Active power down for PC card I/O applications

• US 5,606,704 A
• Filed: 10/26/1994
• Issued: 02/25/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Pierce, Michael E., Scheer, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheikh, Ayaz R.
• Application Number:
  US08/330,250
• Time in Patent Office: 853 Days
• Field of Search: 395/750, 395/550, 307/131
• US Class Current: 713/322
• CPC Class Codes: G05F 1/575 characterised by the feedback circuit
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3215 Monitoring of peripheral devices
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/325 Power saving in peripheral device

Abstract

A system for controlling the power consumption of an add-in PC card operating within a host computer. The host computer includes a power supply that provides all power used by the PC card. The PC card includes communication registers required for communication between the host computer and the PC card. The PC card also includes a microcontroller connected to an I/O subsystem and a multi-pin I/O connector. A first side of the multi-pin I/O connector is connected to the I/O subsystem and a second side is connected to a source of I/O signals external to the host computer. An external register module is connected to the microcontroller and communicates with the host computer. The external register module contains the communication registers. A status detector located on the PC card detects whether the I/O subsystem is processing I/O information, and supplies a status signal indicative thereof. A power management module is also located on the PC card and is connected to the status connector. The power management module receives the status signal from the status detector and supplies one or more predetermined power levels as a result of the status signal.

Claims

1. A system for controlling the power consumption of a PC card coupled to a host computer providing all power to said PC card, wherein said PC card includes a microcontroller connected to an I/O sub system and an I/O connector having a first side connected to said I/O sub system and a second side connected to a source of I/O signals external to said host computer, said system comprising:

an external register module connected to said microcontroller and communicating with said host computer said external register module indicating the status of said PC card to said host computer;

a status detector located on said PC card and adapted to detect whether said I/O sub system is processing I/O information and supplying a status signal indicative thereof; and

a power management module connected to said status detector for receiving said status signal, said power management module controlling, application of power to said I/O sub system in response to said status signal said power management module supplying power to said external register module regardless of whether said I/O sub system is processing I/O information.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said status detector is a switch operatively connected to said I/O connector and adapted to provide a signal indicative the status of said switch.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein said external register module is connected directly to said power supply in said host computer.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein said power management module cuts all power to said I/O sub-system upon receipt of a signal from said status detector indicating that said I/O sub-system is not coupled to said external source of I/O signals.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein said power management module cuts all power to said microcontroller upon receipt of a signal from said status detector indicating that said I/O sub-system is not coupled to said external source of I/O signals.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein said PC card includes at least one oscillator receiving power from said power management module, wherein said power management module cuts all power to said oscillator upon receipt of a signal from said status detector indicating that said I/O sub-system is not coupled to said external source of I/O signals.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein said PC card comprises:

one or more detector pins in said first side of said I/O connector connected to said power management module;

a resistor having a first and second electrical side;

said first side of said resistor being connected to said one or more pins in said first side of said I/O connector;

a source of voltage connected to said second side of said resistor; and

a ground connected to one or more detector pins in said second side of said I/O connector.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein said power management module comprises a register communicating with said microcontroller and said status detector, said power management module further including logic circuitry adapted to supply power to said microcontroller and said I/O sub-system determined by the status of said register.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein said power management module comprises a transistor having a first terminal, a second terminal and a control terminal, said control terminal being connected to said first electrical side of said resistor, said first terminal being connected to said power supply in said host computer, and said second terminal being connected to said microcontroller.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein said second terminal of said transistor is connected to said I/O sub system.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein said transistor is a field effect transistor.

12. A PC card for supplying communications functions between a host computer and a network wherein said host computer includes a power supply that provides all power used by said PC card, said PC card comprising:

a first connector disposed on said PC card;

a carriage having a socket portion, said carriage slidably mounted in a cavity in said PC card and movable between a first position wherein substantially all of said carriage is within said cavity and a second position wherein said socket portion of said carriage is outside said cavity;

a microcontroller disposed on said PC card and communicating through said first connector with said host computer;

an i/O sub system disposed on said PC card and connected to said microcontroller, said I/O subsystem communicating with the socket portion of the carriage;

an external register module disposed on said PC card and connected to said microcontroller and communicating with said host computer, said external register module indicating the status of said PC card to said host computer;

a switch located adjacent said cavity for detecting the presence or absence of said carriage within said cavity and generating a status signal indicative thereof; and

a power management module disposed on said PC card, said power management module connected through said first connector to a source of power in said host computer and coupled to said switch for receiving said status signal, said power management module controlling application of power to said microcontroller and said I/O sub-system in response to said status signal.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein said external register module is connected directly to said power supply in said host computer.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said power management module comprises a register communicating with said microcontroller and said switch, said power management module further including logic circuitry adapted to supply power to said microcontroller and said I/O sub-system determined by the status of said register.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein said power management module cuts all power to said I/O sub-system upon receipt of a signal from said status detector indicating that said I/O subsystem is not coupled to an external source of I/O signals.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein said power management module cuts all power to said microcontroller upon receipt of a signal from said status detector indicating that said I/O subsystem is not coupled to an external source of I/O signals.

17. The system of claim 12 wherein said PC card includes at least one oscillator and wherein said power management module supplies power to said oscillator and wherein said power management system cuts all power to said oscillator upon receipt of a signal from said switch indicating that said carriage is within said cavity.

18. The system of claim 12 wherein said host computer is battery powered.