TWI819424B - Method for controlling electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

A method for controlling an electronic device is provided, wherein the electronic device includes a processor, a read only memory (ROM), a Random Access Memory (RAM), an image sensor control circuit, an image signal processor (ISP) and a communications interface circuit. The method may include: in response to the electronic device being powered up, utilizing the processor to execute a first program code in the ROM to initialize the communications interface circuit; transmitting an identification information to an external device through the communications interface circuit; receiving, through the communications interface circuit, a second program code that the external device sends in response to the identification information, for being stored into the RAM; and utilizing the processor to execute the second program code to initialize the image sensor control circuit and the ISP.

Description

Methods for controlling electronic devices

The present invention relates to device control, and in particular, to a method for controlling an electronic device.

According to related technologies, an electronic device can have various functions. However, certain problems may occur. For example, the electronic device may require a considerable storage space to store the firmware code, which wastes the hardware resources of the electronic device. Certain proposals have been made in the related art to try to solve this problem, but may lead to additional problems such as certain side effects. Therefore, a novel method and related architecture are needed to realize compact and reliable electronic devices without side effects or with less possibility of side effects.

One object of the present invention is to provide a method for controlling an electronic device to solve the above problems.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for controlling an electronic device, wherein the electronic device includes a processor, a read-only memory, a random access memory, an image sensor control circuit, and an image signal processor, and a communication interface circuit. The method includes: in response to the electronic device being powered, the processor executes a first program code in the read-only memory to initialize the communication interface circuit; transmits identification information to an external device through the communication interface circuit; The communication interface circuit receives a second program code sent by the external device in response to the identification information to store in the random access memory; and the processor executes the second program code to initialize the image sensor control circuit and the Image signal processor.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a method for controlling an electronic device, wherein the electronic device includes a first processor and a communication interface circuit, and another electronic device includes a second processor and a random access memory. body, an image sensor control circuit and an image signal processor. The method may include: receiving identification information from the other electronic device through the communication interface circuit; in response to the identification information, transmitting at least one program code to the other electronic device through the communication interface circuit to store in the random access The memory causes the second processor to execute the at least one program code to initialize the image sensor control circuit and the image signal processor.

One of the benefits of the present invention is that through a carefully designed control mechanism, the method of the present invention can properly manage the storage of program codes to save storage space and ensure the normal operation of the electronic device. Compared with related technologies, the method of the present invention can realize a compact and reliable electronic device without side effects or with less possibility of side effects.

100,200: Electronic devices

110,210: Processor

120,220: Peripheral circuit

121:Basic Input Output System (BIOS)

122,222: Communication interface circuit

123,223: Random access memory (RAM)

124:Non-volatile storage device (NVSD)

211: Extended Random Access Memory (XRAM)

221: Read-only memory (ROM)

224: Image sensor control (ISC) circuit

225:Image signal processor (ISP)

FW: firmware code

IDI: identification information

INI, IPL, PG: program code

SW: software code

S11~S14,S22,S23,S31~S36,S42,S44,S51~S57,S62,S63,S65: Steps

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the method is applied to the electronic system shown in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the method is applied to the electronic system shown in FIG. 1 .

Figure 4 illustrates implementation details of the method shown in Figure 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 illustrates implementation details of the method shown in Figure 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 illustrates implementation details of the method shown in Figure 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates implementation details of the method shown in FIG. 3 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an electronic system according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the electronic system may include electronic devices 100 and 200. The electronic device 100 may include a processor 110 and a peripheral circuit 120. The peripheral circuit 120 may include a Basic Input Output System (BIOS) 121, a communication interface circuit 122 and a random access memory. (Random Access Memory, can be referred to as RAM)123. In addition, the electronic device 200 may include a processor 210 and a peripheral circuit 220, and the peripheral circuit 220 may include a read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, may be referred to as ROM) 221, a communication interface circuit 222, a random access memory 223, an image sensor control (Image Sensor Control, ISC) circuit 224 and an image signal processor (Image Signal Processor, ISP) 225 (the latter two are marked as "ISC circuit" and "ISP" respectively. concise), but the present invention is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, the electronic device 100 may further include a display module (not shown in Figure 1) for displaying images, and the electronic device 200 may further include an image input module (not shown in Figure 1) For inputting images, the image input module may include a lens and an image sensor.

In the electronic device 100, the processor 110 can be used to control the operation of the electronic device 100, the basic input and output system 121 can be used to perform basic input and output control, and the communication interface circuit 122 can be used to connect the electronic device 100 to external devices (such as the electronic device 200 ) communicates, and the random access memory 123 can be used to temporarily store information for the electronic device 100 . In addition, in the electronic device 200, the processor 210 can be used to control the operation of the electronic device 200, and the read-only memory 221 can be used to store at least one program code (for example, one or more program codes) such as a program code INI, a communication interface circuit 222 can be used for the electronic device 200 to communicate with its external device (such as the electronic device 100), the random access memory 223 can be used to temporarily store information for the electronic device 200, and the image sensor control circuit 224 can be used for image sensing. Control, in particular, control the image sensor to perform image sensing to generate at least one image signal, and the image signal processor 225 may be used to perform image signal processing, in particular, process the at least one image signal to generate a sensed image. The processed image data, wherein the electronic device 200 can transmit the processed image data to the electronic device 100 for further use, but the invention is not limited thereto. For example, the electronic device 100 can provide a video communication service to the user. In particular, the electronic device 200 is used to obtain the processed image data of the above-mentioned sensed image (such as the user's facial image) to allow through the One or more other people in the video communication service communicating with the user see the user, and use the display module (such as a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel) to display the image of the one or more other people to Allow the user to see the one or more other people.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the electronic device 200 can send its identification information IDI to the electronic device 100 to allow the electronic device 100 to identify the electronic device 200 for determining whether to transmit the program code PG from the electronic device 100 to the electronic device 200 . For example, the electronic device 100 may include a non-volatile storage device (NVSD) 124 for pre-stored program code PG corresponding to the electronic device 200 . In addition, the electronic device 100 may determine whether the electronic device 200 belongs to a group of predetermined electronic devices according to the identification information IDI, where the group of predetermined electronic devices may include one or more predetermined electronic devices. When the identification information IDI indicates that the electronic device 200 belongs to the predetermined group of electronic devices, the electronic device 100 may send the program code PG corresponding to the electronic device 200 to the electronic device 200 for execution by the processor 210 .

Based on the architecture shown in Figure 1, the storage space and hardware resources of the electronic device 200 can be saved. In particular, the storage space of the read-only memory 221 in the electronic device 200 can be very small, so the related costs of the read-only memory 221 can be corresponding land decrease. For example, the read-only memory 221 can only store the program code INI, and the processor 210 can execute the program code INI to initialize the communication interface circuit 222 to further obtain the program code PG through the communication interface circuit 222, but the invention is not limited thereto. In addition, the program code PG may include at least one firmware code (eg, one or more firmware codes), such as firmware code used to initialize certain components, and may include at least one software code (eg, one or more software codes ), such as an operating system, at least one driver, at least one application, etc., so the electronic device 200 does not need to be provided with any non-volatile storage element to pre-store the at least one firmware code and the at least one software code. As a result, the associated costs can be reduced accordingly.

In the above embodiments, the electronic device 100 can be implemented by a digital television, etc., and the electronic device 100 The sub-device 200 can be implemented by a camera or the like. In addition, the communication interface circuits 122 and 222 can be implemented by universal serial bus circuits or other methods.

In one embodiment, in the program code PG shown in Figure 1, the above-mentioned at least one firmware code (such as the one or more firmware codes) can be collectively referred to as the firmware code FW, and the above-mentioned at least one software Codes (eg, the one or more software codes) may be collectively referred to as software codes SW. In addition, the read-only memory 221 may store the program code INI and additional program code (such as the third program code or the another program code) such as the program code IPL for initializing the random access memory 223 .

