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US5566340A
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US
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Portable computer system with adaptive power control parameters
Assignee: Dell USA LP
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Filing: 1994-06-22
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Granted: 1996-10-15
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Expires: 2014-06-22
Abstract
Abstract A portable electronic system which includes a smart power-management controller. The power-management controller is programmable to vary its operational parameters (such as the time without input which will send the system into a standby mode). The power-management controller also has the capability to self-program at least some of these parameters: thus, for example, if a user repeatedly demands a system power-up soon after the system had been placed into standby mode, the inactivity period required for entering standby mode will be increased.
Inventors
- 👤 Gregory N. Stewart
- 👤 N. Albert Sato
- 👤 Warren W. Startup
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:35
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
216 words
A method of operating a portable computer system, which includes at least one microprocessor, at least one input device, and one or more output devices, including a display, comprising the operations of: selectably operating said system in any one of a plurality of modes of operation, said modes including at least one normal mode and at least one standby mode, wherein in said normal mode, said microprocessor is allowed to operate at a predetermined clock speed, and said display is allowed to provide optimal output, and in said standby mode, at least one of said input and output devices is not allowed to operate at full power; automatically entering said standby mode and exiting from said normal mode whenever a programmable inactivity timeout duration has elapsed; entering said normal mode and exiting said standby mode whenever bus activity occurs; and modifying a value of said inactivity timeout duration so that said inactivity timeout duration is increased in response to occurrences where said standby mode is exited prior to the elapse of a first time period after said inactivity timeout duration, and is decreased in response to occurrences where activity ceases prior to the elapse of a second time period before said inactivity timeout duration occurs, said first time period being shorter than said second time period.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
216 words
A method of operating a portable computer system, which includes at least one microprocessor, at least one input device, and one or more output devices, including a display, comprising the operations of: selectably operating said system in any one of a plurality of modes of operation, said modes including at least one normal mode and at least one standby mode, wherein in said normal mode, said microprocessor is allowed to operate at a predetermined clock speed, and said display is allowed to provide optimal output, and in said standby mode, at least one of said input and output devices is not allowed to operate at full power; automatically entering said standby mode and exiting from said normal mode whenever a programmable inactivity timeout duration has elapsed; entering said normal mode and exiting said standby mode whenever bus activity occurs; and modifying a value of said inactivity timeout duration so that said inactivity timeout duration is increased in response to occurrences where said standby mode is exited prior to the elapse of a first time period after said inactivity timeout duration, and is decreased in response to occurrences where activity ceases prior to the elapse of a second time period before said inactivity timeout duration occurs, said first time period being shorter than said second time period.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said value of said inactivity timeout duration is modified in response to said occurrences after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1, wherein the value of said inactivity timeout duration is modified in response to said occurrences after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred; and wherein, at every power-up of the system from its lowest-power OFF state, the value of said inactivity timeout duration is restored to a programmable default value which is stored in nonvolathe memory.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising permitting a user to enable or disable said operation of modifying.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
205 words
An electronic system, comprising: connections for at least one battery bank wherein said battery bank provides electrical power to said electronic system; at least one microprocessor CPU subsystem, connected to access a system bus as master; a plurality of other subsystems, each connected to access said system bus as slaves; a programmable power-management controller, connected to monitor activity on said system bus and to cause at least one of subsystems to enter a standby mode of reduced power consumption after passage of an inactivity timeout duration of said at least one of said subsystems, and to cause said at least one of said subsystems to enter a normal mode from said standby mode when bus activity due to user input is detected, said controller including a circuit for modifying said inactivity timeout duration as a function of said detected user input; and wherein said power-management controller increases the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to occurrences of bus activity due to user input prior to the elapse of a standby time period after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred, and temporarily decreases the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to occurrences where bus activity ceases before said inactivity timeout duration occurs.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
205 words
An electronic system, comprising: connections for at least one battery bank wherein said battery bank provides electrical power to said electronic system; at least one microprocessor CPU subsystem, connected to access a system bus as master; a plurality of other subsystems, each connected to access said system bus as slaves; a programmable power-management controller, connected to monitor activity on said system bus and to cause at least one of subsystems to enter a standby mode of reduced power consumption after passage of an inactivity timeout duration of said at least one of said subsystems, and to cause said at least one of said subsystems to enter a normal mode from said standby mode when bus activity due to user input is detected, said controller including a circuit for modifying said inactivity timeout duration as a function of said detected user input; and wherein said power-management controller increases the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to occurrences of bus activity due to user input prior to the elapse of a standby time period after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred, and temporarily decreases the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to occurrences where bus activity ceases before said inactivity timeout duration occurs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
186 words
An electronic system, comprising: at least one microprocessor CPU subsystem, connected to access a system bus as master; a plurality of other subsystems, each connected to access said system bus as slaves; a programmable power-management controller, connected to monitor activity on said system bus and to cause at least one of said subsystems to enter a standby mode of reduced power consumption after passage of an inactivity timeout duration of said at least one of said subsystems, and to cause at least one of said subsystems to enter a normal mode from said standby mode when bus activity due to user input is detected, said controller a circuit for modifying said inactivity timeout duration as a function of said detected bus activity; wherein said power-management controller increases the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to occurrences which may require exit from said standby mode prior to the elapse of a standby time period after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred, and temporarily decreases the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to occurrences where bus activity ceases before said inactivity timeout duration occurs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
186 words
An electronic system, comprising: at least one microprocessor CPU subsystem, connected to access a system bus as master; a plurality of other subsystems, each connected to access said system bus as slaves; a programmable power-management controller, connected to monitor activity on said system bus and to cause at least one of said subsystems to enter a standby mode of reduced power consumption after passage of an inactivity timeout duration of said at least one of said subsystems, and to cause at least one of said subsystems to enter a normal mode from said standby mode when bus activity due to user input is detected, said controller a circuit for modifying said inactivity timeout duration as a function of said detected bus activity; wherein said power-management controller increases the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to occurrences which may require exit from said standby mode prior to the elapse of a standby time period after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred, and temporarily decreases the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to occurrences where bus activity ceases before said inactivity timeout duration occurs.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
200 words
An electronic system comprising, at least one microprocessor CPU subsystem, connected to access a system bus as master; a plurality of other subsystems, each connected to access said system bus as slaves; one or more batteries, operatively connected to provide power to said subsystems; a programmable power-management controller, connected to monitor activity on said system bus and to cause at least one of said subsystems to enter a standby mode of reduced power consumption after passage of an inactivity timeout duration of said at least one of said subsystems, and to cause said at least one of said subsystems to enter a normal mode from said standby mode when bus activity due to user input is detected, said controller including a circuit for modifying said activity timeout duration as a function of said detected bus activity; and wherein said power-management controller increases the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to occurrences of bus activity due to user input prior to the elapse of a standby time period after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred, and temporarily decreases the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to occurrences where bus activity ceases before said inactivity timeout duration occurs.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
200 words
An electronic system comprising, at least one microprocessor CPU subsystem, connected to access a system bus as master; a plurality of other subsystems, each connected to access said system bus as slaves; one or more batteries, operatively connected to provide power to said subsystems; a programmable power-management controller, connected to monitor activity on said system bus and to cause at least one of said subsystems to enter a standby mode of reduced power consumption after passage of an inactivity timeout duration of said at least one of said subsystems, and to cause said at least one of said subsystems to enter a normal mode from said standby mode when bus activity due to user input is detected, said controller including a circuit for modifying said activity timeout duration as a function of said detected bus activity; and wherein said power-management controller increases the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to occurrences of bus activity due to user input prior to the elapse of a standby time period after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred, and temporarily decreases the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to occurrences where bus activity ceases before said inactivity timeout duration occurs.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
212 words
A method of operating a portable computer system, which includes at least one microprocessor, at least one input device, and one or more output devices, including a display, comprising the operations of: operating said system in any one of a plurality modes of operation, said modes including at least one normal mode and at least one standby mode, wherein in said normal mode, said microprocessor is allowed to operate at a predetermined clock speed, and said display is allowed to provide optimal output, and in said standby mode, at least one of said input and output devices is not allowed to operated at full power; automatically entering said standby mode and exiting said normal mode whenever a programmable inactivity timeout duration has elapsed; entering said mode and exiting said standby mode whenever user input occurs; wherein the value of said inactivity timeout duration is increased in response to occurrences of bus activity due to user input prior to the elapse of a standby time period after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred, and is temporarily decreased in response to occurrences where bus activity ceases before said inactivity timeout duration occurs; and permitting a user reprogram a default value of said inactivity timeout duration, and to enable and disable said operation of modifying.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
212 words
A method of operating a portable computer system, which includes at least one microprocessor, at least one input device, and one or more output devices, including a display, comprising the operations of: operating said system in any one of a plurality modes of operation, said modes including at least one normal mode and at least one standby mode, wherein in said normal mode, said microprocessor is allowed to operate at a predetermined clock speed, and said display is allowed to provide optimal output, and in said standby mode, at least one of said input and output devices is not allowed to operated at full power; automatically entering said standby mode and exiting said normal mode whenever a programmable inactivity timeout duration has elapsed; entering said mode and exiting said standby mode whenever user input occurs; wherein the value of said inactivity timeout duration is increased in response to occurrences of bus activity due to user input prior to the elapse of a standby time period after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred, and is temporarily decreased in response to occurrences where bus activity ceases before said inactivity timeout duration occurs; and permitting a user reprogram a default value of said inactivity timeout duration, and to enable and disable said operation of modifying.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
206 words
An electronic system, comprising; connections for at least one battery bank wherein said battery bank provides electrical power to said electronics system; at least one microprocessor CPU subsystem, connected to access a system bus as master; a plurality of other subsystems, each connected to access said system bus as slaves; a programmable-management controller, connected to monitor activity on said system bus and to cause at least one of said subsystems to enter a standby mode of reduced power consumption after passage of an inactivity timeout duration of said at least one if said subsystems, and to cause said at least one of said subsystems to enter a normal mode from said standby mode when bus activity due to user input is detected, said controller including a circuit for modifying said inactivity timeout duration as a function of said detected user input; wherein said power-management controller modifies the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to said occurrences after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred; and wherein said power-management controller modifies the value of said inactivity timeout duration in response to occurrences of bus activity due to user input prior to the elapse of a standby time period after said inactivity time out duration has occurred.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
206 words
An electronic system, comprising; connections for at least one battery bank wherein said battery bank provides electrical power to said electronics system; at least one microprocessor CPU subsystem, connected to access a system bus as master; a plurality of other subsystems, each connected to access said system bus as slaves; a programmable-management controller, connected to monitor activity on said system bus and to cause at least one of said subsystems to enter a standby mode of reduced power consumption after passage of an inactivity timeout duration of said at least one if said subsystems, and to cause said at least one of said subsystems to enter a normal mode from said standby mode when bus activity due to user input is detected, said controller including a circuit for modifying said inactivity timeout duration as a function of said detected user input; wherein said power-management controller modifies the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to said occurrences after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred; and wherein said power-management controller modifies the value of said inactivity timeout duration in response to occurrences of bus activity due to user input prior to the elapse of a standby time period after said inactivity time out duration has occurred.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The system of claim 9 wherein, at every power-up of the system from its lowest-power OFF state, the value of said inactivity timeout duration is restored to a programmable default value is stored in nonvolathe memory.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said power-management controller is programmable to define a default value for said inactivity timeout duration.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said power-management controller is programmable to enable or disable said circuit.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 9, wherein said power-management controller comprises a microcontroller.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
188 words
An electronic system, comprising: at least one microprocessor CPU subsystem, connected to access a system bus as master; a plurality of other subsystems, each connected to access said system bus as slaves; a programmable power-management controller, connected to monitor activity on said system bus and to cause at least one of said subsystems to enter a standby mode of reduced power consumption after passage of an inactivity timeout duration of said at least one of said subsystems, and to cause at least one of said subsystems to enter a normal mode from said standby mode when bus activity due to user input is detected, said controller including a circuit for modifying said inactivity timeout duration as a function of said detected bus activity; wherein said power-management controller modifies the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to said occurrences after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred; and wherein said power-management controller modifies the value of said inactivity timeout duration in response to occurrences which may require exit from said standby mode prior to the elapse of a standby time period after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
188 words
An electronic system, comprising: at least one microprocessor CPU subsystem, connected to access a system bus as master; a plurality of other subsystems, each connected to access said system bus as slaves; a programmable power-management controller, connected to monitor activity on said system bus and to cause at least one of said subsystems to enter a standby mode of reduced power consumption after passage of an inactivity timeout duration of said at least one of said subsystems, and to cause at least one of said subsystems to enter a normal mode from said standby mode when bus activity due to user input is detected, said controller including a circuit for modifying said inactivity timeout duration as a function of said detected bus activity; wherein said power-management controller modifies the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to said occurrences after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred; and wherein said power-management controller modifies the value of said inactivity timeout duration in response to occurrences which may require exit from said standby mode prior to the elapse of a standby time period after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 14 wherein, at every power-up of the system from its lowest-power OFF state, the value of said inactivity timeout duration is restored to a programmable default value which is stored in nonvolathe memory.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 14, wherein said power-management controller is programmable to enable or disable said circuit.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 14 wherein said power-management controller comprises a microcontroller.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 14, further comprising at least one for supplying electrical power to said electronic system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 14, further comprising at least one photovoltaic cell for supplying electrical power to said electronic system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
