Patent Document

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to computer systems and more particularly to a profile adjustment module for use with a computer system. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0004]    The role of computers continues to evolve as a tool used for communications and media applications. Personal computers offer many media applications for personal entertainment such as games, live television, personal video recording, playing or recording digital music, displaying or creating digital photographs, playing movies recorded on a DVD, etc. 
         [0005]    It is known to grossly adjust settings within a computer system. These settings can include hardware settings such as processor clock speed, microcode setting such as whether to turn a hard disk drive on or off and software setting such as whether certain services are turned on or off. 
         [0006]    One example of where it is desirable to adjust the settings of a computer system relates to computer systems that are used for executing games or entertainment applications. In each of these usage models, the user (who is often an enthusiast) desires the utmost performance from their personal computers (even mainstream enthusiasts). Mainstream enthusiasts and others will likely use their personal computers to execute multiple applications in addition to the gaming applications. These other applications can include productivity applications, email applications, internet applications, as well as server applications. Non-gaming and entertainment usage models may not require additional performance, but may require certain operation system services to be executed concurrently. These other applications are often accessed throughout the day, perhaps interspersed with execution of the gaming or entertainment application. Additionally, a personal computer gamer or entertainment enthusiast may also likely share this machine with others. 
         [0007]    The information required to adjust these settings is often provided via enthusiast websites. For example, information regarding how to increase a processor clock speed might be available from a gaming enthusiast website. With the information obtained from the website, an enthusiast could then adjust these settings within their computer system by accessing the command lines that perform the particular function. These adjustments are often limited to a relatively small group of enthusiasts as performing the adjustments are not very user friendly. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a mechanism to easily adjust profile setting within a computer system. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In accordance with the present invention, a profile adjustment module is set forth which enables customization of the profiles within a computer system. The profile adjustment module enables gaming or entertainment enthusiast or customers an easy-to-use interface to tune their personal computer for maximum performance for a customized application such as a gaming or entertainment application. The interface of the profile adjustment module includes designated settings depending on the system make-up. When a customer selects a usage model such as a “Game on” usage model or an “Entertainment on” usage model, the profile adjustment module initiates a predetermined sequence of events including, but not limited to tuning performance of processor settings (e.g., overclocking the processor and memory) and tuning the audio and video settings to peek experience settings (where the settings are specifically chosen to adjust the usage model). Additionally, the profile adjustment module turns off unneeded applications and services not used for the usage model, further increasing CPU, GPU, and memory performance. When the customer completes executing the particular application (e.g., finishes playing a particular computer game), the user actuates a restore indicia to restore the computer system to its original configuration. 
         [0010]    In addition, in certain embodiments, the profile adjustment module includes an online component which allows users to post system configurations, game settings, and high scores using a registry system such as that available at predetermined sites such as the website amd.game.com. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    The present invention may be better understood, and its numerous objects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in the art by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the same reference number throughout the several figures designates a like or similar element. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of a computer system having a media system in accordance with the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  shows a block diagram of a profile adjustment module. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  shows a flow chart of the operation of an install portion of a profile adjustment module. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  shows a flow chart of the operation of a use portion of a profile adjustment module. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows an example screen presentation of a profile selection operation of profile adjustment module. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows an example screen presentation of a profile creation operation of a profile adjustment module. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  shows an example screen presentation of a software configuration option operation of a profile adjustment module. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  shows an example screen presentation of an edit profile operation of a profile adjustment module. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  shows a start and stop profile operation of a profile adjustment module. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  shows an example of a white list operation of a profile adjustment module. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a block diagram of a computer system is shown. The computer system  100  includes a processor  102 . In certain embodiments, the computer system  100  may include a plurality of processor cores  103 . The computer system also includes utilizes a North Bridge Controller (North Bridge)  104  that controls interactions between the processor  102  and system resources such as a system memory  106  and a graphics controller  108  which is coupled to and controls a display  109 . The computer system  100  also includes a South Bridge controller (South Bridge)  110  that controls interactions between processor  102  and I/O devices. South Bridge  110  typically has a PCI bus through which peripherals are interfaced to the computer system  100 . 
         [0023]    The South Bridge controller  110  may be coupled to a mouse  120 , a keyboard  122 , a serial connector  124 , a parallel connector  126 , as well as speakers  128 . The South Bridge controller  110  may also be coupled to non-volatile memory such as a hard disk drive  130 . The non-volatile memory stores a media system  140  that is executed by the processor  102 . The non-volatile memory also stores a profile adjustment module  140  as well as associated profile adjustment data  142 . 
         [0024]    The South Bridge controller may also couple the computer system to the Internet  160 , via e.g., a modem such as a wireless or broadband modem. One or more remote computer systems  170  may be coupled to the computer system  100  via the Internet  160 . The remote computer system  170  may also include a profile adjustment module  140  as well as profile adjustment data  142 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , a block diagram of the profile adjustment module  140  is shown. More specifically, the profile adjustment module  140  includes a motherboard portion  210 , an enable/disable portion  212 , and a settings portion  214 . 
         [0026]    The motherboard portion  210  controls setting a plurality of variables of devices that are located on the motherboard of a computer system. For example, the plurality of variables can include a central processing unit (CPU) clock speed  220 , a graphics processing unit (GPU) clock speed  222 , graphics memory settings  224 , fan speeds  226 , hard drive setting  228 , memory clock speed  230 , power settings  232  and hypertransport front side bus (FSB) settings  234 . 
         [0027]    The enable disable portion  212  can enable or disable a plurality of components (either hardware or software) within a computer system. For example, the plurality of components can include devices  240 , applications  242 , and services  244 . 
         [0028]    The settings portion controls settings for a plurality of components. For example, the plurality of components can include video components  250 , audio components  252 , and peripheral components  254 . 
         [0029]    The profile adjustment module  140  can interact and control profiles for a plurality of combinations of devices. For example, the profile adjustment module  140  can interact and control profiles for a first brand of processor (CPU 1 ) and a first brand of graphics processor (GPU 1 ). The profile adjustment module  140  can interact and control profiles for a second brand of processor (CPU 2 ) and a first brand of graphics processor (GPU 1 ). The profile adjustment module  140  can interact and control profiles for a first brand of processor (CPU 1 ) and a third brand of graphics processor (GPU 3 ). If the profile adjustment module  140  is associated with the first brand then it is possible that the highest level of adjustability, and thus the maximum performance enhancement, is available with the first brand of processor and the first brand of graphics processor. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a flow chart of the operation of an install portion  300  of a profile adjustment module  140  is shown. More specifically, when an install sequence is executed, the customer loads the profile module  140  onto a computer system at step  310 . This install may be accomplished by downloading the profile module from a particular website or may be via some form of local non-volatile memory. Next, an install portion of the profile module  140  determines whether the system configuration of the computer system conforms to predefined requirements for executing the install module at step  312 . If the system configuration of the computer system does not conform to predefined requirements for executing the install module  140 , then the installation process ends. 
         [0031]    If the system configuration of the computer system does conform to predefined requirements for executing the install module  140 , then the installation process proceeds the an analyzing operation where the install portion of the profile module  140  analyzes the computer system while presenting an analyzing system message  314 . Next, the install portion displays system results as well as profile adjustment recommendations at step  316 . The customer can accept the recommendations at step  318 . If the customer does not accept the recommendations, then the customer can modify the settings at step  320 . If the customer accepts the recommendations, or the customer modifies the setting at step  322 , the install portion proceeds to step  322  during which the install portion navigates the computer system back to the desktop and installs a profile module icon on the desktop of the computer system. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a flow chart of the operation of a use portion  400  of the profile adjustment module  140  is shown. More specifically, when the use portion  400  of the profile adjustment module  140  is executed, the profile adjustment module  140  starts operation by presenting a powering up profile adjuster message at step  410 . Next, the profile adjustment module configures the computer system as defined by the selected profile at step  412 . Next, the profile adjuster determines whether the operation for which the computer system is configured is started at step  414 . If the operation is not started, then the profile adjustment module generates a query regarding whether to turn off the profile adjustment module at step  416 . If not, then the operation of the profile adjustment module completes. 
         [0033]    If the profile adjuster determines that the operation for which the computer system is configured is started, then the profile adjustment module monitors the computer system until the operation completes at step  420 . When the operation completes, then the profile adjustment module  140  begins a shut down sequence at step  422 . During the shut down sequence, the profile adjustment module  140  presents a powering down profile adjuster message at step  424  and restores the general computer system settings to the computer system at step  426 . The profile adjustment module  140  can also provide the user with an option of logging the user and system profile information at step  428 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows an example screen presentation of a profile selection operation of profile adjustment module. More specifically, the profile adjustment module  140  generates a profile selection screen presentation  500 . The profile selection screen presentation  500  provides a user with a plurality of predefined profiles from which the user can select. For example, the profiles can include an advanced profile  510 , a basic profile  512 , and an expert profile  514 . Each of the profiles can include a plurality of settings that are preconfigured for associated operations. Additionally, by actuating the “new” portion of the screen presentation, a user can add additional profiles to the profile selection. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  shows an example screen presentation of a profile creation operation of a profile adjustment module  140 . More specifically, when a user elects to add an additional profile, the user is presented with a profile creation screen presentation  600 . The profile creation screen presentation  600  includes a profile name portion  610 , a profile description portion  612 , a hardware configuration portion  614 , and a software configuration portion  616 . The profile creation screen presentation  600  also includes a default profile indication  620  which allows identification of the profile as a default profile. 
         [0036]    The hardware configuration portion  614  enables a user to configure a plurality of hardware configuration options. For example, the hardware configuration options include a boost option, an overdrive option, an auto-tune operation, and a hard drive acceleration option. The software configuration portion  616  enables a user to configure a plurality of software configuration options. For example, the software configuration portion  616  presents a software configuration window screen presentation  616   a  having a plurality of software configuration options. 
         [0037]    The selected hardware configuration options and software configuration options provide a profile that is automatically adjusted via the profile adjustment module  140 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show example screen presentations of software configuration portion  616  of a profile adjustment module  140 . More specifically, a plurality of screen presentations ( 616   b ,  616   c ,  616   d ,  616   e ,  616   f ,  616   g ,  616   h ,  616   i ,  616   j ,  616   k ,  616   l ,  616   m ,  616   n ), each presenting a plurality of software configuration options, are presented within the software configuration portion  616  as a user scrolls within the software configuration portion  616 . A user may elect to individually enable or disable each of the software configuration options via the software configuration portion  616 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 8  shows an example screen presentation of an edit profile operation of a profile adjustment module  140 . More specifically, when a user elects to edit a profile, the user is presented with an edit profile screen presentation  800 . The edit profile screen presentation  800  includes a profile name portion  810 , a profile description portion  812 , a hardware configuration portion  814 , and a software configuration portion  816 . The edit profile screen presentation  800  also includes a default profile indication  820  which allows identification of the profile as a default profile. 
         [0040]    The hardware configuration portion  814  enables a user to configure a plurality of hardware configuration options. For example, the hardware configuration options include a boost option, an overdrive option, an auto-tune operation, and a hard drive acceleration option. The software configuration portion  816  enables a user to configure a plurality of software configuration options. For example, the software configuration portion  816  presents a software configuration window screen presentation  816   a  having a plurality of software configuration options. 
         [0041]    The selected hardware configuration options and software configuration options provide a profile that is automatically adjusted via the profile adjustment module  140 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 9  shows a start and stop profile operation of a profile adjustment module. More specifically, during an operation such as the power down profile adjuster operation  424 , the profile adjustment module presents a start/stop profile indication  900  during which information regarding the various operations that are being started or stopped by the profile adjustment module  140  is presented. 
         [0043]      FIG. 10  shows an example screen presentation  1000  of a white list operation of a profile adjustment module. More specifically, suppliers such as hardware suppliers can customize profiles which are included within the profile adjustment module profiles according to their specific hardware. This customization is generated via a white list operation which may be accessed via a white list screen presentation. The white list screen presentation  1000  provides an extensible mark up language (XML) based editor via which suppliers can create system specific profiles. 
         [0044]    The present invention is well adapted to attain the advantages mentioned as well as others inherent therein. While the present invention has been depicted, described, and is defined by reference to particular embodiments of the invention, such references do not imply a limitation on the invention, and no such limitation is to be inferred. The invention is capable of considerable modification, alteration, and equivalents in form and function, as will occur to those ordinarily skilled in the pertinent arts. The depicted and described embodiments are examples only, and are not exhaustive of the scope of the invention. 
         [0045]    For example, profiles may also be adjusted for other usage models such as a battery savings usage model and an energy savings usage model. With a battery saving usage model for example, certain functions could be turned on or off depending on a users desires. 
         [0046]    Also for example, the options adjusted by the profile adjustment module can include additional hardware and software configuration options. For example, depending on a particular usage model, the profile adjustment module could disable cores within a processor (such as with a basic web browsing usage model), limit frequency and voltage applied to various hardware components, could set affinity for certain processes (e.g., to allow for single and dual threaded applications), could place a hard disk drive (or other storage devices) into a low power state, could divert power back and forth between a processor and a graphics processor depending on load, could turn of system resource hogs (such as indexers, an Aero application, a Sidebar application, transcoders or antivirus scans), could shut down blue tooth functionality or wireless functionality (such as for an airplane usage model), could add automatic options based upon monitoring of event notifications (e.g., the module could turn off an Aero application or a SideBar application when a user unplugs a system from AC power), and could take advantage of a Power Express Feature for a desktop (such as when a user enters into a low power or Web mode of operation, the profile adjustment module could shut off discrete graphics and use integrated or clocked down integrated graphics for the less graphics intensive mode of operation.) 
         [0047]    Also, for example, the above-discussed embodiments include software modules that perform certain tasks. The software modules discussed herein may include script, batch, or other executable files. The software modules may be stored on a machine-readable or computer-readable storage medium such as a disk drive. Storage devices used for storing software modules in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may be magnetic floppy disks, hard disks, or optical discs such as CD-ROMs or CD-Rs, for example. A storage device used for storing firmware or hardware modules in accordance with an embodiment of the invention may also include a semiconductor-based memory, which may be permanently, removably, or remotely coupled to a microprocessor/memory system. Thus, the modules may be stored within a computer system memory to configure the computer system to perform the functions of the module. Other new and various types of computer-readable storage media may be used to store the modules discussed herein. Additionally, those skilled in the art will recognize that the separation of functionality into modules is for illustrative purposes. Alternative embodiments may merge the functionality of multiple modules into a single module or may impose an alternate decomposition of functionality of modules. For example, a software module for calling sub-modules may be decomposed so that each sub-module performs its function and passes control directly to another sub-module. Consequently, the invention is intended to be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims, giving full cognizance to equivalents in all respects.

Technology Category: g