Hard Disk Fall Protection via Keyboard Controller SMI Interrupts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing protective devices for portable computer hard disks are often complex to implement, requiring modifications to the internal structure or specific processors to effectively prevent damage from falls, and they may not seamlessly integrate with existing system components.
Innovation Solution
A falling protective device that sends an interrupt signal to the keyboard controller, utilizing an SMI signal line to communicate with the system BIOS, which then parks the hard disk or terminates power to prevent damage during a fall, and continuously polls the state of the hard disk to determine whether to park or un-park it.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If existing protective devices are used to prevent hard disk damage from falls, then the hard disk is protected, but the device complexity increases and requires modifications to internal structure or specific processors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the keyboard controller as an intermediary component to receive fall detection signals from the falling sensor and translate them into SMI interrupts that the BIOS can process. This mediator approach allows the protective function to be achieved without directly modifying the hard disk controller or requiring specialized processors, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the keyboard controller serve multiple functions: it continues to handle keyboard input operations while also serving as the interface for receiving fall detection signals and generating SMI interrupts. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated protective hardware, reducing device complexity while maintaining the hard disk protection capability.
2Reliability
If existing protective devices are used to prevent hard disk damage from falls, then the hard disk is protected, but specialized processors are required
Solution Approach 1:
The keyboard controller acts as an intermediary that bridges the falling sensor and the BIOS, converting fall detection signals into standard SMI interrupts. This approach eliminates the need for specialized processors by using existing standard hardware components (keyboard controller, BIOS) to achieve the protective function, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining protection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its existing keyboard controller and BIOS to provide the protective function without requiring external specialized processors. The keyboard controller leverages its existing interrupt handling capabilities to manage fall detection, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependency on specialized hardware.
3Reliability
If the hard disk is continuously monitored and parked during falls, then protection is effective, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring through SMI interrupts that are triggered at specific intervals or when fall conditions are detected, rather than continuous active monitoring. The hard disk is parked only when fall conditions are detected and unparked when normal operation is restored, reducing power consumption while maintaining effective protection during critical events.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the falling sensor to trigger protective actions. The sensor continuously monitors for fall conditions and provides feedback through interrupt signals to the keyboard controller and BIOS. This feedback mechanism ensures the hard disk is parked only when necessary, minimizing unnecessary power consumption while maintaining effective protection during actual fall events.
Data Source
AI summary
A falling protective device for protecting a hard disk of a falling portable computer against damages includes a falling sensor arranged in the portable computer for generating and sending an interrupt signal to a keyboard controller in response to a detected falling state of the computer. An SMI signal line is extended between and connected to the keyboard controller and a system BIOS of the computer. On receipt of the interrupt signal generated by the falling sensor, the keyboard controller sends an SMI signal via the SMI signal line to the system BIOS, which in turn sends a park control signal to park the hard disk or a power-off control signal to terminate the supply of working power to the hard disk. The system BIOS sends a polling signal via a polling signal line to the keyboard controller, so as to poll about a state signal of a default status bit in a default signal port of the keyboard controller.