Abstract: A deep learning accelerator (DLA) includes processing elements (PEs) grouped into PE groups to perform convolutional neural network (CNN) computations, by applying multi-dimensional weights on an input activation to produce an output activation. The DLA also includes a dispatcher which dispatches input data in the input activation and non-zero weights in the multi-dimensional weights to the processing elements according to a control mask. The DLA also includes a buffer memory which stores the control mask which specifies positions of zero weights in the multi-dimensional weights. The PE groups generate output data of respective output channels in the output activation, and share a same control mask specifying same positions of the zero weights.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including first circuitry, second circuitry, third circuitry, and fourth circuitry is provided. The first circuitry determines a frame miss rate according to a current frame rate and a target frame rate of an image signal. The second circuitry decreases the target frame rate to the current frame rate when the frame miss rate is greater than a first threshold. The third circuitry increases the target frame rate to an upper-limit frame rate which is determined according to the frame rendering time or memory bandwidth capability, when the frame miss rate is less than a second threshold which is smaller than the first threshold. The fourth circuitry applies the decreased or increased target frame rate for an image to be displayed.

Abstract: A method for controlling a user experience with an application on an electronic device is provided. The method includes the following steps: detecting a temperature of the electronic device; detecting a power of the electronic device; calculating a power-thermal hint according to the detected temperature and the detected power; and adjusting a complexity level of the application according to at least the power-thermal hint so as to control the user experience with the application.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including first circuitry, second circuitry, third circuitry, and fourth circuitry is provided. The first circuitry determines a frame miss rate according to a current frame rate and a target frame rate of an image signal. The second circuitry decreases the target frame rate to the current frame rate when the frame miss rate is greater than a first threshold. The third circuitry increases the target frame rate to an upper-limit frame rate which is determined according to the frame rendering time or memory bandwidth capability, when the frame miss rate is less than a second threshold which is smaller than the first threshold. The fourth circuitry applies the decreased or increased target frame rate for an image to be displayed.

Abstract: A frame rate control method is provided. The frame rate control method includes the following step: detecting a frame rate of an image signal generated by an image processing apparatus to generate a first detection result; detecting a system load on the image processing apparatus to generate a second detection result; and determining whether to provide a frame rate limit to limit the frame rate according to at least the first detection result and the second detection result.

Abstract: The surface temperature of a portable device is estimated. A sensor detects the internal temperature of the portable device. The internal temperature and an ambient temperature are used as input to a circuit model that describes thermal behaviors of the portable device. Dynamic thermal management may be performed based on the estimated surface temperature.

Abstract: A power management method for an electronic apparatus is provided. The electronic apparatus includes a plurality of heat sources. The power management method includes the following steps: detecting a temperature of the electronic apparatus; detecting a power of the electronic apparatus; identifying an operating scenario of the electronic apparatus; and referring to the detected temperature, the detected power and the operating scenario to determine whether to allocate a power budget between the heat sources.

Abstract: A portable device is provided. The portable device includes: a display; a controller, a processor, a housing, and a touch rim. The controller and the processor are installed inside the housing. The touch rim is configured to detect a gesture performed on the touch rim to generate at least one touch detection signal. The controller is configured to receive at least one detection signal from the touch rim, and to transmit the touch detection signal to the processor. The processor analyzes the touch detection signal to determine the gesture performed on the touch rim, and performs an operation associated with the gesture.

Abstract: A voltage converter comprises a second controller as a power switch of the secondary side of the transformer for comparing a detection voltage representing an output voltage and/or load current with a first reference voltage and generating a control signal, and a coupling element for transmitting the control signal generated by the second controller to the first controller on the primary side of the transformer enabling the first controller to generate a first pulse signal driving the power switch to control the on/off state of the primary side winding.

Abstract: Techniques pertaining to thermal management for smooth variation in display frame rate are described. A method may involve performing either or both of: (1) determining whether a temperature of at least one portion of an electronic apparatus exceeds a temperature threshold; and (2) determining whether a variation in a frame rate of images displayed on a display device associated with the electronic apparatus exceeds a variation threshold. The method may also involve controlling the frame rate in response to either or both of a first determination that the monitored temperature exceeds the temperature threshold and a second determination that the variation in the frame rate exceeds the variation threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for chip aware thermal policies. The thermal performance mapping information is generated. The process obtains a set of process-dependent power data for each process corner of a semiconductor chip, profiles performance data, and selects an operating thermal policy based on the performance data. The thermal policy, based on the process-dependent power data is a mapping formula, or a combination of a mapping formula and a mapping table. The chip aware thermal control is based on process-dependent power data of process corners. The mapping information of process-dependent power data to a corresponding thermal policy is stored in a memory. A thermal policy is applied based on the stored mapping information and an obtained process corner information. The mapping information is applied every time the thermal policy is needed or at boot-up time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a power supply device for voltage converter, which includes a master switch, a first controller for generating a first pulse signal to drive the master switch to be turned on and turned off, a second controller for comparing a detection voltage representing an output voltage and/or load current with a first reference voltage to determine the logic state of a control signal generated by the second controller, and a coupling element connected between the first controller and the second controller for transmitting the logic state of the control signal to the first controller and enabling the first controller to determine the logic state of the first pulse signal according to the logic state of the control signal. The second controller includes a driving module for generating a second control signal to drive a synchronous switch to be turned on and turned off.

Abstract: A mobile device performs thermal management during concurrent battery charging and workload execution based on a thermal headroom. The thermal headroom is an amount of power, in a form of heat, that heat dissipation hardware in the mobile device is estimated to dissipate when the mobile device operates at a target temperature. After the thermal headroom is determined, the mobile device determines a first power allocation to system loading, which is caused by one or more applications running on the mobile device. The first power allocation is subtracted from the thermal headroom to obtain a second power allocation to a charger, which charges a battery module of the mobile device while the one or more application are running. The mobile device then sets an input power limit of the charger based on the second power allocation.

Abstract: A method for controlling a user experience with an application on an electronic device is provided. The method includes the following steps: detecting a temperature of the electronic device; detecting a power of the electronic device; calculating a power-thermal hint according to the detected temperature and the detected power; and adjusting a complexity level of the application according to at least the power-thermal hint so as to control the user experience with the application.

Abstract: A thermal control system for an integrated circuit in an electronic device includes a sensing unit, a calculating unit, and a control unit. The sensing unit is for providing a first temperature signal by sensing the temperature of the integrated circuit and providing a second temperature signal by sensing the temperature of a component of the electronic device. The calculating unit computes a target temperature value of the integrated circuit according to the second temperature signal. The control unit adjusts target setting for the integrated circuit according to the target temperature value and the first temperature signal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for chip aware thermal policies. In one novel aspect, the thermal performance mapping information is generated. In one embodiment, the process obtains a set of process-dependent power data for each process corner of a semiconductor chip, profiles performance data, and selects an operating thermal policy based on the performance data. The thermal policy, based on the process-dependent power data is a mapping formula, or a combination of a mapping formula and a mapping table. In another novel aspect, chip aware thermal control is based on process-dependent power data of process corners. In one embodiment, the mapping information of process-dependent power data to a corresponding thermal policy is stored in a memory. A thermal policy is applied based on the stored mapping information and an obtained process corner information. The mapping information is applied every time the thermal policy is needed or at boot-up time.

Abstract: A method for controlling circuit modules within a chip is provided, wherein the circuit modules includes at least one processor and at least one network module, and the method includes: obtaining a plurality of temperature-related information of the circuit modules; and allocating power limits or throughput limits of the circuit modules according to the temperature-related information of the circuit modules, respectively.

Abstract: A power budget allocation method includes: obtaining a system setting associated with a multi-core processor system, obtaining a target power budget, and checking, by a power management controller, at least one power management table according to the system setting and the target power budget to generate a power management output for the multi-core processor system. The system setting includes a core combination setting of the multi-core processor system, and further includes a frequency setting of each processor core selected by the core combination setting.

Abstract: A frame rate control method is provided. The frame rate control method includes the following step: detecting a frame rate of an image signal generated by an image processing apparatus to generate a first detection result; detecting a system load on the image processing apparatus to generate a second detection result; and determining whether to provide a frame rate limit to limit the frame rate according to at least the first detection result and the second detection result.

Abstract: A thermal control system for an integrated circuit in an electronic device includes a sensing unit, a calculating unit, and a control unit. The sensing unit is for providing a first temperature signal by sensing the temperature of the integrated circuit and providing a second temperature signal by sensing the temperature of a component of the electronic device. The calculating unit computes a target temperature value of the integrated circuit according to the second temperature signal. The control unit adjusts target setting for the integrated circuit according to the target temperature value and the first temperature signal.