Portable computing device with multiple operational modes

• US 6,571,342 B1
• Filed: 10/26/1999
• Issued: 05/27/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Sharp Laboratories of America Incorporated (Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Detlef, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Butler, Dennis M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WANG, ALBERT C
• Application Number:
  US09/427,537
• Time in Patent Office: 1,309 Days
• Field of Search: 320/137, 707/203, 235/375, 713/323, 710/304, 725/42
• US Class Current: 713/323
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/16 Constructional details or arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1631 Panel PC, e.g. single housing hosting PC and display panel

Abstract

A method of operating a portable computing device in a first mode uses a rechargeable energy source while transferring data between the portable computing device and a computer network in response to user actions. The portable computing device is operated in a second mode using a non-rechargeable energy source while transferring data between the portable computing device and the computer network free from user actions. The portable computing device automatically changes from the first mode to the second mode in response to engaging the portable computing device with a stand supporting the portable computing device and providing the non-rechargeable source.

Claims

1. A method of operating a portable computing device comprising:

(a) operating said portable computing device in a first mode using a rechargeable energy source while transferring data between said portable computing device and a computer network in response to user actions;

(b) operating said portable computing device in a second mode using a non-rechargeable energy source while transferring data to said portable computing device from said computer network for display on said portable computing device free from user actions; and

(c) automatically changing from said first mode to said second mode in response to engaging said portable computing device with a stand supporting said portable computing device and providing said non-rechargeable source.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising automatically changing from said second mode to said first mode in response to disengaging said portable computing device from said stand.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising automatically changing from said first mode to a third mode power savings mode after a period of inactivity of the user with said portable computing device.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising automatically changing from said third mode to said first mode in response to user activity with said portable computing device.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said user activity includes at least one of pressing a button on said portable computing device, moving said portable computing device, and touching a screen attached to said portable computing device.

6. The method of claim 3 wherein said third power savings mode includes at least one of de-energizing a hard drive and de-energizing a screen attached to said portable computing device.

7. The method of claim 4 further comprising automatically changing from said second mode to a fourth mode in response to a user interaction with said portable computing device, wherein said fourth mode includes transferring data between said portable computing device and said computer network in direct response to user actions.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising automatically changing from said fourth mode to said second mode after a period of inactivity of the user with said portable computing device.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said transferring data of section (b) includes advertisements.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein said transferring of data of section (a) is using a browser.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein said portable computing device includes a display and said stand supports said display in a generally upright position.

12. A method of operating a portable computing device comprising:

(a) operating said portable computing device in a first mode using a rechargeable energy source while transferring data between said portable computing device and said computer network in response to user actions;

(b) operating said portable computing device in a second mode using a non-rechargeable energy source while transferring data to said portable computing device from a computer network for display on said portable computing device free from user actions; and

(c) automatically changing from said second mode to said first mode in response to dis-engaging said portable computing device from a stand supporting said portable computing device and providing said non-rechargeable source.

13. The method of claim 12 further comprising automatically changing from said first mode to said second mode in response to engaging said portable computing device with said stand supporting said portable computing device and providing said non-rechargeable source.

14. The method of claim 12 further comprising automatically changing from said first mode to a third mode power savings mode after a period of inactivity of the user with said portable computing device.

15. The method of claim 14 further comprising automatically changing from said third mode to said first mode in response to user activity with said portable computing device.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said user activity includes at least one of pressing a button on said portable computing device, moving said portable computing device, and touching a screen attached to said portable computing device.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein said third power savings mode includes at least one of de-energizing a hard drive and de-energizing a screen attached to said portable computing device.

18. The method of claim 15 further comprising automatically changing from said second mode to a fourth mode in response to a user interaction with said portable computing device, wherein said fourth mode includes transferring data between said portable computing device and said computer network in direct response to user actions.

19. The method of claim 18 further comprising automatically changing from said fourth mode to said second mode after a period of inactivity of the user with said portable computing device.

20. The method of claim 12 wherein said transferring data of section (b) includes advertisements.

21. The method of claim 12 wherein said transferring of data of section (a) is using a browser.

22. The method of claim 12 wherein said portable computing device includes a display and said stand supports said display in a generally upright position.

23. A method of operating a portable computing device comprising:

(a) operating said portable computing device in a first mode using a non-rechargeable energy source while transferring data to said portable computing device from a computer network for display on said portable computing device in response to user actions;

(b) operating said portable computing device in a second mode using said non-rechargeable energy source while transferring data to said portable computing device from a computer network for display on said portable computing device free from user actions, wherein said second mode presents data to said user that is unrelated to data presented to said user in said first mode; and

(c) automatically changing from said first mode to said second mode in response to no user action for a predetermined period of time with said portable computing device.

24. A method of claim 23 further comprising

(a) operating said portable computing device in a third mode using a rechargeable energy source while transferring data between said portable computing device and said computer network in response to user actions; and

(b) automatically changing from said second mode to said third mode in response to dis-engaging said portable computing device from a stand supporting said portable computing device and providing said non-rechargeable source.

25. The method of claim 24 further comprising automatically changing from said third mode to said second mode in response to engaging said portable computing device with said stand supporting said portable computing device and providing said non-rechargeable source.

26. The method of claim 25 further comprising automatically changing from said third mode to a fourth mode power savings mode after a period of inactivity of the user with said portable computing device.

27. The method of claim 26 further comprising automatically changing from said fourth mode to said third mode in response to user activity with said portable computing device.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein said user activity includes at least one of pressing a button on said portable computing device, moving said portable computing device, and touching a screen attached to said portable computing device.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein said third power savings mode includes at least one of de-energizing a hard drive and de-energizing a screen attached to said portable computing device.

30. The method of claim 27 further comprising automatically changing from said second mode to said first mode in response to a user interaction with said portable computing device, wherein said first mode includes transferring data between said portable computing device and said computer network in direct response to user actions.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein said portable computing device includes a display and said stand supports said display in a generally upright position.