In another embodiment, the code PG may further include the additional code (eg, the third code or the other code) such as the code IPL for initializing the random access memory 223 . In addition, the processor 210 may include a built-in memory such as an expanded random access memory (Expanded Random Access Memory, which may be referred to as XRAM) 211. The processor 210 may load the program code IPL into the extended random access memory 211 to execute the program code IPL.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The method can be applied to the electronic system shown in FIG. 1 , especially the electronic device 200 therein.

In step S11 , in response to the electronic device 200 being powered on, the processor 210 may execute a first program code (eg, program code INI) in the read-only memory 221 to initialize the communication interface circuit 222 .

In step S12, the processor 210 may transmit the identification information IDI to an external device (such as the electronic device 100) through the communication interface circuit 222.

In step S13, the processor 210 may receive a second program code (such as the program code PG) sent by the external device (such as the electronic device 100) in response to the identification information IDI through the communication interface circuit 222 for storage in the random access Memory 223.

In step S14, the processor 210 may execute the second program code (eg, program code PG) to initialize the image sensor control circuit 224 and the image signal processor 225.

For ease of understanding, the second program code (eg program code PG) may include a firmware code and a software code. For example, the firmware code can be used to initialize the image sensor control circuit 224 and the image signal processor 225, and the software code can be used to start the operating system.

For better understanding, the method can be illustrated by the workflow shown in Figure 2, but the present invention is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, one or more steps may be added to the workflow shown in Figure 2. For example, the one or more steps may include: (1) Before receiving the second program code, the processor 210 may receive a third message sent by the external device (such as the electronic device 100) through the communication interface circuit 222. The program code is to be stored in a memory in the processor 210; and (2) the processor 210 can execute the third program code to initialize the random access memory 223; but the invention is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, the third program code can be pre-stored in the read-only memory 221 instead of being transmitted from the electronic device 100 to the electronic device 200 through the communication interface circuits 122 and 222, wherein the processor 210 can execute the read-only memory. The third program code in the memory 221 is used to initialize the random access memory 223 .

According to some embodiments, the processor 210 can execute the first program code (eg, the program code INI) to detect a hardware status and determine whether to transmit the identification information IDI to the external device (eg, the electronic device 100). For example, detecting a hardware status may be detecting a connection status of a bootstrap circuit pin. If the connection status of the bootstrap circuit pin indicates that the identification information IDI should be transmitted to the external device, the processor 210 transmits the identification information IDI to the external device (such as the electronic device 100) through the communication interface circuit 222; otherwise, it does not Transmit identification information IDI to the external device. The manufacturer of the electronic system (such as the electronic device 200) can pre-configure the connection status of the bootstrap circuit pin. In particular, control whether the connection status of the bootstrap circuit pin is equal to a first predetermined connection status to indicate whether Identification information IDI should be transmitted to the external device.

Figure 3 illustrates a method for controlling an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. A flow chart of a method, wherein the method can be applied to the electronic system shown in FIG. 1 , in particular, the electronic device 100 therein. For example, before entering step S22, the second processor such as the processor 210 may execute the first program code such as the program code INI to initialize the communication interface circuit 222.

In step S22 , the first processor such as the processor 110 receives the identification information IDI from the other electronic device such as the electronic device 200 through the communication interface circuit 122 .

In step S23, in response to the identification information IDI, the first processor such as the processor 110 may send at least one program code such as the program code PG to the other electronic device such as the electronic device 200 through the communication interface circuit 122 for being stored in The random access memory 223 causes the second processor 210 to execute the at least one program code to initialize the image sensor control circuit 224 and the image signal processor 225 after the other electronic device 200 receives the at least one program code. .

For ease of understanding, the at least one program code (eg, program code PG) may include a firmware code such as the above-mentioned at least one firmware code, and a software code such as the above-mentioned at least one software code. For example, the firmware code can be used to initialize the image sensor control circuit 224 and the image signal processor 225, and the software code can be used to start the operating system.

For better understanding, the method can be illustrated by the workflow shown in Figure 3, but the present invention is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, one or more steps may be added to the workflow shown in Figure 3. For example, the one or more steps may include: (1) Before transmitting the at least one program code, the first processor such as the processor 110 may transmit another program code to the other electronic device through the communication interface circuit 122 A device such as the electronic device 200 for being stored in a memory in the second processor (eg, the processor 210); and (2) causing the second processor after the electronic device 200 receives the other program code. For example, the processor 210 executes the other program code to initialize the random access memory 223; but the invention is not limited thereto. According to some embodiments, the other program code may be pre-stored in the read-only memory 221 instead of being transmitted from the electronic device 100 to the electronic device 200 through the communication interface circuits 122 and 222. The processor 110 can use the processor 210 to execute the other program code in the read-only memory 221 to initialize the random access memory 223.

Figure 4 illustrates implementation details of the method shown in Figure 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In step S31, in response to the electronic device 200 being powered on, the processor 210 can execute the program code INI in the read-only memory 221 to initialize the communication interface circuit 222.

In step S32, the processor 210 may transmit the identification information IDI to the external device (eg, the electronic device 100) through the communication interface circuit 222.

In step S33 , the processor 210 may execute the program code IPL in the read-only memory 221 to initialize the random access memory 223 .

In step S34, the processor 210 may receive the firmware code FW and the software code SW sent by the external device (such as the electronic device 100) in response to the identification information IDI through the communication interface circuit 222 for storage in the random access memory 223. .

In step S35, the processor 210 may execute the firmware code FW to initialize the image sensor control circuit 224 and the image signal processor 225.

In step S36, the processor 210 can execute the software code SW to start the operating system.

Figure 5 illustrates implementation details of the method shown in Figure 3 according to an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the second processor such as the processor 210 may execute the program code INI to initialize the communication interface circuit 222 before entering step S42, and execute the program code IPL to initialize the random access memory 223 before entering step S44.

In step S42, the first processor such as the processor 110 receives the identification information IDI from the other electronic device such as the electronic device 200 through the communication interface circuit 122.

In step S44, in response to the identification information IDI, the first processor such as the processor 110 may transmit the firmware code FW and the software code SW to the other electronic device such as the electronic device 200 through the communication interface circuit 122 for storage in the random access memory. The memory 223 is retrieved and the firmware code FW is received in the other electronic device 200 The second processor 210 is then caused to execute the firmware code FW to initialize the image sensor control circuit 224 and the image signal processor 225, and after the other electronic device 200 receives the software code SW, the second processor 210 is caused to execute Software code SW to start the operating system.

Figure 6 illustrates implementation details of the method shown in Figure 2 according to another embodiment of the present invention.

In step S51, in response to the electronic device 200 being powered on, the processor 210 can execute the program code INI in the read-only memory 221 to initialize the communication interface circuit 222.

In step S52, the processor 210 may transmit the identification information IDI to the external device (eg, the electronic device 100) through the communication interface circuit 222.

In step S53, the processor 210 may receive the program code IPL sent by the external device (eg, the electronic device 100) through the communication interface circuit 222 for being stored in a memory (eg, extended random access memory) in the processor 210. Body 211).

In step S54, the processor 210 may execute the program code IPL to initialize the random access memory 223.

In step S55 , the processor 210 may receive the firmware code FW and software code SW sent by the external device (such as the electronic device 100 ) in response to the identification information IDI through the communication interface circuit 222 for storage in the random access memory 223 .

In step S56, the processor 210 may execute the firmware code FW to initialize the image sensor control circuit 224 and the image signal processor 225.

In step S57, the processor 210 may execute the software code SW to start the operating system.

FIG. 7 illustrates implementation details of the method shown in FIG. 3 according to another embodiment of the present invention. For example, the second processor such as the processor 210 may execute the program code INI to initialize the communication interface circuit 222 before entering step S62, and execute the program code IPL to initialize the random access memory 223 before entering step S65.

In step S62, the first processor such as the processor 110 receives the identification information IDI from the other electronic device such as the electronic device 200 through the communication interface circuit 122.

In step S63, the first processor such as the processor 110 may transmit the program code IPL to the other electronic device such as the electronic device 200 through the communication interface circuit 122 for storage in the second processor such as the processor 210. The memory (eg, extended random access memory 211) causes the second processor 210 to execute the program code IPL to initialize the random access memory 223 after the other electronic device 200 receives the program code IPL.

In step S65, in response to the identification information IDI, the first processor such as the processor 110 may transmit the firmware code FW and the software code SW to the other electronic device such as the electronic device 200 through the communication interface circuit 122 for storage in the random access memory. The memory 223 is obtained and after the other electronic device 200 receives the firmware code FW, the second processor 210 executes the firmware code FW to initialize the image sensor control circuit 224 and the image signal processor 225 and in the other electronic device 200 After receiving the software code SW, an electronic device 200 causes the second processor 210 to execute the software code SW to start the operating system.

According to the above embodiments, the method of the present invention can properly manage the storage of program codes to ensure the normal operation of the electronic device. In addition, the method of the present invention can save hardware resources and related costs of the electronic device. In particular, it can avoid setting any non-volatile storage element for pre-stored at least one firmware code and at least one software code. As a result, the associated costs can be reduced accordingly. Compared with related technologies, the method of the present invention can realize a compact and reliable electronic device without side effects or with less possibility of side effects.

The above are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and all equivalent changes and modifications made in accordance with the patentable scope of the present invention shall fall within the scope of the present invention.

S11~S14: Steps

Claims (8)

A method for controlling an electronic device. The electronic device includes a processor, a read-only memory, a random access memory, an image sensor control circuit, an image signal processor, and a communication interface circuit. , the method includes: in response to the electronic device being powered, the processor executes a first program code in the read-only memory to initialize the communication interface circuit; transmits identification information to an external device through the communication interface circuit; The communication interface circuit receives a second program code sent by the external device in response to the identification information to store in the random access memory; and the processor executes the second program code to initialize the image sensor control circuit and The image signal processor; wherein the processor executes the first program code to detect a hardware status and determines whether to transmit the identification information to the external device accordingly. For the method described in item 1 of the patent application, the second program code includes a firmware code and a software code, the firmware code is used to initialize the image sensor control circuit and the image signal processor, and The software code is used to start an operating system. For the method described in item 1 of the patent application, the detection of a hardware status is to detect the connection status of a bootstrap circuit pin. The method described in item 1 of the patent application further includes: before receiving the second program code, receiving a third program code sent by the external device through the communication interface circuit to store it in a memory; and The processor executes the third program code to initialize the random access memory. For the method described in item 1 of the patent application, the communication interface circuit is a universal serial bus circuit. A method for controlling an electronic device. The electronic device includes a first processor and a communication interface circuit. The other electronic device includes a second processor, a random access memory, and an image sensor control circuit. and an image signal processor. The method includes: receiving identification information from the other electronic device through the communication interface circuit, and before transmitting at least one program code to the other electronic device, transmitting another program code through the communication interface circuit. program code to the other electronic device to store in a memory in the second processor and cause the second processor to execute the other program code to initialize the random access memory; and in response to the identification information, Transmitting the at least one program code to the other electronic device through the communication interface circuit to store in the random access memory and causing the second processor to execute the at least one program code to initialize the image sensor control circuit and the Image signal processor. The method described in Item 6 of the patent application, wherein the at least one program code includes a firmware code and a software code, the firmware code is used to initialize the image sensor control circuit and the image signal processor, and The software code is used to start an operating system. For the method described in item 6 of the patent application, the communication interface circuit is a universal serial bus circuit.

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