Computing device capable of instant-on and non-instant on modes of operation

• US 7,096,309 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2004
• Issued: 08/22/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Ginosar, Ran
• Primary Examiner(s): Cottingham, John R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAN, RAYMOND NGAN
• Application Number:
  US11/006,986
• Publication Number:
  US 20050083761A1
• Time in Patent Office: 623 Days
• Field of Search: 710300-306, 710313-317, 710105-106, 710 36- 41, 710 15- 17, 710 62- 64, 710/72, 710 20- 21, 361/58, 361/686, 713/2, 713/100
• US Class Current: 710/316
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• 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 9/4401 Bootstrapping security arrangements therefor G06F21/57

Abstract

A single, dual form computing device is provided that incorporates the functionality of a laptop computer with that of a handheld or palm-size computing device, and allows each functionality to be selectively employed. The dual form computing device operates in one of two modes. While operating in a first “instant on” mode, the dual form computing device provides functionality similar to that of a handheld device, whereby a lengthy bootstrap process and operating system load is not required. While operating in a second “non-instant on” mode, the dual form computing device operates substantially like a laptop computer. Additionally, the dual form computing device is equipped to share input and output devices independent of the operation mode it functions in.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of electronic components defining an instant on computing device for use in a first instant on mode of operation wherein said first plurality of electronic components includes a first processor to execute instructions representing a first operating system;

a second plurality of electronic components, including a plurality of input and output devices defining a non-instant on computing device for use in a second non-instant on mode of operation, wherein said second plurality of electronic components includes a second processor to execute instructions representing a second operating system and wherein upon initiating execution of said non-instant on mode of operation, said instant on device is inhibited from executing a startup sequence; and

one or more switching mechanisms coupled to said input and output devices and selectively, to selected ones of said first and second plurality of electronic components to enable said input/output devices to be available for use in said first instant on as well as said second non-instant on mode of operation.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said first plurality of electronic components includes a first memory device and said second plurality of electronic components includes a second memory device, and wherein said first and second processors operate simultaneously to synchronize data between said first and second memory devices.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said first plurality of electronic components are embodied in a hand-held computing device, and wherein said second plurality of electronic components are embodied in a portable computer, having a connector which receives the hand-held so as to enable said input/output devices to be available to said first processor for use in said first instant on mode.

4. An apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of electronic components defining an instant on computing device for use in a first instant on mode of operation;

a second plurality of electronic components, including a plurality of input and output devices defining a non-instant on computing device for use in a second non-instant on mode of operation and wherein upon initiating execution of said non-instant on mode of operation, said instant on computing device is inhibited from executing a startup sequence, said first or second plurality of electronic components includes a processor having at least two operating modes, wherein when in a first operating mode said processor executes instructions representing a first operating system, and when in a second operating mode said processor executes instructions representing a second operating system; and

one or more switching mechanisms coupled to said input and output devices and selectively, to selected ones of said first and second plurality of electronic components to enable said input/output devices to be available for use in said first instant on as well as said second non-instant on mode of operation.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said one or more switching mechanisms includes a mechanical switch.

6. An apparatus comprising:

a first plurality of electronic components defining an instant on computing device for use in a first instant on mode of operation;

a second plurality of electronic components, including a plurality of input and output devices defining a non-instant on computing device for use in a second non-instant on mode of operation and wherein upon initiating execution of said non-instant on mode of operation, said instant on computing device is inhibited from executing a startup sequence; and

one or more switching mechanisms coupled to said input and output devices and selectively, to selected ones of said first and second plurality of electronic components to enable said input/output devices to be available for use in said first instant on as well as said second non-instant on mode of operation wherein said one or more switching mechanisms includes a digital multiplexor.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said plurality of input and output devices include a keyboard and a display device.

8. A system comprising:

an integrated circuit comprising a first plurality of electronic components and defining a first instant on mode of operation wherein said first plurality of electronic components includes a first processor to execute instructions representing a first operating system;

a second plurality of electronic components, including a plurality of input and output devices, said second plurality of electronic components defining a second non-instant on mode of operation, wherein said second plurality of electronic components includes a second processor to execute instructions representing a second operating system and wherein upon initiating execution of said non-instant on mode of operation, said first processor is inhibited from executing a startup sequence; and

one or more switching mechanisms coupled to said input and output devices and selectively, to selected ones of said first and second plurality of electronic components to enable said input and output devices to be available for use in said first instant on as well as said second non-instant on mode of operation.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a connector interface to couple said one or more switching mechanisms to said integrated circuit.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein said first plurality of electronic components includes a first memory device, wherein said second plurality of electronic components includes a second memory device, and wherein said first and second processors operate simultaneously to synchronize data stored within said first and second memory devices.

11. A system comprising:

an integrated circuit comprising a first plurality of electronic components and defining a first instant on mode of operation;

a second plurality of electronic components, including a plurality of input and output devices, said second plurality of electronic components defining a second non-instant on mode of operation wherein said first or second plurality of electronic components includes a processor having at least two operating modes,

wherein when in a first operating mode said processor executes instructions representing a first operating system, and when in a second operating mode said processor executes instructions representing a second operating system and wherein upon initiating execution of said non-instant on mode of operation, said processor is inhibited from executing a startup sequence; and

one or more switching mechanisms coupled to said input and output devices and selectively, to selected ones of said first and second plurality of electronic components to enable said input and output devices to be available for use in said first instant on as well as said second non-instant on mode of operation.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein said one or more switching mechanisms includes a mechanical switch.

13. A system comprising:

an integrated circuit comprising a first plurality of electronic components and defining a first instant on mode of operation for an instant on device;

a second plurality of electronic components, including a plurality of input and output devices, said second plurality of electronic components defining a second non-instant on mode of operation and wherein upon initiating execution of said non-instant on mode of operation, said instant on device is inhibited from executing a startup sequence; and

one or more switching mechanisms coupled to said input and output devices and selectively, to selected ones of said first and second plurality of electronic components to enable said input and output devices to be available for use in said first instant on as well as said second non-instant on mode of operation wherein said one or more switching mechanisms includes a digital multiplexor.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein said plurality of input and output devices include a user input device and a display device.

15. A dual-mode portable computer, comprising:

a first microprocessor, said first microprocessor executing a first startup sequence upon selection of a first instant on mode of operation;

input and output devices;

a connector, configured to receive a plug-in device that includes a second microprocessor, said second microprocessor executing a second startup sequence upon selection of a second non-instant on mode of operation and wherein upon initiating execution of said non-instant on mode of operation, said first microprocessor is inhibited from executing said first startup sequence; and

switching circuitry, adapted to selectively couple the input and output devices to the first microprocessor in a first mode of operation of the computer or, alternatively, to the second microprocessor in a second mode of operation of the computer when the plug-in device is connected to the connector.

17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein said input and output devices include a user input device and a display device.

16. An apparatus comprising:

a memory device having a plurality of memory banks;

a first operating system residing in a first range of said plurality of memory banks;

a second operating system residing in a second range of said plurality of memory banks;

a dual mode processor having at least two operational modes including;

a low power mode; and

a high performance mode, wherein upon initiating execution of said high performance mode, said low power mode is inhibited from executing a startup sequence; and

logic equipped to selectively provide said dual mode processor with said first or second operating system in response to said operational mode of said dual mode processor.