Apparatus for reducing computer system power consumption

• US RE36,189 E
• Filed: 12/18/1992
• Issued: 04/13/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 10/14/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Compaq Computer Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Carter, Robert R., Boone, Carrie, Garner, Paul M., Cepulis, Darren J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trans, Vincent N.
• Application Number:
  US07/993,093
• Time in Patent Office: 2,307 Days
• Field of Search: 324/600, 324/76.11, 395/750.06, 395/750.05, 395/750.03, 395/750.01, 702/57, 702/60, 702/63, 702/64
• US Class Current: 713/324
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3215 Monitoring of peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3237 by disabling clock generation or distribution
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/325 Power saving in peripheral device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0757 by exceeding a time limit, i.e. time-out, e.g. watchdogs
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/349 for interfaces, buses
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/00 Driving, starting, stopping record carriers not specifically of filamentary or web form, or of supports therefor; Control thereof; Control of operating function ; Driving both disc and head
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/06 by counting or timing of machine operations
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/128 Clock disabling
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/34 Monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 50/20 using subset functionality
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 307/406 Control of current or power
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 307/461 Selectively connected or controlled load circuits

Abstract

A battery powered computer system monitors the address bus to determine when selected peripheral devices have not been accessed for a preset amount of time. When the preset amount of time has passed the system powers itself down and stops the system clock, placing it in a standby mode. The system is awakened by depressing a standby switch, unless there is insufficient energy in the batteries, under which circumstances an AC power source must be connected before the system can be awakened.

Claims