Systems and methods for power reduction in systems having removable media devices
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system, comprising:
- a processor;
a host controller coupled to the processor; and
a card reader coupled to the host controller;
wherein the card reader does not apply power to a memory card inserted into the card reader if the memory card has not been accessed in a first specified amount of time;
wherein the card reader is electrically disconnected from the host controller if the memory card has not been accessed for a second specified amount of time; and
wherein a sideband signal is used to signal the card reader to electrically reconnect to the host controller if there is an attempt to access the memory card.
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Abstract
In some embodiments, if a card in a card reader has not been accessed in a first specified amount of time, the card may be powered down. The card may be powered back up if an attempt is made to access the card. In some embodiments, if a memory card is in the memory card slot of the card reader, but has not been accessed in a second specified amount of time, the card reader may be electrically disconnected from the host controller if a sideband signal is available to signal the card reader when to electrically reconnect.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a processor; a host controller coupled to the processor; and a card reader coupled to the host controller; wherein the card reader does not apply power to a memory card inserted into the card reader if the memory card has not been accessed in a first specified amount of time; wherein the card reader is electrically disconnected from the host controller if the memory card has not been accessed for a second specified amount of time; and wherein a sideband signal is used to signal the card reader to electrically reconnect to the host controller if there is an attempt to access the memory card. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system, comprising:
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a processor; a host controller coupled to the processor; and a card reader coupled to the host controller; wherein the card reader is operable to apply power to a memory card in the card reader; wherein the card reader is operable to discontinue applying power to the memory card in the card reader, without the processor being powered down, if the memory card has not been accessed in a first specified amount of time; wherein the system is operable to electrically disconnect the card reader from the host controller if the card has not been accessed for a second specified amount of time; and wherein the system is operable to send a sideband signal to signal the card reader to electrically reconnect to the host controller if there is an attempt to access the card. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method, comprising:
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applying power to a memory card in a card reader coupled to a computer; detecting whether the memory card has been accessed during a first specified amount of time; if the memory card has not been accessed during the first specified amount of time, removing power from the memory card, without the computer being powered down; if the memory card has been accessed during the first specified amount of time, continuing to power the memory card; if the memory card has not been accessed during a second specified amount of time, electrically disconnecting the card reader from a host controller coupled to the card reader; and if there is an attempt to access the card, a sideband signal is used to signal the card reader to electrically reconnect to the host controller. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification