US6081901A — System and method for dynamically controlling pro…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 141 words

A computer system capable of variably controlling a processing speed of a CPU, comprising: means for receiving an acceleration or deceleration instruction from a user to instruct acceleration or deceleration of the processing speed of the CPU; means for storing speed management data indicating a CPU processing speed for execution of a software application by changing the processing speed of the CPU in correspondence with the software application currently executed in said computer system; and means for controlling the current processing speed of the CPU for the software application in accordance with the stored speed management data, wherein said means for receiving the acceleration or deceleration instruction from the user displays a screen picture for instructing acceleration or deceleration of the processing speed, and receives the acceleration or deceleration instruction from the user in response to manipulation on the screen picture.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 141 words

A computer system capable of variably controlling a processing speed of a CPU, comprising: means for receiving an acceleration or deceleration instruction from a user to instruct acceleration or deceleration of the processing speed of the CPU; means for storing speed management data indicating a CPU processing speed for execution of a software application by changing the processing speed of the CPU in correspondence with the software application currently executed in said computer system; and means for controlling the current processing speed of the CPU for the software application in accordance with the stored speed management data, wherein said means for receiving the acceleration or deceleration instruction from the user displays a screen picture for instructing acceleration or deceleration of the processing speed, and receives the acceleration or deceleration instruction from the user in response to manipulation on the screen picture.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 71 words

The system according to claim 1, wherein a first hot key for issuing the acceleration instruction and a second hot key for issuing the deceleration instruction are assigned to predetermined keys on a keyboard used in said computer system; and said means for receiving the acceleration or deceleration instruction from the user receives the acceleration or deceleration instruction in accordance with depression of the first hot key or second hot key.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 49 words

The system according to claim 1, further comprising: means for displaying an indicator for indicating a speed limit of the CPU; and means for setting the processing speed of the CPU to the speed limit when an acceleration instruction from the user indicates a speed exceeding the speed limit.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 27 words

The system according to claim 3, further comprising means for setting an upper speed limit of the CPU in accordance with an operation environment of the CPU.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system according to claim 4, wherein the operation environment of the CPU includes the amount of heat generated by the CPU.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 42 words

The system according to claim 1, wherein the screen picture includes a first image of a button for the acceleration instruction and a second image of a button for the deceleration instruction, the buttons being manipulated by the user on the screen.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 18 words

The system according to claim 1, further comprising an indicator indicating a current processing speed of the CPU.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 148 words

A computer system capable of variably controlling a processing speed of a CPU comprising: means for receiving an acceleration or deceleration instruction from a user to instruct acceleration and deceleration of the processing speed of the CPU; means for storing speed management data indicating a CPU processing speed for execution of a software application by changing the processing speed of the CPU in correspondence with the software application currently executed in said computer system; means for controlling the current processing speed of the CPU for the software application in accordance with the stored speed management data; means for displaying an indicator for indicating a speed limit of the CPU; and means for increasing the processing speed of the CPU beyond the speed limit for a predetermined period of time, and then decreasing the speed when an acceleration instruction from the user indicates a speed exceeding the speed limit.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 148 words

A computer system capable of variably controlling a processing speed of a CPU comprising: means for receiving an acceleration or deceleration instruction from a user to instruct acceleration and deceleration of the processing speed of the CPU; means for storing speed management data indicating a CPU processing speed for execution of a software application by changing the processing speed of the CPU in correspondence with the software application currently executed in said computer system; means for controlling the current processing speed of the CPU for the software application in accordance with the stored speed management data; means for displaying an indicator for indicating a speed limit of the CPU; and means for increasing the processing speed of the CPU beyond the speed limit for a predetermined period of time, and then decreasing the speed when an acceleration instruction from the user indicates a speed exceeding the speed limit.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 27 words

The system according to claim 8, further comprising means for setting an upper speed limit of the CPU in accordance with an operation environment of the CPU.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 22 words

The system according to claim 9, wherein the operation environment of the CPU includes the amount of heat generated by the CPU.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 145 words

A computer system capable of variably controlling a processing speed of a CPU comprising: means for receiving an acceleration or deceleration instruction from a user to instruct acceleration and deceleration of the processing speed of the CPU; means for storing speed management data indicating a CPU processing speed for execution of a software application by changing the processing speed of the CPU in correspondence with the software application currently executed in said computer system; means for controlling the current processing speed of the CPU for the software application in accordance with the stored speed management data, wherein said CPU has a predictive parallel processing function of predicting a branch destination by using a branch prediction mechanism, and performing parallel processing in which the prediction is fulfilled or not fulfilled, and said means for changing the CPU processing speed controls ON/OFF of the branch prediction mechanism.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 145 words

A computer system capable of variably controlling a processing speed of a CPU comprising: means for receiving an acceleration or deceleration instruction from a user to instruct acceleration and deceleration of the processing speed of the CPU; means for storing speed management data indicating a CPU processing speed for execution of a software application by changing the processing speed of the CPU in correspondence with the software application currently executed in said computer system; means for controlling the current processing speed of the CPU for the software application in accordance with the stored speed management data, wherein said CPU has a predictive parallel processing function of predicting a branch destination by using a branch prediction mechanism, and performing parallel processing in which the prediction is fulfilled or not fulfilled, and said means for changing the CPU processing speed controls ON/OFF of the branch prediction mechanism.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 132 words

A computer system capable of variably controlling a processing speed of a CPU comprising: means for receiving an acceleration or deceleration instruction from a user to instruct acceleration and deceleration of the processing speed of the CPU; means for storing speed management data indicating a CPU processing speed for execution of a software application by changing the processing speed of the CPU in correspondence with the software application currently executed in said computer system; means for controlling the current processing speed of the CPU for the software application in accordance with the stored speed management data, wherein the means for storing speed management data includes a speed management database comprised of application (process) names serving as keys and speed values having at least one of clock speed and cache memory size parameter.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 132 words

A computer system capable of variably controlling a processing speed of a CPU comprising: means for receiving an acceleration or deceleration instruction from a user to instruct acceleration and deceleration of the processing speed of the CPU; means for storing speed management data indicating a CPU processing speed for execution of a software application by changing the processing speed of the CPU in correspondence with the software application currently executed in said computer system; means for controlling the current processing speed of the CPU for the software application in accordance with the stored speed management data, wherein the means for storing speed management data includes a speed management database comprised of application (process) names serving as keys and speed values having at least one of clock speed and cache memory size parameter.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 65 words

A computer system comprising: a CPU executing a first software application and a second software application, a processing speed of said CPU being variably controlled; by using; and management means for managing a CPU processing speed designated means for controlling the CPU processing speed in accordance with the first software application and the second software application to be executed in cooperation with the management means.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 65 words

A computer system comprising: a CPU executing a first software application and a second software application, a processing speed of said CPU being variably controlled; by using; and management means for managing a CPU processing speed designated means for controlling the CPU processing speed in accordance with the first software application and the second software application to be executed in cooperation with the management means.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 71 words

The system according to claim 13, further comprising: first means for allowing a user to request said system to shift to a mode of completing processing in a short period time but using large power; and second means which is different from said first means and allows the user to request said system to shift to a mode of completing processing in a long period of time by using small power.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 140 words

A computer system capable of variably controlling a processing speed of a CPU, comprising: means for receiving an acceleration or deceleration instruction from a user to instruct acceleration and deceleration of the processing speed of the CPU; means for storing speed management data indicating a CPU processing speed for execution of a software application by changing the processing speed of the CPU in correspondence with the software application currently executed in said computer system; and means for controlling the current processing speed of the CPU for software in accordance with the stored speed management data, wherein means for storing speed management data includes a speed management database comprised of application (process) means serving as keys and speed data having at least one clock speed, selection data for enabling or disabling a predictive parallel processing function, and cache memory size parameter.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 140 words

A computer system capable of variably controlling a processing speed of a CPU, comprising: means for receiving an acceleration or deceleration instruction from a user to instruct acceleration and deceleration of the processing speed of the CPU; means for storing speed management data indicating a CPU processing speed for execution of a software application by changing the processing speed of the CPU in correspondence with the software application currently executed in said computer system; and means for controlling the current processing speed of the CPU for software in accordance with the stored speed management data, wherein means for storing speed management data includes a speed management database comprised of application (process) means serving as keys and speed data having at least one clock speed, selection data for enabling or disabling a predictive parallel processing function, and cache memory size parameter.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 80 words

A computer system including a CPU having a predictive parallel processing function of predicting a branch destination by using a branch prediction mechanism and performing parallel processing for both cases in which a prediction is fulfilled and not fulfilled, comprising: means for receiving a processing speed change request from a user; and means for controlling a logic circuit exclusively used for prediction of the branch destination and processing therefor in accordance with a processing speed change request from a user.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 80 words

A computer system including a CPU having a predictive parallel processing function of predicting a branch destination by using a branch prediction mechanism and performing parallel processing for both cases in which a prediction is fulfilled and not fulfilled, comprising: means for receiving a processing speed change request from a user; and means for controlling a logic circuit exclusively used for prediction of the branch destination and processing therefor in accordance with a processing speed change request from a user.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 35 words

The system according to claim 16, wherein the control means includes: means for ON/OFF-switching supply of power or clocks to the logic circuit; and means for setting energy consumption required to complete the same task.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 120 words

A processing speed control method applied to a computer system capable of variably controlling a processing speed of a CPU, comprising the steps of: changing a current CPU processing speed in accordance with an acceleration or deceleration instruction from a user; generating first and second speed management data indicating a CPU processing speed for execution of first and second software applications by changing the CPU processing speed in correspondence with the first and second software applications currently executed in said computer system; and controlling the CPU processing speed for the first software application in accordance with the first speed management data and controlling the CPU processing speed for the second software application in accordance with the second speed management data.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 120 words

A processing speed control method applied to a computer system capable of variably controlling a processing speed of a CPU, comprising the steps of: changing a current CPU processing speed in accordance with an acceleration or deceleration instruction from a user; generating first and second speed management data indicating a CPU processing speed for execution of first and second software applications by changing the CPU processing speed in correspondence with the first and second software applications currently executed in said computer system; and controlling the CPU processing speed for the first software application in accordance with the first speed management data and controlling the CPU processing speed for the second software application in accordance with the second speed management data.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 105 words

A processing speed control method applied to a computer system including a CPU having a predictive parallel processing function of predicting a branch destination by using a branch prediction mechanism, and performing parallel processing in which a prediction is fulfilled and not fulfilled, comprising the steps of: controlling ON/OFF of said branch prediction mechanism by ON/OFF-switching supply of power or clocks to a logic circuit exclusively used for prediction of the branch destination and processing therefor in accordance with a processing speed change request from a user; and setting energy consumption required to complete the same task by switching ON/OFF of said branch prediction mechanism.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 105 words

A processing speed control method applied to a computer system including a CPU having a predictive parallel processing function of predicting a branch destination by using a branch prediction mechanism, and performing parallel processing in which a prediction is fulfilled and not fulfilled, comprising the steps of: controlling ON/OFF of said branch prediction mechanism by ON/OFF-switching supply of power or clocks to a logic circuit exclusively used for prediction of the branch destination and processing therefor in accordance with a processing speed change request from a user; and setting energy consumption required to complete the same task by switching ON/OFF of said branch prediction mechanism.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 148 words

A computer system including an OS having both a function of controlling application software and a function of controlling power consumption of a computer, comprising a graphical speed control man-machine interface added to a module having the function of controlling the power consumption, said speed control man-machine interface including first means for allowing a user to request said system to shift to a mode of completing processing in a short period of time but using large power, and second means which is different from said first means and allows the user to request said system to shift to a mode of completing processing in a long period of time by using small power, wherein said OS can make an adjustment between a requested processing speed and an environment condition including power consumption, and the user gives a request associated with a processing speed with respect to said OS.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 148 words

A computer system including an OS having both a function of controlling application software and a function of controlling power consumption of a computer, comprising a graphical speed control man-machine interface added to a module having the function of controlling the power consumption, said speed control man-machine interface including first means for allowing a user to request said system to shift to a mode of completing processing in a short period of time but using large power, and second means which is different from said first means and allows the user to request said system to shift to a mode of completing processing in a long period of time by using small power, wherein said OS can make an adjustment between a requested processing speed and an environment condition including power consumption, and the user gives a request associated with a processing speed with respect to said OS.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 158 words

A computer system capable of variably controlling a processing speed of a CPU, comprising: a keyboard; means for receiving an acceleration or deceleration instruction from a user to instruct acceleration and acceleration and deceleration of the processing speed of the CPU; means for storing speed management data indicating a CPU processing speed for execution of a software application by changing the processing speed of the CPU in correspondence with the software currently executed in said computer system; and means for controlling the current processing speed of the CPU for the software application in accordance with the stored speed management data, wherein a first hot key for issuing the acceleration instruction and a second hot key for issuing the deceleration instruction are assigned to predetermined keys on the keyboard, and said means for receiving the acceleration or deceleration instruction from the user receives the acceleration or deceleration instruction in accordance with depression of the first or second hot key.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 158 words

A computer system capable of variably controlling a processing speed of a CPU, comprising: a keyboard; means for receiving an acceleration or deceleration instruction from a user to instruct acceleration and acceleration and deceleration of the processing speed of the CPU; means for storing speed management data indicating a CPU processing speed for execution of a software application by changing the processing speed of the CPU in correspondence with the software currently executed in said computer system; and means for controlling the current processing speed of the CPU for the software application in accordance with the stored speed management data, wherein a first hot key for issuing the acceleration instruction and a second hot key for issuing the deceleration instruction are assigned to predetermined keys on the keyboard, and said means for receiving the acceleration or deceleration instruction from the user receives the acceleration or deceleration instruction in accordance with depression of the first or second hot key.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-06-27	2003-12-27	2004-06-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-06-27	2007-12-27	2008-06-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-06-27	2011-12-27	2012-06-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

System and method for dynamically controlling processing speed of a computer in response to user commands

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