US6161187A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Skipping clock interrupts during system inactivity to reduce power consumption
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP
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Filing: 1999-01-14
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Granted: 2000-12-12
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Expires: 2019-01-14
Abstract
Abstract A method for reducing power consumption in a computer system is provided wherein the computer system includes a system bus interface connected by a signal line to a power supply and/or clock circuitry for the central processing unit, each having the capability to change the characteristic of its output responsive to the signal line for placing the central processing unit in a low-power consuming state. The system bus interface chip further including a storage location and counter for storing the type and quantity of interrupt assertions during the period of time when the central processing unit is in the low power consuming state. The system software determines the desired period of time to put the central processing unit into the low-power consuming safe and does not return it to normal power consuming state until the time period has expired, a non interval clock interrupt is asserted, or another critical event occurs that needs immediate CPU attention. When one of these conditions arises, the signal line changes polarity, the power supply and/or clock circuitry returns normal operating levels to the CPU, and the system bus interface presents all interrupts that asserted while the CPU was in the low-power consuming state to the CPU so it can continue normal operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Andrew Halstead Mason
- 👤 James Jonathan Delmonico
- 👤 Reinhard Christoph Schumann
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:20
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203; G06F1/3206; G06F1/3228
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for decreasing power consumption in a computer system, comprising the step of: placing a central processing unit of the computer system in a low power consumption mode for a selectable duration; counting assertions of a predetermined interrupt signal for measuring the selectable duration while said central processing unit is in said low power consumption mode; and returning said central processing unit to normal power consumption mode when either said counting step counts a predefined number of said assertions of said predetermined interrupt signal or when one or more system interrupt signals, other than the predetermined interrupt signal, are asserted.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A method for decreasing power consumption in a computer system, comprising the step of: placing a central processing unit of the computer system in a low power consumption mode for a selectable duration; counting assertions of a predetermined interrupt signal for measuring the selectable duration while said central processing unit is in said low power consumption mode; and returning said central processing unit to normal power consumption mode when either said counting step counts a predefined number of said assertions of said predetermined interrupt signal or when one or more system interrupt signals, other than the predetermined interrupt signal, are asserted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method for decreasing power consumption in a computer system as recited in claim 1, wherein said predetermined interrupt signal is an interval clock interrupt signal.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for decreasing power consumption in inactive systems, comprising: a central processing module, including a central processing unit, coupled to a voltage generator and a frequency generator; means for placing said central processing unit into a low power consumption mode of operation for a selectable duration; means for counting assertions of a predetermined interrupt signal to measure the selectable duration during the time period when said central processing unit operates in said low power consumption mode; and means for returning said central processing unit from said low power consumption mode.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
91 words
An apparatus for decreasing power consumption in inactive systems, comprising: a central processing module, including a central processing unit, coupled to a voltage generator and a frequency generator; means for placing said central processing unit into a low power consumption mode of operation for a selectable duration; means for counting assertions of a predetermined interrupt signal to measure the selectable duration during the time period when said central processing unit operates in said low power consumption mode; and means for returning said central processing unit from said low power consumption mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus for decreasing power consumption in inactive systems, as recited in claim 3, wherein said means for returning said central processing unit from said low power consumption mode is responsive to: means for indicating an equivalency between a predetermined time for said central processing unit to operate in a low power consumption mode and an elapsed time since said central processing began operating in a low power consumption mode, and means for indicating the assertion of an interrupt signal other than the predetermined interrupt signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
The apparatus for decreasing power consumption in inactive systems, as recited in claim 4, wherein said means for indicating an equivalency further comprises a timer-alarm register for representing a time period for said central pressing unit to operate in a low power consumption mode; a counter circuit, coupled to said timer-alarm register and to a clock, including means for counting responsive to said clock; and means for comparing the contents of said alarm register with the output of said counter circuit for indicating equivalency between said contents of said alarm register and said output of said counter circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus for decreasing power consumption in inactive systems, as recited in claim 3, further comprising: means for asserting a signal line responsive to said means for counting assertions determining the selectable duration has expired.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus for decreasing power consumption in inactive systems, as recited in claim 6, further comprising: means for delivering said counted number of assertions of said predetermined interrupt signal to said central processing module.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus for decreasing power consumption in inactive systems, as recited in claim 7 wherein said predetermined interrupt signal is an interval clock interrupt signal.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for decreasing power consumption in inactive systems comprising the steps of: depositing a representation of a period of time for a central processing unit to operate in a low-power consumption mode for a selectable duration, into a timer-alarm register; resetting a counter circuit that counts synchronous to a clocking signal; deasserting a signal line coupled to a generator, said generator further coupled to said central processing unit and including means for reducing an output in response to said deassertion of said signal line; counting assertions of a predetermined interrupt signal to measure the selectable duration until a terminating event occurs and until said central processing unit returns from said low-power consumption mode; and asserting said signal line coupled to said generator when said terminating event occurs.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
128 words
A method for decreasing power consumption in inactive systems comprising the steps of: depositing a representation of a period of time for a central processing unit to operate in a low-power consumption mode for a selectable duration, into a timer-alarm register; resetting a counter circuit that counts synchronous to a clocking signal; deasserting a signal line coupled to a generator, said generator further coupled to said central processing unit and including means for reducing an output in response to said deassertion of said signal line; counting assertions of a predetermined interrupt signal to measure the selectable duration until a terminating event occurs and until said central processing unit returns from said low-power consumption mode; and asserting said signal line coupled to said generator when said terminating event occurs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said generator is a frequency generator and said output of said generator is a frequency signal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said generator is a voltage generator and said output of said generator is a voltage signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said terminating event is an assertion of an interrupt signal other than the interval clock interrupt.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said terminating event is where the output of said count of assertions of said interval clock interrupt is equal to said representation of said period of time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said predetermined interrupt signal is an interval clock interrupt signal.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said central processing unit continues to execute instructions while in said low-power consumption mode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method of claim 9 wherein said representation of a period of time for a central processing unit to operate in a low-power consumption mode is calculated by an operating system that exports said representation via a first software layer, said first software layer translating said representation to a central processing unit specific representation responsive to a type of said central processing unit.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for decreasing power consumption in a computer system, comprising the steps of: placing a central processing unit of the computer system in a low power consumption mode for a selectable duration; counting assertions of a predetermined interrupt signal to measure the selectable duration; and returning said central processing unit to normal power consumption mode when either a predetermined time period for said central processing unit to operate in the low power consumption mode has expired or when one or more interrupt signals other than the predetermined interrupt signal, each having a predetermined assertion limit, is asserted in excess of the limit.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for decreasing power consumption in a computer system, comprising the steps of: placing a central processing unit of the computer system in a low power consumption mode for a selectable duration; counting assertions of a predetermined interrupt signal to measure the selectable duration; and returning said central processing unit to normal power consumption mode when either a predetermined time period for said central processing unit to operate in the low power consumption mode has expired or when one or more interrupt signals other than the predetermined interrupt signal, each having a predetermined assertion limit, is asserted in excess of the limit.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for decreasing power consumption of a computer system, comprising the steps of: communicating a representation of a selectable duration, for a central processing unit to operate in a low power consumption mode for the selectable duration, from an operating system layer of software to a storage location in said computer system; placing said central processing unit on the computer system in the low power consumption mode for the selectable duration; counting assertions of a clocking signal; and returning said central processing unit to normal power consumption mode when either the selectable duration for said central processing unit to operate in the low power consumption mode has expired or when one or more system interrupt signals is asserted.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
119 words
A method for decreasing power consumption of a computer system, comprising the steps of: communicating a representation of a selectable duration, for a central processing unit to operate in a low power consumption mode for the selectable duration, from an operating system layer of software to a storage location in said computer system; placing said central processing unit on the computer system in the low power consumption mode for the selectable duration; counting assertions of a clocking signal; and returning said central processing unit to normal power consumption mode when either the selectable duration for said central processing unit to operate in the low power consumption mode has expired or when one or more system interrupt signals is asserted.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 18 wherein a representation of an actual period of time that said central processing unit remains in said low power consumption mode is communicated back to said operating system.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said storage location is a register in said computer system.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 18 wherein said storage location is an input variable to another layer of software.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-12-12 | 2004-06-12 | 2004-12-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-12 | 2008-06-12 | 2008-12-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-12 | 2012-06-12 | 2012-12-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |