Patent · US Expired

Computer power management system

US5560024A · kind A · utility

129Cited by
47References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 1, 1995
Grant dateSep 24, 1996
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 1, 2015

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02D30/50
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A low power management system including both hardware and software is provided for a battery powered portable computer. The low power management system powers down various sections of the computer when they are not used. The low power management system is controlled by a control program in the microprocessor of the computer. The low power management system includes the capability to turn off clock signals to various sections of the computer based upon demand. Also included is the capability to turn on clock signals based upon demand. The low power management system also includes the capability to turn on the computer upon a press of a key on the computer keyboard. The low power management system monitors software application programs for keyboard activity so as to turn off the microprocessor in the computer in response to a loop looking for a keypress and certain other loops which can be monitored without use of the microprocessor.

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