US5732281A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmable power management circuit for a power supply in a computer system
Assignee: AMD Corp
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Filing: 1996-02-08
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Granted: 1998-03-24
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Expires: 2016-02-08
Abstract
Abstract A programmable power management circuit for a computer which allows a power supply to be configured prior to and after bootup of the computer. A switch applies power from a power supply to a processor within the computer. A first memory stores default configuration data for controlling the power supply. A power control circuit senses power from the power supply and controls the switch. A loader circuit produce a signal and replaces the default configuration data in the first memory with the configuration data specific to the computer. The power control circuit produces a control signal, after receiving the signal from the loader circuit, that causes the switch to apply power to the processor so that the computer can boot up. The loader circuit may additionally check for errors in the configuration data specific to the computer. Loader circuit replaces the default configuration data with the configuration data specific to the computer only if the loader circuit finds no errors, A software utility allows the configuration data to be changed after bootup.
Inventors
- 👤 Jefferson G. Summers
- 👤 Nelson W. Willhite
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 19:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
153 words
A programmable power management circuit for controlling a power supply within a computer system comprising: a switch for applying power from the power supply to a processor within the computer system; a first memory which stores default configuration data for controlling the power supply; a power control circuit which senses power from the power supply and which controls the switch; and a loader circuit which sends a signal to the power control circuit and which replaces the default configuration data in the first memory with configuration data specific to the computer system from a second memory; wherein the power control circuit produces a control signal, after receiving the signal from the loader circuit, that causes the switch to apply power to the processor so that the computer system can boot up; and wherein the configuration data specific to the computer system is read by a power supply controller to control the power supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
153 words
A programmable power management circuit for controlling a power supply within a computer system comprising: a switch for applying power from the power supply to a processor within the computer system; a first memory which stores default configuration data for controlling the power supply; a power control circuit which senses power from the power supply and which controls the switch; and a loader circuit which sends a signal to the power control circuit and which replaces the default configuration data in the first memory with configuration data specific to the computer system from a second memory; wherein the power control circuit produces a control signal, after receiving the signal from the loader circuit, that causes the switch to apply power to the processor so that the computer system can boot up; and wherein the configuration data specific to the computer system is read by a power supply controller to control the power supply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The power management circuit as recited in claim 1, wherein the loader circuit checks for errors in the configuration data specific to the computer system, and wherein the signal from the loader circuit indicates that the loader circuit has finished checking for errors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
The power management circuit as recited in claim 2, wherein the loader circuit replaces the default configuration data with the configuration data specific to the computer system only if the configuration data specific to the computer system is error free.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
The power management circuit as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a reset circuit coupled to the power control circuit which generates a reset signal for causing the first memory to load the default configuration data after the power control circuit has sensed power from the power supply.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The power management circuit as recited in claim 1, wherein the first memory comprises: a number of registers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The power management circuit as recited in claim 1, wherein the second memory comprises: a non-volatile memory.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The power management circuit as recited in claim 1, wherein the second memory comprises: an EEPROM.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The power management circuit as recited in claim 1, wherein the loader circuit comprises: a state machine; and a parallel output serial shift register coupled to the state machine.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The power management circuit as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a second power supply for powering the power management circuit prior to engagement of an on/off switch by a user of the computer system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
33 words
The power management circuit as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a battery for powering the power management circuit prior to engagement of an on/off switch by a user of the computer system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
169 words
A computer system comprising: a power supply; a power supply controller coupled to the power supply; a processor powered by the power supply; and a programmable power management circuit for controlling the power supply, including a switch for applying power from the power supply to the processor; a first memory which stores default configuration data for controlling the power supply; a power control circuit which senses power from the power supply and which controls the switch; and a loader circuit which sends a signal to the power control circuit and which replaces the default configuration data in the first memory with the!configuration data specific to the computer system from a second memory; wherein the power control circuit produces a control signal, after receiving the signal from the loader circuit, that causes the switch to apply power to the processor so that the computer system can boot up; and wherein the configuration data specific to the computer system is read by the power supply controller to control the power supply.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
169 words
A computer system comprising: a power supply; a power supply controller coupled to the power supply; a processor powered by the power supply; and a programmable power management circuit for controlling the power supply, including a switch for applying power from the power supply to the processor; a first memory which stores default configuration data for controlling the power supply; a power control circuit which senses power from the power supply and which controls the switch; and a loader circuit which sends a signal to the power control circuit and which replaces the default configuration data in the first memory with the!configuration data specific to the computer system from a second memory; wherein the power control circuit produces a control signal, after receiving the signal from the loader circuit, that causes the switch to apply power to the processor so that the computer system can boot up; and wherein the configuration data specific to the computer system is read by the power supply controller to control the power supply.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer system as recited in claim 11, wherein the loader circuit checks for errors in the configuration data specific to the computer system, and wherein the signal from the loader circuit indicates that the loader circuit has finished checking for errors.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
The computer system as recited in claim 12, wherein the loader circuit replaces the default configuration data with the configuration data specific to the computer system only if the configuration data specific to the computer system is error free.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
The computer system as recited in claim 11, wherein the power management control circuit further comprises: a reset circuit coupled to the power control circuit which generates a reset signal for causing the first memory to load the default configuration data after the power control circuit has sensed power from the power supply.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system as recited in claim 11, wherein the first memory comprises: a number of registers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system as recited in claim 11, wherein the second memory comprises: a non-volatile memory.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer system as recited in claim 11, wherein the second memory comprises: an EEPROM.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer system as recited in claim 11, wherein the loader circuit comprises: a state machine; and a parallel output serial shift register coupled to the state machine.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer system as recited in claim 11, further comprising: a second power supply for powering the power management circuit prior to engagement of an on/off switch by a user of the computer system.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer system as recited in claim 11, further comprising: a battery for powering the power management circuit prior to engagement of an on/off switch by a user of the computer system.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer system as recited in claim 11, wherein the processor executes a configuration utility program for reading and modifying configuration data specific to the computer system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system as recited in claim 11, wherein the processor executes a configuration utility program for reading and modifying default configuration data.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of controlling power application to a processor in a computer comprising the steps of: sensing power from a power supply by a power management device; reading configuration data specific to the computer from a first memory by the power management device; replacing default configuration data in a second memory with the configuration data specific to the computer by the power management device; producing a control signal by the power management device for causing a switch to apply power from the power supply to the processor so that the computer can boot up by the power management device; and reading the configuration data specific to the computer by a power supply controller.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
113 words
A method of controlling power application to a processor in a computer comprising the steps of: sensing power from a power supply by a power management device; reading configuration data specific to the computer from a first memory by the power management device; replacing default configuration data in a second memory with the configuration data specific to the computer by the power management device; producing a control signal by the power management device for causing a switch to apply power from the power supply to the processor so that the computer can boot up by the power management device; and reading the configuration data specific to the computer by a power supply controller.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method as recited in claim 23, further comprising the steps of: checking for errors in the configuration data specific to the computer by the power management device before the step of replacing; and replacing the default configuration data with the configuration data specific to the computer by the power management device only if the configuration data specific to the computer is error free.
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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) | 2001-03-23 | 2001-09-22 | 2002-03-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-03-23 | 2005-09-22 | 2006-03-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-03-23 | 2009-09-22 | 2010-03-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |