Always ready computing device
Systems and methods for producing a simulated off condition in a computing device. The computing device includes system components such as a power supply, processors and fans that are put into a low power state upon receiving a signal to power off the device. This provides the appearance to users that the computing device is off. The system components, however, remain enabled to run applications when the computing device is in the simulated off condition. If necessary, the device can be returned to a fully on condition to process applications that require the system components to be brought out of the low power state to execute.
This invention relates in general to the field of power management. More particularly, this invention relates to a system and method of controlling power usage by individual components within a computing device in order to reduce acoustic emissions to simulate an OFF condition while remaining in an ON state to run applications.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONAs the functionality of PCs begins to converge with that of consumer electronics (CE) devices such as personal-video recording (e.g., digital video recorders (DVR), eHome PCs, etc.), PCs will likely move from locations such as the den or home office into the living room, so they can be connected to a home entertainment center (e.g., TV, stereo receiver, set-top box, etc.). This move creates a challenge for the PC, in that users will expect very high reliability and ease of use, similar to CE devices. Expectations for PCs have historically been much lower than CE devices because PCs have been difficult to use and prone to stability problems that have to do with both hardware and software. Thus, to succeed in the CE space, the PC must behave more like an appliance and less like a conventional PC.
PCs also differ significantly from CE devices with regard to powering ON and OFF. Conventionally, to be instantly available from an off state, the PC is placed into a low-power standby state (ACPI S3). Typically, this low-power state enables the PC to power on in less than two seconds. However, while the PC is in the low-power state, the only action it can perform is waking the system to a fully “on” state (ACPI S0) such that the PC may perform other functions. In addition, the latency between S3 and “on” depends on many factors, both hardware and software. Although it might take less than two seconds to power on one time, it might take five or seven seconds the next. For this reason, the PC low-power standby state cannot provide the instant-on behavior that users expect from a CE device.
Thus, there is a need for an improved system for restoring a PC to a fully “on” state from a reduced power state, wherein the PC may perform certain functions in the reduce power state. The present invention provides such a solution.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is directed to systems and methods for providing a simulated off condition in a computing device. According to a first aspect, there is provided a method that includes receiving a signal to power off the computing device; notifying system components of a low power request; and reducing power consumption of the system components to a low power state such that the computing device appears to be off. The system components remain enabled to run applications when the computing device is in the simulated off condition.
According to a feature of the invention, the method also may include determining if running applications require full processing when the computing device receives the signal to power off, and providing a notification that applications will be canceled if the computing device is turned off. An input may be received to override the signal to power down the computing device.
According to another feature, the method includes notifying system components of a low power request by sending a the request to software drivers that control power management features of the system components to place the system components into the low power state. Reducing power consumption of the system components may be accomplished by instructing processors within the system to clock-down to a lowest state, discontinuing a display signal to turn off a monitor, reducing a power supply output, and turning off cooling fans. There may also be an indication that the computing device is in the simulated off condition.
According to yet another feature, the method includes monitoring for applications that require the system components to utilize more power than the low power state, and bringing predetermined ones of the system components out of the lower power state to process the applications that require more power. The computing device may be returned to the simulated off condition after the applications that require the system components to utilize more power have completed.
According to another feature, the computing device is in an ACPI S0 state when the computing device is in the simulated off condition.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a computing device having a simulated off state. The computing device includes a central processing unit, a graphics processing unit, a hard disk drive, random access memory, and a power supply. When the computing device is powered down, the device is placed into the simulated off state by placing the system components into a low power state such that the computing device appears to be off. The computing device, however, remains enabled to run applications when in the simulated off state.
According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of producing a simulated off condition in a computing device when the computing device is in an ACPI S0 state. The method includes receiving a signal to power off the computing device, notifying system components of a low power request, and reducing power consumption of the system components via software methods to a low power state such that the computing device appears to be off. Here, the system components remain enabled to run applications when the computing device is in the simulated off condition.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments that proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, is better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings exemplary constructions of the invention; however, the invention is not limited to the specific methods and instrumentalities disclosed. In the drawings:
Exemplary Computing Environment
The invention is operational with numerous other general purpose or special purpose computing system environments or configurations. Examples of well known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use with the invention include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, set top boxes, programmable consumer electronics, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like.
The invention may be described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The invention may also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network or other data transmission medium. In a distributed computing environment, program modules and other data may be located in both local and remote computer storage media including memory storage devices.
With reference to
Computer 110 typically includes a variety of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by computer 110 and includes both volatile and non-volatile media, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes both volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical disk storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information and which can accessed by computer 110. Communication media typically embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media.
The system memory 130 includes computer storage media in the form of volatile and/or non-volatile memory such as ROM 131 and RAM 132. A basic input/output system 133 (BIOS), containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within computer 110, such as during start-up, is typically stored in ROM 131. RAM 132 typically contains data and/or program modules that are immediately accessible to and/or presently being operated on by processing unit 120. By way of example, and not limitation,
The computer 110 may also include other removable/non-removable, volatile/non-volatile computer storage media. By way of example only,
The drives and their associated computer storage media, discussed above and illustrated in
The computer 110 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as a remote computer 180. The remote computer 180 may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the computer 110, although only a memory storage device 181 has been illustrated in
When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer 110 is connected to the LAN 171 through a network interface or adapter 170. When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer 110 typically includes a modem 172 or other means for establishing communications over the WAN 173, such as the Internet. The modem 172, which may be internal or external, may be connected to the system bus 121 via the user input interface 160, or other appropriate mechanism. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer 110, or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. By way of example, and not limitation,
Exemplary Embodiments of the Always Ready Computing Device
Modern PC operating systems, such as WINDOWS XP available from Microsoft Corp., Redmond, Wash., have the ability to control the amount of power that certain components of the system draw through Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) methods. Such components include, but are not limited to, the CPU, graphics processor (GPU), monitor, hard disk drives, power supplies, cooling fans, etc. This has the benefit of reducing power utilization to make the system more energy efficient, while also reducing acoustic emissions from cooling fans. Particularly, the largest noise contributors in PCs today are the cooling fans, including CPU fans, GPU fans, power supply fans, and system case fans. As devices draw less power and emit less heat, the need to actively dissipate heat through fans is reduced, thus lowering acoustic emissions. In order for PCs to gain acceptance in the living room, these sources of noise will need to be significantly reduced.
The present invention is directed to a PC system having a “smart off” state (a simulated off state) wherein the PC remains in an “on” state (ACPI S0) while appearing to the user to be “off.” In accordance with the present invention, when the power button (“smart off power button”) on a PC is pressed (either on the system case, through a remote control, or keyboard or mouse action), the system registers the “off” event and instead of signaling the operating system to enter an ACPI state (e.g., S1, S3, S4 or S5) other than the current running state (S0), a series of power management triggers are set to power down system components such as the CPU, GPU, monitor, fans, etc. through custom software and ACPI methods. Thus, the PC is “always on” and ready to perform tasks. Alternatively, the present invention may first enter the “smart off” state, and then after a predetermined period of time, transition to S3. In this case, when some event occurs (e.g., the PC is tasked as a PVR, etc), the system wakes from S3 to “smart off” (i.e., the monitor is off, audio is muted, etc) and performs the task and then returns to S3 after a period of inactivity.
This technique makes for a system that is unobtrusive and appears “off” in many ways while being able to process low intensity tasks. The system may turn itself back “on” as needed to accomplish higher intensity tasks. For example, if the user turned the PC off, but scheduled a TV program to be recorded at a predetermined time while at the same time another user is streaming media from the PC, the PC may turn itself back “on” to provide the processing power and cooling necessary to accomplish these tasks. The system could then be programmed to turn itself back “off” after the task has completed.
In accordance with the present invention, five “pseudo-off” states within S0 are contemplated, as follows:
(1) On with user interaction. This state is when the user is interacting with the system by watching TV, playing music, watching a DVD, etc. This could also include any other typical PC use such as word processing or internet browsing.
(2) Smart Off. As noted above, this state is entered when the user is finished with their entertainment or computing experience and presses the “off” button on the PC. The PC remains in the S0 state, but all devices are clocked down, all cooling fans are stopped, input devices such as mice and keyboards are locked, etc., indicating to the user that the device is off. Because of the reduced clocking, the system is in a lower power state than in state (1) and able to be cooled via passive cooling.
(3) Smart Off with user interaction. In this state, the user is able perform certain tasks on the PC without fully “waking” from Smart Off to state (1). For example, “Smart Off” provides enough processing power to carry out music playback. It may be preferable that user is able to play audio on their PC without the fans or monitor turning on. In this instance, the PC may include a front-panel display similar to those used on DVD/CD players to indicate what track is playing, time remaining, etc.
(4) On without user interaction. This state is entered, for example, after the PC was in state (2), but was required to return to state (1) without the screen coming back on. For example, this state could be entered when the system is tasked to record a TV show that requires full CPU or GPU processing (e.g., a personal video recorder (PVR)). This state results in higher acoustic emissions from fans than state (2), but lower acoustic emissions that state (1).
(5) Active Smart Off. This state is similar to state (1), however, the processing workload is small enough that the PC can handle it while remaining in state (2). In this state, the PC processes tasks without turning on the fans and continues to appear off even though it is processing instructions. It is also possible that the PVR scenario noted in the description of state (4) could be accomplished in this state. It may be desirable to light an LED so the user can visually confirm that the task is being accomplished with the PC “off,” similar to a VCR lighting up a light indicating that a show is being recorded.
From any of the S0 states noted above, the user will be able to completely shut down the system to S5/G3 state as well. This may be implemented with a second power button or “off switch” (e.g., at the rear of the chassis). In addition, it may be desirable to implement a long push (e.g., 4 sec) of the smart off power button to bring the system to S5/G3. Lastly, the user can still shut down the system using the Operating System's user interface controls.
In accordance with the present invention, the following, non-limiting list of components may be powered down in the following manners to achieve lower acoustic emissions:
CPU
Current CPU technology allows for regulation of frequency and voltage of the CPU during use to vary the power consumption based on system needs. For example, when video is rendered, a 3.06 GHz processor may clock-up to its full frequency and voltage to provide the highest processing power possible, which would equal roughly 90 Watts. When the system is at idle, however, the CPU may clock-down to a much lower voltage and frequency (e.g., sub 800 MHz) which would then only draw approximately 10-35 Watts.
Conventional cooling solutions for CPUs are designed to cool for the highest power possible at all times, so unnecessarily high acoustic emissions result during lower power operations. However, in accordance with the present invention, a heat sink is used for the CPU that may passively cool 35 Watts, or whatever wattage results from the clocked-down frequency the CPU supports, thus the CPU fan may turn completely off when the smart off power button is pressed.
GPU
In much in the same way as a CPU, the cooling solution for most graphics adapters is designed for the highest power utilization scenarios, whether the adapters are discrete or integrated. By implementing the same technique as described for CPUs above, the GPU fan can be turned off when the smart off power button is pressed. In addition to turning off the GPU fan, the video signal may also be immediately removed to provide the appearance on the display that the device is off.
System Case Fans
System case fans are employed to reduce the ambient temperature of the system chassis, which helps to maximize the effectiveness of component fans as well as provide airflow for passively cooled devices in the system. Depending on system load, these fans can be turned off or driven at a very slow speed, which would produce acoustic emissions below the human threshold of hearing.
Hard Disk Drives
Hard disk drive technology has improved to the point where acoustic emissions outside of the PC chassis are not perceptible; however, it is possible to spin down the drive based on inactivity. It is preferable that hard drives continue to spin while the PC is in the smart off state such that the PC will be able perform background functions such as updated system code or downloading media content from a cable feed or the Internet.
Power Supply
By employing the solutions described earlier, the load on the power supply will decrease significantly when the components in the system are placed in lower power states. By reducing the load on the power supply, passive heat sinks of an appropriate size may be used to cool the power supply such that the power supply fan may be turned off during the lower power state.
In accordance with the present invention, the preferred implementation uses software drivers that control the frequency and voltage of the CPU using existing ACPI methods. Similarly, the GPU is controlled through a defined API to throttle down the GPU as requested by the PC operating system. Software drivers may be used to control other components, such as fans and the power supply, etc.
The communication protocol used in a preferred implementation is SMBus (Systems Management Bus Interface), which utilizes an existing microcontroller in a power supply. As shown in
The power supply 204 may consist of a power supply unit that converts AC to DC, a battery, and an integral battery charger. The power supply 204 monitors particular environmental parameters to provide adequate information for power management and charge control regardless of the particular power supply unit's size, or the size and chemistry of the battery. The host 110 to power supply 204 communication is used to get data that is either presented to a user or to the host's 110 power management system. The user may obtain two types of data from the power supply: factual and predictive. Factual data can be measured, such as temperature or battery charge/discharge state, or it can be a battery characteristic, such as the battery's chemistry. Predictive data is calculated, based on the PSU's and battery's present state.
In accordance with the present invention, the power management system may query a device driver to determine if an action will cause harm to the system's integrity. For example, spinning up a disk drive while the power supply 204 is at maximum load may cause its output voltage to drop below acceptable limits, thus causing a system failure. In order to prevent this, the device driver needs information from the power supply that will yield desirable results. If the driver queries the power supply 204 and discovers that not enough power is available, it can then request that the power management system turn off a non-critical power use or change the power/performance operating point of system components.
The power supply 204 has the ability to inform the host 110 of potentially critical conditions. These notifications represent an effort on the part of the power supply 204 to inform the host 110 that power is about to fail or that the battery charge is low. The power supply 204 expects that the user or host 110 will take the appropriate corrective action. Such critical notifications may originate from the power supply 204 using an SMBAlert to signal the host 110 that the power supply 204 state has changed.
Alternatively, the CPU frequency and voltage may be controlled through a hardware mechanism involving microcode in a microcontroller (such as a system BIOS). This could be triggered by the power supply using a control protocol (e.g., SMBus or other control protocol) to notify the CPU to change frequency and voltage based on an event of loss of AC power and/or the presence of DC power (battery power). This implementation does not rely on ACPI and is completely HW/firmware based.
Referring now to
If at step 304 the active application do not require full processing power, then at step 310, system components are notified of a low power request. Next, at step 312, the CPU clocks-down to the lowest state and the CPU fan is stopped. At step 314, the GPU turns off, the fan is stopped and the video signal is cut. At step 316, the HDD may flush the cache and spin down to further reduce power consumption. At step 318, the system case fan stops and then the power supply output is decreased and the fan stops at step 320. At step 322, the power button (or case LED) indicates an off state (i.e., Smart Off) such that the PC appears off (step 324).
While the present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various Figs., it is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. For example, one skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention as described in the present application may apply to any computing device or environment, whether wired or wireless, and may be applied to any number of such computing devices connected via a communications network, and interacting across the network. Furthermore, it should be emphasized that a variety of computer platforms, including handheld device operating systems and other application specific operating systems are contemplated, especially as the number of wireless networked devices continues to proliferate. Still further, the present invention may be implemented in or across a plurality of processing chips or devices, and storage may similarly be effected across a plurality of devices. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather should be construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method of providing a simulated off condition in a computing device, said method comprising:
- receiving a signal to power off the computing device;
- notifying system components of a low power request; and
- reducing power consumption of said system components to a low power state such that said computing device appears to be off, wherein said system components remain enabled to run applications when the computing device is in the simulated off condition.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- determining if running applications require full processing when the computing device receives said signal to power off; and
- providing a notification that applications will be canceled if the computing device is turned off.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising receiving an input to override the signal to power down the computing device.
4. The method of claim 1, said notifying system components of a low power request further comprising sending a request to software drivers that control power management features of said system components to place said system components into the low power state.
5. The method of claim 1, said reducing power consumption of said system components further comprising:
- instructing processors within said system to clock-down to a lowest state;
- discontinuing a display signal to turn off a monitor;
- reducing a power supply output;
- turning off cooling fans; and
- indicating that the computing device is in the simulated off condition.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- monitoring for applications that require said system components to utilize more power than said low power state; and
- bringing predetermined ones of said system components out of said lower power state to process the applications that require more power.
7. The method of claim 6, further comprising returning the computing device to said simulated off condition after the applications that require said system components to utilize more power have completed.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein the computing device is in an ACPI S0 state when the computing device is in said simulated off condition, and
- wherein the computing device enters an ACPI S3 state after a predetermined period of time.
9. A computing device having a simulated off state, comprising:
- a central processing unit;
- a graphics processing unit;
- a hard disk drive;
- random access memory; and
- a power supply,
- wherein when said computing device is powered down, the computing device is placed into the simulated off state by placing the system components into a low power state such that the computing device appears to be off, and
- wherein the computing device remains enabled to run applications when in the simulated off state.
10. The computing device of claim 9, wherein the computing device determines if running applications require full processing when the computing device is powered down, and
- wherein the computing device provides a notification that applications will be canceled.
11. The computing device of claim 10, further comprising receiving an input to override the signal to power down the computing device.
12. The computing device of claim 11, wherein the computing device sends a request to software drivers that control power management features of said system components to place said system components into the low power state.
13. The computing device of claim 9, wherein the computing device instructs processors within said system to clock-down to a lowest state, discontinues a display signal to turn off a monitor, mutes system audio, pauses media playback, locks input devices, reduces a power supply output, turns off cooling fans, and indicates that the computing device is in the simulated off condition.
14. The computing device of claim 9, wherein the computing device monitors for applications that require said system components to utilize more power than said low power state, and wherein predetermined ones of said system components are taken out of said lower power state to process the applications that require more power.
15. The computing device of claim 14, wherein the computing device is returned to said simulated off state after the applications that require said system components to utilize more power have completed.
16. The computing device of claim 8, wherein the computing device is in an ACPI S0 state when the computing device is in said simulated off state, and
- wherein the computing device enters an ACPI S3 state after a predetermined period of time.
17. A method of producing a simulated off condition in a computing device when the computing device is in an ACPI S0 state, the method comprising:
- receiving a signal to power off the computing device;
- notifying system components of a low power request; and
- reducing power consumption of said system components via software using ACPI methods to a low power state such that said computing device appears to be off, wherein said system components remain enabled to run applications when the computing device is in the simulated off condition.
18. The method of claim 17, said reducing power consumption of said system components further comprising:
- instructing processors within said system to clock-down to a lowest state;
- discontinuing a display signal to turn off a monitor;
- muting system audio pausing media playback reducing a power supply output;
- turning off cooling fans; and
- indicating that the computing device is in the simulated off condition.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising:
- monitoring for applications that require said system components to utilize more power than said low power state; and
- bringing predetermined ones of said system components out of said lower power state to process the applications that require more power.
20. The method of claim 19, further comprising returning the computing device to said simulated off condition after the applications that require said system components to utilize more power have completed.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 17, 2004
Publication Date: Aug 18, 2005
Inventors: Jason Anderson (Snoqualmie, WA), William Westerinen (Sammanish, WA), Tony Pierce (Bellevue, WA), Allen Marshall (Woodinville, WA)
Application Number: 10/780,039