Proactive Event Triggering via Pin Voltage Level Change
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer systems lacking support for system control interrupt (SCI) and system management interrupt (SMI) functions face performance issues due to passive communication between applications and hardware, leading to system lag and impaired functionality.
Innovation Solution
A method where an application unit proactively communicates with a controller by sending a setting signal to change the voltage level of a pin, generating a triggering event that allows the interface to access the controller directly, enabling proactive communication without relying on SCI or SMI.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If SCI/SMI interrupt mechanisms are used for hardware- application communication, then applications can receive hardware notifications, but the applications remain passive and cannot proactively trigger communication
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a pin voltage level change as an intermediary mechanism between the application unit and the controller. Instead of directly using SCI/SMI interrupts or passive waiting, the application unit changes the voltage level of a pin to generate a triggering event, which then activates the controller through the interface unit. This intermediary voltage-level-based triggering mechanism enables proactive communication while maintaining compatibility with systems that lack traditional SCI/SMI support.
2Productivity
If SMI is used to force CPU into SMM for executing commands, then applications can directly interrupt BIOS, but the system experiences lag and performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential function of proactive triggering from the SMI mechanism and implements it through a simpler pin voltage level change. By removing the need to force the CPU into SMM mode, the solution achieves proactive communication capability without the performance penalty and system lag associated with SMI interrupts, while still enabling direct controller access.
3Ease of operation
If passive SCI communication is used where applications wait for hardware notifications, then hardware can notify BIOS of interrupt events, but applications cannot initiate communication proactively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the communication parameter from interrupt-based signaling to voltage level-based triggering. By monitoring changes in the voltage level of a pin rather than relying on complex interrupt mechanisms, the system enables proactive event triggering with a simpler communication mechanism that does not require SCI/SMI support or complex BIOS interaction protocols.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of proactively event triggering in a computer system is disclosed. The computer system includes an application unit and an interface. The method includes the application unit sending a setting signal to change a voltage level of a pin of a control chip module; the pin generating a triggering event to the interface unit when the voltage level of the pin changes; and the interface accessing a controller according to the triggering event to allow the application unit to communicate with the controller proactively.