200 words
An electronic system, comprising: at least one microprocessor CPU subsystem, connected to access a system bus as master; a plurality of other subsystems, each connected to access said system bus as slaves; one or more batteries, operatively connected to provide power to said subsystems; a programmable power-management controller, connected to monitor activity on said system bus and to cause at least one of said subsystems to enter a standby mode of reduced power consumption after passage of an inactivity timeout duration of said at least one of said subsystems, and to cause said at least one of said subsystems to enter a normal mode from said standby mode when bus activity due to user input is detected, said controller including a circuit for modifying said inactivity timeout duration as a function of said detected bus activity; wherein said power-management controller modifies the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to said occurrences after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred; and wherein said power-management controller modifies the value of said inactivity timeout duration in response to occurrences of bus activity due to user input prior to the elapse of a standby time period after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
200 words
An electronic system, comprising: at least one microprocessor CPU subsystem, connected to access a system bus as master; a plurality of other subsystems, each connected to access said system bus as slaves; one or more batteries, operatively connected to provide power to said subsystems; a programmable power-management controller, connected to monitor activity on said system bus and to cause at least one of said subsystems to enter a standby mode of reduced power consumption after passage of an inactivity timeout duration of said at least one of said subsystems, and to cause said at least one of said subsystems to enter a normal mode from said standby mode when bus activity due to user input is detected, said controller including a circuit for modifying said inactivity timeout duration as a function of said detected bus activity; wherein said power-management controller modifies the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to said occurrences after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred; and wherein said power-management controller modifies the value of said inactivity timeout duration in response to occurrences of bus activity due to user input prior to the elapse of a standby time period after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
37 words
The system of claim 20 wherein, at every power-up of the system from its lowest-power OFF state, the value of said inactivity timeout duration is restored to a programmable default value which is stored in nonvolathe memory.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 20, wherein said power-management controller is programmable to enable or disable said circuit.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 20, wherein said power-management controller are rechargeable batteries.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 20, wherein said one or more batteries are rechargeable batteries.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
216 words
An electronic system, comprising: connections for at least one battery bank wherein said battery bank provides electrical power to said electronic system; at least one microprocessor CPU subsystem, connected to access a system bus as master; a plurality of other subsystems, each connected to access said system bus as slaves; a programmable power-management controller, connected to monitor activity on said system bus and to cause at least one of said subsystems to enter a standby mode of reduced power consumption after passage of an inactivity timeout duration of said at least one of said subsytems, and to cause said at least one of said subsystems to enter a normal mode from said standby mode when bus activity due to user input is detected, said controller including a circuit for modifying said inactivity timeout duration as a function of said detected user input; wherein said power-management controller modifies the value of said inactivity timeout duration in response to occurrences of bus activity due to user input prior to the elapse of a standby time period after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred; and wherein said power-management controller is programmable to modify the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to said occurrences of user input after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred, either temporarily or permanently.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
216 words
An electronic system, comprising: connections for at least one battery bank wherein said battery bank provides electrical power to said electronic system; at least one microprocessor CPU subsystem, connected to access a system bus as master; a plurality of other subsystems, each connected to access said system bus as slaves; a programmable power-management controller, connected to monitor activity on said system bus and to cause at least one of said subsystems to enter a standby mode of reduced power consumption after passage of an inactivity timeout duration of said at least one of said subsytems, and to cause said at least one of said subsystems to enter a normal mode from said standby mode when bus activity due to user input is detected, said controller including a circuit for modifying said inactivity timeout duration as a function of said detected user input; wherein said power-management controller modifies the value of said inactivity timeout duration in response to occurrences of bus activity due to user input prior to the elapse of a standby time period after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred; and wherein said power-management controller is programmable to modify the value of said inactivity timeout duration, in response to said occurrences of user input after said inactivity timeout duration has occurred, either temporarily or permanently.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-10-15 | 2000-04-15 | 2000-10-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-10-15 | 2004-04-15 | 2004-10-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-10-15 | 2008-04-15 | 2008-10-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |