Multi-purpose switch activated system and method for using same
View Patent ↗According to one embodiment, a system with a multi-purpose switch for providing a power on function and other functions to a user comprises a temporary power control circuit configured to be coupled to and decoupled from a power source by the multi-purpose switch. The system also comprises a continuous power control circuit to provide continuous power. As a result, the multi-purpose switch is capable of providing other functions when the continuous power is being provided. In one embodiment, a method for utilizing a multi-purpose switch to provide a power on function and other functions to a user comprises coupling a temporary power control circuit to a power source by the multi-purpose switch, triggering a continuous power control circuit to provide continuous power, decoupling the temporary power control circuit from the power source by the multi-purpose switch, and making the multi-purpose switch available to provide other functions.
1. A system with a multi-purpose switch for providing a power on function and other functions to a user, said system comprising:
a temporary power control circuit being configured to be coupled to and decoupled from a power source by said multi-purpose switch to provide temporary power to a power management unit;
a continuous power control circuit to provide continuous power to said power management unit;
said multi-purpose switch being capable of providing said other functions when said continuous power is provided to said power management unit;
wherein said system is implemented using a single semiconductor die.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said power source comprises a battery.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein said multi-purpose switch comprises a push button switch.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said temporary power control circuit comprises a diode delivering said temporary power to said power management unit, said diode being coupled to and forward biased by one or more capacitors.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein said temporary power control circuit further comprises one or more drawdown resistors.
6. The system of claim 1 further comprising an input buffer coupled to said multi-purpose switch, said input buffer being configured to provide an on signal when said multi-purpose switch is engaged and an off signal when said multi-purpose switch is disengaged.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein said continuous power control circuit comprises a power on register coupled to an output buffer providing said continuous power to said power management unit.
8. The system of claim 7 , wherein said output buffer is triggered by an entry in said power on register corresponding to a first on signal.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein said continuous power control circuit ceases providing said continuous power to said power management unit after a predetermined time period of system nonuse.
10. The system of claim 1 utilized as a part of a communication system, said communication system being selected from the group consisting of a wireless communications device, a mobile telephone, a Bluetooth enabled device, a computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a digital media player, and a gaming console.
11. A method for utilizing a multi-purpose switch in an electronic system to provide a power on function and one or more other functions to a user of said electronic system, said method comprising:
implementing a temporary power control circuit, a continuous power control circuit, and said multi-purpose switch, using a single semiconductor die;
coupling said temporary power control circuit to a power source by a first activation of said multi-purpose switch to provide temporary power to a power management unit of said electronic system;
triggering said continuous power control circuit to provide continuous power to said power management unit;
decoupling said temporary power control circuit from said power source by a first deactivation of said multipurpose switch;
making said multi-purpose switch available to provide said one or more other functions to said user.
12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising enabling said power management unit to provide power to said electronic system.
13. The method of claim 11 , further comprising executing said one or more other functions in response to subsequent activations of mid multi-purpose switch.
14. The method of claim 11 , further comprising shutting down said continuous power control circuit after a predetermined time period of nonuse of said electronic system.
15. The method of claim 11 , wherein mid first activation of said multi-purpose switch comprises engaging a push button switch.
16. The method of claim 11 , wherein mid electronic system comprises a battery operated electronic system.
17. The method of claim 11 , wherein mid temporary power control circuit comprises a diode delivering mid temporary power to said power management unit, said diode being coupled to and forward biased by one or more capacitors.
18. The method of claim 17 , wherein said temporary power circuit further comprises one or more drawdown resistors.
19. The method of claim 11 , wherein said continuous power control circuit comprises a power on register coupled to an output buffer providing said continuous power to said power management unit.
20. The method of claim 19 , wherein said output buffer is triggered by an entry in said power on register corresponding to said first activation of said multi-purpose switch.