a control module, Connected to the input signal module; a first switch circuit electrically connected to the power module, the control module and the memory module; and a second switch circuit coupled to the power module The control module and the chip set are electrically connected; wherein after the input signal module inputs the signal, the control module controls the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit to cut off the power module and The power module transmits the power signal of the memory module and the chip group, and then turns on the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit to resume the power signal transmission. The power control system of claim 9, wherein the input signal module uses a key combination to input the signal. The power control system of claim 10, wherein the control module further comprises: determining whether the signal is continuously input for a first specific time. The power control system of claim 9, wherein the control module further comprises: waiting for a second specific time to turn on the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit. The power control system of claim 9, wherein the control module is an embedded controller or a keyboard controller. A power control method for controlling a power supply module to transmit power signals to a memory module and a chip set, the method comprising the steps of: determining, by the power control system, whether to input a signal; If yes, controlling a first switch circuit and a second switch circuit to open to cut off the power signal transmission; and controlling the first switch circuit and the second switch circuit to be turned on to resume power signal transmission. The power control method of claim 14, wherein the step of inputting the signal comprises inputting a signal of a combination key. The power control method as described in claim 15 further includes the step of determining whether the continuous input reaches a first specific time. For example, the power control method described in claim 14 further includes the step of restoring the power signal after waiting for a second specific time. The power control method of claim 14, wherein the step of cutting off the power signal comprises cutting off a main power signal and a standby power signal.