Resetting time-out for automatic power-off of a notebook computer upon placement of a stylus in a storage location

• US 7,036,026 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2002
• Issued: 04/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lenovo PC International Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Lenovo Singapore Pte Limited (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Inventors: Hammer, Per Sigurd
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): SURYAWANSHI, SURESH
• Application Number:
  US10/248,065
• Publication Number:
  US 20030172311A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,229 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 713/310, 713/320, 713/321, 713/323, 345/179
• US Class Current: 713/300
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer

Abstract

A notebook computer has a display screen adapted to interact with a stylus and a storage location for storing the stylus when the stylus is not in use. The notebook computer also has a power control means for powering on the notebook computer upon removal of the stylus from the storage location and for powering off the notebook computer upon replacement of the stylus into the storage location. The power control means resets a time-out for automatic power-off to the notebook computer to a default value upon replacement of the stylus into the storage location. The power control means also increases a time-out for automatic power-off of the notebook computer whilst the stylus is removed from the storage location. The notebook computer may also include a power on-off switch and the power control means may also power on the notebook computer when the power on-off switch is operated. The power on-off switch when operated to power on the notebook computer may also release the stylus from the storage location.

Claims

1. A notebook computer comprising:

a display screen adapted to interact with a stylus;

a storage location for storing the stylus when the stylus is not in use; and

a power controller which powers on the notebook computer upon removal of the stylus from the storage location and which powers off the notebook computer upon replacement of the stylus into the storage location;

wherein the power controller resets a time-out for automatic power-off of the notebook computer to a default value upon replacement of the stylus into the storage location.

2. The computer of claim 1 wherein the power controller increases a time-out for automatic power-off of the notebook computer whilst the stylus is removed from the storage location.