Mobile Device Power State

• US 20130229568A1
• Filed: 10/15/2012
• Published: 09/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Belesiu, Jim Tom, Drasnin, Sharon, Stoumbos, Christopher Harry, Schwager, Michael A., Seilstad, Mark J.
• Granted Patent: US 9,047,207 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/372
• CPC Class Codes: E05D 11/1064 with a coil spring perpendicular to the pivot axis
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 5/08 with springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2201/46 Magnets
• CPC Class Codes: F16M 11/38 by folding , e.g. pivoting or scissors tong mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 11/01 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1618 the display being foldable up to the back of the other housing with a single degree of freedom, e.g. by 360° rotation over the axis defined by the rear edge of the base enclosure
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1637 Details related to the display arrangement, including those related to the mounting of the display in the housing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1654 the display being detachable, e.g. for remote use
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1656 Details related to functional adaptations of the enclosure, e.g. to provide protection against EMI, shock, water, or to host detachable peripherals like a mouse or removable expansions units like PCMCIA cards, or to provide access to internal components for maintenance or to removable storage supports like CDs or DVDs, or to mechanically mount accessories mounting of accessories to a computer display G06F1/1607; display hoods G06F1/1603; cooling arrangements for portable computers G06F1/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/166 related to integrated arrangements for adjusting the position of the main body with respect to the supporting surface, e.g. legs for adjusting the tilt angle
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1662 Details related to the integrated keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1669 Detachable keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1681 Details related solely to hinges hinge details related to the transmission of signals or power are classified in G06F1/1683
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1683 for the transmission of signal or power between the different housings, e.g. details of wired or wireless communication, passage of cabling
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1686 the I/O peripheral being an integrated camera
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/3089 Monitoring arrangements determined by the means or processing involved in sensing the monitored data, e.g. interfaces, connectors, sensors, probes, agents software debugging using additional hardware using a specific debug interface G06F11/3656; performance evaluation by tracing or monitoring G06F11/3466
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 13/102 where the programme performs an interfacing function, e.g. device driver G06F13/105 takes precedence; scheduling within device drivers G06F9/52; contention policies within device drivers G06F9/4881
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/002 Specific input/output arrangements not covered by G06F3/01 - G06F3/16 other optical apparatus G02B27/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/01 : Input arrangements or combined input and output arrangements for interaction between user and computer G06F3/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/02 : Input arrangements using manually operated switches, e.g. using keyboards or dials
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0219 : Special purpose keyboards
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/023 : Arrangements for converting discrete items of information into a coded form, e.g. arrangements for interpreting keyboard generated codes as alphanumeric codes, operand codes or instruction codes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0233 : Character input methods
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0414 : using force sensing means to determine a position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0416 : Control or interface arrangements specially adapted for digitisers
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0487 : using specific features provided by the input device, e.g. functions controlled by the rotation of a mouse with dual sensing arrangements, or of the nature of the input device, e.g. tap gestures based on pressure sensed by a digitiser
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 : using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04886 : by partitioning the display area of the touch-screen or the surface of the digitising tablet into independently controllable areas, e.g. virtual keyboards or menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 : via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 11/00 : Apparatus or processes specially adapted for the manufacture of electric switches processes specially adapted for manufacture of rectilinearly movable switches having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboards, H01H13/88
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/14 : Operating parts, e.g. push-button
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/702 : with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/703 : characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/704 : characterised by the layers, e.g. by their material or structure H01H13/703 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/78 : characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/785 : characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/79 : characterised by the form of the contacts, e.g. interspersed fingers or helical networks
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/807 : characterised by the spatial arrangement of the contact sites, e.g. superimposed sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 13/82 : characterised by contact space venting means
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2201/036 : Variable resistance
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/02 : Interspersed fingers
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/036 : to solve particular problems
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2203/058 : Contact area function of position on layered keyboard
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2205/006 : mounted on spacer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/004 : Adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2211/006 : Individual areas
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2213/016 : in adhesive layer
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/004 : Larger or different actuating area
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/006 : Different feeling for different switch sites
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2217/01 : Off centre actuation
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 2227/032 : Operating force
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 9/26 : for interlocking two or more switches H01H13/568 takes precedence; by a detachable member H01H9/28 ; for electromagnetic relays H01H50/323
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0216 : Foldable in one direction, i.e. using a one degree of freedom hinge
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 : using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0254 : comprising one or a plurality of mechanically detachable modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72409 : by interfacing with external accessories hands-free H04M1/60
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0226 : Hinges
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0234 : Feet; Stands; Pedestals, e.g. wheels for moving casing on floor
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 : Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 : Assembling or joining

