Non main CPU/OS based operational environment

• US 20040162922A1
• Filed: 02/14/2003
• Published: 08/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Kardach, James P., Gupta, Vivek, Gadamsetty, Uma M., Forand, Richard A., Belmont, Brian V., Huckins, Jeffrey L., Flemming, Kristoffer D., Kumar, Muthu K., Jackson, Riley W., Danneels, Gunner
• Granted Patent: US 7,080,271 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/15
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3293 by switching to a less power-consuming processor, e.g. sub-CPU
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3296 by lowering the supply or operating voltage
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/4072 Drivers or receivers G06F13/4086 takes precedence; for multistate logic circuits H03K19/0002
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 19/04 using predictive techniques
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 1/1091 Details not provided for in groups H04R1/1008 - H04R1/1083
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2201/109 Arrangements to adapt hands free headphones for use on both ears
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/50 in wire-line communication networks, e.g. low power modes or reduced link rate

Abstract

A computing system is described that includes an I/O unit interface that is deactivated while said computing system operates within a non main CPU/OS based operational state. The computing system also includes a controller that operates functional tasks while the computing system is within the non main CPU/OS based operational state. The computing system also includes an 110 unit that is coupled to both the I/O unit interface and the controller.

Claims

1. A computing system, comprising:

a) an I/O unit interface that is deactivated while said computing system operates within a non main CPU/OS based operational state;

b) a controller that operates functional tasks while said computing system is within said non main CPU/OS based operational state; and

, c) an I/O unit coupled to both said I/O unit interface and said controller.

2. The computing system of claim 1 wherein said controller further comprises a microprocessor.

3. The computing system of claim 1 wherein said controller further comprises a microcontroller.

4. The computing system of claim 1 wherein said controller is implemented as a logic state machine.

5. The computing system of claim 1 wherein said controller is coupled to a random access memory.

6. The computing system of claim 1 wherein said computing system is a notebook or laptop computer.

7. The computing system of claim 6 further comprising an LED that is coupled to said controller, said LED observable to a user of said computing system when the lid of said notebook or laptop computer is closed.

8. The computing system of claim 6 further comprising a display that is coupled to said controller, said display observable to a user of said computing system when the lid of said notebook or laptop computer is closed.

9. The computing system of claim 6 further comprising a keyboard and/or one or more buttons coupled to said controller, said keyboard and/or one or more buttons observable to a user of said computing system when the lid of said notebook or laptop computer is closed.

10. The computing system of claim 1 further comprising an LED that is coupled to said controller, said LED observable to a user of said computing system when the main display of said computing system is not observable to a user of said computing system.

11. The computing system of claim 1 further comprising a display that is coupled to said controller, said display observable to a user of said computing system when the main display of said computing system is not observable to a user of said computing system.

12. The computing system of claim 1 further comprising a keyboard and/or one or more buttons coupled to said controller, said keyboard and/or one or more buttons observable to a user of said computing system when the main display of said computing system is not observable to a user of said computing system.

13. The computing system of claim 1 wherein said I/O unit is coupled to said controller through a bus.

14. The computing system of claim 1 wherein said controller further comprises an interface where data to/from a FLASH memory can propagate.

15. The computing system of claim 1 wherein said controller further comprises an interface where data to/from a polymer memory can propagate.

16. The computing system of claim 1 wherein said I/O unit interface is a serial port.

17. The computing system of claim 16 wherein said I/O unit is a MODEM.

18. The computing system of claim 17 wherein said MODEM is a V.90 MODEM.

19. The computing system of claim 1 wherein said I/O unit interface is a USB interface.

20. The computing system of claim 19 wherein said I/O unit is an IEEE 802.11 based network interface card.

21. The computing system of claim 1 wherein said I/O unit interface is a serial interface for a wireless MODEM.

22. The computing system of claim 21 wherein said wireless MODEM is a GPRS MODEM.

23. The computing system of claim 1 wherein said I/O unit is a wireless LAN I/O unit.

24. The computing system of claim 1 wherein said I/O unit is a wireless WAN I/O unit.

25. The computing system of claim 1 wherein said I/O unit interface is an interface to said computing system'"'"'s main system bus.

26. The computing system of claim 1 wherein said main system bus is a PCI bus.

27. A computing system, comprising:

a) a main system bus that remains activate while said computing system operates within a non main CPU/OS based operational state;

b) a controller that operates functional tasks while said computing system is within said non main CPU/OS based operational state, said controller coupled to said main system bus; and

,

c) an I/O unit coupled to said main system bus that remains active while said computing system operates within said non main CPU/OS based operational state.

28. The computing system of claim 27 wherein said main system bus is a PCI bus.

29. A method, comprising:

blinking an LED mounted on a computing system, said LED observable to a user when a main display of said computing system is not observable to a user of said computing system, said LED caused to be blinking by an event that arose while said computing system was operating within a main CPU/OS based low power state, said blinking controlled by a controller that remains active while said computing system operates within a non main CPU/OS based lower power state.

30. The method of claim 29 wherein said blinking of said LED is to inform said user that a recorded message from an unanswered call is waiting to be listened to, said event being the recording of said message, wherein a decision that said call was not being answered was made from within said non main CPU/OS based lower power state.