Wireless modem with CPU and auxiliary processor that shifts control between processors when in low power state while maintaining communication link to wireless network
First Claim
1. A method of operating a computer including a central processing unit (CPU) and an auxiliary processor, comprising:
- communicating operating state information from the CPU to the auxiliary processor, wherein the auxiliary processor is a processor within a wireless modem coupled to the CPU;
configuring the auxiliary processor using the operating state information;
shifting control of computer peripherals to the auxiliary processor;
placing the CPU into a low power or deactivated state; and
maintaining a communication link with a wireless network via the wireless modem while control of computer peripherals is shifted to the auxiliary processor,wherein the CPU and the auxiliary processor are configured to anticipate operating mode transitions.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A computing device includes a low power auxiliary processor, such as a processor on a wireless card or sub-system, which is able to takeover processing in place of the computing device'"'"'s central processing unit (CPU). Operating the computing device on the auxiliary processor draws less power from the computing device battery, enabling extended operation in an auxiliary processor mode. When in this mode, the auxiliary processor controls peripherals and provides the system functionality while the CPU is deactivated, such as in “off,” “standby” or “sleep” modes. In the auxiliary processor mode, the computing device can accomplish useful tasks, such as sending/receiving electronic mail, displaying electronic documents and accessing a network while drawing minimal power from the battery. Transitions between the normal operating mode and auxiliary processor mode may be transparent to users. Such a computer may display instant on, always on and always connected operating features.
48 Citations
99 Claims
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1. A method of operating a computer including a central processing unit (CPU) and an auxiliary processor, comprising:
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communicating operating state information from the CPU to the auxiliary processor, wherein the auxiliary processor is a processor within a wireless modem coupled to the CPU; configuring the auxiliary processor using the operating state information; shifting control of computer peripherals to the auxiliary processor; placing the CPU into a low power or deactivated state; and maintaining a communication link with a wireless network via the wireless modem while control of computer peripherals is shifted to the auxiliary processor, wherein the CPU and the auxiliary processor are configured to anticipate operating mode transitions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A computer, comprising:
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a memory; a central processor unit (CPU) coupled to the memory; an auxiliary processor coupled to the memory, wherein the auxiliary processor is a processor within a wireless modem coupled to the CPU; wherein the CPU and the auxiliary processor are configured with processor-executable instructions to perform steps comprising; communicating operating state information from the CPU to the auxiliary processor; configuring the auxiliary processor using the operating state information; shifting control of computer peripherals to the auxiliary processor; placing the CPU into a low power or deactivated state; and maintaining a communication link with a wireless network via the wireless modem while control of computer peripherals is shifted to the auxiliary processor, wherein the CPU and the auxiliary processor are configured to anticipate operating mode transitions. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51)
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52. A computer, comprising:
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a central processor unit (CPU); an auxiliary processor, wherein the auxiliary processor is a processor within a wireless modem coupled to the computer; means for communicating operating state information from the CPU to the auxiliary processor; means for configuring the auxiliary processor using the operating state information; means for shifting control of computer peripherals to the auxiliary processor; means for placing the CPU into a low power or deactivated state; means for maintaining a communication link with a wireless network via the wireless modem while control of computer peripherals is shifted to the auxiliary processor; and means for anticipating operating mode transitions. - View Dependent Claims (53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76)
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77. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations, comprising:
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communicating operating state information from a central processor unit (CPU) to an auxiliary processor, wherein the auxiliary processor is a processor within a wireless modem coupled to the CPU; configuring the auxiliary processor using the operating state information; shifting control of computer peripherals, including a primary user interface display, to the auxiliary processor; placing the CPU into a low power or deactivated state; and maintaining a communication link with a wireless network via the wireless modem while control of computer peripherals is shifted to the auxiliary processor, wherein the CPU and the auxiliary processor are configured to anticipate operating mode transitions. - View Dependent Claims (78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, 99)
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Specification