US6092207A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer having a dual mode power supply for implementing a power saving mode
Assignee: Intel Corp
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Filing: 1997-12-29
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Granted: 2000-07-18
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Expires: 2017-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A computer includes a dual mode power supply that includes a main voltage converter and a standby voltage converter. The main voltage converter generates a main operating voltage at a normal operating current. The standby voltage generator generates a standby voltage at a standby current. The power supply outputs a dual mode output that includes both the main voltage and the standby voltage. The standby current is less than the normal operating current. The computer includes a host processor, a memory array, and a wake-up device. A power management device is coupled to the host processor and receives at least the standby voltage. The dual mode output from the power supply is input to the wake-up device and the memory array to allow the computer to be placed in a power saving mode by terminating supply of the main voltage. While in the power saving mode and receiving only the standby voltage, the wake-up device can wake-up the computer.
Inventors
- 👤 Jerzy Kolinski
- 👤 Albert Rudy Nelson
- 👤 Gary Solomon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:23
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203; G06F1/3206; G06F1/3209; G06F1/263; G06F1/3215
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 21
Claim 1
Independent Claim
138 words
A computer comprising: a dual mode power supply including: a) a main voltage converter generating a main operating voltage at a normal operating current; a power management device coupled to the host processor and coupled to the output of the standby voltage converter, the power management device closing the main switch when the computer is in a normal operating mode and open circuiting the main switch when the computer is in a power saving mode; a wake-up device coupled to the power management device and the dual mode power output from the power supply; and a memory array coupled to the host processor and connected to the dual mode output from the power supply, the memory array to store information including one or more of 1) an operating system, 2) application software and data and 3) graphics information.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
138 words
A computer comprising: a dual mode power supply including: a) a main voltage converter generating a main operating voltage at a normal operating current; a power management device coupled to the host processor and coupled to the output of the standby voltage converter, the power management device closing the main switch when the computer is in a normal operating mode and open circuiting the main switch when the computer is in a power saving mode; a wake-up device coupled to the power management device and the dual mode power output from the power supply; and a memory array coupled to the host processor and connected to the dual mode output from the power supply, the memory array to store information including one or more of 1) an operating system, 2) application software and data and 3) graphics information.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer of claim 1 and further comprising a main switch connected to the output of the main voltage converter, said main switch being controlled by said power management device.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The computer of claim 1 and further comprising a standby switch connected to the output of the standby voltage converter, said standby switch being controlled by system software.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer of claim 1 wherein said power management device comprises a PIIX device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer of claim 1 wherein the wake-up device comprises: an input/output device connected to the power management device; and one or more of the following devices coupled to the input/output device: a) a keyboard; and b) a mouse or other pointing device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer of claim 5 wherein said input/output device comprises a Super I/O chip.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The computer of claim 1 wherein the wake-up device comprises one or more of the following: a network controller; and a modem.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
232 words
A computer comprising: a dual mode power supply including: a) a main voltage converter generating a main operating voltage at a normal operating current; b) a main switch coupled to an output of the main voltage converter, an output of the main switch outputting the main operating voltage only when the main switch is in a closed position; c) a standby voltage converter generating a standby voltage at a standby current, the standby current being less than the normal operating current; d) a dual mode power output from the power supply that includes both an output of the standby voltage converter and an output of the main switch; a host processor connected to the output of the main switch; a power management device coupled to the host processor and coupled to the output of the standby voltage converter, the power management device closing the main switch when the computer is in a normal operating mode and open circuiting the main switch when the computer is in a power saving mode; a wake-up device coupled to the power management device and the dual mode power output from the power supply; and a memory array coupled the host processor and connected to the dual mode output from the power supply, the memory array to store information including one or more of 1) an operating system, 2) application software and data and 3) graphics information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
232 words
A computer comprising: a dual mode power supply including: a) a main voltage converter generating a main operating voltage at a normal operating current; b) a main switch coupled to an output of the main voltage converter, an output of the main switch outputting the main operating voltage only when the main switch is in a closed position; c) a standby voltage converter generating a standby voltage at a standby current, the standby current being less than the normal operating current; d) a dual mode power output from the power supply that includes both an output of the standby voltage converter and an output of the main switch; a host processor connected to the output of the main switch; a power management device coupled to the host processor and coupled to the output of the standby voltage converter, the power management device closing the main switch when the computer is in a normal operating mode and open circuiting the main switch when the computer is in a power saving mode; a wake-up device coupled to the power management device and the dual mode power output from the power supply; and a memory array coupled the host processor and connected to the dual mode output from the power supply, the memory array to store information including one or more of 1) an operating system, 2) application software and data and 3) graphics information.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The computer of claim 8 wherein said dual mode power supply further comprises: e) a standby switch connected to an output of the standby voltage converter, an output of the standby switch outputting the standby voltage when the second switch is in a closed position.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer of claim 9 wherein the position of the standby switch is programmable under system control.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer of claim 10 wherein a user can set the position of the standby switch using system software.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
223 words
A computer comprising: a dual mode power supply including a main voltage converter outputting a main voltage at a normal current and a standby voltage converter outputting a standby voltage at a standby current, the power supply including a dual mode output that includes both the main voltage and the standby voltage, the standby current being less than the normal current; a host processor connected to the main voltage output from the power supply; a wake-up device connected to the dual mode output of the power supply; a power management device coupled to the wake-up device, the host processor and the standby voltage output from the power supply; a memory array coupled to the host processor and connected to the dual mode output from the power supply; and the computer being programmed to perform the following steps: saving information in the memory array describing the current state of the computer including one or more of 1) an operating system, 2) application software and data and 3) graphics information; place the computer in a power saving mode by controlling the power supply to cease supplying the main voltage; detecting a wake-up event; controlling the power supply to supply the main voltage in response to detecting the wake-up event; and restoring the state of the computer based on the information stored in the memory array.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
223 words
A computer comprising: a dual mode power supply including a main voltage converter outputting a main voltage at a normal current and a standby voltage converter outputting a standby voltage at a standby current, the power supply including a dual mode output that includes both the main voltage and the standby voltage, the standby current being less than the normal current; a host processor connected to the main voltage output from the power supply; a wake-up device connected to the dual mode output of the power supply; a power management device coupled to the wake-up device, the host processor and the standby voltage output from the power supply; a memory array coupled to the host processor and connected to the dual mode output from the power supply; and the computer being programmed to perform the following steps: saving information in the memory array describing the current state of the computer including one or more of 1) an operating system, 2) application software and data and 3) graphics information; place the computer in a power saving mode by controlling the power supply to cease supplying the main voltage; detecting a wake-up event; controlling the power supply to supply the main voltage in response to detecting the wake-up event; and restoring the state of the computer based on the information stored in the memory array.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer of claim 12 wherein said dual mode power supply further includes: a main switch connected to an output of the main voltage converter; and a standby switch connected to an output of the standby voltage converter.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer of claim 12 wherein said wake-up device comprises one or more of the following: a keyboard; a mouse or other pointing device; a modem; and a network controller.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The computer of claim 12 wherein said power management device comprises a PIIX device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer of claim 12 wherein said step of detecting comprises detecting activity from the wake-up device.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of power management in a computer comprising the steps of: placing the computer in a power saving mode by: a) storing information in a computer memory describing the current state of the computer including one or more of 1) an operating system, 2) application software and data and 3) graphics information; b) controlling the power supply to cease supplying a main voltage and to supply a standby voltage; c) supplying at least the standby voltage to a power management device; d) supplying a dual mode output from the power supply to the computer memory and to a peripheral device that can be used to wake the computer, the dual mode output including both the main voltage and the standby voltage; detecting a wake event from the peripheral device; and waking the computer in response to detecting the wake event by: a) controlling the power supply to supply the main voltage to the computer; and b) restoring the current state of the computer using the stored information.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
168 words
A method of power management in a computer comprising the steps of: placing the computer in a power saving mode by: a) storing information in a computer memory describing the current state of the computer including one or more of 1) an operating system, 2) application software and data and 3) graphics information; b) controlling the power supply to cease supplying a main voltage and to supply a standby voltage; c) supplying at least the standby voltage to a power management device; d) supplying a dual mode output from the power supply to the computer memory and to a peripheral device that can be used to wake the computer, the dual mode output including both the main voltage and the standby voltage; detecting a wake event from the peripheral device; and waking the computer in response to detecting the wake event by: a) controlling the power supply to supply the main voltage to the computer; and b) restoring the current state of the computer using the stored information.
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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) | 2003-07-18 | 2004-01-17 | 2004-07-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-18 | 2008-01-17 | 2008-07-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-18 | 2012-01-17 | 2012-07-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |