TWI575364B - Power control system, computer system and method for power control - Google Patents

Description

Power control system, computer system and power control method

The invention relates to a power control system and method, in particular to a power control system, a computer system and a power control method for a computer system.

Conventional power systems use a power supply to provide power to the motherboard, processor, and graphics card of a computer system. When the power supply is damaged or the output power is reduced, the computer system is damaged and cannot operate. In order to improve the display performance, today's computer systems often use multiple display cards for collaborative computing, such as SLI (Scalable Link Interface) or Crossfire multi-display card collaborative computing technology. At this time, multiple displays Cards have a lot of power requirements, and computer systems need to be paired with a high-power power supply. However, the price of high-power power supplies is very high, resulting in increased purchase costs of computer systems.

For example, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a conventional computer system. As shown, the computer system 10 includes a power supply unit (PSU) 11, a motherboard (MB, MainBoard) 13, and a processing unit. (CPU) 15, display cards (VGA) 171, 173, 175 and display (LCD) 1711.

The display card 171 is connected to the display 1711, and the display cards 171, 173, and 175 perform cooperative operations using techniques such as SLI or Crossfire, and output the result of the cooperative operation to the display 1711 via the display card 171. It has been verified that the performance of collaborative computing by multiple display cards can be greatly improved compared to a single display card, thereby improving the display performance of the computer system. The display cards 171, 173 and 175 are respectively connected to the power supply 11, and the power supply 11 supplies the power required for the operation of the display cards 171, 173 and 175. The motherboard 13 is connected to a power supply 11 which provides power required for the motherboard 13 and the processor 15 to operate.

Since the power required for the cooperative operation using the three display cards 171, 173, and 175 is extremely high, the power supply 11 must have a large output power, and the high-power power supply is very expensive, so Significantly increase the cost of manufacturing or purchasing computer systems. In addition, when the power supply 11 is damaged or the output power is lowered, the computer system is damaged and cannot be operated.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a power control system, a computer system, and a power control method. The control module is connected to a plurality of power supplies and can control the power of the power supplies to output to the control module. In a computer system such as an electronic device (such as a plurality of display cards, a motherboard, a processor, etc.), the problem that an electronic device (such as a computer system) cannot be operated due to damage of a single power supply can be solved. And the low-power, low-power power supply can achieve the power that an expensive high-power power supply can provide, greatly reducing the cost of the system.

A secondary object of the present invention is to provide a power control system, a computer system, and a power control method, by providing a control module that can control the power supplies to perform alternate operations and extend the single power supply through alternate operations. The life of the supply, which is also suitable when the electronic device (such as a computer system) is in a low load state, the power consumed is low and the power supply is not required for all power supplies.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a power control system, a computer system, and a power control method. The control module can send a signal to turn off some components of the electronic device (such as a partial display card) or reduce the electronic device by setting a control module. The operating frequency of some components of the device (such as part of the display card), or can send signals to the motherboard to reduce the operating frequency of the processor to reduce the power requirements of the computer system and maintain the normal operation of the electronic device (such as a computer system). Especially suitable for the case of partial power supply damage.

In order to achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a power control system including a control module and a plurality of power supplies respectively connected to the control module, and the power supplies can be used to supply power to the control module. The control module has a controller that includes a control mode data, such as a power control data and a power consumption data. The controller of the control module can provide an output power according to the power control data control in the control mode data, and the output The power is used to provide power to the electronic device, and the power consumption data of the control mode data can record the power consumption of the electronic device. In this embodiment, by providing a plurality of power supplies, the problem that an electronic device such as a computer system cannot be operated due to damage of a single power supply is avoided. .

In another embodiment of the invention, the control module is integrated with one of the power supplies, for example, the control module is disposed inside one of the power supplies.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the controller of the control module is configured to send a signal to the electronic device according to the power control data in the control mode data to turn off part of the electronic device or reduce the operating frequency of the component. Thus, by controlling the closing or lowering the operating frequency of the component, the present embodiment is suitable for the case where the power consumed by the electronic device, such as the computer system, is low, and the power is not required to be supplied by all the power supplies, and It is especially suitable for the case where part of the power supply is damaged; moreover, by such closing or lowering operation, the multiple power supplies can be controlled to operate alternately, and the alternate operation can provide the possibility of extending the life of the single power supply.

Based on the above power control system, the present invention also provides a computer system having the power control system.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the computer system further includes at least one display card respectively connected to the control module for respectively receiving output power and a signal output by the control module; wherein, the control module controls The device sends a signal to the display card according to the power control data in the control mode data to turn off part of the display card or reduce the operating frequency of some of the display cards.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the computer system further includes a motherboard and a processor, wherein the motherboard is connected to the control module for respectively receiving output power and a signal output by the control module, and the processor The motherboard is connected to receive the signal outputted by the motherboard and receive the output power output from the control module to the motherboard. The controller of the control module sends a signal to the motherboard according to the power control data in the control mode data, and the motherboard sends a signal to the processor to reduce the operating frequency of the processor.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the computer system further includes a motherboard connected to the control module and at least one display card, wherein the motherboard is configured to respectively receive output power and a signal output by the control module, and the display card respectively Connecting the motherboard and the control module for receiving the output signal of the motherboard and the output power of the control module output; wherein the controller of the control module is controlled according to the control The power control data in the system mode sends a signal to the motherboard, and the motherboard sends a signal to the display card to turn off part of the display card or reduce the operating frequency of some of the display cards.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the computer system further includes a processor respectively connected to the motherboard and the control module, configured to receive the signal output by the motherboard and the output power output by the control module to the motherboard; The controller of the control module sends a signal to the motherboard according to the power control data in the control mode data, and the motherboard sends a signal to the processor to reduce the operating frequency of the processor.

In another embodiment of the present invention, wherein the computer system includes at least one of a plurality of display cards, a motherboard, and a processor, the power consumption data in the control mode data of the controller stores the power consumption of the at least one component. The controller controls the power and signals according to the power control data and the power consumption data stored in the control mode data.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the computer system further includes a display, and the display is connected to one of the plurality of display cards, and the controller of the control module sends a signal to turn off some or all of the display cards of the unconnected display, or reduce the part. Or the operating frequency of the display card that is not connected to the display.

Based on the above power control system, the present invention also provides a power control method including a power supply step, a control display card step, and a turn-off frequency step. In the power supply step, a plurality of power supply powers are provided for a control module; in the step of controlling the display card, one of the control modules integrates the power provided by the power supply, and outputs the adjusted output power. Giving at least one display card, wherein one of the display cards is connected to a display; in the step of turning off the frequency, the controller of the control module sends a signal to turn off some or all of the display cards of the unconnected display, or reduce some or all of the unconnected displays The working frequency of the display card.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the power control method further includes: the control module outputs the output power to a motherboard. At this time, in the step of shutting down the frequency, the controller of the control module sends a signal to the motherboard, and the motherboard sends a signal to the display card to turn off some or all of the display cards of the unconnected display, or reduce some or all of the unconnected The operating frequency of the display card of the display.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the power control method further includes: the control module outputs the output power to a processor. At this time, the step of shutting down the frequency further includes: the controller of the control module sends a signal to the motherboard, and the motherboard sends a signal to the processor to reduce the work of the processor. Frequency.

10‧‧‧ computer system

11‧‧‧Power supply

13‧‧‧ motherboard

15‧‧‧ processor

171‧‧‧ display card

1711‧‧‧ display

173‧‧‧ display card

175‧‧‧ display card

20‧‧‧ computer system

211‧‧‧First power supply

213‧‧‧Second power supply

23‧‧‧Control Module

231‧‧‧Power output

233‧‧‧ signal output

235‧‧‧ Controller

2351‧‧‧Control mode data

23511‧‧‧Power Control Information

23513‧‧‧Power consumption data

25‧‧‧ motherboard

27‧‧‧ Processor

291‧‧‧ display card

2911‧‧‧Display

293‧‧‧ display card

295‧‧‧ display card

30‧‧‧ computer system

40‧‧‧ computer system

41‧‧‧First power supply

411‧‧‧Control Module

4111‧‧‧Power output

4113‧‧‧ signal output

4115‧‧‧ Controller

41151‧‧‧Control mode data

41153‧‧‧Power Control Information

41155‧‧‧Power consumption data

50‧‧‧ computer system

Figure 1: Schematic diagram of the structure of a conventional computer system.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing the construction of an embodiment of the computer system of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a schematic view showing the construction of another embodiment of the computer system of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view showing the configuration of still another embodiment of the computer system of the present invention.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view showing the configuration of still another embodiment of the computer system of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a flow chart showing an embodiment of the power control method of the present invention.

Figure 7 is a flow chart showing another embodiment of the power control method of the present invention.

The present invention will be fully understood by the following examples, so that those skilled in the art can implement it. However, a power control system and related methods for controlling the power supply of electronic equipment proposed in the present case are better understood. The following is an example of an electronic device computer system, and the present invention is further illustrated and explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those skilled in the art can implement the power control system of the present invention on other electronic devices, such as a computer controlled robot. CNC equipment, etc. The implementation of this case may not be limited by its implementation form. Where the same reference numerals always represent the same components.

Please refer to FIG. 2, which is a schematic structural view of an embodiment of the computer system of the present invention. As shown, the computer system 20 includes a power control system and a motherboard 25, a processor 27, and a plurality of display cards 291, 293, 295 (the illustrated embodiment is three display cards, although the number of other embodiments may not be limited This) and display 2911. The power control system includes a plurality of power supplies 211, 213 and a control module 23, and for convenience of the following description, the present embodiment takes two power supplies as an example (the number of power supplies in other embodiments is not limited). Two), one of which is referred to as a first power supply 211, and the other or other is referred to as a second power supply 213, and the control module 23 is electrically connected to the motherboard 25 of the computer system 20, the processor 27 And display cards 291, 293, 295. The control module 23 has a controller 235, a power output terminal 231 and a signal output terminal 233. The controller 235 has a control mode data 2351. The control mode data 2351 includes a power control data 23511 and a power consumption data 23513.

The first power supply 211 and the second power supply 213 are respectively connected to the control module 23, and the first power supply 211 and the second power supply 213 can provide power to the control module 23, and the controller 235 of the control module 23 The control mode data 2351 includes a power control data 23511 and a power consumption data 23513. The controller 235 can control the first power supply 211 according to the power control data 23511 stored in the control mode data 2351. The second power supply 213 provides the output power, and outputs the output power of the controlled tube via the power output terminal 231, and the controller 235 can output a control signal via the signal according to the power control data 23511 stored in the control mode data 2351. The terminal 233 is output to the motherboard 25 and the display cards 291, 293, 295. The motherboard 25 is connected to the power output terminal 231 and the signal output terminal 233 of the control module 23. The motherboard 25 can receive the power and signals output by the control module 23, the processor 27 is connected to the motherboard 25, and the processor 27 can receive the host. The signal outputted by the board 25 and the power outputted by the control module 23 are displayed. The display cards 291, 293 and 295 are respectively connected to the power output end 231 and the signal output end 233 of the control module 23, and can respectively receive the output of the control module 23. Electricity and signals.

When the computer system performs a large number of operations and operates under high load, the controller 235 can control according to the power control data 23511 stored in the control mode data 2351, and combine the powers of the first power supply 211 and the second power supply 213. The controlled power is output to the motherboard 25, the processor 27, and the display cards 291, 293, 295 via the power output terminal 231 for operation thereof. Because the high-power power supply on the market is expensive, at the same power demand, the power is output by a combination of multiple low-power power supplies, and the cost is much lower than the price of a single high-power power supply. At the same time, users can also use the old power supply on the computer to avoid the waste of resources and cost.

When the computer system operates under a low load state and the power consumption is low without all the power supplies providing power, the controller 235 can control according to the power control data 23511 stored in the control mode data 2351, and causes the A power supply 211 and a second power supply 213 are alternately operated. The first power supply 211 separately supplies the required power of the components in the computer system, and the other power supply 213 is used in another part of the time period. The power required for the components in the computer system is provided separately, and the life of the power supply can be extended by alternate operation.

When one of the first power supply 211 and the second power supply 213 is damaged to cause the supply power to drop, the controller 235 of the control module 23 can control according to the power control data 23511 stored in the control mode data 2351. The signal output terminal 233 sends a signal to close the display card 293 and/or 295 of the unconnected display, or reduces the operating frequency of the display cards 291, 293 and/or 295, or can send a signal to the motherboard 25, and the motherboard 25 sends a signal again. The processor 27 is provided to reduce the operating frequency of the processor 27, thereby reducing the power requirements of the operation of the computer system so that the computer system can still operate normally when some of the power supplies are damaged.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the control mode data 2351 of the controller 235 can store the power consumption data 23513 of the motherboard 25, the processor 27, and the display cards 291, 293, 295, and the user can access the Internet or A storage medium such as a disc or a flash drive to update the power consumption of all devices or components of these computer systems.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which is a schematic structural view of another embodiment of the computer system of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the power control system of the computer system 30 also includes a first power supply 211, a second power supply 213, and a control module 23. The control module 23 can be electrically connected to the motherboard 25 of the computer system 30. The processor 27, the display cards 291, 293, 295 and the display 2911. The control module 23 has a controller 235, a power output terminal 231 and a signal output terminal 233. The controller 235 has a control mode data 2351. The control mode data 2351 includes a power control data 23511 and a power consumption data 23513.

The difference from the foregoing embodiment of FIG. 2 is that the signal output terminal 233 of the controller 235 is electrically connected to the motherboard 25, and then the motherboard 25 is electrically connected to the display cards 291, 293, and 295, instead of being controlled. The signal output terminal 233 of the 235 is directly electrically connected to each of the display cards 291, 293, and 295.

When the computer system is operated under a high load state or a low load state, the controller 235 can control one of the power control data 23511 according to the control mode data 2351, and the first power supply 211 and the second power supply 213 are controlled. The power is merged or alternately operated, and the controlled power is output to the motherboard 25, the processor 27, and the display via the power output terminal 231. Cards 291, 293, 295 are for operation. In this way, it can also avoid the waste of capital, save the purchase cost and extend the power supply.

When one of the first power supply 211 and the second power supply 213 is damaged to cause the supply power to drop, the controller 235 of the control module 23 can control according to the power control data 23511 stored in the control mode data 2351. The signal output terminal 233 sends a signal to the motherboard 25, and the motherboard 25 sends a signal to the processor 27 and/or the display card 291, 293, 295 to turn off the display card 293 and/or 295 of the unconnected display, or reduce the display card. The operating frequencies of 291, 293 and/or 295, and/or the reduced operating frequency of the processor 27, thereby reducing the power requirements of the operation of the computer system, so that when some of the power supplies are damaged, the computer system can still maintain normal operation.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which is a schematic structural view of still another embodiment of the computer system of the present invention. As shown, the power control system of the computer system 40 includes a first power supply 41 and a second power supply 213. The first power supply 41 can be electrically connected to the motherboard 25 of the computer system 40 and the display card. 291, 293, 295. The first power supply unit 41 has a control module 411. The control module 411 has a controller 4115, a power output terminal 4111 and a signal output terminal 4113. The controller 4115 has a control mode data 41151 and a control mode data 41151. A power control data 41153 and a power consumption data 41155 are included.

The difference from the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is that the control module 411 of the embodiment is disposed inside the first power supply 41, and the second power supply 213 is connected to the first power supply through the transmission line. The control module 411 in the device 41, and thus the first power supply 41 and the second power supply 213 can provide power to the control module 411. In this embodiment, the first power supply 41 is provided with the control module 411 itself, so that a separate interface card or device is not needed as the control module, thereby reducing the complexity of the computer system device and reducing the complexity. The production cost of the power control system of the present invention. When high power demand is achieved, multiple low-power power supplies combine to combine output power. When low-power demand is required, alternate operation to extend the life of the power supply, and when some power supply is damaged, maintain the normal operation of the computer system. efficacy.

Please refer to FIG. 5, which is a schematic structural view of still another embodiment of the computer system of the present invention. The power control system of the computer system 50 includes a first power supply 41 and a second power supply. The first power supply 41 can also be electrically connected to the motherboard 25, the display cards 291, 293, 295 and the display 2911. The first power supply unit 41 has a control module 411. The control module 411 has a controller 4115, a power output terminal 4111 and a signal output terminal 4113. The controller 4115 has a control mode data 41151 and a control mode data 41151. A power control data 41153 and a power consumption data 41155 are included.

The difference from the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 is that the control module 411 of the embodiment is disposed inside the first power supply 41, and the second power supply 213 is connected to the first power supply 41 through the transmission line. The internal control module 411, and thus the first power supply 41 and the second power supply 213 can provide power to the control module 411. In this embodiment, the first power supply 41 itself is provided with the control module 411, so that a separate interface card or device is not needed as the control module, thereby reducing the complexity of the computer system equipment.

Please refer to FIG. 6 and FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is a flow chart of an embodiment of the power control method of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in step S601, a first power supply 211 and a second power supply 213 provide power to a control module 23. Next, in step S603, the controller 235 of the control module 23 integrates the power provided by the first power supply 211 and the second power supply 213, and outputs the controlled power to a motherboard 25, a processor 27, and a display. Cards 291, 293, 295, wherein display card 291 is coupled to a display 2911. In step S605, when one of the first power supply 211 and the second power supply 213 is damaged to cause the supply power to drop, the controller 235 sends a signal according to the power control data 23511 stored in the control mode data 2351 to close the The display card 293 and/or 295 of the display 2911 is connected, or the operating frequency of the display cards 291, 293 and/or 295 is lowered, or a signal is sent to the motherboard 25, and the motherboard 25 sends a signal to the processor 27 to lower the processor 27. The working frequency. Therefore, in the case of partial power supply damage, the power demand of the computer system is lowered, so that the computer system can still maintain normal operation.

Please refer to FIG. 7 and FIG. 3, which is a flow chart of an embodiment of the power control method of the present invention. As shown in the figure, in step S701, a first power supply 211 and a second power supply 213 provide power to a control module 23. Next, in step S703, the controller 235 of the control module 23 integrates the power provided by the first power supply 211 and the second power supply 213, and outputs the controlled power to a motherboard 25 and display cards 291, 293, 295, The display card 291 is connected to a display 2911. In step S705, when one of the first power supply 211 and the second power supply 213 is damaged to cause the supply power to drop, the controller 235 sends a signal to the motherboard 25 according to the power control data 23511 stored in the control mode data 2351. The motherboard 25 then sends a signal to the processor 27 and/or the display cards 291, 293, 295 to turn off some of the display cards 293 and/or 295 that are not connected to the display 2911, or to lower the display cards 291, 293 and/or 295. Operating frequency, and/or reducing the operating frequency of processor 27. Therefore, in the case of partial power supply damage, the power demand of the computer system is lowered, so that the computer system can still maintain normal operation.

According to the above, the present case is an invention that has both industrial utilization and novelty and is of great value in the development of industrial technology. However, the above description is only for the embodiments of the present invention, and the scope of the invention is not limited thereto. Equivalent changes and modifications made to the scope of the patent application of the present invention should still fall within the scope of the present invention.

20‧‧‧ computer system

211‧‧‧First power supply

213‧‧‧Second power supply

23‧‧‧Control Module

231‧‧‧Power output

233‧‧‧ signal output

235‧‧‧ Controller

2351‧‧‧Control mode data

23511‧‧‧Power Control Information

23513‧‧‧Power consumption data

25‧‧‧ motherboard

27‧‧‧ Processor

291‧‧‧ display card

2911‧‧‧Display

293‧‧‧ display card

295‧‧‧ display card

Claims (12)

A power control system includes: a control module having a controller, the controller including a control mode data, the control mode data having a power control data and a power consumption data; and a plurality of power supplies, respectively Connecting the control module to provide power to the control module; wherein the controller of the control module provides an output power according to the power control data of the control mode data, and the output power is used for an electronic The device provides power, and the power consumption data of the control mode data stores the power consumption of the electronic device; wherein the controller of the control module is configured to send a signal to the electronic device according to the power control data in the control mode data, To turn off part of the electronic device or reduce the operating frequency of the part. The power control system of claim 1, wherein the control module is integrated with one of the power supplies. A computer system, comprising: the power control system according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the computer system comprises any one or a combination of at least one display card, a motherboard or a processor, when The display module is respectively connected to the control module for respectively receiving the output power and a signal output by the control module; wherein the controller of the control module controls the power according to the control mode data The data is sent to the display cards to turn off one of the display cards or reduce the operating frequency of one of the display cards. A computer system, comprising: the power control system according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the computer system comprises any one or a combination of at least one display card, a motherboard or a processor, when The motherboard and the processor are connected to the control module for respectively receiving the output power and a signal output by the control module; the processor is connected to the motherboard for receiving the motherboard Outputting the signal and receiving the output power output by the control module to the motherboard; wherein the controller of the control module is based on the power control data in the control mode data A signal is sent to the motherboard, which then sends a signal to the processor to reduce the operating frequency of the processor. A computer system, comprising: the power control system according to any one of claims 1-2, wherein the computer system comprises any one or a combination of at least one display card, a motherboard or a processor, when The main board and the at least one display card are connected to the control module for respectively receiving the output power and a signal output by the control module, and the display cards are respectively connected to the motherboard and the control module a group, configured to receive the signal output by the motherboard and the output power output by the control module; wherein the controller of the control module sends a signal to the motherboard according to the power control data in the control mode data, The motherboard then sends a signal to the display cards to close a portion of the display cards or reduce the operating frequency of one of the display cards. The computer system of claim 5, comprising a processor respectively connected to the motherboard for receiving a signal output by the motherboard and outputting the output power of the control module to the motherboard; wherein The controller of the control module sends a signal to the motherboard according to the power control data in the control mode data, and the motherboard sends a signal to the processor to reduce the operating frequency of the processor. The computer system of any one of claims 3-6, wherein the computer system includes the display card, the motherboard, and at least one component of the processor, the power consumption in the control mode data of the controller The data stores the power consumption of the at least one component, and the controller controls the power and the signal according to the power control data and the power consumption data stored in the control mode data. The computer system of claim 3 or 5 or 6, comprising a display connected to one of the display cards, the controller of the control module emitting a signal to turn off the display of some or all of the displays not connected Card, or reduce the operating frequency of some or all of the display cards that are not connected to the display. A power control method includes the following steps: a power supply step of providing power to a plurality of power supplies for a control module; and a step of controlling a display card, wherein a controller of the control module integrates power provided by the power supply devices, And outputting the adjusted output power to the at least one display card, wherein the display cards are One of the steps is connected to a display; and the frequency is turned off, the controller of the control module sends a signal to turn off some or all of the display cards of the unconnected display, or reduce the operating frequency of some or all of the display cards that are not connected to the display. The power control method of claim 9, comprising the steps of: the control module outputting the output power to a motherboard; the step of reducing the frequency is: the controller of the control module sends a signal to the motherboard, The motherboard then sends a signal to the display cards to turn off some or all of the display cards that are not connected to the display, or to reduce the operating frequency of some or all of the display cards that are not connected to the display. The power control method of claim 10, comprising the steps of: the control module outputting the output power to a processor; the step of reducing the frequency further comprises: the controller of the control module sends a signal to the motherboard The motherboard then sends a signal to the processor to reduce the operating frequency of the processor. The power control method of claim 11, wherein the controller has a control mode data, wherein the control mode data stores a power control data and power consumption data of the display card, the motherboard and the processor, and the controller is The power and signal are controlled according to the data stored in the control mode data.