Secondary Processor Event Handling in Sleep Mode
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic devices face challenges in minimizing power consumption while allowing users to view notifications during sleep mode, as current solutions either consume significant power or limit user interaction.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a secondary processor that substitutes for the primary processor's user space, allowing it to handle events and control peripheral hardware, enabling the primary processor to remain in sleep mode while still allowing users to view notifications through a partial resume of the kernel, thereby reducing power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the primary processor remains in sleep mode to conserve power, then power consumption is reduced, but the device cannot handle user interactions or display notifications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the processor functionality into two distinct components: a primary processor that enters sleep mode to conserve power, and a secondary processor that remains active to handle user interactions and notifications. This segmentation allows the system to maintain essential functionality while minimizing power consumption by keeping only the necessary processing capabilities active.
Solution Approach 2:
The secondary processor acts as an intermediary between the user and the sleeping primary processor. It intercepts and handles user interactions, manages notification displays, and only wakes the primary processor when absolutely necessary, thereby mediating between power conservation goals and functional requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the primary processor is fully awakened to handle notifications, then complete functionality is restored, but power consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of fully awakening the primary processor, the system employs partial action by using the secondary processor to handle only the specific tasks of notification management and user interaction. The primary processor remains in sleep mode, performing only minimal necessary functions, thus avoiding the excessive power consumption of a full wake state while maintaining adequate functionality.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the secondary processor handles all events, then the primary processor can stay in sleep mode, but event handling complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts specific event handling responsibilities from the primary processor and assigns them to the secondary processor. By taking out only the notification and user interaction events from the primary processor's workload, the system reduces power consumption while concentrating event handling complexity in the always-on secondary processor, which is better suited for this role.
Data Source
AI summary
One disclosed method includes generating a rule set by an application running on a primary processor. The rule set specifies how the application handles events. The rule set is sent from the primary processor to a secondary processor and the primary processor is placed in sleep mode. The secondary processor may then handle at least one event corresponding to the application by executing the rule set while the primary processor is in sleep mode. In one embodiment, handling the event may include substituting for the application by the secondary processor by executing the rule set, and controlling a peripheral hardware device that is peripheral to the primary processor according to the rule set. Handling an event may also include waking the primary processor from sleep mode by the secondary processor and passing control back to the primary processor.