Electronic devices, electronic systems, and their operating methods

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic device, an electronic system, and a method of operating the same that can improve the efficiency of control operations corresponding to an input device. [Solution] The electronic device provided by the present invention includes a processor and a controller. The controller is coupled to the processor. The controller receives an input signal from an input device. Based on a lookup table, the controller either performs a first control operation according to the input signal, or, based on a lookup table, transmits the input signal to the processor and causes the processor to perform a second control operation according to the input signal. In this way, by the controller deciding whether or not to directly perform the control operation corresponding to the input signal based on a lookup table, the electronic device can perform the corresponding control operation instantaneously without being affected by the bandwidth of the transmission interface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device, and particularly to an electronic device, an electronic system, and an operating method thereof that apply an input device to execute a control operation.

Background Art

[0002] Generally, a user can operate a computer via an input device. The input device is, for example, a keyboard that applies a Universal Serial Bus (hereinafter referred to as USB). When one or more keys of the keyboard are pressed, the keyboard generates a corresponding input signal. The keyboard transmits the input signal to a processor of the computer via a USB interface, and causes the processor to execute a corresponding control operation based on the input signal.

[0003] However, when the computer is busy, the current input signal is limited by the bandwidth of the USB interface and thus cannot be efficiently transmitted to the processor. As a result, the processor cannot immediately execute the corresponding control operation.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of the present invention provide an electronic device capable of improving the efficiency of a control operation corresponding to an input device.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The electronic device in an embodiment of the present invention includes a processor and a controller. The controller is coupled to the processor. The controller is used to receive an input signal from an input device. The controller is used to execute a first control operation according to the input signal based on a look-up table, or to transmit the input signal to the processor based on the look-up table and cause the processor to execute a second control operation according to the input signal.

[0006] Embodiments of the present invention further provide an electronic system. The electronic system includes an input device and an electronic device. The input device is used to generate an input signal. The electronic device is coupled to the input device. The electronic device includes a processor and a controller. The controller is coupled to the processor and the input device. The controller is used to receive an input signal. The controller is used to perform a first control operation according to the input signal based on a lookup table, or to transmit the input signal to the processor based on a lookup table, causing the processor to perform a second control operation according to the input signal.

[0007] Embodiments of the present invention further provide a method for operating an electronic system. The method of operation includes the following steps: generating an input signal via an input device and transmitting the input signal to a controller; performing a first control operation via the controller based on a lookup table according to the input signal, or transmitting the input signal via the controller based on a lookup table to a processor and causing the processor to perform a second control operation according to the input signal. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] Based on the above, the electronic device, electronic system, and operating method in the embodiment of the present invention can acquire an input signal by applying an input device, and determine whether or not to directly execute a control operation corresponding to the input signal based on a lookup table via a controller, and can immediately execute the corresponding control operation without being affected by the bandwidth of the transmission interface.

[0009] To provide a clearer understanding of the above-mentioned features and advantages of the present invention, examples are given below and described in detail with accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram of an electronic system shown in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an electronic system shown in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram of the operation of an electronic device shown in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an operation flowchart of the electronic device shown in the embodiment of the present invention in Figure 3. [Figure 5] This is an operation flowchart of the electronic device shown in the embodiment of the present invention in Figure 3. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of the operation of an electronic system shown in one embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference numerals used in the following description are considered to represent the same or similar elements when they appear in different drawings. These embodiments represent only a part of the present invention and do not disclose all possible embodiments of the present invention. More precisely, these embodiments are merely illustrative examples within the claims of the present invention.

[0012] Figure 1 is a block diagram of an electronic system shown in one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 1, the electronic system 10 includes an electronic device 100 and an input device 200. The electronic device 100 is coupled to the input device 200. The user can realize the functions corresponding to the electronic device 100 by performing control operations on the electronic device 100 via the input device 200.

[0013] In this embodiment, the input device 200 can be externally connected to the electronic device 100 via an input connection port (not shown) on the electronic device 100. The input device 200 is a human interface device (HID) to which the USB transmission standard applies. The input device 200 is, for example, a keyboard, or an electronic device having multiple keys to realize keyboard functionality. In some embodiments, the input device 200 can be connected to the electronic device 100 by a wireless transmission method.

[0014] In this embodiment, the electronic device 100 is, for example, an electronic device such as a mobile phone, a computer device, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, and a desktop computer. The electronic device 100 includes a controller 110 and a processor 120. The controller 110 is coupled to the processor 120 and the input device 200.

[0015] In this embodiment, the controller 110 is, for example, an embedded controller (EC), a power delivery (PD) controller, or other similar device, or a combination thereof, and can realize functions such as control and execution by loading and executing firmware or software related to a computer program.

[0016] In this embodiment, the processor 120 is, for example, a microcontroller unit (MCU), a signal converter, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a central processing unit (CPU), or other programmable general-purpose or special-purpose microprocessor (Microprocessor), digital signal processor (DSP), programmable controller, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic device (PLD), or other similar device, or a combination thereof, and can realize functions such as control and execution by loading and executing the relevant firmware or software.

[0017] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation method of an electronic system shown in one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the electronic system 10 performs steps S210 to S230. The order of these steps S210 to S230 is illustrative and not limited thereto.

[0018] In step S210, in response to a user action on the input device 200 (for example, pressing a key on the input device 200), the input device 200 generates an input signal S1 and transmits the input signal S1 to the controller 110. The input signal S1 instructs the user to issue a control command to operate the input device 200.

[0019] Next, the controller 110 receives the input signal S1. Further, the controller 110 accesses the look-up table LUT. The look-up table LUT indicates the correspondence between the control commands corresponding to the input device 200 and the control operations. The look-up table LUT is stored, for example, in the controller 110 or in the memory (not shown) of the electronic device 100.

[0020] In this embodiment, the controller 110 determines whether to process the input signal S1 by itself or provide it to the processor 120 for processing based on the look-up table LUT and the input signal S1. That is, the controller 110 selectively executes step S220 or step S230 based on the look-up table LUT and the input signal S1.

[0021] In step S220, the controller 110 executes a first control operation according to the input signal S1 based on the look-up table LUT. The first control operation is a kind of control operation indicated by the look-up table LUT. The first control operation is, for example, to control the current operation mode of the electronic device 100 or to control to realize various functions applied by the electronic device 100.

[0022] Alternatively, in step S230, the controller 110 transmits the input signal S1 to the processor 120 based on the look-up table LUT, and causes the processor 120 to execute a second control operation according to the input signal S1. The second control operation is, for example, to control the current operation mode of the electronic device 100 or to control to realize various functions applied by the electronic device 100, and is different from the first control operation.

[0023] It should be noted that the controller 110 selectively processes the input signal S1 according to the input signal S1 based on the look-up table LUT, so that the electronic device 100 can directly execute the control operation corresponding to the input signal S1. In this way, the electronic device 100 can omit transmitting the input signal S1 to other control elements (for example, the processor 320), and can immediately execute the corresponding control operation in response to the input signal S1 without being affected by the bandwidth of the transmission interface.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the operation of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 3, the electronic device 300 applies the USB transmission standard. The electronic device 300 includes a controller 310 and a processor 320. The electronic device 300 can be applied to the electronic system 10 in FIG. 1. The electronic device 300 is further coupled to an input device (for example, the input device 200 shown in FIG. 1) and uses the input device. The controller 310, the processor 320, and the input device can be analogized by referring to the related description of the electronic device 100.

[0025] In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the controller 310 receives the input signal S1 from the input device by applying the USB HID protocol. The controller 310 is, for example, an embedded controller (EC) and is realized by, for example, an integrated circuit.

[0026] In this embodiment, the controller 310 includes a plurality of blocks and a plurality of buses, and exemplarily describes the internal functions of the embedded controller. For example, the plurality of blocks include a USB interface 311, a general-purpose input / output (GPIO) interface 312, a host interface 313, and an LPC (Low pin count) and PNPCFG logic device interface 314, etc. The plurality of buses include an EC bus interface 315 and an internal bus interface 316.

[0027] In this embodiment, the electronic device 300 further includes a keyboard controller (KBC) 340. The keyboard controller 340 is coupled to the controller 310 and the processor 320. The keyboard controller 340 is implemented, for example, by an integrated circuit. The keyboard controller 340 is integrated, for example, into the controller 310.

[0028] In this embodiment, the electronic device 300 further includes an operating system (OS) 350. The operating system 350 is coupled to the controller 310 via a processor 320.

[0029] Figure 4 is an operation flowchart of the electronic device shown in the embodiment of Figure 3 of the present invention. Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the electronic device 300 performs steps S410 to S480. These steps S410 to S480 are applied to the working mode of the electronic device 300. The order of these steps S410 to S480 is illustrative and not limited thereto.

[0030] In step S410, multiple keys on the input device are pressed to generate an input signal S1. In this embodiment, the input signal S1 is a key code corresponding to a combination of multiple keys, and it instructs the target control command.

[0031] In this embodiment, multiple keys on the input device are pressed simultaneously. These pressed keys include modifier keys and at least one unmodifier key. Modifier keys are, for example, "Shift," "Ctrl," "Alt," "Win" (i.e., the Windows logo), or keys that, in combination with other keys, indicate a specific function. Unmodifier keys are, for example, various letter keys or number keys. Unmodifier keys are also called generic keys.

[0032] In step S420, the controller 310 receives the input signal S1. Specifically, the controller 310 receives and transmits the input signal S1 from the input device via the USB interface 311 and the EC bus interface 315, and also receives the input signal S1 via the host interface 313. Furthermore, the controller 310 accesses the lookup table LUT via the host interface 313.

[0033] In step S430, the controller 310 searches the lookup table LUT via the host interface 313 based on the key code corresponding to the input signal S1 and obtains the search result. The search result instructs the control operation corresponding to the key code.

[0034] In this embodiment, the lookup table LUT includes a correspondence between key codes and control actions. The key codes in the lookup table LUT include key codes corresponding to combinations of a single modifier key and multiple unmodifier keys. That is, the lookup table LUT indicates the correspondence between key combinations of modifier keys and multiple unmodifier keys and control actions.

[0035] It should be noted that hotkeys set by the operating system 350 are limited by the bandwidth of the transmission interface (including interfaces 315 and 316 to which the USB transmission standard applies), and therefore, set hotkeys consist of a single modifier key and a single unmodifier key. Unlike the key combinations of set hotkeys, key combinations in the lookup table LUT consist of a single modifier key and multiple unmodifier keys (for example, two or six). This ensures that key combinations in the lookup table LUT and hotkeys set by the operating system 350 do not conflict with each other, and that each can be used to specify its respective shortcut function.

[0036] For example, a key combination in the lookup table LUT includes the modifier key "Alt", the unmodified key "G", and the unmodified key "P". This key combination instructs the control of a media device connected to the GPIO interface 312. Alternatively, for example, a key combination in the lookup table LUT includes the modifier key "Alt", the unmodified key "P", and the unmodified key "R". This key combination instructs the control of the power module of the electronic device 300 (e.g., the "HW RESET SYSTEM" module) to switch the current operating mode of the electronic device 300.

[0037] In some embodiments, the key codes in the lookup table LUT include key codes corresponding to a combination of a single modifier key and a single unmodifier key. The key combination is different from a hotkey set by the operating system 350.

[0038] Next, the electronic device 300 executes steps S440 to S480 and continues control operations in working mode. Specifically, the controller 310 generates a first control signal SC1 based on the search result in step S430 via the host interface 313 and executes a first control operation based on the first control signal SC1, or transmits an input signal S1 to the processor 320 via the keyboard controller 340.

[0039] In other words, when the key code corresponding to the input signal S1 matches the key code in the lookup table LUT, the search result indicates that the control operation corresponding to this key code can be processed by the controller 310 itself. The electronic device 300 continues from steps S440 to S470.

[0040] In step S440, when the electronic device 300 is operating in work mode, the controller 310 determines whether the search result instructs the execution of a first control operation (e.g., a peripheral event) and generates a first control signal SC1.

[0041] Next, in step S450, if the determination result in step S440 is YES, the controller 310 executes a peripheral event based on the first control signal SC1 and controls the media device used by the electronic device 300.

[0042] Specifically, the controller 310 transmits the first control signal SC1 to the GPIO interface 312 via the host interface 313, and outputs the first control signal SC1 to the media device to be controlled via the GPIO interface 312. The media device operates based on the first control signal SC1 and implements the corresponding function.

[0043] In this embodiment, peripheral events are, for example, control operations that control media devices used by the electronic device 300, thereby realizing various functions applied to the electronic device 300. Peripheral events include, for example, control operations such as brightness control of the display of the electronic device 300 and volume adjustment of the electronic device 300.

[0044] In step S460, if the result of the decision in step S440 is NO, the controller 310 further determines whether the search result instructs the execution of another first control operation (e.g., a shutdown event) and generates a first control signal SC1. In some embodiments, the controller 310 first determines whether the search result instructs the execution of a shutdown event, and after obtaining a result of NO, it continues to determine whether the search result instructs the execution of a peripheral event.

[0045] Next, in step S470, if the result of the decision in step S460 is YES, the controller 310 executes a shutdown event based on the first control signal SC1 and switches the electronic device 300 to non-operation mode.

[0046] Specifically, the controller 310 outputs a first control signal SC1 to the power supply module of the electronic device 300 via the host interface 313. The power supply module operates based on the first control signal SC1 and switches from working mode to non-working mode.

[0047] In this embodiment, the shutdown event is, for example, a control operation that switches the electronic device 300 from work mode to shutdown. In some embodiments, the shutdown event in steps S460 to S470 can be replaced with a sleep event, which switches the electronic device 300 from work mode to sleep mode.

[0048] On the other hand, if the key code corresponding to the input signal S1 does not match the key code in the lookup table LUT, the search result indicates that the control operation corresponding to this key code cannot be processed by the controller 310 itself and will be processed by another control element (e.g., the processor 320). The electronic device 300 continues with step S480.

[0049] In step S480, the controller 310 transmits the input signal S1 to the processor 320 via the keyboard controller 340 based on the search result. Specifically, if the determination result in both steps S440 and S460 is NO, the keyboard controller 340 receives the input signal S1 transmitted from the host interface 313 of the controller 310. The keyboard controller 340 transmits the input signal S1 to the processor 320 via the internal bus interface 316 and the LPC and PNPCFG logic device interfaces 314.

[0050] Following the above description, when the processor 320 receives the input signal S1 transmitted from the controller 310, the processor 320 executes a second control operation based on the key code corresponding to the input signal S1. In this embodiment, the processor 320 transmits the input signal S1 to the operating system 350, and the operating system 350 executes a second control operation based on the input signal S1.

[0051] It should be noted that in step S480, the key code corresponding to input signal S1 is different from the key code in the lookup table LUT. This key code corresponding to input signal S1 is, for example, the key code of a hotkey set by the operating system 350. In other words, the second control operation is, for example, the control operation corresponding to the set hotkey.

[0052] Figure 5 is an operation flowchart of the electronic device shown in the embodiment of Figure 3 of the present invention. Referring to Figures 3 and 5, the electronic device 300 performs steps S510 to S550. These steps S510 to S550 can be applied in the non-working mode of the electronic device 300. The order of these steps S510 to S550 is illustrative and not limited thereto. The non-working mode is, for example, shutdown mode or sleep mode.

[0053] In step S510, multiple keys on the input device are pressed, generating input signal S1. In step S520, the controller 310 receives input signal S1. In step S430, the controller 310 searches the lookup table LUT based on the key code corresponding to input signal S1 and obtains the search result. These steps S510 to S530 can be inferred by referring to the related explanations of steps S410 to S430.

[0054] In this embodiment, based on the search result in step S530, the electronic device 300 executes steps S540 to S550 and continues control operation in non-work mode. When the key code corresponding to the input signal S1 matches a key code in the lookup table LUT, the search result indicates that the control operation corresponding to this key code can be processed by the controller 310 itself.

[0055] In step S540, when the electronic device 300 is operating in non-work mode, the controller 310 determines whether the search result instructs the execution of a first control operation (e.g., a startup event or a wake-up event) and generates a first control signal SC1.

[0056] Next, in step S550, if the determination result in step S540 is YES, the controller 310 either executes a startup event based on the first control signal SC1 to start the electronic device 300, or executes a wake-up event to wake up the electronic device 300.

[0057] On the other hand, if the result of the determination in step S540 is NO, the controller 310 determines that the search result does not instruct the execution of a startup event or a wake-up event, and maintains the electronic device 300 in non-working mode.

[0058] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the operation of an electronic system shown in one embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 6, the electronic system 60 includes an electronic device 600 and an input device 800. The electronic device 600 includes a controller 610, a processor 620, and an operating system 650. The controller 610, processor 620, operating system 650, and input device 800 can be inferred by analogy with the related description of the electronic device 300.

[0059] In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the media device used by the electronic device 600 includes an externally connected lighting fixture 820 and a wirelessly connected barrier device 830. The barrier device 830 includes a relay 831 and a barrier 832. The media device and its quantities shown in Figure 6 are illustrative only.

[0060] In this embodiment, the user controls the lighting effect of the lighting fixture 820 by pressing a single modifier key and multiple unmodifier keys on the input device 800. Alternatively, the user controls the conduction status of the relay 831 and the opening and closing of the barrier 832 by pressing a single modifier key and multiple unmodifier keys on the input device 800.

[0061] As described above, the electronic devices, electronic systems, and operating methods in the embodiments of the present invention can perform specific control operations without being affected by the bandwidth of the transmission interface by having the controller either process the input signals itself according to the input signals corresponding to a plurality of keys based on a lookup table, or transmit the input signals to the processor via a keyboard controller. In some embodiments, the controller can avoid malfunctions of hotkeys set in the operating system based on the key combinations specified in the lookup table. Furthermore, the controller can also start, shut down, or wake up the electronic devices in various operating modes.

[0062] Although the present invention has been disclosed by the above embodiments, these embodiments are not intended to limit the invention, and any person with ordinary skill in the art may make some changes and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of protection of the present invention shall be defined by the appended claims. [Industrial applicability]

[0063] The electronic device, electronic system, and operating method of the present invention can be applied to a computer device having a keyboard. [Explanation of symbols]

[0064] 10, 60: Electronic Systems 100, 300, 600: Electronic equipment 110, 310, 610: Controllers 120, 320, 620: Processors 200, 800: Input device 311: Universal Serial Bus (USB) Interface 312: General-Purpose Input / Output (GPIO) Interface 313: Host Interface 314: LPC and PNPCFG Logic Device Interfaces 315: Embedded Controller (EC) Bus Interface 316: Internal bus interface 340: Keyboard Controller 350, 650: Operating Systems 820: Lighting fixtures 830: Barrier device 831: Relay 832: Barrier LUT: Look-up Table S210~S230, S410~S480, S510~S550: Step S1: Input signal SC1: First control signal

Claims

1. Processor and Combined with the aforementioned processor, Receives input signals from the input device, Based on the lookup table, the first control operation is performed according to the input signal, or An electronic device comprising: a controller used to transmit the input signal to the processor based on the lookup table and to cause the processor to perform a second control operation in accordance with the input signal.

2. The aforementioned controller, Based on the key code corresponding to the input signal, the lookup table is searched to obtain the search result. The electronic device according to claim 1, which is used to generate a first control signal based on the search results, execute a first control operation based on the first control signal, or transmit the input signal to the processor via a keyboard controller.

3. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein when the electronic device is operating in a work mode, the controller is used to control a media device used by the electronic device based on the first control signal.

4. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein when the electronic device is operating in work mode, the controller is used to bring the electronic device into a non-work mode based on the first control signal.

5. The electronic device according to claim 2, wherein when the electronic device is operating in a non-working mode, the controller is used to start or wake up the electronic device based on the first control signal.

6. The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the input signal corresponds to a key code formed by a combination of multiple keys, the lookup table includes a correspondence between key codes and control operations, and the key codes in the lookup table include key codes that correspond to a combination of one modifier key and multiple unmodifier keys.

7. The aforementioned processor, The electronic device according to claim 1, wherein when it receives the input signal transmitted by the controller, it is used to execute the second control operation based on the key code corresponding to the input signal, and the key code corresponding to the input signal is different from the key code in the lookup table.

8. The electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a keyboard controller coupled to the processor and the controller, which is used to receive the input signal transmitted from the controller and to transmit the input signal to the processor.

9. An input device used to generate an input signal, The input device is coupled to an electronic device which includes a processor and a controller, the controller being coupled to the processor and the input device, The aforementioned controller, Receiving the aforementioned input signal, Based on the lookup table, the first control operation is performed according to the input signal, or Based on the lookup table, the input signal is transmitted to the processor, and the processor is used to perform a second control operation according to the input signal. Electronic systems.

10. To generate an input signal via an input device and to transmit the input signal to a controller, The controller performs a first control operation based on the lookup table and according to the input signal, or A method for operating an electronic system, comprising transmitting the input signal to a processor via the controller based on the lookup table, and causing the processor to perform a second control operation according to the input signal.

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