CN103488270A - Power saving method and electronic device thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a power saving method and its electronic device, wherein the method includes the following steps. When the idle time of the peripheral unit is less than the preset time value, the peripheral unit continues to detect the trigger event. When the idle time of the peripheral unit exceeds a preset time value, the peripheral unit sends a sleep signal to the system unit, wherein the system unit has a working mode and a power saving mode. After the peripheral unit sends the sleep signal, the peripheral unit still continues to detect the trigger event. After the system unit receives the sleep signal, the system unit switches from the working mode to the power saving mode. After the peripheral unit detects the trigger event, the peripheral unit sends a wake-up signal to the system unit. After the system unit receives the wake-up signal, the system unit switches from the power saving mode to the working mode. Therefore, when there is a trigger event, the peripheral unit can transmit a wake-up signal to the system unit in real time, so as to wake up the system unit and the operating system.

Description

Power saving method and electronic device thereof

【Technical field】

The present invention relates to a power saving method and its electronic device, and in particular to a power saving method and its electronic device in a low temperature environment.

【Background technique】

With the rapid development of technology, the computing power and supporting functions of handheld electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablet computers or notebook computers are also increasing and becoming more complex. In such a trend, power management of handheld electronic devices has become an increasingly important issue. Generally speaking, all handheld electronic devices support the power saving mode, and enter the power saving mode after the handheld electronic device is idle for a fixed period of time to save energy consumption. However, when the handheld electronic device is in a harsh environment, such as an extremely high temperature environment or an extremely low temperature environment, the handheld electronic device that enters the power saving mode may cause some functions of the device to fail under the influence of such an environment, or even fail to recover from the power saving mode. Wake up and return to work mode. Therefore, in order to avoid the above situation, people often disable the function of switching to the power saving mode in severe environments. However, in the harsh environment, the output efficiency of the battery module in the handheld electronic device often becomes low. In addition, there is no cooperation of the power saving mode, so that the power consumption of the handheld electronic device in the harsh environment is very serious.

【Content of invention】

The invention provides a power saving method and its electronic device, so that the electronic device can still have the function of switching to the power saving mode when it is in a harsh environment.

The present invention provides a power saving method, which includes the following steps. First, set a mode parameter. Then, according to the mode parameter, the peripheral unit enters into the first working mode and remains in the first working mode. When the idle time of the peripheral unit is less than or equal to the preset time value, the peripheral unit continues to detect the trigger event. And when the idle time of the peripheral unit exceeds a preset time value, the peripheral unit sends a sleep signal to the system unit. Then, after the peripheral unit sends the sleep signal, the peripheral unit still continues to detect the trigger event. Moreover, after the system unit receives the sleep signal, the system unit switches from the second working mode to a second power saving mode. And when the peripheral unit detects the trigger event, the peripheral unit sends a wake-up signal to the system unit. After the system unit receives the wake-up signal, the system unit switches from the second power saving mode to the second working mode. Wherein, the mode parameter corresponds to the peripheral unit, the peripheral unit is set in the electronic device, and the peripheral unit has the first working mode and the first power saving mode, and the first working mode is a non-shutdown state. The system unit has a second working mode and a second power saving mode. The system unit is set in the electronic device and is electrically connected to peripheral units.

The invention also provides an electronic device, which includes a peripheral unit and a system unit. The peripheral unit has a first working mode and a first power-saving mode, and enters the first working mode according to the mode parameter and remains in the first working mode, wherein the first working mode is a non-shutdown state. The system unit is coupled to the peripheral units, runs an operating system, and has a second working mode and a second power saving mode. Wherein, when the peripheral unit is idle for less than a preset time value, the peripheral unit continues to detect a trigger event. When the peripheral unit is idle for more than a preset time value, the peripheral unit sends a dormancy signal to the system unit. After the peripheral unit sends the dormancy signal, the peripheral unit continues to detect trigger events. After the system unit receives the sleep signal, the system unit switches from the second working mode to the second power saving mode. After the peripheral unit detects the trigger event, the peripheral unit sends a wake-up signal to the system unit. After the system unit receives the wake-up signal, the system unit switches from the second power saving mode to the second working mode.

Compared with the prior art, the power saving method and its electronic device provided by the present invention enable the system unit in the electronic device to enter the sleep mode when the peripheral unit does not enter the sleep mode, and when there is a trigger event, the peripheral unit can Send a wake-up signal to the system unit in real time to wake up the system unit and the operating system.

In order to make the above-mentioned features and advantages of the present invention more comprehensible, the following specific embodiments are described in detail together with the accompanying drawings.

【Description of drawings】

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a power saving method according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a device block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a device block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of steps of peripheral units in a power saving method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the steps of the system units in the power saving method according to an embodiment of the present invention.

【Detailed ways】

FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a power saving method according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 1 , firstly, in step S101 , a mode parameter is set. Then in step S102, according to the mode parameter, the peripheral unit enters the first working mode and remains in the first working mode. Then in step S103, when the idle time of the peripheral unit is less than a preset time value, the peripheral unit continues to detect a trigger event.

And in step S104, when the idle time of the peripheral unit exceeds a preset time value, the peripheral unit sends a sleep signal to a system unit. In step S105, after the peripheral unit sends the sleep signal, the peripheral unit still continues to detect the trigger event. Furthermore, in step S106, after the system unit receives the sleep signal, the system unit switches from the second working mode to the second power saving mode. On the other hand, when the peripheral unit detects the trigger event, the peripheral unit sends a wake-up signal to the system unit. In step S107, after the system unit receives the wake-up signal, the system unit switches from the second power-saving mode to the second working mode.

Wherein, the mode parameter corresponds to the peripheral unit, and the peripheral unit is set in the electronic device, and the peripheral unit has a first working mode and a first power saving mode, and the first working mode is a non-shutdown state. The system unit has a second working mode and a second power saving mode, and the system unit is set in the electronic device and electrically connected to the peripheral units.

FIG. 2 is a device block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention. Referring to FIG. 2 , the electronic device 10 includes a peripheral unit 120 and a system unit 110 . The peripheral unit 120 has a first working mode and a first power saving mode, and enters the first working mode according to the mode parameter and remains in the first working mode, wherein the first working mode is a non-shutdown state. The system unit 110 is coupled to the peripheral unit 120, operates an operating system, and has a second working mode and a second power saving mode.

When the peripheral unit 120 is idle for less than a preset time value, the peripheral unit 120 continues to detect the trigger event TE. When the peripheral unit 120 is idle for more than a preset time value, the peripheral unit 120 sends a sleep signal SS to the system unit 110 , and after the peripheral unit 120 sends the sleep signal SS, the peripheral unit 120 continues to detect the trigger event TE. After the system unit receives the sleep signal SS, the system unit 110 switches from the second working mode to the second power saving mode. After the peripheral unit 120 detects the trigger event TE, the peripheral unit 120 sends a wake-up signal WS to the system unit 110 . After the system unit 110 receives the wake-up signal WS, the system unit 110 switches from the second power saving mode to the second working mode.

The peripheral unit 120 may be a touch screen unit, a Bluetooth communication unit, or a smart card (Smart Card) card reader connected through a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. When the electronic device 10 is in a harsh environment, the peripheral unit 120 may lose part of its functions or distort the externally transmitted signal due to the impact of the severe environment. Once it enters the sleep mode, it cannot successfully detect the trigger event and be awakened, or It is unable to transmit the correct signal such as the sleep signal SS or the wake-up signal WS to the system unit 110 successfully.

Therefore, no matter whether the peripheral unit 120 is idle for more than the preset time value or not, the peripheral unit 120 remains in the first working mode to detect the trigger event TE, and does not enter the first power saving mode. And because the peripheral unit 120 is kept in the first working mode, depending on whether the idle situation and triggered events occur, etc., the sleep signal SS and the wake-up signal WS are sent to the system unit 110 in a timely manner, so that the system unit 110 can be used in the second mode. Switch between the working mode and the second power saving mode to achieve the purpose of saving power. It can be known from actual implementation that the power consumed by the system unit 110 and the operating system run by the system unit 110 is much greater than the power consumed by keeping the peripheral unit 120 in the working mode. In this way, even if the peripheral unit 120 is kept in the working state, considerable power consumption can still be reduced.

FIG. 3 is a device block diagram of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the invention. 3, in this embodiment, the peripheral unit is a touch panel unit 320, and the system unit 310 includes a connection interface 311, a platform controller hub (Platform Controller Hub, PCH) chipset 312 and a central processing unit 313. The central processing unit 313 is used to run an operating system, and is connected with peripheral units such as the touch panel unit 320 through the platform control core chipset 312 and the connection interface 311 . In this embodiment, the electronic device 310 is configured in a manner conforming to Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI).

FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the steps of the peripheral unit in the power saving method according to an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the peripheral unit in this embodiment is the touch panel unit 320 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 . Please refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 at the same time. In step S401, a mode parameter corresponding to the touch panel unit 320 is set, for example, when the electronic device 30 is in a harsh environment, the temperature sensing unit on the electronic device 30 (not shown) set after sensing the current temperature, or set by the user when using the electronic device 30 .

The touch panel unit 320 has a first working mode and a first power saving mode. In this embodiment, the first working mode is the D0 state of the Device Power State in the ACPI standard or the P0 state in the Device and Processor Performance States (Device and Processor Performance States) state, the first power saving The state is one of the D1-D3 states of the device power state in the ACPI standard or one of the P1-Pn states of the device and processor performance states. It is set according to the actual situation, and the present invention is not limited to the above states. In step S402, the touch panel unit 320 enters the first working mode according to the above mode parameters, operates with normal power consumption, and continues to detect the trigger event TE when it is idle for a predetermined time (step S403, step S404 ), for example, the user touches or operates the touch panel unit 320 and the like.

When the touch panel unit 320 is idle for more than a predetermined time (step S403), the touch panel unit 320 sends a sleep signal SS to the system unit 310, but the touch panel unit 320 does not switch to the first power saving mode (step S405) . After sending the sleep signal SS, the touch panel unit 320 continues to detect trigger events (step S406 ). When the touch panel unit 320 detects the trigger event TE, the touch panel unit 320 sends the wake-up signal WS to the system unit 310 (step S407 ).

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of the steps of the system units in the power saving method according to an embodiment of the present invention. Please refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 at the same time, the system unit 310 has a second working mode and a second power saving mode. In this embodiment, the second working mode is the C0 state in the processor power state (Processor Power State) in the ACPI standard or the P0 state in the performance state of the device and the processor. The second power-saving mode is one of the C1 state to the C3 state in the processor power state in the ACPI standard or one of the P1 state to the Pn state in the performance state of the device and the processor, which is set according to the actual situation and is not limited by the present invention. in the above state.

When the connection interface 311 of the system unit 310 receives the sleep signal SS (step S501), the connection interface 311 transmits the sleep signal SS to the platform control core chipset 312 and the central processing unit 313, so that the system unit 310 switches from the second working mode to The second power saving mode (step S502). According to the setting of the second power saving mode, each component in the system unit 310 is sequentially entered into different sleep states (Sleep states).

For example, if the power saving degree is low, the system unit 310 sequentially switches the connection interface 311 corresponding to the touch panel unit 320 to the interrupt mode according to the sleep signal SS, and the platform control core chipset 312 enters the sleep state. In the case of higher power saving, the system unit 310 not only allows the connection interface 311 to switch the interrupt mode and the platform control core chipset 312 to enter the sleep state, but also allows the operating system run by the central processing unit 313 and the central processing unit 313 to enter the sleep state. sleep state.

It is worth mentioning that the degree of the sleep state of the connection interface 311, the platform control core chipset 312 and the central processing unit 313 can correspond to various states in the ACPI standard, and it is different with the setting of the second power saving mode mentioned above. For example, the operating system run by the central processing unit 313 switches from the normal working state (G0 ('S0) state) in the ACPI standard to one of the stages S1 to S4 in the sleep state (G1 state), Set according to the actual implementation situation.

Please continue to refer to FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, when the connection interface 311 of the system unit 310 receives the wake-up signal WS from the touch panel unit 320 (step S503), the connection interface 311 transmits the wake-up signal WS to the platform control center chipset 312 and the central processor 313, so that the system unit 310 can be switched from the second power saving mode to the second working mode, and each component in the system unit 310 and the operating system run by the central processing unit 313 can be woken up in the sleep state and switched back to normal functioning state.

It should be noted that, in general implementation, the electronic device 310 may include multiple peripheral units like the touch panel unit 320, and each of them is connected with multiple connection interfaces or with a single connection interface (such as the connection interface 311). The platform controls the hub chipset 312 . The working mode and power saving mode of multiple peripheral units can be set separately or collectively. For example, some peripheral units that are less affected by the ambient temperature can also enter low power saving and sleep mode when they are idle for more than a preset time. In the lower power saving mode, the present invention is not limited to the above. However, when the electronic device 310 includes peripheral units with volatile memory such as smart card readers, it must be ensured that such peripheral units will not lose power because the system unit 310 enters the power saving mode, or in other For example, when the smart card is pulled out, the power is turned off or enters the power saving mode when the setting is not set, and adjustments and settings are made according to the actual implementation.

To sum up, the present invention provides a power saving method and its electronic device. When it is in a harsh environment, the peripheral units in the electronic device that may be affected by the harsh environment are adjusted not to enter the power saving mode when the idle time exceeds a preset time. power mode, but still send a sleep signal to the system unit to make the system unit and the operating system enter a sleep state. In this way, the peripheral unit can continuously detect trigger events such as user operations, avoiding the situation that the peripheral unit cannot recover after entering the power saving mode, which will affect the operating system and the system unit cannot return to the working mode from the power saving mode . In addition, compared to the peripheral units, the components in the system unit, such as the CPU and chipset, consume a lot of power. Therefore, although the peripheral units are kept in the working mode, the system unit and the operating system enter the power saving mode after being idle, which can still save most of the power consumption, so that the electronic device can still maintain a longer power even in a harsh environment Use cycle.

Claims (14)

1. A power saving method, suitable for an electronic device, characterized in that the method comprises: set a mode parameter; According to the mode parameter, the peripheral unit enters a first working mode and remains in the first working mode; When the idle time of the peripheral unit is less than or equal to a preset time value, the peripheral unit continues to detect a trigger event; When the idle time of the peripheral unit exceeds the preset time value, the peripheral unit sends a sleep signal to a system unit; After the peripheral unit sends the dormancy signal, the peripheral unit continues to detect the trigger event; After the system unit receives the dormancy signal, the system unit switches from a second working mode to a second power saving mode; After the peripheral unit detects the trigger event, the peripheral unit sends a wake-up signal to the system unit; and After the system unit receives the wake-up signal, the system unit switches from the second power-saving mode to the second working mode; Wherein the mode parameter corresponds to the peripheral unit, the peripheral unit is set in the electronic device, and the peripheral unit has the first working mode and the first power saving mode, the first working mode is a non-shutdown state, the system unit With the second working mode and a second power saving mode, the system unit is set in the electronic device and electrically connected to the peripheral unit. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein: The first working mode is the D0 state of the device power state or the P0 state of the device and processor performance state in the advanced configuration and power interface; and The first power saving mode is one of the D1 to D3 states of the device power state or one of the P1 to Pn states of the device and processor performance states in the advanced configuration and power interface. 3. The method of claim 1, wherein: The second operating mode is the C0 state of the processor power state or the P0 state of the device and processor performance state in the advanced configuration and power interface; and The second power-saving mode is one of states C1 to C3 in the processor power states in the advanced configuration and power interface or one of states P1 to Pn in the device and processor performance states. 4. The method of claim 1, wherein: the electronic device has an operating system; and After the system unit receives the sleep signal, the operating system switches from the normal working state in the advanced configuration and power interface to one of the S1 to S4 stages in the sleep state. 5. The method of claim 1, wherein, The peripheral unit is a touch panel unit; and The trigger event includes a user touching the touch panel unit. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein, The system unit includes a central processing unit and a platform control core chipset. 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step after the system unit receives the dormancy signal further comprises: the system unit causes a connection interface corresponding to the peripheral unit to enter an interrupt mode; and After the peripheral unit detects the trigger event, it sends a connection signal to the system unit to enable the connection interface correspondingly connected to the peripheral unit in the system unit. 8. An electronic device, characterized in that it comprises: A peripheral unit has a first working mode and a first power-saving mode, and enters the first working mode according to a mode parameter and remains in the first working mode, wherein the first working mode is a non-shutdown state; A system unit, coupled to the peripheral unit, operates an operating system, has a second working mode and a second power saving mode; wherein, When the peripheral unit is idle for less than a preset time value, the peripheral unit continues to detect a trigger event; When the peripheral unit is idle for more than the preset time value, the peripheral unit sends a dormancy signal to the system unit, and after the peripheral unit sends the dormancy signal, the peripheral unit continues to detect the trigger event; and After the system unit receives the sleep signal, the system unit switches from the second working mode to the second power-saving mode; after the peripheral unit detects the trigger event, the peripheral unit sends a wake-up signal to the system unit; as well as After the system unit receives the wake-up signal, the system unit switches from the second power saving mode to the second working mode. 9. The electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first working mode is the D0 state of the device power state or the P0 state of the device and processor performance state in the advanced configuration and power interface; and The advanced configuration of the first power saving mode and one of the device power state D1 to D3 states or one of the device and processor performance states P1 to Pn states in the power interface. 10. The electronic device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The second working mode is the C0 state of the processor power state or the P0 state of the device and processor performance state in the advanced configuration and power interface; and The second working mode is one of states C1 to C3 in the processor power states in the advanced configuration and power interface or one of states P1 to Pn in the device and processor performance states. 11. The electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that: the electronic device has an operating system; and After the system unit receives the sleep signal, the operating system switches from the normal working state in the advanced configuration and power interface to one of the S1 to S4 stages in the sleep state. 12. The electronic device according to claim 8, characterized in that: The peripheral unit is a touch panel unit; and The trigger event includes a user touching the touch panel unit. 13. The electronic device as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The system unit includes a central processing unit and a platform control core chipset. 14. The electronic device according to claim 8, wherein: The system unit also includes at least one connection interface. When the system unit makes the operating system enter the sleep mode, it also causes the connection interface corresponding to the peripheral unit to enter an interrupt mode; and After the peripheral unit detects the trigger event, it sends a connection signal to the system unit to enable the connection interface correspondingly connected to the peripheral unit in the system unit.

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