Power source dependent program execution
First Claim
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1. A method of operating an electronic device having a processor powered by a power source, comprising:
- providing a plurality of program portions individually executable by said processor for performing the same computing function, each one of said plurality of program portions coded to cause said processor to exhibit a different instantaneous power consumption profile while performing said computing function and wherein there is no noticeable difference to a user in the functionality, performance or output of each of the plurality of program portions;
selecting, based on at least one characteristic of said power source, a particular one of said plurality of program portions from said plurality of program portions; and
executing said particular one of said plurality of program portions on said processor to perform said computing function.
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Abstract
An electronic device having a processor powered by a power source may be operated by providing a plurality of program portions individually executable by the processor for performing the same computing function. Each program portion causes the processor to exhibit a different instantaneous power consumption profile while performing the computing function. A particular program portion is selected based on at least one characteristic of the power source and executed on the processor to perform the computing function.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of operating an electronic device having a processor powered by a power source, comprising:
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providing a plurality of program portions individually executable by said processor for performing the same computing function, each one of said plurality of program portions coded to cause said processor to exhibit a different instantaneous power consumption profile while performing said computing function and wherein there is no noticeable difference to a user in the functionality, performance or output of each of the plurality of program portions; selecting, based on at least one characteristic of said power source, a particular one of said plurality of program portions from said plurality of program portions; and executing said particular one of said plurality of program portions on said processor to perform said computing function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 19)
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14. A computing device comprising:
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a processor; a power source for powering said processor; and a computer readable memory storing processor executable code, said code when executed by said processor causing said processor to; provide a plurality of program portions individually executable by said processor for performing the same computing function, each one of said plurality of program portions coded to cause said processor to exhibit a different current draw pattern from said power source while performing said computing function; retrieve an indicator of a charge recovery characteristic of said power source, said charge recovery characteristic correlated with the ability of said power source to self-recover charge-generating capacity during intervals of reduced current drain; select, based on at least said indicator, a particular program portion from said plurality of program portions causing said processor to exhibit a particular current draw pattern from said power source to facilitate self-recovery of said power source; and execute said particular program portion to perform said computing function. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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20. A method of configuring an electronic device, comprising a processor and a source of stored electrical energy, said method comprising:
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determining a charge recovery characteristic for said source when providing electrical power to said device, said charge recovery characteristic correlated with the ability of said source to self-recover charge-generating capacity during intervals of reduced current drain; coding a program portion based on said charge recovery characteristic to cause said processor to exhibit a desired current draw pattern that provides intervals of reduced current draw from said source, said intervals chosen to facilitate the self-recovery of said energy storage source, in order to increase the useful life of said energy storage source, using said program portion; storing said program portion on said device for later execution.
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- 21. Computer readable storage medium storing program portions used to form an electronic device having an energy storage source, said program portions comprising code coded based on a charge recovery characteristic of said energy source, said charge recovery characteristic correlated with the ability of said energy source to self recover charge-generating capacity during intervals of reduced current draw, and formed to provide intervals of reduced current draw from said energy storage source, said intervals chosen to facilitate the self-recovery of said energy storage source, in order to increase the useful life of said energy storage source when said device executes said program portions.
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24. A method of operating an electronic device having a processor powered by a power source, comprising:
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providing a plurality of program portions individually executable by said processor for performing the same computing function, each one of said plurality of program portions coded to cause said processor to exhibit a different current draw pattern from said power source while performing said computing function; retrieving an indicator of a charge recovery characteristic of said power source, said charge recovery characteristic correlated with the ability of said power source to self-recover charge-generating capacity during intervals of reduced current drain; selecting, based on at least said indicator, a particular one of said plurality of program portions from said plurality of program portions causing said processor to exhibit a particular current draw pattern from said power source to facilitate self-recovery of said power source; and executing said particular one of said plurality of program portions on said processor to perform said computing function. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26)
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Specification