Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support – Computer power control
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-08
2001-02-13
Ray, Gopal C. (Department: 2781)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: support
Computer power control
C713S320000, C709S241000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06189106
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to the field of computer-based information handling systems, and particularly to operational settings of electronic systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many users of portable computer-based information handling systems normally have their power levels set for maximum performance. Operating a computer system at maximum performance requires more power than operating the computer system at a lower performance level. Ordinarily, users set the power consumption levels for maximum performance when the computer system is operated from an external power supply wherein power is received from an ac power outlet. Typically, the computer system is capable of operating at a lower power, lower performance setting during portable operation wherein power is received from an internal battery. When the computer system is set to operate at a lower power level, overall performance is sacrificed in return for maximizing battery life. However, most users forget to change the power settings of their portable computer when operating from battery power, thereby prematurely and unnecessarily depleting the battery and defeating the power management capabilities of the computer system. This situation may occur, for example, during travel wherein it is known ahead of time that battery usage is required during a scheduled airline flight.
Known power management systems for portable battery powered computer systems typically reduce battery power consumption by compiling a history of previous power consumption characteristics of the computer system and then attempting to tailor power control based upon the compiled power consumption history. All the known power management systems only look to the past in an attempt to predict present power consumption requirements. However, there does not exist a power management system for portable battery powered computer systems that selects the power level operation based upon known future power consumption requirements. Further, there lies a need for an electronic device capable of operating at an optimal setting or mode based upon a scheduled event.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a method for scheduling an operational setting of a computer-based information handling system or electronic device. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of scheduling an event to occur at a predetermined time, determining from the scheduled event an optimal operational setting at which to set the computer-based information handling system during the scheduled event, and at the predetermined time, operating the computer-based information handling system at the optimal setting.
The present invention is further directed to a method for scheduling the power mode operation of a computer-based information handling system wherein the computer based-information handling system is capable of operating at a first power level for maximizing performance while receiving power from an external power source, and is capable of operating at a second power level for minimizing power consumption while receiving power from a battery. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of scheduling an event to occur at a predetermined time, determining whether the scheduled event requires the computer-based information handling system to receive power from the battery, if the event is determined to require the computer-based information handling system to receive power from the battery, associating the second power level with the predetermined time, and at the predetermined time, operating the computer-based information handling system at the second power level. The method may be tangibly embodied on a medium readable by a computer-based information handling system capable of causing the computer-based information handling system to execute the method.
The present invention is also directed to a system for scheduling the power mode operation of a computer-based information handling system wherein the computer-based information handling system is capable of operating at a first power level for maximizing performance while receiving power from an external power source, and is capable of operating at a second power level for minimizing power consumption while receiving power from a battery. In one embodiment, the system includes a scheduler for scheduling an event to occur at a predetermined time, a monitor for determining whether an event scheduled by the scheduler requires the computer-based information handling system to receive power from the battery, and a power mode selector for selecting operation of the computer-based information handling system at one of the first or the second power levels based upon the determination of the monitor.
It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
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Cool Kenneth J.
Gateway Inc.
Ray Gopal C.
Suiter & Associates PC
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