Real-time power conservation for computers
First Claim
1. A device, comprising:
- a computer including a central processing unit (CPU);
a central processing unit activity detector;
means, responsive to said activity detector, for predicting an activity level within said computer; and
means for using predictions, from said means for predicting, for power conservation while said computer is on and processing data, said power conservation remaining transparent to a user of said computer.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A real-time power conservation apparatus and method for portable computers employs a monitor to determine whether a CPU may rest based upon a real-time sampling of the CPU activity level and to activate a hardware selector to carry out the monitor'"'"'s determination. If the monitor determines the CPU may rest, the hardware selector reduces CPU clock time; if the CPU is to be active, the hardware selector returns the CPU to its previous high speed clock level. Switching back into full operation from its rest state occurs without a user having to request it and without any delay in the operation of the computer while waiting for the computer to return to a "ready" state. Furthermore, the monitor adjusts the performance level of the computer to manage power conservation in response to the real-time sampling of CPU activity. Such adjustments are accomplished within the CPU cycles and do not affect the user'"'"'s perception of performance and do not affect any system application software executing on the computer.
102 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A device, comprising:
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a computer including a central processing unit (CPU); a central processing unit activity detector; means, responsive to said activity detector, for predicting an activity level within said computer; and means for using predictions, from said means for predicting, for power conservation while said computer is on and processing data, said power conservation remaining transparent to a user of said computer. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A device, comprising:
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a computer including a central processing unit (CPU); means for sampling a utilization percentage of said central processing unit (CPU); and
means for adjusting processing speed of said central processing unit (CPU) to maximize said utilization percentage. - View Dependent Claims (4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A device, comprising:
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a central processing unit (CPU) coupled to a clock; means for sampling activity in said central processing unit; and means, responsive to said sampled activity, for controlling periods of time said clock is in an OFF state, the length of said periods of time said clock is in an OFF state being appropriate to allow said central processing unit to operate at a maximized utilization percentage. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification