Patent · US Active

Controlling the power usage of a computer

US8479034B2 · kind B2 · utility

0Cited by
5References
14Claims
0Family size

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Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 9, 2010
Grant dateJul 2, 2013
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 25, 2031

Classification

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

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling the power usage of a processor is disclosed. The power usage of the processor is monitored. When the power usage of the processor exceeds a threshold power usage value, the power used by the processor is reduced or limited. A processor utilization value is also monitored. When the processor utilization value is above a threshold utilization value, the processor is ramped to a higher performance state. When power to the processor is being limited, a first rate is used to ramp the processor to the higher performance state. When power to the processor is not being limited, then a second rate, different from the first rate, is used to ramp the processor to the higher performance state.

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