Random access memory power management system
US5524248A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 6, 1993 |
| Grant date | Jun 4, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 6, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D10/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Method and apparatus for power management of a RAM subsystem of a computer. Blocks of data stored at various addresses throughout the RAM subsystem are packed into unallocated memory space at the lowest possible physical location within the RAM subsystem and then are compressed. The packed and compressed data is then copied into the minimum number of RAM devices comprising the subsystem needed to store such data. The remaining RAM devices are either deenergized, if they comprise static RAM, or not refreshed, if they comprise dynamic RAM, thereby reducing the power consumption of the subsystem. Upon a command to return from the reduced power consumption mode, the above steps are executed in the reverse order and the blocks of data are copied to their original memory address locations in said RAM subsystem, using a table that is compiled during the packing step. The invention is implemented by computer program instructions executed in the computer CPU to operate a memory controller connected to the RAM subsystem.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.