Methods and apparatus for managing and controlling power consumption and heat generation in computer systems
US8032889B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 5, 2006 |
| Grant date | Oct 4, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 4, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02D10/00
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method for reducing power consumption and heat generation in a computer system employs a substitute idle task that puts the processor into a dormant mode, e.g., sleep, nap, or doze mode. The substitute idle task replaces a conventional operating system idle task. The substitute idle task may have a low priority, such as that of the conventional idle task, which it replaces. At each occurrence of a quantum interrupt, a task scheduler schedules applications for execution during the accompanying time slice. After the scheduled applications are done, the substitute idle task is executed. The dormant mode caused by the idle task reduces the system's power consumption. The idle task may also have a high priority and be designed to run for a predetermined percentage of time. Because the processor spends the predetermined percentage of time in the dormant mode, known power consumption reduction may be guaranteed in the system.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.