Peripheral device feature allowing processors to enter a low power state

• US 7,159,766 B2
• Filed: 01/20/2004
• Issued: 01/09/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Nera Innovations Limited (Atlantic IP Services Limited)
• Original Assignee: Standard Microsystems Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Wurzburg, Henry, Yamamoto, Tetsuo, Atchison, Mark Colman
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, SEUNG H
• Application Number:
  US10/762,767
• Publication Number:
  US 20050156038A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,085 Days
• Field of Search: 235/382, 235/435, 235/376, 235/382.5, 235/439, 235/441
• US Class Current: 235/376
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3215 Monitoring of peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/325 Power saving in peripheral device

Abstract

If a USB device is turned off or is not active, the device may be electrically disconnected from a USB host controller. The device may be electrically disconnected through a physical interface on the device. In some embodiments, if the device becomes active during a wait period (e.g., 2–3 seconds) prior to electrically disconnecting the device, the device may not be electrically disconnected. In some embodiments, when the device is electrically disconnected from the USB host controller and no system activity of a bus mastering peripheral is occurring, the CPU may enter a low power state if other conditions are met. In some embodiments, if the USB device becomes active after electrically disconnecting, the electrical disconnection may be discontinued.

Claims

1. A system, comprising:

a processor;

a host controller coupled to the processor; and

a device coupled to the host controller;

wherein the device is electrically disconnected from the host controller if the device is not in an active state; and

wherein the device being electrically disconnected from the host controller causes an appearance to the host controller that the device is not coupled to the host controller; and

wherein a sideband signal is used to signal the device to electrically reconnect after the device has been electrically disconnected.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the device is a card reader and the active state comprises a memory card in the card reader.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the device is a hub and the active state comprises a second device attached to the hub.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the device is not in an active state if the device has not been used in a second specified amount of time.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein if the device is not in an active state, the device is electrically disconnected after a wait period, wherein if the device becomes active during the wait period, the device is not electrically disconnected.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein when the device is electrically disconnected from the host controller, the device does not cause bus activity.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the device is a card reader, and if a memory card is inserted into the card reader and the card reader has been previously electrically disconnected, the electrical disconnect from the host controller is discontinued.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein if the processor is in a low power state, the processor exits the low power state if an electrical disconnect is discontinued.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the device is a card reader and the card reader is permanently coupled to a portable computer.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the host controller provides a peripheral bus interface for the device.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein electrically disconnecting the device comprises electrically removing a pull up resistor from a D+ line.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein electrically disconnecting the device comprises tn-stating a D+ line and a D−

line.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the device being electrically disconnected from the host controller allows the processor to enter a low power state or remain in a low power state.

14. A method, comprising:

detecting whether a device coupled to a host controller is in an active state;

if the device is not in an active state, electrically disconnecting the device from a host controller, wherein electrically disconnecting the device from the host controller causes an appearance to the host controller that the device is not coupled to the host controller;

if the device is in an active state, maintaining an electrical connection between the device and the host controller; and

electrically reconnecting the device using a sideband signal after the device has been electrically disconnected.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the device is a card reader, and the active state comprises a memory card inserted in the card reader.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the device is a hub, and the active state comprises a second device coupled to the hub.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the second device is coupled to the hub and a sideband signal from a computer signals the hub to electrically disconnect.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the second device is coupled to the hub and a sideband signal from a computer signals the hub to enter a reduced functionality state and wherein a sideband signal from the computer signals the hub to exit the reduced functionality state at a later time.

19. The method of claim 14, wherein the device is not in an active state if the device has not been used in a second specified amount of time.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein if the device is not in an active state, the device is electrically disconnected after a wait period, wherein if the device becomes active during the wait period, the device is not electrically disconnected.

21. The method of claim 14, wherein if no devices are coupled to the host controller the host controller does not create bus activity.

22. The method of claim 14, wherein the device is a card reader, and wherein said electrically reconnecting is performed if a memory card is inserted into the card reader after the card reader has been electrically disconnected.

23. The method of claim 14, wherein the device is a card reader and wherein the card reader is not in an active state if the card reader has not been accessed in a second specified amount of time.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein said electrically reconnecting is performed when an attempt is made to access a card after the card reader has been electrically disconnected with a card inserted into the card reader.

25. The method of claim 14, wherein the host controller provides a peripheral bus interface for the device.

26. The method of claim 14, wherein electrically disconnecting the device comprises electrically removing a pull up resistor from a D+ line.

27. The method of claim 14, wherein electrically disconnecting the device comprises tri-stating a D+ line and a D−

line.

28. A system, comprising:

a processor;

a host controller coupled to the processor;

a device detect logic;

a hub electrically coupled to the host controller and device detect logic;

an auto detach logic coupled to the hub; and

wherein the auto detach logic initiates an electrical disconnect of the hub from the host controller if the device detect logic does not detect a device on the hub, and wherein the hub being electrically disconnected from the host controller causes an appearance to the host controller that the device is not coupled to the host controller; and

wherein a sideband signal is used to signal the device to electrically reconnect after the device has been electrically disconnected.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein when the hub is electrically disconnected, the hub does not create bus activity until a device is coupled to the hub.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein if a device is coupled to the hub, the auto detach electrically reconnects the hub to the host controller.

31. The system of claim 28, wherein if the processor is in a low power state, the processor exits the low power state if the electrical disconnect is discontinued.

32. The system of claim 28, wherein the processor is in a portable computer.

33. The system of claim 28, wherein the hub is permanently coupled to a portable computer.

34. The system of claim 28, wherein the device comprises a keyboard, a mouse, a speaker, a microphone, a printer, a camera, a scanner, or a touchscreen.

35. The system of claim 28, wherein the device is a USB device and is coupled to the hub by plugging the device into a USB connection.

36. The system of claim 28, wherein the electrical disconnect comprises tristating the full speed (FS) and high speed (HS) transceivers.

37. The system of claim 28, wherein the electrical disconnect is enabled by a configuration bit in an Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory (EEPROM).

38. The system of claim 28, wherein if a device is not detected on the hub, the hub is electrically disconnected after a wait period, wherein if a device is attached to the hub during the wait period, the hub is not electrically disconnected.

39. A method, comprising:

detecting whether a device is coupled to a hub;

if a device is not coupled to the hub, electrically disconnecting the hub from a host controller, wherein electrically disconnecting the hub from the host controller causes an appearance to the host controller that the device is not coupled to the host controller; and

if a device is coupled to the hub, maintaining a connection between the hub and the host controller; and

electrically reconnecting the hub using a sideband signal after the hub has been electrically disconnected.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein said electrically reconnecting is performed if a device is reconnected to the hub;

wherein if the processor is in a low power state, the processor awakes from the low power state.

41. The method of claim 40, wherein the device coupled to the hub comprises a keyboard, a mouse, a speaker, a microphone, a printer, a camera, a scanner, or a touchscreen.

42. The method of claim 39, wherein electrical disconnecting comprises tristating FS and HS transceivers.

43. The method of claim 39, wherein electrical disconnect is enabled by a configuration bit in an EEPROM.

44. The method of claim 39, wherein if a device is not coupled to the hub, the hub is electrically disconnected after a wait period, wherein if a device is coupled to the hub during the wait period, the hub is not electrically disconnected.

45. A computer accessible memory medium that stores program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to:

detect whether a device coupled to a host controller is in an active state;

if the device is not in an active state, electrically disconnect the device from a host controller, wherein electrically disconnecting the device from the host controller causes an appearance to the host controller that a device is not coupled to the host controller; and

if the device is in an active state, maintain an electrical connection between the device and the host controller; and

electrically reconnect the device using a sideband signal after the device has been electrically disconnected.

46. The memory medium of claim 45, wherein the device is a card reader, and the active state comprises a memory card inserted in the card reader.

47. The memory medium of claim 45, wherein the device is a hub, and the active state comprises a second device coupled to the hub.

48. The memory medium of claim 45, wherein the device is not in an active state if the device has not been used in a second specified amount of time.

49. The memory medium of claim 45, wherein if the device is not in an active state, the device is electrically disconnected after a wait period, wherein if the device becomes active during the wait period, the device is not electrically disconnected.

50. The memory medium of claim 45, wherein if no devices are coupled to the host controller the host controller does not create bus activity.

51. The memory medium of claim 45, wherein the device is a card reader, and wherein said electrically reconnecting is performed if a memory card is inserted into the card reader after the card reader has been electrically disconnected.

52. The memory medium of claim 45, wherein the device is a card reader and wherein the card reader is not in an active state if the card reader has not been accessed in a second specified amount of time.

53. The memory medium of claim 45, wherein the device is a card reader, and wherein said electrically reconnecting is performed when an attempt is made to access a card after the card reader has been electrically disconnected with a card inserted into the card reader.

54. The memory medium of claim 45, wherein the host controller provides a peripheral bus interface for the device.

55. The memory medium of claim 45, wherein electrically disconnecting the device comprises electrically removing a pull up resistor from a D+ line.

56. The memory medium of claim 45, wherein electrically disconnecting the device comprises tri-stating a D+ line and a D−

line.

57. A system, comprising:

a processor;

a host controller coupled to the processor; and

a device coupled to the host controller;

wherein the device is electrically disconnected from the host controller if the device is not in an active state; and

wherein a sideband signal is used to signal the device to electrically reconnect after the device has been electrically disconnected.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein the device being electrically disconnected from the host controller makes the device appear to the host controller that the device is not coupled to the host controller.

59. The system of claim 57, wherein the device is a card reader and the active state comprises a memory card in the card reader.

60. The system of claim 57, wherein the device is not in an active state if the device has not been used in a specified amount of time.

61. The system of claim 57, wherein the device is a card reader, and if a memory card is inserted into the card reader and the card reader has been previously electrically disconnected, the electrical disconnect from the host controller is discontinued.

62. A system, comprising:

a processor;

a host controller coupled to the processor; and

a card reader coupled to the host controller;

wherein when a memory card is removed from the card reader, the card reader is electrically disconnected from the host controller; and

wherein the card reader being electrically disconnected from the host controller causes an appearance to the host controller that the card reader is not coupled to the host controller;

wherein a sideband signal is used to signal the card reader to electrically reconnect after the card reader has been electrically disconnected.

63. The system of claim 62, wherein if a memory card is inserted into the card reader and the card reader has been previously electrically disconnected, the electrical disconnect from the host controller is discontinued.

64. The system of claim 62, wherein the card reader being electrically disconnected from the host controller allows the processor to enter a low power state or remain in a low power state.

65. The system of claim 62, wherein the card reader is not in an active state if the card reader has not been used in a specified amount of time.

66. The system of claim 62, wherein if the card reader is not in an active state, the card reader is electrically disconnected after a wait period, wherein if the card reader becomes active during the wait period, the card reader is not electrically disconnected.

67. The system of claim 62, wherein when the card reader is electrically disconnected from the host controller, the card reader does not cause bus activity.

68. The system of claim 62, wherein the card reader is permanently coupled to a portable computer.

69. A method, comprising:

detecting whether a card reader coupled to a host controller is in an active state;

if the card reader does not have a memory card inserted in the card reader, electrically disconnecting the card reader from a host controller, wherein electrically disconnecting the card reader from the host controller causes an appearance to the host controller that the card reader is not coupled to the host controller; and

if the card reader is in an active state, maintaining an electrical connection between the card reader and the host controller;

wherein a sideband signal is used to signal the card reader to electrically reconnect when an attempt is made to access a card after the card reader has been electrically disconnected with a card inserted into the card reader.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein the card reader is not in an active state if the card reader has not been used in a specified amount of time.

71. The method of claim 69, wherein if the card reader is not in an active state, the card reader is electrically disconnected after a wait period, wherein if the card reader becomes active during the wait period, the card reader is not electrically disconnected.

72. The method of claim 69, wherein if no card reader is coupled to the host controller the host controller does not create bus activity.

73. The method of claim 69, wherein if a memory card is inserted into the card reader after the card reader has been electrically disconnected, the electrical disconnect is discontinued.

74. A computer accessible memory medium that stores program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to perform:

detecting whether a card reader coupled to a host controller is in an active state;

if the card reader does not have a memory card inserted in the card reader, electrically disconnecting the device from a host controller, wherein electrically disconnecting the card reader from the host controller causes an appearance to the host controller that the card reader is not coupled to the host controller; and

if the card reader is in an active state, maintaining an electrical connection between the card reader and the host controller;

wherein a sideband signal is used to signal the card reader to electrically reconnect when an attempt is made to access a card after the card reader has been electrically disconnected with a card inserted into the card reader.

75. The memory medium of claim 74, wherein the card reader is not in an active state if the card reader has not been used in a specified amount of time.

76. The memory medium of claim 74, wherein if the card reader is not in an active state, the card reader is electrically disconnected after a wait period, wherein if the card reader becomes active during the wait period, the card reader is not electrically disconnected.

77. The memory medium of claim 74, wherein if no card reader is coupled to the host controller the host controller does not create bus activity.

78. The memory medium of claim 74, wherein if a memory card is inserted into the card reader after the card reader has been electrically disconnected, the electrical disconnect is discontinued.

79. A method, comprising:

detecting whether a device coupled to a host controller is in an active state, wherein the device is a hub, and the active state comprises a second device coupled to the hub;

if the device is not in an active state, electrically disconnecting the device from a host controller, wherein electrically disconnecting the device from the host controller causes an appearance to the host controller that the device is not coupled to the host controller; and

if the device is in an active state, maintaining an electrical connection between the device and the host controller;

wherein the second device is coupled to the hub and a sideband signal from a computer signals the hub to electrically disconnect and wherein a sideband signal from the computer signals the hub to electrically reconnect at a later time.

80. A method, comprising:

detecting whether a device coupled to a host controller is in an active state, wherein the device is a hub, and the active state comprises a second device coupled to the hub;

if the device is not in an active state, electrically disconnecting the device from a host controller, wherein electrically disconnecting the device from the host controller causes an appearance to the host controller that the device is not coupled to the host controller; and

if the device is in an active state, maintaining an electrical connection between the device and the host controller;

wherein the second device is coupled to the hub and a sideband signal from a computer signals the hub to enter a reduced functionality state and wherein a sideband signal from the computer signals the hub to exit the reduced functionality state at a later time.

81. A method, comprising:

detecting whether a device coupled to a host controller is in an active state, wherein the device is a card reader, and wherein the card reader is not in an active state if the card reader has not been accessed in a second specified amount of time;

if the device is not in an active state, electrically disconnecting the device from a host controller, wherein electrically disconnecting the device from the host controller causes an appearance to the host controller that the device is not coupled to the host controller; and

if the device is in an active state, maintaining an electrical connection between the device and the host controller;

electrically reconnecting the card reader using a sideband signal when an attempt is made to access a card after the card reader has been electrically disconnected with a card inserted into the card reader.

82. A computer accessible memory medium that stores program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable by a processor to:

detect whether a card reader coupled to a host controller is in an active state;

if the card reader is not in an active state, electrically disconnect the card reader from a host controller, wherein electrically disconnecting the card reader from the host controller causes an appearance to the host controller that a card reader is not coupled to the host controller; and

if the card reader is in an active state, maintain an electrical connection between the device and the host controller;

wherein a sideband signal is used to signal the card reader to electrically reconnect when an attempt is made to access a card after the card reader has been electrically disconnected with a card inserted into the card reader.