Programmable power management circuit for a power supply in a computer system
First Claim
1. A programmable power management circuit for controlling a power supply within a computer system comprising:
- a switch for applying power from the power supply to a processor within the computer system;
a first memory which stores default configuration data for controlling the power supply;
a power control circuit which senses power from the power supply and which controls the switch; and
a loader circuit which sends a signal to the power control circuit and which replaces the default configuration data in the first memory with configuration data specific to the computer system from a second memory;
wherein the power control circuit produces a control signal, after receiving the signal from the loader circuit, that causes the switch to apply power to the processor so that the computer system can boot up; and
wherein the configuration data specific to the computer system is read by a power supply controller to control the power supply.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A programmable power management circuit for a computer which allows a power supply to be configured prior to and after bootup of the computer. A switch applies power from a power supply to a processor within the computer. A first memory stores default configuration data for controlling the power supply. A power control circuit senses power from the power supply and controls the switch. A loader circuit produce a signal and replaces the default configuration data in the first memory with the configuration data specific to the computer. The power control circuit produces a control signal, after receiving the signal from the loader circuit, that causes the switch to apply power to the processor so that the computer can boot up. The loader circuit may additionally check for errors in the configuration data specific to the computer. Loader circuit replaces the default configuration data with the configuration data specific to the computer only if the loader circuit finds no errors, A software utility allows the configuration data to be changed after bootup.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A programmable power management circuit for controlling a power supply within a computer system comprising:
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a switch for applying power from the power supply to a processor within the computer system; a first memory which stores default configuration data for controlling the power supply; a power control circuit which senses power from the power supply and which controls the switch; and a loader circuit which sends a signal to the power control circuit and which replaces the default configuration data in the first memory with configuration data specific to the computer system from a second memory; wherein the power control circuit produces a control signal, after receiving the signal from the loader circuit, that causes the switch to apply power to the processor so that the computer system can boot up; and wherein the configuration data specific to the computer system is read by a power supply controller to control the power supply. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A computer system comprising:
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a power supply; a power supply controller coupled to the power supply; a processor powered by the power supply; and a programmable power management circuit for controlling the power supply, including a switch for applying power from the power supply to the processor; a first memory which stores default configuration data for controlling the power supply; a power control circuit which senses power from the power supply and which controls the switch; and a loader circuit which sends a signal to the power control circuit and which replaces the default configuration data in the first memory with the!configuration data specific to the computer system from a second memory; wherein the power control circuit produces a control signal, after receiving the signal from the loader circuit, that causes the switch to apply power to the processor so that the computer system can boot up; and wherein the configuration data specific to the computer system is read by the power supply controller to control the power supply. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A method of controlling power application to a processor in a computer comprising the steps of:
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sensing power from a power supply by a power management device; reading configuration data specific to the computer from a first memory by the power management device; replacing default configuration data in a second memory with the configuration data specific to the computer by the power management device; producing a control signal by the power management device for causing a switch to apply power from the power supply to the processor so that the computer can boot up by the power management device; and reading the configuration data specific to the computer by a power supply controller. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification