Portable computer with time-sensitive tri-modal power management switch
First Claim
1. In a portable computer having multiple modes of operation including (1) a normal mode, in which a microprocessor within said computer operates at a predetermined clock speed, (2) a standby mode, in which some peripheral devices coupled to said computer are not allowed to operate at full power, and (3) a sleep mode, in which said microprocessor operates at a clock speed less than said predetermined clock speed and substantially all of said peripheral devices enter states of near-zero power consumption, a method of managing power, comprising the steps of:
- sensing a length of time a mode select switch coupled to said computer is depressed; and
entering a selectable one of said modes of operation as a function of said length of time said mode select switch is depressed.
13 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable computer in which a single switch is positioned to be closed when the case is closed, and also to be readily operable by the user'"'"'s finger. Software polls the switch. If the switch is briefly depressed, the software detects that the user is requesting entry into standby mode, and accordingly powers down certain input/output functions until new stimulus is received. If the switch is held down for a long time by the user closing the case cover, or manually holding the button down for a long time, the software causes the system to enter sleep mode (its lowest power mode).
59 Citations
38 Claims
-
1. In a portable computer having multiple modes of operation including (1) a normal mode, in which a microprocessor within said computer operates at a predetermined clock speed, (2) a standby mode, in which some peripheral devices coupled to said computer are not allowed to operate at full power, and (3) a sleep mode, in which said microprocessor operates at a clock speed less than said predetermined clock speed and substantially all of said peripheral devices enter states of near-zero power consumption, a method of managing power, comprising the steps of:
-
sensing a length of time a mode select switch coupled to said computer is depressed; and entering a selectable one of said modes of operation as a function of said length of time said mode select switch is depressed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A portable computer system, comprising:
-
a microprocessor CPU coupled to one or more input devices and one or more output devices; a case and a cover, mated so that said case and said cover close together, and a button coupled to said case, positioned to be actuable by a user'"'"'s digit, and also positioned to be actuated when said case and said cover are mated together; said system having at least three modes of operation, including; a normal mode in which said microprocessor is allowed to operate at a predetermined clock speed; a standby mode in which at least one of said input and output devices is not allowed to operate at full power; and
a sleep mode in which said microprocessor is not allowed to operate at said predetermined clock speed and substantially all of said input and output devices are powered down to a states of approximately zero power consumption;said system being electronically connected and configured to enter said sleep mode from one of said normal and said standby modes when said button is pushed and held and to remain in said sleep mode for as long as said button is held in a depressed position; and to enter said standby mode from said normal mode when said button is pushed and immediately released; and to enter said normal mode from said standby mode when said button is pushed and immediately released. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
-
-
18. A portable computer system, comprising:
-
a keyboard; a case coupled to a cover, said case and said cover movably mounted together so that said case and said cover, when closed together, shield said keyboard between said case and said cover; said case and cover enclosing; a microprocessor CPU, one or more nonvolatile storage devices, a display, at least one battery pack, and a button, positioned to be actuable by a user'"'"'s digit and also positioned to be actuated when said case and said cover are mated together, said system having at least three modes of operation, including; a normal mode in which said microprocessor is allowed to operate at a predetermined clock speed and said display may be allowed to provide optimal output; a standby mode in which at least one of said devices is not allowed to operate at full power; and a sleep mode in which said microprocessor is not allowed to operate at said predetermined clock speed and substantially all of said devices are powered down to a states of approximately zero power consumption; said system being electronically connected and configured to enter said sleep mode from one of said normal and standby modes when said button is pushed and held and to remain in said sleep mode for as long as said button is held in a depressed position, to enter said standby mode from said normal mode when said button is pushed and immediately released, to enter said normal mode from said standby mode when said button is pushed and immediately released. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
-
-
28. A method of operating a portable computer system which includes at least one microprocessor CPU, at least one input device, at least one output device, including a display, comprising the steps of:
-
selectably operating said system in any one of at least three modes of operation, said modes including; a normal mode, in which said microprocessor is allowed to operate at a predetermined clock speed and said display is allowed to provide optimal output, a standby mode, in which at least one of said input and output devices is not allowed to operate at full power, and a sleep mode, in which said microprocessor is not allowed to operate at said predetermined clock speed and substantially all of said devices are powered down to a states of approximately zero power consumption; entering said sleep mode from one of said normal and said standby modes when a button, which is positioned to be actuable by a user'"'"'s digit, and which is also positioned to be actuated when a mating case and cover, which enclose said microprocessor and said input device and said output device, are mated together, is pushed and held, said microprocessor remaining in said sleep mode for as long as said button is held in a depressed position; entering said standby mode from said normal mode when said button is pushed and immediately released; and entering said normal mode from said standby mode when said button is pushed and immediately released. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
-
-
34. A portable computer system, comprising:
-
a keyboard, a case and a cover, movably mounted together with a hinge so that said case and cover, when closed together, shield said keyboard between said case and said cover; said case and cover also enclosing a microprocessor CPU, one or more nonvolatile storage devices, a display, at least one battery pack, and a button, comprising a lever having an exposed free end positioned near an axis of rotation of said hinge, so that said lever is depressed by a camming action as said case and said cover are closed together and so that said lever is positioned to be actuable by a user'"'"'s digit when said cover is fully open; and
also comprising a switch which is not externally exposed, but is positioned to be actuated by movement of said lever,said system being electrically connected and configured so that momentary actuation of said switch is interpreted as a user command regarding power management, and sustained actuation of said switch is interpreted as indicating that said user has closed said case and said cover together. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36)
-
-
37. A portable computer system, comprising:
-
a microprocessor CPU, coupled to one or more input devices and one or more output devices; a case and a cover, mated so that said case and cover close together, said case and said cover enclosing said microprocessor and at least some of said one or more input and output devices; and a button, positioned to be actuable by a user'"'"'s digit and also positioned to be actuated when said case and said cover are mated together; said system having at least two modes of operation, including; a normal mode in which said microprocessor is allowed to operate at a predetermined clock speed, and an alternate mode in which at least one of said one or more input and output devices is not allowed to operate at full power, said system being electronically connected and configured to enter said alternate mode from said normal mode when said button is pushed and held and to remain in said alternate mode for as long as said button is held in a depressed position, to enter said alternate mode from said normal mode when said button is pushed and immediately released, and to enter said normal mode from said alternate mode when said button is pushed and immediately released. - View Dependent Claims (38)
-
Specification