Synchronized media processing

1. A method to process media streams in an electronic device, comprising:

developing, in a power control unit in the electronic device, a predictive model of power states for a first processing unit in the electronic device; and

using the predictive model to synchronize activity of a second processing unit in the electronic device with periods of activity in the first processing unit, such that a processing activity of the second processing unit is suppressed in time periods in which the first processing unit is in a low power state, while maintaining a processing task executing on the second processing unit a processing rate that exceeds a predetermined threshold.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein developing, in a power control unit in the electronic device, a predictive model of power states for a first processing unit comprises:

initiating a video stream playback in the electronic device;

monitoring, in the power control unit, state transitions in the first processing unit during the video stream playback; and

using timing information associated with the state transitions to develop the predictive model of power states for the first processing unit.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein using the predictive model to synchronize activity of a graphics processing unit in the electronic device with periods of activity in the first processing unit comprises:

halting execution of the second processing unit during processing of a graphics frame; and

saving state information associated with the graphics frame.

4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising:

monitoring, in the power control unit, a video processing rate of the second processing unit; and

activating the second processing unit when the video processing rate falls below a predetermined threshold.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein using the predictive model to synchronize activity of a graphics processing unit in the electronic device with periods of activity in the first processing unit further comprises:

activating the graphics processing unit when the first processing unit transitions from a low power state to an active state.

6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:

processing the video stream on the second processing unit; and

halting execution of the second processing unit when the predictive model indicates that the first processing unit is entering a low-power state.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the first processing unit is activated on a periodic basis by a tick from an operating system which executes on the electronic device.

8. An apparatus, comprising logic to:

develop a predictive model of power states for a central processing unit;

use the predictive model to synchronize activity of a graphics processing unit in the electronic device with periods of activity in the central processing unit, such that a processing activity of the graphics processing unit is suppressed in time periods in which the central processing unit is in a low power state, while maintaining a processing task executing on the second processing unit a processing rate that exceeds a predetermined threshold.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising logic to:

initiate a video stream playback in the electronic device;

monitor, in the power control unit, state transitions in the central processing unit during the video stream playback; and

use timing information associated with the state transitions to develop the predictive model of power states for the central processing unit.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising logic to:

halt execution of the graphics processing unit during processing of a graphics frame; and

save state information associated with the graphics frame.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising logic to:

activate the graphics processing unit when the central processing unit transitions from a low power state to an active state.

12. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising logic to:

process the video stream on the graphics processing unit; and

halt execution of the graphics processing unit when the predictive model indicates that the central processing unit is entering a low-power state.

13. The apparatus of claim 8 , further comprising logic to:

monitor, in the power control unit, a video processing rate of the graphics processing unit; and

activate the graphics processing unit when the video processing rate falls below a predetermined threshold.

14. The apparatus of claim 8 , wherein:

the central processing unit is activated on a periodic basis by a tick from an operating system.

15. A computer program product comprising logic instructions stored on a computer readable medium which, when executed by a processing device, configure the processor to process media streams in an electronic device by performing operations, comprising:

developing, in a power control unit in the electronic device, a predictive model of power states for a central processing unit in the electronic device; and

using the predictive model to synchronize activity of a graphics processing unit in the electronic device with periods of activity in the central processing unit, such that a processing activity of the graphics processing unit is suppressed in time periods in which the central processing unit is in a low power state, while maintaining a processing task executing on the second processing unit a processing rate that exceeds a predetermined threshold.

16. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein developing, in a power control unit in the electronic device, a predictive model of power states for a central processing unit comprises:

initiating a video stream playback in the electronic device;

monitoring, in the power control unit, state transitions in the central processing unit during the video stream playback; and

using timing information associated with the state transitions to develop the predictive model of power states for the central processing unit.

17. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein using the predictive model to synchronize activity of a graphics processing unit in the electronic device with periods of activity in the central processing unit comprises:

halting execution of the graphics processing unit during processing of a graphics frame; and

saving state information associated with the graphics frame.

18. The computer program product of claim 17 , wherein using the predictive model to synchronize activity of a graphics processing unit in the electronic device with periods of activity in the central processing unit further comprises:

activating the graphics processing unit when the central processing unit transitions from a low power state to an active state.

19. The computer program product of claim 18 , further comprising:

processing the video stream on the graphics processing unit; and

halting execution of the graphics processing unit when the predictive model indicates that the central processing unit is entering a low-power state.

20. The computer program product of claim 17 , further comprising:

monitoring, in the power control unit, a video processing rate of the graphics processing unit; and

activating the graphics processing unit when the video processing rate falls below a predetermined threshold.

21. The computer program product of claim 15 , wherein:

the central processing unit is activated on a periodic basis by a tick from an operating system which executes on the electronic device.

22. An electronic device, comprising:

a central processing unit;

a graphics processing unit;

a power control unit comprising logic to:

develop a predictive model of power states for a central processing unit in the electronic device;

use the predictive model to synchronize activity of a graphics processing unit in the electronic device with periods of activity in the central processing unit, such that a processing activity of the graphics processing unit is suppressed in time periods in which the central processing unit is in a low power state, while maintaining a processing task executing on the second processing unit a processing rate that exceeds a predetermined threshold.

23. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the power control unit further comprises logic to:

initiate a video stream playback in the electronic device;

monitor, in the power control unit, state transitions in the central processing unit during the video stream playback; and

use timing information associated with the state transitions to develop the predictive model of power states for the central processing unit.

24. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the power control unit further comprises logic to:

halt execution of the graphics processing unit during processing of a graphics frame; and

save state information associated with the graphics frame.

25. The electronic device of claim 8 , wherein the power control unit further comprises logic to:

activate the graphics processing unit when the central processing unit transitions from a low power state to an active state.