TWI489260B - Stand-by management method and related management module and computer system - Google Patents

Description

Standby management method and related standby management module and computer system

The present invention relates to a standby management method and related management apparatus and chipset thereof, and more particularly to a standby management method based on an S1 or S3 state of an Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) and Its associated management device and chipset.

For the purpose of power saving, general computer systems, especially portable computers such as notebook computers, use the Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) standard to manage their power supply. ACPI defines five states, such as S0, S1, S3, S4, and S5. The computer system generally works in the normal state (S0 state), and when the computer system is idle for a period of time, it will enter the more power-saving standby state S1 to S5, where S3 saves power compared to S1, S4 saves power compared to S3, and so on.

The basic input/output system (hereinafter referred to as BIOS) in the current computer system can notify the operating system (OS) to enter the standby state. The user can select the S1 or S3 state as the standby state of the operating system (OS) through the BIOS setting. In other words, the BIOS can notify the OS to enter the S1 or S3 state. In the S3 state, most of the power supply for all devices will be turned off, while in the S1 state, the power supply for all devices will be activated. Therefore, when considering a low power supply, the user usually selects the S3 state as the standby state of the OS. Although the S3 state is more power efficient than the S1 state, the time it takes to return to the normal operating state is relatively long. Regardless of the S1 or S3 state, the screen of the display unit such as the LCD is turned off.

Conventionally, when the computer system is idle for a period of time, the computer system automatically enters a preset standby state to save power. However, when the system is in the standby state of S1 or S3, the display unit will be turned off. If it takes a long time to return to the normal state, if the user needs to watch the screen at this time, the recovery command must be manually performed, for example, click-slip. The mouse waits for the system to return to the normal state from the standby state, which will cause inconvenience to the user.

In view of this, the present invention provides a standby management module that is applied to a computer system. The computer system includes a basic input/output system (BIOS), a graphics module, and a display module, and is operable in an active state and at least in a standby state. The module includes a timing unit and an interrupt generating unit. The timing unit is used to start a time period when it detects that the computer system is idle. The interrupt generation unit is configured to generate an interrupt request to the basic input/output system at the end of the timing period to request preparation for entering a particular state. Wherein, when in a certain state, the computer system enters a standby state, one of the phase-locked loop circuits corresponding to the display module is turned on, the phase-locked loop circuit corresponding to the other unit is turned off, and the drawing module is obtained by a fixed area in a storage unit. A storage screen is displayed on the display module.

The embodiment of the invention further provides a standby management method, which is applicable to a computer system. The computer system has at least one basic input/output system, a drawing module, a display module and a standby management module, and the computer system is operable in a working state and at least in a standby state. The method includes detecting that the computer system is idle and starting a time period under working conditions. Before entering a particular state, an interrupt request is generated to prepare for a particular state. When entering a certain state, the computer system enters a standby state, and keeps one phase-locked loop circuit corresponding to the display module turned on, and turns off the phase-locked loop circuit corresponding to other units. Wherein, in a specific state, the drawing module obtains a storage screen displayed on the display module by a fixed area in a storage unit.

The embodiment of the invention further provides a computer system operable in a working state and at least one standby state, comprising a basic input/output system, a display module, a drawing module and a standby management module. The basic input/output system is used to switch the state of one of the computer systems. The display module provides a display. The drawing module is coupled to the display module for controlling the display module. The standby management module is coupled to the basic input/output system and the drawing module for performing a standby management, and includes a timing unit and an interrupt generating unit. The timing unit is used to start a time period when it detects that the computer system is idle. The interrupt generation unit is configured to generate an interrupt request to the basic input/output system at the end of the timing period to request preparation for entering a particular state. Wherein, when in a certain state, the computer system enters a standby state, one of the display module corresponding to the phase-locked loop circuit is turned on, and the phase-locked loop circuit corresponding to the other unit is turned off. Wherein, in a specific state, the drawing module obtains a storage screen displayed on the display module by a fixed area in a storage unit.

The above method of the present invention can be recorded in physical media through code. When the code is loaded and executed by the machine, the machine becomes the means for practicing the invention.

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

Figure 1 shows a computer system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The computer system 100 can operate in a working state (such as the S0 state of the ACPI standard) and a plurality of standby states (such as the S1 or S3 state of the ACPI standard), and the computer system 100 is normally operated only when operating in the working state. Status, the rest of the standby state is in a sleep state. As shown in FIG. 1 , the computer system 100 includes at least a basic input/output system (hereinafter referred to as BIOS) 110 , a drawing module 120 , a standby management module 130 , and a display module 140 . The BIOS 110 is configured to set the state of the computer system according to the current use situation and the interrupt request, such as a working state (S0 state) or a standby state (S1 or S3 state). The graphics module 120 is coupled to the display module 140 for performing graphics related operations and controlling the display module 140, and displaying the operation results on the display module 140 (eg, a liquid crystal display). At the same time, the drawing module 120 continuously stores the current operation screen on the display module 140 on a fixed area (for example, a buffer) of a storage unit (not shown). In other words, the information of the stored operating picture can be obtained from this fixed area.

The standby management module 130 is coupled to the BIOS 110 and the graphics module 120 for performing the standby management method according to the present invention.

The standby management module 130 includes at least a timing unit 131, an interrupt generating unit 132, a state setting unit 133, a blocking access unit 134, a conflict determining unit 135, and a drawing mode control unit 136. The timing unit 131 is used to detect whether the computer system is idle. When the timing unit 131 detects that the computer system 100 is idle, it starts a time period. In one embodiment, the timing unit 131 is a countdown timer, and the countdown timer has an initial value that can be set in the BIOS 110. The countdown timer will count down from the initial value to 0 and continue to count down to 0 when the computer system is idle. If the timer 131 detects any wake event or action in the computer system during the counting process, the timer will reset to the initial value and recount. When the timeout is over, for example, the countdown to 0 means that the computer system has been idle for a long time. The interrupt generation unit 132 generates an interrupt request to the BIOS 110 at the end of the timing period of the timing unit 131, for example, to count down to 0 to request preparation for entering a particular state.

In an embodiment, the specific state is related to the S1 state of the ACPI standard, wherein, when in a specific state: (1) the computer system enters a standby state (S1 state); (2) the drawing module 120 is in a snapshot (snapshot) (3) In the computer system, except for the phase lock loop (PLL) associated with the display module 140, the other system PLLs will be turned off; (4) the rest of the computer system Peripheral devices will enter their corresponding low-power saving mode, which is the most power-saving mode. When the drawing module 120 is in the snapshot mode, the stored operation screen is obtained from the fixed area in the storage unit and continuously displayed on the display module 140, that is, the stored operation screen is always displayed on the display module 140. In one embodiment, in this particular state, computer system 100 enters standby state S1 and uses display module 140 to display the last stored last frame.

The state setting unit 133 is coupled to the timing unit 131 and the drawing module 120 for providing a state setting value corresponding to a specific state. After the interrupt generating unit 132 generates an interrupt request, the state setting unit 133 sets the state setting. The value is such that the BIOS is ready to handle the interrupt request to enter a particular state. The BIOS 110 determines whether or not to enter a specific state based on the state setting value recorded in the state setting unit 133. The status setting value is a reference value for entering a specific state. For example, if the state set value is equal to the first set value (eg, equal to 1), it indicates that a particular state is to be entered. If the state set value is not equal to the first set value (for example, equal to 0), it means that the specific state is not entered. The drawing module 120 will refer to the state setting value to determine whether to set the snapshot mode and whether to close the PLL associated with the display module 140. If the state setting value is 1, the graphics module 120 will set the snapshot mode and the PLL associated with the display module 140 remains enabled. In other words, when in a particular state, the PLL will be turned off except that the PLL associated with display module 140 remains on. The drawing mode control unit 136 can be used to perform related operations of setting the drawing module 120 in the snapshot mode.

The block entry unit 134 has a register for storing a block entry flag indicating that access to a particular state is prohibited, for example, its initial value is 0. When a predefined block entry event occurs, the block entry unit 134 is set to block entry. The flag (for example, the block entry flag is set to 1) to prohibit entry into a particular state. Before the BIOS 110 receives an interrupt request to enter a particular state, it will first decide whether to enter a particular state based on the block entry flag in the block entry unit 134. When the block entry flag is set, indicating that a blocking entry event has occurred, the BIOS 110 will ignore the interrupt request and resume a working state of the computer system (eg, return to the S0 state). When the block entry flag is not set, the BIOS 110 will cause the computer system 100 to enter the standby state S1 and display the last stored operation screen by the display module 140 in accordance with the interrupt request to enter the specific state.

The conflict judging unit 135 is configured to determine whether the received wake up event is a predetermined wake event in a specific state, so as to avoid a conflict. For example, a given wake-up event may be triggered by a request to switch to another standby state, such as switching to the S3 state, such as triggered by an action of a laptop or by pressing a particular button on computer system 100. It is triggered by a power button or a sleep button, but is not limited to this. When a predetermined wake-up event occurs, the conflict judging unit 135 delays the predetermined wake-up event by a predetermined time and issues a false wake up event to the BIOS 110, and waits until the BIOS 110 processes the fake wake-up event. The intended wake event is to BIOS 110. The fake wake-up event may be a wake-up event in a standard S1 state, such as pressing any key event on the computer system 100. Therefore, the conflict determination unit 135 can issue a false wake-up event, such as pressing an event of any key, to the BIOS 110 to restore it from the specific state to the active state S0.

Figure 2 shows a flow chart of a standby management method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1 at the same time, in the embodiment, it is assumed that the computer system 100 is a notebook computer and operates in an active state (S0 state), and the timing unit 131 is a countdown timer and has an initial value. When the computer system 100 is in a specific state: (1) the computer system enters a standby state (S1 state); (2) the drawing module 120 is in a snapshot mode; (3) the PLL remains in the computer system in addition to the display module 140 When turned on, other system PLLs will be turned off; (4) The remaining peripheral devices in the computer system will enter their corresponding low-power saving mode, which is the most power-saving mode.

First, in step S210, in the working state, the computer system is not used and starts to be idle, so that the standby management module 130 detects that the computer system is idle, and uses the timing unit 131 to start a time period. When the computer system continues to be idle, in one embodiment, the timer is counted down from the initial value to 0. In step S220, if the timer counts down to 0, the timeout period expires, indicating that the idle time is long enough. Thus, the graphics module 120 will be triggered to enter the snapshot mode. At this point, the PLL circuit of all devices of the computer system is still turned on. Then, the standby management module 130 sets the drawing module 120 in the snapshot mode by using the drawing mode control unit 136. Next, in step S230, it is determined whether the timer is reset. In one embodiment, the timer is still 0, indicating that the timer has not been reset. When the timer is reset (YES in step S230), the flow returns to step S210 to restart a counting period. When the timer has not been reset (NO in step S230), in step S240, ready to enter a specific state, the interrupt generating unit 132 generates an interrupt request to the BIOS 110 to request preparation for entering a specific state.

In step S250, the standby management module 130 sets the state setting value of the state setting unit 133. In one embodiment, the state setting value is set to 1, and the BIOS 110 is ready to process the interrupt request to enter the specific state. Note that if any of the predefined blocked entry events occur, the block entry unit 134 sets a block entry flag. In one embodiment, the set block entry flag is set to 1, indicating that entry into the particular state is prohibited. Therefore, before the BIOS 110 receives an interrupt request to enter a particular state, it will first decide whether to enter a particular state based on the block entry flag in the block entry unit 134. Then, as in step S260, it is judged whether any blocking entry event has occurred. If so, in step S270, the block entry unit 134 sets a block entry flag, indicating that entry into a particular state is prohibited. Since the blocking entry flag is set, indicating that the blocking entry event occurs, the BIOS 110 will ignore the interrupt request and resume the working state of the computer system (S0 state), and the process ends. Therefore, the computer system is still in the working state (S0 state), and all the phase-locked loop circuits of the system are still open.

On the other hand, if there is no blocking entry event (NO in step S260), the blocking entry flag in the blocking access unit 134 is not set. In step S280, the BIOS 110 will cause the computer system 100 to enter standby according to the interrupt request to enter the specific state. State S1 and display of the stored operation screen (e.g., the last stored operation screen) is displayed by display module 140. At this time, the computer system only keeps the PLL associated with the display module 140 open, the other PLLs are turned off, and the remaining peripheral devices in the computer system will enter their corresponding low power consumption mode.

In step S280, since the PLL related to the display module 140 is still on and the drawing module 120 is in a snapshot mode, the drawing module 120 will obtain the stored operation screen from the fixed area in the storage unit and continuously display the stored operation screen in the display mode. On group 140, the system enters the standby state at the same time. In an embodiment, the last stored operation screen will always be displayed on the display module 140.

When the computer system enters a specific state, a wake-up event can be used to restore the state of the system from a specific state back to a working state. In general, when certain established wake-up events are triggered, the computer system enters a deeper sleep state (eg, the S3 state). However, according to the present invention, when a predetermined wake-up event is triggered, it may be mistaken for a general wake-up event. Wake up, which will confuse the user. Therefore, these events must be treated extra. For example, a given wake-up event is triggered by an action of a laptop or by an action of pressing a particular button, such as a power or sleep button, but is not limited thereto.

Figure 3 shows a flow chart of another power management method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Assume that the computer system 100 is now in a particular state. In step S310, it is first determined whether any wake-up event is detected. When no wake-up event is detected, the detection of step S310 is continued. When any wake-up event is detected, as in step S320, it is then determined whether the detected wake-up event is a predetermined wake-up event. For example, a given wake-up event is triggered by an action of a laptop or by an action of pressing a particular button, such as a power or sleep button, but is not limited thereto.

If the detected wakeup event is one of the predetermined wakeup events (for example, pressing the power button event) (YES in step S320), in step S330, the computer system returns from the specific state to the working state (S0 state), and the conflict is judged. Unit 135 delays the scheduled wake event by a predetermined time and issues a fake wake event to BIOS 110. For example, a fake wake-up event can be a wake-up event in a standard S1 state, such as pressing any key event on computer system 100. Then, in step S340, the BIOS 110 will receive the fake wake-up event and process the received false wake-up event while clearing the state set value in the state setting unit 133, for example, clearing all state set values to zero. After the BIOS 110 processes the fake wake-up event, in step S350, the conflict determination unit 135 re-issues a true predetermined wake-up event to the BIOS 110. Then, in step S360, the BIOS 110 receives the subsequent actual wake-up event that is subsequently issued, and then performs normal operations related to the predetermined wake-up event, such as switching the computer system to another standby state (such as the S3 state).

When the wakeup event is not a predetermined wakeup event (NO in step S320), in step S370, the computer system returns from the specific state to the active state (S0 state). Next, in step S380, the BIOS performs an operation of the corresponding wake-up event, and clears the state setting value in the state setting unit 133 for subsequent use.

In summary, the anti-correlation management module and the computer system according to the standby management method of the present invention can automatically enter a specific state after the system is idle for more than a predetermined period of time, so as to turn off the necessary circuits required for display unit display. The external hardware circuit is set to a low power consumption state, and the last screen can be continuously displayed on the display screen at the same time. The whole process is automatically judged by the hardware circuit, and the user can be reached without the intervention of the user. The purpose of electricity can also increase the convenience of the user.

