(12) United States Patent
`Mylly
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,278,033 B2
`Oct. 2, 2007
`
`US007278033B2
`
`(54) METHOD ANDA SYSTEM FOR
`DETERMINING THE POWER
`CONSUMPTION IN CONNECTION WITH AN
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND AN
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE
`_
`(75) Inventor: Klmm" Mylly’ TamPere (F1)
`
`(73) Assignee: Nokia Corporation, Espoo (F1)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`USC‘ 1540’) by 472 days‘
`
`a
`
`a
`
`1.1113.
`
`7/1996 Robinson .................. .. 713/321
`5,532,945 A *
`2/1997 Pierce et a1.
`5,606,704 A
`3/ 1997 T9118 91 a1~
`5,613,130 A
`ill/23213126
`i
`5/1998 Ramamurthy et a1.
`5,758,171 A
`3/1999 Amoni et a1.
`5,884,086 A
`4/1999 Holder, Jr. ................ .. 365/233
`5,892,729 A *
`5,996,083 A * 11/1999 G 1
`1
`1. .............. .. 713/322
`6,178,514 B1
`1/2001 wigge a
`6,477,388 B1* 11/2002 SchmutZ ................... .. 455/522
`6,785,330 B1 *
`55/2004 McKeen er a1, __
`713/320
`6,859,882 B2* 2/2005 Fung ........................ .. 713/300
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(21) Appl. N0.: 10/401,338
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 26, 2003
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2003/0188205 A1
`
`Oct. 2, 2003
`
`GB
`WO
`WO
`
`2235797
`9841987
`0207494
`
`3/1991
`9/1998
`1/2002
`
`'
`* 't d b
`C1 e y exammer
`Primary Examiner4Chun Cao
`Assistant Examinerili H Bae
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application PrIorIty Data
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Mar. 27, 2002 (F1)
`
`................................ .. 20020594
`
`(51) Int CL
`(200601)
`G06F 1/00
`(200601)
`G06F 1/26
`(200601)
`G06F 1/32
`(52) US. Cl. ..................... .. 713/300- 713/320- 713/322
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search ’
`’713/300
`"""""
`B20 322’
`See a lication ?le for Com lete Search histo ’
`pp
`p
`ry'
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`_
`_
`The present mvent1on relates to a method and a system for
`determining the poWer consumption in an electronic device,
`to Which a peripheral device is connected, to Which the
`poWer 1s supphed from the electromc dev1ce. At least a ?rst
`maximum value and a second maximum value, higher than
`‘he ?rst maximum Values are determined for ‘he POW?r
`consumption. Signaling between the electronic device and
`the peripheral device sets a maximum value for the poWer
`consumption of the peripheral device Which is between said
`?rst and second maximum values. The invention also relates
`to an electronic device and a peripheral device, in Which the
`method is a lied.
`pp
`
`4,841,440 A
`
`6/1989 YoneZu et a1.
`
`29 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`CONTROL
`
`MEMORY
`
`SANDISK Exhibit 1005
`Page 1 of 12
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 2, 2007
`
`Sheet 1 0f 4
`
`US 7,278,033 B2
`
`RF
`
`DISPLAY
`
`KEYPAD
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`CONTROL
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`2
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`Fig 1
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`SANDISK Exhibit 1005
`Page 2 of 12
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 2, 2007
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 7,278,033 B2
`
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`SANDISK Exhibit 1005
`Page 3 of 12
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`SANDISK Exhibit 1005
`Page 3 of 12
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 2, 2007
`
`Sheet 3 0f 4
`
`US 7,278,033 B2
`
`1\
`
`2\_
`Power consumption value inquiry
`X
`301
`
`302 Maximum limits
`retrieved from memory
`
`303x Generating
`a messa e
`9
`
`304
`/ Maximum limit transmission
`
`Message to set the power consumption
`/
`305
`
`306\ Setting the power
`consumption
`Acknowledgement of setting
`of power consumption
`/
`307
`
`Fig 3
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`SANDISK Exhibit 1005
`Page 4 of 12
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`0a. 2, 2007
`
`Sheet 4 of4
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`US 7,278,033 B2
`
`10
`
`‘
`
`12\_ V0
`J
`13\PROCESSOR—@ 16
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`BLOCK 1
`BLOCK 2 BLOCK 3 BLOCK 4
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`SANDISK Exhibit 1005
`Page 5 of 12
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`

`

`US 7,278,033 B2
`
`1
`METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR
`DETERMINING THE POWER
`CONSUMPTION IN CONNECTION WITH AN
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND AN
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims priority under 35 USC §119 to
`Finnish Patent Application No. 20020594 ?led on Mar. 27,
`2002.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a method for determining
`the poWer consumption in an electronic device, to Which a
`peripheral device is connected, Which is supplied With
`poWer from the electronic device. The invention also relates
`to a system Which comprises an electronic device provided
`With means for connecting a peripheral device and means for
`supplying poWer to the peripheral device, and Which system
`comprises means for determining the poWer consumption.
