Patent ID: 6327664
Filing Date: 2001-12-04
Classification: G06F,Y02D

Abstract:
A method of controlling the power utilized by a memory card in a computer system which includes a signal processing element on said card and at least one bank of memory chips, and wherein said at least one bank has at least a first portion thereof configured to principally function under the control of the signal processing element and a second portion configured to function principally under the control of a system memory controller in said computer system, and wherein each of said first and second portion of memory is addressable by both the signal processing element and said system memory controller, and wherein each portion of memory can be placed in at least a higher power state and a lower power state by either said system memory controller or said signal processing element, comprising the steps of;changing the power state of both said first portion of memory chips and said second portion of memory by either said signal processing element or said system controller responsive to preselected conditions of each portion,sensing the activity of each portion of memory chips before the power state is changed from said higher power state to said lower power state;sensing the condition of each of said portion of memory during any operation with respect to said memory bank; andalways returning each memory portion to a predetermined known condition when changing from said lower power state to said higher power state.