Power conservation method for a portable computer with LCD display
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A portable computer system with reduced power consumption, comprising:
- a microprocessor;
a graphics controller connected to said microprocessor;
a video display connected to said graphics controller; and
circuitry connected to detect when said portable computer system requires a reduced power mode;
wherein said graphics controller is connected to operate said video display at a first refresh rate during normal operation, and at a second refresh rate, non-zero and lower than said first refresh rate, when said circuitry detects that a reduced power mode is required.
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Abstract
A system and process for power conservation in a portable computer system. When the application or hardware in use allows for reduced video performance, the refresh rate of the video graphics controller is reduced to a level which allows practical use of the display but consumes much less power than a normal mode.
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Citations
47 Claims
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1. A portable computer system with reduced power consumption, comprising:
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a microprocessor; a graphics controller connected to said microprocessor; a video display connected to said graphics controller; and circuitry connected to detect when said portable computer system requires a reduced power mode; wherein said graphics controller is connected to operate said video display at a first refresh rate during normal operation, and at a second refresh rate, non-zero and lower than said first refresh rate, when said circuitry detects that a reduced power mode is required. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer system comprising:
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a user input device; a microprocessor operatively connected to detect inputs from said input device; memory which is read/write accessible by said microprocessor; a video controller connected to said microprocessor; a display operatively connected to display data generated by said video controller at a first refresh rate; a power supply connected to provide power to said microprocessor, said memory, and said display, wherein said power supply comprises a battery; wherein said display operates said display at a second refresh rate, lower than said first refresh rate, when said video controller receives a power conservation signal from said microprocessor. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A portable computer system with reduced power consumption, comprising:
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a microprocessor; a graphics controller connected to said microprocessor; a video display connected to said graphics controller; and event detection circuitry connected to detect when said portable computer system requires a reduced power mode; system circuitry connected to detect when any one of several system condition requires a normal refresh rate; wherein said graphics controller is connected to operate said video display at a first refresh rate during normal operation, and at a second refresh rate, non-zero and lower than said first refresh rate, when said event detection circuitry detects that a reduced power mode is required. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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27. A method for conserving power in a computer system, comprising the steps of:
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operating a video display at a first refresh rate; detecting whether any one of a set of events requiring video power conservation has occurred; if one of said events has occurred, detecting whether any one of a set of system conditions requires said first refresh rate; if no said system condition requires said first refresh rate, then operating said display at a second refresh rate, which is non-zero and lower than said first refresh rate; if any said system condition requires said first refresh rate, then continuing to operate said display at said first refresh rate; and if no said event has occurred, then continuing to operate said display at said first refresh rate. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method for conserving power in a computer system, comprising the steps of:
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operating a video display at a first refresh rate; detecting whether any one of a set of events requiring video power conservation has occurred; if one of said events has occurred, detecting whether any one of a set of system conditions requires said first refresh rate; if no said system condition requires said first refresh rate, then operating said display at a second refresh rate, which is non-zero and lower than said first refresh rate; if any said system condition requires said first refresh rate, then continuing to operate said display at said first refresh rate; and if no said event has occurred, then continuing to operate said display at said first refresh rate; when operating said display at said second refresh rate, detecting whether a system condition requires said first refresh rate; and if any said system condition requires said refresh rate, then operating said display at said first refresh rate. - View Dependent Claims (39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47)
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Specification