Method for reducing power consumption of CPU, electronic apparatus, and recording medium having power consumption reduction program recorded thereon
First Claim
1. A method for reducing an electrical power consumption of a CPU, comprising:
- returning the CPU to a normal operation state, from a sleep state, at regular intervals when the CPU is placed in the sleep state;
outputing an abnormality detection clear signal from the CPU to a monitoring circuit; and
making reference to an input signal transmitted from an external device to the CPU to place the CPU in the sleep state at a time other than a time when reference is made to the clear signal and the input signal, wherein reference to an output of the clear signal and the input signal, and an output of only the clear signal, are repeated at regular intervals and at a predetermined frequency when the CPU has returned to the normal operation state from the sleep state.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for reducing electrical power consumption of an electronic unit provided with a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU is returned to a normal operation state at regular intervals when the CPU has been placed in a sleep state. The CPU outputs a clear signal to a monitoring circuit, and makes reference to an actuation signal for an external device, such as, for example, a motor from a control switch to place the CPU in the sleep state at a time other than a time when reference is made to the clear signal and the input signal. When the CPU has been released from the sleep state, reference to an output of the clear signal and the input signal and an output of only the clear signal are repeated at regular intervals and at a predetermined frequency.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for reducing an electrical power consumption of a CPU, comprising:
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returning the CPU to a normal operation state, from a sleep state, at regular intervals when the CPU is placed in the sleep state;
outputing an abnormality detection clear signal from the CPU to a monitoring circuit; and
making reference to an input signal transmitted from an external device to the CPU to place the CPU in the sleep state at a time other than a time when reference is made to the clear signal and the input signal, wherein reference to an output of the clear signal and the input signal, and an output of only the clear signal, are repeated at regular intervals and at a predetermined frequency when the CPU has returned to the normal operation state from the sleep state. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. An electronic apparatus, comprising:
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a CPU that is selectively switched between a normal operation state and a sleep state in which an amount of electrical power consumed by said CPU is reduced, said CPU being returned to the normal operation state at regular intervals when said CPU is placed in said sleep state, said CPU periodically outputting an abnormality detection clear signal to a monitoring circuit and making reference to an input signal transmitted from an external device to said CPU that places said CPU into said sleep state at a time other than when reference is made to said clear signal and said input signal; and
a signal generation device that references an output of said clear signal and said input signal, and an output of only said clear signal, at regular intervals and at a predetermined frequency when said CPU returns to said normal operation state from said sleep state. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A recording medium, comprising:
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a power consumption reduction program executed by a CPU, said power consumption reduction program including;
a first task that functions to return said CPU to a normal operation state at regular time intervals when said CPU has been placed into a sleep state, said first task instructing said CPU to output an abnormality detection clear signal to a monitoring device;
a second task that makes reference to an input signal transmitted from an external device to said CPU to place said CPU in said sleep state at a time other than when reference is made to said clear signal and said input signal, after said clear signal is outputted from said monitoring device; and
a third task that references an output of said clear signal and said input signal, and an output of only said clear signal, at regular time intervals and at a predetermined frequency when said CPU returns to said normal operation state from said sleep state. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7)
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8. A method for reducing an amount of electrical power consumed by an electronic unit, comprising:
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placing a CPU associated with the electronic unit into a sleep state upon an occurrence of a predetermined event;
periodically returning the CPU to a normal operation state, from the sleep, for a predetermined period of time; and
determining whether the electronic unit is to perform a predetermined task when the CPU is returned to the normal operation state for the predetermined period of time, wherein the determining comprises making reference to an input signal transmitted from an external device to the CPU to place the CPU in the sleep state at a time other than a time when reference is made to a clear signal and the input signal, wherein reference to an output of the clear signal and the input signal, and reference to an output of only the clear signal, are repeated at regular intervals and at a predetermined frequency when the CPU has returned to the normal operation state from the sleep state. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification