Power Management of Computer Peripheral Devices Which Determines Non-Usage of a Device Through Usage Detection of Other Devices

• US 20070162778A1
• Filed: 02/13/2007
• Published: 07/12/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Standard Microsystems Corporation (Microchip Technology Incorporated)
• Inventors: Cox, Stephen, MacDonald, James, Dutton, Drew
• Granted Patent: US 7,685,450 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/323
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3215 Monitoring of peripheral devices

Abstract

A system and method for monitoring usage of peripheral devices and placing a second peripheral device in a low power state when the usage indicates that a second peripheral device is not being used. For example, if a computer system detects that a user'"'"'s current typing rate indicates the user probably has both hands on a keyboard, the computer system may generate a signal to the computer mouse to enter a low power state. The computer system may use prior usage for a user to determine when current usage indicates that the second peripheral device is not being used. After the second peripheral device is placed in a low power state, the computer system may generate a signal to the second peripheral device to return to a normal power state when the computer system determines that the user no longer has both hands occupied.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

determining if a first peripheral device is being used to determine if a second peripheral device is not being used, wherein the first peripheral device being used indicates that the second peripheral device is not being used; and

generating a signal to place the second peripheral device in a low power state if the usage indicates that the second peripheral device is not currently being used.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

generating a signal to place the second peripheral device in a normal power state, if the usage indicates that the second peripheral device is possibly being used, and if the second peripheral device is in the low power state.

3. The method of claim 1,

wherein the first peripheral device is a keyboard.

4. The method of claim 3,

wherein said determining determines that both hands of a user are typing on the keyboard.

5. The method of claim 1,

wherein the first peripheral device is a microphone.

6. The method of claim 1,

wherein the first peripheral device is a keyboard;

and

wherein the second peripheral device is a mouse.

7. A method, comprising:

determining if a keyboard is being used to determine if a second peripheral device is being used, wherein the keyboard being used indicates that the second peripheral device is not being used; and

generating a signal to place the second peripheral device in a low power state if the usage indicates that the second peripheral device is not currently being used.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

generating a signal to place the second peripheral device in a normal power state, if the usage indicates that the second peripheral device is possibly being used, and if the second peripheral device is in the low power state.

9. A computer system, comprising:

a processor;

a first peripheral device coupled to the processor;

a second peripheral device coupled to the processor;

a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store program instructions executable by the processor to;

monitor usage of the first peripheral device; and

wherein, if the usage indicates that the second peripheral device is not currently being used by detecting use of the first peripheral device, generate a signal to place the second peripheral device in a low power state.

10. The computer system of claim 9, wherein the program instructions are further executable by the processor to:

wherein, if the usage indicates that the second peripheral device is possibly being used and if the second peripheral device is in the low power state, generate a signal to place the second peripheral device in a normal power state.

11. A computer-accessible memory medium comprising program instructions, wherein program instructions are computer-executable to:

monitor usage of a first peripheral device and a second peripheral device to determine if a third peripheral device is currently being used by detecting a time delay between a user using the first peripheral device and using the second peripheral device in less than a threshold value; and

generate a signal to place the third peripheral device in a low power state if the usage indicates that the third peripheral device is not currently being used.

12. The computer system of claim 11,

wherein the first peripheral device is a keyboard

13. The computer system of claim 11,

wherein the second peripheral device is a computer mouse.

14. The computer system of claim 11,

wherein the first peripheral device is a keyboard;

and

wherein the second peripheral device is a computer mouse.

15. The computer system of claim 11,

wherein the third peripheral device comprises one of a computer mouse, a second keyboard, a microphone, a monitor, a speaker, a camera, a light pen, a joystick, a gamepad, and a touchscreen.