Ultra low power apparatus and method to wake up a main processor
First Claim
1. A method of waking up a main processor in an ultra-low power electronic device, said method comprising:
- monitoring for a predetermined condition by sensor coupled to a sub-processor when the sub-processor that controls the sensor is in a sleep mode;
sending by the sensor a data signal to the sub-processor upon sensing a change in the predetermined condition being monitored, said sub-processor being configured to wake up from sleep mode upon receiving the data signal and evaluate data received from the sensor to determine whether or not to wake up a main processor;
wherein when the sub-processor determines that the data signal received from the sensor has reached a predetermined threshold value or is within a predetermined range of validity, the sub-processor sending a wake up signal to wake up the main processor that is coupled to the sub-processor,wherein the sensor comprises an audio sensor or microphone that senses sound received that is within a predetermined range or has reached a predetermined threshold value, andwherein the audio sensor or microphone is coupled to the sub-processor, and when the sub-processor wakes the main processor, determining by the main processor whether an audible sound is a voice input to unlock or operate an application.
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for waking up a main processor (MP) in a low power or ultra-low power device preferably includes the MP, and a sub-processor (SP) that utilizes less power than the MP to monitor ambient conditions than the MP, and may be internalized in the MP. The MP and SP can remain in a sleep mode while an interrupt sensor monitors for changes in the ambient environment. A sensor is preferably an interrupt-type sensor, as opposed to polling-type sensors conventionally used to detect ambient changes. The MP and SP may remain in sleep mode, as a low-power or an ultra-low power interrupt sensor operates with the SP being in sleep mode, and awakens the SP via an interrupt indicating a detected change. The SP then wakes the MP after comparing data from the interrupt sensor with values in storage or with another sensor.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of waking up a main processor in an ultra-low power electronic device, said method comprising:
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monitoring for a predetermined condition by sensor coupled to a sub-processor when the sub-processor that controls the sensor is in a sleep mode; sending by the sensor a data signal to the sub-processor upon sensing a change in the predetermined condition being monitored, said sub-processor being configured to wake up from sleep mode upon receiving the data signal and evaluate data received from the sensor to determine whether or not to wake up a main processor;
wherein when the sub-processor determines that the data signal received from the sensor has reached a predetermined threshold value or is within a predetermined range of validity, the sub-processor sending a wake up signal to wake up the main processor that is coupled to the sub-processor,wherein the sensor comprises an audio sensor or microphone that senses sound received that is within a predetermined range or has reached a predetermined threshold value, and wherein the audio sensor or microphone is coupled to the sub-processor, and when the sub-processor wakes the main processor, determining by the main processor whether an audible sound is a voice input to unlock or operate an application. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An ultra-low power wake up apparatus comprising:
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a sub-processor including an interface for communicating with a main processor, the sub-processor having at least a sleep mode and an operating mode; a sensor in communication with the sub-processor, said sensor monitors a predetermined condition when the main processor is in the sleep mode; wherein said sensor sends an interrupt signal to the sub-processor upon sensing a change in the condition being monitored, said sub-processor being configured to wake up from the sleep mode and evaluate data provided from the sensor; and wherein said sub-processor being further configured to send a wake up signal over the communication interface to wake up the main processor for identifying data provided from the sensor when the sub-processor determines that the data received from the sensor is at a predetermined threshold value or within a predetermined range of validity, wherein the sensor comprises an audio sensor or microphone that senses sound received that is within a predetermined range or has reached a predetermined threshold value, wherein the audio sensor or microphone is coupled to the sub-processor, and when the sub-processor wakes the main processor, the main processor determines whether an audible sound is a voice input to unlock or operate an application. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification