Control of A Computer System in A Power-Down State

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed relating a computer system in a power-down state receiving a communication from a remote computer system and performing a task indicated by the communication. The computer system in a power-down state performs the task without transitioning from the power-down state into a power-up state. Exemplary tasks performed in the power-down state include uploading one or more files to a remote computer system, downloading one or more files from a remote computer system, deleting one or more files from the computer system, accessing input/output devices, disabling the computer system, and performing a memory check on the computer system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A computer system, comprising:
 a main memory;   a central processing unit (CPU) including a first CPU portion and a second CPU portion, wherein the first and second CPU portions are configured to execute, in a power-up state of the computer system, program instructions stored in the main memory; and   a hardware interface;   wherein the computer system, in a power-down state, is configured to disable the first CPU portion and maintain power to the second CPU portion such that, in response to data received via the hardware interface, the second CPU portion is configured to perform a task specified by the data without exiting the power-down state.   
     
     
         2 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the hardware interface is a network interface. 
     
     
         3 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer system is a mobile computing device. 
     
     
         4 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the computer system includes an image capture device, and wherein the task specified by the data includes using the image capture device to capture one or more images and sending the one or more images to a remote computer system. 
     
     
         5 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the first CPU portion is configured to access, in the power-up state, an operating system in the main memory via the second CPU portion. 
     
     
         6 . The computer system of  claim 1 , further comprising a power control device, wherein the computer system, in response to receiving a power-up request via the power control device, is configured to exit the power-down state and enter the power-up state in which the computer system, in the power-up state, is configured to:
 respond to user commands via one or more of a keyboard, point device, or touch display; and   cause a user interface to be displayed to a user.   
     
     
         7 . The computer system of  claim 6 , wherein the power control device comprises one or more of a power switch or power button configured to send a power-up signal to the computer system. 
     
     
         8 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the task includes accessing the main memory and sending one or more files in the main memory to a remote computer system over a network. 
     
     
         9 . The computer system of  claim 1 , wherein the task includes determining a geographic location of the computer system and sending the geographic location to a remote computer system over a network. 
     
     
         10 . A method, comprising:
 during a power-up state of a computing device:
 executing, by a first CPU portion of a processor circuit of the computing device, first program instructions from a main memory of the computing device; 
 executing, by a second CPU portion of the processor circuit of the computing device, second program instructions from the main memory of the computing device; 
   entering, by the computing device, a power-down state in which the first CPU portion, but not the second CPU portion, is disabled; and   while the computing device is in the power-down state:
 receiving, by a hardware interface of the computing device, a communication; and 
 performing, by the second CPU portion, a task responsive to the communication without exiting the power-down state. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the hardware interface is a network interface. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the executing the first program instructions includes the first CPU portion accessing, in the power-up state, an operating system in the main memory via the second CPU portion. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 prior to entering the power-down state, authenticating a remote computer system; and   wherein receiving the communication includes determining whether the communication was received from the authenticated remote computer system.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 prior to entering the power-down state, establishing a communication link with a remote computer system; and   wherein the communication is received via the established communication link.   
     
     
         15 . A computer system, comprising:
 a central processing unit (CPU) including a first CPU portion and a second CPU portion;   a main memory, wherein the first and second CPU portions are configured to execute, in a power-up state of the computer system, program instructions stored in the main memory; and   a hardware interface;   wherein the computer system is configured to enter a power-down state in which power is supplied to a second part of the computer system that includes the second CPU portion and the hardware interface, but not to a first part of the computer system that includes the first CPU portion; and   wherein, during the power-down state, the computer system is configured to perform, by the second CPU portion and without exiting the power-down state, a task specified by a communication received via the hardware interface.   
     
     
         16 . The computer system of  claim 15 , wherein the hardware interface is a network interface, and wherein the computer system is configured such that the second part of the computer system is not able to be turned off via a request initiated by a user of the computer system. 
     
     
         17 . The computer system of  claim 15 , wherein the first CPU portion is configured to access, in the power-up state, an operating system in the main memory via the second CPU portion. 
     
     
         18 . The computer system of  claim 17 , wherein the task includes the second CPU portion preventing the first CPU portion from executing, during the power-up state, program instructions stored in the main memory. 
     
     
         19 . The computer system of  claim 15 , wherein the task includes accessing one or more files in the main memory and sending the one or more files to a remote computer system over a network. 
     
     
         20 . The computer system of  claim 15 , wherein the main memory includes a first memory partition accessible by the first and second CPU portions, and a second memory partition accessible by the second CPU portion, but not the first CPU portion.