LOW POWER MULTIMEDIA PLAYING METHOD FOR PORTABLE COMPUTER

Abstract

A low power multimedia playing system is provided. The system includes a portable computer and a portable media player. The portable computer includes an activation switch, an interface, a storage unit, a microcontroller, and a bus controller. The activation switch is for a function of playing audio files. The storage unit is for storing the audio files. The interface configured is for communicating with the portable media player. The microcontroller is operated when the portable computer is not powered, and is programmed for controlling the media player connected thereto to play the audio files stored in storage unit. The bus controller configured is for controlling a battery to supply power to the storage unit and the microcontroller, in response to an operation on the activation switch.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a hardware infrastructure of a portable computer in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a hardware infrastructure of a portable media player in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a preferred low power method for playing audio files, by utilizing the portable computer of FIG. 1 and the portable media player of FIG. 2.

Claims

1. A portable computer comprising: an activation switch for a function of playing audio files;a storage unit for storing the audio files;an interface configured for communicating with an external portable media player;a central processing unit configured for running the portable computer;a microcontroller, which has substantially lower performance and power consumption than the central processing processor and is operated when the portable computer is not powered, programmed for controlling the external portable media player connected thereto to play the audio files stored in storage unit; anda bus controller configured for controlling a battery to supply power to the storage unit and the microcontroller, in response to an operation on the activation switch.

2. The computer according to claim 1, wherein the bus controller further controls the battery to supply power to the external portable media player connected thereto through the interface.

3. A low power multimedia playing system comprising: a portable computer and a portable media player;wherein the portable computer comprises: an activation switch for a function of playing audio files;a storage unit for storing the audio files;a computer interface configured for communicating with the portable media player;a microcontroller, which is operated when the portable computer is not powered, programmed for controlling the portable media player connected thereto to play the audio files stored in storage unit; anda bus controller configured for controlling a battery to supply power to the storage unit and the microcontroller, in response to an operation on the activation switch; and

4. The system according to claim 3, wherein the bus controller further controls the battery to supply power to the portable media player connected thereto through the computer interface and the player interface.

5. The system according to claim 4, wherein the portable media player plays the audio files from the portable computer in response to a play operational input.