A broken wire monitoring system and method for an electronic device
By setting an embedded controller and general-purpose input/output pins in the electronic device, the potential status of the port is detected, which solves the problem of poor connection between the computer and the expansion dock pins, and realizes accurate monitoring of disconnection status and recording of interruption duration.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GETAC INVESTMENT HLDG CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2021-07-26
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-16
AI Technical Summary
In the prior art, the connection between the computer and the expansion dock cannot be visually determined, leading to poor contact when subjected to impacts or weather conditions.
By setting an embedded controller and general-purpose input/output pins in the electronic device, the potential status of the port is detected, the disconnection status is detected using different frequencies, and the interruption duration and the number of signal transmissions are recorded to achieve the monitoring of disconnection.
Without increasing hardware costs, it can accurately record disconnection status and interruption duration, ensuring a stable connection between the computer and the expansion dock.
Smart Images
Figure CN115686990B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to the field of computer technology, and in particular to a disconnection monitoring system and method for electronic devices. Background Technology
[0002] To achieve lightweight computing, many computer devices utilize docking stations. When a computer is mounted on a dock, it can expand its interfaces to support other communication protocols. Therefore, some manufacturers offer docking stations designed to accommodate computers, allowing them to be securely mounted. Both the computer and the docking station have corresponding pins (or contacts). When the computer is mounted on the docking station, it can communicate with the docking station via these pins (or contacts).
[0003] The aforementioned pins (or contacts) are located on the side where the computer connects to the expansion dock. Therefore, when the computer is fixed to the expansion dock, the pins (or contacts) are not visible. Thus, it is not visually possible to determine whether the computer's pins are connected to the expansion dock's contacts. For example, the computer may be subjected to impact or weather conditions, causing the pins and contacts to fail to make proper contact. Summary of the Invention
[0004] This invention provides a disconnection monitoring system and method for electronic devices to monitor disconnections in electronic devices.
[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a disconnection monitoring system for an electronic device, comprising:
[0006] The support base is equipped with connecting feet; and
[0007] An electronic device is provided with a port and an embedded controller. The port is coupled to a connection pin, and a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) pin of the embedded controller is coupled to the port. The GPIO pin detects the potential state of the port. The potential state includes a first potential state and a second potential state. In an online state, the port is coupled to the GPIO connection pin, and the potential state is the first potential state. In a disconnected state, the port is not connected to the GPIO connection pin, and the potential state is the second potential state.
[0008] The embedded controller detects whether the port is in the disconnected state at a first frequency; if the port is in the disconnected state, the embedded controller detects whether the port is in the online state at a second frequency and accumulates the number of signal transmissions until the embedded controller detects that the port is in the online state; the embedded controller calculates the interruption duration based on the number of signal transmissions and the second frequency.
[0009] Furthermore, the embedded controller includes a buffer memory, and the embedded controller encapsulates the interrupt duration and the number of signal transmissions into disconnection information and writes it into the buffer memory.
[0010] Furthermore, the electronic device includes a first processor electrically connected to the port and the embedded controller. The first processor executes a monitoring program to call an input / output interface or an operating system management interface to access the disconnection information in the buffer memory.
[0011] Furthermore, the monitoring program reads the disconnection information from the buffer memory in a first-in, first-out manner.
[0012] Furthermore, the electronic device includes a network unit, and the monitoring program sends the disconnection information to a remote server through the network unit. The remote server then sends a notification message to the electronic device based on the disconnection information.
[0013] Secondly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a method for monitoring the disconnection of an electronic device, the method being executed by the electronic device disconnection monitoring system described in the embodiments of the present invention, comprising:
[0014] The embedded controller detects whether the port and the connection pin are interrupted at the first frequency;
[0015] If the port is interrupted, the number of signal transmissions is accumulated at the second frequency until the port is coupled to the connection pin;
[0016] The interruption duration is calculated based on the number of signal transmissions and the second frequency.
[0017] Furthermore, in the online state, the port is coupled to the connection pin, and the potential state of the port is the first potential state;
[0018] In the disconnected state, the port is not connected to the connection pin, and the potential state is the second potential state.
[0019] Further, the interruption duration is calculated based on the number of signal transmissions and the second frequency, including:
[0020] The first frequency and the number of signal transmissions are encapsulated into the disconnection information;
[0021] The disconnection information is written to a buffer memory.
[0022] Furthermore, after writing the disconnection information to the buffer memory, the method further includes:
[0023] The disconnection information is sent to a remote server.
[0024] Furthermore, the remote server sends a notification message to the electronic device based on the disconnection information.
[0025] This invention discloses a disconnection monitoring system and method for an electronic device. It includes: a support base with connection pins; and an electronic device with a port and an embedded controller. The port is coupled to the connection pins, and a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) pin of the embedded controller is coupled to the port. The GPIO pin detects the potential state of the port; wherein the potential state includes a first potential state and a second potential state; in an online state, the port is coupled to the GPIO connection pin, and the potential state is the first potential state; in a disconnected state, the port is not connected to the GPIO connection pin, and the potential state is the second potential state; the embedded controller detects whether the port is in a disconnected state at a first frequency; if the port is in a disconnected state, the embedded controller detects whether the port is in an online state at a second frequency and accumulates the number of signal transmissions until the embedded controller detects that the port is in an online state; the embedded controller calculates the interruption duration based on the number of signal transmissions and the second frequency. This method can more accurately record the disconnection state and interruption duration of the support base without increasing hardware costs. Attached Figure Description
[0026] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device disconnection monitoring system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
[0027] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another electronic device disconnection monitoring system in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
[0028] Figure 3A This is a schematic diagram of the disconnection monitoring system architecture of another electronic device in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
[0029] Figure 3B This is a schematic diagram of the transmission of disconnection information in Embodiment 1 of the present invention;
[0030] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a disconnection monitoring method for an electronic device according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the disconnection monitoring method for electronic devices in Embodiment 2 of the present invention;
[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the second frequency and potential state in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0033] The present invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the invention and not intended to limit it. Furthermore, it should be noted that, for ease of description, the accompanying drawings show only the parts relevant to the present invention, and not all of the structures.
[0034] Example 1
[0035] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an electronic device disconnection monitoring system provided in Embodiment 1 of the present invention, as shown below. Figure 1 As shown, the system includes a support base 110 and an electronic device 120. The electronic device 120 may be, but is not limited to, a laptop computer, tablet computer, or mobile phone.
[0036] The support base 110 is equipped with a circuit board 112, which has connection pins 111, a second processor 113, and multiple external connection holes 114. The electronic device 120 can be selectively docked into the support base 110. Docking can be understood as the electronic device 120 being assembled at a corresponding position on the support base 110. Docking can be achieved through snap-fit, tenon joint, or locking mechanisms. Under normal circumstances, when the electronic device 120 is docked into the support base 110, the electronic device 120 and the support base 110 are electrically connected to each other via the docking point.
[0037] The connection pin 111 is used to transmit communication signals. The external port 114 is used to connect the external device 130. The type of external port 114 can be a Universal Serial Bus (USB) communication protocol version 2, version 3, or version 3.1 interface, or a Thunderbolt communication protocol interface, a High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) interface, a DisplayPort interface, an Ethernet interface, a serial port, or a parallel port, etc., but is not limited to the above. The external device 130 is an electronic device corresponding to the communication protocol of the external port 114. The second processor 113 converts the communication protocol of the connection pin 111 to the communication protocol corresponding to the external port 114 to bridge the electronic device 120 and the external device 130. The second processor 113 may be, for example, but not limited to, a central processing unit (CPU) or a micro controller (MCU).
[0038] Electronic device 120 includes a first processor 121, a storage unit 122, a port 123, and an embedded controller 124. The first processor 121 is coupled to the storage unit 122, the port 123, and the embedded controller 124. The first processor 121 may be, but is not limited to, a central processing unit or a microcontroller. The embedded controller 124 is coupled to the port 123. The position of the port 123 corresponds to the position of the connection pin 111 on the support base 110, and the contacts of the port 123 also correspond to the connection pin 111. When electronic device 120 is mated to the support base 110, the port 123 is coupled to the connection pin 111 of the support base 110. Electronic device 120 controls external device 130 through the port 123 and the connection pin 111. The storage unit 122 stores a monitoring program 126. Storage unit 122 may be, for example, a read-only memory (ROM), an electronically eraseable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a hard disk drive, or a solid-state drive (SSD), but is not limited to the above.
[0039] The first processor 121 executes a monitoring program 126. The monitoring program 126 is used to detect the connection status and related prompts between the electronic device 120 and the carrier base 110. During the process of the electronic device 120 docking with the carrier base 110, it is possible that the connection pin 111 may not actually contact the port 123. In one embodiment, the situation where the electronic device 120 is docked with the carrier base 110 but not coupled is called a disconnected state (disconn_stat). Alternatively, when the electronic device 120 is docked with the carrier base 110 and the port 123 is coupled to the connection pin 111, this situation is called an online state (conn_stat).
[0040] The embedded controller 124 has general purpose input / output pins (GPIO pins 125). GPIO pins 125 are coupled to the power pins of port 123. When in an online state (i.e., when the electronic device 120 is normally connected to the carrier base 110), GPIO pins 125 can be electrically connected to connection pins 111 through port 123. The embedded controller 124 detects the potential state of connection pins 111 and port 123 through GPIO pins 125. The potential state includes a first potential state and a second potential state. When port 123 and connection pins 111 are in an online state, GPIO pins 125 detect that port 123 is in the first potential state, which in this embodiment is, for example, a high potential state. When port 123 is disconnected from connection pin 111 (i.e., the electronic device 120 and the carrier base 110 are not properly connected, such as due to a momentary interruption caused by vibration), GPIO pin 125 detects that port 123 is in a second potential state. In this embodiment, the second potential state is, for example, a low potential state. In the online state, GPIO pin 125 sends an interrupt request to port 123 at a first frequency freq_1 to detect the potential state of connection pin 111, thereby detecting whether port 123 and connection pin 111 are disconnected. In other embodiments, the first potential state may be a low potential state, and the second potential state may be a high potential state.
[0041] In one embodiment, the embedded controller 124 further includes a buffer memory 127, such as Figure 2 As shown. Figure 2 The arrow symbol in the diagram indicates the direction and object of signal transmission. Buffer memory 127 records information such as the number of signal transmissions, interrupt duration, timestamp, or number of interrupt rounds. After the embedded controller 124 calculates the interrupt duration, it encapsulates the number of signal transmissions and interrupt duration into disconnection information and writes it into buffer memory 127. Monitoring program 126 determines whether to call the Input / Output Interface or the Windows Management Interface (WMI) based on the type of operating system to access the disconnection information in buffer memory 127.
[0042] In some embodiments, the monitoring program 126 reads the disconnection information from the buffer memory 127 in a first-in-first-out (FIFO) manner. The monitoring program 126 can decide whether to retain or clear the disconnection information based on the remaining space in the buffer memory 127.
[0043] In some embodiments, the electronic device 120 further includes a network unit 129, please refer to Figure 3A and Figure 3B . Figure 3A and Figure 3B The arrow symbol in the diagram indicates the direction of signal transmission and the target. Figure 3A This is a schematic diagram of the disconnection monitoring system architecture of the electronic device in this embodiment. Figure 3B This diagram illustrates the transmission of disconnection information. The first processor 121 is coupled to storage unit 122, port 123, embedded controller 124, and network unit 129. Network unit 129 can be connected to remote server 140 via 5th generation mobile networks, 4th generation mobile networks, or a wireless Ethernet network, but is not limited to these. After monitoring program 126 obtains the disconnection information from buffer memory 127, the first processor 121 transmits the disconnection information to remote server 140 via network unit 129.
[0044] When the remote server 140 receives a disconnection message, it can send a notification message to the electronic device 120. Upon receiving the notification message, the monitoring program 126 and the operating system check the device list in the system based on the notification message to confirm the connection status between the electronic device 120 and the support base 110, and to confirm whether the support base 110 has gone offline.
[0045] This invention provides an electronic device disconnection monitoring system. It includes: a support base with connection pins; and an electronic device with a port and an embedded controller. The port is coupled to the connection pins, and a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) pin of the embedded controller is coupled to the port. The GPIO pin detects the potential state of the port; wherein the potential state includes a first potential state and a second potential state; in an online state, the port is coupled to the GPIO connection pin, and the potential state is the first potential state; in a disconnected state, the port is not connected to the GPIO connection pin, and the potential state is the second potential state; the embedded controller detects whether the port is in a disconnected state at a first frequency; if the port is in a disconnected state, the embedded controller detects whether the port is in an online state at a second frequency and accumulates the number of signal transmissions until the embedded controller detects that the port is in an online state; the embedded controller calculates the interruption duration based on the number of signal transmissions and the second frequency. This system can record the disconnection state and interruption duration of the support base more accurately without increasing hardware costs.
[0046] Example 2
[0047] Figure 4 This is a flowchart of a disconnection monitoring method for an electronic device provided in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. This method is executed by the disconnection monitoring system for the electronic device described in the above embodiments. Figure 4 As shown, the method includes the following steps:
[0048] Step 210: The embedded controller detects whether the port and connection pins are interrupted at a first frequency. If an interruption occurs, step 220 is executed.
[0049] Step 220: Accumulate the number of signal transmissions at the second frequency until the port is coupled to the connection pin.
[0050] Step 230: Calculate the interruption duration based on the number of signal transmissions and the second frequency.
[0051] Specifically, when the electronic device 120 is connected to the support base 110, the electronic device 120 executes the monitoring program 126. The monitoring program 126 drives the embedded controller 124 to send an interrupt request to the support base 110 to determine the current potential state of port 123.
[0052] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the disconnection monitoring method for an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 5As shown, if it is in online state (conn_stat), the embedded controller 124 will continuously send interrupt requests to port 123 at the first frequency freq_1 to detect the potential state of the connection pin 111.
[0053] If the embedded controller 124 detects that port 123 is in a disconnected state (disconn_stat), it will continuously send interrupt requests to port 123 at a second frequency (freq_2). The second frequency (freq_2) is less than or equal to the first frequency (freq_1). Generally, the interval of the first frequency (freq_1) can be in seconds or minutes, while the interval of the second frequency (freq_2) can be set to microseconds or milliseconds. In the disconnected state (disconn_stat), the embedded controller 124 will also accumulate the signal transmission count each time it sends an interrupt request until the embedded controller 124 detects that port 123 is in an online state (conn_stat).
[0054] When the embedded controller 124 detects a disconnection state (disconn_stat), it clears the contents of the register containing the signal transmission count. When port 123 changes from a disconnection state (disconn_stat) to an online state (conn_stat), the embedded controller 124 calculates the interrupt duration for port 123 based on the signal transmission count and the second frequency freq_2. The embedded controller 124 then transmits the interrupt duration to the monitoring program 126.
[0055] For example, Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the second frequency and potential state in an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 The above shows the potential status of port 123. The potential status of port 123 changes from online (conn_stat) to offline (disconn_stat), and then back to online (conn_stat). Figure 6 Below, the embedded controller 124 issues an interrupt request at the second frequency freq_2. For ease of understanding, Figure 6 The period of the second frequency freq_2 is defined as half a pulse. Assume the period of the second frequency freq_2 is 70 microseconds, and the signal is transmitted a total of 13 times. The embedded controller 124 can calculate the interrupt duration T of port 123 based on the second frequency freq_2 and the number of signal transmissions. The interrupt duration T is 70 microseconds * 13, resulting in 910 microseconds (equivalent to 0.91 milliseconds). Figure 6 Below is the cumulative count of signal transmissions.
[0056] In this embodiment, the method for calculating the interruption duration based on the number of signal transmissions and the second frequency can be: encapsulating the first frequency and the number of signal transmissions into disconnection information; and writing the disconnection information into a buffer memory.
[0057] Optionally, after writing the disconnection information to the buffer memory, the following step is also included: sending the disconnection information to a remote server. The remote server then sends a notification message to the electronic device based on the disconnection information.
[0058] In this embodiment, the embedded controller detects whether the port and connection pin are interrupted at a first frequency. If the port is interrupted, the number of signal transmissions is accumulated at a second frequency until the port is coupled to the connection pin. The interruption duration is calculated based on the number of signal transmissions and the second frequency. This allows for more accurate recording of the disconnection status and interruption duration of the support base without increasing hardware costs.
[0059] Note that the above description is merely a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the technical principles employed. Those skilled in the art will understand that the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, and various obvious changes, readjustments, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, although the present invention has been described in detail through the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and may include many other equivalent embodiments without departing from the concept of the present invention, the scope of which is determined by the scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. A disconnection monitoring system for an electronic device, characterized in that, include: The support base is equipped with connecting feet; as well as An electronic device is provided with a port and an embedded controller. The port is coupled to a connection pin, and a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) pin of the embedded controller is coupled to the port. The GPIO pin detects the potential state of the port. The potential state includes a first potential state and a second potential state. In an online state, the port is coupled to the GPIO connection pin, and the potential state is the first potential state. In a disconnected state, the port is not connected to the GPIO connection pin, and the potential state is the second potential state. The embedded controller detects whether the port is in the disconnected state at a first frequency; if the port is in the disconnected state, the embedded controller detects whether the port is in the online state at a second frequency and accumulates the number of signal transmissions until the embedded controller detects that the port is in the online state; the embedded controller calculates the interruption duration based on the number of signal transmissions and the second frequency. Wherein, the second frequency is less than or equal to the first frequency, and the interval of the second frequency is set to microseconds or milliseconds.
2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The embedded controller includes a buffer memory, and the embedded controller encapsulates the interrupt duration and the number of signal transmissions into disconnection information and writes it into the buffer memory.
3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that, The electronic device includes a first processor electrically connected to the port and the embedded controller. The first processor executes a monitoring program to call an input / output interface or an operating system management interface to access the disconnection information in the buffer memory.
4. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The monitoring program reads the disconnection information from the buffer memory in a first-in, first-out manner.
5. The system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The electronic device includes a network unit, and the monitoring program sends the disconnection information to a remote server through the network unit. The remote server then sends a notification message to the electronic device based on the disconnection information.
6. A method for monitoring disconnection in an electronic device, characterized in that, The method is performed by the system according to any one of claims 1-5, comprising: The embedded controller detects whether the port and the connection pin are interrupted at the first frequency; If the port is interrupted, the number of signal transmissions is accumulated at the second frequency until the port is coupled to the connection pin; The interruption duration is calculated based on the number of signal transmissions and the second frequency.
7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, In the online state, the port is coupled to the connection pin, and the potential state of the port is the first potential state; When the connection is broken, the port is not connected to the connection pin, and the potential state is the second potential state.
8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The interruption duration is calculated based on the number of signal transmissions and the second frequency, including: The first frequency and the number of signal transmissions are encapsulated into the disconnection information; The disconnection information is written to a buffer memory.
9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, After writing the disconnection information to the buffer memory, the method further includes: sending the disconnection information to a remote server.
10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The remote server sends a notification message to the electronic device based on the disconnection information.