Fish & Richardson P.C.
Power management in a computer
 An apparatus is described for providing power management of a computer. The apparatus includes circuitry configured to assert a power down signal when a low power mode is to be entered and to de-assert the power down signal when the low power mode is to be exited. An audio amplifier has a power input and a mute input, and a switch is connected to the power input and configured to selectively supply power to the power input. A power down circuit is provided responsive to the power down signal and connected to the mute input and the switch such that when the power down signal is asserted, the power down circuit activates the mute input and subsequently closes the switch, and when the power down signal is de-asserted, the power down circuit open the switch and subsequently deactivates the mute input. 
Compaq Computer Corporation
H
H03G
inventional
Thanh T.
Tran