US6711447B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Modulating CPU frequency and voltage in a multi-core CPU architecture
Assignee: UNM Rainforest Innovations
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Filing: 2003-01-22
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Granted: 2004-03-23
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Expires: 2023-01-22
Abstract
Abstract A method to save power in a computer system is described. A mechanism is used to control the frequency and voltage of a central processing unit (CPU) of a multi-core CPU architecture environment based on the measured levels of multi-threadedness. By controlling the frequency and voltage of the CPU, the battery life of the computer system may be extended.
Inventors
- 👤 Ali Saeed
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 14:24
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/26; G06F1/32; G06F1/3203; G06F1/3234; G06F1/324; G06F1/329; G06F1/3296; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
57 words
A computer system, comprising: a first central processing unit (CPU) core; a second CPU core coupled to the first CPU core; and a circuit coupled to the first and the second CPU cores, wherein the circuit deactivates the first CPU core if a measured workload of the cores is less than a first defined level of multi-threadedness.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
57 words
A computer system, comprising: a first central processing unit (CPU) core; a second CPU core coupled to the first CPU core; and a circuit coupled to the first and the second CPU cores, wherein the circuit deactivates the first CPU core if a measured workload of the cores is less than a first defined level of multi-threadedness.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the first CPU core, the second CPU core, and the circuit are powered by a battery.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The computer system of claim 2 , wherein the workload is approximately equal to a number of multiple threads spawned divided by a number of total threads.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the first CPU core has a voltage and an operating frequency, wherein the operating frequency of the first CPU core is decreased if the workload is less than a second defined level of multi-threadedness.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The computer system of claim 1 , wherein the workload is determined by an operating system.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
51 words
An apparatus, comprising: means for determining workload as a function of a number of multi-threads in a central processing unit (CPU) architecture having a plurality of CPU cores; and means for reducing an operating frequency of a first CPU core if the level of multi-threads is less than a defined threshold.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
51 words
An apparatus, comprising: means for determining workload as a function of a number of multi-threads in a central processing unit (CPU) architecture having a plurality of CPU cores; and means for reducing an operating frequency of a first CPU core if the level of multi-threads is less than a defined threshold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising: means for reducing a voltage of the first CPU core if the level of multi-threads is less than the defined threshold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising: means for deactivating the first CPU core if the level of multi-threads is less than the defined threshold.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 6 , further comprising: means for setting the plurality of CPU cores at a lowest needed frequency.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
54 words
A method, comprising: setting an upper threshold limit; setting a lower threshold limit; measuring a workload of a computer based on a number of multi-threaded threads running on the computer; and decreasing an operating frequency of a first central processing unit (CPU) core if the measured workload is less than the lower threshold limit.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
54 words
A method, comprising: setting an upper threshold limit; setting a lower threshold limit; measuring a workload of a computer based on a number of multi-threaded threads running on the computer; and decreasing an operating frequency of a first central processing unit (CPU) core if the measured workload is less than the lower threshold limit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 10 , further comprising: deactivating the first CPU core; and keeping a second CPU core active.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 11 , further comprising: keeping the first CPU core and the second CPU core active if the measured workload is greater than the upper threshold limit.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
47 words
A method, comprising: defining a threshold level; determining a workload of a computer system having at least two central processing unit (CPU) cores, wherein the workload is computed by an operating system; and deactivating a first CPU core if the workload is less than the threshold level.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
47 words
A method, comprising: defining a threshold level; determining a workload of a computer system having at least two central processing unit (CPU) cores, wherein the workload is computed by an operating system; and deactivating a first CPU core if the workload is less than the threshold level.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the computer system is a battery powered laptop computer system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 13 , wherein the operating system tracks the workload using a counter, wherein the counter is incremented if a multi-threaded thread is detected, wherein the counter is decremented if a single-threaded thread is detected.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
67 words
An article comprising a machine readable medium having a plurality of machine readable instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by a processor, the instructions cause a system to: determine a workload of the system; send instructions to a plurality of central processing unit (CPU) cores; and turn off at least one of the plurality of CPU cores if the workload is less than a threshold value.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
67 words
An article comprising a machine readable medium having a plurality of machine readable instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by a processor, the instructions cause a system to: determine a workload of the system; send instructions to a plurality of central processing unit (CPU) cores; and turn off at least one of the plurality of CPU cores if the workload is less than a threshold value.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
30 words
The article of claim 16 , further comprising: reduce a frequency of at least one of the plurality of CPU cores if the workload is less than the threshold value.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
30 words
The article of claim 16 , further comprising: reduce a voltage of at least one of the plurality of CPU cores if the workload is less than the threshold value.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The article of claim 16 , further comprising: operate the plurality of CPU cores at a maximum frequency if the system is set to a maximum frequency mode.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
68 words
A system, comprising: a first processor core having a first operating frequency; a second processor core having a second operating frequency; and a circuit coupled to the first and the second processor cores, wherein the circuit decreases the first operating frequency if a measured workload of the system is greater than a defined threshold, wherein the workload is based on the number of multi-threads running on the system.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
68 words
A system, comprising: a first processor core having a first operating frequency; a second processor core having a second operating frequency; and a circuit coupled to the first and the second processor cores, wherein the circuit decreases the first operating frequency if a measured workload of the system is greater than a defined threshold, wherein the workload is based on the number of multi-threads running on the system.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system of claim 20 , wherein the circuit sets the first and the second processor cores to a minimum frequency if the system is placed in a maximum battery mode.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
36 words
The, system of claim 20 , wherein the circuit modulates the CPU cores between predetermined frequencies if the system is placed in an auto mode, wherein the set frequencies are a function of the measured workload.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein the predetermined frequencies are stored in basic input/output system.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 22 , wherein the predetermined frequencies are stored in microcode.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system of claim 20 , wherein the circuit decreases a voltage of the first circuit if the workload of the system is greater than a defined threshold.
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) | 2007-03-23 | 2007-09-22 | 2008-03-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-03-23 | 2011-09-22 | 2012-03-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-03-23 | 2015-09-22 | 2016-03-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |