TWI475486B - Method for executing key function and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Method and electronic device for performing button function

The present invention relates to a booting method, and more particularly to a method and an electronic device for performing a button function in a booting phase.

After the computer host system is started, before the operating system (OS) obtains control, the computer host system has a series of mechanisms for detecting and initializing the boot phase of the computer host system and its surrounding hardware devices. Once the display device is initialized, the display device facilitates the display of various types of devices and debug messages on the screen. For example, the display device includes an initialization message that displays basic input output system (BIOS) information, processor information, memory information, and the like.

In the process of the BIOS performing the Power On Self Test (POST) (for example, the stage in which the initialization message is already displayed on the screen), the corresponding function can be performed by the defined hot key. For example, open the BIOS setup menu interface, select boot device, boot to safe mode and more. However, as the boot time is shortened, the user has to increase their responsiveness to trigger the associated hotkey in a short period of time, thus easily omitting the time to enable the hotkey.

The invention provides a method and an electronic device for performing a button function, which can Perform the function corresponding to the button triggered at any point in the boot phase.

The present invention provides a method of performing a button function suitable for use in an electronic device. In this method, a boot signal is received to perform a boot process. During the execution of the boot process, when the button of the keyboard is detected to be enabled, the state-enabled record corresponding to the enabled button is stored in the temporary storage area. And, the state enabled record stored in the temporary storage area is mapped to the memory unit. The mapped state enabled record is read from the memory unit to perform the function of the status enable record.

In an embodiment of the invention, the memory unit is initialized prior to mapping the state enabled record stored in the temporary storage area to the memory unit.

In an embodiment of the present invention, after the state enabled record of the storage temporary storage area is mapped to the memory unit, the memory unit may be checked for presence of the status enable record when the boot process is executed for a specified time. The mapped state enabled record is read in the memory unit. Here, the above specified time is before the loading of the operating system.

In an embodiment of the present invention, after checking whether the memory unit has a state enabled record, if there is no state enabled record in the memory unit, the booting process is continued to load the operating system.

In an embodiment of the present invention, after reading the mapped state enabled record from the memory unit, it may further determine whether the state enable record meets the preset hot key combination. If the status enable record does not match the preset hotkey combination, continue the boot process to load the operating system. If the status enable record meets the preset hotkey combination, the execution status enables the corresponding function to be recorded.

The invention further provides an electronic device, comprising a memory unit, a keyboard, Embedded controller and boot module. Wherein, the keyboard includes a plurality of buttons. The embedded controller includes a temporary storage area, and the embedded controller is coupled to the keyboard to detect whether the button is enabled. The boot modules are respectively coupled to the embedded controller and the memory unit, and receive the boot signal through the boot module to execute the boot process. Here, during the execution of the boot process, when the embedded controller detects that a button is enabled, the state-enabled record corresponding to the enabled button is stored in the temporary storage area, and through the embedded control The device or the boot module maps the status enable record stored in the temporary storage area to the memory unit, and uses the boot module to read the mapped status enable record from the memory unit to perform the function corresponding to the status enable record.

In an embodiment of the invention, the booting module initializes the memory unit such that the embedded controller or the booting module maps the state enabled record stored in the temporary storage area to the memory unit.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the booting process is executed to a specified time, the booting module also checks whether the memory unit has a status enabled record to read the mapped state enabled record from the memory unit. Here, the above specified time is before the loading of the operating system.

In an embodiment of the invention, when there is no state enabled record in the memory unit, the boot module continues to execute the boot process to load the operating system.

In an embodiment of the invention, the boot module further determines whether the status enable record matches the preset hot key combination. If the status enable record meets the preset hotkey combination, the corresponding function is enabled by the boot module execution status. If the status enable record does not match the preset hotkey combination, the boot module will continue Execute the boot process to load the operating system.

Based on the above, the keys on the keyboard can be triggered at any point in the booting phase to perform the function corresponding to the triggered keys. Moreover, the state enabled record of the enabled button is mapped in the memory unit, so that the memory unit can be directly accessed, thereby speeding up the access.

The above described features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.

1 is a block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 , the electronic device 100 includes a memory unit 110 , a boot module 120 , an embedded controller 130 , and a keyboard 140 . The booting module 120 is coupled to the memory unit 110 and the embedded controller 130, and the embedded controller 130 is coupled to the keyboard 140.

In addition, the electronic device 100 further includes a processing unit 150 and a system control unit 160. The processing unit 150 is coupled to each component through the system control unit 160, and the system control unit 160 is coupled to each peripheral device of the electronic device 100, including the memory unit 110, the boot module 120, and the keyboard 140. The system control unit 160 is coupled to the boot module 120 and the keyboard 140 through the embedded controller 130.

The memory unit 110 is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). Here, the drivers and operating systems of all components in the electronic device 100 are first loaded into the memory unit 110 for reading by the processing unit 150. For example, through memory mapping The method of (Shadow RAM) loads the system firmware in the boot module 120 into the memory unit 110 for access by the processing unit 150.

The processing unit 150 is, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), which is a device that executes hardware, firmware, and processing software in the electronic device 100. The system control unit 160 is a bridge for the external exchange of information by the processing unit 150. In this embodiment, the system control unit 160 includes a north bridge wafer and a south bridge wafer. In other embodiments, the system control unit 160 may also be a south bridge wafer, and the north bridge wafer is integrated with the processing unit 110. Limited.

In this embodiment, the embedded controller 130 includes a temporary storage area 131, and the embedded controller 130 detects whether the keys in the keyboard 140 are enabled. Here, the embedded controller 130 includes a keyboard controller (KBC), or the embedded controller 130 is a keyboard controller. When the electronic device 100 is powered on, the embedded controller 130 will begin to operate. Moreover, when the electronic device 100 receives the boot signal and starts executing the boot process, the embedded controller 130 can detect whether the button on the keyboard 140 is enabled. For example, when one of the buttons is pressed, the pressed button generates a status enable record and transmits the status enable record to the embedded controller 130.

When the boot module 120 receives the boot signal, it will execute the boot process. Here, the boot module 120 is, for example, a wafer in which a system firmware such as a Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) is stored. For example, the boot process can be divided into a boot block phase and a Power On Self Test (POST) phase. This is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting. In the boot block phase, the memory unit 110 is in an unusable state since it has not yet been initialized. Upon receiving the power-on signal or the reset signal, the processing unit 150 will execute the boot block in the boot module 120, thereby initializing the memory unit 110 and the system control unit 160. After the memory unit 110 is initialized, the system firmware in the boot module 120 is loaded into the memory unit 110 to perform POST.

When the electronic device 100 detects that a button is enabled through the embedded controller 130 during the execution of the booting process, the embedded controller 130 stores the state enabled record corresponding to the enabled button to the temporary storage area. 131. Then, the state enabled record stored in the temporary storage area 131 can be mapped to the memory unit 110 through the embedded controller 130 or the booting module 120, and the mapped state is read from the memory unit 110 by using the booting module 120. It can be recorded to perform the status-enabled recording of the corresponding function.

An additional embodiment will be described below to detail the steps of the method of performing the button function. 2 is a flow chart of a method of performing a button function according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 simultaneously, in step S205, a boot signal is received to execute a boot process. For example, when the power button is enabled, the power button transmits a power-on signal to the processing unit 150, so that the processing unit 150 drives the power-on module 120 to execute the boot process.

During the execution of the booting process, as shown in step S210, when the embedded controller 130 detects that the key of the keyboard is enabled, the state enabled record corresponding to the enabled button is stored in the temporary storage area 131.

Next, in step S215, the state enabled record stored in the temporary storage area 131 is mapped to the memory unit 110. For example, the data in the temporary storage area 131 (eg, including the state enabled recording) may be mapped into the memory unit 110 by the embedded controller 130 or the boot module 120.

Thereafter, in step S220, the mapped state enable record is read from the memory unit 110 to perform a function corresponding to the state enable record. For example, the boot module 120 can automatically read the area of the temporary storage area 131 mapped in the memory unit 110 at a specified time. If there is a status enabled record, the function corresponding to the status enable record is executed. The above specified time is, for example, before the interrupt vector INT 19h is executed, that is, before the operating system is loaded.

