Patent · US Expired

Multiprocessor system with reduced power mode and improved variation of power demand

US5724591A · kind A · utility

43Cited by
9References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 26, 1996
Grant dateMar 3, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 26, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02D10/00
  • WIPO fieldComputer technology
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A multiprocessor system is provided with processor units which are grouped beforehand into some groups, a system status monitoring unit for monitoring a key input operation of a keyboard, a power demand monitoring unit for calculating the difference between the total power demand of the processor units at the present time and the total power demand of the processor units in a low power-demand mode which is measured beforehand, when the key input operation is not carried out in a normal operation mode for a predetermined time, and an operation clock controller for successively reducing or stopping operation clocks supplied to the respective processor units for each group in turn to shift the current mode to the low power-demand mode. With this construction, a power variation which occurs at the time of the switching operation between the normal operation mode and the low power-demand mode or at the time of power supply/power shut-off can be reduced.

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