Method and apparatus for operating an electronic device at an optimal power mode based upon a scheduled event

• US 6,189,106 B1
• Filed: 05/08/1998
• Issued: 02/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Gateway Incorporated (Acer, Inc.)
• Inventors: Anderson, Glen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ray, Gopal C.
• Application Number:
  US09/074,913
• Time in Patent Office: 1,012 Days
• Field of Search: 709/100, 709/102, 713/300, 713/310, 713/323, 713/324, 713/340, 710/100, 340/825
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/329 by task scheduling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A method for scheduling an operational setting of a computer-based information handling system or electronic device is described. An event is scheduled to occur at a predetermined time, and a determination is made from the scheduled event an optimal operational setting at which to set the computer-based information handling system or electronic device during the scheduled event. At the predetermined time, the computer-based information handling system or electronic device is operated at the optimal setting. A method and system for scheduling the power mode operation of a computer-based information handling system wherein the computer based-information handling system is capable of operating at a first power level for maximizing performance while receiving power from an external power source, and is capable of operating at a second power level for minimizing power consumption while receiving power from a battery is further described. An event to occur at a predetermined time is scheduled, and a determination is made whether the scheduled event requires the computer-based information handling system to receive power from the battery. If battery power is required, the second power level is associated with the predetermined event time. At the predetermined event time, the computer-based information handling system is operated at the second power level. A scheduler schedules an event to occur at a predetermined time. A monitor determines whether the scheduled battery power. A power mode selector selects operation of the computer-based information handling system at either the first or the second power level based upon the determination of the monitor.

Claims

1. A method for scheduling the power mode operation of a computer-based information handling system wherein the computer-based information handling system is capable of operating at a first power level for optimizing performance and is capable of operating at a second power level for optimizing power consumption, the method comprising:

scheduling an event to occur at a predetermined time;

determining whether the scheduled event requires the computer-based information handling system to receive power from a battery;

if the event is determined to require the computer-based information handling system to receive power from the battery, associating the second power level with the predetermined time; and

at the predetermined time, operating the computer-based information handling system at the second power level.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of operating the computer-based information handling system at the first power level if the event is determined not to require the computer-based information handling system to receive power from the battery.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, said determining step including the step of operating the computer-based information handling system at the first power level after completion of the event.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, said scheduling step including the step of scheduling the event with a BIOS of the computer-based information handling system.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1, said scheduling step including the step of scheduling the event with a CMOS RAM of the computer-based information handling system.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1, said scheduling step including the step of scheduling the event with an operating system of the computer-based information handling system.

7. A computer readable medium whose contents cause a computer-based information handling system to execute steps for scheduling the power mode operation of the computer-based information handling system wherein the computer based-information handling system is capable of operating at a first power level for optimizing performance, and is capable of operating at a second power level for optimizing power consumption, the steps comprising:

scheduling an event to occur at a predetermined time;

determining whether the scheduled event requires the computer-based information handling system to receive power from a battery;

if the event is determined to require the computer-based information handling system to receive power from the battery, associating the second power level with the predetermined time; and

at the predetermined time, operating the computer-based information handling system at the second power level.

8. A computer readable medium as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the step of operating the computer-based information handling system at the first power level if the event is determined not to require the computer-based information handling system to receive power from the battery.

9. A computer readable medium as claimed in claim 7, said determining step including the step of operating the computer-based information handling system at the first power level after completion of the event.

10. A computer readable medium as claimed in claim 7, said scheduling step including the step of scheduling the event with a BIOS of the computer-based information handling system.

11. A computer readable medium as claimed in claim 7, said scheduling step including the step of scheduling the event with a CMOS RAM of the computer-based information handling system.

12. A computer readable medium as claimed in claim 7, said scheduling step including the step of scheduling the event with an operating system of the computer-based information handling system.

13. A system for scheduling the power mode operation of a computer-based information handling system wherein the computer based-information handling system is capable of operating at a first power level for optimizing performance, and is capable of operating at a second power level for optimizing power consumption, comprising:

a scheduler for scheduling an event to occur at a predetermined time;

a monitor for determining whether an event scheduled by said scheduler requires the computer-based information handling system to receive power from a battery; and

a power mode selector for selecting operation of the computer-based information handling system at one of the first or the second power levels based upon the determination of said monitor.

14. A system as claimed in claim 13, said power mode selector being adapted for selecting operation of the computer-based information handling system at the first power level in the event said monitor determines the event does not require the computer-based information handling system to receive power from the battery at the predetermined time.

15. A system as claimed in claim 13, said power mode selector being adapted for selecting operation of the computer-based information handling system at the second power level in the event said monitor determines the event requires the computer-based information handling system to receive power from the battery at the predetermined time.

16. A system as claimed in claim 13, said scheduler including a BIOS system of the computer-based information handling system.

17. A system as claimed in claim 13, said scheduler including a CMOS RAM system of the computer-based information handling system.

18. A system as claimed in claim 13, said scheduler including an operating system of the computer-based information handling system.

19. A system for scheduling the power mode operation of a computer-based information handling system wherein the computer based-information handling system is capable of operating at a first power level for optimizing performance, and is capable of operating at a second power level for optimizing power consumption, comprising:

means for scheduling an event to occur at a predetermined time;

means for determining whether an event scheduled by said scheduler requires the computer-based information handling system to receive power from a battery; and

means for selecting operation of the computer-based information handling system at one of the first or the second power levels based upon the determination of said monitor.

20. A system as claimed in claim 19, said selecting means being adapted for selecting operation of the computer-based information handling system at the first power level in the event said determining means determines the event does not require the computer-based information handling system to receive power from the battery at the predetermined time.

21. A system as claimed in claim 19, said selecting means being adapted for selecting operation of the computer-based information handling system at the second power level in the event said determining means determines the event requires the computer-based information handling system to receive power from the battery at the predetermined time.

22. A system as claimed in claim 19, said scheduling means including a BIOS system of the computer-based information handling system.

23. A system as claimed in claim 19, said scheduling means including a CMOS RAM system of the computer-based information handling system.

24. A system as claimed in claim 19, said scheduling means including an operating system of the computer-based information handling system.