Method and apparatus for performing timed functions in a wireless electronic device

1. A battery-powered, electronic device, comprising:

a first memory for storing main processor-executable instructions;

a second memory for storing co-processor-executable instructions;

a main processor coupled to the first memory for executing the main processor-executable instructions; and

a co-processor coupled to the main processor and the second memory for executing the co-processor-executable instructions that causes the co-processor to:

determine that the main processor has entered a quiescent state;

start a timer in response to determining that the main processor has entered the quiescent state; and

upon expiration of the timer, wake the main processor from the quiescent state and send an identification of a timed function to the main processor, the timed function comprising a function performed by the main processor that is dependent on time;

wherein the main processor performs the timed function after receiving the identification from the co-processor.

2. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the co-processor instructions that causes the co-processor to determine that the main processor has entered a quiescent state comprises instructions that causes the co-processor to:

receive a message from the main processor, the message comprising an indication that the main processor is entering the quiescent state and a parameter associated with the timed function.

3. The electronic device of claim 2 , further comprising:

a transceiver coupled to the main processor;

wherein the timed function comprises periodic transmission of a heartbeat signal, and the parameter comprises a time remaining until the heartbeat signal should be transmitted by the transceiver.

4. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the co-processor instructions that causes the co-processor to wake the main processor comprises instructions that causes the co-processor to:

send an updated parameter associated with the timed function to the main processor;

wherein the main processor performs the timed function using the updated parameter.

5. The electronic device of claim 2 , wherein the electronic device further comprises:

an indicator coupled to the main processor;

wherein the timed function comprises illuminating the indicator, and the parameter comprises a time remaining to extinguish the indicator.

6. The electronic device of claim 4 , wherein the electronic device further comprises:

an indicator coupled to the main processor;

wherein the timed function comprises illuminating the indicator, and the updated parameter comprises a remaining time duration to illuminate the indicator.

7. The electronic device of claim 5 , wherein the co-processor instructions that causes the co-processor to wake the main processor comprises further instructions that causes the co-processor to:

send a second parameter associated with the timed function to the main processor, the second parameter comprising a number of remaining times to illuminate the indicator.

8. The electronic device of claim 6 , wherein the co-processor instructions that causes the co-processor to wake the main processor comprises further instructions that causes the co-processor to:

send a second parameter associated with the timed function to the main processor, the second parameter comprising a number of remaining times to illuminate the indicator.

9. The electronic device of claim 2 , further comprising:

a transceiver coupled to the main processor;

wherein the main processor-executable instructions comprise instructions that causes the main processor to:

retrieve, from the first memory, the parameter;

generate the message, comprising the indication and the parameter;

send the message to the co-processor; and

cause the main processor, the first memory and the transceiver to enter the quiescent state;

wherein the parameter is erased from the first memory prior to the main processor entering the quiescent state.

10. The electronic device of claim 2 , further comprising:

a transceiver coupled to the main processor;

wherein the timed function comprises retransmitting a status message previously transmitted by the transceiver, and the parameter comprises a time to retransmit the status message.

11. A method for performing timed functions in a battery-powered, wireless electronic device, comprising:

determining, by a co-processor of the battery-powered, wireless electronic device, that a main processor coupled to the co-processor has entered a quiescent state;

starting, by the co-processor, a timer in response to determining that the main processor has entered the quiescent state; and

upon expiration of the timer, waking, by the co-processor, the main processor from the quiescent state and sending, by the co-processor, an identification of a timed function to the main processor, the timed function comprising a function performed by the main processor that is dependent on time;

wherein the main processor performs the timed function after receiving the identification from the co-processor.

12. The method of claim 11 , wherein determining that the main processor has entered a quiescent state comprises:

receiving, by the co-processor, a message from the main processor, the message comprising an indication that the main processor is entering the quiescent state and a parameter associated with the timed function.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the timed function comprises periodic transmission of a heartbeat signal by a transceiver coupled to the main processor, and the parameter comprises a time remaining until the heartbeat signal should be transmitted by the transceiver.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein waking the main processor comprises:

sending, by the co-processor, an updated parameter associated with the timed function to the main processor;

wherein the main processor performs the timed function using the updated parameter.

15. The method of claim 12 , wherein the timed function comprises illuminating an indicator coupled to the main processor, and the parameter comprises a time remaining to extinguish the indicator.

16. The method of claim 14 , wherein the timed function comprises illuminating an indicator coupled to the main processor, and the updated parameter comprises a remaining time duration to illuminate the indicator.

17. The method of claim 15 , wherein waking the main processor comprises:

sending, by the co-processor, a second parameter associated with the timed function to the main processor, the second parameter comprising a number of remaining times to illuminate the indicator.

18. The method of claim 16 , wherein waking the main processor comprises:

sending, by the co-processor, a second parameter associated with the timed function to the main processor, the second parameter comprising a number of remaining times to illuminate the indicator.

19. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:

retrieving, by the main processor, the parameter from a first memory coupled to the main processor;

generating, by the main processor, the message, comprising the indication and the parameter;

sending, by the main processor, the message to the co-processor; and

causing, by the main processor, the first memory and the transceiver to enter the quiescent state;

wherein the parameter is erased from the first memory prior to the main processor entering the quiescent state.

20. The method of claim 12 , wherein the timed function comprises retransmitting a status message previously transmitted by a transceiver coupled to the main processor, and the parameter comprises a time to retransmit the status message.