SYSTEM FOR DISTRIBUTED POWER MANAGEMENT IN PORTABLE COMPUTERS

摘要

The present invention provides a system and method for managingpower in a portable, pen-based notebook computer. The system andmethod provides a means for minimizing power consumption bycollecting and interpreting power related data at variousprocessing elements while hiding many of the details from theend-user. The present invention is a system and method formonitoring, collecting and acting upon power-related data inportable computer to maximize the amount of time the portablecomputer can be used between battery re-charging with minimaluser intervention. The present invention is comprised of aplurality of independently controllable power planes which areselectively powered so that the portable computer consumes theminimum power necessary to perform a particular function and aplurality of central processing units (CPUs) operatingasynchronously with respect to each other. The present inventionis further comprised of an on/off glue logic means for monitoringbattery condition, user invoked functions, and system state and apower management means for controlling the operation of each ofthe CPUs as a function of the conditions sensed by the sensingmeans.