Automotive computer system and method whereby responsive to detecting engine cranking main processor enters a suspend mode and current state of devices are stored in volatile memory
US6601176B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 8, 1999 |
| Grant date | Jul 29, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 8, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F1/26
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A multimedia/personal computer based system for operating information, communication, and entertainment devices in a mobile vehicle uses a power management system which provides power to volatile ram during engine startup. During engine startup, battery voltage decreases to a point that most electronic devices can not function and may be harmed. A low power microprocessor off-board of a main processor board, which is a complex instruction set (CISC) processor system, switches a primary voltage regulator, which provides a plurality of regulated voltages to the main processor board, off to reduce power requirements. The main processor board stores a state of predetermined peripheral devices in volatile ram and then turns the devices off. The main processor then goes into a suspend mode awaiting a wake up signal from the low power microprocessor. A secondary voltage regulator turns on to supply power to the volatile ram when the primary voltage regulator is turned off.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.