Application-Priority Power Control for Processor Energy Allocation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current power management systems for computer devices fail to consider the varying power consumption operational characteristics of different applications, leading to inefficient power resource allocation and suboptimal performance.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a power management system that classifies applications into priority classes and adjusts power consumption based on application-specific priority information to allocate resources effectively, ensuring important applications receive adequate power while conserving energy for less critical tasks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If power management systems allocate power uniformly to all applications, then power distribution is simple to implement, but power consumption efficiency deteriorates because varying power consumption operational characteristics of different applications are not considered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumption efficiencyVSAvoidpower management system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments applications into different priority classes (first priority class and second priority class) based on their power consumption operational characteristics. This segmentation allows the power management system to apply different power allocation strategies to different application groups, improving power consumption efficiency by matching power resources to actual application needs while maintaining manageable system complexity through structured classification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by allocating power differently to different application priority classes. High-priority applications receive sufficient power resources to maintain performance, while low-priority applications receive reduced power during resource constraints. This localized power quality adjustment optimizes overall system efficiency without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If power resources are increased to improve performance of critical applications, then application performance is improved, but overall power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveapplication performanceVSAvoidoverall power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by allocating power selectively to applications based on their priority class and current system power availability. Critical applications receive full or enhanced power resources when needed, while non-critical applications receive reduced power or are suspended during power constraints. This partial power allocation improves critical application performance without proportionally increasing overall system power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic power allocation where the power management system continuously monitors power availability and application priority, adjusting power distribution in real-time. This dynamic approach allows the system to provide high performance to critical applications when power is available while automatically reducing power to non-critical applications during constraints, optimizing the balance between productivity and energy loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Productivity

If power management considers application priority classes, then power distribution efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional classification and control mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower distribution efficiencyVSAvoidclassification and control mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments applications into discrete priority classes with clear power allocation rules, creating a structured classification system that improves power distribution efficiency. The segmentation approach organizes complex power management decisions into manageable categories, where each class has defined power characteristics and allocation priorities, reducing the cognitive and computational complexity of control mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by assigning specific power consumption characteristics and priority levels to different application classes. These parameter-based classifications enable automated power management decisions based on predefined thresholds and rules, improving distribution efficiency while controlling system complexity through parameterized control rather than complex algorithmic processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260072494A1Application priority based power management for a computer device

Publication Date: 2026.03.12 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Embodiments include apparatuses, methods, and systems including a power control unit to control different power consumptions by one or more processors to operate different applications. The power control unit may receive power information that may include a priority information for each application to be operated on the one or more processors, determine to control, based on the power information for different applications, different power consumptions by the one or more processors to operate the different applications. Other embodiments may also be described and claimed.