JPH07319569A - Computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To supply an operating mode switched by a hot key function to a user with simplified constitution. CONSTITUTION:Since a switching instruction for system operating environment such as a power saving mode and a power increasing mode, etc.. can be inputted by a hot key using an SMI, the key data of hot key can be immediately accepted by a CPU 11 even while any application program is being executed, and the change of the operating environment can be performed. Also, when the system operating environment such as the power saving mode and the power increasing mode, etc., is changed, a pop-up window representing the present system operating environment can be automatically opened on a display screen. Therefore, the operating mode switched by the hot key function can be immediately supplied to the user.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a laptop type or notebook type personal portable computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, various portable laptop or notebook type personal portable computers have been developed. This kind of portable computer. For example, it has various operation modes such as a resume mode and a boot mode, and these operation modes can be switched by rewriting the environment setting information set in the CMOS memory in the system. Conventionally, such rewriting of environment setting information is usually performed using a pop-up window.

The pop-up window is a window provided by a pop-up processing program for setting the operation mode, and is displayed in an overlapped manner on the screen provided by the running application program.
In the pop-up window, several items that indicate the operation mode to be switched are defined.
A desired operation mode can be specified by selecting one item using a cursor or the like. The environment setting information of the CMOS memory is rewritten according to the operation mode specified by the pop-up window, whereby the operation mode of the system is switched from the resume mode to the boot mode, for example.

However, since such a pop-up processing program is activated by using a maskable key input interrupt, the interruption is masked depending on the application program being executed, and the pop-up processing cannot be executed. There are drawbacks that arise.

In this case, the operation mode cannot be switched unless the execution of the application program is completed. Therefore, recently, a portable computer has been developed which can switch operation modes by using hot keys.

Since the hot key uses an interrupt signal that cannot be masked, the status information is rewritten according to the key data of the hot key to immediately operate during the execution of any application program. You can switch modes.

However, in the system using this hot key, no screen display showing an operation mode like a pop-up window is performed. For this reason, in order to confirm the current operation mode switched by the hot key, it is necessary to provide a dedicated display for the status display, a display lamp, etc. on the computer main body, which causes an increase in the number of parts and an increase in cost. There was a flaw.

In particular, recently, the B5 or A5, which is smaller than the conventional portable computer and is more portable, is used.
The size of the sub-notebook portable computer has been developed, and it is very difficult to secure a space for mounting the display and the indicator lamp dedicated to the status display as described above in such a sub-notebook portable computer. .

[0009]

In the conventional portable computer having the hot key function, the system operating environment such as the operating mote can be changed without depending on the software environment. Also, in order to check the system operating environment, etc., it was necessary to provide a dedicated display for the status display, an indicator lamp, etc. in the computer body. Therefore, there is a drawback that the number of parts increases and the cost increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a system operating environment such as an operation mode switched by a hot key function is provided without providing a display or a display lamp dedicated to status display in the computer main body. It is an object of the present invention to provide a computer system capable of presenting to a user.

[0011]

Means and Actions for Solving the Problems
A computer system having a storage device for storing environment setting information for setting the system operation environment, and instructing to change the system operation environment in a computer system configured to change the system operation environment according to the environment setting information Key input means for inputting a hot key, and means for updating the environment setting information according to the key code of the hot key in order to change the system operating environment in response to the hot key input from the key input means. And a window for opening a window for reading the environment setting information from the storage device and notifying the system operating environment specified by the environment setting information in response to the change of the system operating environment by the hot key. And a display means.

In this computer system, since the instruction to switch the system operating environment is input by the hot key, the key data of the hot key is immediately accepted even while executing any application program, and the system operating environment is received. Changes are made.
When the system operating environment is changed, a window showing the current system operating environment is opened on the display screen based on the rewritten environment setting information. For this reason, it is possible to immediately present the user with the operation mode switched by the hot key function without providing a display dedicated to status display or a display lamp in the computer main body.

Further, according to the present invention, separate interrupt processing functions are used for the hot key function and the window display function. The hot key function is realized by the system management interrupt, and the window display function is realized by the timer interrupt. Characterize.

The system management interrupt is a non-maskable interrupt signal for utilizing the system management mode of the CPU. This saves the CPU status when the system management interrupt occurs and restores the CPU status when the interrupt processing ends. A function is provided to return to the state before the interrupt occurred. Therefore, by using this system management interrupt, it is possible to accept the hot key and change the environment setting information without affecting the running application program.

Further, only the process of changing the environment setting information is executed in the system management mode, and the window display is carried out by the timer process. Therefore, even if the hot key is pressed during execution of the communication program, the execution of the communication program is interrupted for a very short time until the environment setting information is changed. Therefore, the problem that a communication error occurs due to a long interruption of the communication program does not occur.

Further, the timer processing is repeatedly executed at a constant time interval, but one timer processing is performed as follows.
Only the checking process of the key code holding means in which the hot key is set and the opening / closing process of the window are performed. In this case, if the hot key is turned on, a window is opened, and the timer processing ends with the window open. On the other hand, when the hot key changes from on to off, the open window is closed and then the timer processing is ended. For this reason, although the window is displayed for the entire duration of pressing the hot key, it is possible to prevent the CPU from being monopolized for the timer processing during that period. Therefore, the communication program is not interrupted for a long time.

[0017]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows the system configuration of a portable computer according to an embodiment of the present invention. This portable computer is, for example, a sub-notebook personal computer of A5 or B5 size,
As shown, the CPU 11 and the CPU local bus 12
A, ISA specification system bus 12B, main memory 1
3, a VGA controller 14, a VRAM 15, and a flat panel display 16 such as an LCD.

The CPU 11 controls the entire system, and executes the processing target program stored in the main memory 13. The CPU 11 has a system management interrupt (SMI; System Management).
Interrupt), for example, a microprocessor SLE manufactured and sold by Intel Corp.
An enhanced Intel 486 is used.

SL Enhanced Intel 48
When 6 is used, the CPU 11 has the following system management function. That is, the CPU 11 executes a system mode (SMM; System M) in addition to a real mode, a protect mode, a virtual 86 mode for executing an application program or a program such as an OS.
It has an operation mode for executing a system management program called an "management mode".

The real mode is a mode in which a maximum 1 Mbyte memory space can be accessed, and the physical address is determined by the offset value from the base address represented by the segment register.

Up to 4 protected modes per task
It is a mode that can access the G-byte memory space,
A linear address is determined using an address mapping table called a descriptor table. This linear address is finally converted into a physical address by paging.

The virtual 86 mode is a mode for operating a program configured to operate in the real mode in the protect mode, and the program in the real mode is treated as one task in the protect mode.

The system management mode (SMM) is a pseudo-real mode, in which the descriptor table is not referenced and paging is not executed. System Management Interrupt (SMI)
rupt) is issued to the CPU 11, the operation mode of the CPU 11 is switched to the SMM from the real mode, the protect mode, or the virtual 86 mode, which is the operation mode at that time. When switching to SMM by SMI, the CPU 11 saves the CPU status, which is the contents of the CPU register at that time, in the SMRAM 131. When the return instruction (RSM instruction) is executed in the SMM, the CPU 11 restores the CPU status from the SMRAM 131 to the CPU register and returns to the operation mode before the SMI occurrence. In SMM, a system management program is executed.

The SMI is a kind of the non-maskable interrupt NMI, but it is the highest priority interrupt having a higher priority than the normal NMI and the maskable interrupt INTR. This SM
By issuing I, various SMI service routines prepared as a system management program can be started without depending on the application program being executed or the OS environment.

In this system, S is used to change the system operating environment using a hot key described later.
Utilizes MI. The main memory 13 stores an operating system, an application program to be processed, user data created by the application program, and the like. SMRAM (System
em Management RAM) 131 is 3FFFFH from address 30000H of main memory 13.
Are mapped to the address spaces up to and are accessible only when the SMI signal is input to the CPU 11. Here, the address range to which the SMRAM 131 is mapped is not fixed, and can be changed to an arbitrary place in the 4 Gbyte space by a register called SMBASE. The SMBASE register is
Only SMM can access. The default value for the SMBASE register is address 3000H. In addition, in this system, the SMRAM 131 is not limited to the SMI, but the data is set in a predetermined register of the system controller 18 so that the SMRAM 131 can be stored in the main memory 13.
Address 30000H to 3FFFFH can be mapped.

When the CPU 11 shifts to SMM, C
PU status, that is, CPU when SMI is generated
11 registers and the like are saved in the SMRAM 131 in a stack format. The SMRAM 131 has a BIOS
The instructions for calling the system management program of the ROM 17 are stored. This instruction is issued by the CPU 11
This is the first instruction executed when entering the MM, and execution of this instruction transfers control to the system management program.
The system management program includes a hockey processing routine for changing the system operating environment according to the hot key.

Here, the hot key is used to change various operation modes for setting / changing the system environment.
A key for directly requesting to PU11,
Some particular keys on the keyboard 29 are assigned as their hot keys. When this hot key is operated, some functions related to setting / changing the system operating environment provided by the CPU 11 are directly called and executed. In this hot key processing, unlike the case of normal key data transmission, SM
I is issued to notify the CPU 11 that the hot key has been pressed.

The operating environment that can be set / changed by the hot key includes an instant security function, power save mode switching, resume / boot mode switching, display mode switching, speaker volume switching, and the like. These functions are the BIOS-ROM described later.
It is provided by the hot key processing routine stored in 17. Since this hot key processing routine is executed by the SMI, it can be called immediately without depending on the application program being executed and the OS environment, and can be executed without terminating these executing programs. .

The VGA controller 14 is for controlling the display of a flat panel display 16 including a backlit LCD panel for monochrome gradation display or color display, and the CPU local bus 1
The image data is received from the CPU 11 via 2A and drawn in the image memory (VRAM) 15. In this case, since the system bus 12B is not used, the transfer of image data does not deteriorate the system performance. The contrast of the flat panel display 16,
The black and white reverse display is configured to be adjusted by a hot key operation from the keyboard 29. The VGA controller 14 also has a function of controlling a CRT display 35 that can be connected to the computer main body as required, and selectively displays display data on either the flat panel display 16 or the CRT display 35. It is possible to display and to simultaneously display the same display data on them.

When the system operating environment setting / changing process is executed by the hot key, the flat panel display 16 displays a window showing the system operating environment at that time (hereinafter referred to as a pop-up window). This pop-up window is different from the one displayed by the conventional pop-up process, and is not used for setting / changing the system operating environment,
It is used to present the changed system operating environment to the user.

The system bus 12B has a BIOS RO.
M17, system controller (SYS-CONT) 1
8, an I / O controller (I / O-CONT) 19 is connected.

The BIOS ROM 17 is a system BIOS.
It is for storing an S (basic I / O system), and is composed of a flash memory so that the program can be rewritten. System BIOS
It is configured to work in real mode. This system BIOS has an I that is executed at system boot.
An RT routine, a device driver for controlling various I / O devices, and a system management program are included. The system management program is an interrupt program executed in SMM, and includes an SMI handler,
And various SMI service routines such as hotkey processing routines. The SMI handler is for activating the SMI service routine according to the cause of the SMI. When the SMI caused by the hot key occurs, the hot key processing routine is activated and the SMI caused by other factors occurs. In some cases, S corresponding to the factor
Invokes the MI service routine.

The timer interrupt processing program included in the system BIOS has a function of displaying a pop-up window for presenting the system operating environment changed by the hot key processing to the user.

The system controller 18 includes a bridge device which connects the CPU local bus 12A and the system bus 12B, and a memory control logic which controls various memories in the system.

The I / O controller 19 controls the I / O equipment connected to the serial port 20, the printer / external FDD connected to the parallel port 21, and the external FDD connected to the parallel port 22.
Control. Further, the I / O controller 19 includes two DMA controllers for direct memory access control and an interrupt controller (PIC; Programma).
2 ble Interrupt Controllers, 2 system timers (PIT; Programmable Interval Timer)
Serial I / O controller (SIO; Serial I)
Two nput / Output Controllers are built in.
The system timer (PIT) periodically generates a timer interrupt (IRQ0) at a predetermined time interval. When this timer interrupt (IRQ0) is generated, the interrupt controller (PIC) generates INTR, which notifies the CPU 11 of the generation of the timer interrupt.

Furthermore, the I / O controller 19 is also provided with an I / O register group used for communication between the power supply controller (PSC) 23 and the CPU 11. The system bus 12b further includes a real time clock (RTC) 25, a keyboard controller (KB
C) 26, and PCMCIA gate array (PCMC
IA GA) 25 is connected.

The real time clock (RTC) 25 is
It is a timepiece module having its own battery for operation, and has a static RAM 251 (hereinafter, referred to as a CMOS memory) of CMOS configuration to which power is constantly supplied from the battery. The CMOS memory 251 is used to store environment setting information indicating the system operating environment. Also,
The CMOS memory 251 also stores power status information such as the remaining capacity of the battery managed by the power controller 23, the presence / absence of a battery connection, the type of the connected battery (dry battery, secondary battery), and the presence / absence of an AC adapter connection. To be done.

The environment setting information of the CMOS memory 251 is S
It is rewritten by hot key operation using MI, and the power supply status information of the CMOS memory 251 is also rewritten according to the power supply status notified from the power supply controller 23 to the CPU 11 by the SMI.

Keyboard controller (KBC) 26
Is for controlling the built-in keyboard 29 built in the computer body as standard equipment. It scans the key matrix of the built-in keyboard 29 to receive a signal corresponding to a pressed key, and sends it to a predetermined key code ( Scan code). The keyboard controller 26 has two communication ports P1 and P2, the communication port P1 is connected to the system bus 12B, and the communication port P2 is connected to the PCMCIA gate array 27.

The key code corresponding to the hot key provided on the built-in keyboard 29 is sent from the communication port P2 to the PCMCIA gate array 27, and the PCMCIA gate array 27 is sent.
It is set in the register in the gate array 27. In this case, an SMI is generated from the PCMCIA gate array 27, which notifies the CPU 11 that the hot key is turned on.

On the other hand, key codes other than the hot key are transmitted from the communication port P1 to the system bus 12B as usual.
Is output to. In this case, the keyboard controller 26
Generates a keyboard interrupt signal (IRQ1) and outputs it to the interrupt controller (PIC) of the I / O controller 19. Interrupt controller (PI
C) is a maskable hardware interrupt signal INT
R is issued, and this notifies the CPU 11 that some key has been pressed.

The keyboard controller 26 has a function of controlling an external keyboard 30 which is optionally connected, and a function of controlling a pointing stick 31 and a mouse 32 by using a dedicated processor (IPS) 28.

PCMCIA Gate Array (PCMCIA
GA) 27 is an optional 68-pin PC
MCIA (Personal Computer Memory Card Interr
National Association) Read / write control of card 33 and keyboard controller 26 to CPU 1
The transfer of the hot key to 1 is controlled. Also, PCMC
The IA gate array 27 is provided with a pulse width modulation circuit for driving and controlling the speaker 36. The sound generated by the speaker 36 is adjusted by the frequency of the pulse signal output from the pulse width modulation circuit, whereby various alarm sounds such as a low battery alarm and a panel close alarm can be generated. Further, the volume of the speaker 36 can be adjusted by changing the amplitude of the pulse signal output from the pulse width modulation circuit.

FIG. 2 shows the hardware logic provided in the PCMCIA gate array 27 for hot key transfer control. As shown, PCMCI
In the A gate array 27, an SMI generating circuit 271 for generating an SMI signal to the CPU 11, an Fn status register 272 in which a hot key scan code (make code / break code) is set by the keyboard controller 26, and an SMI by the keyboard controller 26 are set.
An SMI transmission register 273 in which data for instructing MI generation is set is provided.

As described above, the hot keys are realized by a combination of some keys provided on the keyboard 29. Specifically, press the [Fn] key and [F
By simultaneously pressing other specific keys such as 1], [F2], ... [F5] (Fn + specific key), some hot key processing predefined for each specific key can be selectively called. it can.

[Fn] + When a specific key is pressed, the keyed controller (KBC) 26 sets [Fn status register 272 of the PCMCIA gate array 27 to [Fn] to notify the CPU 11 of the key data of the hot key.
The scan code (make code) of the specific key pressed together with the [n] key is written, and then the SMI issuance data "1" is written in bit7 of the SMI transmission register 273.

Similarly, when the [Fn] key is released while the [Fn] + specific key is pressed, the scan code and the data "1" for issuing the SMI are respectively stored in the Fn status register 272 and the SMI issuing data. It is set in the SMI transmission register 273. In this case, the break code “00h” of the [Fn] key is used as the scan code set in the Fn status register 272.

When "1" is set in bit7 of the SMI transmission register 273, the SMI generation circuit 271 causes
Generate an MI signal. This SMI signal is supplied to the SMI input of the CPU 11.

In response to the SMI signal, the CPU 11 interrupts the program being executed at that time to switch to the SMM mode, and executes the hot key processing routine there. Next, with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, a series of operations of the CPU 11 when the SMI signal is generated will be described.

When the [Fn] + specific key is pressed during execution of the operating system, application program, or system BIOS, the SMI signal is generated from the PCMCIA gate array 27.

When the SMI signal is input to the CPU 11,
The CPU 11 operates in an operation mode (protect mode, real mode, or virtual 86) corresponding to the program being executed.
Mode) to SMM. When entering the SMM, the CPU 11 first maps the SMRAM 131 into the address space from the address 30000H to 3FFFFH of the main memory 13 (step S1). As a result, the address 30000H to 3FFFFH in the main memory 13 becomes inaccessible, and instead the SMR
The AM 131 becomes accessible.

The SMRAM 131 is provided with a CPU state storage area a1, an Fn status code storage area a2, etc., and the S of the BIOS ROM 117.
A jump code (JMP) that specifies the MI handler as an interrupt destination is set. As mentioned above, B
The IOS ROM 17 stores IRT routines, SMI handlers, a plurality of BIOS drivers, and various SMI service routines including hot key processing routines.

Next, the CPU 11 outputs the CPU status (also referred to as context), which is the contents of various registers of the CPU 11 when the SMI is input, to the SM.
The data is saved in the CPU state storage area a1 of the RAM 131 in a stack format (step S2). And CPU
11 is the code of the SMM start address (38000H), that is, the address 38000 of the SMRAM 131.
The jump code set in H is fetched, and the SMI handler of the BIOS ROM 17 designated by the jump code is executed (step S3). The processes of steps S1 to S3 up to this point are executed by the CPU 11 itself, that is, the microprogram of the CPU 11.

The SMI handler called by the execution of the jump code checks the cause of the SMI occurrence to determine the cause of the SMI occurrence (step S4). In this processing, the register 273 of the PCMCIA gate array 27 and the like are referred to. If the SMI is caused by the hotkey, the SMI handler
It requests execution of a specific hot key processing routine in the SMI service routine of the BIOS ROM 17 (step S5). The requested hot key processing routine is executed in the SMM (step S
6).

What kind of hot key processing function is executed in response to the SMI caused by the hot key is determined by the contents of the Fn status code which is the code set in the Fn status register 272. Fn
The relationship between the status code and the hot key processing function to be executed is as follows. [Fn status code]: [Contents of hot key processing function] F1: Instant security F2: Switching of power save mode F3: Switching of medium mode / boot mode F4: Switching of speaker volume F5: LCD / CRT display switching F6: Black and white reverse display of LCD panel →: Contrast up ←: Contrast down In these hot key processes, rewriting of the corresponding environment setting information of the CMOS memory 251 and command transfer to the corresponding hardware module are performed.
Further, when the hot key processing function corresponding to F2 or F3 is executed, the Fn status code (scan code of F2 or F3) is stored in the Fn status code storage area a of the SMRAM 131 in addition to rewriting the environment setting information.
Stored in 2. The Fn status code of the SMRAM 131 is used in the pop-up window display process.

When the hot key processing routine finishes executing its function, it executes a resume (RSM) instruction (step S7). Execution of this RSM instruction causes the CPU
The status is restored from the SMRAM 131 to the CPU register (step S8), whereby the CPU 11
Exits from SMM and returns to the operation mode before the occurrence of SMI, and control is returned to the interrupted operating system, application program or BIOS.

Next, the concrete contents of each hot key function executed by the hot key processing routine will be described. (1) Fn + F1 (instant security) The instant security function is a confidentiality protection function that prevents others from seeing the contents of the process being executed. When the hot key Fn + F1 is entered, the program being executed will The provided display screen is turned off, and the keyboard is locked to disable key input.

In the key-locked state, the keyboard 2
The key code input from 9 is the CPU1 by SMI.
Sent to 1 and saved sequentially on the stack. The saved key code group is compared with the user password registered in the CMOS memory 251, and if they match, the key lock state is released and the screen display is permitted.

As described above, all the password verification processing of the instant security function is executed by the hot key processing routine by using the user password of the CMOS memory 251. In this case, the user password of the instant security function is the same as the user password used in the power-on password verification process executed when the system power is turned on, in order to simplify operations such as registration / change / deletion of the password for the CMOS memory 251. It is shared. (2) Fn + F2 (power save mode switching) The power save mode switching function is a function for selecting one of a plurality of power save modes (full power mode, low power mode, user setting mode) with different power consumption. , Fn + F2 hot keys are input, the currently set power save mode is toggled and switched to another mode.

In this case, when the Fn + F2 key is pressed,
The power save mode is not switched for the first time. However, in order to present the current power save mode to the user through a pop-up window, the scan code of F2 is SMRA as Fn status code.
It is stored in M131.

For example, when the Fn + F2 key is pressed in the case where the current power save mode is the full power mode, as shown in FIG. 5, a pop-up window W1 is displayed at the lower left of the application screen 161 being executed.
Is displayed, which indicates to the user that the current power save mode is the full power mode.

In the pop-up window W1, items indicating the power save mode, the power up mode, and the remaining battery capacity are defined as shown in the figure, and items to be changed (specified by the Fn status code of the SMRAM 131) ( Here, only the item indicating the power save mode) is highlighted. In the items indicating the power save mode, the power up mode, and the remaining battery charge, the current mode indicated by the environment setting information of the CMOS memory 251 is displayed. As for the battery remaining capacity, time information indicating the remaining usage time of the battery (“3:00” indicates that the remaining usage time is 3 hours) and an index (between E and F) indicating the battery charge degree (percentage). Is fully charged, the length of the reverse display area becomes shorter as the remaining capacity area decreases).

When the F2 key is pressed again without releasing the Fn key, the power save mode is switched. The items to switch are as follows. 1) Full power mode 2) Low power mode 3) User setting mode These power save modes have different combinations of setting states such as CPU clock, CPU sleep mode, HDD auto off, and display auto off. Has the most full power mode and the least low power mode. In the user setting mode, the settings of the CPU clock frequency, the CPU sleep mode, the display auto-off, and the HDD auto-off are determined according to the contents designated in advance by the user through a setup process or the like.

The power save mode is switched in order of 1) → 2) → 3) → 1) ... Each time the Fn + F2 key is pressed. In this case, according to this mode switching, C
The corresponding environment setting information of the MOS memory 161 is updated, and the hardware settings (settings of CPU clock frequency, CPU sleep mode, display auto off, and HDD auto off) based on the environment setting information are changed.

While the Fn key is pressed, the pop-up window W1 is continuously displayed, and the CMOS
The power save mode item in the popup window W1 of the memory 251 is also displayed each time the Fn + F2 key is pressed.
It is changed to "full power mode", "low power mode", and "user setting mode". This is because the pop-up window processing routine is repeatedly executed by a timer interrupt, and each time the pop-up window W1 is displayed based on the environment setting information of the CMOS memory 251. (3) Fn + F3 (Resume / boot mode switching) The resume / boot mode switching function is a function to switch the system operation mode (power-up mode) at power-on from resume mode to boot mode or from boot mode to resume mode. Yes, Fn + F
The mode is switched each time the 3 key is pressed.

Here, in the resume mode, the state immediately before the power is turned off is saved in a backed up memory, and when the power is turned on next time, the contents of the backup memory are restored to restore the system to the state immediately before the power is turned off. It is a power-up mode that causes it. The boot mode is a power-up mode in which the system is initialized and the operating system is booted when the power is turned on.

When the Fn + F3 key is pressed, the power up mode (resume / boot) is not switched in the first first time. However, the scan code of F3 is stored in the SMRAM 131 as an Fn status code in order to present the current power-up mode to the user through a pop-up window.

For example, when the current power save mode is the resume mode and the Fn + F3 key is pressed, a pop-up window W2 is displayed at the lower left of the running application screen 161, as shown in FIG. This informs the user that the current power-up mode is the resume mode.

In the pop-up window W2, as shown, only the item to be changed designated by the Fn status code of the SMRAM 131, that is, the item showing the power-up mode is highlighted.

In this state, the Fn key is not released and the F
When the 3 key is pressed, the power-up mode is switched. The items to switch are as follows. 1) Resume mode 2) Boot mode These modes are 1) every time the Fn + F3 key is pressed.
→ 2) → 1) ... Can be switched in order. In this case, the relevant environment setting information of the CMOS memory 161 is updated according to this mode switching.

While the Fn key is pressed, the pop-up window W2 is continuously displayed, and the CMOS
Each time the Fn + F3 key is pressed, the power-up mode item in the popup window W2 of the memory 251 is also changed.
It is changed to "resume mode", "boot mode", and "resume mode". (4) Fn + F4 (switching of speaker volume) The speaker volume switching function is a function of adjusting the volume of various alarm sounds generated from the speaker 36, and Fn +
Each time the F4 key is pressed, the speaker volume is switched step by step. By this switching, the volume of the system speaker, low battery alarm, and panel close alarm can be adjusted collectively. The items that can be switched are as follows.

1) Speaker off 2) Low volume 3) Medium volume 4) High volume Each time the Fn + F4 key is pressed, 1) → 2) → 3) →
4) → 1) ...

This switching is performed by changing the amplitude of the pulse signal output from the pulse width modulation circuit of the PCMCIA gate array 27. (5) Fn + F5 (LCD / CRT display switching) The LCD / CRT display switching function is a function for switching the display monitor whose display is controlled by the VGA controller 14, and each time the Fn + F5 key is pressed, the display monitor to be displayed is changed. Can be switched.

The items that can be switched are as follows. 1) LCD display 2) LCD and CRT simultaneous display 3) CRT display Every time the Fn + F5 key is pressed, 1) → 2) → 3) →
1) ... switch.

This switching is performed by the VGA controller 14
It is realized by issuing the display mode setting command to. (6) Fn + F6 (black / white reverse display switching of LCD panel) The black / white reverse display switching function is performed by the VGA controller 14
It is a function to reverse the black and white display screen of the LCD between the foreground and the background in black and white. Whenever the Fn + F6 key is pressed, the normal display (foreground = black, background = white), The reverse display (foreground = white, background = black) is switched alternately. (7) Fn + → (contrast up) This contrast up function is a monochrome display LCD.
Is a function for gradually increasing the contrast of the LCD, and the contrast of the LCD is increased by one step each time the Fn + → key is pressed. (8) Fn + ← (Contrast down) This contrast down function is a monochrome LCD.
Is a function for gradually lowering the contrast of the LCD, and every time the Fn + ← key is pressed, the contrast of the LCD is lowered by one step.

The contrast adjustment of such an LCD is as follows.
For example, it can be realized by variably setting the voltage level of the contrast control signal supplied from the power supply controller 23 to the LCD panel.

As described above, in this personal computer, the hot key processing routine of the BIOS can be started only by performing the hot key operation, whereby the system operating environment can be variously changed. When the power save mode switching function (Fn + F2) and the resume / boot mode switching function (Fn + F3) are executed, a pop-up window is automatically displayed on the display screen. You can check the mode and the changed mode while operating the hot keys.

Next, referring to FIG. 6, the relationship between the system operating environment changing process by the hot key processing routine and the popup window display process by the popup processing routine will be described.

Here, the case where the power save mode is switched from the current full power mode to the user setting mode by repeatedly performing the F2 key three times while pressing the Fn key will be described.

When the user performs the first input operation of the Fn + F2 key, an SMI is generated. CPU1
1 interrupts the program being executed and shifts to SMM.
In this SMM, the CPU status is SMRAM131
After being saved in, the hot key processing routine (Fn + F2 routine) corresponding to the F2 key is executed. This hot key processing routine reads the Fn status code saved in the SMRAM 131, and if it is "00h", recognizes that it is the first input operation of the Fn + F2 key. Then, the hot key processing routine uses the Fn status code (scan code of F2) set in the Fn status register 272 as SM.
After saving in the RAM 131, the RSM instruction is executed to restore the interrupted program.

After that, when the Fn key is pressed, 2
When the second F2 key-on operation is performed, the CPU 11 shifts to SMM again, and executes a hot key processing routine there. The hot key processing routine compares the Fn status code set in the Fn status register 272 with the Fn status code saved in the SMRAM 131, and if they match, Fn + F2
Recognize that this is the second and subsequent key input operation. The hot key processing routine is executed by the CMOS memory 251.
And the hardware setting are executed, and the power save mode is switched to the mode (low power mode) next to the currently set mode (full power mode).

Next, with the Fn key pressed, press 3
When the second F2 key-on operation is performed, the CPU 11 shifts to SMM again, and executes a hot key processing routine there. When the hot key processing routine recognizes that it is the second and subsequent input operations of the Fn + F2 key, it executes rewriting of the CMOS memory 251 and hardware setting, whereby the power save mode is set to the currently set mode (low power mode). ) Switch to the next mode (user setting mode).

When the Fn key is released, the CPU 1
1 shifts to SMM again and executes a hot key processing routine there. Since the Fn status code set in the Fn status register 272 is the break code “00h” of the Fn key, the hot key processing routine detects that the series of hot key operations of the Fn + F2 key has ended, and Key break code "00
"h" is saved in the SMRAM 131 as an Fn status code.

On the other hand, the pop-up processing routine executes C every time a timer interrupt occurs (generated every 55 ms).
It is executed by the PU 11. That is, when a timer interrupt occurs, the CPU 11 interrupts the program being executed, saves the CPU status in the stack, and then executes the pop-up processing routine of the system BIOS. If the scan code of the F2 or F3 key is set in the Fn status register, the pop-up processing routine follows the Fn status code of the SMRAM 131 and the environment setting information of the CMOS memory 131.
Opens a popup window on the display screen.
After that, the popup processing routine returns to the interrupted program while keeping the popup window open.

If F2 is set in the Fn status register 272,
Alternatively, if the scan code of the F3 key is not set, the pop-up processing routine immediately returns to the interrupted program.

Therefore, the popup window is not displayed until the first input operation of Fn + F2 is performed, and the popup window is opened by the first timer interrupt after the first input operation of Fn + F1 is performed. In this popup window, the item of power save mode is "full power mode".

After that, until the Fn break code is set in the Fn status register, F
The pop-up window display processing according to the n status code and the environment setting information of the CMOS memory 131 is repeatedly executed by the pop-up processing routine.

Therefore, when the second input operation of Fn + F2 is performed, the item of the power save mode in the popup window is changed from "full power mode" to "low power mode", and the third input operation of Fn + F2 is performed. Then, the item of power save mode is changed from "low power mode" to "user setting mode".

Thereafter, when the pop-up processing routine is executed with the Fn break code set in the Fn status register 272, the pop-up processing routine closes the open pop-up window.

Next, with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 7 and 8, the overall operation procedure for changing the operating environment by the hot key processing routine will be described. here,
For simplicity, the case where five hot keys F1 to F5 are supported will be described.

The hot key processing routine first reads the Fn status code from the Fn status register 272 (step S11), and then determines whether or not the instant security function is currently being executed (step S12). Whether or not the instant security function is being executed can be determined by referring to the environment setting information regarding the instant security function of the CMOS memory 251.

If the instant security function is being executed, the hot key processing routine executes password check processing (steps S13 and S1).
4). In this password check process, the scan code transmitted from the keyboard controller 29 is sequentially saved in the stack, and when the scan code corresponding to the Enter key is received, the collation of the user password is executed.

That is, during execution of the instant security function, the keyboard controller (KB
C) 26 is the same as when the hot key is pressed
The generation mode is set, and all key inputs from the keyboard 29 or the external keyboard 30 are transmitted to the CPU 11 by SMI. Therefore, during execution of the instant security function, the hot key processing routine is executed each time a key is input, and the scan code from the keyboard controller 29 is saved in the stack. When the scan code from the keyboard controller 29 is the scan code corresponding to the Enter key, the hot key processing routine compares the saved scan code group with the user password previously registered in the CMOS memory 251. , Check the user password.

If the passwords match, the hot key processing routine executes the keyboard controller 26 and VGA.
After each command is transferred to the controller 14 to permit screen display and release the key lock (steps S15 and S16), the SM is executed by executing the RSM command.
Return control to the program that was running before the I occurred. On the other hand, if the passwords do not match, the hotkey handling routine will remain in instant security mode,
Return control to the program that was being executed before the SMI occurred.

If it is detected in step S12 that the instant security function is not being executed,
The hot key processing routine proceeds to the following processing. That is, the hot key processing routine detects whether the Fn status code acquired in step S11 is the break code "00h" of the Fn key (step S17),
If it is the break code of the Fn key, enter it in SMRAM
It is stored in 131 (step S21).

If the break code is not the Fn key, the hot key processing routine detects which of the Fn status codes is F1 to F5 (step S1).
8, S22, S26, S30, S34), and the hot key function corresponding to the key code is executed.

If the code is the F1 key code (step S1)
8), the hot key processing routine performs processing for executing the instant security function. That is,
The hot key processing routine first transfers a key lock command to the keyboard controller (KBC) 26 to instruct key lock (step S19). This command transfer is performed via the communication register of the PCMCIA gate array 27. In response to this command, the keyboard controller (KBC) 26 locks all the input devices, that is, the keyboard 29, the external keyboard 30, the pointing stick 31, the mouse 32, and S
Transition to the MI generation mode. Next, the hot key processing routine transfers the command to the VGA controller 14 and turns off the display screens of the displays 16 and 35 (step S20). Here, the VGA controller 14 to the flat panel display 16 and the CRT are used.
The supply of video data to the display 35 is stopped.

If the Fn status code is the code of the F2 key (step S22), the hot key processing routine performs the following processing for switching the power save mode.

That is, the hot key processing routine is S
By comparing the Fn status code of the MRAM 131 and the code of the Fn status register 272, it is determined whether or not it is the first Fn + F2 key input (step S23). The hot key processing routine stores the code of the F2 key in the SMRAM 131 if it is the first input (step S24) and CM if it is the second or subsequent input.
The environment setting information regarding the power save mode of the OS memory 251 is rewritten and the hardware is set, and the current power save mode is switched to another mode in the order described above (step S25).

If the Fn status code is the code of the F3 key (step S26), the hot key processing routine performs the following processing for switching the power-up mode.

That is, the hot key processing routine is S
By comparing the Fn status code of the MRAM 131 with the code of the Fn status register 272, it is determined whether or not it is the first Fn + F3 key input (step S27). The hot key processing routine stores the code of the F3 key in the SMRAM 131 if it is the first input (step S28) and CM if it is the second or subsequent input.
The environment setting information relating to the power-up mode of the OS memory 251 is rewritten, and the resume / boot mode switching is executed (step S29).

If the Fn status code is the code of the F4 key (step S30), the hot key processing routine performs the following processing for switching the speaker volume.
That is, the hot key processing routine is executed by the SMRAM 13
Fn status code 1 and Fn status register 2
By comparing the 72 codes, the first Fn + F4
It is determined whether or not it is a key input (step S3).
1). In the hot key processing routine, if it is the first input, the environment setting information regarding the speaker volume is rewritten and the hardware is set to turn off the speaker (step S32). If it is the second and subsequent inputs, the CMOS memory 2
Rewriting the environment setting information about the speaker volume of 51,
Then, the hardware setting is performed, and the current speaker volume is switched to another volume according to the order described above (step S33).

If the Fn status code is the code of the F5 key (step S35), the hot key processing routine performs the following processing for LCD / CRT switching.
That is, the hot key processing routine rewrites the display mode information regarding the LCD / CRT switching of the CMOS memory 251 and sets the hardware, thereby switching the current display mode to another mode according to the order described above (step S35). ).

Next, referring to the flow chart of FIG.
A procedure for displaying a popup window by the popup processing routine will be described. The pop-up processing routine executed by the timer interrupt is as follows.
Status register 272 or F of SMRAM 131
n Check the status code (step S41),
It is detected whether the Fn status code is the key code of F2 or F3 (step S42). If it is the key code of F2 or F3, the pop-up processing routine refers to the environment setting information regarding the instant security of the CMOS memory 251, and determines whether or not the instant security function is being executed (step S).
43).

If the instant security function is being executed, the pop-up processing routine immediately ends the processing. On the other hand, if the instant security function is not being executed, proceed to the following processing.

That is, the pop-up processing routine is
First, it is determined whether the popup window is being displayed (step S44). This judgment is based on the CMOS memory 25.
This is done by referring to the pop-up execution flag that is set to 1.

If the popup window is not being displayed, the popup processing routine first saves the video data of the VRAM 15 in a predetermined memory area in order to open the popup window (step S45). In this case, at least the video data corresponding to the pop-up window display position is saved. If the pop-up window is being displayed, it is already in VRAM.
Since the video data of 15 has been saved, the process of step S45 is not executed.

Next, the pop-up processing routine is SM
The Fn status code in the RAM 131 is checked to determine whether the Fn status code is the F2 key or the F3 key (steps S46 and S4).
7, S55).

If the Fn status code is the code of the F2 key, the pop-up processing routine reads the information regarding the power save mode, the power-up mode, and the power supply status stored in the CMOS memory 251, and the pop-up window is executed according to the information. Is displayed on the screen (steps S48 and S49). In this case, the item of the power save mode whose mode is to be changed is highlighted. Then, the pop-up processing routine stores a pop-up executing flag indicating that the pop-up window is being displayed in the CMOS memory 251 (step S50), and ends the processing.

If the Fn status code is the code of the F3 key, the pop-up processing routine reads the information regarding the power save mode, the power-up mode, and the power supply status stored in the CMOS memory 251, and according to the information, the pop-up window is displayed. Is displayed on the screen (steps S56 and S57). In this case, the item of the power-up mode whose mode is to be changed is highlighted. Then, the pop-up processing routine stores the pop-up executing flag indicating that the pop-up window is being displayed in the CMOS memory 251 (step S58), and ends the processing.

On the other hand, when it is detected in step S42 that the Fn status code is a key code other than F2 or F3, the popup processing routine
It is determined whether the Fn status code is the break code of the Fn key (step S52). If the break code is the Fn key, the popup processing routine will
By referring to the POPUP in-execution flag of the CMOS memory 251, it is checked whether or not the popup window is being displayed (step S53). If it is being displayed, that is, if the pop-up window is open, the pop-up processing routine uses VRA to close the pop-up window.
The contents of M15 are restored, and the POPUP in-execution flag indicating that the popup window is closed is set to CMOS.
Store in the memory 251 and finish the process (step S5).
3, 55).

As described above, in this embodiment, since the switching instruction of the system operating environment such as the power save mode and the power up mode is input by the hot key using the SMI, any application program is executed. Even in the middle of the operation, the key data of the hot key is immediately accepted by the CPU 11 and the operating environment is changed. When the system operating environment such as the power save mode and the power up mode is changed, a pop-up window showing the current system operating environment is automatically displayed on the display screen based on the rewritten environment setting information of the CMOS memory 251. Open. For this reason, the operation mode etc. switched by the hot key function is immediately presented to the user without providing a dedicated display for the status display or a display lamp on the computer main body unlike the conventional system having the hot key function. Things are possible.

Therefore, the number of parts and cost can be reduced, and a system suitable for a B5 or A5 size sub-notebook personal computer can be realized. Also,
In this embodiment, separate interrupt processing functions are used for the hot key function and the window display function, and the hot key function uses a system management interrupt (SMI).
The window display function is realized by a timer interrupt.

The SMI is a non-maskable hardware interrupt signal of the highest priority for using the system management mode of the CPU 11, which saves the CPU status when the SMI occurs and C when the interrupt processing ends.
A function is provided to restore the PU status and return to the state before the interrupt occurred. Therefore, it is possible to receive hot keys and change the environment setting information without affecting the running application program.

In the system management mode, only the process of changing the system operating environment is performed, and the window display is performed by the timer process. For this reason, even if a hot key is pressed during execution of a communication program, the execution of the communication program is interrupted in a very short time until the environment setting information or the hardware setting is changed. is there. Therefore, the problem that a communication error occurs due to a long interruption of the communication program does not occur.

Further, the timer process is repeatedly executed at regular time intervals, but the one time timer process is:
Only the process of checking the Fn status code and the process of opening / closing the window. In this case, if the F2 or F3 key is turned on, the window is opened, and the timer processing is ended with the window open. On the other hand, when the Fn break code is turned on, the open window is closed and then the timer processing is ended. Therefore, although the pop-up window is displayed for the entire time the hot key is pressed, it is possible to prevent the CPU 11 from being monopolized for timer processing during that period. Therefore, the communication program is not interrupted for a long time.

In this embodiment, the Fn status code in the Fn status register 272 is set in the SMRAM 13
The item to be highlighted is determined by the Fn status code of the SMRAM 131. This is because when the key different from the item to be changed is pressed while the hop-up window is displayed, the hop-up window This is to prevent the display contents from changing.

Further, the save destination of the Fn status code is not limited to the SMRAM 131, and for example, C
Any storage area such as the MOS memory 251 that is not rewritten by an application program or the like may be used.

Further, the hop-up window has a CM
The current power status is also displayed according to the power status information of the OS memory 251.
For rewriting 51 power status information, SM
It can be done using I.

That is, the power supply controller 23 monitors the power supply status such as the remaining capacity of the battery, and when the value changes, sets the changed power supply status in the communication register of the system controller 18. The system controller 18 is provided with an SMI generating circuit, and when the power status is set in the communication register, the SMI generating circuit sends the SMI to the CPU 11.
A signal is generated. The SMI service routine is
When it is detected that the power supply status is issued from the power supply controller 23, the power supply status of the communication register is stored in the CMOS memory 251 and the CMO is generated.
Rewrite the power status of the S memory.

The power controller 23 and the CPU
By communicating with 11, the CMOS memory 251
Can always hold the latest power status information. Therefore, the pop-up processing routine can efficiently display the current power supply status information in the window together with the current operation mode.

[0122]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention,
It is possible to present the user with the window display of the system operating environment such as the operation mode switched by the hot key function, without providing the computer main body with the display for exclusive use of the status display or the display lamp. Also, since the hot key function is realized by the system management interrupt and the window display function is realized by the timer interrupt, even if an application program that requires real-time processing such as a communication program is running, The operating environment can be switched and the window can be displayed efficiently without affecting.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall system configuration of a personal computer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an extracted hardware configuration relating to communication between a CPU and a keyboard controller provided in the personal computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a system management function of a CPU provided in the personal computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary view for explaining the operation of the CPU when a system management interrupt signal is generated in the personal computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a pop-up window in the personal computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a relationship between processing procedures of a hot key processing routine and a pop-up processing routine when switching the power save mode in the personal computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the first half of the processing procedure of the hot key processing routine in the personal computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the latter half of the processing procedure of the hot key processing routine in the personal computer of the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary flowchart for explaining a processing procedure of a pop-up processing routine in the personal computer of the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 ... CPU, 13 ... Main memory, 17 ... BIOS
ROM, 26 ... Keyboard controller, 27 ... PCM
CIA gate array, 131 ... SMRAM, 251 ... C
MOS memory, 272 ... Fn status register.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A computer system having a storage device for storing environment setting information for setting a system operating environment, wherein the system operating environment is changeable according to the environment setting information. In response to the key input means for inputting the hot key for instructing the change and the hot key input from this key input means,
Means for updating the environment setting information according to a key code of the hot key to change the system operating environment; and reading the environment setting information from the storage device in response to the change of the system operating environment by the hot key. And a window display means for opening a window for notifying a system operating environment designated by the environment setting information on a display screen. 2. The computer system has two operating modes, a resume mode and a boot mode, as a system operating environment when the power is turned on, and the environment setting information stored in the storage device is the resume mode and the boot mode. 2. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein any one of the above is designated. 3. The computer system has a plurality of power save modes having different power consumptions as a system operating environment for saving power consumption, and the environment setting information stored in the storage device includes the plurality of power saving modes. The computer system according to claim 1, wherein any one of the power save modes is designated. 4. A computer system having a storage device for storing environment setting information for setting an operation environment of the system, wherein the system operation environment can be changed in accordance with the environment setting information, and at least one key. Has a plurality of keys assigned as hot keys for instructing the change of the system operating environment, and inputs make and break codes corresponding to the hot keys in response to turning on and off of the hot keys respectively. And a means for updating the environment setting information according to the make code of the hot key in order to change the system operating environment in response to the input of the make code of the hot key from the key input means. In response to input of a hot key make code from the key input means, a ring from the storage device is displayed. And a window display means for opening a window on the display screen for reading the boundary setting information and notifying the current system operating environment according to the environment setting information. In order to present the operating environment and the changed system operating environment, during the period from the input of the make code of the hot key to the input of the break code, the reading of the environment setting information and the environment setting information thereof. A computer system characterized in that a window display based on is executed periodically and the window is closed in response to input of the break code. 5. A computer system having a storage device for storing environment setting information for setting an operation environment of the system, wherein the system operation environment can be changed according to the environment setting information, and at least one key. Has a plurality of keys assigned as hot keys for instructing the change of the system operating environment, and inputs make and break codes corresponding to the hot keys in response to turning on and off of the hot keys respectively. And a system management mode for executing a system management program for updating the environment setting information according to the make code of the hot key, and supplying a non-maskable system management interrupt signal to the CPU. In response to the command, the currently running program is interrupted and the system management mode is entered. And a CPU for returning control from the system management mode to the interrupted program in response to the end of the system management program, and a hot key make code or break code input from the key input means is set. And a key code holding means for supplying the system management interrupt signal to the CPU to change the system operating environment when the make code of the hot key is set in the key code holding means. A system management interrupt generating means for executing a system management program, and a timer for periodically supplying a timer interrupt signal to the CPU at fixed time intervals to interrupt the program being executed by the CPU to execute a timer interrupt processing program Interrupting means, the CPU, In the timer interrupt processing by the execution of the image interrupt processing program, the content of the key code holding means is checked, and when the make code of the hot key is set in the key code holding means, it is determined by the environment setting information of the storage device. After opening a window for notifying the specified system operating environment on the display screen, execution of the timer interrupt processing program is terminated, control is returned to the interrupted program, and the break code of the hot key is set. A computer system, which, when closed, returns control to the interrupted program after closing the open window.