COMPUTER SYSTEM, METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING LIGHT SIGNAL

• US 20100039275A1
• Filed: 06/10/2009
• Published: 02/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ASUSTek Computer, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ASUSTek Computer, Inc.
• Inventors: Kao, Chan-Hsuan, Huang, Pai-Ching
• Granted Patent: US 8,397,409 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/635
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/326 for error or online/offline status

Abstract

A method for controlling a light signal is provided. The method is suitable for a computer system. The method includes interrupting an original service of the light signal and obtaining the authority to control the light signal. The method also includes controlling the operation of the light signal according to a current status of the computer system.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a light signal, suitable for a computer system, the method comprising:

interrupting an original service of the light signal;

obtaining an authority to control the light signal; and

controlling the light signal according to a current status of the computer system.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the original service of the light signal is to indicate a status of a hard disk in the computer system.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the original service of the light signal is to indicate a status of a power supply in the computer system.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of controlling the light signal according to the current status of the computer system comprises:

detecting whether or not each hardware device in the computer system is in a normal state when the computer-system is powered on;

searching for a light signal mode corresponding to a hardware device in the computer system when the hardware device is not in the normal state; and

controlling the light signal according to the light signal mode.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of controlling the light signal according to the current status of the computer system comprises:

detecting whether or not a predetermined event occurs in an operating system;

searching for a light signal mode corresponding to the predetermined event when the predetermined event occurs; and

controlling the light signal according to the light signal mode.

6. A system for controlling a light signal, suitable for a computer system, the system comprising:

a start-up module, for determining whether to interrupt an original service of the light signal and obtain an authority to control the light signal through a controller according to an external operation;

a detection module, for detecting a status of the computer system and generating a detection result after the start-up module obtains the authority to control the light signal; and

an alarm module, for controlling the light signal through the controller according to the detection result.

7. The system according to claim 6 further comprising a lookup table, wherein the alarm module searches for a corresponding light signal mode in the lookup table according to the detection result and controls the light signal according to the light signal mode.

8. The system according to claim 6, wherein the original service of the light signal is to indicate a status of a hard disk in the computer system.

9. The system according to claim 6, wherein the original service of the light signal is to indicate a status of a power supply in the computer system.

10. The system according to claim 6, wherein the detection module detects a status of each hardware device in the computer system and generates the corresponding detection result when the computer system is powered on.

11. The system according to claim 6, wherein the detection module detects whether a predetermined event occurs and generates the corresponding detection result when the computer system loads an operating system.

12. A computer system, comprising:

a light signal circuit, having a light signal, the light signal circuit being disposed on a case of the computer system;

a storage unit, having a control program;

a controller, coupled to the storage unit and the light signal circuit, and

when the control program is started, the control program interrupts an original service of the light signal and obtains an authority to control the light signal through the controller, so as to control the light signal through the controller according to a status of the computer system.

13. The computer system according to claim 12 further comprising a hard disk.

14. The computer system according to claim 13, wherein the light signal comprises a first light signal, and the light signal circuit further comprises:

a hard disk light signal controller, for controlling the first light signal according to a status of the hard disk; and

a first switch module, coupled to the first light signal and the hard disk light signal controller,

wherein the controller determines a status of the first switch module according to whether the control program is started,

the first light signal is controlled by the hard disk light signal controller when the first switch module is enabled, and

the first light signal is controlled by the controller when the first switch module is disabled.

15. The computer system according to claim 12 further comprising a power supply.

16. The computer system according to claim 15, wherein the light signal comprises a second light signal, and the light signal circuit further comprises:

a power supply light signal controller, for controlling the second light signal according to a status of the power supply; and

a second switch module, coupled to the second light signal and the power supply light signal controller,

wherein the controller determines a status of the second switch module according to whether the control program is started,

the second light signal is controlled by the power supply light signal controller when the second switch module is enabled, and

the second light signal is controlled by the controller when the second switch module is disabled.

17. The computer system according to claim 12, wherein the storage unit is a basic input/output system (BIOS) unit.

18. The computer system according to claim 12, wherein the storage unit is a memory.

19. The computer system according to claim 12, wherein the controller is a south bridge chip.

20. The computer system according to claim 12, wherein the controller is an input/output control chip.