Personal electronics device

• US 6,976,180 B2
• Filed: 05/30/2002
• Issued: 12/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arm Limited (SoftBank Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Dualcor Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Glass, Timothy J., Cupps, Bryan T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cottingham, John R.
• Application Number:
  US10/158,266
• Publication Number:
  US 20030226044A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,293 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300
• US Class Current: 713/300
• 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 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: 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 1/72445 for supporting Internet browser applications
• 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

First (embedded) and second (non-embedded) processors are energized by an energy source in a hand-held device. The second processor performs functions requiring more power than those performed by the first processor. The second processor is normally asleep and is awakened by the first processor and is empowered, when awakened, to perform functions. Only the portions of the second processor required to perform these functions are activated. Protocols for functions to be performed by the second processor are provided initially to the second processor and are processed in the second processor. They are then transferred to the first processor for storage. When the second processor is activated to perform functions represented by a protocol, the protocol is transferred to the second processor and the functions are performed by the second processor.

Claims

1. A method of providing for the passage of information between a hand-held device and a second device displaced from the hand-held device, including the steps of:

providing a first processor at the hand-held device, the first processor performing relatively simple functions,

providing a second processor at the hand-held device, the second processor requiring a greater use of energy than the first processor, the second processor performing functions more complicated than the relatively simple functions performed by the first processor,

providing a source of energy at the hand-held device for operating the first and second processors,

providing normally for the operation of the first processor in processing data to perform the relatively simple functions and providing for the operation of the second processor, under the control of the first processor independently of the operation of the second processor, in processing data to perform the more complicated functions,

storing data in the first processor for use in operating the second processor, and

providing for the transfer of the data from the first processor to the second processor when the second processor is to be operated in performing the more complicated functions.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein

the second processor is provided with a temporary storage of data for use by the second processor and wherein the data for use by the second processor is transferred from the second processor to the first processor and stored in the first processor and wherein the data stored in the first processor for use by the second processor is transferred from the first processor to the second processor, independently of the operation of the second processor, for processing in the second processor when the second processor is to be used in performing the more complicated functions.

3. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein

the data transferred from the first processor to the second processor for use by the second processor updates in the second processor the data previously recorded in the second processor.

4. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein

the second processor is normally in a sleep mode and wherein

the second processor is awakened by the first processor independently of the operation of the second processor when it is to be operated to process data and wherein

the data stored in the first processor for use by the second processor is transferred to the second processor, independently of the operation of the second processor, for the performance by the second processor of the more complicated functions when the second processor is awakened.

5. A method as set forth in claim 4 wherein

the information transferred from the first processor to the second processor for use by the second processor in performing the more complicated functions updates in the second processor the information previously recorded in the second processor to perform the more complicated functions.

6. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein

the data is transferred between the first and second processors in a universal serial bus.

25. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein

the data intended for use by the second processor in performing the more complicated functions is initially transferred to the second processor and is transferred from the second processor to the first and is subsequently transferred from the first processor to the second processor when the data id to be processor by the second processor in performing the more complicated function.

26. A method as set forth in claim 2 wherein

the data transferred from the first processor to the second processor for use by the second processor updates in the second processor the data previously recorded in the second processor and wherein

the second processor is normally in a sleep mode 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 be operated to process data and wherein

the data stored in the first processor for use by the second processor is transferred to the second processor for the performance by the second processor of the more complicated functions when the second processor is awakened.

7. A method of providing for the passage of information between a hand-held device and a second device displaced from the hand-held device, including the steps of:

providing an embedded processor at the hand-held device for processing relatively simple functions,

providing a non-embedded processor at the hand-held device for processing functions more complicated than the relatively simple functions,

providing a permanent memory for storing data for the embedded processor and the non-embedded processor,

providing for an activation of the embedded processor in performing the relatively simple functions and for an activation of the non-embedded processor by the embedded processor, without any control by the non-embedded processor in the operation of the embedded processor, when the non-embedded processor is to be used to perform the more complicated functions,

storing data in the permanent memory for the embedded processor and the non-embedded processor,

providing a temporary memory in the non-embedded processor for the data to be processed in the non-embedded processor when the non-embedded processor performs the more complicated functions, and

providing for a transfer to the temporary memory of the data in the permanent memory under the control of the embedded processor without any control by the non-embedded processor, for use in the non-embedded processor when the non-embedded processor is to be activated to perform the more complicated functions.

8. A method as set forth in claim 7 wherein

the data in the permanent memory for processing by the non-embedded processor is transferred to the temporary memory in the non-embedded processor when the non-embedded processor is activated to perform the more complicated functions and wherein

the non-embedded processor process the data transferred to the temporary memory when the non-embedded processor is used to perform the more complicated functions.

9. A method as set forth in claim 7 wherein

the embedded processor performs first functions and the non-embedded processor performs second functions different from, and requiring more power than, the performance of the relatively simple functions in the embedded processor when the non-embedded processor is activated to perform the more complicated functions.

10. A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein

the non-embedded processor processes the data transferred to the non-embedded processor and wherein

the non-embedded processor processes data only when it is activated to perform the more complicated functions.

11. A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein

the embedded processor normally processes data in performing the relatively simple functions and wherein

the embedded processor activates the non-embedded processor to process data in performing the relatively complicated functions and wherein

the embedded processor provides for the transfer to the non-embedded processor of the data to be processed by the non-embedded processor when the non-embedded processor is activated to process data in performing the complicated functions and wherein

the non-embedded processor processes the data transferred to it by the embedded processor in performing the more complicated functions.

12. A method as set forth in claim 9 wherein

the embedded processor activates only the portions of the non-embedded processor which process the data transferred to the non-embedded processor from the embedded processor in performing the more complicated functions.

13. A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein

the non-embedded processor processes data only when it is activated to perform the more complicated functions and wherein

the non-embedded processor is normally inactivated and wherein

the embedded processor activates the non-embedded processor when the non-embedded processor is to process data in performing the more complicated functions and wherein

the embedded processor transfers to the non-embedded processor the data to be processed by the non-embedded processor when the non-embedded processor is activated to perform the more complicated functions.

14. A method as set forth in claim 13 wherein

the embedded processor performs first functions and the non-embedded processor performs second functions different from, and requiring more power than, the first functions when the non-embedded processor is activated and wherein

the non-embedded processor processes the data transferred to the non-embedded processor to perform the more complicated functions and wherein

the non-embedded processor processes data only when it is activated and wherein

the embedded processor activates only the portions of the non-embedded processor which process the data transferred to the non-embedded processor from the embedded processor when the non-embedded processor performs the more complicated functions.

27. A method as set forth in claim 7 wherein

the data transferred to the temporary memory from the permanent memory is erased from the temporary the memory after the data is used to perform the more complicated functions.

28. A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein

the embedded processor performs first functions and the non-embedded processor performs second functions different from, and requiring more power than, the performance of the relatively simple functions in the embedded processor when the non-embedded processor is activated to perform the more complicated functions and wherein

the embedded processor normally processes data in performing the relatively simple functions and wherein

the embedded processor activates the non-embedded processor when the non-embedded processor is to process data in performing the more complicated functions and wherein

the embedded processor provides for the transfer to the non-embedded processor of the data to be processed by the non-embedded processor when the non-embedded processor activated to process data in performing the more complicated functions and wherein

the non-embedded processor processes the data transferred to it by the embedded processor when the non-embedded processor performs the more complicated functions and wherein

the embedded processor activates only the portions of the non-embedded processor which process the data transferred to the non-embedded processor from the embedded processor in performing the more complicated functions and wherein

the data transferred to the temporary memory from the permanent memory is erased from the temporary memory after the data is used to perform the more complicated functions.

29. A method as set forth in claim 8 wherein

the data transferred to the temporary memory from the permanent memory is erased from the temporary memory after the data is used to perform the more complicated functions.

15. A method of providing for the passage of information between a hand-held device and a second device displaced from the hand-held device, including the steps of:

providing an embedded processor for processing first data to perform first functions,

providing a non-embedded processor for processing second data different from the first data to perform second functions more complicated than the first functions,

providing for the non-embedded processor to be in a sleep state and to be awakened by the embedded processor from the sleep state, without any control from the non-embedded processor, when the non-embedded processor is to process the second data in performing the second functions,

providing for a hand-held source of energy for the embedded processor and the non-embedded processor,

introducing new protocols, and changes in and additions to existing protocols, for the non-embedded processor into an extension form registry at the non-embedded processor, and

transferring to the embedded processor the new protocols and the changes in and additions to the existing protocols, in the extension form registry at the non-embedded processor for storage by the embedded processor and for use in performing the second functions at the non-embedded processor, and

transferring protocols in the embedded processor to the non-embedded processor for obtaining the performance of the second functions by the non-embedded processor when the non-embedded processor is awakened by the embedded processor.

16. A method as set forth in claim 15, including the steps of:

providing for the non-embedded processor to be normally inactivated,

providing for the activation of the non-embedded processor by the embedded processor without any guidance from the non-embedded processor,

providing for a selection by the embedded processor, without the guidance of the non-embedded processor, of one of the protocols in the extension form registry at the embedded processor when the non-embedded processor has been activated by the embedded processor, this protocol to be performed by the non-embedded processor, and

providing for the transfer of the selected one of the protocols by the embedded processor to the non-embedded processor without the guidance of the non-embedded processor when the non-embedded processor is activated to perform the functions represented by the selected one of the protocols.

17. A method as set forth in claim 15, including the steps of:

providing a universal bus between the embedded processor and the non-embedded processor to provide for a transfer of protocols in the extension form registry between the embedded processor and the non-embedded processor.

18. A method as set forth in claim 15, including the steps of:

providing in the protocols in the extension form registry for the activation in the non-embedded processor of only the portions of the non-embedded processor required in the non-embedded processor to perform the selected one of the second functions.

30. A method as set forth in claim 15 wherein

the protocol transferred by the embedded processor to the non-embedded processor is erased from the non-embedded processor when the non-embedded processor has performed the functions represented by the protocol.

31. A method as set forth in claim 15 wherein

only the protocols providing for the performance of a selected one of the second functions are transferred from the embedded processor to the non-embedded processor when the selected one of the second functions is to be performed by the non-embedded processor.

19. A method of providing for the passage of information between a hand-held device and a second device displaced from the hand-held device, including the steps of:

providing at the hand-held device a first processor capable of performing first functions,

providing at the hand-held device a second processor capable of performing second functions different from the first functions and requiring more power than the power required by the first functions,

providing power at the hand-held device for the first processor,

providing power at the hand-held device for the second processor only when the second processor is to perform one of the second functions,

providing protocols initially to the second processor for providing for the operation by the second processor of the second functions,

transferring the protocols from the second processor to the first processor for retention in the first processor, and

providing at the first processor, independently of the operation of the second processor, for the transfer of the protocols from the first processor to the second processor to obtain the operation of the second processor in performing the second functions.

20. A method as set forth in claim 19, including the steps of:

processing the protocols in the second processor before the introduction of the protocols to the first processor.

21. A method as set forth in claim 19, including the steps of:

providing power from the hand-held device to the second processor when the first processor indicates to the second processor that the second processor is to perform one of the second functions in accordance with a selected one of the protocols, and

transferring the selected one of the protocols from the first processor to the second processor when the second processor is to perform one of the second functions in accordance with the selected one of the protocols.

22. A method as set forth in claim 21, including the steps of:

performing the selected one of the functions in the second processor after the selected one of the protocols has been transferred to the second processor and while power is being applied to the second processor from the hand-held device.

23. A method as set forth in claim 22, including the steps of:

providing power only to the portions of the second processor performing the second functions in accordance with the protocols transferred from the first processor to the second processor.

24. A method as set forth in claim 23, including the steps of:

processing the protocols in the second processor before the introduction of the protocols to the first processor,

the processing including the recording of new protocols in the second processor and the updating of already existing protocols in the second processor.

32. A method as set forth in claim 21 wherein

the protocols transferred from the first processor to the second processor are erased from the second processor after the second processor has performed the second functions in accordance with such protocols.

33. A method as set forth in claim 21, wherein

the protocols transferred from the first processor to the second processor are erased from the second processor after the second processor has performed the second functions in accordance with such protocols.