Power management system for a computer
DCFirst Claim
1. A method for turning off power provided to a first computer from a power source, the first computer being capable of performing a plurality of operations, including a save state operation, the method comprising:
- sending a signal to the first computer upon receipt of an external device interrupt;
performing the save state operation with the first computer in response to the sending of the signal;
sending tasks from the first computer to a second computer, wherein the tasks include a plurality of operations in accordance with a stored code;
switching off the power source while maintaining power for the second computer; and
performing the tasks using the second computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A power management system for a personal computer comprises a power management processor, a switchable power supply and a keep alive power supply. The processor is powered by the keep alive power supply that continuously provides power. The computer is powered by a power supply that is switchable in response to a control signal. The processor preferably controls the switchable power supply. The processor is coupled to receive external device interrupts from a plurality of external devices that instruct the processor when to turn the switchable power supply on and off. The processor is also coupled to the computer through an interface. The power management system also includes a method for turning the computer on and off. A preferred method uses the processor to control the power provided to the computer. The preferred method also uses the processor to dictate whether the computer will to perform a long boot that brings the computer to an operational state, identifies the computer'"'"'s configuration, and tests memory, or a short boot that brings the computer to an operational state in a much shorter time. A preferred method for turning the computer off includes the ability to exit program being run by the computer, and saving the hardware state of the computer on the hard disk.
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Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method for turning off power provided to a first computer from a power source, the first computer being capable of performing a plurality of operations, including a save state operation, the method comprising:
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sending a signal to the first computer upon receipt of an external device interrupt; performing the save state operation with the first computer in response to the sending of the signal; sending tasks from the first computer to a second computer, wherein the tasks include a plurality of operations in accordance with a stored code; switching off the power source while maintaining power for the second computer; and performing the tasks using the second computer. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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Specification