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 is operable to apply power to a memory card in the card reader; and
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.
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Accused Products
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
20 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 is operable to apply power to a memory card in the card reader; and 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. 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, independent from a shutdown process of the computer; and if the memory card has been accessed during the first specified amount of time, continuing to power the memory card. - View Dependent Claims (11, 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, independent from a shutdown process of the card reader; and if the memory card has been accessed during the first specified amount of time, continuing to power the memory card.
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18. 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; and wherein the card reader is operable to discontinue applying power to the memory card in the card reader without the card reader being powered down, if the memory card has not been accessed in a first specified amount of time.
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19. A card reader, comprising:
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a housing; and one or more slots operable to receive one or more memory cards, wherein the one or more slots are comprised in the housing; wherein the card reader is operable to apply power to a memory card inserted into a slot of the one or more slots of the card reader; and wherein the card reader is operable to discontinue applying power to the memory card, independent of a shut down process of a host controller coupled to the card reader, if the memory card has not been accessed in a first specified amount of time.
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20. A card reader, comprising:
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a housing; and one or more slots operable to receive one or more memory cards, wherein the one or more slots are comprised in the housing; wherein the card reader is operable to apply power to a memory card inserted into a slot of the one or more slots of the card reader; and wherein the card reader is operable to discontinue applying power to the memory card, without a host controller coupled to the card reader being powered down, if the memory card has not been accessed in a first specified amount of time.
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Specification