Abstract

Techniques for mobile device power state are described. In one or more implementations, a mobile device includes a computing device that is flexibly coupled to an input device via a flexible hinge. Accordingly, the mobile device can operate in a variety of different power states based on a positional orientation of the computing device to an associated input device. In one or more implementations, an application that resides on a computing device can operate in different application states based on a positional orientation of the computing device to an associated input device. In one or more implementations, techniques discussed herein can differentiate between vibrations caused by touch input to a touch functionality, and other types of vibrations. Based on this differentiation, techniques can determine whether to transition between device power states.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

ascertaining an orientation of a computing device relative to an input device that is communicatively coupled to the computing device; and

determining, via a computing device, a power state individually for the computing device and the input device based on the orientation and from multiple different orientation-based power states including a viewing orientation where the input device remains coupled to the computing device and is positioned away from a display of the computing device, the computing device is powered on, and the input device is one of powered off or hibernated.

2. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the orientation comprises an angle at which the computing device is positioned relative to the input device.

3. A method as described in claim 1, wherein said ascertaining comprises:

ascertaining a gravitational orientation of the computing device;

ascertaining a gravitational orientation of the input device; and

determining the orientation of the computing device relative to the input device by comparing the gravitational orientation of the computing device with the gravitational orientation of the input device.

4. A method as described in claim 3, wherein said ascertaining the gravitational orientation of the computing device utilizes an accelerometer for the computing device, and wherein said ascertaining the gravitational orientation of the input device utilizes a different accelerometer for the input device.

5. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the orientation comprises an angle at which the computing device is rotated relative to the input device, and wherein said determining comprises correlating the angle to one of multiple angle ranges that each correspond to a respective power state for the computing device.

6. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the orientation comprises a closed orientation, and wherein the power state comprises a closed power state in which the computing device and the input device are at least one of powered off or hibernated.

7. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the orientation comprises a typing orientation, and wherein the power state comprises a typing power state in which the computing device and the input device are powered on such that input may be provided to the computing device via the input device.

8. A method as described in claim 1, wherein in the viewing orientation, the input device is positioned against a rear surface of the computing device opposite the display of the computing device.

9. A method as described in claim 8, wherein the computing device further includes a camera that is powered on in the viewing power state such that photos can be captured in the viewing power state.

10. A method as described in claim 1, further comprising determining an application state for an application that resides on the computing device based on the orientation, the application being associated with different application states for different orientations.

11. A computer-implemented method comprising:

ascertaining an orientation of a computing device relative to an input device that is communicatively coupled to the computing device; and

determining, via a computing device and from multiple different orientation-based application states that are applicable to an application while the application is running on the computing device, an application state for the application based on the orientation.

12. A method as described in claim 11, wherein the orientation comprises an angle at which the computing device is positioned relative to the input device.

13. A method as described in claim 11, wherein said determining comprises enabling or disabling a functionality of the application based on the orientation.

14. A method as described in claim 11, wherein the application state is determined from a group of applications states that can be applied to the application while the application is running on the computing device.

15. A computer-implemented method comprising:

monitoring for vibrations via a vibration sensing functionality in a device that is in a low power state;

responsive to detecting a vibration, ascertaining, via a computing device, whether the vibration exceeds a vibration threshold;

in an event that the vibration exceeds the vibration threshold;

powering on a touch functionality that is different than the vibration sensing functionality and that is associated with the device;

determining whether touch input is received via the touch functionality; and

in an event that touch input is received via the touch functionality, causing the device to transition to a different power state.

16. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the device comprises a computing device, or an input device communicatively associated with the computing device.

17. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the device comprises a computing device, and wherein said monitoring employs one or more accelerometers positioned on at least one of the computing device or an input device communicatively coupled to the computing device.

18. A method as recited in claim 15, where the touch functionality comprises at least one of a track pad or a touch screen of the device.

19. A method as recited in claim 15, wherein the low power state comprises a state in which one or more functionalities of the device are powered off, and wherein the different power state comprises a state in which the one or more functionalities are powered on.

20. A method as recited in claim 15, further comprising, in an event that touch input is not received via the touch functionality:

powering off the touch functionality; and

continuing to monitor for vibrations in the device in the low power state.