Patent · US Expired

Power down state machine for PCMCIA PC card applications

US5546590A · kind A · utility

43Cited by
9References
6Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateSep 19, 1994
Grant dateAug 13, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateSep 19, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG06F1/3203
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

An apparatus and method for removing and applying power to circuitry within a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) PC card so as to reduce power consumption and, thus, prolong battery life for a portable computer system or electronic device, hereinafter referred to as a host system, in which the PC card is plugged is described. The PC card employs logic controlled by the host system to properly sequence control lines to and removal of power from the PC card circuitry to be powered down so as to prevent the occurrence of a CMOS latchup condition, allow for data to be saved and later restored when the circuitry is powered up, and maximize reduction in power consumption by the host system.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.