CN1312581C - External boot device for personal computer system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention is an additional starting device, applied in a personal computer system, the personal computer system includes a first data bus and a hard disk drive, the hard disk drive stores a first operating system program code, the additional starting device includes: a second data bus connector, which can be connected to the first data bus; a third data bus connector connectable to the hard disk drive; a circuit carrier to which the second and third data bus connectors are connected; a nonvolatile memory, which is arranged on the circuit carrier and is stored with a second operating system program code; and a microcontroller, set up on the carrier of the circuit, connect electrically between joint of the second data bus, joint of the third data bus and the non-volatile memory, it responds to the trigger of a switching signal, and then switch over from a first state to a second state.

Description

External boot device for personal computer system

technical field

The invention relates to an additional boot device, in particular to an additional boot device applied to a personal computer system.

Background technique

Because the function of personal computer is more and more powerful, so many users use personal computer as another audio-visual playing home appliance at home. However, traditional personal computers mainly use disk devices such as floppy disks or hard disks stored with operating system programs as "boot devices". Not acceptable to all users.

So a kind of non-volatile memory boot add-on card 1 is developed, as shown in Figure 1, it mainly stores an operating system program code by a flash memory 10 (commonly is the Linux operating system program code with less data volume) And audio-visual playback application program code, then through IDE (Integrated Device Electronics) integrated electronic device, or also be called as ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment bus) bus interface 11 is connected with the south bridge chipset 12 of personal computer, so, this The non-volatile memory boot add-on card 1 can be regarded as a device on the IDE bus by the personal computer, and the user can use the memory stored in the flash memory 10 by controlling the boot component option in the basic input output system (BIOS). The operating system program code is used to start the computer, so that the personal computer can enter a relatively simple operating system that can play audio and video, so that audio and video can be played without starting a disk device such as a floppy disk or a hard disk. Actions.

Since each IDE bus interface can usually connect two devices in series (master device (Master) and slave device (Slave)), and a personal computer motherboard usually has two IDE bus interfaces (master IDE and secondary IDE). Therefore, a personal computer can usually only be connected to four IDE bus interface devices, and the commonly used non-volatile memory boot add-in card 1 will occupy one of the connectors, leaving three usable connectors. A general personal computer has at least one floppy drive 13 , one optical drive 14 and one hard disk drive 15 . In this way, the four joints will be occupied and cause inconvenience to the user, because when the user needs to add another IDE bus interface device (such as another hard disk drive), it will be necessary to disassemble the casing, Then remove the non-volatile memory boot add-on card 1 from the connector, and then it is possible to change the system architecture. This will cause great inconvenience to the user. In addition, a general personal computer only has a traditional computer keyboard and a mouse for inputting characters, which will make users who are accustomed to using a remote control for audio-visual playing home appliances unable to adapt and cause trouble.

Contents of the invention

The main purpose of the present invention is to provide an additional boot device applied to a personal computer system in order to overcome the defects of the prior art.

The present invention is an additional boot device, which is applied to a personal computer system. The personal computer system includes a first data bus and a hard disk drive. A first operating system program code is stored in the hard disk drive. The additional boot device includes : a second data bus connector, which can be connected to the first data bus; a third data bus connector, which can be connected to the hard disk drive; a circuit carrier, which is connected to the second and third data bus connectors; A non-volatile memory, arranged on the circuit carrier, stores a second operating system program code; and a microcontroller, arranged on the circuit carrier, electrically connected to the second data bus connector, the first Between the three data bus connectors and the non-volatile memory, it switches from a first state to a second state in response to the triggering of a switching signal, wherein the first state is the connection between the second data bus connector and the non-volatile memory. The third data bus connector completes the signal connection, so that the first operating system program code stored in the hard disk drive can be transmitted to the personal computer system through the microcontroller and the second data bus connector, so that the personal The computer system can execute the first operating system program code, and the second state is to complete the signal connection between the second data bus connector and the non-volatile memory, so that the operating system program stored on the non-volatile memory The code can be transmitted to the personal computer system through the microcontroller and the second data bus connector, so that the personal computer system can execute the second operating system program code.

According to the above idea, in the external boot device of the present invention, the data bus connector is an IDE bus connector.

According to the above idea, in the external boot device of the present invention, the circuit carrier is a circuit board.

According to the above idea, in the external boot device of the present invention, the non-volatile memory is a flash memory module.

According to the above idea, in the external boot device of the present invention, the microcontroller is also connected to a PS/2 interface in the personal computer system, and the microcontroller can send a message to the personal computer system through the PS/2 interface. A multimedia play control instruction.

According to the above idea, in the external boot device of the present invention, the microcontroller is also connected to a universal serial bus interface in the personal computer system, and the microcontroller can communicate with the personal computer through the universal serial bus interface. The system sends a multimedia play control command.

According to the above idea, in the external boot device of the present invention, the microcontroller is also connected to a power control interface in the personal computer system, and the microcontroller can send a power supply to the personal computer system through the power control interface. Open command.

According to the above idea, in the external power-on device of the present invention, the switch signal, the multimedia playback control command or the power-on command can be sent by an audio-visual playback remote controller, received by the microcontroller and forwarded to the personal computer system .

According to the above idea, in the external boot device of the present invention, the microcontroller includes: a shared data bus electrically connected to the second data bus connector, the third data bus connector and the non-volatile memory Between; a first group of chip selection signal lines, electrically connected to the second data bus connector, the first group of chip selection signal lines transmits an enabling signal; a second group of chip selection signal lines, electrically connected to the third A data bus connector, when the microcontroller is switched from the first state to the second state, the second group of chip selection signal lines and the first group of chip selection signal lines are changed from electrically connected to not electrically connected; and a The third group of chip selection signal lines is electrically connected to the non-volatile memory. When the microcontroller switches from the first state to the second state, the third group of chip selection signal lines and the first group of chip selection The signal lines are changed from being electrically connected to being electrically connected.

According to the above idea, in the external boot device of the present invention, a multimedia playback program code is also stored in the non-volatile memory, and the data volume of the second operating system program code is smaller than the data volume of the first operating system program code .

Description of drawings

The present invention obtains deeper understanding by accompanying drawing and detailed description:

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a commonly used non-volatile memory boot add-on card 1 inserted into a personal computer system.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of applying the additional boot device developed by the present invention to a personal computer system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic functional block diagram of an additional power-on device developed by the present invention to improve the defects of common methods.

FIG. 4 is a partial functional block diagram of another preferred embodiment of the external boot device of the present invention.

1: Non-volatile memory boot add-on card 10: Flash memory

11: IDE bus interface 12: South bridge chipset

13: Floppy drive 14: Optical drive

15: Hard drive

2: Personal computer system 20: Southbridge chipset

200: IDE bus 281: Floppy drive

282: Optical drive 201: IDE bus

21: Additional boot device 291: Hard disk drive

292: Hard disk drive 211: Circuit carrier

212, 213: IDE bus connector 214: Microcontroller

210: Non-volatile memory 22: Remote control

23: Wireless signal receiving module 24: Signal channel

25: Power control interface 40: Shared IDE bus

cs1: The first group of chip selection signal lines cs2: The second group of chip selection signal lines

cs3: The third group of chip select signal lines

Detailed ways

Referring to Fig. 2, it is a schematic block diagram of applying the additional boot device developed by the present invention to a personal computer system, and the personal computer system 2 includes a south bridge chipset 20, and the south bridge chipset 20 extends two A group of IDE buses, wherein a group of IDE buses 200 are connected in series with a floppy drive 281 and an optical drive 282, while the other group of IDE buses 201 are connected in series with an additional boot device 21 and at least one hard disk drive 291 (certainly also as shown in the figure). Another hard disk drive 292 is connected in series), and a first operating system program code can be stored in the hard disk drive 291 (for example, it can be a common Microsoft Windows operating system). And then store a second operating system program code (for example, can be common Linux operating system) and a Multimedia player code. The main feature of the present invention is that the external boot device 21 can be triggered by an external switching signal, thereby selecting whether the IDE bus 201 is connected to the non-volatile memory 210 or to the hard disk drive 291 .

In this way, when the IDE bus 201 is connected to the hard disk drive 291, the first operating system program code stored in the hard disk drive 291 can be transmitted to the personal computer system 2 for execution (for example, enter the Microsoft Windows operating system) , at this point, the personal computer system 2 enters into a fully functional operating system, and the hard disk drive 291 and the hard disk drive 292 can operate normally. However, when the IDE bus 201 is controlled to be connected to the non-volatile memory 210, the second operating system program code and the multimedia player program code stored in the non-volatile memory 210 can be transmitted to the personal computer system 2 (for example, enter the Linux operating system to play multimedia video and audio), at this time, the personal computer system 2 enters an operating system that occupies less system resources but can still perform multimedia video and video playback, and the hard disk drive 291 and the hard disk drive 292 It will not run, so that the noise generated by the hard disk drive and its excessive power consumption can be effectively suppressed.

Referring again to FIG. 3 , it is a schematic block diagram of the internal function of the external boot device 21 developed to improve the defects of the common means of the present invention. It mainly uses a circuit carrier 211 (such as a circuit board or a housing) to provide relevant internal circuits. The device is disposed therein, and the relevant internal circuit device mainly includes two IDE bus connectors 212 and 213 , one of which is connected to the IDE bus 201 , and can further complete the signal connection with the south bridge chipset 20 . The other IDE bus connector 213 is connected to the hard disk drive 291 , and the microcontroller 214 and the non-volatile memory 210 mentioned above are also arranged on the circuit carrier 211 . Wherein the micro-controller 214 is electrically connected between these IDE bus connectors 212, 213 and the non-volatile memory 210, and the micro-controller 214 mainly responds to the triggering of the switching signal sent from the outside, and then switches from a first state to A second state, wherein the first state is to complete the signal connection of the IDE bus connectors 212, 213, so that the first operating system program code stored in the hard disk drive 291 can be connected to the IDE bus connector through the microcontroller 214 212 and transmitted to the south bridge chipset 20, so that the personal computer system 2 can execute the program code of the first operating system. As for the second state, the signal connection between the IDE bus connector 212 and the non-volatile memory 210 is completed, so that the second operating system program code and the multimedia player program code stored on the non-volatile memory 210 can pass through the non-volatile memory 210. The microcontroller 214 and the IDE bus connector 212 are transmitted to the south bridge chipset 20 , so that the personal computer system 2 can execute the second operating system program code and the multimedia player program code.

In this way, under the general normal use state (i.e. the first state), the microcontroller 214 connects the IDE bus 201 to the hard disk drive 291, so that the external boot device 21 does not seem to exist. At this time, the personal computer system 2 just Enter a fully functional operating system, and both the hard disk drive 291 and the hard disk drive 292 can operate normally. However, the user can generate the switching signal through a button (not shown in the figure), so that the microcontroller 214 enters the second state. In the second state, the microcontroller 214 can connect the IDE bus 201 to the nonvolatile memory 210, and the second operating system program code and the multimedia player program code stored in the nonvolatile memory 210 can Be transmitted to this personal computer system 2 and carry out (for example enter in the Linux operating system and carry out multimedia audio-visual playing), at this moment, the personal computer system 2 just can not need to enter in the first operating system, but directly enters a system resource that occupies less but In the operating system that can still play multimedia video and audio, and the hard disk drive 291 and the hard disk drive 292 will not run, so that the noise produced by the hard drive and the excessive power consumption can be effectively suppressed.

In addition, in order to complete the control of audio-visual playback through remote control, the present invention provides a remote controller 22 (such as an infrared remote controller or a radio frequency remote controller common in audio-visual appliances) and a wireless signal receiving module 23 . The wireless signal receiving module 23 is electrically connected to the microcontroller 214, which sends the switching signal, the multimedia playback control command or the power-on command sent by the remote controller 22 to the microcontroller 214 after receiving, and the microcontroller Device 214 just can convert this multimedia play control command into the human interface component command (Human Interface Device, HID) that personal computer system 2 can accept, then send in the south bridge chipset 20 through a signal channel 24, and then reach control The multimedia playing program carried out on the personal computer system 2. In this way, the user can use the familiar home appliance remote control 22 to control the audio and video playback on the personal computer system 2 . Wherein the signal channel 24 can be implemented as a signal channel of a PS/2 interface or a signal channel of a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface. As for the power-on command, the micro-controller 214 converts a power-on signal (such as ACPI Power On power signal) that a personal computer system 2 can accept and sends it to the power control interface 25 ( For example, Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI for short)), so that the user can directly turn on the personal computer system 2 through the remote control 22.

Referring to FIG. 4 again, it is a partial functional block diagram of another preferred embodiment of the boot device 21 in this case. It is mainly designed to save the number of pins of the microcontroller 214, so there is only one shared IDE bus 40, which is electrically connected between these IDE bus connectors 212, 213 and the non-volatile memory 210, and the microcontroller The device 214 has three sets of chip select (cs) signal lines, wherein the first set of chip select signal lines cs1 is electrically connected to the IDE bus connector 212, and the second set of chip select signal lines cs2 is electrically connected to the IDE bus connector 213 , and the third group of chip selection signal lines cs3 are electrically connected to the non-volatile memory 210 . And when the IDE bus 201 is selected by the personal computer system 2 to operate, the IDE bus connector 212 is connected to the first group of chip selection signal lines cs1 of the microcontroller 214 and an enabling signal (enable) will be transmitted, and when the microcontroller When the controller 214 is in the first state, the first group of chip selection signal lines cs1 are electrically connected to the second group of chip selection signal lines cs2 (but not electrically connected to the third group of chip selection signal lines cs3 ), so that An enable signal (enable) can be transmitted to the IDE bus connector 213 to make the hard disk drive 291 and the hard disk drive 292 connected thereto operate normally, while the volatile memory 210 stops operating.

But when microcontroller 214 switches from the first state to the second state, the first group of chip selection signal lines cs1 are electrically connected to the third group of chip selection signal lines cs3 (but not to the second group of chips The selection signal line cs3 is electrically connected), so that the enable signal (enable) can be transmitted to the non-volatile memory 210, so that the volatile memory 210 can operate normally, but the hard disk drive 291 and the hard drive 292 stop working.

The above descriptions are only preferred embodiments of the present invention, and are not intended to limit the claims of the present invention. All other equivalent changes or modifications that do not deviate from the spirit disclosed in the present invention should be included in the appended within the patent requirements.

Claims (11)

1. one kind adds opening device, is applied among the personal computer system, and this personal computer system includes one first data bus and a hard disk drive, stores one first operating system program code in this hard disk drive, and this adds opening device and comprises:

One second data bus connector can be engaged on this first data bus;

One the 3rd data bus connector can be connected with this hard disk drive;

One circuit carrier second is connected on it with the 3rd data bus connector for this;

One Nonvolatile memory is arranged on this circuit carrier, stores one second operating system program code on this Nonvolatile memory; And

One microcontroller, be arranged on this circuit carrier, be electrically connected on this second data bus connector, between the 3rd data bus connector and this Nonvolatile memory, this microcontroller is in response to a triggering of switching signal, and then switch to one second state by one first state, wherein this first state is connected for this second data bus connector and the 3rd data bus connector are finished signal, this first operating system program code of storing in this hard disk drive can be sent among this personal computer system by this microcontroller and this second data bus connector, and make this personal computer system can carry out this first operating system program code, be connected for this second data bus connector and this Nonvolatile memory are finished signal as for this second state, this second operating system program code of storing on this Nonvolatile memory can be sent among this personal computer system by this microcontroller and this second data bus connector, and make this personal computer system can carry out this second operating system program code.

2. the opening device that adds as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that described data bus connector is the IDE bus contact.

3. the opening device that adds as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that this circuit carrier is a circuit board.

4. the opening device that adds as claimed in claim 1 is characterised in that this Nonvolatile memory is a flash memory module.

5. the opening device that adds as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that this microcontroller also is connected to the PS/2 interface among this personal computer system, this microcontroller can send a multimedia steering order to this personal computer system by this PS/2 interface.

6. the opening device that adds as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that this microcontroller also is connected to the USB (universal serial bus) among this personal computer system, this microcontroller can send a multimedia steering order to this personal computer system by this USB (universal serial bus).

7. the opening device that adds as claimed in claim 1, it is characterized in that this microcontroller also is connected to the power supply control interface among this personal computer system, this microcontroller can send electric power starting instruction to this personal computer system by this power supply control interface.

8. as claim 5 or the 6 described opening devices that add, it is characterized in that this switching signal, this multimedia steering order can be sent by an audio-visual broadcast telepilot, and received and be forwarded to this personal computer system by this microcontroller.

9. the opening device that adds as claimed in claim 7 is characterized in that this switching signal, this electric power starting instruct and can be sent by an audio-visual broadcast telepilot, and is received and be forwarded to this personal computer system by this microcontroller.

10. the opening device that adds as claimed in claim 1 is characterized in that also comprising one and shares data bus, is electrically connected between this second data bus connector, the 3rd data bus connector and this Nonvolatile memory; And comprise in this microcontroller:

One first core assembly sheet is selected signal wire, is electrically connected on this second data bus connector, and the first core assembly sheet is selected to transmit on the signal wire an activation signal;

One second core assembly sheet is selected signal wire, be electrically connected on the 3rd data bus connector, when this microcontroller switched to this second state by this first state, this second core assembly sheet selected the signal wire and the first core assembly sheet to select to be electrically connected by being electrically connected not change between signal wire; And

One the 3rd core assembly sheet is selected signal wire, is electrically connected on this Nonvolatile memory, and when this microcontroller switched to this second state by this first state, the 3rd core assembly sheet selected the signal wire and the first core assembly sheet to select not change electrical connection into by being electrically connected between signal wire.

11. the opening device that adds as claimed in claim 1 it is characterized in that also storing a multimedia playing program code in the described Nonvolatile memory, and the data volume of this second operating system program code is less than the data volume of this first operating system program code.

Images