CN1892587A - Insert-type controller and method for renewing fixer - Google Patents
Insert-type controller and method for renewing fixer Download PDFInfo
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- CN1892587A CN1892587A CN 200510082827 CN200510082827A CN1892587A CN 1892587 A CN1892587 A CN 1892587A CN 200510082827 CN200510082827 CN 200510082827 CN 200510082827 A CN200510082827 A CN 200510082827A CN 1892587 A CN1892587 A CN 1892587A
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Abstract
The present invention refers to an embedded controller and updating firmware method. It contains said embedded controller being microprocessor type and with one firmware memory in notebook computer; said embedded controller having master/slave unit; before computer just powering on or I/O Controller Hub (ICH) action, said embedded controller changing embedded controller from slave unit into master device, this moment embedded controller capable of downloading part or whole firmware routine code from BIOS memory through LPC/SPI bus, through embedded type firmware internal circuit programming function to make part or all firmware updating, after updating embedded controller firmware, switching master device into slave unit, switching on notebook computer power supply or making I/O Controller Hub action.
Description
Technical field
The invention relates to the method for a kind of embedded controller and renewal firmware thereof, be meant a kind of can effectively the solution when making mobile computer especially, a kind of embedded controller of the problem of corresponding different editions BIOS renewal embedded controller firmware and the method for renewal firmware thereof.
Background technology
In mobile computer (NB), an embedded controller (Embedded Controller is arranged, EC) in order to supervisory keyboard, Trackpad or other user's interface, this embedded controller generally is to implement and the firmware reservoir (Firmware Storage) of arranging in pairs or groups with the form of microprocessor, mainly contain two kinds of circuit at present in order to reorganize and outfit the firmware reservoir, a kind of for sharing formula main memory circuit (SMS), another kind then is embedded memory circuit (EMS); Under the framework of sharing the formula main memory circuit, as shown in Figure 1, this embedded controller does not have the firmware reservoir, but share its reservoir with BIOS, this reservoir of representing BIOS is the required program code of the operation of storage own not only, also store the program code of embedded controller, when the South Bridge chip in the mobile computer (ICH) is carried out the program code of BIOS, must cross the program code that embedded controller removes to read BIOS, so under shared formula main memory circuit framework, must possess the function that bus arbitration is arranged; And under the framework of embedded memory circuit, as shown in Figure 2, this embedded controller has the firmware reservoir, this firmware reservoir is flash memory (FLASH), under the embedded memory circuit framework, the South Bridge chip in this embedded controller and the mobile computer all can directly correspond to firmware reservoir separately, so under the embedded memory circuit framework, can not need to possess the function of bus arbitration.Right above two kinds of prior aries cut both ways, under shared formula main memory circuit framework, though need on embedded controller, not build and put the firmware reservoir, occupy the great storage area of BIOS reservoir, and the bus structure of shared formula are represented complicated integrated circuit (IC) design; And under the embedded memory circuit framework,, to upgrade the embedded controller firmware very difficulty that just becomes during the BIOS of corresponding different editions though do not share the shortcoming of formula main memory circuit.Therefore, corresponding different B ios release firmware upgrades the embedded controller firmware and becomes today mobile computer and make an important problem.
This shows that above-mentioned prior art still has many disappearances and deficiency, real non-one kindhearted design, and demand urgently being improved.
Every shortcoming and deficiency that creator of the present invention derives in view of above-mentioned prior art are urgently to think to be improved innovation, and after concentrating on studies through taking great pains to attain one's goal for many years, and successfully research and development are finished a kind of embedded controller of this part and upgraded the method for firmware finally.
Summary of the invention
The method that purpose of the present invention promptly is to provide a kind of embedded controller and upgrades firmware can effectively solve when making mobile computer, and corresponding different editions BIOS upgrades the problem of embedded controller firmware.
For achieving the above object, this case of the technology used in the present invention is as follows:
Be arranged in the mobile computer system architecture, have the device of main device/slave unit dual role simultaneously, and by a LPC/SPI bus and South Bridge chip, BIOS reservoir, output/go into unit core assembly sheet and other unit is connected.
This embedded controller is applicable to can read/write and possessing the firmware reservoir that interior circuit is weaved into function.
This firmware reservoir can be flash memory.
With embedded controller (Embedded Controller, EC) in order to supervisory keyboard, Trackpad or other user's interface, this embedded controller is to implement and the firmware reservoir (Firmware Storage) of arranging in pairs or groups with the form of microprocessor, is implemented in the mobile computer (NB); This embedded controller is one to have the device of main device (Master)/slave unit (Slave) dual role, before mobile computer start just or South Bridge chip (ICH) do not move, this embedded controller will become main device by slave unit, this moment, embedded controller can see through the LPC/SPI bus, download part or all of firmware program code from the BIOS reservoir, the interior circuit programming function that possesses of embedded firmware reservoir by embedded controller again, done part or all of firmware update, after the embedded controller firmware update is finished, can independently install and switch to slave unit again, then open the mobile computer power supply again or make South Bridge chip begin action.
Use beneficial effect of the present invention to be: the present invention can effectively solve when making mobile computer; corresponding different editions BIOS upgrades the problem of embedded controller firmware; and the firmware that can effectively repair and protect embedded controller when embedded controller when doing self; institute runs into unexpected mistake; see through this mode embedded controller within it the Boot-Block of portion's one fritter can initiatively download part or all of firmware program code to the BIOS reservoir, to reach the protection purpose.
Below in conjunction with accompanying drawing the specific embodiment of the present invention is described in further detail.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the existing enforcement Organization Chart of sharing formula main memory circuit (SMS);
Fig. 2 is the enforcement Organization Chart of existing embedded memory circuit (EMS);
Fig. 3 is the enforcement Organization Chart of the method for a kind of embedded controller of the present invention and renewal firmware thereof;
Fig. 4 is this a kind of embedded controller and the renewal process flow diagram that upgrades the method for firmware thereof.
The major part conventional letter
1 mobile computer framework
11 embedded controllers
The 12LPC/SPI bus
13 South Bridge chips
The 14BIOS reservoir
15 export/go into unit core assembly sheet
Embodiment
See also Fig. 3, for a kind of embedded controller of the present invention and upgrade the enforcement Organization Chart of the method for firmware, by among the figure as can be known, embedded controller of the present invention (Embedded Controller, EC) 11, be to be arranged in mobile computer (NB) framework 1, by a LPC/SPI bus 12 and South Bridge chip (ICH) 13, BIOS reservoir 14, export/go into unit core assembly sheet (Super I/O) 15 and other unit is connected; The present invention changes embedded controller into and has main device (Master)/device of slave unit (Slave) dual role from simple slave unit (Slave), before mobile computer start just or South Bridge chip do not move, embedded controller will be set at main device by the subordinate conversion, this moment, embedded controller can be downloaded part or all of firmware program code from the BIOS reservoir through the LPC/SPI bus, the interior circuit programming function that embedded firmware reservoir by embedded controller possesses, done part or all of firmware update, and after the embedded controller firmware update is finished, embedded controller can switch to slave unit by main device again, then opens the mobile computer power supply again or makes South Bridge chip begin action.This case applicable to can read/write and possess interior circuit weave into function (In CircuitProgramming, firmware reservoir ICP), for example: flash memory.
See also Fig. 4, for a kind of embedded controller of the present invention and upgrade the renewal process flow diagram of the method for firmware, by among the figure as can be known, flow process opens the beginning 201, this mobile computer start (mobile computer) or South Bridge chip (ICH) do not move 202, this moment embedded controller (Embedded Controller, EC) switch to main device 203 from the subordinate device, judge whether to need to upgrade embedded controller firmware 204, if need to upgrade the embedded controller firmware, then to carry out partly or whole firmware updates 205, embedded controller switched to slave unit 206 by main device again after renewal was finished, and proceed boot action 207, flow process stops 208; If do not need to upgrade the embedded controller firmware, then embedded controller switches to slave unit 206 by main device, and proceeds boot action 207, and flow process stops 208.
Above-listed detailed description is specifying at a possible embodiments of the present invention, only this embodiment is not in order to limit claim of the present invention, allly do not break away from the equivalence that skill spirit of the present invention does and implement or change, all should be contained in the claim of the present invention.
In sum, the present invention not only really belongs to innovation on technological thought, and can promote above-mentioned multinomial effect by more existing article, should be fully to meet the legal patent of invention important document of novelty and progressive, file an application in the whence in accordance with the law, earnestly ask your office and check and approve this part application for a patent for invention case, to encourage invention, to feeling moral just.
Claims (4)
1. embedded controller, it is characterized in that: this controller is arranged in the mobile computer system architecture, device with main device/slave unit dual role, and by a LPC/SPI bus and South Bridge chip, BIOS reservoir, output/go into unit core assembly sheet and other unit is connected.
2. a kind of embedded controller according to claim 1 is characterized in that: this embedded controller, and applicable to can read/write and possessing the firmware reservoir that interior circuit is weaved into function.
3. a kind of embedded controller according to claim 2 is characterized in that: this firmware reservoir can be flash memory.
4. an embedded controller upgrades the method for firmware, it is characterized in that: this method is before mobile computer start just or South Bridge chip do not move, this embedded controller will become main device by slave unit, this moment, embedded controller can be downloaded part or all of firmware program code from the BIOS reservoir through the LPC/SPI bus, the interior circuit programming function that embedded firmware reservoir by embedded controller possesses, done part or all of firmware update, and after the embedded controller firmware update is finished, embedded controller can switch to slave unit by main device again, then opens the mobile computer power supply again or makes South Bridge chip begin action.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN 200510082827 CN1892587A (en) | 2005-07-08 | 2005-07-08 | Insert-type controller and method for renewing fixer |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN 200510082827 CN1892587A (en) | 2005-07-08 | 2005-07-08 | Insert-type controller and method for renewing fixer |
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| Publication Number | Publication Date |
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| CN1892587A true CN1892587A (en) | 2007-01-10 |
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| CN 200510082827 Pending CN1892587A (en) | 2005-07-08 | 2005-07-08 | Insert-type controller and method for renewing fixer |
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Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN101908010A (en) * | 2008-04-14 | 2010-12-08 | 华硕电脑股份有限公司 | Computer system |
| US7900091B2 (en) | 2008-03-26 | 2011-03-01 | Asustek Computer Inc. | Method for recovering basic input output system and computer device thereof |
| CN102194521A (en) * | 2010-03-16 | 2011-09-21 | 精拓科技股份有限公司 | System and method for burning data for flash memory of notebook computer via battery interface |
| CN103513999A (en) * | 2012-06-25 | 2014-01-15 | 联想(北京)有限公司 | Electronic device and method for updating system firmware |
| CN104461644A (en) * | 2014-12-18 | 2015-03-25 | 山东超越数控电子有限公司 | Method of burning EC (embedded controller) firmware in made-in-China computer platforms |
| CN105573877A (en) * | 2015-12-14 | 2016-05-11 | 联想(北京)有限公司 | Information processing method and electronic equipment |
| CN106201613A (en) * | 2010-12-01 | 2016-12-07 | 苹果公司 | Preheating software is installed |
| CN108427495A (en) * | 2017-02-15 | 2018-08-21 | 新唐科技股份有限公司 | power management system and controller |
-
2005
- 2005-07-08 CN CN 200510082827 patent/CN1892587A/en active Pending
Cited By (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7900091B2 (en) | 2008-03-26 | 2011-03-01 | Asustek Computer Inc. | Method for recovering basic input output system and computer device thereof |
| CN101908010A (en) * | 2008-04-14 | 2010-12-08 | 华硕电脑股份有限公司 | Computer system |
| CN102194521A (en) * | 2010-03-16 | 2011-09-21 | 精拓科技股份有限公司 | System and method for burning data for flash memory of notebook computer via battery interface |
| CN106201613A (en) * | 2010-12-01 | 2016-12-07 | 苹果公司 | Preheating software is installed |
| CN106201613B (en) * | 2010-12-01 | 2020-04-14 | 苹果公司 | Pre-heated software installation |
| CN103513999A (en) * | 2012-06-25 | 2014-01-15 | 联想(北京)有限公司 | Electronic device and method for updating system firmware |
| CN104461644A (en) * | 2014-12-18 | 2015-03-25 | 山东超越数控电子有限公司 | Method of burning EC (embedded controller) firmware in made-in-China computer platforms |
| CN105573877A (en) * | 2015-12-14 | 2016-05-11 | 联想(北京)有限公司 | Information processing method and electronic equipment |
| CN105573877B (en) * | 2015-12-14 | 2019-09-24 | 联想(北京)有限公司 | A kind of information processing method and electronic equipment |
| CN108427495A (en) * | 2017-02-15 | 2018-08-21 | 新唐科技股份有限公司 | power management system and controller |
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