Personal electronic device with a dual core processor

Abstract

A novel personal electronic device includes a processor having first (embedded) and second (non-embedded) cores including associated operating systems and functions. In one aspect, the first core performs relatively limited functions, while the second core performs relatively broader functions under control of the first core. Often the second core requires more power than the first core and is selectively operated by the first core to minimize overall power consumption. Protocols for functions to be performed by the second core may be provided directly to the second core and processed by the second core. In another aspect, a display controller is designed to interface with both cores. In another aspect, the operating systems work with one another. In another aspect, the first core employs a thermal control program. Advantages of the invention include a broad array of functions performed by relatively small personal electronics device.

1 . In a combination for processing information in a hand-held device, 
 a first system processor for performing functions of relatively low complexity, the first system processor including a first core having a variable speed,    a second system processor for performing functions of greater complexity than the first system processor, the second system processor including a second core having a variable speed,    the first system processor controlling the operation of the second system processor independently of the operation of the second system processor, in performing the functions of greater complexity,    a temperature sensor for determining the temperature of the first and second system processors, and    regulating apparatus responsive to the temperature from the temperature sensor for adjusting the speed of the cores in a direction to reduce the temperature of the cores when the temperature indicated by the temperature sensor is above a particular value.