Non main CPU/OS based operational environment

• US 8,166,325 B2
• Filed: 09/22/2008
• Issued: 04/24/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/14/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Original Assignee: Intel Corporation
• Inventors: Kardach, James P., Belmont, Brian V., Kumar, Muthu K., Jackson, Riley W., Danneels, Gunner, Forand, Richard A., Gupta, Vivek, Huckins, Jeffrey L., Flemming, Kristoffer D., Gadamsetty, Uma M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shin, Christopher B.
• Application Number:
  US12/235,473
• Publication Number:
  US 20090019185A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,310 Days
• Field of Search: 713300-340, 710 8- 19, 719/321, 326/21, 327/142
• US Class Current: 713/323
• 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 a main system bus that remains active 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 I/O unit coupled to the main system bus that remains active while the computing system operates within the non main CPU/OS based operational state.

Claims

1. A machine readable medium having instructions for a computing system, said instructions when executed performing a method comprising:

a) making the computing system to operate within a non main CPU/OS based operational state while a main system bus of the computing system remains active, wherein an independent controller may operate functional tasks while the computing system is within the non main CPU/OS based operational state, the controller being coupled to the main system bus; and

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

2. The machine readable medium of claim 1, in which the computing system comprises wake-up/sleep logic circuitry coupled to power control circuitry to establish said main CPU/OS based operational state and said non main CPU/OS based operational state, said I/O unit interface coupled downstream from said power control circuitry.

3. The machine readable medium of claim 2 wherein said computing system is a notebook or laptop computer.

4. The machine readable medium of claim 1, in which the computing system comprises an LED that is coupled to said second CPU, said LED observable to a user of said computing system when the lid of said notebook or laptop computer is closed.

5. The machine readable medium of claim 4, in which the computing system comprises 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.

6. The machine readable medium of claim 5, in which the computing system comprises 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.

7. The machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein said I/O unit is coupled to said controller through a bus.

8. The machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein said controller is coupled to at least one of a FLASH memory and a polymer memory.

9. The machine readable medium of claim 1, wherein said I/O unit is a wireless unit.

10. An apparatus, comprising:

a machine readable medium having instructions that when executed, implement at least part of an operating system for a computer system to;

(a) allow a first CPU to operate during a main CPU/OS based operational state;

(b) cooperate with a second CPU that can execute program code during a non main CPU/OS based operational state, wherein, first power consumed by said first CPU during said main CPU/OS based operational state is greater than second power consumed by said second CPU during said non main CPU/OS based operational state;

c) facilitate the first CPU to provide data from the first CPU to the second CPU through a wireless unit coupled to both an I/O unit interface for the first CPU and said second CPU; and

d) enable the data to be written into a non volatile storage unit for the second CPU so that the second CPU can use the data during the non main CPU/OS based operating state when the first CPU is not active.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 comprising wake-up/sleep logic circuitry coupled to power control circuitry to establish said main CPU/OS based operational state and said non main CPU/OS based operational state, said I/O unit interface coupled downstream from said power control circuitry.

12. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said computing system is a notebook or laptop computer.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 further comprising an LED that is coupled to said second CPU, said LED observable to a user of said computing system when the lid of said notebook or laptop computer is closed.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 further comprising a display that is coupled to said second CPU, said display observable to a user of said computing system when the lid of said notebook or laptop computer is closed.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 further comprising a keyboard and/or one or more buttons coupled to said second CPU, 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.

16. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said I/O unit is coupled to said second CPU through a bus.