System power saving means and method
US5887179A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 11, 1996 |
| Grant date | Mar 23, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 11, 2016 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D10/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus (12) and method (80, 120) is described for reducing power consumption in a system (10) having subsystems (34). A controller (40, 40', 40") detects the occurrence of a repetitive operation (62). The subsystems (34, 38) or a power down controller (39) detect (86, 128), whether a subset (60i) of the subsystems (34) is or is not participating in the repetitive operation (62). This preferably occurs during the first iteration (661-662) of the repetitive operation (62). Power controls (36) in or coupled to (39) the subsystems (34), reduce the power consumption of this subset (60i) of the subsystems (34) until the repetitive operation (62) is completed (642), whereupon power thereto is restored (114, 190). In the event of an interrupt (643-644), the subset (60i) is maintained (142) or returned (172) to full power operation until the interrupt (643-644) is finished (144, 174) and the repetitive operation resumes (644-642).
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.