US6173409B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Real-time power conservation for electronic device having a processor
Assignee: Texas Instruments Inc
•
Filing: 1999-09-08
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Granted: 2001-01-09
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Expires: 2019-09-08
Abstract
Abstract A real-time power conservation apparatus and method for portable computers employs a monitor to determine whether a CPU may rest based upon a real-time sampling of the CPU activity level 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 in response to the real-time sampling of CPU activity. 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.
- 👤 Steven J. Wallace
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:16
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F15/00; G06F15/02; 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: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
43 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
43 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
55 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU in response to usage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
55 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU in response to usage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
51 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to reduce the idle time in said CPU.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
51 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to reduce the idle time in said CPU.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said monitor inhibits the modification of said clock signal while said CPU is processing critical I/O.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said CPU 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 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein said monitor is self-tuning.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said monitor uses a control system of continuous feedback loops.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
54 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to minimize the relative amount of idle time in said CPU.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
54 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to minimize the relative amount of idle time in said CPU.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
43 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
43 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said monitor inhibits the modification of said clock signal while said CPU is processing critical I/O.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said CPU 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 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said monitor is self-tuning.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein said monitor uses a control system of continuous feedback loops.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
55 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU in response to usage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
55 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU in response to usage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
53 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to control the amount of activity time in said CPU.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
53 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to control the amount of activity time in said CPU.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
63 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to optimize the activity time within said CPU in response to usage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
63 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to optimize the activity time within said CPU in response to usage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
46 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
46 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU in response to usage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
58 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU in response to usage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
59 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to control the amount of idle time and activity time in said CPU.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
59 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to control the amount of idle time and activity time in said CPU.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein said monitor inhibits the modification of said clock signal while said CPU is processing critical I/O.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein said CPU 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 33
Dependent Claim
11 words
The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein said monitor is self-tuning.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 22 , wherein said monitor uses a control system of continuous feedback loops.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to control the amount of idle time and activity time in said CPU in response to a utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
73 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to control the amount of idle time and activity time in said CPU in response to a utilization percentage of said CPU being below a preselected level.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
47 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the utilization of said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to control a utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
47 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) having a monitor for measuring the utilization of said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, said clock manager selectively modifying a clock signal being sent to said CPU to control a utilization percentage of said CPU.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a clock and having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, 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 efficient utilization percentage.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
79 words
An apparatus, comprising: a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a clock and having a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time and activity time within said CPU; and a clock manager coupled to said CPU, 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 efficient utilization percentage.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
34 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , 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 42
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein energy consumption in said CPU decreases as the length of each period of time said clock is in an OFF state increases.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein said periods of time said clock is in an OFF state are constantly being adjusted to optimize said utilization percentage of said central processing unit.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
23 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein said OFF state represents the minimum clock rate at which said central processing unit can operate.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 26 , 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) | 2004-01-09 | 2004-07-10 | 2005-01-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-09 | 2008-07-10 | 2009-01-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-09 | 2012-07-10 | 2013-01-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |