Recovery Button Circuit Sequences Controller and Processor Shutdown
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Entering recovery mode in computing devices can be complex and confusing for users, requiring specific steps depending on which part of the operating image needs repair or replacement, and existing methods often involve shutting down and manually rebooting components, which can be error-prone.
Innovation Solution
A system and method utilizing recovery circuitry, timer circuitry, and a recovery button to automatically initiate a recovery mode by shutting off and rebooting both the embedded controller and main processor in controlled time periods, allowing the devices to boot from recovery code and execute recovery procedures without user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual shutdown and reboot steps are required to enter recovery mode, then the recovery process can be completed, but the ease of operation deteriorates due to complex and error-prone manual steps
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs automatic shutdown and reboot of the embedded controller and main processor without requiring user intervention. The control circuit automatically sequences the shutdown of the embedded controller, waits for a predetermined period, reboots the embedded controller, shuts off the main processor, waits another predetermined period, and reboots the main processor, enabling the system to service itself during the recovery mode entry process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary shutdown actions before the actual recovery operation. The embedded controller is shut down and held in a shut-off state for a predetermined period before rebooting, and the main processor is similarly prepared in advance. This preliminary preparation ensures that the system is in the correct state for recovery mode entry, eliminating the need for users to manually time and sequence these operations.
2Ease of operation
If automatic shutdown and reboot of multiple components is implemented, then the ease of operation improves by simplifying the recovery process, but the device complexity increases due to additional control circuitry and timing mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The control circuit is designed to perform multiple functions: it controls the shutdown and reboot sequencing of both the embedded controller and main processor, manages the predetermined wait periods, and coordinates the overall recovery mode entry process. By consolidating these control functions into a single multi-functional circuit, the patent avoids the need for separate complex control mechanisms for each component, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining ease of operation.
3Reliability
If predetermined wait periods are implemented between shutdown and reboot operations, then the reliability of recovery mode entry improves by ensuring proper state transitions, but the loss of time increases due to extended shutdown periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses predetermined time period parameters that are optimized to balance reliability and speed. The first predetermined period for the embedded controller shutdown and the second predetermined period for the main processor shutdown are set to the minimum necessary durations to ensure proper state transitions and data preservation, rather than using excessively long wait times. This parameter optimization reduces the total recovery entry time while maintaining reliable transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and machine-readable media for initiating a recovery mode to execute a recovery mode procedure is discussed. The system may include a main processor, an embedded controller, timer circuitry, and recovery circuitry. The recovery circuitry may be configured to receive an indication to execute a recovery mode procedure and, in response to receiving the indication to execute the recovery mode procedure, to trigger a first time period and a second time period. The timer circuitry may be configured to shut off the embedded controller for the first time period, wherein when the first time period expires, the embedded controller is further configured to boot from embedded controller recovery code and shut off the main processor for the second time period, wherein when the second time period expires, the main processor may be configured to boot from main processor recovery code and execute the recovery mode procedure.