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Apparatus for indicating power-consumption status in a computer system

  • US 5,941,989 A
  • Filed: 01/07/1997
  • Issued: 08/24/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/07/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A computer system, comprising:

  • a processor;

    a processor bus coupled with the processor and operable to transfer data, address and control signals to and from the processor;

    a system controller coupling the processor bus with an I/O bus and operable to transfer of data, address and control signals between the processor bus and the I/O bus, the system controller further operable to place the processor in a plurality of powered-down states; and

    a system status indicator coupled with the I/O bus and operable to provide a plurality of system status signals, each corresponding with a respective one of the powered-down states, wherein the system status indicator is operable to display an optical signal having an apparent intensity which varies approximately continuously between a greatest intensity and a least intensity, wherein each of the system status signals corresponds with a respective one of a plurality of rates at which the apparent intensity varies, wherein the system status indicator includes a light-emitting diode to produce the optical signal, the light-emitting diode receiving a pulsed electric current having a variable duty cycle, and wherein the system status indicator further includes a duty register operable to store a value controlling the duty cycle, the value stored in the duty register being periodically adjusted and the duty cycle varied accordingly.

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