US5983357A — Computer power management

Claim 1

Independent Claim 63 words

A method for managing power usage in a computer system having a power-using device with an assigned range of ports, the method comprising: monitoring a rate of data communications per unit of time that occur within the assigned range of ports, using a central processing unit to interact with the power-using device, and regulating power use by the device based on the rate.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 63 words

A method for managing power usage in a computer system having a power-using device with an assigned range of ports, the method comprising: monitoring a rate of data communications per unit of time that occur within the assigned range of ports, using a central processing unit to interact with the power-using device, and regulating power use by the device based on the rate.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 1 wherein the rate of data communications per unit of time is measured periodically.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 1 further comprising assigning a state indicator to the device based on the rate, and regulating power use based on the indicator.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 24 words

The method of claim 3 wherein regulating power use by the device comprises updating power usage parameters of the device based on the indicator.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 45 words

The method of claim 1 further comprising monitoring a rate of data communications per unit of time that occur with a second power-using device in the computer, and regulating power use by the second device based on rate of data communications per unit of time.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the device comprises an I/O device.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 44 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the device is selected from a group consisting of a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive, a display monitor, a keyboard, a mouse an infrared communication device, a modem card, a network chip and an audio chip.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the regulating does not include changing an operating frequency of the central processing unit.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 60 words

A method for managing power usage in a computer having power-using devices having respectively different assigned port ranges, the method comprising: periodically monitoring rates of data communications per unit of time that occur with the port ranges, assigning a state indicator to each device based on its monitored rate, and regulating power use by each device based on its indicator.

Claim 11

Independent Claim 60 words

A method for managing power usage in a computer having power-using devices having respectively different assigned port ranges, the method comprising: periodically monitoring rates of data communications per unit of time that occur with the port ranges, assigning a state indicator to each device based on its monitored rate, and regulating power use by each device based on its indicator.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 102 words

A computer program managing power usage in a computer having a power-using device with an assigned range of ports, the computer program comprising: instructions that cause the computer to monitor a rate of data communications per unit of time that occur with the assigned range of ports, instructions that cause a central processing unit of the computer to interact with the power-using device, instructions that cause the computer to maintain stored rate information for the device based on the results of the monitoring, and instructions that cause the computer to regulate power use by the device based on the stored rate information.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 102 words

A computer program managing power usage in a computer having a power-using device with an assigned range of ports, the computer program comprising: instructions that cause the computer to monitor a rate of data communications per unit of time that occur with the assigned range of ports, instructions that cause a central processing unit of the computer to interact with the power-using device, instructions that cause the computer to maintain stored rate information for the device based on the results of the monitoring, and instructions that cause the computer to regulate power use by the device based on the stored rate information.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 19 words

The program of claim 10 wherein the instructions monitor the rate of data communications per unit of time periodically.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 31 words

The program of claim 10 wherein the instructions that maintain stored rate information assign a state indicator to the device based on the results of the monitoring and stores the indicator.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 39 words

The program of claim 10 wherein the instructions monitor a rate of data communications per unit of time that occur with a second power-using device in the computer, and the instructions maintain stored rate information for the second device.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 15 words

The program of claim 10 wherein the instructions are implemented as firmware in the computer.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 88 words

A firmware program for managing power usage in a computer having power-using devices having respectively different assigned range of ports, the program comprising: instructions that cause the computer to monitor rates of data communications per unit of time that occur with the assigned ranges of ports, instructions that cause the computer to assign a state indicator to each device based on the results of the monitoring and to store the indicators, and instructions that cause the computer to regulate power use by each device based on its indicator.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 88 words

A firmware program for managing power usage in a computer having power-using devices having respectively different assigned range of ports, the program comprising: instructions that cause the computer to monitor rates of data communications per unit of time that occur with the assigned ranges of ports, instructions that cause the computer to assign a state indicator to each device based on the results of the monitoring and to store the indicators, and instructions that cause the computer to regulate power use by each device based on its indicator.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 65 words

Apparatus for managing power usage in a computer, the computer having a central processing unit and a power-using device having an assigned range of ports, the apparatus comprising: a counter connected to count the number of data communications that occur with the assigned range of ports, and a regulator connected to regulate power use by the device based on a count accumulated by the counter.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 65 words

Apparatus for managing power usage in a computer, the computer having a central processing unit and a power-using device having an assigned range of ports, the apparatus comprising: a counter connected to count the number of data communications that occur with the assigned range of ports, and a regulator connected to regulate power use by the device based on a count accumulated by the counter.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 22 words

The apparatus of claim 16, further comprising a range register coupled to the counter, the register specifying the device to the counter.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 38 words

The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the register specifies a range of ports associated with the device to the counter, the counter counting the number of data communications with the device by monitoring signals exchanged over the ports.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 12 words

The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the regulator periodically reads the counter.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 21 words

The apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a second counter counting the number of data communications with a second power-using device.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 83 words

Apparatus for managing power usage in a computer having power-using devices having respectively different assigned port ranges, the apparatus comprising: counters connected to count the number of data communications that occur over the assigned port ranges, a range register connected to each counter, each different range register assigning a different one of the address ranges to a different one of the counters, and a regulator connected to periodically regulate power use by each device based on a count accumulated in its corresponding counter.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 83 words

Apparatus for managing power usage in a computer having power-using devices having respectively different assigned port ranges, the apparatus comprising: counters connected to count the number of data communications that occur over the assigned port ranges, a range register connected to each counter, each different range register assigning a different one of the address ranges to a different one of the counters, and a regulator connected to periodically regulate power use by each device based on a count accumulated in its corresponding counter.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 75 words

A computer system comprising: a main processor, a power-using device coupled by a communication line to the main processor, the device having an assigned range of ports, a circuit connected to monitor the rate of data communications per unit of time that occur between the main processor and the assigned range of ports, and a regulator connected to regulate power use by the device based on the rate of data communications per unit of time.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 75 words

A computer system comprising: a main processor, a power-using device coupled by a communication line to the main processor, the device having an assigned range of ports, a circuit connected to monitor the rate of data communications per unit of time that occur between the main processor and the assigned range of ports, and a regulator connected to regulate power use by the device based on the rate of data communications per unit of time.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 22 wherein the device is coupled to the processor by a port, and the data communications include signals that are exchanged over the port.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 25 words

The system of claim 22 further including a range register connected to the circuit, the range register assigning the range of ports to the circuit.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 28 words

The system of claim 22, wherein the regulator regulates power use of the device by updating power parameters of the device based on the rate of data communications.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 27 words

The system of claim 22, further comprising a memory connected to the regulator, the regulator regulating power use of the device by executing firmware in the memory.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 15 words

The system of claim 22 further comprising a timer connected to periodically activate the regulator.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 13 words

The computer system of claim 22, wherein the device comprises an I/O device.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 45 words

The computer system of claim 22, wherein the device is selected from a group consisting of a floppy disk drive, a hard disk drive, a display monitor, a keyboard, a mouse an infrared communication device, a modem card, a network chip and an audio chip.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 110 words

A computer system comprising: a main processor, power-using devices coupled by a communication line to the main processor, each different device having a different assigned range of ports, circuits connected to monitor the rates of data communications per unit of time that occur with the assigned ranges of ports a range register connected to each circuit, each different register assigning one of the ranges to a different one of the circuits, a memory comprising firmware, a regulator connected to update power usage parameters for each device based on its rate of data communications per unit of time by executing the firmware, and a timer connected to periodically activate the regulator.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 110 words

A computer system comprising: a main processor, power-using devices coupled by a communication line to the main processor, each different device having a different assigned range of ports, circuits connected to monitor the rates of data communications per unit of time that occur with the assigned ranges of ports a range register connected to each circuit, each different register assigning one of the ranges to a different one of the circuits, a memory comprising firmware, a regulator connected to update power usage parameters for each device based on its rate of data communications per unit of time by executing the firmware, and a timer connected to periodically activate the regulator.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 77 words

Apparatus for managing power usage in a computer, the apparatus comprising: registers, each different register assigning a range of ports to each different one of the devices, counters connected to count the number of data communications that occur with power-using devices in the computer, each different counter counting data communications with a different one of the assigned port ranges, and regulators connected to regulate power use by the devices based on the counts accumulated in the counters.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 77 words

Apparatus for managing power usage in a computer, the apparatus comprising: registers, each different register assigning a range of ports to each different one of the devices, counters connected to count the number of data communications that occur with power-using devices in the computer, each different counter counting data communications with a different one of the assigned port ranges, and regulators connected to regulate power use by the devices based on the counts accumulated in the counters.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-11-08	2003-05-10	2003-11-09	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-11-08	2007-05-10	2007-11-09	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-11-08	2011-05-10	2011-11-09	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Computer power management

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