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 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 computer system and method provides a user the ability to restore operation to a previous state from a non-volatile semiconductor memory. The computer system includes flash EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory) or another non-volatile semiconductor memory for storing hardware configuration and other state information prior to a system power-down. The configuration information is used at power up to reconfigure devices coupled to the processor, such as a hard disk drive controller, video controller, sound card, and so on. Remaining memory in the computer system can be restored either from a hard disk drive (or other mass storage device), or from flash memory. The flash memory may be combined with fast semiconductor memory, such as dynamic random access memory (DRAM) in a module, such that the necessary amount of non-volatile memory may be added whenever fast semiconductor memory is added.

Abstract: A computer uses an environmental manager (20) to detect and respond to changing environmental conditions, in order to enhance and simplify a users interaction with the computer. Environment changes are detected by a plurality of informants (22), each of which has a specified function. Informants communicate through a CIM (26). The CIM (26) establishes communication channels with each informant regarding which information will be provided by the informant and which information that informant needs from other informants. Informants (22) may receive environmental information from a number of sources, including physical location detectors, hardware configurations, software configurations, and network connections. As environmental conditions change, the informants and applications may respond to the changes. A particular capability to respond is the autolaunch capability which detects user behavior and uses this knowledge to automatically load a program responsive to changing environmental conditions.

Abstract: A computer uses an environmental manager (20) to detect and respond to changing environmental conditions, in order to enhance and simplify a users interaction with the computer. Environment changes are detected by a plurality of informants (22), each of which has a specified function. Informants communicate through a CIM (26). The CIM (26) establishes communication channels with each informant regarding which information will be provided by the informant and which information that informant needs from other informants. Informants (22) may receive environmental information from a number of sources, including physical location detectors, hardware configurations, software configurations, and network connections. As environmental conditions change, the informants and applications may respond to the changes. A particular capability to respond is the autolaunch capability which detects user behavior and uses this knowledge to automatically load a program responsive to changing environmental conditions.

Abstract: A computer uses an environmental manager (20) to detect and respond to changing environmental conditions, in order to enhance and simplify a users interaction with the computer. Environment changes are detected by a plurality of informants (22), each of which has a specified function. Informants communicate through a CIM (26). The CIM (26) establishes communication channels with each informant regarding which information will be provided by the informant and which information that informant needs from other informants. Informants (22) may receive environmental information from a number of sources, including physical location detectors, hardware configurations, software configurations, and network connections. As environmental conditions change, the informants and applications may respond to the changes. A particular capability to respond is the autolaunch capability which detects user behavior and uses this knowledge to automatically load a program responsive to changing environmental conditions.