CN110286946B

CN110286946B - System startup control method, controller and computer readable medium

Info

Publication number: CN110286946B
Application number: CN201910555413.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 岳红威
Original assignee: Hefei Lianbao Information Technology Co Ltd
Current assignee: Hefei Lianbao Information Technology Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-06-25
Filing date: 2019-06-25
Publication date: 2023-04-18
Anticipated expiration: 2039-06-25
Also published as: CN110286946A

Abstract

The embodiment of the application discloses a control method for system startup, a controller and a computer readable medium. The control method is used for an embedded controller, and a specific implementation mode of the control method comprises the following steps: in response to detecting a first signal indicating system startup, determining a current state of the system; if the system is in a first state at present, pre-electrifying electronic devices except the preset electronic device in the system, wherein the first state is a state that the system needs to be electrified for at least two times; and responding to the system to finish a target power-down process, and controlling the system to start the operating system, wherein the target power-down process is the power-down process of the system after the pre-electrification is finished. The control method can utilize an embedded controller in the existing equipment to control the starting process of the system. This contributes to a reduction in the number of parts and a reduction in production cost.

Description

System startup control method, controller and computer readable medium

Technical Field

The embodiment of the application relates to the technical field of computers, in particular to a control method, a controller and a computer readable medium for system startup.

Background

In the prior art, when a processor with some structures is started in a G2 or G3 state, or an adapter is inserted in some cases (such as DC S5), a system is often automatically powered up once to execute a series of programs (such as G3- > S5- > S0- > S5). During execution of these programs, the display will not light up, nor will it enter the operating system. And then typically power down.

However, some of the electronic devices in the system (e.g., optical disk drives, hard disk drives) typically sound when power is lost. In order to solve this problem, the currently adopted technical means is to add a plurality of load switches in the control circuit according to actual requirements. This increases the number of parts and also increases the overall production costs.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a control method for system starting, a controller and a computer readable medium.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for controlling system startup, where the method is used for an embedded controller, and includes: in response to detecting a first signal indicating system startup, determining a current state of the system; if the system is in a first state at present, pre-electrifying electronic devices except the preset electronic device in the system, wherein the first state is a state that the system needs to be electrified for at least two times; and responding to a target power-down process finished by the system, and controlling the system to start the operating system, wherein the target power-down process is a power-down process after the system is powered on in advance.

In some embodiments, the first signal comprises a signal indicative of power-on; and controlling the system to start the operating system, including: a boot power supply for booting the operating system is turned on.

In some embodiments, the first signal comprises a signal indicative of the connection to the ac adapter; and controlling the system to start the operating system, including: and switching on an alternating current starting power supply for starting the operating system.

In some embodiments, the first state comprises a to-be-activated state or a powered-off state; the to-be-started state comprises a G2 state which is reserved in the system and is used for maintaining a power supply to be started by the system; the power-off state includes a G3 state in which the system as a whole is not powered.

In some embodiments, the preset electronic device is an electronic device that generates sound when power is off, and the preset electronic device includes at least one of the following: optical disk drives, hard disk drives, fans, or speakers.

In some embodiments, the method further comprises: and if the system is in the second state currently, controlling the system to start the operating system.

In some embodiments, in the case where the control system launches the operating system, the method further comprises: and the power supply input signal for controlling the preset electronic device is consistent with the signal for controlling the power supply of the system.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a controller, including: a detection unit configured to determine a current state of the system in response to detecting a first signal indicating system start-up; the first control unit is configured to control the electronic devices except the preset electronic device in the system to be powered on in advance if the system is in a first state currently, wherein the first state is a state that the system needs to be powered on at least twice; and the starting unit is configured to respond to the system to finish a target power-down process, and control the system to start the operating system, wherein the target power-down process is a power-down process of the system after the pre-power-up is finished.

In some embodiments, the controller further comprises a second control unit configured to control the system to start the operating system if the system is currently in the second state.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable medium, on which a computer program is stored, where the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the system startup control method described in any embodiment of the first aspect.

The control method, the controller and the computer readable medium for system startup provided by the embodiment of the application can judge the current state of the system firstly under the condition that the first signal for indicating the system startup is detected. If the system is currently in the first state, the electronic devices except the preset electronic device in the system can be controlled to be powered on in advance. And then, under the condition that the system completes the target power-down process, the system can be controlled to start the operating system. The first state may be a state in which the system needs to go through at least two power-on processes. Pre-power-up generally refers to the power-up process that occurs before the last power-up is initiated. The target power-down process here is generally a power-down process after the system is powered on in advance. The control method can utilize an embedded controller in the existing equipment to control the starting process of the system. This contributes to a reduction in the number of parts and a reduction in production cost.

Drawings

Other features, objects and advantages of the present application will become more apparent upon reading of the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments made with reference to the following drawings:

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of one embodiment of a system startup control method provided herein;

FIG. 2 is a flow chart of another embodiment of a system startup control method provided herein;

FIG. 3 is a schematic partial structure diagram of an embodiment of an embedded controller provided in the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a controller provided in the present application.

Detailed Description

The present application will be described in further detail with reference to the following drawings and examples. It is to be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the relevant invention and not restrictive of the invention. It should be noted that, for convenience of description, only the portions related to the related invention are shown in the drawings.

It should be noted that the embodiments and features of the embodiments in the present application may be combined with each other without conflict. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

Referring to fig. 1, a flowchart 100 of an embodiment of a system startup control method provided in the present application is shown. The control method can be used for an Embedded Controller (EC). The control method may include the steps of:

in response to detecting a first signal indicating system start-up, a current state of the system is determined, step 101.

In this embodiment, an execution subject (e.g., an embedded controller) of the control method for system startup may first determine a current state of the system when detecting a first signal indicating system startup. And determining the control flow of the whole system starting according to the judgment result.

In this embodiment, the system boot usually (but not limited to) refers to a system running boot program, and the system enters the operating system, i.e. the system is powered on and booted. The first signal may be any signal capable of triggering the system to start, and is not limited in this application. As an example, the first signal may include a signal characterizing power-on. For example, detecting that an indicator light of a port in the system for connecting to a power supply is turned on (illuminated). And for example, detect that a power (power on) key of the system is activated, etc. In some optional implementations, the first signal may also include a signal characterizing the connection ac adapter. For example, an AC adapter (AC adapter) insertion is detected.

In the present embodiment, the current state of the system may be various operation states existing in the existing system. For example, the following states may be included (but are not limited to): G0-Working state: user programs may execute normally, but devices may dynamically assign their own states. When the device is not in use, the device may enter other non-operational states. In this state, the system responds to external events in real time. G1-Sleeping state: in this state, the system consumes less power, no user program is executed, and the system looks like a shutdown state. Since the display screen is turned off at this time, the system will quickly revert to the active state whenever any wake-up-enabled event is communicated into the system. G2-Soft Off State: in this state, the system only retains very little power and no user or operating system programs are executing. It takes a long time to return to the operating state in this state. G3-Mechanical Off state: the power supply of the whole system is turned off, and no current passes through the system. The system can only be activated by re-opening the switch of the power supply. The power consumption in this state is zero.

And 102, if the system is in the first state currently, controlling the pre-electrifying of the electronic devices except the preset electronic devices in the system.

In this embodiment, if it is determined that the system is currently in the first state, the embedded controller may control other electronic devices except the preset electronic device in the system to be powered on in advance. The first state is generally a state in which the system needs to go through at least two power-on processes. That is, when the system is started in the first state, at least two power-on processes are often required. That is, when the system is started in the first state, at least the processes of power-on, power-off and power-on are needed. Pre-power-up generally refers to the power-up process that occurs before the last power-up is initiated. That is, in at least two power-up processes in the first state, except for the last power-up process, the previous power-up process may be pre-power-up. The first state, the preset electronics, can be set as desired.

In some embodiments, the first state may include (but is not limited to) a to-be-activated state or a powered-off state. The to-be-started state may include a G2 state reserved in the system only for maintaining a power supply of the system to be started. For example, only real time instance Zhong Dianyuan remains in the system. And the powered down state may include a G3 state in which the system as a whole is unpowered.

Here, the preset electronic device may be an electronic device that does not need to be started at the initial stage of system start-up (e.g., before the display screen is brightened or the operating system is started) or at the time of pre-power-up. This helps to shorten the initial startup time of the system and improve the startup efficiency of the entire system. And simultaneously, the consumption of electric energy is reduced.

Optionally, the preset electronic device may also be an electronic device that normally generates sound when power is turned off. Which may include (but is not limited to) at least one of the following: an Optical Disk Drive (ODD), a Hard Disk Drive (HDD), a FAN (FAN), an AUDIO (AUDIO), and the like. These sounds are often unnecessary during system start-up and are generally considered noise. Therefore, in the initial stage of system startup or in the process of pre-power-on, the preset electronic device is kept at a low level (i.e. is not powered on) while controlling other electronic devices to be powered on. Therefore, the sound generated by the power failure of the preset electronic device can be effectively avoided. That is to say, the embedded controller can control whether the preset electronic device is powered on or not according to the current state of the system, so that the preset electronic device is prevented from generating sound due to power failure in the system starting process.

And 103, responding to the system completing the target power-down process, and controlling the system to start the operating system.

In this embodiment, the embedded controller may control the system to start the operating system when it is determined that the system completes the target power-down process. The target power-down process may be a power-down process after the system is powered on in advance, that is, a power-down process before the system is powered on last time. The last power-on process is the last power-on process of at least two power-on processes required when the system is started in the first state.

It is understood that, in general, when the system performs the last power-on process, the system may be normally powered on to enter the operating system. That is, after the system completes the target power down process, the power down situation often does not occur in the process of starting the operating system. At this time, the embedded controller may control each electronic device (including the preset electronic device) in the system to be powered on, even if the system is normally started.

As an example, if the embedded controller detects a first signal (e.g., power on (e.g., PWR _ BTN #)) indicative of power-on, and the system is currently in a G2 or G3 state, the power input port of the hard disk drive in the system may be controlled to remain low (e.g., HDD _ EN low while other system power on) during a first power-up of the system (e.g., ALW power on; CPU auto pull on SLP _ S3#, SLP _ S4 #). Until the system is powered off, i.e. a second power-on process is performed, the embedded controller may turn on a start power supply (e.g. CPU pull down SLP _ S3#, SLP _ S4#; EC keep S5 power) for starting the operating system.

For another example, if the embedded controller detects a first signal (e.g., AC plug in) indicating that the AC adapter is connected and the system is currently in a G2 or G3 state, the power input port of the hard disk drive in the system may be controlled to remain at a low level (e.g., HDD _ EN _ low _ high other system power on) during a first power-up of the system (e.g., ALW power on; CPU auto pull on SLP _ S3#, SLP _ S4 #). Until the system is powered off, namely, the power-on process for the second time is carried out, the embedded controller can enable the system to be connected with an alternating current starting power supply (such as CPU pull down SLP _ S3#, SLP _ S4#; AV S5) for starting an operating system.

The method for controlling system startup provided by this embodiment can utilize an embedded controller in an existing device to control a startup program of a system. This helps to reduce the number of parts in the control circuit, which is advantageous for reducing the production cost. While the control process can be simplified.

With continued reference to fig. 2, a flow 200 of yet another embodiment of a system startup control method provided herein is shown. The control method may include the steps of:

in step 201, in response to detecting a first signal for indicating system start, the current state of the system is determined. Referring to the related description of step 101 in the embodiment of fig. 1, details are not repeated here. Here, if the system is currently in the first state, then step 202 may continue. If the system is currently in the second state, step 203 may be performed.

Step 202, if the system is currently in the first state, controlling the electronic devices in the system except the preset electronic device to be powered on in advance. Referring to the description of step 102 in fig. 1, the description is omitted here.

In step 203, the control system starts the operating system.

In this embodiment, after the embedded controller executes step 202, if the target power-down procedure is completed in response to the system, the system may be controlled to start the operating system. Referring to the description of step 103 in fig. 1, the description is omitted here.

In this embodiment, if the embedded controller determines that the current state of the system is the second state in step 201, the embedded controller may directly control the system to start the operating system. Wherein the second state may be any system state other than the first state. For example, the second state may be a non-first state, or a particular state (e.g., a regular power-on state).

And 204, controlling the power input signal of the preset electronic device to be consistent with the signal for controlling the power supply of the system.

In this embodiment, in the case that the control system starts the operating system, the embedded controller may further control the power input signal of the preset electronic device to be consistent with a signal (e.g., a power supply signal SUSP #) for controlling the system to supply power.

The control method for system startup provided by the embodiment further enriches and perfects the control process. Therefore, the use requirements of different users can be met, and the method is beneficial to expanding the application range of the method.

It should be noted that, in order to implement the above control process, the circuit structure of the embedded controller may be as shown in fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating a partial structure of an embodiment of an embedded controller provided in the present application. As can be seen in fig. 3, the power input port (e.g., HDD _ EN) of the preset electronics in the system may be electrically connected to one pin (e.g., 27 (ENSW 2)) in the embedded controller. The hardware structure is relatively simple to implement. Here, the meaning, function and connected circuit structure of other pins in the embedded controller can refer to the prior art materials, and are not described in detail here.

Referring now to fig. 4, the present application further provides an embodiment of a controller as an implementation of the method shown in the above figures. The controller embodiment corresponds to the method embodiments shown in the above embodiments. It should be noted that the controller in this embodiment may be disposed in the electronic device where the system is located, or may be independently disposed.

As shown in fig. 4, the controller 400 of the present embodiment may include: a detection unit 401 configured to determine a current state of the system in response to detecting a first signal indicating system start-up; the first control unit 402 is configured to control the electronic devices except the preset electronic device in the system to be powered on in advance if the system is currently in a first state, wherein the first state is a state in which the system needs to be powered on at least twice; and a starting unit 403 configured to control the system to start the operating system in response to the system completing a target power-down process, where the target power-down process is a power-down process of the system after the pre-power-up is completed.

In some alternative implementations, the first signal may include a signal characterizing powering on; and the booting unit 403 may be further configured to turn on a boot power for booting the operating system.

Optionally, the first signal may further include a signal for characterizing the connection to the ac adapter; and the start-up unit 403 may be further configured to turn on an ac start-up power for starting up the operating system.

In some embodiments, the first state may include a to-be-activated state or a powered-off state; the to-be-started state can include a G2 state which is reserved in the system and is used for maintaining a power supply to be started by the system; the power-off state may include a G3 state in which the system as a whole is unpowered.

In some application scenarios, the preset electronic device may be an electronic device that generates sound when power is off, and may include at least one of the following: optical disc drives, hard disc drives, fans, or speakers.

Optionally, the controller 400 may further comprise a second control unit (not shown in fig. 4) configured to control the system to start the operating system if the system is currently in the second state.

Further, the controller 400 may further include a third control unit (not shown in fig. 4) configured to control the power input signal of the preset electronic device to be consistent with the signal for controlling the power supply of the system.

It is to be understood that the modules recited in the controller 400 correspond to the various steps in the method described with reference to fig. 1-2. Thus, the operations, features and resulting advantages described above with respect to the method are also applicable to the controller 400 and the modules included therein, and are not described in detail herein.

It should be noted that the flowchart and block diagrams in the figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present application. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems which perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

The units described in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by hardware or by software. The described units may also be located in the processor. Wherein the names of the elements do not in some way constitute a limitation on the elements themselves. For example, the detection unit may also be described as a "unit responsive to detecting a first signal indicating system start-up".

As another aspect, the present application also provides a computer-readable medium. The computer readable medium herein may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium or any combination of the two. The computer readable medium may be contained in the controller described in the above embodiments; or may be separate and not assembled into the controller. The computer-readable medium carries a computer program which, when executed by a processor, causes the controller to implement the system-initiated control method as described in any of the embodiments above.

The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the application and is illustrative of the principles of the technology employed. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the scope of the invention herein disclosed is not limited to the particular combination of features described above, but also encompasses other arrangements in which any combination of the features described above or their equivalents does not depart from the spirit of the invention disclosed above. For example, the above features may be replaced with (but not limited to) features having similar functions disclosed in the present application.

Claims

1. A control method for system startup, which is used for an embedded controller, and comprises the following steps:

in response to detecting a first signal indicating system startup, determining a current state of the system;

if the system is in a first state currently, controlling electronic devices in the system except a preset electronic device to be powered on in advance, wherein the preset electronic device is an electronic device which generates sound when the system is powered off, the first state is a state that the system needs to be powered on at least twice and at least comprises a to-be-started state or a power-off state, the to-be-started state comprises a G2 state which is reserved in the system and is only used for maintaining a power supply to be started of the system, and the power-off state comprises a G3 state which is not supplied with power by the whole system;

and responding to the system to finish a target power-down process, and controlling the system to start an operating system, wherein the target power-down process is the power-down process of the system after the pre-power-up is finished.

2. The control method of claim 1, wherein the first signal comprises a signal indicative of power-on; and

the controlling the system to start an operating system includes: a boot power supply for booting the operating system is turned on.

3. The control method of claim 1, wherein the first signal comprises a signal indicative of a connected ac adapter; and

the controlling the system to start an operating system includes: and switching on an alternating current starting power supply for starting the operating system.

4. The control method of claim 1, wherein the preset electronics comprise at least one of: optical disc drives, hard disc drives, fans, or speakers.

5. The control method according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the method further comprises: and if the system is in the second state currently, controlling the system to start the operating system.

6. The control method according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein in the case of controlling the system to start an operating system, the method further comprises:

and controlling the power supply input signal of the preset electronic device to be consistent with the signal for controlling the power supply of the system.

7. A controller, comprising:

a detection unit configured to determine a current state of a system in response to detecting a first signal indicating system start-up;

the system comprises a first control unit and a second control unit, wherein the first control unit is configured to control electronic devices except a preset electronic device in the system to be powered on in advance if the system is in a first state currently, the preset electronic device is an electronic device which generates sound when power is off, the first state is a state that the system needs to be powered on at least twice and at least comprises a to-be-started state or a power-off state, the to-be-started state comprises a G2 state which is reserved in the system and is used for maintaining a power supply to be started of the system, and the power-off state comprises a G3 state which is not supplied with power by the whole system;

the starting unit is configured to respond to the system completing a target power-down process, and control the system to start an operating system, wherein the target power-down process is a power-down process of the system after pre-power-up is completed.

8. The controller of claim 7, further comprising a second control unit configured to control the system to start an operating system if the system is currently in a second state.

9. A computer-readable medium, on which a computer program is stored which, when being executed by a processor, carries out a method of controlling the start-up of a system according to any one of claims 1 to 6.