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:
Nov. 14, 2006
Filed:
May. 15, 2003
Sang Hoo Dhong, Austin, TX (US);
Silvia Melitta Mueller, St. Ingbert, DE;
Hwa-joon OH, Austin, TX (US);
Sang Hoo Dhong, Austin, TX (US);
Silvia Melitta Mueller, St. Ingbert, DE;
Hwa-Joon Oh, Austin, TX (US);
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
A method and an apparatus are provided for saving power in a microprocessor. The microprocessor has at least one functional unit, which has a plurality of blocks. The blocks each include a plurality of sub-blocks. It is determined whether there is any instruction for the functional unit. Upon a determination that there is no instruction for the functional unit, the functional unit is shut down. Upon a determination that there is at least one instruction for the functional unit, at least one inactive block of the functional unit is shut down based on the instruction.