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Method and apparatus for setting a computer coupled to a network into a power saving mode

  • US 5,900,026 A
  • Filed: 05/21/1997
  • Issued: 05/04/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1996
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for reducing power consumption in a computer coupled to a network and having a power saving function and at least one resource, comprising the steps of:

  • comparing a first measurement to a first physical quantity and setting said computer into a first power saving mode when said first measurement exceeds said first physical quantity, said first power saving mode for supplying power for monitoring input/output address access and interrupt signal reception wherein said first measurement corresponds to a first time period during which said computer operates continuously in a normal mode and during which no input/output address is accessed, with each said input/output address respectively associated with a corresponding said resource, said normal mode for supplying power to all devices in said computer;

    comparing a second measurement to a second physical quantity and setting said computer into a suspend mode when said second measurement exceeds said second physical quantity, said suspend mode for turning off power to all devices in said computer wherein said second measurement corresponds to a second time period during which no said input/output address is accessed and during which said computer operates in one of said first power saving mode and a second power saving mode without being set into said normal mode and without receiving an interrupt signal corresponding to said network;

    setting said computer into said second power saving mode when said computer receives said interrupt signal while operating in said first power saving mode, with said second power saving mode for supplying power to at least one device in said computer that is required to operate for said computer to at least one of send and receive communications over said network and for supplying no power to at least one other device in said computer that is not required to operate for said computer to at least one of send and receive communications over said network;

    comparing a third measurement to a third physical quantity and setting said computer into said first power saving mode when said third measurement exceeds said third physical quantity, wherein said third measurement corresponds to a third time period during which no said input/output address is accessed and during which said computer operates continuously in said second power saving mode without receiving said interrupt signal; and

    setting said computer into said normal mode when any said input/output address is accessed while said computer is operating in one of said first power saving mode and said second power saving mode.

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