Patent US6182232B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6182232B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Power and thermal management based on a power supply output
Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
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Filing: 1999-01-29
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Granted: 2001-01-30
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Expires: 2019-01-29
Abstract
Abstract A method to manage power consumption in a computer system includes receiving a power signal from a power source (the power signal furnishing power to a portion of the circuit), generating a first signal indicating the power transferred from the power source to the portion of the computer system, and generating a second signal to effect a power management action based on the first signal. By way of example, the power source may be a switching or linear power supply, and the second signal may be a fan control signal, a processor halt signal, or a processor interrupt signal.
Inventors
- 👤 Dean A. Klein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 15:24
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203; G06F1/3234; G06F1/3237; G06F1/16; G06F1/20; G06F1/206; G06F1/324; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of thermal management in a computer system, comprising: receiving a power signal from a power source, the power signal indicating an amount of power furnished to a portion of the computer system; generating a first signal based on the power signal indicating a thermal condition of the computer system portion; and generating a second signal to effect a power management action based on the first signal.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
68 words
A method of thermal management in a computer system, comprising: receiving a power signal from a power source, the power signal indicating an amount of power furnished to a portion of the computer system; generating a first signal based on the power signal indicating a thermal condition of the computer system portion; and generating a second signal to effect a power management action based on the first signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of receiving a power signal from a power source comprises receiving a power signal from a switching power supply.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 , wherein the act of generating a first signal comprises generating a signal indicating a duty cycle of the power signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of generating a second signal comprises generating a fan control signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of generating a second signal comprises generating an interrupt signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 , wherein the act of generating a second signal comprises generating a processor halt signal.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 6 , wherein the act of generating a processor halt signal comprises generating a stop-clock signal.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of thermal management in a system, comprising: monitoring an output of a power supply to determine usage of power; determining if power usage exceeds one or more predetermined levels; and activating one or more cooling devices if power usage exceeds at least one of the one or more predetermined levels.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
52 words
A method of thermal management in a system, comprising: monitoring an output of a power supply to determine usage of power; determining if power usage exceeds one or more predetermined levels; and activating one or more cooling devices if power usage exceeds at least one of the one or more predetermined levels.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
70 words
A method, comprising: receiving a power signal from a power source, wherein the power signal is a pulse width modulated signal, the pulse width modulated signal indicating an amount of power furnished to a portion of a computer system; generating a representation of a duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal; and generating a second signal to effect a power management action based on a state of the representation.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
70 words
A method, comprising: receiving a power signal from a power source, wherein the power signal is a pulse width modulated signal, the pulse width modulated signal indicating an amount of power furnished to a portion of a computer system; generating a representation of a duty cycle of the pulse width modulated signal; and generating a second signal to effect a power management action based on a state of the representation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein generating the representation includes generating a digital representation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 9 , wherein generating the representation includes generating an analog signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 11 , wherein generating the second signal is performed when the analog signal exceeds a first threshold value.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 12 , further comprising generating a third signal to effect a second power management action based on the analog signal exceeding a second threshold value.
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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) | 2004-01-30 | 2004-07-31 | 2005-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-30 | 2008-07-31 | 2009-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-30 | 2012-07-31 | 2013-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |