A connected indicator wire of open-drained configuration is set between a north bridge and a south bridge. When either the south or north bridge is handling a bus master request, a bus master indicator (BMI) signal is asserted to the connected indicator wire. With open-drained configuration, the signal of the connected indicator wire is capable of reflecting whether a BMI signal is asserted, and accordingly, the south bridge controls the CPU to switch between power saving states for responding to the bus master request. The CPU does not have to resume a full-function power state to coordinate a bus master service.

 
Web www.patentalert.com

< System and method for managing access to active devices operably connected to a data network

> Method and apparatus for choosing tests for simulation and associated algorithms and hierarchical bipartite graph data structure

~ 00402