Abstract:
A mutual awakening system and method thereof between a handheld device and a wireless communication module are disclosed. The system and method are applicable to the case that the wireless communication module is inserted and electrically coupled to the handheld device. The system includes a communication control line and a host control line which are used for electrically coupling the handheld device and the wireless communication module. When the handheld device is to transmit data, a second voltage signal of the communication control line is raised in value, which triggers a communication interrupt routine of the wireless communication module to awaken the wireless communication module from a sleep state. When the wireless communication module is to transmit data, a first voltage signal of the host control line is raised in value, which triggers a host interrupt routine of the handheld device to awaken the handheld device from a sleep state.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of Taiwan Patent Application No. 097133945, filed on Sep. 4, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to an awakening mechanism between a handheld device and a wireless communication module, and more particularly to a mutual awakening system and method thereof between a handheld device and a wireless communication module. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , which shows a block schematic view of an electrical coupling between a general wireless communication module  120  and a handheld device  110 , wherein the handheld device  110  and the wireless communication module  120  are mutually electrically coupled through a bus  130  to enable data transmission therebetween. 
         [0006]    Generally speaking, in order to achieve a power saving effect, the handheld device  110  itself is provided with a sleep mechanism, which enables the handheld device  110  to enter a sleep state when a user has not used the handheld device  110  for a long period of time. Moreover, the wireless communication module  120  is similarly provided with a sleep mechanism, which prevents the wireless communication module  120  from being unable to be awakened after entering a sleep state, or prevents the wireless communication module  120  from being in an awaken state for too long. Hence, the wireless communication module  120  is configured with a periodic sleep mechanism that repeatedly carries out a periodic self-awakening/sleep switching operation, and when self-awakening occurs, it is determined whether the handheld device  110  is transmitting data so as to execute the corresponding operational procedure. 
         [0007]    However, the current running state of the handheld device  110  and the wireless communication module  120  in relation to one another cannot be detected. The handheld device  110  transmits data to the wireless communication module  120 , but must wait for the wireless communication module  120  to self-awake before all the data is obtained. On the other hand, the wireless communication module  120  transmits data to the handheld device  110  to trigger an awake procedure or an interrupt instruction of the sleep mechanism. 
         [0008]    However, the prior art has the following unavoidable shortcomings: 
         [0009]    1. Regarding the handheld device  110 , the transmitted data obtained from the wireless communication module  120  is used to trigger an awake procedure of the sleep mechanism, and regardless of the design of each manufacturer, the data transmission operation must wait for complete awakening of the handheld device  110  before proceeding, and is unable to immediately enter the operating state, thereby creating a senseless standby period for the user. 
         [0010]    2. Regarding the wireless communication module, when the time the handheld device  110  is transmitting data is the time when the wireless communication module  120  is in a sleep state, and the transmission procedure must wait for the wireless communication module  120  to awaken before processing the transmitted data from the handheld device  110 , which similarly creates a senseless standby period for the user. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    In light of the above, and in order to resolve the aforementioned problems of the prior art, the present invention provides an awakening system and method thereof which enables rapid mutual awakening between a handheld device and a wireless communication module. 
         [0012]    In order to resolve the aforementioned system problems, the present invention provides a mutual awakening system between a handheld device and a wireless communication module, which is applicable to the case that the wireless communication module is inserted into and electrically coupled to a handheld device. The system includes a handheld device, a wireless communication module, a communication control line and a host control line. The handheld device stores a host interrupt routine and a host detector module, and the host interrupt routine is for awakening the handheld device. The wireless communication module stores a communication interrupt routine and a communication detector module, and the communication interrupt routine is for awakening the wireless communication module. The host control line is electrically coupled to the handheld device and the wireless communication module, and the wireless communication module transmits a first voltage signal through the host control line. The communication control line is electrically coupled to the handheld device and the wireless communication module, and the handheld device transmits a second voltage signal through the communication control line. When the wireless communication module is placed in a sleep state and the communication detector module detects that the second voltage signal of the communication control line is in a high voltage state, the communication detector module actuates the communication interrupt routine to awaken the wireless communication module; and when the handheld device is placed in a sleep state and the host detector module detects that the first voltage signal of the host control line is in a high voltage state, the host detector module actuates the host interrupt routine to awaken the handheld device. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for a handheld device to awaken a wireless communication module, applicable to the case that the wireless communication module is inserted into and electrically coupled to the handheld device, with the wireless communication module placed in a sleep state, wherein a communication control line is electrically coupled between the handheld device and the wireless communication module. The method comprises the following steps: raising a voltage signal of the communication control line; the wireless communication module detecting variation in the voltage signal of the communication control line; and awakening the wireless communication module when the voltage signal is in a high voltage state. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, the present invention provides a method for a wireless communication module to awaken a handheld device, applicable to the case that the wireless communication module is inserted into and electrically coupled to the handheld device, with the handheld device placed in a sleep state, wherein a host control line is electrically coupled between the handheld device and the wireless communication module. The method comprises the following steps: raising a voltage signal of the host control line; the wireless communication module detecting variation in the voltage signal of the host control line; and awakening the handheld device when the voltage signal is in a high voltage state. 
         [0015]    The present invention provides the following efficacies that the prior art cannot achieve: 
         [0016]    1. When the handheld device and the wireless communication module detect the variation in voltage signal of the related control line, an interrupt routine is executed for self-awakening to restore an awaken state from a sleep state. This can ensure that when data is being transmitted the respective module (the handheld device or the wireless communication module) is awakened, and the respective module is able to immediately carry out the relevant data operations, thereby improving operating efficiency of the handheld device and the wireless communication module. 
         [0017]    2. Because hardware control lines are used to carry out detection and awakening operations, there is no need to wait for the wireless communication module to self-awake. Hence, the time it takes for the wireless communication module to enter an operating state is reduced, which further increases the entire operating efficiency. 
         [0018]    3. When either the handheld device or the wireless communication module needs to operate, the other device can be enabled to continue in a sleep state, thereby achieving maximum power saving efficiency. 
         [0019]    To enable a further understanding of said objectives and the technological methods of the invention herein, a brief description of the drawings is provided below followed by a detailed description of the preferred embodiments. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is a block schematic view of a system of the prior art. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a block schematic view of an embodiment of a system of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a flow chart for a method for a handheld device to awaken a wireless communication module according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a clock graph for the handheld device awakening the wireless communication module according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a flow chart for a method for the handheld device to awaken the wireless communication module according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a clock graph for the handheld device awakening the wireless communication module according to the embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , which shows a block schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a handheld device  210 , a wireless communication module  220 , a bus  230 , a communication control line (Interrupt Module Line, INTM)  240  and a host control line (Interrupt Host Line, INTH)  250 , wherein the wireless communication module  220  may be, for example, a wireless communication module card or it can be inserted into and electrically coupled to the handheld device  210 . 
         [0027]    The handheld device  210  stores a host interrupt routine  212  and a host detector module  211 , and the host interrupt routine  212  is for awakening the handheld device  210 . The wireless communication module  220  stores a communication interrupt routine  222  and a communication detector module  221 , and the communication interrupt routine  222  is for awakening the wireless communication module  220 . The bus  230 , the communication control line (INTM)  240  and the host control line (INTH)  250  are respectively electrically coupled between the handheld device  210  and the wireless communication module  220 . The bus  230  enables the handheld device  210  and the wireless communication module  220  to carry out data transmission operations when both are awakened. 
         [0028]    The handheld device  210  is able to transmit or adjust the voltage signal of the communication control line (INTM)  240 , and the communication detector module  221  detects variation in the voltage signal of the communication control line (INTM)  240 . In this embodiment, the wireless communication module  220  transmits a first voltage signal through the host control line  250 , and the handheld device  210  transmits a second voltage signal through the communication control line  240 . When the wireless communication module  220  is placed in a sleep state and the communication detector module  240  detects that the second voltage signal of the communication control line  240  is in a high voltage state, the communication detector module actuates the communication interrupt routine  222  to awaken the wireless communication module  220 ; and when the handheld device  210  is placed in a sleep state and the host detector module detects that the first voltage signal of the host control line  250  is in a high voltage state, the host detector module  211  actuates the host interrupt routine  212  to awaken the handheld device  210 . 
         [0029]    If the handheld device  210  lowers the second voltage signal of the communication control line  240 , the communication detector module detects that the second voltage signal of the communication control line  240  has dropped to a low voltage state, then the communication interrupt routine  222  is suspended. After the communication interrupt routine  222  is suspended, the wireless communication module  220  enters a sleep state. 
         [0030]    In addition, the low voltage state of the second voltage signal refers to a voltage value to which the second voltage signal has dropped from a high voltage value, and that the second voltage signal remains at the voltage value. The voltage value of the second voltage signal is, for example, 0 volts. 
         [0031]    If the wireless communication module  220  lowers the first voltage signal of the host control line  250 , the host detector module  211  detects that the first voltage signal of the host control line  250  has dropped to a low voltage state, then the host interrupt routine  212  is suspended. After the host interrupt routine  212  is suspended, the handheld device  210  enters a sleep state. 
         [0032]    In addition, the high voltage state of the first voltage signal refers to a voltage value to which the voltage signal has risen from a low voltage value, and that the voltage signal remains at the voltage value. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , it shows a flow chart for a method for the handheld device  210  to awaken the wireless communication module  220  according to the embodiment of the present invention. At the same time also refer to the block structural view depicted in  FIG. 2  and a clock graph depicted in  FIG. 4  to facilitate understanding. In this embodiment, the wireless communication module  220  is inserted into and electrically coupled to the handheld device  210 , with the wireless communication module  220  placed in a sleep state, wherein a communication control line  240  is electrically coupled between the handheld device  210  and the wireless communication module  220 . Generally speaking, the bus  230  is provided with four data control transmission control lines, including TxD (Transmit Data), RxD (Receive Data), RTS (Request to Send) and CTS (Clear to Send). However, hereinafter only the two control lines TxD and RxD are taken to exemplify and describe the way to carry out data transmission. 
         [0034]    The handheld device  210  is used to raise the second voltage signal of the communication control line (INTM)  240  (step S 110 ). Referring to  FIG. 4 , when the handheld device  210  is intended to transmit data, the second voltage signal of the communication control line  240  (INTM) is first raised at the fifth time unit. However, because the handheld device  210  continues operating and remains at an operating state, the handheld device  210  will not change its state and enter a sleep state. 
         [0035]    The communication detector module  221  of the wireless communication module  220  is used to detect variation in the second voltage signal of the communication control line (INTM)  240  (step S 120 ). If the handheld device  210  raises the second voltage signal of the communication control line (INTM)  240 , the communication detector module  221  immediately detects a change in the second voltage signal of the communication control line (INTM)  240 , after which it is determined whether the second voltage signal is in a high voltage state (step S 130 ). 
         [0036]    The so-called high voltage state refers to a voltage state higher than the starting value of the second voltage signal of the communication control line (INTM)  240  and which exceeds a specific value. For instance, if the starting value of the second voltage signal is 0 volts, then when in a high voltage state, the second voltage signal is raised to one of a plurality of voltage value specifications most often used, including 3 volts, 5 volts, 6 volts, 9 volts, 10 volts and 12 volts, but is not limited to these voltage values. 
         [0037]    If it is determined that the second voltage signal is in a high voltage state, the communication interrupt routine  222  of the wireless communication module  220  is actuated to awaken the wireless communication module  220  (step S 131 ). Referring to  FIG. 4 , the communication interrupt routine  222  is actuated at the fifth time unit, and the wireless communication module  220  is completely awakened at the seventh time unit, whereupon the wireless communication module  220  remains at an awaken state, and at which time the handheld device  210  transmits data to the wireless communication module  220  through the transmit data (TxD) line. 
         [0038]    Otherwise, if it is determined that the second voltage signal is not in a high voltage state, the communication detector module  221  of the wireless communication module  220  continues to detect variation in the second voltage signal of the communication control line (INTM)  240  (step S 120 ). Because there is a likelihood of the operations of components of the handheld device  210  causing a change in the second voltage signal of the communication control line (INTM)  240 , rather than that the handheld device  210  intends to transmit data, this high voltage state detection step prevents the wireless communication module  220  from being awakened at wrong time. 
         [0039]    After data is transmitted, the handheld device  210  is used to lower the second voltage signal of the communication control line (INTM)  240  (step S 140 ). As depicted in  FIG. 4 , the handheld device  210  completes the data transmission operation at the fourteenth time unit, and determines that data is no longer being transmitted, and then the second voltage signal of the communication control line  240  (INTM) drops at the seventeenth time unit. 
         [0040]    It is then determined whether the second voltage signal is in a high voltage state (step S 150 ). The communication detector module  221  determines whether to continue the communication interrupt routine  222  according to whether the second voltage signal remains at a high voltage state, to prevent the wireless communication module  220  from entering a sleep state. 
         [0041]    If the communication detector module  221  determines that the second voltage signal is in a high voltage state, this represents that the handheld device  210  is continuing to transmit data, or the handheld device  210  has started lowering the second voltage signal, and the second voltage signal has not yet returned to the starting value, then the communication interrupt routine  222  is continued (step S 151 ), and the communication detector module  221  continues to determine whether the second voltage signal remains at a high voltage state (step S 150 ). Otherwise, the communication interrupt routine  222  is suspended, and the wireless communication module  220  enters a sleep state (step S 152 ). 
         [0042]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , it shows a flow chart for a method for the handheld device  210  to awaken the wireless communication module  220  according to the embodiment of the present invention. At the same time also refer to the block structural view depicted in  FIG. 2  and the clock graph depicted in  FIG. 4  to facilitate understanding. In this embodiment, the wireless communication module  220  is inserted into and electrically coupled to the handheld device  210 , with the handheld device placed in a sleep state. The differences between  FIG. 5  and both  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  lie in the condition that the wireless communication module  220  is used to adjust the first voltage signal of the host control line (INTH)  250 , and the receive data (RxD) line is used to transmit data. 
         [0043]    The wireless communication module  220  is used to raise the first voltage signal of the host control line (INTH)  250  (step S 210 ). Referring to  FIG. 6 , when the wireless communication module  220  is intended to transmit data, the first voltage signal of the host control line (INTH)  250  is first raised at the fifth time unit. However, because the wireless communication module  220  continues to operate and remains at an operating state, the wireless communication module  220  will not change its state and enter a sleep state. 
         [0044]    The host detector module  211  of the handheld device  210  is used to detect variation in the first voltage signal of the host control line (INTH)  250  (step S 220 ). If the wireless communication module  220  raises the first voltage signal of the host control line (INTH)  250 , the host detector module  211  immediately detects a change in the first voltage signal of the host control line (INTH)  250 , whereupon it is determined whether the first voltage signal is in a high voltage state (step S 230 ). 
         [0045]    If it is determined that the first voltage signal is in a high voltage state, the host interrupt routine  212  of the handheld device  210  is actuated to awaken the handheld device  210  (step S 231 ). Referring to  FIG. 6 , the host interrupt routine  212  is actuated at the fifth time unit, and the handheld device  210  is completely awakened at the seventh time unit, and the host interrupt routine  212  continues to enable the handheld device  210  to remain at an awaken state, at which time the wireless communication module  220  transmits data to the handheld device  210  through the receive data (RxD) line. 
         [0046]    Otherwise, if it is determined that the first voltage signal is not in a high voltage state, the host detector module  211  of the handheld device  210  continues to detect variation in the first voltage signal of the host control line (INTH)  250  (step S 220 ). Because there is a likelihood of the operations of components of the wireless communication module  220  causing a change in the first voltage signal of the host control line (INTH)  250 , this high voltage state detection step prevents the handheld device  210  from being awakened at wrong time. 
         [0047]    After completing data transmission, the wireless communication module  220  is used to lower the first voltage signal of the host control line (INTH)  250  (step S 240 ). Referring to  FIG. 6 , the wireless communication module  220  completes the data transmission operation at the fourteenth time unit, and determines that data is no longer being transmitted, and then the wireless communication module  220  lowers the first voltage signal of the host control line (INTH)  250  at the seventeenth time unit. 
         [0048]    It is then determined whether the first voltage signal is in a high voltage state (step S 250 ). The host detector module  211  determines whether to continue the host interrupt routine  212  according to whether the first voltage signal remains at a high voltage state. 
         [0049]    If it is determined that the first voltage signal is in a high voltage state, this represents that the wireless communication module  220  is continuing to transmit data, or the wireless communication module  220  has started lowering the first voltage signal, and the first voltage signal has not yet returned to the starting value, then the host interrupt routine  212  is continued (step S 251 ), and the host detector module  211  continues to determine whether the first voltage signal remains at a high voltage state (step S 250 ). Otherwise, the host interrupt routine  212  is suspended, and the handheld device  210  is caused to enter a sleep state (step S 252 ). 
         [0050]    It is of course to be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the principles of the invention and that a wide variety of modifications thereto may be effected by persons skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.