US6718474B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Methods and apparatus for clock management based on environmental conditions
Assignee: Stratus Technologies Ireland Ltd
•
Filing: 2000-09-21
•
Granted: 2004-04-06
•
Expires: 2020-09-21
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for controlling processor clock rates of a synchronous multi-processor system in response to an environmental condition of a processor. In one embodiment, a processor-reported an environmental condition is stored in a register and all processors are interrupted simultaneously. Upon interrupt, each processor reads the contents of the register and responds by adjusting its local clock rate synchronously with the other processors. In another embodiment, the processor's environmental status is polled by software control. Upon notification of an environmental condition, the software control notifies each processor to adjust its local clock rate synchronously with the other processors.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeffrey Somers
- 👤 Kurt Thaller
- 👤 Nicholas Warchol
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 13:57
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F1/00; G06F1/16; G06F1/20; G06F1/206; G06F1/04; G06F1/08; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D10/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
In a system including a plurality of processors, each processor operating at a respective clock rate, a method for controlling the respective clock rate of each of said plurality of processors in response to an environmental condition of a processor, the method comprising the steps of: a) identifying a processor environmental condition; b) notifying, substantially simultaneously, each processor of said plurality of processors of the existence of said processor environmental condition; and c) modifying said clock rate of each of said plurality of processors in response to said notice of said existence of said processor environmental condition.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a system including a plurality of processors, each processor operating at a respective clock rate, a method for controlling the respective clock rate of each of said plurality of processors in response to an environmental condition of a processor, the method comprising the steps of: a) identifying a processor environmental condition; b) notifying, substantially simultaneously, each processor of said plurality of processors of the existence of said processor environmental condition; and c) modifying said clock rate of each of said plurality of processors in response to said notice of said existence of said processor environmental condition.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of identifying a processor environmental condition further comprises the steps of: a) writing said environmental condition reported by said processor to a register; and b) reading said environmental condition reported by each of said plurality of processors from said register.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said notification step further comprises generating an interrupt.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of identifying a processor environmental condition further comprises the steps of: a) polling each of said plurality of processors to request said environmental condition; b) writing said environmental condition reported by each of said plurality of processors to a register; and c) reading said environmental condition reported by each processor of said plurality of processors from said register.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said environmental condition is temperature.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said environmental condition is humidity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said environmental condition is electrical current.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said environmental condition is time.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said environmental condition is barometric pressure.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for controlling the clock rate of a processor in response to an environmental condition, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a plurality of Central Processing Units (CPU), each of said plurality of CPUs comprises a first processor operating at a first clock rate and a second processor operating at a second clock rate; b) identifying an environmental condition associated with a first processor; c) notifying, substantially simultaneously, each of said first processors of the existence of said first processor environmental condition; and d) modifying said first clock rate in response to said environmental condition notice.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
99 words
A method for controlling the clock rate of a processor in response to an environmental condition, the method comprising the steps of: a) providing a plurality of Central Processing Units (CPU), each of said plurality of CPUs comprises a first processor operating at a first clock rate and a second processor operating at a second clock rate; b) identifying an environmental condition associated with a first processor; c) notifying, substantially simultaneously, each of said first processors of the existence of said first processor environmental condition; and d) modifying said first clock rate in response to said environmental condition notice.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said step of identifying a processor environmental condition further comprises the steps of: a) writing said environmental condition reported by said processor to a register; and b) reading said environmental condition reported by each of said plurality of processors from said register.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said notification step further comprises generating an interrupt.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said step of identifying a processor environmental condition further comprises the steps of: a) polling each of said plurality of processors to request said environmental condition; b) writing said environmental condition reported by each of said plurality of processors to a register; and c) reading said environmental condition reported by each processor of said plurality of processors from said register.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said environmental condition is temperature.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said environmental condition is humidity.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said environmental condition is electrical current.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said environmental condition is time.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said environmental condition is barometric pressure.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a system including a plurality of processors, each processor operating at a respective clock rate, an apparatus for controlling the respective clock rate of each of said plurality of processors in response to an environmental condition of a processor, said apparatus comprising: a) an environmental condition sensor for sensing a processor environmental condition; b) a notification device in electrical communication with said environmental sensor for notifying each processor of said plurality of processors of the existence of said processor environmental condition; and c) a clock rate controller in communication with said notification device wherein said clock rate of each of said processors of said plurality of processors is modified in response to said notification of said processor environmental condition.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
120 words
In a system including a plurality of processors, each processor operating at a respective clock rate, an apparatus for controlling the respective clock rate of each of said plurality of processors in response to an environmental condition of a processor, said apparatus comprising: a) an environmental condition sensor for sensing a processor environmental condition; b) a notification device in electrical communication with said environmental sensor for notifying each processor of said plurality of processors of the existence of said processor environmental condition; and c) a clock rate controller in communication with said notification device wherein said clock rate of each of said processors of said plurality of processors is modified in response to said notification of said processor environmental condition.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the sensing mechanism further comprises a controlled polling of each of said processor of said plurality of processors.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein the notification mechanism further comprises a register for reporting status of said processor environmental condition.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the notification mechanism further comprises a bus for reporting status of said processor environmental condition.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the notification mechanism further comprises an interrupt handler.
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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) | 2007-04-06 | 2007-10-06 | 2008-04-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-04-06 | 2011-10-06 | 2012-04-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-04-06 | 2015-10-06 | 2016-04-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |