US5930516A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Real time power conservation for computers
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
•
Filing: 1997-04-30
•
Granted: 1999-07-27
•
Expires: 2017-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A real-time power conservation apparatus and method for portable computers employs a monitor to determine whether a CPU may rest based upon a real-time sampling of the CPU activity level and to activate a hardware selector to carry out the monitor's determination. If the monitor determines the CPU may rest, the hardware selector reduces CPU clock time; if the CPU is to be active, the hardware selector returns the CPU to its previous high speed clock level. Switching back into full operation from its rest state occurs without a user having to request it and without any delay in the operation of the computer while waiting for the computer to return to a "ready" state. Furthermore, the monitor adjusts the performance level of the computer to manage power conservation in response to the real-time sampling of CPU activity. Such adjustments are accomplished within the CPU cycles and do not affect the user's perception of performance and do not affect any system application software executing on the computer.
Inventors
- 👤 LaVaughn F. Watts, Jr.
- 👤 Steven J. Wallace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 06:44
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/02; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203; G06F1/3234; G06F1/324; G06F1/16; G06F1/20; G06F1/206; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 78
Claim 1
Independent Claim
50 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to optimize a utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
50 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to optimize a utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said monitor inhibits the modification of said clock signal while said CPU is processing critical I/O.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said monitor sends signals to the clock manager requesting the clock manager to demodify the clock signal being sent to the CPU in response to said monitor detecting a critical I/O request.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said monitor is on board said CPU.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said monitor is self-tuning.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said monitor uses a control system of continuous feedback loops.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
56 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU in response to a utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
56 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU in response to a utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
52 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to minimize the amount of idle time in said CPU.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
52 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to minimize the amount of idle time in said CPU.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said clock manager selectively modifies said clock signal by controlling the periods of time a clock generating said clock signal is in an OFF state.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein energy consumption in said CPU is at a maximum when the length of each period of time said clock is in an OFF state is at zero.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein energy consumption in said CPU decreases as the length of each period of time said clock is in an OFF state increases.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said periods of time said clock is in an OFF state are constantly being adjusted to optimize a utilization percentage of said central processing unit.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said OFF state represents a minimum clock rate at which said central processing unit can operate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein a minimum clock rate may be zero for central processing units that can have their clocks stopped.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said monitor inhibits the modification of said clock signal while said CPU is processing critical I/O.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said monitor sends signals to the clock manager requesting the clock manager to demodify the clock signal being sent to the CPU in response to said monitor detecting a critical I/O request.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said monitor is on board said CPU.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said monitor is self-tuning.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said monitor uses a control system of continuous feedback loops.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
67 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to minimize the relative amount of idle time in said CPU in response to a utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
67 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to minimize the relative amount of idle time in said CPU in response to a utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
50 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to optimize a utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
50 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to optimize a utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said monitor inhibits the modification of said clock signal while said CPU is processing critical I/O.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said monitor sends signals to the clock manager requesting the clock manager to demodify the clock signal being sent to the CPU in response to said monitor detecting a critical I/O request.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said monitor is on board said CPU.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein said monitor is self-tuning.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein said monitor uses a control system of continuous feedback loops.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
56 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU in response to a utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
56 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU in response to a utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
50 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to optimize the activity time in said CPU.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
50 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to optimize the activity time in said CPU.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said clock manager selectively modifies said clock signal by controlling the periods of time a clock generating said clock signal is in an OFF state.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein energy consumption in said CPU is at a maximum when the length of each period of time said clock is in an OFF state is at zero.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein energy consumption in said CPU decreases as the length of each period of time said clock is in an OFF state increases.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said periods of time said clock is in an OFF state are constantly being adjusted to optimize a utilization percentage of said central processing unit.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said OFF state represents a minimum clock rate at which said central processing unit can operate.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein a minimum clock rate may be zero for central processing units that can have their clocks stopped.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said monitor inhibits the modification of said clock signal while said CPU is processing critical I/O.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said monitor sends signals to the clock manager requesting the clock manager to demodify the clock signal being sent to the CPU in response to said monitor detecting a critical I/O request.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said monitor is on board said CPU.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein said monitor is self-tuning.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said monitor uses a control system of continuous feedback loops.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to optimize the activity time within said CPU in response to a utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to optimize the activity time within said CPU in response to a utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
53 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to optimize a utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
53 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to optimize a utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
59 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU in response to a utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
59 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU in response to a utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
60 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to minimize the amount of idle time and optimize the activity time in said CPU.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
60 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to minimize the amount of idle time and optimize the activity time in said CPU.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 43, wherein said clock manager selectively modifies said clock signal by controlling the periods of time a clock generating said clock signal is in an OFF state.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 44, wherein energy consumption in said CPU is at a maximum when the length of each period of time said clock is in an OFF state is at zero.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 44, wherein energy consumption in said CPU decreases as the length of each period of time said clock is in an OFF state increases.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said periods of time said clock is in an OFF state are constantly being adjusted to optimize a utilization percentage of said central processing unit.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 44, wherein said OFF state represents a minimum clock rate at which said central processing unit can operate.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 43, wherein a minimum clock rate may be zero for central processing units that can have their clocks stopped.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 43, wherein said monitor inhibits the modification of said clock signal while said CPU is processing critical I/O.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 43, wherein said monitor sends signals to the clock manager requesting the clock manager to demodify the clock signal being sent to the CPU in response to said monitor detecting a critical I/O request.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 43, wherein said monitor is on board said CPU.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 43, wherein said monitor is self-tuning.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 53, wherein said monitor uses a control system of continuous feedback loops.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to minimize the amount of idle time and optimize the activity time in said CPU in response to a utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
74 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to minimize the amount of idle time and optimize the activity time in said CPU in response to a utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 68
Independent Claim
46 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the utilization of said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to optimize a utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 69
Independent Claim
46 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the utilization of said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to optimize a utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 70
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a clock; means for monitoring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and means, responsive to said monitoring means, for controlling periods of time said clock is in an OFF state, the length of said periods of time said clock is in an OFF state being appropriate to allow said CPU to operate at an optimized utilization percentage.
Claim 71
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a clock; means for monitoring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and means, responsive to said monitoring means, for controlling periods of time said clock is in an OFF state, the length of said periods of time said clock is in an OFF state being appropriate to allow said CPU to operate at an optimized utilization percentage.
Claim 72
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a clock; a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager controlling periods of time said clock is in an OFF state, the length of said periods of time said clock is in an OFF state being appropriate to allow said CPU to operate at an optimized utilization percentage.
Claim 73
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a clock; a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said monitor, said clock manager controlling periods of time said clock is in an OFF state, the length of said periods of time said clock is in an OFF state being appropriate to allow said CPU to operate at an optimized utilization percentage.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 58, wherein energy consumption in said CPU is at a maximum when the length of each period of time said clock is in an OFF state is at zero.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 58, wherein energy consumption in said CPU decreases as the length of each period of time said clock is in an OFF state increases.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 58, wherein said periods of time said clock is in an OFF state are constantly being adjusted to optimize said utilization percentage of said central processing unit.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 58, wherein said OFF state represents the minimum clock rate at which said central processing unit can operate.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 58, wherein a minimum clock rate may be zero for central processing units that can have their clocks stopped.
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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) | 2002-07-26 | 2003-01-25 | 2003-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-26 | 2007-01-25 | 2007-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-26 | 2011-01-25 | 2011-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |