Asynchronous power saving computer
First Claim
1. A computer, comprising:
- a processor for executing instructions from an instruction area; and
a sequencer for providing a pulse to advance from a presently executed instruction to a next instruction;
wherein said instruction includes a bit for providing an input to the sequencer such that the sequencer is triggered into action when the bit is set.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computer array (10) has a plurality of computers (12). The computers (12) communicate with each other asynchronously, and the computers (12) themselves operate in a generally asynchronous manner internally. When one computer (12) attempts to communicate with another it goes to sleep until the other computer (12) is ready to complete the transaction, thereby saving power and reducing heat production. A slot sequencer (42) in each of the computers produces a timing pulse to cause the computer (12) to execute a next instruction. However, when the present instruction is a read or write type instruction, the slot sequencer does not produce the pulse until an acknowledge signal (86) starts it. The acknowledge signal (86) is produced when it is recognized that the communication has been completed by the other computer (12).
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A computer, comprising:
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a processor for executing instructions from an instruction area; and
a sequencer for providing a pulse to advance from a presently executed instruction to a next instruction;
whereinsaid instruction includes a bit for providing an input to the sequencer such that the sequencer is triggered into action when the bit is set. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for causing a computer to temporarily reduce its power consumption, comprising:
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(a) causing the computer to stop operation when a communication is attempted with an outside entity; and
(b) causing the computer to resume operation when completion of the communication with the outside entity is acknowledged. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. In a computer for executing instructions wherein at least some of the instructions are instructions to communicate with an outside entity, an improvement comprising:
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means for causing the computer to stop when an instruction to communicate with the outside entity is attempted; and
means for causing the computer to restart when the instruction to communicate with the outside entity is completed. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23)
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Specification