(19) United States
`(12) Reissued Patent
`Mylly
`
`USOORE45542E
`
`US RE45,542 E
`(10) Patent Number:
`(45) Date of Reissued Patent:
`Jun. 2, 2015
`
`(54) METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR
`DETERMINING THE POWER
`CONSUMPTION IN CONNECTION WITH AN
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND AN
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE
`
`(71) Applicant: Memory Technologies LLC, Las Vegas,
`NV (US)
`(72) Inventor: Kimmo Mylly, Julkujärvi (FI)
`(73) Assignee: Memory Technologies LLC, Las Vegas,
`NV (US)
`(21) Appl. No.: 13/902,227
`(22) Filed:
`May 24, 2013
`Related U.S. Patent Documents
`
`Reissue of:
`(64) Patent No.:
`Issued:
`Appl. No.:
`Filed:
`
`(30)
`
`7,278,033
`Oct. 2, 2007
`10/401.338
`Mar. 26, 2003
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Mar. 27, 2002 (FI) ...................................... 2002O594
`(51) Int. Cl.
`G06F I/00
`G06F L/26
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(Continued)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ................ G06F I/266 (2013.01); G06F 13/10
`(2013.01); G06F 1/3225 (2013.01); G06F
`1/324 (2013.01);
`
`(Continued)
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`CPC ......... G06F 1/26: G06F 1/3206; G06F 1/324;
`
`USPC ....................... 713/300,320, 322; 710/8, 301
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`4,841,440 A
`5483,656 A
`
`6, 1989 YoneZu et al.
`1/1996 Oprescu et al.
`(Continued)
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EP
`GB
`
`T 2001
`1 117 O26 A2
`3, 1991
`2 235 797 A
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`USB Specification Revision, published Apr. 27, 2000; pp. 171-174.
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner — Ji H Bae
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Sterne, Kessler, Goldstein
`& Fox PL.L.C.
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`The present invention 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
`is supplied from the electronic device. At least a first maxi
`mum value and a second maximum value, higher than the first
`maximum value, are determined for the power 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 first and second
`maximum values. The invention also relates to an electronic
`device and a peripheral device, in which the method is
`applied.
`
`40 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`KEYPA)
`
`F-1 coNTROL
`MEMORY - i.
`
`
`
`-3
`
`Kingston Exhibit 1001 - 1
`
`

`

`US RE45,542 E
`Page 2
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`G06F L/32
`G06F 3/00
`H05K 7/10
`G06F I3/38
`GO6F 3/10
`(52) U.S. Cl.
`CPC ............ G06F 1/3275 (2013.01); G06F I/3253
`(2013.01); G06F 1/26 (2013.01); G06F 13/38
`(2013.01); G06F 1/3206 (2013.01)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
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`5,606,704
`5,613,130
`5,737,616
`5,752.050
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`5,758,171
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`5,884,086
`5,892,729
`5,964,879
`5.996,083
`6,092,209
`6,178,514
`6.279,114
`6,477.388
`6,697,883
`6,785,830
`6,859,882
`6,901.457
`2004/OO78498
`
`ck
`
`ck
`
`ck
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`ck
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`T. 1996
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`T/2000
`1, 2001
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`4, 2004
`
`Robinson ...................... T13,321
`Pierce et al.
`Teng et al.
`Watanabe
`Hernandez et al.
`Nakamura
`Ramamurthy et al.
`Young
`Amoni et al.
`Holder, Jr. .................... 365,233
`Dunstan et al.
`713,340
`Gupta et al. .................. T13,322
`Holzhammer et al.
`Wood
`Toombs et al.
`Schmutz ....................... 455,522
`Jinnouchi
`McKeen et al. ............... T13,320
`Fung ............................. T13,300
`Toombs et al.
`Saotome ........................... T10/8
`
`
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`GB
`WO
`
`2235,797
`984.1987
`
`3, 1991
`9, 1998
`
`WO
`WO
`WO
`
`9, 1998
`WO 98.4.1987 A1
`1, 2002
`0207494
`1, 2002
`WO O2/O7494 A2
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`English-Language Abstract for International Patent Publication No.
`98/41987 A1, published Sep. 24, 1998; 1 page.
`Notice of Allowance mailed Jun. 13, 2007 for U.S. Appl. No.
`10/401.338, filed Mar. 26, 2003; 12 pages.
`Non-Final Rejection mailed Sep. 22, 2005 for U.S. Appl. No.
`10/401.338, filed Mar. 26, 2003; 10 pages.
`Non-Final Rejection mailed Jul. 14, 2006 for U.S. Appl. No.
`10/401.338, filed Mar. 26, 2003; 8 pages.
`Final Rejection mailed Mar. 23, 2006 for U.S. Appl. No. 10/401.338,
`filed Mar. 26, 2003; 11 pages.
`Final Rejection mailed Dec. 27, 2006 for U.S. Appl. No. 10/401.338,
`filed Mar. 26, 2003; 8 pages.
`International Search Report directed to related International Patent
`Application No. PCT/FIO3/00233, mailed Jun. 27, 2003; 5 pages.
`International Preliminary Report on Patentability directed to related
`International Patent Application No. PCT/FIO3/00233, mailed Jun.
`24, 2003; 7 pages.
`European Search Report directed to related European Patent Appli
`cation No. 03708 304.5-1527, mailed Nov. 24, 2006; 6 pages.
`European Search Report directed to related European Patent Appli
`cation No. 03708 304.5-1527, mailed Dec. 20, 2007; 5 pages.
`European Search Report directed to related European Patent Appli
`cation No. 03708 304.5-1527, mailed Mar. 5, 2009; 4 pages.
`SD Card Association, SD Specifications Part I Physical Layer Sim
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`pp. 1-186.
`English-Language Abstract for European Patent Publication No. EP
`1 117026 A2, published Jul. 18, 2001; 2 pages.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Kingston Exhibit 1001 - 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 2, 2015
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US RE45,542 E
`
`f----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------,
`
`------------------esser ------------------------------------------------------
`
`DISPLAY
`
`KEYPAD
`
`d
`
`r"
`arearrrrrrrrr-M&
`MR
`:
`s
`
`8
`
`------------ ---------------------
`S
`S
`
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`
`
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`
`
`
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`
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`MCU
`
`S-M
`
`13 PROCESSOR (v)
`o
`14-MEMORY
`16
`
`Sesaa------------------------aala
`
`Kingston Exhibit 1001 - 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 2, 2015
`
`Sheet 2 of 4
`
`US RE45,542 E
`
`i re-e
`
`DISPLAY &YA
`
`s^
`
`-
`
`r
`
`arrara-e-----.
`
`www.ra
`
`s
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`
`
`17-1....,
`14-MEMORY
`
`:
`
`8
`
`Kingston Exhibit 1001 - 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 2, 2015
`
`Sheet 3 of 4
`
`US RE45,542 E
`
`2
`
`~ | Peronmentalent rrara-arrrrrra
`
`301
`
`w
`
`302 Maximum inits
`retrieved from rnemory
`waxaawaar-Me-Nass.--
`
`303.
`
`
`
`Generating
`a feSS3;{
`3O4.
`Maximum limit transmission.
`Message to set the power consumption
`coopoo. come
`f
`amwaaaaaarxxxrraWarar
`35
`306 Setting the power
`consumption
`Acknowledgerient of setting
`
`~es
`
`---------------------aa-ra-rara-M-- s
`
`Kingston Exhibit 1001 - 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 2, 2015
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`US RE45,542 E
`
`8
`,
`co- sor
`13- PROCESSOR, Gr
`- if rsranaraxr
`Mrrer-er--WWar Moorooo -8t
`
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`
`
`
`2
`
`14a
`
`4.
`
`Fig. 4
`
`Kingston Exhibit 1001 - 6
`
`

`

`US RE45,542 E
`
`1.
`METHOD AND A SYSTEM FOR
`DETERMINING THE POWER
`CONSUMPTION IN CONNECTION WITH AN
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND AN
`ELECTRONIC DEVICE
`
`appears in the
`Matter enclosed in heavy brackets
`original patent but forms no part of this reissue specifica
`tion; matter printed in italics indicates the additions
`made by reissue; a claim printed with strikethrough indi
`cates that the claim was canceled, disclaimed, or held
`invalid by a prior post-patent action or proceeding.
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`10
`
`15
`
`This application claims priority under 35 USC S 119 to
`Finnish Patent Application No. 20020594 filed 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 Sup
`plying 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.
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`Sumption requirements of different peripheral devices may be
`very different, wherein manufacturers of electronic devices
`should provide for the maximum power consumption 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 relatively efficient
`regulator, for example in the order of 150 mA/3 V. Such an
`efficient regulatoris a relatively bulky component, which may
`cause placement problems, particularly 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 consumption of the peripheral device
`designed for the electronic device. On the other hand, another
`user of a similar electronic device may use Such a peripheral
`device whose power consumption is in the order of the maxi
`mum power consumption 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, e.g. 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 electronic
`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 MultiMediaCard TM type. Thus, in electronic devices
`Supporting this standard, the provision is made to supply a
`defined maximum power to the peripheral device. Moreover,
`the power consumption of memory cards of the MultiMedi
`aCardTM type should thus not exceed the defined maximum
`limit. Such an arrangement is difficult, 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 implementation 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 efficient 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 periph
`eral device, wherein an increase in the clock frequency will
`increase the power consumption. In a corresponding 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 peripheral 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 inven
`tion to provide an electronic device and a peripheral device
`for applying the method. The invention is based on the idea of
`
`45
`
`At present, several Such electronic devices are in use, to
`which it is possible to connect various peripheral devices, e.g.
`to expand the properties of the electronic device and to pro
`duce auxiliary functions. For example, it is possible to con
`nect peripheral devices, such as connection cards (e.g. PCM
`CIA cards), to laptop computers to connect the laptop
`computer to a local area network, a landline or wireless tele
`phone network, etc. Furthermore, peripheral devices can be
`used to expand the memory of the laptop computer, to connect
`an external fixed 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
`Infineon 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 vari
`ety 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 con
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Kingston Exhibit 1001 - 7
`
`

`

`3
`determining at least a first 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 first and second maximum values. Thus, in
`different operating situations, for example the peripheral
`device can adjust its power consumption to be Suitable for the
`situation. The method according to the present invention is
`primarily characterized in determining, for the power con
`Sumption, at least a first maximum value and a second maxi
`mum value which is higher than the first maximum value, and
`setting, between the electronic device and the peripheral
`device, the maximum for the power consumption of the
`peripheral device to a value which is substantially between
`said first and second maximum values. The system according
`to the invention is primarily characterized in that at least a first
`maximum value and a second maximum value which is
`higher than the first maximum value, are defined 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 first maximum value and said
`second maximum value. The electronic device according to
`the invention is primarily characterized in that at least a first
`maximum value and a second maximum value which is
`higher than the first maximum value, are defined 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 first maximum value and said
`second maximum value. Furthermore, the peripheral device
`according to the invention is primarily characterized in that at
`least a first maximum value and a second maximum value
`which is higher than the first maximum value, are defined 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 first maximum value and said
`second maximum value.
`The present invention shows remarkable advantages over
`Solutions of prior art. By the method according to the inven
`tion, 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 particu
`larly in portable devices. By means of the invention, the
`peripheral device connection can also be provided with flex
`ibility, 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. Further
`more, the invention makes it possible that new peripheral
`devices to be developed will function in connection with
`electronic devices made earlier, and existing peripheral
`devices will function in connection with new electronic
`devices to be developed. With the solution according 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 off) of the
`peripheral device in the appropriate way and notify the user of
`this.
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`US RE45,542 E
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`4
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the following, the invention will be described in more
`detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which
`FIG. 1 shows the system according to a preferred embodi
`ment of the invention in a simplified block diagram,
`FIG. 2 shows a system according to a second preferred
`embodiment of the invention in a simplified block diagram,
`FIG. 3 shows signalling in the method according to a pre
`ferred embodiment of the invention in a simplified manner,
`and
`FIG. 4 shows a peripheral device according to yet another
`preferred embodiment of the invention in a simplified 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
`exemplified 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 stan
`dard. However, it will be evident that the present invention 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). Furthermore, 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 communication 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 comprise 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 I/O 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 specifications 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 signifi
`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), e.g. for the storage
`of data, as well as a read-only memory (ROM, NVRAM) for
`the storage of the program code. The processor is responsible,
`for example, for controlling the I/O blocks in the data trans
`mission between the peripheral device 2 and the electronic
`device 1. At least a first maximum value and a second maxi
`mum value for power consumption, which are used in the
`method according to the present invention, are also stored in
`
`Kingston Exhibit 1001 - 8
`
`

`

`US RE45,542 E
`
`10
`
`15
`
`25
`
`5
`the memory 14 of the peripheral device. Furthermore, the
`peripheral device comprises means for generating 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 invention
`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 advan
`tageous embodiment of the invention, the detection 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 away
`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 opera
`tions. For example, the power consumption of the peripheral
`device 2 is set to a default value which, in this advantageous
`embodiment, is a power consumption value according to the
`first maximum limit. In this context, it is assumed that the first
`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. Typically, the
`frequency of the clock generator is set to a minimum value. In
`all peripheral devices 2, it is not necessarily possible to con
`trol the frequency of the clock generator 16, wherein the clock
`generator 16 cannot be used for controlling the power con
`Sumption.
`In the operations of initializing the peripheral device, per
`formed 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 essen
`tial in view of the invention. The signalling to be performed in
`45
`this method according to the advantageous embodiment of
`the invention is illustrated in a simplified manner in the
`appended FIG.3. The determination of the type of the periph
`eral device 2 will be followed by determining the first 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 elec
`tronic 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 prefer
`55
`ably examined in the processor 13. On the basis of the mes
`sage, the processor 13 reads the first 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 maximum limits is preferably stored in the
`memory means, wherein the processor 13 reads the values of
`all the maximum limits from the memory 14. After this, the
`processor 13 generates a reply message (block 303) contain
`ing the requested information, Such as the first and second
`maximum 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 peripheral
`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 indi
`cates 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 mes
`sage (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 according to the maximum
`limit used for power consumption. Furthermore, the periph
`eral 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 sec
`ond maximum limit, it is possible to perform signalling, by
`which the electronic device 1 and the peripheral device try to
`find Such a maximum limit for power consumption which is
`suitable in the situation. This can be carried out, for example,
`in such away that the electronic device 1 selects, between the
`first and second maximum limits, a value which is a maxi
`mum 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 examined 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 first 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 elec
`tronic device 1 advantageously selects another, preferably
`lower value which, however, is at least equal to the first
`maximum limit, and reports it to the peripheral device 2. The
`above-presented steps are iterated, until Such a power con
`sumption value is found which is suitable for both the elec
`tronic device 1 and the peripheral device 2. In some cases, it
`may occur that the only suitable value is the first maximum
`value, wherein the power consumption 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,
`if the peripheral device is a transceiver card, Such as a mobile
`station card or a modem card, there may be a need to signifi
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`Kingston Exhibit 1001 - 9
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`US RE45,542 E
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`7
`cantly change the power consumption limit of the peripheral
`device 2, for example, for the time of a transmission. Thus, at
`the stage when e.g. 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 first and
`second maximum values. An exchange of messages is per
`formed between the electronic device 1 and the peripheral
`device 2 by applying the above-described principles, to con
`trol the power consumption of the peripheral device accord
`ing 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 first
`maximum limit, as the power consumption value. Conse
`quently, the peripheral device according to the invention 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 consump
`tion. In this context, it is assumed that the other maximum
`limits are between the first 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 periph
`eral 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 consumption is the higher, the
`wider the bus used. Thus, the presumption 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 apply
`ing the principles described above. However, it will be obvi
`ous that said bus widths are only some non-restricting
`examples of bus widths.
`The frequency o