Apple inc. (20240160268). Systems and Methods for Coherent Power Management simplified abstract

Systems and Methods for Coherent Power Management

Organization Name

apple inc.

Inventor(s)

Joseph T. Dibene, Ii of Santa Cruz CA (US)

Inder M. Sodhi of Palo Alto CA (US)

Keith Cox of Sunnyvale CA (US)

Gerard R. Williams, Iii of Los Altos CA (US)

Systems and Methods for Coherent Power Management - A simplified explanation of the abstract

This abstract first appeared for US patent application 20240160268 titled 'Systems and Methods for Coherent Power Management

Simplified Explanation

The patent application describes a system with multiple power management mechanisms operating in different time domains and control circuitry that coordinates their operation. The control circuitry informs mechanisms of incoming energy to optimize their actions and may reduce energy generation or temporarily turn off mechanisms in response to light workloads and ample energy in the system.

• Coordinated operation of multiple power management mechanisms
• Control circuitry informs mechanisms of incoming energy
• Mechanisms adjust actions based on workload and energy availability

Potential Applications

The technology described in the patent application could be applied in various fields such as:

• Renewable energy systems
• Internet of Things (IoT) devices
• Electric vehicles

Problems Solved

This technology addresses several issues, including:

• Efficient energy utilization
• Optimal power management in dynamic environments
• Reduction of energy waste

Benefits

The benefits of this technology include:

• Improved energy efficiency
• Extended battery life
• Enhanced system performance

Potential Commercial Applications

The technology could be commercially applied in:

• Smart home devices
• Wearable technology
• Industrial automation systems

Possible Prior Art

One example of prior art in power management systems is the use of dynamic voltage and frequency scaling (DVFS) to optimize energy consumption in electronic devices. Another example is the implementation of sleep modes in microcontrollers to reduce power consumption during idle periods.

What are the specific mechanisms used for coordinating power management in the system described in the patent application?

The patent application mentions multiple power management mechanisms operating in different time domains, but it does not provide specific details about the mechanisms themselves or how they interact. Further information on the types of mechanisms and their functions would be helpful in understanding the system's operation.

How does the control circuitry determine when to reduce energy generation or turn off mechanisms in response to light workloads and ample energy in the system?

The patent application mentions that the control circuitry can adjust the actions of power management mechanisms based on workload and energy availability. However, it does not specify the criteria or algorithms used to make these decisions. More information on the decision-making process of the control circuitry would be beneficial in understanding the system's behavior.

Original Abstract Submitted

in an embodiment, a system includes multiple power management mechanism operating in different time domains (e.g., with different bandwidths) and control circuitry that is configured to coordinate operation of the mechanisms. if one mechanism is adding energy to the system, for example, the control circuitry may inform another mechanism that the energy is coming so that the other mechanism may not take as drastic an action as it would if no energy were coming. if a light workload is detected by circuitry near the load, and there is plenty of energy in the system, the control circuitry may cause the power management unit (pmu) to generate less energy or even temporarily turn off. a variety of mechanisms for the coordinated, coherent use of power are described.