Power managing in a system having internal usb hub

Description of the invention

The present invention relates to a computer system, and more particularly to a power management system in a system with an internal USB hub.

Connections via the universal serial bus ("USB" - Universal Serial Bus) are showing increasing popularity in computer systems. Fig. 1 shows a conventional computer system provided with USB connectors. Conventional computer system 10 may be a computer system from among computer systems including, for example, a notebook computer or a desktop computer. Conventional computer system 10 includes a host computer 12, a first USB connector 14, a USB hub 16, USB connectors 18 and 20, and a power supply 22. The host computer 12 includes integrated circuits, and thus a processor (not explicitly shown) on which the operating system (not expressly shown) runs. computer system 10. For example, host computer 12 may include four integrated circuits. Thus, host computer 12 may include processors running the operating system. Conventional computer system 10 also includes a USB connector 14. Conventional computer system 10 may include and use another USB connector (not expressly shown) as desired. Due to the popularity of USB connectivity, it is desirable that the conventional computer system 10 have a large number of USB connectors. Accordingly, a USB hub 16 is used which connects the host computer 12 to the USB ports 18 and 20. Thus, the USB hub 16 allows additional USB connectors 18 and 20 to be integrated into the computer system. The USB hub may be connected to and powered from the power supply 22 for its operation. Typically, a conventional computer system 10 has the components: a host computer 12, a USB connector 14, a USB hub 16, USB connectors 18 and 20, and a power supply 22 integrated into the housing.

While the conventional computer system 10 functions, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the conventional computer system 10 may use more power than is needed. With some operating systems and processors, using a USB device attached to the USB connector excludes the processor from entering the lowest power state known as C3 state. In other words, due to some USB implementations, if host 12 detects the presence of a USB device, the processor cannot enter its lowest power state. In a conventional computer system 10, and in accordance with USB specifications, the operating system in the host computer 12 considers the USB hub 16, which is integrated with the conventional computer system 10, to be a USB device. Thus, the USB device is always detected even when no external USB devices are used. As a result, the processors in host computer 12 will never be able to enter the lowest power state. Thus, a conventional computer system may use more power than is needed. This is especially a problem when the conventional computer system 10 is a computer system such as a notebook computer in travel mode. In such a computer system, the power supply 22 includes a battery providing power to a conventional computer system 10 in travel mode. In travel mode, it is desirable to allow host computer 12 to enter the lowest power state to save battery power, for example, when host computer 12 is not actively in use. Since the CPUs in the host computer cannot enter the lowest-powered state, the battery drains faster. The battery can lose its charge, preventing the user from using a conventional computer system 10 as needed.

Accordingly, there is a need for a system to provide a system that enables the power management of a computer system provided with a USB hub. The present invention satisfies this need.

The essence of the invention is a power management system in a computer system with an internal USB hub that forms an integrated single unit having a computer system including a host computer with a universal USB serial bus connector, the host computer including at least one processor with an operating system, where the host computer is coupled to a universal serial USB bus hub that includes, the at least one USB connector coupled to the USB hub and the USB hub is coupled to the power supply, characterized by including an attach / detach detection logic for determining whether a USB device is connected to the at least one USB connector. The attach / disconnect detection logic is coupled directly to the two USB connectors

Is connected to a power supply and a USB hub. The connector is connected between the power supply and the USB hub.

Preferably the connector is connected between the host computer and the USB hub.

Preferably, the attach / disconnect detection logic has first and second connection states of the USB connectors of the USB hub to indicate whether the at least one USB connector has a USB device attached, the first state of the USB hub being coupled to a host computer and the second state of the USB hub being decoupled from the host computer.

Preferably, the attach / disconnect detection logic is coupled to the host computer and the USB hub is decoupled from the host computer with no USB device connected to any USB connector.

Preferably, the connector is coupled to a power supply, attach / disconnect detection logic, and a USB hub, the connector engages the USB hub with the power supply in response to the first state and decouples the USB hub from the power supply in response to the second state.

The system of the present invention allows the power supply to be managed in the computer system by allowing the host computer processors to go into a lower power supply state.

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a conventional computer system with a USB hub.

Fig. 2 shows, in block diagram form, one embodiment of a computer system with a USB hub.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a second embodiment of a computer system with a USB hub.

Fig. 4 shows a more detailed block diagram of a second embodiment of the USB hub computer system.

The present invention relates to an improvement of a computer system. The following description is provided to enable those skilled in the art to make and use the invention in the context of a patent application and related requirements. It should be apparent to one skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the preferred embodiment, and the basic principles set forth herein may not apply to other embodiments. Thus, it is not the object of the present invention to limit it to the embodiments shown thereof, but to refer it to the broadest scope consistent with the principles and characteristics described herein.

A conventional computer system may include a host computer, a USB hub, and multiple USB connectors integrated into a single unit. The host computer typically contains one or more integrated circuits including at least one processor that runs on an operating system ("OS") for a conventional computer system. As USB devices are becoming more and more popular, a USB hub is paired with the host computer. Included with the USB hub are multiple USB connectors that allow you to couple USB devices to a conventional computer system. While such a conventional computer system allows more USB devices to be used with it, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a conventional computer system may not be able to adequately manage the power. In particular, a conventional computer system, according to the USB technical requirements, considers a USB hub to be a USB device connected to the conventional computer system. As a result, the processors in the host computer of a conventional computer system cannot enter some power states. Thus, a conventional computer system may use more power than is needed.

According to the present invention, there is provided a system for managing the power supply in a computer system. The computer system includes a host computer. The system includes a USB Universal Serial Bus (USB) hub, at least one USB connector, and attach / disconnect detection logic. At least one USB connector is connected to a USB hub. The attach / disconnect detection logic checks that a USB device is connected to at least one USB connector, logically cuts the USB hub from the host computer if no USB device is connected to any of the USB ports, and logically connects the hub to the host computer if, at least one connector has a USB device attached.

The present invention is described with respect to certain components and operating systems, and more particularly to a specific number of components. However, it is obvious to one skilled in the art that this system will function effectively with other components, other operating systems and other

The number of ingredients. Moreover, for the sake of clarity, many parts of the computer system of the present invention are omitted.

For a more detailed representation of the system of the present invention, see Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a high level block diagram that shows one embodiment of the computer system 100 of the present invention. The computer system 100 includes a host computer 12, a first USB connector 14, a USB hub 16, USB connectors 18 and 20 connected to the USB hub 16, a power supply 22 coupled to the USB hub 16, logic 120 attach / disconnect detection, and a connector 122. Preferably the host computer 12, first USB connector 14, USB hub 16, USB connectors 18 and 20, and power supply 22 are substantially the same as host computer 12, first USB connector 14, USB hub 16, USB connectors 18 and 20. and a power supply 22 of the conventional system 10 shown in Fig. 1.

In Figure 2, the attach / disconnect detection logic 120 is coupled to the USB connectors 18 and 20, and to the power supply 22 and the USB hub 16 via a connector 122. The attach / disconnect detection logic 120 checks that a USB device (not shown) is plugged in. to any of the USB connectors 18 and 20 or not. Attach / disconnect detection logic 120 also logically couple the USB hub 16 to the host computer 12 if a USB device is connected to at least one USB port 18 and 20. The attach / disconnect detection logic 120 accomplishes this by controlling the switch 122. Specifically, the connect / disconnect detection logic 120 controls the connector 122 such that the connector 122 couples the USB hub 16 to the power supply 22 when a USB device is connected to one of the USB connectors 18 and 20, and such that the connector 122 does not couple the USB hub 16 to the power supply 22. power supply 22 when a USB device is not connected to either of the connectors. Thus, power is applied to the USB hub 16 when one or more USB connectors 18 and 20 served by the USB hub 16 are used.

By utilizing the connect / disconnect detection logic 120, the computer system 100 can better manage the power supply. The operating system of the host computer 12 can only check at the USB hub 16 that power is being supplied to the USB hub 16. Since the attach / disconnect detection logic 120 and jumper 122 ensure that the power supply 22 is connected to the USB hub 16 only when connected to at least one of the connectors 18 and 20 of the USB device, the operating system may verify this by examining only the USB hub 16. In other words, when no USB device is connected to either of the USB connectors 18 and 20, the USB hub 16 is logically disconnected from the host computer 12. Likewise, when a USB device is connected to at least one of the USB connectors 18 and 20, the USB hub 16 is logically coupled to the host computer 12. This is so even if the USB hub 16 remains physically connected to the host computer 12 at all times. operating in the case of host 12 considers the USB hub 16 only as a USB device connected to the host 12 when at least one of the connectors 18 and 20 is used. When these connectors are not used, the processors of host computer 12 may enter the lowest power state. Thus, the power supply power will not be used unnecessarily due to the presence of the USB hub 16. Thus, it is possible to better manage the power power of the computer system 100.

Fig. 3 shows a block diagram of a second embodiment of the computer system 100 'of the present invention provided with a USB hub. The computer system 100 'includes components analogous to those of the computer system 100. Accordingly, these items bear similar markings. However, for the sake of clarity, some components are not shown. The computer system 100 'includes a host computer 12, a USB connector 14 connected to the host computer 12, a USB hub 16, and USB connectors 18 and 20 connected to the USB hub 16. The computer system 100' also includes logic 120 of attach / disconnect detection, and a connector 122. However, in the computer system 100 ', a connector 122 is connected between the host computer 12 and the USB hub 16. Attach / disconnect detection logic 120 continues to logically disconnect the USB hub 16 from the host computer 12 if no USB device is connected to either of the connectors 18 and 20. Attach / disconnect detection logic 120 continues to logically couple the hub 16 to the host computer 12 if a USB device is connected to either of the USB connectors 18 and 20. The attach / disconnect detection logic 120 performs these functions by controlling the switch 122. Specifically, the attach / disconnect detection logic 120 controls the connector 122 such that the connector 122 interfaces the USB hub 16 with the host computer 12 when a USB device is connected to either of the connectors 18 and 20. In addition, the attach / disconnect detection logic 120 controls the switch 122 such that

This connector 122 does not connect the USB hub 16 to the host computer 12 when no USB device is connected to either connector 18 or 20.

By utilizing the attach / disconnect detection logic 120, the computer system 100 'can better manage the power supply. The operating system of the host computer 12 can only check on the USB hub 16 that the host computer 12 is coupled to the USB hub 16. Since the attach / disconnect detection logic 120 and the jumper 122 only connects the USB hub 16 to the host computer 12 when connected to at least one of the connectors 18 and 20 of the USB device, the operating system may also check by examining only the USB hub 16 when to There is a USB device attached to at least one USB port 18 and 20. In other words, when no USB device is connected to either of the USB connectors 18 and 20, the USB hub 16 is logically disconnected from the host computer 12. Likewise, when a USB device is connected to at least one of the USB connectors 18 and 20, the hub is USB 16 is logically coupled to host 12. Thus, the operating system in the case of host 12 considers the USB hub 16 to be a USB device connected to host 12 when at least one of the connectors 18 and 20 is used. When these connectors are not used, the processors of host 12 may enter the state of the smallest. power. Thus, the power supply will not be consumed unnecessarily as a result of the presence of the USB hub 16. Thus, it is possible to better manage the power of the computer system 100 '.

Fig. 4 shows a more detailed block diagram of a second embodiment of the computer system 100 of the present invention provided with a USB hub. The computer system 100 includes components analogous to those of the computer system 100. Accordingly, these items bear similar markings. However, for the sake of clarity, some components are not shown. Computer system 100 includes processors 102 that reside in a host computer of computer system 100, a USB hub 16, USB connectors 18 and 20. Computer system 100 also includes join / disconnect detection logic 120, and a connector 122. In addition, computer system 100 includes 124 transient suppressor. The transient suppressor 124 is used to prevent electrostatic discharge when an energized USB device (not shown) is connected to one of connectors 16 and 18. The attach / disconnect detection logic includes ICs 126 and 128 and logic gates 130, 132, and 134. Jumper 122 is a FET transistor. Thus, connector 122 is not a connector in the conventional sense insofar as the connector 122 does not physically disconnect USB hub 16 from processors 102. Instead, connector 122 is a connector in the sense that it allows USB hub 16 to logically couple to processor 102 or cutting off from him. When a USB device is connected to the USB connector 18 or 20, the attach / disconnect detection logic 120 generates a signal (H8USBON), the value of which is enable. When the signal value corresponds to turn on, the FET 122 turns on. Thus, the line 121 between the processors 102 and the USB hub 16 is driven to the on state when a USB device is connected to one of the connectors 18 or 20. Hence, the USB hub 16 is connected to the processors 102 only when the connector 20 or 20 is used. Thus, the processors 102 will recognize the USB hub 16 as a USB device when the connector 18 or 20 is used. In other cases, the processors 102 behave as if the computer system 100 does not have a USB hub 16. That is, when connectors 18 and 20 are not used, the processors 102 may enter the lowest-power state. Thus, in the computer system 100, better power power management is possible. The power management circuit for a system with an internal USB hub is described above. While the present invention has been described in accordance with the disclosed embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that variations to these embodiments are possible and that these variations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, a skilled person is able to make many modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

The invention finds application in the management of the power demand in an electric communication system.