Patent ID: 8504852

Claim:
A computing device operable to function in a plurality of operating states, at least two operating states within the plurality of operating states requiring different processing loads and consuming different amounts of energy, the computing device comprising: a processor that is operable at a plurality of voltages and at a plurality of frequencies to perform a plurality of control functions of the computing device; a variable frequency generator, communicatively coupled to the processor, that is operable to provide at least one clock signal at one of the plurality of frequencies; a variable power supply, communicatively coupled to the processor, that is operable to provide at least one voltage supply at one of the plurality of voltages; and power management circuitry that is communicatively coupled to the variable frequency generator and to the variable power supply, wherein the power management circuitry is operable to select an operating voltage from the plurality of voltages and select an operating frequency from the plurality of frequencies, and wherein the power management circuitry operates dynamically to detect one or more operating characteristics of the plurality of operating states and to select the operating voltage and the operating frequency to disable selected control functions of the computing device in response to the detected operating characteristics.