US6158012A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Real-time power conservation and thermal management for computers
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
•
Filing: 1995-02-28
•
Granted: 2000-12-05
•
Expires: 2015-02-28
Abstract
Abstract A real-time power conservation and thermal management apparatus and method for portable computers employs a monitor to determine whether a CPU may rest based upon a real-time sample of the CPU activity and temperature levels 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 and thermal management in response to the real-time sampling of CPU activity and temperature. 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.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 22:12
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; 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: 68
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within and temperature associated with 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 utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
54 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within and temperature associated with 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 utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
54 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within and temperature associated with 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 utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
54 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within and temperature associated with 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 utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
27 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said monitor inhibits the modification of said clock signal while said CPU is processing critical I/O.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said monitor inhibits the modification of said clock signal while said CPU is processing critical I/O even when said temperature associated with said CPU is above a preselected threshold temperature level.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 1 or 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 8
Independent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 1 or 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 even when said temperature associated with said CPU is above a preselected threshold temperature level.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said monitor is on board said CPU.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said temperature is detected via a temperature sensor.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said temperature sensor is mounted directly on said CPU.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said temperature sensor is mounted within said CPU.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said temperature sensor is mounted on a PWB board adjacent said CPU.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 9-11, wherein said temperature sensor is a thermistor.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
20 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said temperature is predicted using a temperature prediction mode.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said temperature is predicted using a temperature prediction mode without using temperature sensors.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said temperature is sensed on a periodic basis.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the frequency of said sensing is user modifiable.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the frequency of said sensing changes as said temperature reaches preselected threshold values.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein said monitor is self-tuning.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein said monitor uses a control system of continuous feedback loops.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
66 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within and temperature associated with 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 the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and/or temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
66 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within and temperature associated with 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 the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and/or temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within and temperature associated with 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 one of: a) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level; b) temperature associated with said CPU; and c) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within and temperature associated with 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 one of: a) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level; b) temperature associated with said CPU; and c) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
54 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within and temperature associated with 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 idle time in said CPU.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
54 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within and temperature associated with 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 idle time in said CPU.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within and temperature associated with 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 the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and/or temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within and temperature associated with 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 the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and/or temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within and temperature associated with 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 within said CPU in response to one of: a) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a predetermined level; b) temperature associated with said CPU; and c) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
99 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within and temperature associated with 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 within said CPU in response to one of: a) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a predetermined level; b) temperature associated with said CPU; and c) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
66 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within and temperature associated with 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 the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and/or temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
66 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within and temperature associated with 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 the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and/or temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within and temperature associated with 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 one of: a) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level; b) temperature associated with said CPU; and c) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
88 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within and temperature associated with 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 one of: a) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level; b) temperature associated with said CPU; and c) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
54 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within and temperature associated with 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 37
Independent Claim
54 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within and temperature associated with 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 38
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within and temperature associated with 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 one of the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
76 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within and temperature associated with 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 one of the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within and temperature associated with 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 one of: a) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level; b) temperature associated with said CPU; and c) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 41
Independent Claim
96 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within and temperature associated with 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 one of: a) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level; b) temperature associated with said CPU; and c) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
57 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within and temperature associated with 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 utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
57 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within and temperature associated with 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 utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within and temperature associated with 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 one of the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
71 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within and temperature associated with 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 one of the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within and temperature associated with 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 one of: a) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level; b) temperature associated with said CPU; and c) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within and temperature associated with 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 one of: a) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level; b) temperature associated with said CPU; and c) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within and temperature associated with 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 49
Independent Claim
64 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within and temperature associated with 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 50
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within and temperature associated with 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 one of the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
86 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within and temperature associated with 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 one of the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within and temperature associated with 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 idle time and optimize the activity time within said CPU in response to one of: a) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level; b) temperature associated with said CPU; and c) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 53
Independent Claim
104 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within and temperature associated with 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 idle time and optimize the activity time within said CPU in response to one of: a) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level; b) temperature associated with said CPU; and c) the utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level and temperature associated with said CPU.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 20-21, 23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 31-32, and 34-35 wherein the preselected level of the utilization percentage is an optimum level.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of any one of claims 20-21, 23-24, 25-26, 28-29, 31-32, and 34-35 wherein the temperature associated with said CPU is at and/or above a preselected level.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
50 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the utilization of and temperature associated with 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 utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
50 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); a monitor for measuring the utilization of and temperature associated with 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 utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 58
Independent Claim
47 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); means for determining a utilization percentage of and temperature associated with said CPU; and means for adjusting processing speed of said central processing unit (CPU) in response to said determined utilization percentage and temperature to optimize said utilization percentage.
Claim 59
Independent Claim
47 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU); means for determining a utilization percentage of and temperature associated with said CPU; and means for adjusting processing speed of said central processing unit (CPU) in response to said determined utilization percentage and temperature to optimize said utilization percentage.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
77 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 and temperature associated with 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 61
Independent Claim
77 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 and temperature associated with 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 62
Independent Claim
81 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 and temperature associated with 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 63
Independent Claim
81 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 and temperature associated with 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 64
Dependent Claim
33 words
The apparatus of claim 41, 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 65
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein energy consumption in said CPU decreases as the length of each period of time said clock is in an OFF state increases.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said periods of time said clock is in an OFF state are constantly being adjusted to optimize said utilization percentage and control the temperature of said central processing unit.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said OFF state represents the minimum clock rate at which said central processing unit can operate.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 41, wherein said 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) | 2003-12-05 | 2004-06-05 | 2004-12-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-05 | 2008-06-05 | 2008-12-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-05 | 2012-06-05 | 2012-12-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |