Personal electronics device with display switching

• US 7,184,003 B2
• Filed: 01/13/2003
• Issued: 02/27/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Arm Limited (SoftBank Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Dualcor Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Cupps, Bryan T., Glass, Timothy J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hjerpe, Richard
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shapiro, Leonid
• Application Number:
  US10/340,924
• Publication Number:
  US 20030163666A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,506 Days
• Field of Search: 345/30, 345/50, 345/55, 345/76, 712/10, 712 21- 22, 712 32- 35, 712/13, 712/27
• US Class Current: 345/30
• 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 1/3293 by switching to a less power-consuming processor, e.g. sub-CPU
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2209/509 Offload
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5027 the resource being a machine, e.g. CPUs, Servers, Terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/271 controlled by voice recognition
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72415 for remote control of appliances
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72427 for supporting games or graphical animations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/027 by controlling a display operation or backlight unit
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/028 switching on or off only a part of the equipment circuit blocks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/029 reducing the clock frequency of the controller
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 : in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A novel personal electronic device includes a first (embedded) and second (non-embedded) processors including associated operating systems and functions. In one aspect, the first processor performs relatively limited functions, while the second processor performs relatively broader functions under control of the first processor. Often the second processor requires more power than the first processor and is selectively operated by the first processor to minimize overall power consumption. Protocols for functions to be performed by the second processor may be provided directly to the second processor and processed by the second processor. In another aspect, a display controller is designed to interface with both processors. In another aspect, the operating systems work with one another. In another aspect, the first processor employs a thermal control program. Advantages of the invention include a broad array of functions performed by a relatively small personal electronics device.

Claims

1. A personal electronics device comprising:

a first processor supporting a first operating system and first functions, where the first processor is configured to provide a display output comprising M number of bits;

a second processor supporting a second operating system and second functions different from the first functions, and more complicated than the first functions, where the second processor is configured to provide a display output comprising N number of display bits, where M and N are different;

a display controller coupled to the first processor and the second processor and configured to normalize the display bits from the first processor and from the second processor to generate a normalized display output for the first and second processors with a K number of display bits different from M and N; and

a display coupled to the display controller and configured to display images based on the normalized display output with the K number of display bits.

2. The personal electronics device of claim 1, wherein:

N is greater than M.

3. The personal electronics device of claim 1, wherein:

the operation of the second processor is controlled by the first processor independently of the operation of the second processor.

4. The personal electronics device of claim 3 constructed to dock with a docking station coupled to a docked display having a different number of display bits than the display and wherein:

the display controller is configured to normalize the display bits to conform with the docked display when the personal electronics device is docked in the docking station.

5. The personal electronics device of claim 4, wherein:

the display controller is configured to selectively disable the display; and

wherein

the display controller is responsive to a user command to set the docked display at the different resolution than the display.

6. The personal electronics device of claim 4, wherein the display is a first display and wherein

the display controller is constructed to selectively disable the first display when the personal electronic device is docked with the docking station and wherein

the docking station is constructed to provide a docked display and wherein

the display controller is responsive to a user command to set the docked display at a different resolution than the first display when the personal electronic device is docked with the docking station.

7. The personal electronic device of claim 1 wherein

the first processor is an embedded processor and wherein

the second processor is a non-embedded processor and wherein

the first processor controls the operation of the second processor, independently of the operation of the second processor, in performing the more complicated functions.

8. The personal electronic device of claim 7 wherein

the second processor is normally asleep and wherein

the second processor is awakened by the first processor, independently of the operation of the second processor, only when the second processor is to perform the more complicated functions.

9. The personal electronic device of claim 7 wherein

the second processor is normally asleep and wherein

when the second processor is to perform the more complicated functions, the second processor is awakened by the first processor independently of the operation of the second processor and wherein

the performance of the functions individual to the operation of the second processor is controlled by the first processor independently of the operation of the second processor.

10. The personal electronic device of claim 1 wherein

the performance of the functions individual to the operation of the second processor is controlled by the first processor independently of the operation of the second processor.

