Auxiliary Display Subsystem Communication in Notebook Standby Mode

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods do not enable communication between an auxiliary display subsystem and a secondary processor of a notebook over a serial bus while the notebook is in a standby or low-power state, nor do they allow for the secondary processor to wake up the notebook without booting up the main CPU.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using a System Management Bus (SMB), I2C bus, or RS-232 bus to communicate between the auxiliary display subsystem and the secondary processor, allowing the subsystem to send system status data and wake up the notebook without entering a fully-powered state, and enabling distributed processing to access the CPU for power-intensive functions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the notebook operates in a standby or low-power state, then power consumption is reduced, but communication between the auxiliary display subsystem and secondary processor is not enabled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by caching data and preparing the auxiliary display subsystem to function independently during standby mode. The secondary processor maintains communication pathways alive even in low-power states, allowing the auxiliary display to operate without full system booting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the notebook system into independent functional blocks: the auxiliary display subsystem can operate separately from the main CPU. This segmentation allows the auxiliary display to communicate with the secondary processor over the serial bus while the main processor remains in a low-power state, resolving the contradiction between power savings and communication capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the main CPU boots up to enable full functionality, then communication and processing capabilities are improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing capabilityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the communication and basic processing functions from the main CPU and assigns them to the secondary processor. The auxiliary display subsystem communicates with the secondary processor over the serial bus, eliminating the need for main CPU booting while maintaining essential functionality. This extraction resolves the contradiction by separating full processing capability requirements from power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The secondary processor acts as an intermediary between the auxiliary display subsystem and the main CPU. It handles communication protocols and data transfer over the serial bus, allowing the auxiliary display to function independently without requiring the energy-intensive main CPU to be active.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the auxiliary display subsystem accesses the main CPU for power-intensive functions, then functionality is improved, but the benefit of low-power operation is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by giving the secondary processor specific capabilities to handle auxiliary display communication locally, without requiring main CPU involvement. The serial bus communication protocol is designed to work with the secondary processor's limited resources, allowing the auxiliary display to perform its functions with local processing power rather than accessing the main CPU.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Use of energy by moving object

If communication protocols are simplified for low-power mode, then power consumption is reduced, but communication reliability and data transfer capability are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddata transfer capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary data caching and compression before entering standby mode. This preliminary action allows the auxiliary display subsystem to transfer essential information over the simplified serial bus protocol in low-power mode without losing critical data, resolving the contradiction between simplified communication and data transfer capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS8775704B2Method and system for communication between a secondary processor and an auxiliary display subsystem of a notebook

Publication Date: 2014.07.08 NVIDIA CORP

AI summary

A method for communication over an SMB, I2C bus, or other serial bus between an auxiliary display subsystem and a secondary processor of a notebook including the auxiliary display subsystem, and systems, circuits and notebooks configured to perform the method. Typically, communication over the serial bus between the auxiliary display subsystem and secondary processor can occur when the notebook is in a standby or other low-power state (e.g., to obtain system status data or cause the notebook to wake up) or a fully-powered normal operating state. Typically, the auxiliary display subsystem is coupled not only to the notebook's secondary processor by the serial bus but also to the notebook's central processing unit by another link (e.g., a USB).