Abstract: A multimedia/personal computer based system for operating information, communication, and entertainment devices in a mobile vehicle uses a power management system which provides power to volatile ram during engine startup. During engine startup, battery voltage decreases to a point that most electronic devices can not function and may be harmed. A low power microprocessor off-board of a main processor board, which is a complex instruction set (CISC) processor system, switches a primary voltage regulator, which provides a plurality of regulated voltages to the main processor board, off to reduce power requirements. The main processor board stores a state of predetermined peripheral devices in volatile ram and then turns the devices off. The main processor then goes into a suspend mode awaiting a wake up signal from the low power microprocessor. A secondary voltage regulator turns on to supply power to the volatile ram when the primary voltage regulator is turned off.

Abstract: A multimedia/personal computer-based system for operating information, communication, and entertainment devices in a mobile vehicle uses a power management strategy which reduces power consumption and boot-up time in a manner which facilitates use of a complex instruction set computing (CISC) processor system. A loosely coupled power management strategy utilizes a low power microprocessor off board of the main motherboard for switching a plurality of regulated voltages to the main motherboard and other devices. The use of a separate board for input/output processing and power management provides for more robust power management and facilitates adaptation of the system for inclusion in different vehicles using different input/output devices and networks.

Abstract: A multimedia/personal computer-based system for operating information, communication, and entertainment devices in a mobile vehicle uses a power management strategy which reduces power consumption and boot-up time in a manner which facilitates use of a complex instruction set computing (CISC) processor system. A power management fault strategy detects fault conditions and restores proper operation without user intervention. A low power microprocessor off-board of the main motherboard switches a plurality of regulated voltages to the main motherboard and other devices. The main application microprocessor on the main motherboard sends periodic status messages to the low power microprocessor.