The method of the present invention, or a specific type or part thereof, may be included in a physical medium such as a floppy disk, a compact disc, a hard disk, or any other machine (for example, a computer readable computer). A storage medium in which, when the code is loaded and executed by a machine, such as a computer, the machine becomes a device for participating in the present invention. The method and apparatus of the present invention can also be transmitted in a code format through some transmission medium such as a wire or cable, an optical fiber, or any transmission type, wherein the code is received, loaded, and executed by a machine such as a computer. At this time, the machine becomes a device for participating in the present invention. When implemented in a general purpose processor, the code in conjunction with the processor provides a unique means of operation similar to application specific logic.

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

100. . . computer system

110. . . BIOS

120. . . Drawing module

130. . . Standby management module

131. . . Timing unit

132. . . Interrupt generation unit

133. . . Status setting unit

134. . . Block access unit

135. . . Conflict judgment unit

136. . . Drawing mode control unit

140. . . Display module

S210-S280. . . Steps

S310-S380. . . Steps

Figure 1 shows a computer system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a flow chart showing a standby management method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a flow chart showing another standby management method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

S210-S280. . . Steps.

Claims (22)

A standby management module is applied to a computer system including a basic input/output system (BIOS), a drawing module, and a display module, and is operable in a working state and At least one standby state, the module includes: a timing unit for detecting a time period when the computer system is idle; and an interrupt generating unit for generating an interrupt request at the end of the time period Up to the basic input/output system is required to prepare to enter a specific state; wherein, in the specific state, the computer system enters a first standby state, and the display module corresponds to one of the phase-locked loop circuits, except the display module All the other units are connected to the phase-locked loop circuit, and the drawing module obtains a storage screen displayed on the display module by a fixed area in the storage unit, wherein the storage screen is the storage unit entering the computer system. The last stored operation screen before the first standby state, wherein in the specific state, a corresponding wake-up event is caused The state of the computer system for the recovery of the operational state, wherein the predetermined wake-up event by the switching system from the specific requirements of a second state to the standby state is triggered. The standby management module of claim 1, wherein the timing unit is a countdown timer, the countdown timer has an initial value, and the countdown timer is detected when any wake event or action is detected. Reset back to this initial value to recount. The standby management module of claim 1, further comprising a state setting unit coupled to the timing unit and the drawing module. After the interrupt generation unit generates the interrupt request, a state setting value corresponding to one of the specific states is provided. The standby management module of claim 3, wherein the drawing module further determines, according to the state setting value provided by the state setting unit, whether the graphics module is set in a snapshot mode and whether the display module is enabled. Corresponding to the phase-locked loop circuit. The standby management module of claim 1, further comprising a blocking access unit, wherein when a blocking entry event occurs, the blocking access unit sets a blocking entry flag to prohibit entry into the specific state. The standby management module according to claim 5, wherein the basic input/output system further determines whether to enter the specific state according to the blocking entry flag, and when the blocking entry flag is set, the basic input and output The system ignores the interrupt request, restores the working state of the computer system, and when the blocking access flag is not set, the basic input/output system according to the interrupt request causes the computer system to enter the first standby state and utilize the The display module displays the storage screen. The standby management module of claim 1, wherein the standby management module further causes a wake-up event in the specific state to cause the state of the computer system to return to the working state. The standby management module of claim 7, wherein the standby management module further determines whether the wakeup event is the predetermined wakeup event, and if not, restores the state of the computer system back to the specific state. The operating state and transmitting the wake-up event to the basic input-output system causes the basic input-output system to clear a state set value and execute a corresponding processing procedure for the wake-up event. The standby management module of claim 8, wherein if the wakeup event is the predetermined wakeup event, the standby management module delays the predetermined wakeup event and generates a fake wakeup event to the basic input and output. a system, causing the basic input/output system to clear the state set value according to the false wake event, and transmitting the delayed wake event to the basic input output system, causing the basic input output system to execute a corresponding program corresponding to the predetermined wake event . The standby management module of claim 9, further comprising a conflict determination unit, wherein when the wakeup event is the predetermined wakeup