US6498460B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Prioritization-based power management protocol in a computer system
Assignee: Hewlett Packard Development Co LP
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Filing: 2001-12-14
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Granted: 2002-12-24
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Expires: 2021-12-14
Abstract
Abstract A power management scheme for a computer system prioritizes battery charging. The scheme includes determining when the output of a power adapter, which powers a computer and a battery subsystem, has reached or is about to reach a threshold which may be the power budget for the computer system. When this happens, rather than throttling battery charging, the system throttles back an aspect of the computer. Alternatively, after the computer has been throttled back, if the power budget still is being exceeded or is about to be exceeded again, then battery charging can be throttled back. In yet another embodiment, battery charging can be throttled first, followed, if necessary, by computer throttling.
Inventors
- 👤 Lee W. Atkinson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 01:36
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203; G06F1/3234; G06F1/324; G06F1/263; G06F1/325; G06F1/3265; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
60 words
A power management method for a computer system which includes a computer coupled to a battery subsystem, said battery subsystem including a charger and a rechargeable battery which can be used to power said computer, said method comprising: (a) determining the power draw on a power adapter; and (b) throttling back said computer if said power draw exceeds a threshold.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
60 words
A power management method for a computer system which includes a computer coupled to a battery subsystem, said battery subsystem including a charger and a rechargeable battery which can be used to power said computer, said method comprising: (a) determining the power draw on a power adapter; and (b) throttling back said computer if said power draw exceeds a threshold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein (b) includes reducing the clock frequency to a processor in said computer.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein (b) includes dimming a display in said computer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein (a) includes measuring the current output of said power adapter.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein (a) includes monitoring the charge on said battery.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 including determining that the power draw exceeds a threshold from the time battery charging begins until the power consumption by the battery charger approximately reaches a maximum level.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
72 words
A power management method for a computer system which includes a computer coupled to a battery subsystem, said battery subsystem including a charger and a rechargeable battery which can be used to power said computer, said method comprising: (a) determining the power draw on a power adapter; (b) throttling back said computer if said power draw exceeds a threshold; and (c) throttling back battery charging if said power draw exceeds said threshold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
A power management method for a computer system which includes a computer coupled to a battery subsystem, said battery subsystem including a charger and a rechargeable battery which can be used to power said computer, said method comprising: (a) determining the power draw on a power adapter; (b) throttling back said computer if said power draw exceeds a threshold; and (c) throttling back battery charging if said power draw exceeds said threshold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 7 , wherein (c) occurs after (b).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 7 wherein (b) includes reducing the clock frequency to a processor in said computer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 wherein (b) includes dimming a display in said computer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 7 wherein (a) includes measuring the current output of said power adapter.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 7 wherein (a) includes monitoring the charge on said battery.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 7 including determining that the power draw exceeds a threshold from the time battery charging begins until the power consumption by the battery charger approximately reaches a maximum level.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
53 words
A computer system, comprising: a power adapter; a computer coupled to said power adapter; a battery charger coupled to said power adapter; a battery coupled to said battery charger; throttle logic coupled to said computer, said throttle logic throttles back said computer when the power draw on said power adapter exceeds a threshold.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
53 words
A computer system, comprising: a power adapter; a computer coupled to said power adapter; a battery charger coupled to said power adapter; a battery coupled to said battery charger; throttle logic coupled to said computer, said throttle logic throttles back said computer when the power draw on said power adapter exceeds a threshold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
The computer system of claim 14 , wherein said computer includes a processor which operates from a clock signal at an adjustable frequency, and wherein said throttle logic throttles back the computer by causing the frequency of said clock to decrease.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer system of claim 14 wherein said computer includes a display with adjustable brightness and wherein said throttle logic throttles back the computer by causing said display to be dimmed.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The computer system of claim 14 wherein (a) includes measuring the current output of said power adapter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer system of claim 14 wherein said throttle logic determines when said threshold is exceeded by monitoring the charge on said battery.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The computer system of claim 14 wherein said throttle logic determines when said threshold is exceeded from the time battery charging begins until the power consumption by the battery charger approximately reaches a maximum level.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
65 words
A computer system, comprising: a power adapter; a computer coupled to said power adapter; a battery charger coupled to said power adapter; a battery coupled to said battery charger; throttle logic coupled to said computer, said throttle logic throttles back said computer when the power draw on said power adapter exceeds a threshold and throttles back battery charging if said power draw exceeds another threshold.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
65 words
A computer system, comprising: a power adapter; a computer coupled to said power adapter; a battery charger coupled to said power adapter; a battery coupled to said battery charger; throttle logic coupled to said computer, said throttle logic throttles back said computer when the power draw on said power adapter exceeds a threshold and throttles back battery charging if said power draw exceeds another threshold.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The computer system of claim 20 , wherein said throttle logic throttles back battery charging after throttling back the computer.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer system of claim 20 wherein said throttle logic throttles back the computer after throttling back battery charging.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer system of claim 20 wherein said computer includes a display with adjustable brightness and wherein said throttle logic throttles back the computer by causing said display to be dimmed.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer system of claim 20 wherein said computer includes a processor which operates from a clock signal at an adjustable frequency, and wherein said throttle logic throttles back the computer by causing the frequency of said clock to decrease.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
57 words
The computer system of claim 20 further including a current sense circuit coupled to the output of said power adapter and said throttle logic, and wherein said throttle logic determines if the threshold is exceeded by monitoring a signal from the current sense circuit which indicates the level of current at the output of the power adapter.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The computer system of claim 20 wherein said battery charger includes a fuel gauge which provides parameters regarding the charge on said battery, and wherein said throttle logic determines if the threshold is exceeded monitoring the charge on said battery.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
53 words
The computer system of claim 20 wherein said battery charger includes a fuel gauge which provides parameters regarding the charge on said battery, and wherein said throttle logic determines that the threshold is exceeded from the time battery charging begins until the power consumption by the battery charger approximately reaches a maximum level.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
113 words
A computer system, comprising: a power adapter; a computer coupled to said power adapter; a battery charger coupled to said power adapter; a battery coupled to said battery charger; a display on which a graphical user interface is provided to permit a user to select one of plurality of throttle protocols wherein said protocols at least include a protocol by which said battery charging is prioritized higher than computer performance; and throttle logic coupled to said computer and said battery charger, said throttle logic throttles back either said computer or said battery charger when the power draw on said power adapter exceeds a threshold in accordance with the protocol selected by a user.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
113 words
A computer system, comprising: a power adapter; a computer coupled to said power adapter; a battery charger coupled to said power adapter; a battery coupled to said battery charger; a display on which a graphical user interface is provided to permit a user to select one of plurality of throttle protocols wherein said protocols at least include a protocol by which said battery charging is prioritized higher than computer performance; and throttle logic coupled to said computer and said battery charger, said throttle logic throttles back either said computer or said battery charger when the power draw on said power adapter exceeds a threshold in accordance with the protocol selected by a user.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
87 words
A computer system, comprising: a power adapter; a computer coupled to said power adapter; a battery charger coupled to said power adapter; a battery coupled to said battery charger; and throttle logic coupled to said computer and said battery charger, said throttle logic throttles back either said computer or said battery charger when the power draw on said power adapter exceeds a threshold in accordance with a throttle protocol set in the system; wherein said throttle protocol is determined in accordance of whether the system is docked.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
87 words
A computer system, comprising: a power adapter; a computer coupled to said power adapter; a battery charger coupled to said power adapter; a battery coupled to said battery charger; and throttle logic coupled to said computer and said battery charger, said throttle logic throttles back either said computer or said battery charger when the power draw on said power adapter exceeds a threshold in accordance with a throttle protocol set in the system; wherein said throttle protocol is determined in accordance of whether the system is docked.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system of claim 29 wherein a throttle protocol is used which prioritizes the computer over battery charging if the system is docked.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 30 wherein another throttle protocol is used which prioritizes battery charging over the computer if the system is not docked.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 29 wherein a throttle protocol is used which prioritizes battery charging over the computer if the system is not docked.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5382893A
Cited
US5939862A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-12-23 | 2006-06-24 | 2006-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-12-23 | 2010-06-24 | 2010-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-12-23 | 2014-06-24 | 2014-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |