Non main CPU/OS based operational environment

• US 9,305,562 B2
• Filed: 04/20/2015
• Issued: 04/05/2016
• 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 D., Forand, Richard A., Gupta, Vivek, Huckins, Jeffrey L., Fleming, Kristoffer D., Gadamsetty, Uma M.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHIN, CHRISTOPHER B
• Application Number:
  US14/691,009
• Publication Number:
  US 20150228290A1
• Time in Patent Office: 351 Days
• Field of Search: 713/323, 710/15
• US Class Current: 1/1
• 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 non-transitory machine readable medium having instructions for a computing system, the instructions when executed cause the computing system to:

make the computing system operate within a non main CPU/OS processor based operational state while a main system bus of the computing system remains active, wherein one or more functional tasks are operatable by an independent controller while the computing system is within the non main CPU/OS based operational state, the controller being coupled to the main system bus;

retrieve encoded music from a data storage resource that is active while the computing system is operating within the non main CPU/OS based operational state; and

decoding the encoded music while the computing system is within the non main CPU/OS based operational state.

2. The machine readable medium of claim 1 wherein said encoded music is encoded within an MP3 format.

3. The machine readable medium of claim 1 wherein said method further comprises initiating transmission of said music, after its decoding, to a wireless headset.

4. The machine readable medium of claim 1 wherein said method further comprises allowing a user to select a song, said music being at least a part of said song.

5. The machine readable medium of claim 1 wherein said method further comprises allowing a user to control the volume of said music.

6. The machine readable medium of claim 1 wherein said controller is a microprocessor.

7. The machine readable medium of claim 1 wherein said controller is a microcontroller.

8. A method performed by a computing system, comprising:

making the computing system operate within a non main CPU/OS based operational state while a main system bus of the computing system remains active, wherein one or more functional tasks are operatable by an independent controller while the computing system is within the non main CPU/OS based operational state, the controller being coupled to the main system bus;

retrieving encoded music from a data storage resource that is active while said computing system is within the non main CPU/OS based operational state; and

,

decoding said encoded music while said computing system is within the non main CPU/OS based operational state.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein said encoded music is encoded within an MP3 format.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein said method further comprises initiating transmission of said music, after its decoding, to a wireless headset.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein said method further comprises allowing a user to select a song, said music being at least a part of said song.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein said method further comprises allowing a user to control the volume of said music.