event, the conflict determination unit delays the predetermined wakeup event for a predetermined time and issues the A fake wake-up event is sent to the basic input-output system, and after the basic input-output system processes the false wake-up event, the predetermined wake-up event is sent to the basic input-output system. The standby management module of claim 9, wherein the computer system is a notebook computer, and the predetermined wake-up event is caused by the action of the notebook or by pressing a specific on the computer system. Triggered by the button. A standby management method is applicable to a computer system, wherein the computer system has at least one basic input/output system, a drawing module, a display module, and a standby management module, and the computer system is operable in a working state and at least In a standby state, the method includes: detecting, in the working state, that the computer system is idle, starting a time period; before entering a specific state, generating an interrupt request to prepare to request to enter the specific state; When entering the specific state, the computer system enters a first standby state, and maintains one phase-locked loop circuit corresponding to the display module to be turned on, and turns off the phase-locked loop circuit corresponding to all other units except the display module; And in the particular state, utilizing a predetermined wake event to restore the state of the computer system to the active state; wherein the predetermined wake event is triggered by a request to switch from the particular state to a second standby state, The drawing module is configured to display a storage screen on the display module by a fixed area in a storage unit, wherein the storage screen is the storage unit entering the first standby state in the computer system. The last saved operation screen. The standby management method according to claim 12, further comprising: determining, after the end of the time period, whether to enter the specific state according to a state setting value in the standby management module; determining whether there is a blocking entry event Occurs; and when the blocking entry event occurs, a blocking entry flag is set to prohibit entry into the particular state. The standby management method of claim 13, wherein the step of determining whether to enter the specific state further comprises: when the blocked entry flag is set, ignoring the interrupt request, and restoring the work of the computer system. status. The method of standby management according to claim 14, wherein the step of determining whether to enter the specific state further comprises: When the blocking entry flag is not set, the computer system is caused to enter the first standby state according to the interrupt request; and the storage screen is displayed by using the display module. The standby management method of claim 15, further comprising: utilizing a wakeup event in the specific state to restore the state of the computer system to the working state. The standby management method of claim 16, further comprising: determining whether the wakeup event is the predetermined wakeup event; if not, restoring the state of the computer system from the specific state back to the working state; The wake-up event is transmitted to the basic input-output system, causing the basic input-output system to clear a state set value and execute a corresponding processing procedure for the wake-up event. The standby management method of claim 17, further comprising: delaying the wakeup event when the wakeup event is the predetermined wakeup event, and generating a fake wakeup event to the basic input/output system; the basic input and output The system causes the basic input/output system to clear the state set value according to the false wake event; and transmit the delayed wake event to the basic input output system, causing the basic input output system to execute a corresponding processing procedure of the wake event. The standby management method as described in claim 12, wherein The second standby state is a standby state deeper than the first standby state. The standby management method of claim 17, wherein the predetermined wake-up event is triggered by pressing a specific button on the computer system. The standby management method according to claim 20, wherein the specific button is a power button or a sleep button. A computer system operable in a working state and at least one standby state, comprising: a basic input/output system for switching a state of the computer system; a display module providing a display; and a drawing module coupled The display module is configured to control the display module; and a standby management module is coupled to the basic input/output system and the drawing module for performing a standby management, which includes: a timing unit, Starting to detect that the computer system is idle, starting a time period; and an interrupt generating unit for generating an interrupt request to the basic input/output system at the end of the time period to request preparation for entering a specific state; In the specific state, the computer system enters a first standby state, and the display module corresponds to one of the phase-locked loop circuits, and the phase-locked loop circuit corresponding to all other units except the display module is closed. In a specific state, the drawing module obtains a storage screen displayed on the display module by a fixed area in a storage unit, wherein Storing into the first standby screen to the computer system that storage unit The last stored operation screen before the state, in the specific state, corresponding to a predetermined wake-up event, causing the state of the computer system to return to the working state, wherein the predetermined wake-up event is switched from the specific state to the second state Triggered by the requirement of the standby state.