TWI386816B - System with automatic switch machine scheduling and automatic switching machine scheduling control method - Google Patents

Description

System with automatic switch machine scheduling and automatic switch machine scheduling control method thereof

The invention relates to a system and a control method thereof, in particular to a system with automatic switch machine scheduling and an automatic switch machine scheduling control method thereof.

In current electronic devices, many components similar to personal computers are generally integrated, such as a Motherboard, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a Basic Input Output System (BIOS), or even a Basic Input Output System (BIOS). Network card, etc.

Since the user cannot perform the booting action on the electronic device at a certain point in time because of the necessity of leaving, etc., the electronic device performs the booting process. However, if the user first performs an action to turn on the electronic device, it may cause the electronic device to operate idle and consume power. Similarly, in many cases, because the user has to leave, etc., but the electronic device is running a certain program and cannot be shut down immediately, the electronic device can only be turned on continuously.

In order to prevent the user from performing the power-on action or the power-off action at present, the basic I/O system (BIOS) of the electronic device provides a wake-up mechanism to allow the user to set when the electronic device performs the boot process. There are various wake-up mechanisms currently available, such as Resume On Ring, Wake On LAN, and Wakeup On Ring. Many software running in the electronic device can provide an appointment shutdown time, etc., so that the user can set when the electronic device performs the shutdown process.

However, the basic input/output system of the electronic device only provides one wake-up mechanism setting, and cannot provide wake-up mechanism settings for multiple different times. The operating software in the electronic device can only provide the current scheduled shutdown setting, and cannot provide multiple scheduled shutdown settings at different times. No matter whether it is the basic input/output system of the electronic device or the running program in the electronic device, the scheduling control of the system automatic switching machine of the electronic device multiple times cannot be provided.

The invention provides a system with automatic switch machine scheduling and an automatic switch machine scheduling control method thereof, which can prevent the electronic device from being able to achieve only one automatic shutdown by an application or by a basic input/output system (Basic I/O) System, BIOS) to achieve an automatic start, but can not achieve multiple system automatic switch machine scheduling control.

The automatic switch machine scheduling control method of the system according to the present invention is applied to an electronic device. The automatic switch scheduling control method of the system comprises: first, turning on the system power of the electronic device to execute the booting process of the electronic device (step 1); then, searching for the setting data of the automatic switching machine (step 2); then, when there is After reading the setting data of the automatic switching machine, a periodic interrupt (period interrupt) is activated (step 3); then, the starting process of the electronic device is completed (step 4); then, the setting data of the automatic switching machine is read. Shutdown time (step 5); use the periodic interrupt to check the system time of the electronic device, and compare the system time with the read shutdown time (step 6); wherein, when the system time meets the shutdown time, set the next boot Time (step 7); then, to detect the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) operating system (step 8); and when the advanced configuration and power interface management device operating system In the execution state, the shutdown process of the electronic device is executed by the operating system of the advanced configuration and power interface management device (step 9).

Among them, each set of switch time setting data is stored in the set storage device, such as: complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor, non-volatile memory (NV-RAM), non-volatile memory (NVRAM), flash memory (Flash disk) or hard disk (Hard Disk, HD)...etc.

Step 5 is to read the current system time by the setting storage device.

The next boot time is set in step seven, mainly setting the next boot time of the system in the setting storage device, the steps include: clearing the alert flag (Alarm Flag); setting the wake-up time (wakeup time); enabling the alert interrupt (alarm) Interrupt); clears the input/output buffer record; and enables the alert wake event.

Among them, step 8 will first search for an advanced configuration and power interface management device flag, and determine the advanced configuration and power interface management device operating system when the advanced configuration and power interface management device flag is enabled. In the execution state.

Step 9 may return to step 5 when the operating system of the advanced configuration and power interface management device is in an unexecuted state. Step 9 may also be performed when the operating system of the advanced configuration and the power interface management device does not exist, and the shutdown process of the electronic device is performed by the conventional operating system. That is, a soft off command can be written to the advanced configuration and power interface management device by the user or the processing module to execute the shutdown process of the electronic device.

The automatic switch machine scheduling control method of the system according to the present invention further comprises: checking the system time of the electronic device and comparing the system time with the next boot time in the setting data of the automatic power switch (step 10); and when the system The time matches the next boot time, return and perform step one (step 11).

A system having an automatic power switch schedule disclosed in accordance with the present invention can be applied to an electronic device running a work system. The system with automatic switch machine scheduling of the present invention comprises: a substrate, a setting storage device, a connecting unit and an external device.

Since the substrate is located in the electronic device, the setting storage device is connected to the substrate.

The connecting unit is located on the substrate and electrically connected to the setting storage device.

The external device is electrically connected to the connection unit for changing the setting of the basic input/output system to operate the automatic on/off scheduling control method of the system.

Among them, the system with automatic switch machine scheduling changes the setting of the basic input/output system in the setting storage device by connecting the external device to the connection unit to run the automatic switch machine scheduling control method of the above system.

In this case, the system with the automatic switch machine scheduling and the automatic switch machine scheduling control method thereof achieve the scheduling control of the system automatic switch machine by the firmware program multiple times, and can be automatically determined according to the user's setting. Determine the power on or off time, and when the set time is reached, perform the power on or off action, and you can turn it on or off without the user operating the switch button.

The features and implementations of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the preferred embodiments.

The flow of the automatic switch machine scheduling control method of the system according to the present invention can be divided into three parts in sequence: the first part, the second part and the third part. The first part is the booting process of the automatic switch machine scheduling control method of the system; the second part is the process of the automatic switch machine scheduling control method of the system to the shutdown process; the third part is automatically controlled by the system. The process after the shutdown of the switch scheduling control method to the next boot process.

"FIG. 1" is a flow chart of the first part of the automatic on-off machine scheduling control method of the system according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a flow chart showing the second part of the automatic switch scheduling control method of the system according to the present invention. Fig. 3 is a flow chart showing the third part of the automatic on-off machine scheduling control method of the system according to the present invention.

Referring to "1st drawing", "2nd drawing" and "3rd drawing", the automatic switch machine scheduling control method of the system according to the present invention is applied to an electronic device. The automatic switch scheduling control method of the system comprises: first, turning on the system power of the electronic device to execute the booting process of the electronic device (step 1); then, searching for the setting data of the automatic switching machine (step 2); then, when there is After reading the setting data of the automatic switching machine, a periodic interrupt (period interrupt) is activated (step 3); then, the starting process of the electronic device is completed (step 4); then, the setting data of the automatic switching machine is read. Shutdown time (step 5); use the periodic interrupt to check the system time of the electronic device, and compare the system time with the read shutdown time (step 6); wherein, when the system time meets the shutdown time, set the next boot Time (step 7); then, to detect the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) operating system (step 8); and when the advanced configuration and power interface management device operating system In the execution state, the shutdown process of the electronic device is executed by the operating system of the advanced configuration and power interface management device (step 9).

In the automatic switch machine scheduling control method of the system according to the present invention, the first step is to start the system power supply of the electronic device to execute the booting process of the electronic device, that is, the basic I/O system (BIOS). .

The method of starting the electronic device may be to activate the electronic device by turning on a power actuator (for example, a hardware device such as a power switch or a power button).

Since the basic input/output system is used to manage the firmware of the hardware in the electronic device, the BIOS is first activated after booting, and then it thoroughly tests and tests the computer device. Next, the second step is to search for the setting data of the automatic switch machine, that is, the processing module of the electronic device searches for the setting data of each group of the switch time of the automatic switch machine. The setting data of each group of switch time can be stored in the setting storage device. The storage device can be a Complementary Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor (CMOS), a Non-Volatile Random Access Memory (NVRAM), a Flash memory or a hard memory. Disc (Hard Disk, HD)...etc.

Step 3 is to activate a periodic interrupt function after reading the setting data of the automatic switch machine. Among them, the periodic interrupt is different from the chipset according to the hardware, and can choose to use the system management interrupt (SMI), the power management timer (PM timer) or the serial interrupt request (Serial) in the chipset. Interrupt Request, Serial IRQ) and other functions to generate periodic system interrupts. The system time is checked by the periodic system interruptions generated by functions such as system management interrupts or power management timers in the chipset and the automatic on/off time set by the user is compared.

Next, step four detects all hardware and system settings connected to the electronic device to complete the boot process.

In the second step, if the processing module cannot find the setting data of the automatic switching machine, the original booting process (for example, detecting all the hardware and system settings connected to the electronic device) is completed to complete the booting process (step four). ), that is, if the setting data of the automatic power switch is not found in step 2, step 4 is directly performed.

Steps 1 to 4 may be the starting process of the automatic switch machine scheduling control method of the system of the present invention, that is, the first part of the system automatic switching machine scheduling control method flow.

Next, in step 5, the processing module reads the shutdown time in the setting data of the automatic power on/off stored in the setting storage device.

Then, in step 6, the processing module continuously checks the system time of the electronic device by the periodic system interruption function of the chipset, and the shutdown time read by the processing module from the setting storage device (user The set auto power off time is compared to confirm whether the system time matches the read shutdown time.

When the system time in step 6 does not match the read shutdown time, return to step 5, after the processing module re-reads the shutdown time in the setting data of the automatic power on/off stored in the setting storage device, Perform step 6 again to confirm that the system time matches the read shutdown time.

The processing module checks the system time by the periodic system interruption function of the chipset, and the processing module reads the current system time through the setting storage device.

When the system time in step 6 matches the read shutdown time, proceed to step 7 to set the next boot time.

Among them, the step of setting the next boot time is to set the next boot time in the setting storage device. The step of setting the next boot time in the setting storage device is mainly to clear the alarm flag (Alarm Flag) first, then set the wake-up time (RTC wakeup time), then enable the alarm interrupt, and then clear the input/output buffer. The record of the device is finally enabled to alert the wake event.

Step 5 to step 7 may be the process of the automatic switch machine scheduling control method of the system of the present invention, from the booting process of the automatic switch scheduling control method of the system to the process before the shutdown, that is, the automatic switch scheduling of the system The second part of the control method flow.

Then, step 8 is performed by the processing module to detect whether there is an advanced configuration and power interface management device (ACPI) operating system, that is, the processing module searches for advanced configuration and power supply. Interface management device flag (ACPI enabled flag). Wherein, when the advanced configuration and the power interface management device flag are enabled, the operating system of the advanced configuration and the power interface management device is determined to be in an execution state.

In other words, when the system enters the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) operating system, the values of the advanced configuration and power interface management device enable are filled into the system management interrupt. SMI command port, when the system management interrupt command (SMI command port) is filled in the advanced configuration and power interface management device enable, a flag is stored in the set storage device for processing mode. The group determines whether there is an operating system with advanced configuration and power interface management equipment.

When the operating system of the advanced configuration and power interface management device exists and is not executed, go back and execute step 5.

Therefore, in step 9, when the operating system of the advanced configuration and the power interface management device exists and is in the execution state, the shutdown process of the electronic device is executed by the operating system of the advanced configuration and the power interface management device.

Step 9 may also be performed by the conventional operating system when the operating system of the advanced configuration and the power interface management device does not exist. That is, a soft off command can be written to the advanced configuration and power interface management device by the user or the processing module to execute the shutdown process of the electronic device.

The automatic switch machine scheduling control method of the system according to the present invention further comprises: checking the system time of the electronic device and comparing the system time with the next power-on time in the setting data of the automatic power-off machine (step ten); and when the system time Match the next boot time, go back and perform step one (step 11).

After the electronic device performs the shutdown process, a standby power source is still required to provide operation of the internal processing module, the chipset, or the set storage device. At this time, the clock (Real Time Clock, RTC) inside the electronic device will continue to work to maintain the correct system time by the power supply of the rechargeable battery or the dry battery after the computer is turned off. Therefore, the tenth step is to continuously check the system time of the electronic device by the periodic system interruption function of the chipset and compare the system time with the next power-on time in the setting data of the automatic power switch.

Finally, in step 11, when the periodic system interruption function of the chipset checks that the system time meets the next boot time, the system power of the electronic device is started to execute the booting process of the electronic device, that is, return and execute step one.

Step 10 to step 11 may be the process of the automatic switch machine scheduling control method of the system of the present invention, the process from the shutdown process of the system automatic switch machine scheduling control method to the next power-on process, that is, the automatic system. The third part of the process of switching machine scheduling control method.

Here, the system's automatic on/off scheduling control method can set multiple sets of automatic on/off time by the user, and check the system time by using the periodic system interruption generated by the periodic system interruption function of the chipset. When the system time reaches or exceeds the set automatic shutdown time, the next power-on time is set, and the system is shut down after the setting is completed. After the next power-on, restart the periodic system interrupt generated by the chipset to check the system time and compare the next set of switch time set by the user. Repeat the cycle until all set auto-switch time is completed.

The automatic switch machine scheduling control method of the system of the invention automatically achieves the scheduling control of the system automatic switch machine by the firmware program, and can automatically determine the power on or off time according to the user's setting, and arrive at the set time. When the time is up, the power-on or power-off action can be turned on or off without the user operating the switch button.

"FIG. 4" is a schematic diagram of a system having an automatic power switch schedule according to the present invention.

Please refer to "Fig. 4" and refer to the foregoing embodiment in combination. The system of the present invention having an automatic power on/off schedule can be applied to an electronic device 100 running a work system. The system with automatic switch scheduling of the present invention comprises a substrate 20, a setting storage device 30, a connecting unit 40 and an external device 50.

Since the substrate 20 is located in the electronic device 100, the setting storage device 30 is connected to the substrate 20.

The connecting unit 40 is located on the substrate 20 and electrically connected to the setting storage device 30.

The external device 50 is electrically connected to the unit 40 for changing the setting of the basic input/output system to operate the automatic on/off scheduling control method of the system.

The substrate 20 can be a printed circuit board, and the substrate 20 can be one of a hard board and a soft board.

The setting storage device 30 can be a read only memory.

The connection unit 40 is a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and may be a connection interface such as 1394.

Among them, the system with automatic switch machine scheduling changes the setting of the basic input/output system in the setting storage device 30 by connecting the external device 50 to the connection unit 40 to operate the automatic switch machine scheduling control method of the above system.

The system with automatic switch machine scheduling and the automatic switch machine scheduling control method thereof achieve the scheduling control of the system automatic switch machine by the firmware program, and can automatically determine the power on or according to the user's setting. Turn off the time, and when the set time is reached, perform the power on or off action, and you can turn it on or off without the user operating the switch button.

While the present invention has been described above in terms of the preferred embodiments thereof, it is not intended to limit the invention, and the invention may be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The patent protection scope of the invention is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application attached to the specification.

20. . . Substrate

30. . . Setting storage device

40. . . Connection unit

50. . . External device

100. . . Electronic device

1 is a flow chart of a first part of an automatic switch machine scheduling control method according to the system of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a flow chart showing the second part of the automatic switch machine scheduling control method of the system according to the present invention;

Figure 3 is a flow chart showing the third part of the automatic switch machine scheduling control method of the system according to the present invention;

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a system with automatic power cycle scheduling in accordance with the present invention.

Claims (12)

A system automatic switch machine scheduling control method is applied to an electronic device, comprising: Step 1: Turning on a system power of the electronic device to execute a booting process of the electronic device; Step 2: Searching for an automatic switch setting Data; Step 3: When a setting data of the automatic switching machine is read, a periodic interrupt is activated; Step 4: completing the booting process of the electronic device; Step 5: reading the automatic switch a shutdown time in the setting data of the machine; step 6: using the periodic interruption to check a system time of the electronic device and comparing the system time with the shutdown time; step 7: when the system time meets the Set the next boot time when the power is off; Step 8: Detect an advanced configuration and power interface management device (ACPI) operating system; and Step 9: When the advanced configuration and power supply When the operating system of the interface management device is in the execution state, the electronic system is executed by the operating system of the advanced configuration and power interface management device Facing a shutdown procedure. The automatic switch scheduling control method of the system of claim 1, wherein the step 9 further comprises: when the advanced configuration and the power interface management device operating system are in an unexecuted state, returning and executing the step 5 . The automatic switch scheduling control method of the system of claim 1, wherein the step 9 further comprises: when the advanced configuration and the operating system of the power interface management device are not present, the traditional operating system executes the The shutdown procedure of the electronic device. The automatic switch scheduling control method of the system of claim 3, wherein the step of executing the shutdown procedure of the electronic device by the conventional operating system comprises: writing to an advanced configuration and power interface management device A soft off command is entered to execute the shutdown procedure of the electronic device. The automatic switch scheduling control method of the system of claim 1, wherein the checking the system time of the electronic device in the step 6 is to read the current system time through a setting storage device. The automatic switch scheduling control method of the system of claim 1, wherein each set of switch time setting data is stored in a setting storage device. The automatic switch scheduling control method of the system of claim 1, wherein the step 8 comprises: searching for an advanced configuration and power interface management device flag; wherein, when the advanced configuration and power interface management device When the flag is enabled, it is determined that the advanced configuration and the operating system of the power interface management device are in an execution state. The automatic switch scheduling control method of the system of claim 6, wherein the step 7 comprises: setting a next boot time in the setting storage device. The automatic switch scheduling control method of the system of claim 8, wherein the step of setting the next power-on time in the setting storage device comprises: clearing an alert flag (Alarm Flag); Set a wake-up time (RTC wakeup time); enable an alert interrupt; clear an input/output buffer record; and enable an alert wake-up event. The automatic switch scheduling control method of the system of claim 1, further comprising: step ten: checking the system time of the electronic device and comparing the system time with the next time in the setting data of the automatic power switch boot time. The automatic switch scheduling control method of the system of claim 10 further includes: Step 11: When the system time meets the next boot time, return and execute the step 1. A system with an automatic switch machine scheduling, applied to an electronic device running an operating system, comprising: a substrate, located in the electronic device; a setting storage device, located on the substrate, having a basic input and output system; a connecting unit, located on the substrate and electrically connected to the setting storage device; and an external device electrically connected to the connecting unit for changing the setting of the basic input/output system to run a system of automatic switching machine scheduling Control Method.