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Computer system with an advanced power saving function and an operating method therefor

  • US 5,978,924 A
  • Filed: 02/12/1998
  • Issued: 11/02/1999
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method of operating a computer system with a suspend function and resume function, comprising the steps of:

  • determining, after a power-on-self-test, whether a resume operation is to be performed;

    storing, in a memory, a present time as a resume starting time, when it is determined that the resume operation is to be performed;

    performing the resume operation after storing the present time;

    detecting a system management interrupt (SMI) request signal;

    determining whether said SMI request signal is an interrupt signal for performing a power saving operation;

    performing an operation corresponding to said SMI request signal, when it is determined that said SMI request signal is not said interrupt signal for performing a power saving operation;

    determining whether an operating system of said computer system supports an advanced power management function, when it is determined that said SMI request signal is said interrupt signal for performing a power saving operation;

    performing said power saving operation by storing a plurality of register information of said computer system to an auxiliary storage device, when it is determined that said advanced power management function is not supported by said operating system;

    checking a flag storage area of said memory to determine whether a previous power saving operation has been performed, when it is determined that said advanced power management function is supported by said operating system;

    comparing a current time to said resume starting time to determine whether a preset time period has elapsed, when it is determined that said previous power saving operation has been performed;

    performing said power saving operation by storing said plurality of register information of said computer system to said auxiliary storage device, when it is determined that said preset time period has elapsed; and

    clearing said SMI request signal so as not to perform said power saving operation, when it is determined that said preset time period has not elapsed.

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