`Furthermore, the invention relates to an electronic device
`provided With means for connecting a peripheral device,
`means for supplying poWer to the peripheral device, and
`means for determining the poWer consumption of the periph
`eral device. Moreover, the invention relates to a peripheral
`device provided With means for connecting the peripheral
`device to an electronic device, from Which the poWer needed
`for using the peripheral device is arranged to be supplied to
`the peripheral device.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`At present, several such electronic devices are in use, to
`Which it is possible to connect various peripheral devices,
`eg to expand the properties of the electronic device and to
`produce auxiliary functions. For example, it is possible to
`connect peripheral devices, such as connection cards (e.g.
`PCMCIA cards), to laptop computers to connect the laptop
`computer to a local area network, a landline or Wireless
`telephone network, etc. Furthermore, peripheral devices can
`be used to expand the memory of the laptop computer, to
`connect an external ?xed disk, a CDROM station, or the
`like.
`The MultiMediaCardTM Association is, among other
`things, developing a standard for memory expansion boards
`(MultiMediaCardTM; MultiMediaCardTM is a trademark of
`In?neon Technologies AG). These memory expansion
`boards can be used in various portable electronic devices,
`such as Wireless communication devices and communicator
`type devices, to expand the memory capacity.
`Because the peripheral devices can be connected to a
`variety of devices, the poWer consumption of the peripheral
`device should not exceed the maximum poWer that can be
`supplied from the electronic device to the peripheral device.
`OtherWise, the operation of the peripheral device and/or the
`electronic device may be disturbed and the electronic device
`may even be overheated. On the other hand, the poWer
`consumption requirements of different peripheral devices
`may be very different, Wherein manufacturers of electronic
`devices should provide for the maximum poWer consump
`tion in the poWer supply of the peripheral device connection.
`Solutions are knoWn, such as Nokia Communicator 9110/
`9210, in Which the poWer supply of the peripheral device
`connection of the electronic device is provided With a
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`relatively ef?cient regulator, for example in the order of 150
`mA/3 V. Such an ef?cient regulator is a relatively bulky
`component, Which may cause placement problems, particu
`larly in portable electronic devices. The provision for the
`maximum poWer consumption Will be unnecessary in such
`electronic devices, Whose users do not use, in connection
`With the electronic device, such a peripheral device Whose
`poWer consumption is close to the maximum poWer con
`sumption of the peripheral device designed for the electronic
`device. On the other hand, another user of a similar elec
`tronic device may use such a peripheral device Whose poWer
`consumption is in the order of the maximum poWer con
`sumption of the peripheral device designed for the electronic
`device.
`In some electronic devices and peripheral devices to be
`connected to them, the operating voltage is selected at the
`stage When the peripheral device is turned on, eg When the
`electronic device is turned on or When the peripheral device
`is connected. Thus, signalling Will be performed betWeen the
`electronic device and the peripheral device, for the elec
`tronic device to determine the level of the operating voltage
`required by the peripheral device and to select an operating
`voltage suitable for the peripheral device to the operating
`voltage line(s) of the peripheral device.
`In said MultiMediaCard Association, a maximum limit
`has been proposed for the poWer consumption of memory
`cards of the MultiMediaCardTM type. Thus, in electronic
`devices supporting this standard, the provision is made to
`supply a de?ned maximum poWer to the peripheral device.
