Computer device and method for converting working mode of universal serial bus connector of the computer device

• US 9,557,791 B2
• Filed: 02/29/2012
• Issued: 01/31/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ASUS Technology Company Limited (ASUSTek Computer, Inc.), ASUSTek Computer, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ASUS Technology Company Limited (ASUSTek Computer, Inc.), ASUSTek Computer, Inc.
• Inventors: Hsieh, Chang-Yu, Huang, Pai-ching, Wu, Li Chien
• Primary Examiner(s): YANCHUS III, PAUL B
• Application Number:
  US14/381,964
• Publication Number:
  US 20150082056A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,798 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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

Abstract

A computer device and a method for converting a working mode of a universal serial bus (USB) connector of the computer device. The computer device comprises a USB connector, a power interruption unit, a first switch unit, a south bridge chip, a reading unit, a control unit, and a charging control unit. The USB connector is linked to an external USB device. When a fast charging instruction is received, the power interruption unit interrupts the power supply of the USB connector; the first switch unit performs switching, so that the USB connector works in a fast charging mode. When the control unit receives a common charging instruction, the power interruption unit interrupts the power supply of the USB connector; the first switch unit performs switching, so that the USB connector works in a common charging mode, and data transmission can be performed.

Claims

1. A computer device comprising:

a universal serial bus (USB) connector connected to an external USB device, wherein the USB connector provides a quick charging mode or a general charging mode;

a power controller connected to the USB connector;

a first switch connected to the USB connector, wherein the first switch switches between a south bridge chip and a reader;

a controller connected to the power controller, the first switch, the south bridge chip and the reader, wherein the controller is configured to transmit a control signal; and

a charging controller connected to the controller, configured to transmit a quick charging command or a general charging command;

wherein;

when the controller receives the quick charging command, the power controller cuts off power to the USB connector and the USB connector is operated at the quick charging mode by switching the first switch; and

when the controller receives the general charging command, the power controller cuts off the power to the USB connector and the USB connector is operated at the general charging mode by switching the first switch.

2. The computer device according to claim 1, wherein:

when the USB connector operated at the quick charging mode;

the controller controls the first switch to switch to the reader; and

the USB connector charges the external USB device in the quick charging mode.

3. The computer device according to claim 1, wherein:

when the USB connector is operated at the general charging mode;

the controller controls the first switch to switch to the south bridge chip; and

the USB connector charges the external USB device in the general charging mode and is used to transfer data.

4. The computer device according to claim 1, wherein:

when the computer device is in a power on state;

the charging controller receives the quick charging command via a user interface; and

the computer device is switched from the general charging mode to the quick charging mode;

wherein the charging controller is further capable of receiving a default power off command from the user interface, the default power off command commands the computer device to enter a power off state and the computer device automatically switches to the quick charging mode.

5. The computer device according to claim 1, wherein:

when the computer device is in a power off state, the USB connector maintains in the quick charging mode.

6. The computer device according to claim 1, wherein the first switch is a USB switch which is connected to the south bridge chip or the reader through a USB interface.

7. The computer device according to claim 1, wherein the computer device further includes:

a delay unit connected to the controller;

a backup trigger unit connected to the controller and used for receiving a backup trigger signal; and

a second switch connected to a memory and switching between the south bridge chip and the controller.

8. The computer device according to claim 7, wherein:

after the backup trigger unit receives the backup trigger signal, wherein the backup trigger signal signals starting a BIOS updating mode;

the controller controls the power controller to cut off the power to the USB connector and controls the second switch to switch from the south bridge chip to the controller;

the delay unit delays a reading time of the reader reading the external USB device; and

the reader reads a BIOS image file stored in the external USB device to update a BIOS stored in the memory after a delay time is up.

9. The computer device according to claim 1, wherein:

the computer device further includes a data storage connected to the controller and storing information relating to the computer device.

10. The computer device according to claim 9, wherein:

after the reader reads the BIOS image file stored in the external USB device;

the controller compares the BIOS image file with the information stored in the data storage and the BIOS stored in a memory to determine whether the BIOS image file is an updatable version for the computer device.

11. The computer device according to claim 10, wherein:

the controller determines whether the BIOS image file includes a security access mechanism; and

when the BIOS image file includes the security access mechanisms;

the controller decodes the BIOS image file to release the security access mechanism; and

the BIOS is updated according to the BIOS image file of which the security access mechanism is released.

12. The computer device according to claim 11, wherein the second switch is a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) switching unit which is connected to the south bridge chip or the controller through an SPI.

13. The computer device according to claim 10, wherein the computer device further includes a display connected to the controller, the display displays charging information in a charging process or displays update information of the BIOS during the updating process.

14. A method of switching operation modes of a universal serial bus (USB) connector, adapted to a computer device, wherein:

the computer device includes;

a USB connector;

a first switch connected to the USB connector; and

a second switch connected to a memory;

wherein;

the USB connector is connected to an external USB device,

the first switch switches between a south bridge chip and a read; and

the second switch switches between the south bridge chip and a controller; and

the method of switching operation modes includes;

receiving a backup trigger signal of starting a BIOS updating mode;

cutting off power to the USB connector to initialize a state setting value of the external USB device and reset the south bridge chip of the computer device;

delaying a reading time of the reader reading internal information of the external USB device;

waiting a delay time after switching the first switch connected to the south bridge chip to the reader and switching the second switch connected to the south bridge chip to the controller;

determining whether a notification signal of the delay time is up is received;

reading a BIOS image file stored in the external USB device by the reader and determining whether the BIOS image file is an updatable version for the computer device if the notification signal is received; and

updating a BIOS stored in the memory.

15. The method of switching operation modes of the USB connector according to claim 14, wherein:

the computer device further comprises a data storage connected to the controller;

and

the data storage stores information relating to the computer device.

16. The method of switching operation modes of the USB connector according to claim 14, wherein:

determining whether the BIOS image file is the updatable version for the computer device further includes comparing the BIOS image file with the information stored in the data storage and the BIOS stored in the memory to determine whether the BIOS image file is the updatable version for the computer device.

17. The method of switching operation modes of the USB connector according to claim 14, further comprising:

determining whether the BIOS image file includes a security access mechanism;

updating via the BIOS image file directly when the BIOS image file does not include the security access mechanism; and

decoding the BIOS image file to release the security access mechanism when the BIOS image file includes the security access mechanism and updating the BIOS stored in the memory.

18. The method of switching operation modes of the USB connector according to claim 14, wherein:

the computer device further includes a display; and

the method of switching operation modes further includes displaying updating information on the display during updating the BIOS.

19. A method of switching operation modes of a USB connector, adapted to a computer device, wherein:

the computer device includes the USB connector;

a first switch connected to the USB connector; and

a second switch connected to a memory;

wherein;

the USB connector adapted to be connected to an external USB device;

the first switch switches between a south bridge chip and a reader;

and

the second switch switches between the south bridge chip and a controller;

the method comprising;

receiving a default power off command when the computer device is in a power on state, wherein the default power off command switches the computer device automatically to a quick charging mode after the computer device enters a power off state;

detecting a backup trigger signal used for starting a BIOS updating mode when the computer device is switched to the quick charging mode;

determining whether the external USB device connected to the USB connector includes a BIOS image file; and

updating a BIOS of the computer device according to the BIOS image file when the external USB device includes the BIOS image file.

20. The method of switching operation modes of the USB connector according to claim 19, wherein the computer device receives the default power off command from a user interface.

21. The method of switching operation modes of the USB connector according to claim 19, wherein the method of switching operation modes further includes:

determining whether the BIOS image file stored in the external USB device includes a security access mechanism;

updating the BIOS via the BIOS image file directly when the BIOS image file does not include the security access mechanism;

and

decoding the BIOS image file to release the security access mechanism and updating the BIOS via the BIOS image file of which the security access mechanism is released when the BIOS image file includes the security access mechanism.

22. The method of switching operation modes of the USB connector according to claim 19, further comprising:

determining whether the BIOS of the computer device updates successfully;

cutting off the USB connector to initialize a state setting value of the external USB device when the BIOS of the computer device updates successfully;

and

recovering the computer device to the quick charging mode to quickly charge the external USB device.