Abstract: Data regarding physical parameters and security and commands to send such data can be communicated between a memory device and a memory controller using a memory bus connected between the two. In one embodiment, the invention includes receiving a first command at a memory device on a memory bus, the first command being other than a read or write command, and receiving a second command together with the first command, the second command to be initiated using lines that are not used by the first command.

Abstract: Self-refresh rates of a memory unit may be managed based on temperature. In one embodiment of the invention, the invention may include measuring the temperature of a memory unit, the memory unit having a self-refresh rate to maintain data integrity, comparing the measured temperature to a threshold, and adjusting the self-refresh rate of the memory unit based on the comparison.

Abstract: Thermal management and communication is described in the context of memory modules that contain several memory devices. In one example, the invention includes determining a temperature of a first memory device, the first memory device containing a plurality of memory cells, determining a temperature of a second memory device after determining the temperature of the first memory device, the second memory device containing a plurality of memory cells, and generating an alarm based on an evaluation of the first and the second temperatures. In another example, the invention includes detecting a thermal event on a memory device of a memory module that contains a plurality of memory devices, detecting the state of an event bus of the memory module, and sending an alert on the event bus if the event bus is in an unoccupied state.

Abstract: In one embodiment a memory controller is provided. The memory controller comprises a predictive logic circuit to predict an increase in a current operating temperature of a memory device coupled to the memory controller, based on memory cycles to be issued to the memory device; and a temperature control circuit to perform a temperature control operation wherein if the sum of the current operating temperature and the predicted increase in temperature is greater than a threshold temperature associated with the memory device, then the number of memory cycles issued to the memory device is reduced.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system to enable a partial refresh scheme for DRAM which includes specifying at least a refresh start value, or a refresh start value and a refresh end value, to reduce the number of rows that must be refreshed during a refresh cycle, thus reducing the amount of power consumed during refresh.

Abstract: A thermal management system is described which may be implemented on a semiconductor die. The system may include a thermal sensor thermally coupled to the die to sense the temperature of the die and generate an output representing the sensed temperature, and an adjustable compensation circuit coupled to the thermal sensor to compensate the thermal sensor output. The adjustable compensation circuit may be applied to the thermal sensor or to a threshold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method comprises upon entering a self-refresh mode, refreshing memory cells in a memory device at a first refresh frequency; and upon a predefined event refreshing the memory cells at a second refresh frequency, while in the self-refresh mode.

Abstract: A method is described which comprises propagating electronic signals within circuitry comprising a transmitter to select a number of the transmitter's lanes, set a speed for each of the lanes, and set at least a driver supply voltage for each of the lanes. The number and speed determine the transmitter's bandwidth. Power consumed by the transmitter as a consequence of the lane number selection, lane speed setting and driver supply voltage is less than a power that would have been consumed by the transmitter had another available combination of lane number, lane speed and supply voltage been effected for the transmitter.

Abstract: In one embodiment a memory controller is provided. The memory controller comprises a predictive logic circuit to predict an increase in a current operating temperature of a memory device coupled to the memory controller, based on memory cycles to be issued to the memory device; and a temperature control circuit to perform a temperature control operation wherein if the sum of the current operating temperature and the predicted increase in temperature is greater than a threshold temperature associated with the memory device, then the number of memory cycles issued to the memory device is reduced.

Abstract: A power management system is disclosed using a combination of user presence detection and user interaction detection. An image-capturing device is to remain in a low power state as long as the user interaction is detected. When no user interaction is detected, the image-capturing device is placed in a normal power state to capture an image. The image is analyzed to determine user presence. When the user presence is detected, the image-capturing device is placed in the low power state.

Abstract: Systems and methods of managing memory devices provide for reduced power consumption and better thermal management through enhanced memory throttling. In one embodiment a memory unit includes a memory device and a temperature measurement module coupled to the memory device. The temperature measurement device measures the internal temperature of the memory device. Memory throttling can therefore be implemented based on more accurate measurements and with a much shorter response time.

Abstract: A system enables electronic devices using a variety of different formats and having different control types to be controlled automatically by a remote control device. The system provides the necessary conversion information to the remote control device to enable a remote control device to control a number of different consumer electronic devices.

Abstract: Memory devices, refresh logic and approaches to selectively refresh each row of memory cells within a memory device depending on whether or not each is marked as having data to be preserved.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method of this embodiment may include issuing and/or receiving one or more signals encoding audio information and/or an identification of a source of the audio information. The audio information may be generated, at least in part, at the source. The identification may be generated based, at least in part upon, identifying information provided at the source. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.

Abstract: Memory devices, refresh logic and approaches to selectively refresh each row of memory cells within a memory device depending on whether or not each is marked as having data to be preserved.

Abstract: A tracking system for tracking one or more wireless input devices includes a receiver to receive wireless signals from the input devices and a tracking circuit to detect movements of the wireless input devices. The input devices may be either infrared (IR) or radio-frequency (RF) input devices.

Abstract: A customer premises gateway including a traffic analyzer with usage tracking to detect fraud such as in the case of masquerading by a router attached to the gateway, and a head-end server including fraud detection and a billing system for providing a maximum bandwidth specifier to the gateway. In the case of Internet Protocol, the traffic and fraud analysis may utilize the address:port combination and also the traffic type specifier to detect fraud and masquerading and to control bandwidth.

Abstract: An appliance determines its location, and may determine whether it has moved a distance or to a location which does not meet a local policy guideline. It may notify a central agency of such move, and the central agency may determine whether the move does not meet a remote policy guideline. The central agency may notify law enforcement. The appliance or the central agency may require a re-authentication of the user, and may disable the appliance.

Abstract: A tracking system for tracking one or more wireless input devices includes a receiver to receive wireless signals from the input devices and a tracking circuit to detect movements of the wireless input devices. The input devices may be either infrared (IR) or radio-frequency (RF) input devices.

Abstract: A control system enables telephone calls to be answered remotely using a remote control unit also adapted to remotely control an electronic device such as VCR. A processor based station may communicate with a remote control unit using both infrared and radio frequency protocols to enable remote telephone communications and remote control of electronic devices.