`Moreover, the poWer consumption of memory cards of the
`MultiMediaCardTM type should thus not exceed the de?ned
`maximum limit. Such an arrangement is di?icult, for
`example, for the reason that the poWer consumption of neW
`memory cards to be developed is limited to this maximum
`value, Wherein it may be an impediment for the implemen
`tation of such memory cards Whose poWer consumption
`cannot be made smaller than the selected maximum limit. If
`the maximum limit is set so high that the poWer consumption
`of other memory cards to be developed later on is also very
`likely to be smaller than this, it Will mean that relatively
`ef?cient and large regulators must be used in electronic
`devices, perhaps unnecessarily.
`The poWer consumption of the peripheral device is nor
`mally proportional to the clock frequency used in the
`peripheral device, Wherein an increase in the clock fre
`quency Will increase the poWer consumption. In a corre
`sponding manner, to decrease the poWer consumption, the
`clock frequency of the peripheral device can be decreased,
`if this is possible in vieW of the other functions of the
`peripheral device. HoWever, the operating rate of the periph
`eral device Will thus decrease, Which is not necessarily
`desirable. Also, the bus Width used in the peripheral device
`has an effect on hoW much poWer is consumed in the
`peripheral device.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`It is an aim of the present invention to provide an
`improved method and system for determining the poWer
`consumption to be suitable in each situation. It is another
`aim of the invention to provide an electronic device and a
`peripheral device for applying the method. The invention is
`based on the idea of determining at least a ?rst and a second
`maximum value for the poWer consumption, Wherein the
`electronic device and the peripheral device set the poWer
`consumption to a value betWeen these ?rst and second
`maximum values. Thus, in different operating situations, for
`
`SANDISK Exhibit 1005
`Page 6 of 12
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`US 7,278,033 B2
`
`3
`example the peripheral device can adjust its power con
`sumption to be suitable for the situation. The method accord
`ing to the present invention is primarily characterized in
`determining, for the poWer consumption, at least a ?rst
`maximum value and a second maximum value Which is
`higher than the ?rst maximum value, and setting, betWeen
`the electronic device and the peripheral device, the maxi
`mum for the poWer consumption of the peripheral device to
`a value Which is substantially betWeen said ?rst and second
`maximum values. The system according to the invention is
`primarily characterized in that at least a ?rst maximum value
`and a second maximum value Which is higher than the ?rst
`maximum value, are de?ned for the poWer consumption, and
`that the means for determining the poWer consumption
`comprise means for setting the maximum for the poWer
`consumption of the peripheral device to a value Which is
`betWeen said ?rst maximum value and said second maxi
`mum value. The electronic device according to the invention
`is primarily characterized in that at least a ?rst maximum
`value and a second maximum value Which is higher than the
`?rst maximum value, are de?ned for the poWer consump
`tion, and that the means for determining the poWer con
`sumption comprise means for setting the maximum for the
`poWer consumption of the peripheral device to a value
`Which is betWeen said ?rst maximum value and said second
`maximum value. Furthermore, the peripheral device accord
`ing to the invention is primarily characterized in that at least
`a ?rst maximum value and a second maximum value Which
`is higher than the ?rst maximum value, are de?ned for the
`poWer consumption, and that the means for determining the
`poWer consumption comprise means for setting the maxi
`mum for the poWer consumption of the peripheral device to
`a value Which is betWeen said ?rst maximum value and said
`second maximum value.
`The present invention shoWs remarkable advantages over
`solutions of prior art. By the method according to the
`invention, it is possible to avoid the use of an unnecessarily
`large regulator in an electronic device, Which saves costs,
`and Wherein the size of the electronic device can, in some
`cases, be reduced and, on the other hand, problems of
`heating caused by high poWer consumption can be avoided.
`Also the poWer consumption can be reduced, Which is
`advantageous particularly in portable devices. By means of
`the invention, the peripheral device connection can also be
`provided With ?exibility, because the poWer consumption of
`the peripheral device can be adjusted and set to a value
`suitable for each situation of use. Also, the clock frequency
`and bus Width of the peripheral device can be changed in the
`system according to an advantageous embodiment of the
`invention. Furthermore, the invention makes it possible that
`neW peripheral devices to be developed Will function in
`connection With electronic devices made earlier, and exist
`ing peripheral devices Will function in connection With neW
`electronic devices to be developed. With the solution accord
`ing to the invention, it is also possible to achieve an
`improvement in the user-friendliness of the electronic
`device, for example, in a situation in Which the peripheral
`device cannot fully operate on a loWer level of poWer
`consumption but it can, hoWever, inform the electronic
`device about this. Thus, the electronic device can take care
`of the shutdoWn (turning o?‘) of the peripheral device in the
`appropriate Way and notify the user of this.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the folloWing, the invention Will be described in more
`detail With reference to the appended draWings, in Which
`
`4
`FIG. 1 shoWs the system according to a preferred embodi
`ment of the invention in a simpli?ed block diagram,
`FIG. 2 shoWs a system according to a second preferred
`embodiment of the invention in a simpli?ed block diagram,
`FIG. 3 shoWs signalling in the method according to a
`preferred embodiment of the invention in a simpli?ed man
`ner, and
`FIG. 4 shoWs a peripheral device according to yet another
`preferred embodiment of the invention in a simpli?ed block
`digram.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`In the system according to an advantageous embodiment
`of the invention, shoWn in FIG. 1, the electronic device 1 is
`exempli?ed by a Wireless communication device. In this
`example, the peripheral device 2 is a memory card, such as
`a memory card complying With the MultiMediaCardTM
`standard. HoWever, it Will be evident that the present inven
`tion is not limited solely to such electronic devices and
`peripheral devices, but the invention can also be applied in
`connection With other electronic devices and peripheral
`devices. The peripheral device 2 can be, for example, an
`interface card or also another device. The electronic device
`1 contains a control block 3 comprising one or more
`processors, such as a micro controller unit (MCU). Further
`more, the electronic device 1 comprises a memory 4, a user
`interface 5 and means 6 for performing mobile station
`functions, such as GSM and/or UMTS mobile communica
`tion means. The user interface 5 preferably comprises a
`display, a keypad and audio means in a Way knoWn as such.
`For the connection of the peripheral device 2, the electronic
`device 1 is provided With connecting means 7 Which com
`prise at least one connector 8 as Well as the necessary I/O
`blocks 9, for example to connect the buses of the peripheral
`device 2 and the electronic device 1 to each other.
`The peripheral device is also provided With corresponding
`connecting means 10 for connecting the peripheral device 2
`to the electronic device 1. The connecting means 10 of the
`peripheral device comprise at least one connector 11 Which
`can be connected to the connector 8 of the electronic device
`1, and an I/O block 12. The poWer supply to the peripheral
`device 2 is arranged from the electronic device 1 via the
`connectors 8, 11. The U0 blocks are used for communication
`betWeen the electronic device 1 and the peripheral device 2.
`This can take place as parallel data transmission or serial
`data transmission. For example, said peripheral device
`according to the MultiMediaCardTM speci?cations applies
`serial data transmission. HoWever, in vieW of the present
`invention, Which format is used for the data transmission
`betWeen the electronic device 1 and the peripheral device 2
`is not signi?cant.
`The peripheral device 2 also comprises a processor 13 or
`the like for controlling the functions of the peripheral device
`2. Furthermore, the peripheral device comprises a memory
`14, such as a read/Write memory (RAM), eg for the storage
`of data, as Well as a read-only memory (ROM, NVRAM) for
`the storage of the program code. The processor is respon
`sible, for example, for controlling the I/O blocks in the data
`transmission betWeen the peripheral device 2 and the elec
`tronic device 1. At least a ?rst maximum value and a second
`maximum value for poWer consumption, Which are used in
`the method according to the present invention, are also
`stored in the memory 14 of the peripheral device. Further
`more, the peripheral device comprises means for generating
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`US 7,278,033 B2
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`5
`one or more clock signals required for the operation of the
`processor, such as a clock generator 16.
`The following is a description of the operation of the
`method according to a preferred embodiment of the inven
`tion in a system shoWn in FIG. 1. For example, information
`on Whether a peripheral device 2 is placed in the connector
`8 of the connecting means of the electronic device, is
`transmitted via the I/O blocks to the electronic device 1. This
`can be implemented, for example, by providing the I/O
`block 9, 12 With a detection line 15 Whose state is changed
`When the peripheral device 2 is placed in the connector 8. In
`this advantageous embodiment of the invention, the detec
`tion line 15 is implemented so that the detection line 15 is
`set in the logical 1 state by means of a pull-up resistance R
`in the electronic device 1. In the system of FIG. 1, the
`change of state is achieved in such a Way that the peripheral
`device 2 grounds the detection line 15, Wherein the state of
`the detection line 15 is changed to the logical 0 state. This
`change of state is detected in the electronic device 1, for
`example, in such a Way that the change of state causes an
`interrupt in the control block 3, Wherein a corresponding
`interrupt service program is run and the running of the
`initialiZing functions of the peripheral device are started.
`After the operating voltages have been coupled to the
`peripheral device, the processor 13 of the peripheral device
`2 Will start to run its oWn initialiZing operations. For
`example, the poWer consumption of the peripheral device 2
`is set to a default value Which, in this advantageous embodi
`ment, is a poWer consumption value according to the ?rst
`maximum limit. In this context, it is assumed that the ?rst
`maximum limit is loWer than the second maximum limit.
`The processor also sets the frequency of the clock generator
`16 to correspond to this poWer consumption value. Typi
`cally, the frequency of the clock generator is set to a
`minimum value. In all peripheral devices 2, it is not neces
`sarily possible to control the frequency of the clock genera
`tor 16, Wherein the clock generator 16 cannot be used for
`controlling the poWer consumption.
`In the operations of initialiZing the peripheral device,
`performed by the electronic device 1, the type of the
`peripheral device 2 is preferably examined, Which may
`affect the type of initialization operations to be performed.
`HoWever, this description Will only discuss the operations
`Which are essential in vieW of the invention. The signalling
`to be performed in this method according to the advanta
`geous embodiment of the invention is illustrated in a sim
`pli?ed manner in the appended FIG. 3. The determination of
`the type of the peripheral device 2 Will be folloWed by
`determining the ?rst and second maximum limits for poWer
`consumption Which have been stored on the device 2, such
`as a card. Thus, a maximum limit reading message is
`preferably transmitted from the electronic device 1 to the
`peripheral device 2. This is illustrated by a signal on a line
`301 in the chart of FIG. 3. The message is received in the
`peripheral device 2 and its content is preferably examined in
`the processor 13. On the basis of the message, the processor
`13 reads the ?rst maximum limit and the second maximum
`limit from the memory 14 (block 302 in FIG. 3). If there are
`more than tWo maximum limits, the number of the maxi
`mum limits is preferably stored in the memory means,
`Wherein the processor 13 reads the values of all the maxi
`mum limits from the memory 14. After this, the processor 13
`generates a reply message (block 303) containing the
`requested information, such as the ?rst and second maxi
`mum limits and, if necessary, also the number of the
`maximum limits. In the case of several maximum limits,
`also the values of the other maximum limits are preferably
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`included in the message. The message is transmitted via the
`I/O blocks 9, 12 to the electronic device (as indicated by a
`signal on a line 304), in Which the control block reads the
`information of the received message and, if necessary, stores
`the information in the memory 4 of the electronic device.
`After the maximum limits of poWer consumption sup
`ported by the peripheral device are knoWn in the electronic
`device 1, it is possible to start to adjust the poWer consump
`tion of the peripheral device, if necessary. Let us assume that
`the electronic device 1 is capable of supplying the poWer
`corresponding to the second maximum limit to the periph
`eral device 2. Thus, a poWer control message is transmitted
`from the electronic device 1 to the peripheral device 2 (as
`indicated by a signal on a line 305). This poWer control
`message indicates the poWer consumption value Which is to
`be set as the maximum value for the peripheral device 2, for
`example said second maximum limit. The processor 13 of
`the peripheral device examines the type of the received
`message, and after determining that it is a poWer control
`message, reads the maximum value for poWer consumption
`indicated in the message (block 306). Next, the processor 13
`of the peripheral device sets, for example the operating
`frequency of the clock generator 16 to a value corresponding
`to this maximum value for poWer consumption, for example
`to the highest possible frequency. In some embodiments, the
`bus Widths Within the processor can also be changed accord
`ing to the maximum limit used for poWer consumption.
`Furthermore, the peripheral device 2 preferably informs the
`electronic device 1 that the poWer consumption has been
`limited to the requested value (as indicated by a signal on a
`line 307).
`If the electronic device 1 cannot supply the peripheral
`device 2 With the poWer of the second maximum limit, or if,
`for another reason, the electronic device 1 tends to set the
`maximum value for poWer consumption loWer than the
`second maximum limit, it is possible to perform signalling,
`by Which the electronic device 1 and the peripheral device
`try to ?nd such a maximum limit for poWer consumption
`Which is suitable in the situation. This can be carried out, for
`example, in such a Way that the electronic device 1 selects,
`betWeen the ?rst and second maximum limits, a value Which
`is a maximum value from the point of vieW of the electronic
`device 1. Information about this limit is transferred to the
`peripheral device 2, in Which the suggested value is exam
`ined in the processor 13, and if it is found acceptable, this
`information is transferred to the electronic device 1. If the
`peripheral device 2 cannot set its oWn poWer consumption to
`such a level Which corresponds to the suggested maximum
`value, the peripheral device 2 Will suggest a loWer value
`betWeen the ?rst and second maximum values. If this value
`is possible from the point of vieW of the electronic device 1,
`the electronic device 1 Will transmit this information to the
`peripheral device 2, in Which the poWer consumption is set
`to this value. If the value suggested by the peripheral device
`2 is not suitable, the electronic device 1 advantageously
`selects another, preferably loWer value Which, hoWever, is at
`least equal to the ?rst maximum limit, and reports it to the
`peripheral device 2. The above-presented steps are iterated,
`until such a poWer consumption value is found Which is
`suitable for both the electronic device 1 and the peripheral
`device 2. In some cases, it may occur that the only suitable
`value is the ?rst maximum value, Wherein the poWer con
`sumption does not need to be adjusted, because this value is
`the default value.
`There may also be a need to change the value of the poWer
`consumption during the operation of the electronic device 1
`and the peripheral device 2 connected together. For example,
`
`SANDISK Exhibit 1005
`Page 8 of 12
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`

`

`US 7,278,033 B2
`
`7
`if the peripheral device is a transceiver card, such as a
`mobile station card or a modem card, there may be a need
`to signi?cantly change the power consumption limit of the
`peripheral device 2, for example, for the time of a transmis
`sion. Thus, at the stage When eg the peripheral device 2
`detects a need to change the poWer consumption, it transmits
`a message to the electronic device 1 and proposes a neW
`poWer consumption value Which is, hoWever, in the range
`betWeen the ?rst and second maximum values. An exchange
`of messages is performed betWeen the electronic device 1
`and the peripheral device 2 by applying the above-described
`principles, to control the poWer consumption of the periph
`eral device according to the need. When the need for poWer
`consumption is changed again, a neW adjustment of the
`poWer consumption can be made.
`The need to change the poWer consumption of the periph
`eral device may also develop in the electronic device 1. For
`example, When the operation of the electronic device 1 shifts
`to a poWer saving mode, or When the charge of a battery (not
`shoWn) in the electronic device is reduced, the electronic
`device 1 may control the peripheral device 2 to shift to a less
`poWer consuming state.
`The peripheral device according to the invention can also
`be connected to such an electronic device 1 Which does not
`have a possibility to adjust the poWer consumption. Thus,
`the peripheral device 2 sets a default value, i.e. preferably
`the ?rst maximum limit, as the poWer consumption value.
`Consequently, the peripheral device according to the inven
`tion can also be connected to such an electronic device 1 in
`Which the steps of the method according to the invention are
`not carried out to control the poWer consumption of the
`peripheral device 2.
`Above, the use of more than tWo different maximum
`limits Were mentioned as the maximum values for poWer
`consumption. In this context, it is assumed that the other
`maximum limits are betWeen the ?rst and second maximum
`limits. These different maximum limits are feasible, for
`example, in such applications, in Which different bus Widths
`can be selected in the peripheral device. For example, in the
`system of FIG. 2, the bus Width of the connection betWeen
`the peripheral device and the electronic device can be
`selected to be any of the three values: 8, 16 or 32 bits. At the
`same time, this bus Width selected for the connection is, in
`this advantageous embodiment, also used in the internal bus
`17 of the peripheral device 2. Typically, the poWer consump
`tion is the higher, the Wider the bus used. Thus, the pre
`sumption is preferably that the bus Width at the start-up stage
`is 8 bits, but the electronic device 1 and the peripheral device
`2 may negotiate on the use of another bus Width, i.e. on the
`change of the maximum limit for poWer consumption. This
`can be implemented by applying the principles described
`above. HoWever, it Will be obvious that said bus Widths are
`only some non-restricting examples of bus Widths.
`The frequency of the clock generator 16 of the peripheral
`device is not necessarily adjustable in a stepless manner, but
`it is possible to select a value for the frequency from some
`predetermined values. Thus, the maximum limits for poWer
`consumption corresponding to these different frequencies
`can be stored as said maximum limits in the peripheral
`device, or if only the ?rst maximum limit (loWest poWer
`consumption) and the second maximum limit (highest
`poWer consumption) are stored, it is possible to perform the
`exchange of messages betWeen the electronic device 1 and
`the peripheral device, as described above in this description,
`to adjust the suitable poWer consumption limit.
`Consequently, the poWer consumption of the peripheral
`device 2 can be adjusted eg by changing the clock fre
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`65
`
`8
`quency and/or the bus Width, but it should be evident that
`other methods for adjusting poWer consumption are also
`knoWn and are applicable in connection With the invention.
`PoWer consumption can also be controlled by controlling the
`operating voltage, if the operating voltage of the peripheral
`device 2 does not need to be a given constant value.
`Peripheral devices are knoWn, in Which the operating volt
`age can be selected to be, for example, either 3 V, 3.3 V, or
`5 V. Yet another example to be mentioned in this context of
`the possibilities to control the poWer consumption of the
`peripheral device is to control the current consumption of
`the peripheral device.
`Further, the poWer consumption of the peripheral device
`2 can also be adjusted by changing the clock frequency of
`the bus of the connection betWeen the peripheral device and
`the electronic device, if it is independently adjustable. The
`clock frequency of the bus can be changed eg by the
`electronic device 1 and/or by the peripheral device 2, if
`necessary. The electronic device 1 controls a clock
`generator(s) (not shoWn) Which produces the timing signals
`for the bus according to the same principles as Was presented
`above.
`In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, at least
`a part of the memory of the peripheral device 2 is divided
`into tWo or more memory blocks, to form so-called storage
`banks. Thus, in the peripheral device, one or more of these
`memory blocks can be selected for use, eg on the basis of
`the maximum poWer consumption value de?ned for the
`peripheral device 2. With higher poWer consumption values,
`it is typically possible to take more memory blocks into use
`than With loWer poWer consumption values. FIG. 4 shoWs an
`example of the structure of such a peripheral device. In the
`peripheral device 2 shoWn in FIG. 4, the memory 14 is
`provided With four memory blocks 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d, but
`it Will be obvious that in practical applications, the number
`of storage banks can, Within the scope of the invention, also
`be other than four. To take the memory blocks 14a-14d into
`use and to remove them from service, connection lines
`18a-18d are preferably provided from the processor 13, to
`couple eg the operating voltage to the desired memory
`blocks 14a-14d, or the coupling lines are used to sWitch each
`memory block 14a-14d either to an active mode or to a
`poWer-saving mode. Also the above-presented method can
`be used to control the poWer consumption of the peripheral
`device 2 instead of or in addition to the methods for
`controlling the poWer consumption as presented above in
`this description.
`In the electronic device 1, the poW