US6463542B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power management indication mechanism for supporting power saving mode in computer system
Assignee: GlobalFoundries Inc
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Filing: 1999-05-28
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Granted: 2002-10-08
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Expires: 2019-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A novel method of power management is provided in a computer system having a network interface module including a buffer memory and a MAC block. The method includes determining whether the system is inactive during a predetermined time period. If so, activity of the MAC block is checked. If the MAC block is idle, the status of the buffer memory is determined. The system is placed into a power-down mode if the buffer memory is empty.
Inventors
- 👤 Ching Yu
- 👤 Jerry Chun-Jen Kuo
- 👤 Jeffrey Dwork
- 👤 Din-I Tsai
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 18:24
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203; G06F1/3206; G06F1/3209
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
80 words
In a computer system controlled by a host and having power management capabilities for supporting a power saving mode, a network interface comprising: a buffer memory, a media access control (MAC) block for supporting interface to a network, and a power management indication mechanism for providing the host with information on network activity when the system is placed in the power saving mode, wherein the power management indication mechanism comprises a MAC indicator representing status of the MAC block activity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
80 words
In a computer system controlled by a host and having power management capabilities for supporting a power saving mode, a network interface comprising: a buffer memory, a media access control (MAC) block for supporting interface to a network, and a power management indication mechanism for providing the host with information on network activity when the system is placed in the power saving mode, wherein the power management indication mechanism comprises a MAC indicator representing status of the MAC block activity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The system of claim 1 , wherein the MAC indicator comprises a transmit idle indicator set to a preset state when the MAX block does not transmit data to the network and no data is waiting to be transmitted to the network.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 2 , wherein the MAX indicator further comprises a receive idle indicator set to a preset state when the MAX block detects no data to be received from the network.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a computer system controlled by a host and having power management capabilities for supporting a power saving mode, a network interface comprising: a buffer memory, a media access control (MAC) block for supporting interface to a network, and a power management indication mechanism for providing the host with information when the system is placed in the power saving mode, wherein the power management indication mechanism comprises a buffer memory indicator representing status of the buffer memory in the power saving mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
82 words
In a computer system controlled by a host and having power management capabilities for supporting a power saving mode, a network interface comprising: a buffer memory, a media access control (MAC) block for supporting interface to a network, and a power management indication mechanism for providing the host with information when the system is placed in the power saving mode, wherein the power management indication mechanism comprises a buffer memory indicator representing status of the buffer memory in the power saving mode.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system of claim 4 , wherein the buffer memory indicator comprises a transmit buffer empty indicator set to a preset state when a transmit portion of the buffer memory is empty.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 5 , wherein the buffer memory indicator further comprises a receive buffer empty indicator set to a present state when a receive portion of the buffer memory is empty.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of providing power management in a computer system having a network interface module including a buffer memory and a MAC block, the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining whether the system is inactive during a predetermined time period, (b) checking activity of the MAC block if the system is inactive during the predetermined time period, (c) checking status of the buffer memory if the MAC block is idle, and (d) placing the system into a power-down mode if the buffer memory is empty.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of providing power management in a computer system having a network interface module including a buffer memory and a MAC block, the method comprising the steps of: (a) determining whether the system is inactive during a predetermined time period, (b) checking activity of the MAC block if the system is inactive during the predetermined time period, (c) checking status of the buffer memory if the MAC block is idle, and (d) placing the system into a power-down mode if the buffer memory is empty.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the step (b) comprises checking whether the MAC block transmits data to the network and whether data is waiting to be transmitted to the network.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 8 , wherein the step (b) further comprises determining whether the MAC block detects data to be received from the network.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein the step (c) comprises detecting whether a receive portion of the buffer memory is empty.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 10 , wherein the step (c) further comprises detecting whether a transmit portion of the buffer memory is empty.
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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) | 2005-10-07 | 2006-04-08 | 2006-10-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-10-07 | 2010-04-08 | 2010-10-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-10-07 | 2014-04-08 | 2014-10-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |