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US5825674A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Power control for mobile electronics using no-operation instructions
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1995-11-28
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Granted: 1998-10-20
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Expires: 2015-11-28
Abstract
Abstract A system for regulating power in a mobile electronics device uses "hint" NOP instructions having a reserved field of bits that generate control signals to affect an increase or decrease in power dissipation. The control signals raise or lower the operating potential provided by a power supply and also adjust the frequency of a clock signal in accordance with the information provided by the NOP instruction. Power is reduced for code sequences that could be executed more slowly, or the device is otherwise idle, without affecting the user's perception of overall system performance.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert T. Jackson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/30; G06F9/30003; G06F9/30076; G06F9/30083; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/20; G06F1/206; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203; G06F1/3234; G06F1/324; G06F1/3296; G06F9/30181; G06F9/30185; H; H02; H02J; H02J9/00; H02J9/005; Y; Y02; Y02B; Y02B70/00; Y02B70/30; Y02D; Y02D10/00; Y04; Y04S; Y04S20/00; Y04S20/20
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
A system for regulating power comprising: a power supply for providing an operating potential coupled to a processor, the power supply having an adjustable operating potential adjusted in response to a first control signal; a signal generator for providing a clock signal coupled to the processor, the clock signal having an adjustable frequency that is adjusted in response to a second control signal; and a control circuit for responding to bits associated with a set of no-operation (NOP) instructions, execution of a first NOP instruction causing the control circuit to generate the first control signal and the second control signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
100 words
A system for regulating power comprising: a power supply for providing an operating potential coupled to a processor, the power supply having an adjustable operating potential adjusted in response to a first control signal; a signal generator for providing a clock signal coupled to the processor, the clock signal having an adjustable frequency that is adjusted in response to a second control signal; and a control circuit for responding to bits associated with a set of no-operation (NOP) instructions, execution of a first NOP instruction causing the control circuit to generate the first control signal and the second control signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The system of claim 1 wherein execution of a second NOP instruction causes the control circuit to generate the first and second control signals having third and fourth values, which effectively increase the operating potential and the frequency of the power supply and signal generator, respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the first and second control signals are the same.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the software program comprises an operating system program.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the software program comprises an application program.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the mobile electronic device comprises a laptop computer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising one or more integrated circuits (ICs) coupled to the processor, signal generator and power supply, wherein power dissipation of said one or more ICs is regulated by the first and second control signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
51 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the NOP instruction controls a rate at which the processor operates, such that the operating potential generated by the power supply and the frequency of the clock signal are reduced for code sequences that may be executed more slowly without affecting an overall system performance.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 1, wherein the second control signal, to control the frequency of the signal generator is generated prior to the generation of the second control signal, to control the operating potential of the power supply, in order to reduce the frequency prior to reducing the operating potential coupled to the processor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising: a compiler for compiling a software program, the compiler further for inserting the NOP instruction prior to an idle loop included within the software program.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of regulating power comprising the steps of: executing a first NOP instruction, the first NOP instruction causing a first set of control signals to be generated; (c) reducing an operating potential generated by a power supply in response to the first set of control signals; and (d) reducing a frequency of a clock signal generated by a signal generator in response to the first set of control signals.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
70 words
A method of regulating power comprising the steps of: executing a first NOP instruction, the first NOP instruction causing a first set of control signals to be generated; (c) reducing an operating potential generated by a power supply in response to the first set of control signals; and (d) reducing a frequency of a clock signal generated by a signal generator in response to the first set of control signals.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising the steps of: (e) executing a second NOP instruction in the software program to cause the logic circuit to output a second set of control signals; (f) increasing the operating potential generated by the power supply in response to the second set of control signals produced by the logic circuit; (g) increasing the frequency of the clock signal generated by the signal generator in response to the second set of control signals produced by the logic circuit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 12, further comprising: recognizing an idle loop in a software program during compilation; and inserting the first NOP instruction into the software program prior to the idle loop.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 13, further comprising inserting the second NOP instruction into the software program after the idle loop.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the clock signal and operating potential are coupled to the processor.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 11, wherein the method is implemented on a laptop computer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said step of executing a first NOP instruction does not alter an architectural state of the processor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11 wherein said step of executing a first NOP instruction causes a logic circuit coupled to the processor to output the first set of control signals.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 11 further comprising: inserting at least one NOP instruction into a software program.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method of claim 11 wherein the NOP instruction controls a rate at which the processor operates, such that the operating potential generated by the power supply and the frequency of the clock signal are reduced for code sequences that may be executed more slowly without affecting an overall system performance.
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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) | 2001-10-19 | 2002-04-20 | 2002-10-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-10-19 | 2006-04-20 | 2006-10-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-10-19 | 2010-04-20 | 2010-10-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |