The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 28, 2001
Filed:
Oct. 17, 1997
Ryu Nakazato, Yokohama, JP;
Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Kawasaki, JP;
Abstract
A sound controller comprises circuitry that performs a variety of sound functions. The circuitry is only powered when required by an application program. A power-saving driver receives a message issued from an operating system. When the message means indicates that a sound function is starting to be used, the power-saving driver turns on the power supply of a sound controller and then hands over the message to the sound device driver. In contrast, when the message indicates that the use of the sound function is ending, the power-saving driver first hands over the message to the sound driver, thereby causing the sound driver to execute an end process. After a predetermined time has elapsed since the power-saving driver handed over the message, it turns off the power supply of the sound controller.