US 8,751,837 B2 · Low-power subsystem for portable computers

Abstract

A low power subsystem for a portable computer is described. In one example, the portable computer includes a computer system and low power multimedia center. The computer system includes a central processing unit, a system memory, a mass storage device, and a user interface, the computer system having a low-power mode in which the CPU, system memory, and user interface are inactive. The low-power multimedia center includes a low power processor coupled to the mass storage device, a low power memory coupled to the low power processor, a miniature display to display multimedia from the mass storage device, and an external user interface coupled to the processor, independent of the computer system to control the displaying of multimedia.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A non-transitory storage media, comprising:

instructions for a personal computer operating system, the instructions, when executed by the personal computer, cause the personal computer to:
enable a processing unit of the personal computer to transition into a low power mode, the personal computer having a memory to be accessible to the processing unit;
and
allow a low power subsystem, which includes a low power processor, an external interface and a low power memory to access data contained within the personal computer memory using the low power processor when the processing unit is in the low power mode.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

12/507,293Filed 22 Jul 2009 · continuation

Priority

29 Dec 2000

Published

US 2009/0276330 A15 Nov 2009

Granted

10 Jun 2014

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification10 codes

G06F 1/3203
Means for saving power: power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
G06F 1/1615
For portable computers: with several enclosures having relative motions, each enclosure supporting at least one I/O or computing function
G06F 1/165
Including at least an additional display: the additional display being small, e.g. for presenting status information
G06F 1/3293
Power saving characterised by the action undertaken: by switching to a less power-consuming processor, e.g. sub-CPU

Low-power subsystem for portable computers

Life of this patent

Low-power subsystem for portable computers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20