Low power mode for portable computer system
First Claim
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1. A computer-implemented method of managing power for a computing device, comprising:
- under control of a configured computer system having;
a primary processor in communication with a primary memory that stores machine state data, wherein the primary processor is configured to consume power at a first rate, anda secondary processor in communication with a secondary memory, wherein the secondary processor is configured to consume power at a second rate that is less than the first rate;
distributing power to the primary processor from a power source responsive to the power source level above a selected level;
distributing power to the secondary processor instead of the primary processor responsive to the power source level at or below the selected level; and
transferring at least a first portion of the machine state data from the primary memory to the secondary memory during switching the power distribution from the primary processor to the secondary processor;
wherein at least a second portion of the machine state data that is not transferred to the secondary memory is stored in a non-volatile memory.
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Abstract
A computer system is configured to operate in a normal mode and in a reduced power mode. The normal mode utilizes a primary processor, which operates using a primary operating system. When system power is depleted to a defined level, the primary processor is shut down and certain operations are taken over by a low-power, secondary processor that operates using a secondary operating system.
35 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method of managing power for a computing device, comprising:
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under control of a configured computer system having; a primary processor in communication with a primary memory that stores machine state data, wherein the primary processor is configured to consume power at a first rate, and a secondary processor in communication with a secondary memory, wherein the secondary processor is configured to consume power at a second rate that is less than the first rate; distributing power to the primary processor from a power source responsive to the power source level above a selected level; distributing power to the secondary processor instead of the primary processor responsive to the power source level at or below the selected level; and transferring at least a first portion of the machine state data from the primary memory to the secondary memory during switching the power distribution from the primary processor to the secondary processor; wherein at least a second portion of the machine state data that is not transferred to the secondary memory is stored in a non-volatile memory. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer-readable storage medium encoded thereon with instructions that, when executed, cause a computing system to perform operations comprising:
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distributing power to a primary processor from a power source responsive to the power source level above a selected level, the primary processor configured to communicate with a primary memory that stores machine state data and configured to consume power at a first rate during operation; distributing power to a secondary processor instead of the primary processor responsive to the power source depleted below the selected level, the secondary processor being in communication configured to communicate with a secondary memory and configured to consume power at a second rate less than the first rate; distributing at least a first portion of the machine state data from the primary memory to the secondary memory during switching the power distribution from the primary processor to the secondary processor; and storing at least a second portion of the machine state data that is not transferred to the secondary memory in a non-volatile memory. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer system, comprising:
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a primary processor in communication with a primary memory that stores machine state data, wherein the primary processor is configured to consume power at a first rate, and a secondary processor in communication with a secondary memory, wherein the secondary processor is configured to consume power at a second rate that is less than the first rate; a switch configured to distribute power to the primary processor from a power source responsive to the power source level above a selected level and to distribute power to the secondary processor instead of the primary processor responsive to the power source level at or below the selected level; and wherein the primary processor is further configured to transfer at least a first portion of the machine state data from the primary memory to the secondary memory during switching the power distribution from the primary processor to the secondary processor and at least a second portion of the machine state data that is not transferred to the secondary memory is stored in a non-volatile memory. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification