Apparatus and method for waking up a processor
An apparatus and method for waking up a main processor (MP) in a low power or ultra-low power device preferably includes the MP, and a sub-processor (SP) that utilizes less power than the MP to monitor ambient conditions than the MP, and may be internalized in the MP. The MP and SP can remain in a sleep mode while an interrupt sensor monitors for changes in the ambient environment. A sensor is preferably an interrupt-type sensor, as opposed to polling-type sensors conventionally used to detect ambient changes. The MP and SP may remain in sleep mode, as a low-power or an ultra-low power interrupt sensor operates with the SP being in sleep mode, and awakens the SP via an interrupt indicating a detected change. The SP then wakes the MP after comparing data from the interrupt sensor with values in storage or with another sensor.
1. An electronic device comprising:
a memory;
a touch sensor overlaying a display; and
a lower power processor configured to:
receive a signature input using the touch sensor while the display operatively coupled with the lower power processor is in a continuous inactive state, wherein the signature input comprises a continuous input through a plurality of points on the touch sensor overlaying the display;
determine whether the signature input corresponds to a predetermined signature pattern while at least one other higher power processor is in the continuous inactive state; and
control the at least one other higher power processor to transition from the continuous inactive state to an active state and control the display to transition from the continuous inactive state to an active state, based at least in part on a determination that the signature input corresponds to the predetermined signature pattern;
wherein the lower power processor is configured to determine that the signature input corresponds to the predetermined signature pattern causes the display to transition from the continuous inactive state to the active state, the transitioning including turning on the display,
wherein the lower power processor is configured to refrain from activating the display based at least in part on a determination that the signature input does not match data, and
wherein the lower power processor is transitioned from the continuous inactive state to the active state in response to detection of removal of a stylus from a holster.
2. The electronic device of claim 1 , the at least one other higher power processor transitions from the active state to the continuous inactive state if no input has been received for a specified time period.
3. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined signature pattern comprises a curve having a reverting bend.
4. The electronic device of claim 1 , wherein the lower power processor is transitioned from the continuous inactive state to the active state in response to detection of a condition indicative of receiving the signature input.
5. A method comprising:
storing data including a predetermined signature pattern in relation to a user touch input in a memory;
detecting a trace input by a touch sensor overlaying a display, the trace input comprising a continuous input through a plurality of points on the touch sensor overlaying the display;
receiving the trace input from the touch sensor by a processor while the display operatively coupled with the processor is in a continuous inactive state at least until the trace input is completed;
determining whether the trace input corresponds to the predetermined signature pattern, while at least one other processor is in a continuous inactive state;
transitioning the display from an inactive state to an active state and transitioning the display from the continuous inactive state to an active state, based at least in part on a determination that the trace input corresponds to the predetermined signature pattern, the transitioning including turning on the display; and
transitioning the at least one other processor from the continuous inactive state to the active state based at least in part on the determination that the trace input corresponds to the predetermined signature pattern; and
refraining from activating the display based at least in part on a determination that the trace input does not match the data,
wherein the at least one other processor, responsive to transitioning to the active state when the processor determines that the trace input corresponds to the predetermined signature pattern, causes the display to transition to the active state, and
wherein the processor is transitioned from the continuous inactive state to the active state in response to detection of removal of a stylus from a holster.
6. The method of claim 5 , further comprising:
transitioning the at least one other processor from the active state to the continuous inactive state if no input has been received for a specified time period.
7. The method of claim 5 , wherein the predetermined signature pattern comprises a curve having a reverting bend.
8. The method of claim 5 , wherein the processor is transitioned from the inactive state to the continuous inactive state in response to detection of a condition indicative of receiving the trace input.