Dual Processor Power Saving via Bypass and Sleep
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices consume significant power when processing and updating screens, even for simple user interfaces, as the main processor needs to wake up and perform operations, leading to unnecessary power usage.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a secondary processor that bypasses user inputs and screen outputs to the main processor, storing data in a frame buffer, allowing the main processor to enter a sleep mode when certain power-saving conditions are met, and the secondary processor to handle screen processing until termination conditions are satisfied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the main processor handles all user inputs and screen outputs, then the device functionality is complete, but power consumption increases unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The processor system is segmented into a main processor and a secondary processor. The secondary processor handles specific tasks (simple UI screens, scrolling operations, and wake-up interruptions) independently, allowing the main processor to enter sleep mode and consume less power. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by distributing processing responsibilities to reduce overall power consumption while maintaining complete device functionality.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the main processor enters sleep mode to save power, then power consumption decreases, but the device cannot respond to user inputs or update screens
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary processor acts as an intermediary between the user interface and the main processor. It handles wake-up interruptions and simple screen updates independently, ensuring the device remains responsive even when the main processor is in sleep mode. This intermediary approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining reliability during low-power operation.
3Use of energy by moving object
If a secondary processor is added to handle simple tasks, then power consumption is reduced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The secondary processor is designed to handle specific tasks autonomously without requiring continuous intervention from the main processor. It independently manages simple UI operations, scrolling, and wake-up interruptions, enabling the main processor to enter sleep mode. This self-service capability resolves the contradiction by achieving power savings through autonomous operation of the secondary processor, justifying the added complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method and apparatus for reducing an amount of power consumed in an electronic device. The electronic device includes a first processor and a second processor. The second processor bypasses at least one of a user input and a screen output with respect to the first processor, and stores screen data input from the first processor in a frame buffer, while the second processor executes a bypass operation. The first processor processes at least one of a user input and a screen output, through the second processor that executes the bypass operation, and when a specified power-saving operation entry condition is satisfied, the first processor changes the second processor into a processing operation and changes into a sleep operation. The second processor processes at least one of a user input and a screen output using screen data stored in the frame buffer during the processing operation.