System for distributed power management in portable computers

A method for monitoring, collecting and acting upon power-related data in a portable computer including a main processor having a first set of multiple operational states, said main processor controlling a plurality of independently controllable power planes, a service processor coupled to the main processor, said service processor having a second set of multiple operational states and configured to manage peripheral devices, and a battery microcontroller coupled to the service processor, said battery microcontroller having a third set of multiple operational states and configured to manage power input from one or more power sources, the method comprising the steps of:

• a) determining power consumption for each of the plurality of independently controllable power planes for each of said first set of multiple operational states;
• b) transitioning the main processor from a first zero power state to a first normal power state upon user activation of an on/off switch;
• c) immediately transitioning the main processor to a first idle power state when the main processor has completed all necessary processing functions which require the main processor to remain fully powered and operational;
• d) transitioning the main processor to a first standby power state when there is no processing activity for a first time duration while the main processor is in said first idle power state;
• and
• e) transitioning the main processor to a first zero power state upon expiration of a second time duration while the main processor is in a first standby power state, thereby removing power from the portable computer except for the battery microcontroller.