Abstract:
A request for a high voltage mode is received and a high voltage timer is started in response to determining that a remaining amount of high voltage credits exceeds a voltage switch threshold value. A switch to the high voltage mode is made in response to the request. A low voltage mode is switched to in response to an indication. The request may be received from an application running on a data processing system. If the indication is that the high voltage timer has expired, a low voltage timer is started in response to switching to low voltage mode. If the high voltage request is still active when the low voltage timer expires, a switch back to high voltage mode occurs and a new high voltage timer is started.
Abstract:
Methods and systems for managing power consumption in data processing systems are described. In one embodiment, a data processing system includes a general purpose processing unit, a graphics processing unit (GPU), at least one peripheral interface controller, at least one bus coupled to the general purpose processing unit, and a power controller coupled to at least the general purpose processing unit and the GPU. The power controller is configured to turn power off for the general purpose processing unit in response to a first state of an instruction queue of the general purpose processing unit and is configured to turn power off for the GPU in response to a second state of an instruction queue of the GPU. The first state and the second state represent an instruction queue having either no instructions or instructions for only future events or actions.
Abstract:
Data processing systems with interrupts and methods for operating such data processing systems and machine readable media for causing such methods and containing executable program instructions. In one embodiment, an exemplary data processing system includes a processing system, an interrupt controller coupled to the processing system and a timer circuit which is coupled to the interrupt controller. The interrupt controller is configured to provide a first interrupt signal and a second interrupt signal to the processing system. The processing system is configured to maintain a data structure (such as, e.g., a list) of time-related events for a plurality of processes, and the processing system is configured to cause the entry of a value, representing a period of time, into the timer circuit. The timer circuit is configured to cause an assertion of the first interrupt signal in response to an expiration of the time period.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses to dynamically manage a performance state of a data processing system are described. The data processing system includes a plurality of components; one or more buses coupled to the plurality of components, and a dynamic performance state manager unit coupled to the components. The dynamic performance state manager unit is configured to receive information about a first plurality of current states of components of the system. The dynamic performance state manager unit is configured to determine a second plurality of required system performance states for the components; and to determine a current system performance state based on the first plurality and the second plurality.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for executing a first executable code image having a first version number into a memory of a device in an attempt to establish an operating environment of the device are described. The first executable code image retrieves a second version number from the second executable code image after successfully authenticating the second executable code image. If the first version number and the second version number do not satisfy a predetermined relationship, the second executable code image is prevented from being loaded by the first executable code image.
Abstract:
Data processing systems which operate in different modes, including a mode which supports providing an output of images through a port on the systems. In one embodiment, a data processing system includes a processing system, a cellular telephone transceiver, and a port which is configured to provide, as an output from the handheld data processing system, data representing movie video images. Methods and machine readable media are also described.
Abstract:
Techniques for intercommunication amongst device drivers are described herein. In one embodiment, an application programming interface (API) is provided by a kernel of an operating system (OS) running within a data processing system. The API is accessible by device drivers associated with multiple devices installed in the system. In response to a request from a first instance of a driver via the API, information indicating whether another instance of the same driver is currently started is returned via the API. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.
Abstract:
Data processing systems which operate in different modes, including a mode which supports providing an output of images through a port on the systems. In one embodiment, a data processing system includes a processing system, a cellular telephone transceiver, and a port which is configured to provide, as an output from the handheld data processing system, data representing movie video images. Methods and machine readable media are also described.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatuses to dynamically manage a performance state of a data processing system are described. The data processing system includes a plurality of components; one or more buses coupled to the plurality of components, and a dynamic performance state manager unit coupled to the components. The dynamic performance state manager unit is configured to receive information about a first plurality of current states of components of the system. The dynamic performance state manager unit is configured to determine a second plurality of required system performance states for the components; and to determine a current system performance state based on the first plurality and the second plurality.
Abstract:
A method and an apparatus for establishing an operating environment by certifying a code image received from a host over a communication link are described. The code image may be digitally signed through a central authority server. Certification of the code image may be determined by a fingerprint embedded within a secure storage area such as a ROM (read only memory) of the portable device based on a public key certification process. A certified code image may be assigned a hash signature to be stored in a storage of the portable device. An operating environment of the portable device may be established after executing the certified code.