Apparatus, system and method for buffering audio data to allow low power states in a processing system during audio playback

Abstract

An audio data stream from a processing system may be buffered to allow low power states in the processing system during audio playback. An audio buffer may be provided external to the processing system and between the processing system and an audio codec. The audio buffer may also shift to an alternate audio data interface mode when the processing system is in the low power state. Of course, many alternatives, variations, and modifications are possible without departing from this embodiment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising:
 an audio processing logic, coupled to a general purpose processor, the audio processing logic to process audio information, wherein in a first operating state the audio processing logic to process the audio information while the general purpose processor at least has a capability to process data in the first operating state, and wherein in a second operating state the audio processing logic to process the audio information while the general purpose processor resides at least in a low power state, the general purpose processor to not process data in the second operating state.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus to consume less power in the second operating state than in the first operating state. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the general purpose processor to have the capability to process the audio information in the first operating state. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the general purpose processor to not have the capability to process the audio information in the first operating state. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus to enter into the second operating state in response to audio playback selected as a sole use for the apparatus. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus to enter into the second operating state in response to one or more components in the system other than the audio processing logic being inactive. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the audio processing logic to read the audio information for processing from a memory in the apparatus. 
     
     
         8 . A system comprising:
 a memory to store audio information;   a general purpose processor to process data; and   an audio processing logic, coupled to the general purpose processor, the audio processing logic to process the audio information, wherein in a first operating state the audio processing logic to process the audio information while the general purpose processor at least has a capability to process data in the first operating state, and wherein in a second operating state the audio processing logic to process the audio information while the general purpose processor resides at least in a low power state, the general purpose processor to not process data in the second operating state.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the apparatus to consume less power in the second operating state than in the first operating state. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the general purpose processor to have the capability to process the audio information in the first operating state. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the general purpose processor to not have the capability to process the audio information in the first operating state. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the apparatus to enter into the second operating state in response to audio playback selected as a sole use for the apparatus. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the apparatus to enter into the second operating state in response to one or more components in the system other than the audio processing logic being inactive. 
     
     
         14 . An apparatus, comprising:
 power management logic, at least partially implemented in hardware, to:
 manage one or more power states of a system, the system including at least a general purpose processor and an audio processing logic; 
 cause an audio processing logic, coupled to the general purpose processor, to process the audio information in a first power state, wherein in the first power state the audio processing logic to process the audio information while the general purpose processor at least has a capability to process data; and 
 cause the audio processing logic to process the audio information in a second power state while the general purpose processor resides at least in a low power state, the general purpose processor to not process data in the second power state. 
   
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the general purpose processor to have the capability to process the audio information in the first power state. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the general purpose processor to not have the capability to process the audio information in the first power state. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the power management logic to cause the general purpose processor and the audio processing logic to enter into the second power state in response to audio playback selected as a sole use for the apparatus. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the power management logic to cause the general purpose processor and the audio processing logic to enter into the second power state in response to one or more components other than the audio processing logic being inactive. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the audio processing logic to read the audio information for processing from a memory.