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System for distributed power management in portable computers

  • US 5,423,045 A
  • Filed: 04/15/1992
  • Issued: 06/06/1995
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1992
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A system for monitoring, collecting and acting upon power-related data in a portable computer to maximize an amount of time the portable computer can be used between the recharging of a battery with minimal user intervention, the portable computer having a user interface and a perceived state of operation, the system comprising:

  • a plurality of independently controllable power planesa plurality of central processing units (CPUs), coupled to said plurality of independently controllable power planes, operating asynchronously with respect to each other to selectively control application of power to said plurality of independently controllable power planes, each of said plurality of CPUs performing power management functions, said plurality of CPUs including;

    a main processor having a first set of multiple operational states, said main processor controlling said plurality of independently controllable power planes, whereby a present state of said main processor determines the perceived state of operation of the portable computer,a service processor, coupled to said main processor, having a second set of multiple operational states, said service processor configured to manage peripheral devices, anda battery microcontroller configured to manage power input from one or more power sources coupled to the portable computer, said power sources including a battery having a temperature and a voltage, said battery microcontroller comprising a battery processor having a third set of multiple operational states; and

    power management means for controlling the operation of each of said plurality of CPUs as a function of power availability, processing requirements, system activity and status of an on/off button.

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