For example, when the memory unit 110 has not been initialized, it is assumed that the user presses the button "ESC" during the execution of the boot process. At this time, the embedded controller 130 stores the obtained state-enabled record of the button "ESC" (for example, a scan code) in the temporary storage area 131. After the initialization of the memory unit 110 is completed, the status enable record of the button "ESC" in the temporary storage area 131 can be mapped to the memory unit 110 by the embedded controller 130 or the boot module 120, so that the boot module 120 can directly memorize The state of the button "ESC" is read in the unit 110 to enable recording, and the quick key function corresponding to the button "ESC" is executed. For example, open the BIOS setup options interface.

After the memory unit 110 is initialized, if the user performs a booting procedure, a hotkey such as the button "ESC" is pressed. At this time, the embedded controller 130 also stores the obtained state-enabled record of the button "ESC" in the temporary storage area 131. Thereafter, the state enable record of the button "ESC" in the temporary storage area 131 is mapped to the memory unit 110. Here, you can set it at The boot module 120 maps the temporary storage area 131 to the memory unit 110 before reading the status enable record in the memory unit 110. However, this is merely an example and is not limited thereto.

In addition, after the temporary storage area 131 has stored a set of state enabled records, if the embedded controller 130 detects that other keys in the keyboard 140 are enabled, the last obtained state enabled record can be overwritten. The state that was originally present in the temporary storage area 131 enables the recording to perform the function corresponding to the last enabled button.

The above process is executed in the booting phase, and an embodiment is further described below to explain the steps of the booting method.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a booting method according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 simultaneously, in step S305, the processing unit 150 receives the boot signal to execute the boot module 120.

During the execution of the booting process, as shown in step S310, when the embedded controller 130 detects that the button of the keyboard 140 is enabled, the state enabled record corresponding to the enabled button is stored in the temporary storage area 131. . At this time, the boot module 120 will continue to execute the boot process.

Next, in step S315, the state enabled record stored in the temporary storage area 131 is mapped to the memory unit 110 by the embedded controller 130. Before executing step S315, the boot module 120 first initializes the memory unit 110. The state enable record detected before the memory unit 110 is not initialized is first stored in the temporary storage area 131 of the embedded controller 130. After the memory unit 110 completes initialization, a state can be configured in the memory unit 110. Enable the recording of blocks to map the temporary storage area 131 to the state enablement Recorded area. In addition, the status enable record detected after the memory unit 110 completes initialization is also stored in the temporary storage area 131 of the embedded controller 130.

In addition, in other embodiments, the state enablement record of the temporary storage area 131 may also be mapped to the memory unit 110 by the boot module 120.

Next, in step S320, when the specified time is reached, the boot module 120 checks whether the memory unit 110 has a status enabled record. When the boot process is executed to the specified time, the boot module 120 automatically queries whether there is a status enable record in the memory unit 110. Here, the above specified time is before loading the operating system. Also, one or more specified times can be set before loading the operating system.

In addition, it is also possible to further set a time point before the booting process is executed until the specified time, and step S315 is performed. For example, before the interrupt vector INT 19h is executed (specified time), that is, before the operating system is loaded, the data of the temporary storage area 131 is first mapped to the memory unit 110, and then the memory unit 110 reads whether there is any The mapped state enables the recording.

If there is no state enabled record in the memory unit 110, as shown in step S340, the boot module 120 continues to execute the boot process to load the operating system. On the other hand, if there is a state enabled record in the memory unit, the boot module 120 reads the mapped state enable record from the memory unit 110 as shown in step S325.

Thereafter, in step S330, the boot module 120 can further determine whether the status enable record meets the preset hotkey combination. For example, a hotkey comparison table is stored in the boot module 120, and a plurality of profiles are defined in the hotkey comparison table. A preset hotkey combination with special features. If the status enable record does not match the preset hotkey combination, as shown in step S340, the boot module 120 continues to execute the boot process to load the operating system. On the other hand, if the state enabling record meets the preset hotkey combination, as shown in step S335, the booting module 120 performs the state enabling recording of the corresponding function. For example, the corresponding function is performed according to the hot key comparison table.

In addition, after the above functions are completed, the booting module 120 may continue to execute the booting process to load the operating system or reboot the electronic device 100.

In summary, the state enabled record of the enabled button is stored in the register of the embedded controller, and then the state enabled record of the enabled button is mapped to the memory unit. Accordingly, the user can turn the enable button at any point during the boot phase without waiting for the initialization message to appear on the screen. Moreover, since the state of the enabled button is enabled to be mapped in the memory unit, the memory unit can be directly accessed, thereby speeding up the access.

Although the present invention has been disclosed in the above embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention, and any one of ordinary skill in the art can make some modifications and refinements without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

100‧‧‧Electronic devices

110‧‧‧ memory unit

120‧‧‧Power Module

130‧‧‧ embedded controller

131‧‧‧Scratch area

140‧‧‧ keyboard

150‧‧‧Processing unit

160‧‧‧System Control Unit

S205~S220‧‧‧Methods for performing button functions

S305~S340‧‧‧Starting method steps

1 is a block diagram of an electronic device in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a flow chart of a method of performing a button function according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of a booting method according to an embodiment of the invention.

S205~S220‧‧‧Methods for performing button functions

Claims (10)

A method for performing a button function, which is applicable to an electronic device, the method comprising: receiving a boot signal to execute a boot process; and during detecting the boot process, detecting one of a plurality of buttons of a keyboard is When enabled, storing a state-enabled record corresponding to the enabled button to a temporary storage area; mapping the state-enabled record stored in the temporary storage area to a memory unit; and reading from the memory unit The mapped state enabled record is taken to perform the state enablement recording of the corresponding function. The method for performing a button function as described in claim 1, wherein before the step of storing the state-enabled record stored in the temporary storage area to the memory unit, the method further comprises: initializing the memory unit. The method for performing a button function as described in claim 1, wherein after the step of mapping the state enabled record stored in the temporary storage area to the memory unit, the method further comprises: executing the boot process to the When the time is specified, the memory unit is checked for the presence of the status enable record to read the mapped status enable record from the memory unit, wherein the specified time is before loading a job system. A method for performing a button function as described in claim 3, wherein the step of checking whether the memory unit has the state enables recording After the step, the method further includes: if the state enabling record does not exist in the memory unit, continuing the booting process to load the operating system. The method for performing a button function as described in claim 1, wherein the step of reading the mapped state enabled record from the memory unit further comprises: determining whether the state enabled record meets a preset a hotkey combination; if the state enable record does not conform to the preset hotkey combination, continue to execute the boot process to load the operating system; and if the state enable record conforms to the preset hotkey combination, execute the state Enables the recording of the corresponding function. An electronic device includes: a memory unit; a keyboard including a plurality of buttons; an embedded controller including a temporary storage area, the embedded controller coupled to the keyboard, detecting whether the keys are enabled And a booting module coupled to the embedded controller and the memory unit, respectively, receiving a boot signal through the booting module to execute a booting process; wherein, during execution of the booting process, When the embedded controller detects that one of the keys is enabled, a state-enabled record corresponding to the enabled button is stored in the temporary storage area, and the embedded controller or the booting mode is transmitted through the embedded controller or the booting mode The group maps the state enable record stored in the temporary storage area to the memory unit, and uses the boot module to read the mapped state enable record from the memory unit to perform the status enable record Corresponding function. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the booting module initializes the memory unit, so that the embedded controller or the booting module maps the state enabled record stored in the temporary storage area to the Memory unit. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the booting module further checks whether the memory unit has the status enabling record to read from the memory unit when the booting process is executed for a specified time. The state enabled record is mapped, wherein the specified time is before loading a job system. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein when the state-enabled recording is not present in the memory unit, the booting module continues to execute the booting process to load the operating system. The electronic device of claim 6, wherein the boot module further determines whether the status enable record meets a preset hot key combination, and if the status enable record matches the preset hot key combination, The status module enables the corresponding function to be recorded by the boot module, and if the status enable record does not match the preset hot key combination, the boot module continues to execute the boot process to load the operating system.