Method and apparatus for performing timed functions in a wireless electronic device
AssigneeEcolink Intelligent Technology, Inc.
InventorBrandon Gruber
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and apparatus for performing timed functions in battery-powered, wireless electronic devices, such as sensors or control modules. Such electronic devices comprise a main processor and a co-processor. When the main processor enters a quiescent state in order to preserve battery life, one or more timed functions are transferred from the main processor to the co-processor just before the main processor enters the quiescent state. When the co-processor determines that it is time to perform the timed function, the co-processor wakes the main processor in order for the main processor to perform the timed function.
Claims20
A battery-powered, electronic device, comprising:
- a memory for storing processor-executable instructions;
- a co-processor;
- and
- a main processor coupled to the co-processor and the memory for executing the processor-executable instructions that causes the main processor to:
- send an identification of a timed function and a parameter associated with the timed function to the co-processor, the timed function comprising a function performed by the main processor that is dependent on time;
- enter a quiescent state after sending the identification and the parameter;
- receive a wake signal from the co-processor after sending the identification and the parameter;
- receive the identification of the timed function from the co-processor after receiving the wake signal;
- and
- execute the timed function in response to receiving the wake signal.
A method for performing timed functions by a battery-powered, electronic device, comprising:
- sending an identification of a timed function and a parameter associated with the timed function from a main processor to a co-processor, the timed function comprising a function performed by the main processor that is dependent on time;
- causing the main processor to enter a quiescent state after sending the identification and the parameter;
- receiving a wake signal from the co-processor after sending the identification and the parameter;
- receiving the identification of the timed function from the co-processor after receiving the wake signal;
- and
- executing the timed function in response to receiving the wake signal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.