Intelligent power management interface for computer system hardware
US6105142A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 11, 1997 |
| Grant date | Aug 15, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 11, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/3203
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for managing power consumption in a computer system wherein the method and apparatus is compliant with the proposed Advanced Configuration and Power Interface (ACPI) specification. In one embodiment, a power management processor is sandwiched between platform hardware and the ACPI register layer. The processor processes all operating power management commands and requests while remaining transparent to the user and the operating system. In so doing, routine power management functions, so classified by the operating system, are implemented by the operating system. Sophisticated power management features, on the other hand, are implemented by the present invention independent from operating system control. Accordingly, in the present invention, the operating system need not suspend processing of other threads to process sophisticated power management procedures.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.