Data processing system, method for processing data and computer program product

A method for processing data with a data processing system including a processing unit, the method including comprising:

• executing by the processing unit at least two applications, the executing including scheduling for each of the applications a respective event at a future point in time, each event requiring the processing unit to be in an active mode;
• and
• executing an operating system including:
• receiving from the at least two applications information about the respective events;
• determining that a power consumption of the processing unit can be reduced by the rescheduling of a first one of the events scheduled for a first point in time, wherein the determining comprises comparing a period of time between the first event and a second one of the events with at which an amount of power saved in respective transitions from a low power mode to the active mode exceeds an additional amount of power required to switch to the tow power mode;
• rescheduling the first event to a first new point in time in response to the determining that the power consumption of the processing unit can be reduced;
• and
• controlling the processing unit to be in the active mode during a time interval which includes the first new point in time and to be in the low power mode during a period of time adjacent to the time interval in response to determining that the power consumption of the processing unit can be reduced.

A computer program product included in a non-transitory memory of a programmable apparatus including a processing unit, which computer program product includes program code portions for executing, when run by the programmable apparatus, a set of instructions which includes:

• instructions for receiving information about events for at least two application sets, wherein the events are scheduled at a future point in time;
• rescheduling instructions for;
• determining that a power consumption of the processing unit can be reduced by the rescheduling of a first one of the events scheduled for a first point in time, wherein the determining comprises comparing a period of time between the first event and a second one of the events with a period of time at which an amount of power saved in respective transitions from a low power mode to the active mode exceeds an additional amount of power required to switch to the low power mode;
• and
• rescheduling the first event to a first new point in time in response to the determined that the power consumption of the processing unit can be reduced;
• mode control instructions for controlling the processing unit to be in an active mode during a time interval which includes the first new point in time and to be in a low power mode in which the processing unit consumes less energy than in the active mode during a period of time adjacent to the time interval in response to determining that the power consumption of the processing unit can be reduced;
• and
• policy instructions for determining that the rescheduling of the at least one event to the new point in time results in a difference between an original time for the at least one event and the new point in time that is within a predetermined value.