METHODS AND SYSTEMS TO DYNAMICALLY MANAGE PERFORMANCE STATES IN A DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM

• US 20090063715A1
• Filed: 08/31/2007
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: de Cesare, Joshua, Cox, Keith, Dyke, Kenneth C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,711,864 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 710/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/324 by lowering clock frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3296 by lowering the supply or operating voltage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

Data processing systems which operate in different modes, including a mode which supports providing an output of images through a port on the systems. In one embodiment, a data processing system includes a processing system, a cellular telephone transceiver, and a port which is configured to provide, as an output from the handheld data processing system, data representing movie video images. Methods and machine readable media are also described.

Claims

1. A data processing system comprising:

an input/output (I/O) port configured to provide data representing video images to a display device in a first mode in which the data processing system operates a first component at a first frequency and configured to provide a communications channel for synchronizing data between the data processing system and a host system wherein the synchronizing is capable of being performed in a second mode in which the data processing system operates the first component at a second frequency which is less than the first frequency;

a processing system coupled to the input/output port and configured to execute at least a first device driver which is configured to control the first component in the data processing system and configured to execute a second device driver which is configured to control a second component that provides the data representing the video images, wherein the second device driver causes a first notification to be provided to the first device driver when the data processing system transitions to the first mode.

2. The data processing system as in claim 1 wherein the second device driver causes the first notification to be provided to the first device driver before the data processing system enters the first mode and causes a second notification to be provided to the first device driver after entering the first mode and causes a third notification to be provided to the first device driver before exiting the first mode and causes a fourth notification to be provided to the first device driver after exiting the first mode.

3. The data processing system as in claim 2 wherein the second device driver causes a change from a set of the second frequency and a second voltage to a set of the first frequency and a first voltage and a change from the first frequency and the first voltage to the second frequency and a second voltage.

4. The data processing system as in claim 3 wherein the I/O port is configured to recharge a battery in the data processing system while in the first mode and wherein the images are provided in a sequence of at least 15 frames per second.

5. The data processing system as in claim 4 wherein at least one component in the data processing system is operated at a frequency higher than its specified normal operating frequency range.

6. The data processing system as in claim 1 wherein the I/O port is configured to recharge a battery in the data processing system while in the first mode and wherein the video images are provided in a sequence of at least 15 frames per second and wherein different components in the data processing system are operated at different operating frequencies in the first mode as specified by a first set of frequencies and the different components are operated at different operating frequencies in the second mode as specified by a second set of frequencies.

7. The data processing system as in claim 1 further comprising:

a display integrated into a housing of the data processing system and coupled to the processing system;

an input device coupled to the processing system;

a cellular telephone transceiver coupled to the processing system; and

wherein the data processing system is a handheld device and wherein the video images are provided in a sequence of at least 15 frames per second to an external display.

8. The data processing system as in claim 7 wherein the data processing system occupies a volume of less than about 6 inches by 4 inches by 1 inch.

9. The data processing system as in claim 8 wherein the input device comprises at least one of a keyboard and a keypad and a touch input panel.

10. The data processing system as in claim 9 further comprising:

a radio frequency (RF) transceiver coupled to the processing system and configured to communicate with a wireless local area network; and

a storage device configured to store the data representing the video images which comprise a movie.

11. The data processing apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the data representing video images are transmitted through the I/O port to allow playback on the external display in response to determining that a system controlling the external display is configured to not copy in a permanent storage the content of the video images.

12. The data processing apparatus as in claim 9 wherein the data representing video images are transmitted through the I/O port to allow playback on the external display in response to determining that a system controlling the external display is authorized, under a digital rights management system, to retain a copy of the data representing video images.

13. The data processing system as in claim 10 wherein the storage device is configured to store music, movies, calendar information, contact information, emails and notes and wherein the data processing system is configured with software to view and manipulate the music, movies, calendar information, contact information, emails and notes.

14. A handheld data processing system comprising:

a processing system;

a cellular telephone transceiver coupled to the processing system;

a port coupled to the processing system, the port and the processing system being configured to provide, as an output from the handheld data processing system, data representing movie video images.

15. The handheld data processing system as in claim 14 further comprising a battery coupled to the processing system and wherein the port is coupled to the battery and is configured to allow recharging of the battery when the handheld data processing system is coupled to a power source.

16. The handheld data processing system as in claim 14 further comprising:

a display integrated into a housing of the handheld data processing system and coupled to the processing system;

an input device coupled to the processing system;

and wherein the movie video images are provided in a sequence of at least 15 frames per second to an external display.

17. The handheld data processing system as in claim 16 wherein the handheld data processing system occupies a volume of less than about 6 inches by 4 inches by 1 inch.

18. The handheld data processing system as in claim 16 wherein the data representing movie video images are transmitted through the port to allow playback on the external display in response to determining that a system controlling the external display is configured to not copy, in a permanent storage, the content of the movie video images.

19. The handheld data processing system as in claim 16 wherein the data representing the movie video images are transmitted through the port to allow playback on the external display if a system controlling the external display is authorized, under a digital rights management system, to retain a copy of the data representing movie video images.

20. The handheld data processing system as in claim 16 further comprising:

a storage device configured to store the data representing movie video images and wherein the storage device is also configured with software to store and view music, calendar information, contact information, and text messages.

21. The handheld data processing system as in claim 16 wherein different components in the handheld data processing system are operated at different operating frequencies in a first mode as specified by a first set of frequencies and the different components are operated at different operating frequencies in a second mode as specified by a second set of frequencies.

22. The handheld data processing system as in claim 21 wherein a first device driver, for a first component of the different components, causes a notification to be provided to a second device driver in response to a transition between the first and second modes.

23. The handheld data processing system as in claim 22 wherein the port is configured to provide a communications channel for synchronizing data between the handheld data processing system and a host system.

24. A method of operating a data processing system, the method comprising:

operating the data processing system in a first mode with a plurality of components in the data processing system operating at different operating frequencies as specified by a first set of frequencies, wherein a minimum operating state of a most performance-needy component in the first mode determines the frequencies in the first set of frequencies;

receiving a signal indicating a transition to a second mode in which the plurality of components operate at different operating frequencies as specified by a second set of frequencies, wherein one of the components in the second mode provides an output of data representing video images through an output port;

transitioning from the first mode to the second mode;

transmitting video images through the output port in the second mode.

25. The method as in claim 24 wherein the video images are a sequence of video images in a movie which are transmitted at a rate of at least 15 frames per second.

26. The method as in clam 25 further comprising:

providing at least one notification of the transitioning to a first software device driver of at least one of the components, the at least one notification occurring before the transitioning.

27. The method as in claim 26 wherein the at least one notification comprises a first notification before the transitioning and a second notification after the transitioning.

28. The method as in claim 26 wherein the software device driver registers for the at least one notification and wherein a set of the plurality of components operate at a first voltage and a first frequency in the first mode and operate at a second voltage and a second frequency in the second mode, the second voltage being greater than the first voltage and the second frequency is greater than the first frequency.

29. The method as in claim 28 wherein the data processing system is a handheld data processing system having a housing which occupies a volume of less than about 6 inches by 4 inches by 1 inch and wherein the handheld data processing system comprises:

a display integrated into the housing and coupled to a processing system in the housing;

an input device on the housing and coupled to the processing system;

a cellular telephone transceiver coupled to the processing system.

30. The method as in claim 29 wherein the data representing video images are transmitted through the output port to allow playback on an external display in response to determining that a system controlling the external display is configured to not copy, in a permanent storage, the content of the video images.

31. The method as in claim 29 wherein the data representing the video images are transmitted through the port to allow playback on an external display in response to determining that a system controlling the external display is authorized, under a digital rights management system, to retain a copy of the data representing the video images.

32. The method as in claim 29 wherein the output port is also an input port which is configured to provide a communications channel for synchronizing data between the handheld data processing system and a host system.

33. A method of operating a data processing system, the method comprising:

receiving a signal indicating a transition to a first mode from a second mode, the first mode being configured to operate at least one component of the data processing system beyond a specified normal operating parameter, and the second mode being configured to operate all components of the data processing system within specified normal operating parameters;

providing, in response to the signal, a notification, caused by a first software driver for a first component, to at least a second software driver for a second component to cause the second software driver to configure the second component to operate in the first mode.

34. The method as in claim 33 wherein the second component comprises a hardware component and the second software driver configures the second component by setting at least one of a voltage and an operating frequency of the hardware component in the first mode.

35. The method as in claim 33 wherein the first mode comprises providing a sequence of video images through a port at a rate of at least 15 frames per second.

36. The method as in claim 35 wherein in the second mode, a plurality of components in the data processing system operate at different operating frequencies as specified by a first set of frequencies, wherein a minimum operating state of a most performance-needy component in the second mode determines the frequencies in the first set of frequencies.

37. The method as in claim 35 wherein the notification occurs at least before the transition, and wherein the second software driver registers for the notification and wherein the data processing system is a handheld data processing system having a housing which occupies a volume of less than about 6 inches by 4 inches by 1 inch and wherein the handheld data processing system comprises:

a display integrated into the housing and coupled to a processing system in the housing;

an input device on the housing and coupled to the processing system; and

a cellular telephone transceiver coupled to the processing system.

38. The method as in claim 37 wherein data representing the sequence of video images are transmitted through an output port on the housing to allow playback on an external display in response to determining that a system controlling the external display is configured to not copy, in a permanent storage, the content of the sequence if the system is not authorized, under a digital rights management system, to retain a copy.

39. A machine readable medium storing executable instructions which when executed cause a method of operating a data processing system, the method comprising:

operating the data processing system in a first mode with a plurality of components in the data processing system operating at different operating frequencies as specified by a first set of frequencies, wherein a minimum operating state of a most performance-needy component in the first mode determines the frequencies in the first set of frequencies;

receiving a signal indicating a transition to a second mode in which the plurality of components operate at different operating frequencies as specified by a second set of frequencies, wherein one of the components in the second mode provides an output of data representing video images through an output port;

transitioning from the first mode to the second mode;

transmitting video images through the output port in the second mode.

40. The medium as in claim 39 wherein the video images are a sequence of video images in a movie which are transmitted at a rate of at least 15 frames per second.

41. The medium as in clam 40, wherein the method further comprises:

providing at least one notification of the transitioning to a first software device driver of at least one of the components, the at least one notification occurring before the transitioning.

42. The medium as in claim 41 wherein the at least one notification comprises a first notification before the transitioning and a second notification after the transitioning.

43. The medium as in claim 41 wherein the software device driver registers for the at least one notification and wherein a set of the plurality of components operate at a first voltage and a first frequency in the first mode and operate at a second voltage and a second frequency in the second mode, the second voltage being greater than the first voltage and the second frequency is greater than the first frequency.

44. The medium as in claim 43 wherein the data processing system is a handheld data processing system having a housing which occupies a volume of less than about 6 inches by 4 inches by 1 inch and wherein the handheld data processing system comprises:

a display integrated into the housing and coupled to a processing system in the housing;

an input device on the housing and coupled to the processing system;

a cellular telephone transceiver coupled to the processing system.

45. The medium as in claim 44 wherein the data representing video images are transmitted through the output port to allow playback on an external display in response to determining that a system controlling the external display is configured to not copy, in a permanent storage, the content of the video images.

46. The medium as in claim 44 wherein the data representing the video images are transmitted through the port to allow playback on an external display in response to determining that a system controlling the external display is authorized, under a digital rights management system, to retain a copy of the data representing the video images.

47. The medium as in claim 44 wherein the output port is also an input port which is configured to provide a communications channel for synchronizing data between the handheld data processing system and a host system.

48. A machine readable medium storing executable instructions which when executed cause a method of operating a data processing system, the method comprising:

receiving a signal indicating a transition to a first mode from a second mode, the first mode being configured to operate at least one component of the data processing system beyond a specified normal operating parameter, and the second mode being configured to operate all components of the data processing system within specified normal operating parameters;

providing, in response to the signal, a notification, caused by a first software driver for a first component, to at least a second software driver for a second component to cause the second software driver to configure the second component to operate in the first mode.

49. The medium as in claim 48 wherein the second component comprises a hardware component and the second software driver configures the second component by setting at least one of a voltage and an operating frequency of the hardware component in the first mode.

50. The medium as in claim 48 wherein the first mode comprises providing a sequence of video images through a port at a rate of at least 15 frames per second.

51. The medium as in claim 50 wherein in the second mode, a plurality of components in the data processing system operate at different operating frequencies as specified by a first set of frequencies, wherein a minimum operating state of a most performance-needy component in the second mode determines the frequencies in the first set of frequencies.

52. The medium as in claim 50 wherein the notification occurs at least before the transition, and wherein the second software driver registers for the notification and wherein the data processing system is a handheld data processing system having a housing which occupies a volume of less than about 6 inches by 4 inches by 1 inch and wherein the handheld data processing system comprises:

a display integrated into the housing and coupled to a processing system in the housing;

an input device on the housing and coupled to the processing system; and

a cellular telephone transceiver coupled to the processing system.

53. The medium as in claim 52 wherein data representing the sequence of video images are transmitted through an output port on the housing to allow playback on an external display in response to determining that a system controlling the external display is configured to not copy, in a permanent storage, the content of the sequence if the system is not authorized, under a digital rights management system, to retain a copy.

54. A data processing system comprising:

means for operating the data processing system in a first mode with a plurality of components in the data processing system operating at different operating frequencies as specified by a first set of frequencies, wherein a minimum operating state of a most performance-needy component in the first mode determines the frequencies in the first set of frequencies;

means for receiving a signal indicating a transition to a second mode in which the plurality of components operate at different operating frequencies as specified by a second set of frequencies, wherein one of the components in the second mode provides an output of data representing video images through an output port;

means for transitioning from the first mode to the second mode;

means for transmitting video images through the output port in the second mode.

55. A data processing system comprising:

means for receiving a signal indicating a transition to a first mode from a second mode, the first mode being configured to operate at least one component of the data processing system beyond a specified normal operating parameter, and the second mode being configured to operate all components of the data processing system within specified normal operating parameters;

means for providing, in response to the signal, a notification, caused by a first software driver for a first component, to at least a second software driver for a second component to cause the second software driver to configure the second component to operate in the first mode.