Management Controller Power Segmentation for HDMI Operation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Personal computers, especially notebook-type devices, face challenges in accepting operation instructions from connected high-definition television receivers when in a power-off state, as the graphics controller, responsible for data transmission, cannot be activated to acquire necessary information for operation control, leading to limitations in power conservation and functionality.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a CEC controller that continues to receive power during a power-off state, utilizing the DDC and HPD signal lines to detect connection states and acquire EDID information, allowing operation control even when the device is powered off, while maintaining power conservation by prohibiting DDC signal line use during power-on states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If power supply to the graphics controller is interrupted in a power-off state for power conservation, then power consumption is reduced and battery life is extended, but the graphics controller cannot be activated to acquire necessary information for operation control, preventing operation instructions from being accepted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the controller into two independent parts: a graphics controller that is powered off to save energy, and a management controller that remains powered on to handle operation control functions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain operation control capability while achieving power conservation by only powering off the graphics controller.
Solution Approach 2:
The management controller acts as an intermediary between the power-off graphics controller and the external device. It acquires connection information and EDID data through the connector even when the graphics controller is off, and facilitates operation control instructions without requiring the graphics controller to be powered on.
2Ease of operation
If the graphics controller is activated in a power-off state to accept operation instructions, then operation control capability is maintained, but power consumption increases and battery life is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is segmented into a graphics controller and a management controller with separate power supply paths. The management controller can operate independently to handle operation control functions without requiring the graphics controller to be powered on, thus maintaining operation control capability while minimizing power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of powering on the entire graphics controller for operation control, the system uses a partial approach by activating only the management controller's relevant functions through the connector. This partial action is sufficient for operation control while avoiding the excessive power consumption of fully activating the graphics controller.
3Reliability
If DDC signal line use is permitted during power-on state, then graphics controller can acquire connection information, but the management controller cannot exclusively acquire EDID information in power-off state
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of signal line usage based on power state. The management controller is configured to acquire EDID information through the connector specifically in power-off state when the graphics controller is inactive. During power-on state, the graphics controller uses the DDC signal line for its connection information acquisition, preventing overlap and ensuring proper functionality in each state.
Solution Approach 2:
The management controller performs preliminary action by acquiring EDID information through the connector in advance during power-off state before the graphics controller is activated. This ensures that connection information is ready and prevents the management controller from attempting to access DDC signal lines after the graphics controller becomes active, resolving the conflict between the two controllers.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an information processing apparatus includes a connector, a graphics controller, a management controller, and a power supply control module. The graphics controller controls output of video signals and audio signals from the connector. The management controller inputs/outputs the various commands via the connector. The power supply control module supplies power for operation to both of the graphics controller and the management controller during a power-off state, and supplies power for operation only to the management controller in a power-on state. Both of the graphics controller and the management controller include a function of acquiring identification information of the connection destination by means of the signal line. And, the management controller deactivates the function of acquiring identification information of the connection destination by means of the signal line during a power-on state.