Patent ID: 9679145
Date: 2017-06-13
CPC Classifications: G06F

Claim:
1. A method of managing the switching of a first processor from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation in a processing device, the processing device comprising at least one other processor and a controller, each of the first processor and the other processor handling respective personal context data and the first processor and the other processor handling shared context data, the other processor being able to be switched in the first mode of operation or in the second mode of operation, the method comprising: the controller receiving a message, said message comprising a request to switch at least the first processor from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation according to a type of switching in a set of types of switching, the type of switching indicating desired context data to be saved prior to the switching or restored after the switching; the controller deciding whether the switching according to said type of switching is appropriate, the decision being a function of at least a current mode of operation of at least the other processor and the requested type of switching; upon decision of switching made by the controller, the controller sending a message to at least the first processor to prepare the switching of the first processor from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation according to the type of switching; the controller receiving a confirmation message from the first processor, wherein after sending the confirmation message the first processor enters a wait for interrupt mode; the controller sending, while the first processor is in the wait for interrupt mode, another message to at least the first processor informing at least the first processor whether the controller detected any errors; and the controller switching the first processor from a first mode of operation to a second mode of operation according to the type of switching, wherein the first processor is powered off in the second mode of operation.