Abstract: An apparatus having a processing unit and a monitor for monitoring activity associated with said processing unit. The monitor enables selective lowering of the frequency of clock signals, or stopping and starting of clock signals, being received by said processing unit in response to a changing level of activity associated with said processing unit.

Abstract: A method for detecting temperature associated with a processor, results of the detecting being used for controlling power dissipation associated with the processor and/or apparatus and/or system employing the same.

Abstract: A method for detecting temperature associated with a processor, results of the detecting being used for controlling power dissipation associated with the processor and/or apparatus and/or system employing the same.

Abstract: A method for detecting temperature associated with a processor, results of the detecting being used for controlling power dissipation associated with the processor and/or apparatus and/or system employing the same.

Abstract: The present invention provides a solution to the dual problems of mobility and portability associated with using a portable telephone in combination with a portable computer. A portable computer (164) has an interface (172, 192, 204) that facilitates a direct connection to a portable telephone (166). The interface (172, 192, 204) electrically connects the portable telephone (166) to the portable computer (164) thus eliminating the need for a cable or tethered connection between the portable computer (164) and a portable telephone (166). In one embodiment of the invention, the portable telephone (166) is constructed to fit within a cavity (210) in the portable computer (164). When fully inserted into the computer (164), the portable telephone (166) is physically connected to the portable computer (164) by a latching mechanism and communicates with the portable computer by means of a computer/portable telephone interface (172, 192, 204 that electrically connects the portable telephone to the portable computer).

Abstract: A method for providing power conservation in a processor in which, depending on the respective embodiment, a relative amount of idle time, activity time, or idle time and activity time associated with the processor are measured or detected, results of the measuring being used by the processor for controlling a clock speed. Yet other embodiments disclose, depending upon the respective embodiment, a relative amount of Input/Output (I/O), relative importance of Input/Output (I/O), and/or relative amount of time between Input/Output (I/O), associated with the processor are measured, results of the measuring being used by the processor to control power dissipation associated with the processor.

Abstract: A method for controlling power consumption associated with a processor in which, depending on the respective embodiment, a relative amount of idle time, activity time, or idle time and activity time associated with the processor are measured or detected, results of the measuring being used by the processor for controlling a clock speed.

Abstract: A processor, comprising a monitor for, depending on the respective embodiment, measuring a relative amount of idle time, activity time, or idle time and activity time associated with the processor, results of the measuring being used by the processor for controlling a clock speed. Yet other embodiments disclose, depending upon the respective embodiment, a processor, comprising a monitor for measuring the relative amount of Input/Output (I/O), relative importance of Input/Output (I/O), and/or relative amount of time between Input/Output (I/O), associated with the processor, results of the measuring being used by the processor to control power dissipation associated with the processor.

Abstract: A real-time thermal management apparatus and method for a computer employs a monitor (40) to determine whether a CPU may rest based upon real-time sampling of temperature levels and CPU activity levels within the computer. The monitor activates a hardware selector to carry out the monitor's determination. If the monitor determines the CPU may rest, the hardware selector reduces CPU clock time; if the CPU is to be active, the hardware selector returns the CPU to its previous high speed clock level. Switching back into full operation from its rest state occurs without a user having to request it and without any delay in the operation of the computer while waiting for the computer to return to a “ready” state. Furthermore, the monitor (40) adjusts the performance level of the computer in response to the real-time sampling of CPU activity and temperature levels.

Abstract: A processor, comprising a monitor for, depending on the respective embodiment, measuring the relative amount of idle time, activity time, or idle time and activity time within the processor, results of the measuring being used by the processor for controlling a clock speed of the processor. Yet other embodiments disclose, depending upon the respective embodiment, a processor, comprising a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time, activity time or idle time and activity time within the processor, results of the measuring being used by the processor to control power dissipation associated with the processor.

Abstract: A processor, comprising a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within the processor, results of the measuring being used by the processor, depending upon the respective embodiment, to modify processor clock speed in response to a utilization percentage of the processor being below a preselected level, or to modify a clock speed of the processor to control a utilization percentage of the processor. Another embodiment discloses a processor, comprising a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time within the processor, results of the measuring being used by the processor for providing a signal for circuitry for controlling periods of time a processor clock is in an OFF state, the length of the periods of time said clock is in an OFF state being appropriate to allow the processor to operate at an efficient utilization percentage.

Abstract: A processor, comprising a monitor for, depending on the respective embodiment, measuring the relative amount of idle time, activity time, or idle time and activity time within the processor, results of the measuring being used by the processor for controlling a clock speed of the processor. Yet other embodiments disclose, depending upon the respective embodiment, a processor, comprising a monitor for measuring the relative amount of idle time, activity time or idle time and activity time within the processor, results of the measuring being used by the processor to control power dissipation associated with the processor.

Abstract: Customer requirements for portable computers are grouped into logical functional groupings, which are further grouped into logical bandwidth levels. On the notebook side, all required signals for a specific logical functional grouping are combined into a single carrier with the necessary bandwidth for the signals within the logical bandwidth level. This combined signal is then passed through a docking connector. The individual signals are regenerated on the docking solution side of the connector. Logic on both the notebook and docking solution sides of the connector enables the respective devices to identify which carrier bandwidths are supported on both sides of the docking connector and settle on the greatest common denominator. Additionally, the signals combined into the carrier can be programmed, in which case the docking solution and the notebook negotiate the features that are and are not supported in each individual case.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of connecting an active computing device (15) to an active peripheral option (20) comprising the steps of making a physical connection (210) between the device (15) and the option (20) wherein the option (20) is communicably linked (44) to one or more peripheral devices (35, 40). A system interrupt signal is generated (240) and detected (250) by the system processor (17) causing all activity along the connection path between the device (15) and the option (20) to be suspended (250).

Abstract: A processor, comprising a monitor for measuring the relative amount of Input/Output (I/O) within the processor, results of the measuring being used by the processor for controlling a clock speed of the processor. Another embodiment discloses a processor, comprising a monitor for measuring the relative importance of Input/Output (I/O) within the processor, results of the measuring being used by the processor for controlling a clock speed of said processor. Still another embodiment discloses a processor, comprising a monitor for measuring the relative amount of time between Input/Output (I/O) within the processor, results of the measuring being used by the processor for controlling a clock speed of the processor.

Abstract: A real-time power conservation apparatus and method for portable computers employs a monitor to determine whether a CPU may rest based upon a real-time sampling of the CPU activity level and to activate a hardware selector to carry out the monitor's determination. If the monitor determines the CPU may rest, the hardware selector reduces CPU clock time; if the CPU is to be active, the hardware selector returns the CPU to its previous high speed clock level. Switching back into full operation from its rest state occurs without a user having to request it and without any delay in the operation of the computer while waiting for the computer to return to a “ready” state. Furthermore, the monitor adjusts the performance level of the computer to manage power conservation in response to the real-time sampling of CPU activity.

Abstract: The described embodiments of the present invention provide a computer docking station having connection means for coupling to an external monitor and an external keyboard, means for connecting the portable computer to the docking station, and at least one PCMCIA option card slot in the docking station. In a preferred embodiment, the computer docking station further includes a controller in the docking station to provide the necessary hardware interface between the PCMCIA cart slot and the portable computer and software means for providing the necessary driver support.

Abstract: The described embodiments of the present invention provide a computer docking system and method for connecting a portable computer to a docking station and method for coupling the docking station to an external monitor and an external keyboard and a technique for customizing the hardware configuration in the docking station for optimum performance. In a preferred embodiment, the technique for customizing the program hardware in the docking station is capable of customizing common hardware in various docking stations.

Abstract: The described embodiments of the present invention provide a docking station having connection means for coupling to an external monitor, an external keyboard, and means for connecting the portable computer to the docking station. The docking station further includes means for determining whether or not the external monitor is coupled to the docking station, automatically displaying on the external monitor when the external monitor is coupled to the docking station and displaying on the display of the portable computer when said external monitor is not coupled to said docking station. The docking system defaults to a default setting configured in a setup program of the portable computer if no external monitor is coupled to said docking station. In a preferred embodiment, at least a portion of a top housing cover of the docking station is moveable to facilitate opening of the portable computer to permit user access to the internal display and keyboard of the portable computer.

Abstract: A real-time power conservation apparatus and method for portable computers employs a monitor to determine whether a CPU may rest based upon a real-time sampling of the CPU activity level and to activate a hardware selector to carry out the monitor's determination. If the monitor determines the CPU may rest, the hardware selector reduces CPU clock time; if the CPU is to be active, the hardware selector returns the CPU to its previous high speed clock level. Switching back into full operation from its rest state occurs without a user having to request it and without any delay in the operation of the computer while waiting for the computer to return to a “ready” state. Furthermore, the monitor adjusts the performance level of the computer to manage power conservation in response to the real-time sampling of CPU activity.