Background technology
Electric power starting when computer, Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) (Basic Input/Output System, BIOS) can carry out by the memory body on the motherboard (as BIOS Flash ROM) loading system random access memory (RAM) lining, with wafer set (chipset) and the initialization of memory body subsystem, be the most basic program code when loading the computer hardware system.BIOS mainly carries out start selftest (POST), whether the state with each parts in the inspection computer system is normal, as central processing unit (CPU), systematic memory body, controller etc., do initialization action at memory body, motherboard wafer set, display card and peripheral device again.
Please refer to prior art Fig. 1, show a common computer system architecture among the figure, comprise the CPU (central processing unit) 11, north bridge wafer (NB) 12, south emigrant's wafer (SB) 13, the display card module 14 and memory body module 15 that are arranged on the motherboard, each cell module is connected with bus-bar.Comprise the front end bus-bar (FSB) 101 that CPU (central processing unit) 11 is connected with north and south bridge wafer, north and south bridge wafer then can be integrated into a System on chip group (chipset), wherein connecting this north and south bridge wafer by north and south bridge bus-bar 104, mainly is to implement with Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) at present.Other connects memory body module 15 as north bridge wafer 12 by memory body bus-bar 102, and connects display card module 14 by video data bus-bar 103.
In general, computer system is carried out initialized operation to each peripheral equipment by Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) (BIOS) when starting shooting, memory body in the Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) (as shown in Figure 1, utilize the memory space in the south bridge wafer 13, just the bios memory body 131) can utilize CMOS recording system setting value usually, and the basic setting of each peripheral device of initialization; BIOS also can provide the interruption resident program that resident library and application program are called out in addition, as INT 10H etc.After from then on BIOS information be decompressed to the primary memory (as memory body module 15) of system in the bios memory body 131, through each IO interface of initialization, preparation load operation system.
BIOS is after improvement, can carry out more diversified work, for instance, can allow the user select which peripheral device to start computer by, more can derive other and use, comprise with Live CD starting computer, starting in a plurality of operating environments one, the running of the whole computer system of monitoring etc.
When the user wants to be undertaken by the BIOS menu in the computer system the basic setting of computer system, usually in the computer system power initiation after the keyboard operation enters the BIOS menu, as pin del key, esc key or specific compound keys.In addition, supported by BIOS, so use keyboard or mouse to set BIOS usually because the driving method of the input interface of keyboard is most of.
Yet with the PC is family's theater computer (home theater PC of basic engineering, HTPC) then be a kind of product of appliance-based computer, usually use the wherein various functions of infrared remote controller control, comprise play multimedia etc., under this framework, the input media of general keyboard and mouse etc. is inapplicable.
Utilize the technology of various functions in the telepilot controlling computer system, can be with reference to the United States Patent (USP) the 6th of bulletin on May 16th, 2000,064, No. 368, it discloses a kind of user's interface of computer system, the data that external input device transmitted can be converted to the discernible data of computer system, wherein there is an interface controller (interface controller) to be connected in the telepilot receiver and has the computer system of BIOS, when receiving the data of controller, output system management interrupt (system management interrupt, SMI) to system, the instruction that provides according to system produces key, uses and carries out relative application.
Summary of the invention
Because above-mentioned family's theater computer (HTPC) is in vogue, the standard that appliance-based computer makes infrared remote controller become controlling computer is equipped with, under operating system, relevant software has had corresponding infrared remote controller, but, be different from prior art only with every multimedia function of telepilot controlling computer system and operation general job, the present invention more discloses the command control method of a kind of Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) (BIOS), can be by an interrupt service routine (Interrupt Service Routine who is stated from the computer system, ISR) continue to read the technology of the controlling signal of sending from telepilot, the start that telepilot can be applied under the BIOS is simultaneously set in the menu (Setup Menu).
For effectively utilizing infrared remote controller operation BIOS to set menu, and make computer system, as above-mentioned HTPC, really break away from the control of mouse and keyboard, produce more convenient and the control mode of consistency is arranged, the disclosed Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) command control method of the present invention utilizes the scan code of button on the infrared remote controller to judge and definition is applied in reaches the input button up and down on the keyboard originally, then utilize interrupt service routine at the computer system end, as 8259 PIC, the hardware interrupts (interrupt) of button on the monitoring infrared remote controller.When receiving that the defined button of the present invention has triggered, i.e. expression is carried out and identical operations and control when utilizing Keyboard Control, makes the infrared remote controller of setting choosing of control BIOS the same with keyboard operation.
The preferred embodiment of command control method of the present invention comprises, after opening a computer system, start above-mentioned interrupt service routine, then continue to read a port,input-output (as super port,input-output by this interrupt service routine, Super IO) goes up scan code at the transmission port of telechiric device, scan code particularly sends by consumer infrared ray port (CIR IO), after detecting one interrupt request, receives the scan code that telechiric device produces.Utilize look-up method afterwards,, carry out steering order again, comprise entering the relevant setting picture of BIOS according to scan code identification one steering order, and the end interrupt requirement.
Preferably, the step system by carrying out this steering order enters one by the shortcut of user by a telechiric device and sets picture.
Preferably, the described setting picture related setting picture that is this Basic Input or Output System (BIOS).
Preferably, the related setting picture of described Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) comprises the setting picture and the menu that is produced by an extension firmware interface of this Basic Input or Output System (BIOS).
Preferably, described interrupt service routine is detected the signal that this shortcut produces.
Preferably, described interrupt service routine system continues to read on the port,input-output scan code at the transmission port of this telechiric device.
Preferably, described port,input-output is the super port,input-output on this computer system.
Preferably, the transmission port at this telechiric device is a consumer infrared ray port on the described port,input-output.
Preferably, by the setting of identification of tabling look-up to this scan code of instruction that should the Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) menu.
Preferably, described computer system is a family's theater computer by this telechiric device control.
Embodiment
Family theater computer (HTPC) be a kind of be the digital entertainment system of basic engineering with the PC, except the function of generally watching various content of multimedia, more characteristic because of the institute that possesses PC (PC), so interaction, network function with the user, also have all originally all can use on family's theater computer at the audio-visual multimedia archives on the PC, more cooperate jumbo storage area, make family's theater computer produce more polynary entertainment effect.
Since be a kind of product of appliance-based computer, so use telechiric device to carry out the control standard outfit especially of every function, but because the basic software program code of the Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) (BIOS) of computer system each peripheral equipment I/O of initialization when starting shooting itself, usually be responsible for carrying out the start selftest, peripheral device carried out default values such as initialization, record display device, keyboard, processor, memory body, and the interruption resident program that provides application program to call out, at last from Storage Media the load operation system to the systematic memory body.
So, the running of BIOS system is before telechiric device (need enter operating system) is driven, the general traditional input equipments such as keyboard, mouse that still need use carry out wherein menu setting, and prior art proposes need not use standard input devices such as keyboard or mouse controlling schemes in addition at BIOS.So the present invention sets the function of the setting menu of Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) especially at Digiplex (embodiment such as infrared remote controller), a kind of command control method of Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) is proposed, can be applied to HTPC etc. similarly in the multimedia system, make wireless remote controller except the control of functions such as audio-visual amusement, more can use the option of setting among the BIOS.
Please refer to the synoptic diagram that concerns of family's theater shown in Figure 2 and telechiric device, show that wherein a display screen 22 is online to a home theater system main frame 24, this home theater system main frame 24 is above-mentioned HTPC or possesses the multimedia system of similar functions, the user can allow home theater system main frame 24 can break away from the dependence of mouse and keyboard by the BIOS menu picture 26 of telechiric device 20 these home theater system main frames 24 of control.The preferred embodiment of telechiric device 20 is for using the controlled in wireless means of infra-red remote control, and other all can be the applied scope of the present invention as wireless telecommunications means such as radio, Bluetooth transmission protocol, WiFi.
Before the load operation system, can use telechiric device 20 to control for reaching above-mentioned home theater system main frame 24, and special set environment at BIOS, the command control method of basic input and output proposed by the invention mainly is interrupt service routine (the Interrupt Service Routine that loads when home theater system main frame 24 is started shooting by, ISR) continue to read the controlling signal sent from telechiric device 20 (as scan code, scan code) technology, the start that telechiric device 20 can be applied under the BIOS menu picture 26 is simultaneously set in the menu (Setup Menu).
This interrupt service routine is a letter formula in order to interrupt request processing, running is in the core of computer system, commitment behind electric power starting, await orders (standby) carry out interruption message, to enter Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) (BIOS) when menu is set as the user, need be after start soon, in the time of systems inspection CPU (central processing unit) 11 and systematic memory body, press the fast key that enters BIOS (as del key, esc key or other), computer system will produce interrupt request this moment, and detect this incident by interrupt service routine.
Because break in service can require specific service is provided according to the user, as the generation of key-press event, hardware needs system processor is produced an interrupt request, can insert an incident when processing unit operates.The interrupt service routine of use proposed by the invention then is to detect/to read this interrupt request continuously, and particularly from the scan code of telechiric device 20, system can be known an interrupt request.
In addition, above-mentioned interrupt service routine reads the specific port,input-output (as the CIR port of Super IO) except continuing, and can also be used to check whether the source of interrupt request is correct, to discharge wrong interrupt request, and after the performed program of interrupt request is finished, the interruption in the end/removing hardware.If interrupt request is many, interrupt service routine more can be arranged subsequent interrupt in the into formation (queue), handles in proper order.
Home theater system main frame 24 utilizes this interrupt service routine, and as 8259 PIC, the hardware interrupts (interrupt) of button reads scan code on the monitoring infrared remote controller after receiving interrupt request, and the defined button of expression the present invention triggers.Judge by the scan code that reads button on the telechiric device 20 again and definition is applied in reaches the input button up and down on the keyboard originally, such as carrying out the function correspondence by table look-up (a lookup table) who pre-defines, can carry out and same operation and control when utilizing Keyboard Control, make the telechiric device 20 of control BIOS menu picture 26 the same with keyboard operation.
The step of the disclosed BIOS command control method of the present invention can be with reference to instruction control flow chart of steps shown in Figure 3.
Beginning is as step S301, after opening computer system, at system initialization, and the stage before entering operating system starts interrupt service routine (ISR), preferred embodiment of the present invention is to be applied to similarly multimedia system such as family's theater computer, afterwards by this interrupt service routine detecting interrupt request, especially from the interrupt request of telechiric device to system processor, interrupt service routine continues to read a port,input-output (as a super port,input-output, Super IO) goes up scan code at the transmission port (as being a consumer infrared ray port, CIR IO) of telechiric device.When the user produces steering order by telechiric device, telechiric device 20 will spread out of scan code, system will produce interrupt request to processing unit this moment, and be interrupted service routine and detect (step S303), receive the scan code (step S305) that telechiric device produces simultaneously.
Owing to be different from the signal that original keyboard or mouse transmits by the signal package that telechiric device transmitted, embodiments of the invention can (be removed the useful sign indicating number of back acquisition as the header with the signal package) by table lookup function execution command corresponding (mapping) after decipher, according to scan code identification one steering order (step S307) that is received, comprise corresponding to the button that the upper and lower, left and right, PgUp, PgDn, ESC, Space, Enter, numerical key etc. that originally utilize Keyboard Control BIOS to set menu are usually used in setting.
For instance, BIOS general using interrupt INT 16h reads the scan code of keyboard, the processing of the line correlation correspondence of going forward side by side, the present invention then utilizes interrupt service routine to read scan code from telechiric device, and assign in the former program that is applied in keyboard, allow among the BIOS except judging the scan code of keyboard, also can judge the scan code that utilizes infrared remote controller, the infrared remote controller method of controlling BIOS start menu is just controlled as keyboard afterwards.
Afterwards, after drawing steering order, carry out this steering order (step S309), comprise that the selection (as by ESC, Del, the equiprobable shortcut of F8) according to the user enters the setting picture, this sets the setting picture that picture comprises general Basic Input or Output System (BIOS), or by an extension firmware interface (Extensible Firmware Interface, EFI) menu that is produced, the multimedia interface that before entering general disc operating system (DOS), is provided such as multimedia system.Finish this interrupt request (step S311) at last and by interrupt service routine.
Fig. 4 then describes the present invention in the embodiment flow process that enters the command control method after BIOS sets picture.At reading signal by a port,input-output from telechiric device as the computer system of family's theater computer etc., carry out the setting of Basic Input or Output System (BIOS), step starts from carrying out and enters BIOS related setting picture (step S401).This sets picture not necessarily is limited in BIOS when reality is implemented setting menu, can contain BIOS and set menu and wherein extend the menu that the firmware interface is produced by one, such as setting music or other extension function that menu is derived by BIOS.
Then by the controlling signal (step S403) of interrupt service routine detecting from telechiric device, continue to read on the port,input-output scan code this moment at the transmission port of this telechiric device, in a preferred embodiment, interrupt service routine is the consumer infrared ray port (CIR IO) on the super port,input-output (Super IO) that continues to read on the computer system, after receiving controlling signal, interrupt service routine produces an interrupt request (step S405) to system, have no progeny in system produces, interrupt service routine will read a scan code from telechiric device (step S407) again.
No matter whether scan code is effective, all can be according to corresponding identification one steering order (step S409) of tabling look-up, and carry out steering order (step S411), after the execution, no matter whether be effective instruction, will finish this interrupt request (step S413), and get back to the step of detecting controlling signal.
At this moment,, judge whether to leave this BIOS and set picture as if operation by BIOS, if, then directly enter the boot program of computer system, carry out start self test program (P.O.S.T.) supervisor (step S417); If do not really want to leave the setting picture, the expression user will continue relevant settings such as BIOS, to get back to step S403, interrupt service routine will continue the controlling signal that detecting produces by telechiric device 20, and repeat above-mentioned interruption, read scan code, steps such as identification instruction, execution command.
In sum, the present invention is a kind of command control method of Basic Input or Output System (BIOS), particularly utilizing a break in service that is stated from behind the electric power starting often is the scan code that reads from button on the infrared remote controller, and judge and be defined in and reach the input button up and down on the keyboard, allow use and to utilize the BIOS set environment of telepilot control equally, no longer rely on traditional input medias such as keyboard and mouse as multimedia systems such as family's theater computers.
The above, only for the preferable specific embodiment of the present invention, feature of the present invention is not limited thereto, and anyly in the field of the invention is familiar with this skill person, can think easily and variation or modification, all be encompassed within the claim of the present invention.