CN1432890A

CN1432890A - Method of Saving Computer Power by Memory Throttling

Info

Publication number: CN1432890A
Application number: CN 02102420
Authority: CN
Inventors: 陈松柏
Original assignee: Inventec Corp
Current assignee: Ivalley Holding Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-01-18
Filing date: 2002-01-18
Publication date: 2003-07-30
Anticipated expiration: 2022-01-18
Also published as: CN1206579C

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for saving computer electric energy through memory throttling, which can set the buffer of north bridge according to the demand of user by adding proper program code into the basic input and output system, and can start or not start the memory throttling function provided by chip group, to save the electric energy consumption of computer.

Description

Save the method for computing machine electric energy by the internal memory throttling

Technical field

The present invention relates to a kind of power-economizing method, refer in particular to a kind of power-economizing method of computing machine.

Background technology

Power management is very important some to computing machine, temporarily do not use a computer but when not needing to shut down at once, often can close the computer equipment of some power consumptions, as display, hard disk, or control central processing unit (as: (Speed Step, Deeper Sleep) set in the sleep of Intel) etc.

When closing display, comprise screen display black picture (really not closing screen power supplies), or screen power supplies is closed, reach purpose of power saving really; Also has park mode (DozeMode) in addition, but enter dormant state after allowing user's setting computer how long leave unused, setting value is one minute to one hour, do not enable (disable) if be made as, in the power saving management, can skip this state and directly enter a kind of state (Standby or Suspend Mode) down; Standby mode (StandbyMode), the battery saving mode of the intermediate level, the value that can set also is one minute to one hour, enters interrupt mode if be made as not enable (disable) then will skip this state; The most further battery saving mode of interrupt mode (SuspendMode), but setting value also is one minute to one hour, does not enable (disable) if be made as, and the expression system can not enter interruption status for power saving.

Another kind of mode of saving power supply is to close hard disk, the electric energy that the hard disk running is consumed occupies sizable ratio in computer system, after but how long user's setting harddisk does not have access action, close the hard disk power supply, general setting-up time is 1～15 minute, and default setting is not for enabling (disable).But, if set certain time value, in a single day hard disk suspends, recovery system running once again must must be waited for certain hour.

But so only solved subproblem, the equipment of computing machine power consumption also has a lot, as chipset (chipset), internal memory (memory) etc., only close display and hard disk, be not sufficient to save fully the electric energy of computing machine, in the face of this situation, be starved of a kind of easy method really and control these parts, with further saving computing machine electric energy.

Summary of the invention

The technical problem to be solved in the present invention provides a kind of computing machine power-economizing method, can easily the set memory throttling function, and to save the computing machine electric energy.

For addressing the above problem, the present invention proposes a kind of method of saving the computing machine electric energy by the internal memory throttling, this method is at Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) (the Basic Input/Output System of computing machine, BIOS) add suitable program code in, to set north bridge (North Bridge, Brookdale-M GMCH as Intel) buffer (Register), enable internal memory throttling (memorythrottling) function, when reaching the condition that sets, internal memory will begin throttling, to save the computing machine electric energy.

The present invention comprises the following step:

At first set the north bridge buffer according to user's setting value, carry out electric power (the Power onSelf Test that tests oneself again, POST), then the call interruption handling procedure sends interrupt request, display setting (setup) picture and option, the selection result that stores the user then is to non-volatile random internal memory (Non-Volatile Random Access Memory, NVRAM), activation system (rebootsystem) reaches and gives operating system with control again.

This shows that the inventive method can be saved the electric energy of computing machine in practical application, the user can select whether to enable this function voluntarily, and this function realizes by software mode, must not increase hardware cost.

Relevant detailed content of the present invention and notion, conjunction with figs. is described as follows.

Description of drawings

Fig. 1 is a process flow diagram of the present invention; And

Fig. 2 is user's operational flowchart of the present invention.

Embodiment

The present invention is a kind of method of saving the computing machine electric energy by control internal memory throttling (memory throttling), the method is at Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) (the Basic Input/OutputSystem of computing machine, BIOS) add suitable program code in, to set the buffer of north bridge (north bridge), enable the function of (enable) internal memory throttling (memory throttling).

The inventive method is to finish by the internal memory throttling function of setting north bridge, in general chipset (chipset) comprises two chips, wherein north bridge (north bridge) is high frequency range part, with processor, Installed System Memory is connected with viewing hardware, because north bridge needs many pins, so north bridge it seems that volume is bigger, comprise a large amount of signal wires owing to lead to the interface of processor and internal memory, when the encapsulation north bridge chips, also need to prepare a large amount of pins, because north bridge chips has determined processor, the flow velocity of data between internal memory and display device, and comprised the interface that leads to Installed System Memory, the also use of restriction system internal memory is so also have tangible influence to the function of system.

North bridge chips mainly is the influence of systemic-function: the data frequency range of internal memory frequency range, bulk delay (latency), indivedual delay memory, the data frequency range that connects display device and connection south bridge, under the multitask working environment, by north bridge (north bridge) when going to read and write main memory data, can reduce the internal memory processing time, and then make transfer function that the lifting of highly significant be arranged, therefore, the present invention will utilize this characteristic to realize the electricity-saving function that present system manufacturer does not provide.

Because Intel does not support to be set up on their own by window (windows) the internal memory throttling function of north bridge chips, so provide the user to adjust the option of this function voluntarily without any product at present, though some chipset provides this function at present, but because this function does not influence normal running, so among the BIOS and this function of un-activation, though or opened this function, can't select voluntarily by the user.If internal memory throttling (memory throttling) function that operating system supporting chip group is provided then can reduce the processing frequency range of internal memory, reach the effect of power saving.

The feasibility of method proposed by the invention now is described with a preferred embodiment, Figure 1 shows that the present invention passes through the process flow diagram that the method for computing machine electric energy is saved in the internal memory throttling:

The system information of general personal computer is to be recorded in the non-volatile random internal memory, this NVRAM can be complementary metal oxide semiconductor (Complementary Metal-OxideSemiconductor, CMOS), the information that writes down in the middle of NVRAM comprises the kenel of general hard disk, track number, the sector number of each rail, the magnetic surface number of record data, and system time, date, the number of floppy disk and capacity, the display kenel, information such as amount of memory, usually these setting values can be learnt from Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) or change, BIOS is burning program in the flash memory (flash memory) in motherboard, every hardware in its meeting logger computer, and playing the part of communication bridge with operating system, this program can not lost data because of shutdown, the BIOS of most high level computers supports electricity-saving function, BIOS also provides the interface between operating system and the hardware in addition, need use the equipment of some hardware when operating system, promptly can handle by BIOS, the present invention adds suitable program code in the Basic Input or Output System (BIOS) of computing machine, to set the buffer (Register) of north bridge (NorthBridge is as the Brookdale-M GMCH of Intel).

The step of the inventive method is: read user's setting value (step 100) by NVRAM earlier, set north bridge buffer (step 110) according to this setting value again, carry out electric power (the Power onSelf Test that tests oneself again, POST) (step 120), carry out BIOS and set (setup) program (step 130), call interruption handling procedure (step 140), send an interrupt request (interrupt vector of this interrupt request is INT 10h), after interruption is sent, display setting (setup) picture and option (step 150) are selected for the user, person to be used selects to finish, the selection result that stores the user again is to NVRAM (step 160), and activation system (reboot system) (step 170) again, give operating system (Operation system with control, OS) (step 180), like this, the user can be according to needs or the behaviour in service of oneself, decide in its sole discretion and whether enable (enable) this function, as long as the user enters the set-up function (as the F10 Setup of BIOS) of BIOS, can finish the switching that internal memory throttling (memorythrottling) is enabled (enable) or do not enabled (disable), quite flexible in the use.

Fig. 2 is user's operational flowchart of the present invention, and its step is as follows:

This process flow diagram illustrates execution in step of the present invention from user's angle, after the user opens computing machine (step 200), at first enter BIOS and set picture (step 210), and selection set of options value (step 220), wait to have set whether enable internal memory throttling (memory throttling) after, leave BIOS again and set picture (step 230).

General user is when using a computer, if want to prolong the running time of notebook computer, then can select whether to enable the function of (enable) internal memory throttling voluntarily, if desire is carried out animation, then can close this function, or work as product at exploitation and test phase, owing to need consider the situation ((worstcase) of poor efficiency, product development and tester also can be by functions proposed by the invention, the internal memory throttling is closed, to carry out temperature (thermal), electromagnetic interference (EMI) (electromagnetic interference, EMI), battery life tests such as (battery life).

By above-mentioned analysis to technical solution of the present invention, can draw the inventive method has many advantages in actual applications:

1. save the computing machine energy resource consumption, increase user's the computer operation time, improve convenience.

2. the user can select whether to enable (enable) this function voluntarily, improves convenience.

3. this function realizes by software mode, must not increase hardware cost, and can increase computer product function and attraction, improves the product surcharge.

As above so it is not to be used for limiting the present invention though preferred embodiment of the present invention is open, any those skilled in the art, and the equivalent arrangements of being done should be included within protection scope of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for saving computer power by memory throttling, characterized in that a memory throttling function provided by the computer chipset is set by the basic input output system, and its steps are as follows:

(a) reading a user setting value of a non-volatile random access memory;

(b) setting a register according to the user setting value;

(c) perform electrical self-tests;

(d) calling an interrupt handler to issue an interrupt request;

(e) Display a setting screen and options;

(f) storing a user's new setting value in non-volatile random access memory;

(g) reactivate the system; and

(h) Transfer control to the operating system.

2. The method for saving computer power through memory throttling as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said memory throttling function is realized by reducing the processing bandwidth of the memory.

3. The method for saving computer power through memory throttling as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said non-volatile random access memory is a complementary metal oxide semiconductor.

4. The method for saving computer power through memory throttling as claimed in claim 1, wherein said user setting value is selected from a combination of enabling or disabling memory throttling.

5. The method for saving computer power through memory throttling as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said buffer is a buffer of the North Bridge.

6. The method for saving computer power through memory throttling as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that said setting screen and options are set through the basic input and output system.

7. The method for saving computer electric energy through memory throttling as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the interrupt vector required by the interrupt is INT 10h.