11. The personal electronic device of claim 10 wherein

the first processor performs relatively simple functions and wherein

the second processor performs functions more complicated than the first processor, and wherein

the first processor controls the operation of the second processor, without guidance from the second processor, in performing the more complicated function.

12. The personal electronic device of claim 11 wherein

the functions performed by the second processor are provided by a plurality of components and wherein only individual ones of the components in the plurality are used by the second processor in performing each of the more complicated functions and wherein the first processor activates only the components in the second processor for performing each selected one of the more complicated functions and activates these components independently of the operation of the second processor.

13. The personal electronic device of claim 1 wherein

the second processor is normally asleep and wherein

the second processor is awakened by the first processor, independently of the operation of the second processor, when the second processor is to perform the more complicated functions and wherein

the performance by the second processor of the functions individual to the operation of the second processor is controlled by the first processor independently of the operation of the second processor.

14. The personal electronics device of claim 1 wherein the personal electronic device is constructed to dock with a docking station having a docked display with a normalized number of bits different from K and wherein

the personal electronic device has a plurality of display parameters and wherein

the display controller is constructed to change at least one of the display parameters to conform with the docked display when the personal electronics device is docked to the docking station.

15. The personal electronics device of claim 1, wherein

the display is a first display and wherein

the personal electronic device is constructed to dock with a docking station having a docked display with a normalized number of bits different from K and wherein

the display controller is constructed to selectively disable the first display when the personal electronic device is docked with the docking station and wherein

the display controller is responsive to a user command to set the docked display at the normalized number of bits different from K when the personal electronic device is docked to the docking station.

16. In a combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein

the first processor is operative, without any instructions from the second processor, to obtain the pefformance by the second processor of selective ones of the second functions when the second processor has been awakened by the first processor to perform the selective ones of the second functions.

17. In a combination as set forth in claim 16 wherein

the second processor includes a plurality of components and each of the individual ones of the second functions is performed by an individual group of the components in the plurality and wherein the first processor activates only the individual group of components for having the second processor perform the individual ones of the second functions.

20. The personal electronics device of claim 1 wherein the device is constructed to dock with a docking station coupled to a docked display and wherein:

the display controller is configured to conform with the docked display when the personal electronics device is docked in the docking station.

21. The personal electronics device of claim 20, wherein:

the display controller is configured to selectively disable the display;

the display controller is responsive to a user command to set the docked display at different resolution than the display.

18. A personal electronics device comprising:

a first processor supporting a first operating system and first functions, where the first processor is configured to provide a display output comprising M number of bits;

a second processor supporting a second operating system and second functions, where the second processor is configured to provide a display output comprising N number of bits, where M and N are different;

a display controller coupled to the first processor and the second processor and configured to normalize the display bits from the first processor and the second processor to generate a normalized display output; and

a display coupled to the display controller and configured to display images based on the normalized display output wherein

the first processor is an embedded processor; and

the second processor is a non-embedded processor.

19. The personal electronics device of claim 18, wherein:

the display is a 800×

300 pixel display.

22. A method of displaying image data from a first processor and a second processor on a display, comprising the steps of:

converting M number of display bits from the first processor to a normalized display output;

converting N number of display bits from the second processor to the normalized display output, where M and N and the normalized display output are different;

selectively displaying an image on the display in response to a user request;

wherein

the personal electronics device is constructed to dock with a docking station coupled with a docking display having a different number of display bits than the display and the method further includes the step of;

normalizing the display bits to conform with the docked display when the personal electronics device is docked in the docking station and wherein the method further includes the steps of;

selectively disabling the display; and

responding to a user command to set the docked display at a different resolution than the display.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein

the first processor is an embedded system processor which performs relatively simple functions and wherein

the second system processor is a non-embedded system processor which performs functions more complicated than those performed by the first processor and wherein

the first processor controls the operation of the second processor, without any guidance from the second processor, in performing the more complicated functions.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein

the second processor is normally asleep and wherein

the second processor is awakened by the first processor, without guidance from the second processor, when the second processor is to perform the more complicated functions and wherein

the first processor controls the operation of the second processor in performing the more complicated functions, without guidance from the second processor, when the second processor is awakened.

25. A personal hand-held electronic device, including:

a source of energy,

a first processor coupled to the source of energy and providing sequences of M digital bits of display data and constructed to perform relatively simple functions,

a second processor coupled to the source of energy and providing sequences of N digital bits of display data, N being different from M, and

the second processor being constructed to perform functions more complicated than the relatively simple functions performed by the first processor,

a display responsive to K bits of data where K is different than M and N, the display being responsive to a selective one of the sequences of the first and second system processors to provide a display of sequences of K digital bits,

the first processor being operative to provide for a conversion of selective ones of the sequence of M digital bits and the sequence of N digital bits to the sequence of K digital bits for introduction to the display.

26. A personal hand-held electronic device as set forth in claim 25, including

a first controller coupled to the first processor for converting the sequences of M digital bits to K digital bits for introduction to the display, and

a second controller coupled to the second processor for converting the sequences of N digital bits to K digital bits for introduction to the display,

M, N and K being different,

the second processor being normally asleep and being awakened by the first processor, independently of any operation of the second processor, to perform individual ones of the functions more complicated than the relatively simple functions performed by the first processor

the second processor being operative to perform the more complicated functions in accordance with the guidance of the first processor and without any guidance of the second processor.

27. A personal hand-held electronic device as set forth in claim 25, including

the first processor controlling the operation of the second processor, independently of the operation of the second processor, in having the second processor perform individual ones of the functions more complicated than the relatively simple functions performed by the first processor.

28. A personal hand-held electronic device as set forth in claim 27, including

the second processor including a plurality of components for performing the functions more complicated than the relatively simple functions, the first processor being operative to activate only the components in the second processor which perform any selective one of the more complicated functions.

29. A personal hand-held electronic device as set forth in claim 25, including,

the display being operative to provide for a display of data from the operation of the first processor on a first portion of the display and being operative to provide for a display of data from the second processor on a second portion of the display different from the first portion of the display,

the portion of the display allocated to the first and second processors being dependent upon the display needs of the first and second processors and the allocation being provided by the first processor.

30. A personal hand-held electronic device as set forth in claim 29 wherein

the amount of space provided on the display by the data from the first processor and by the data from the second processor is variable dependent upon the complexities of the functions performed by the first processor and by the second processor.

31. A personal hand-held electronic device as set forth in claim 30, including,

a first controller coupled to the first processor for converting the sequences of M digital bits to K digital bits for introduction to the display, and

a second controller coupled to the second processor for converting the sequences of N digital bits to K digital bits for introduction to the display,

M, N and K being different,

the second processor being normally asleep and being awakened by the first processor, independently of any operation of the second processor, to perform individual ones of the functions more complicated than the relatively simple functions,

the first processor controlling the operation of the second processor, independently of the operation of the second processor, in having the second processor perform individual ones of the functions more complicated than the relatively simple functions,

the second processor including a plurality of components for performing the functions more complicated than the relatively simple functions, the first processor being operative to activate only the components which perform any selective one of the more complicated functions.

32. A personal electronics device comprising:

a first processor for performing relatively simple functions, where the first processor is constructed to provide a display output comprising M number of bits;

a second processor for performing functions more complicated than the relatively simple functions performed by the first processor, where the second processor is constructed to provide a display output comprising N number of bits, where M and N are different;

the second processor having sleep and awake states and being operative in the awake state to perform the relatively complicated functions, the first processor being operative to awaken the second processor, without any instructions from the second processor, to have the second processor perform the relatively complicated functions,

a display controller coupled to the first processor and the second processor and constructed to normalize the display bits from the first processor and the second processor to generate a normalized display output with a K number of bits different from M and N; and

a display coupled to the display controller and constructed to display images based on the normalized display output with the K number of bits.

33. The personal electronics device of claim 32 wherein the personal electronic device is constructed to dock with a docking station having a docked display with a normalized number of bits different from the K number of bits and wherein

the display controller is constructed to provide the normalized number of bits different from K to conform with the docked display when the personal electronics device is docked to the docking station.

34. A personal electric device as set forth in claim 32 wherein

the second processor is operative to perform the relatively complicated functions, when awakened, in accordance with the guidance of the first processor and without the guidance of the second processor.

35. A personal electric device as set forth in claim 34 wherein

the second processor includes a plurality of components for performing the more complicated functions and each of the more complicated functions requires only individual ones of the components in the plurality to be activated and the first processor activates only the individual ones of the components for the performance by the second processor of a selected one of the more complicated functions.

36. A method of displaying image data from a first processor and a second processor on a display, comprising the steps of:

converting M number of display bits from the first processor to a normalized display output different from M;

converting N number of display bits from the second processor to the normalized display output, where M and N are different from each other and from the normalized display output; and

selectively displaying an image on the display in the normalized display output in response to a user request;

the first processor being constructed to perform relatively simple first functions and the second processor being constructed to perform second functions more complicated than the first functions, the operation of the second processor being controlled by the first processor, independently of the operation of the second processor, to have the second processor perform the second functions.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein:

the second processor is normally asleep and is awakened by the first processor, independently of the operation of the second processor, when the second processor is to perform one of the second functions and wherein

the second processor performs the one of the second functions under the control of the first processor and without any control from the second processor.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein:

the normalized display output is K number of bits, where M, N and K are different and wherein

the second processor has a plurality of components and individual ones of the components perform selective ones of the second functions and the first processor activates the individual ones of the components in the second processor, independently of the operation of the second processor, to have the second processor perform the selective ones of the second functions.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein the personal electronics device is constructed to dock with a docking station having a docked display, and the method further includes the steps of:

providing the personal electronic device with a plurality of display parameters,

changing at least one of the display parameters to conform with the docked display when the personal electronic device is docked to the docking station, and wherein

the second processor has sleep and awake states and is normally in the sleep state and is awakened by the first processor, independently of the operation of the second processor, to provide for the performance of the second functions by the second processor and wherein

the first processor provides, independently of the operation of the second processor, for the second processor to perform the second functions.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein the personal electronics device is constructed to dock with a docking station having a docked display and the method further includes the steps of:

the display constituting a first display,

providing the personal electronic device with a plurality of display parameters and

changing at least one of the display parameters to conform with the docked display when the personal electronics device is docked with the docking station and wherein

the second processor has sleep and awake states and is normally in the sleep state and is awakened by the first processor, independently of the operation of the second processor, to provide for the performance of the second functions by the second processor and wherein

the first processor provides for the second processor to perform the second functions without any guidance from the second processor to the first processor.

41. The method of claim 36, further comprising the steps of:

the display constituting a first display; and

selectively disabling the first display when the personal electronic device is docked to the docking station;

providing the docking station with a docking display; and

enabling the docking display when the personal electronic device is docked to the docking station.

42. The method of claim 36 further comprising the steps of:

the display constituting a first display,

selectively disabling the first display when the personal electronic device is docked to the docking station,

setting the docked display at a different resolution than the first display when the first display is selectively disabled,

the first processor being embedded and the second processor being non-embedded, and

a source for energizing the first and second processors.

43. In a combination as set forth in claim 42 wherein

the second processor has a number of components which are individually activated to perform selective ones of the second functions and wherein

the first processor activates the individual ones of the components in the second processor, without any instructions from the second processor, to perform the selective ones of the second functions.

44. A method of displaying image data from a first processor and a second processor on a display, comprising the steps of:

converting M number of display bits from the first processor to a normalized display output of K display bits;

converting N number of display bits from the second processor to the normalized display output of K display bits, where M, N and K are different;

selectively displaying an image on the display in response to a user request;

wherein

the first processor is embedded; and

the second processor is a non-embedded processor; and

wherein

the converting steps include the step of converting the display bits to the normalized display output of the K display bits for a 800×

300 pixel display; and

the selective displaying step includes the step of displaying the image on the 800×

300 pixel display.