Context-dependent operation of computer devices
First Claim
1. A portable computing device comprising a processor and an internal power source capable of powering all components of the portable computing device, the portable computing device also being adapted to be powered by an external power source, the portable computing device being capable of operating in a plurality of different operational contexts each with a set of device operation settings appropriate to that operational context, at least some of the different operational contexts being associated with performing device operation choices for the portable computing device, the processor being arranged(a) to determine a present operational context of the computing device defined by:
- (i) whether the device is being powered by the internal or external power source, and(ii) at least one other operational factor not related to (i), and(b) to control the power consumed by the device in response to the determined present operational context.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A computing device such as a notebook computer comprises a processor and one or more power sources. A plurality of operational states are defined, each with a set of device operation choices for settings (such as power management or configuration) appropriate to that operational state. The processor is adapted to determine a present operational state. The present operational state is not defined solely by the active power source—it may be defined in part by the location of the mobile computing device, its network status, the active power source, the state of battery charge, or by a model of user behavior. The processor is further adapted to implement the device operation choices for the present operational state.
76 Citations
56 Claims
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1. A portable computing device comprising a processor and an internal power source capable of powering all components of the portable computing device, the portable computing device also being adapted to be powered by an external power source, the portable computing device being capable of operating in a plurality of different operational contexts each with a set of device operation settings appropriate to that operational context, at least some of the different operational contexts being associated with performing device operation choices for the portable computing device, the processor being arranged
(a) to determine a present operational context of the computing device defined by: -
(i) whether the device is being powered by the internal or external power source, and (ii) at least one other operational factor not related to (i), and (b) to control the power consumed by the device in response to the determined present operational context. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A portable computing device comprising a processor and one or more power sources, the device being capable of operating in a plurality of different contexts each with a set of device operation settings appropriate to that context, at least some of the different contexts being associated with performing device operation choices, wherein the processor is adapted to determine a present context of the computing device is defined by the nature or state of the active power source and at least one other factor not related to the nature or state of the active power source and is further adapted to control the operation of the device in response to the determined present context,
the computing device including one or more applications, and the processor being arranged to enable or disable features of these installed applications in response to a change in present operational context.
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24. A portable computing device comprising a processor and one or more power sources, the device being capable of operating in a plurality of different contexts each with a set of device operation settings appropriate to that context, at least some of the different contexts being associated with performing device operation choices, wherein the processor is adapted to determine a present context of the computing device is defined by the nature or state of the active power source and at least one other factor not related to the nature or state of the active power source and is further adapted to control the operation of the device in response to the determined present context,
one or more of the device operation settings relating to a preferred configuration of the computing device for the present context.
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28. A computer readable medium or memory having recorded thereon a data structure readable by a mobile computing device including a processor and an internal power source capable of powering all components of the portable computing device, the portable computing device also being adapted to be powered by an external power source, the portable computing device being capable of operating in a plurality of different operational contexts, each with a set of device operation settings appropriate to that operational context, at least some of the different operational contexts being associated with performing operation choices for the portable computing device, the data structure comprising:
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a definition of the plurality of different operational contexts of the computing device, each operational context being defined with a set of device operation settings appropriate to that operational context, the different operational contexts being associated with performing device operation choices; executable code comprising a process for determining a present operational context defined by; (i) whether the portable computing device is being powered by the internal or external power source; and (ii) at least one of the operational context not related to (i); and executable code comprising a process for controlling the power consumed by the device in response to the determined present operational context. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38)
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39. A method of power management in a portable computing device having one or more selectively useable resources and able to be held by one hand of a user, the method being performed by using a plurality of operational contexts of the computing device, each operational context being defined with a set of device operation choices for power management appropriate to that operational context, the different operational contexts being associated with performing device operation choices;
- the method comprising;
determining a present operational context of the computing device, the present operational context being determined by (a) whether a specific one of the one or more selectable resources in use, and (b) at least one other factor not related to the nature or state of an active power source for the portable computing device; and controlling the consumption of power by the device in response to the determined present operational context. - View Dependent Claims (40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
- the method comprising;
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54. A portable computing device that can easily be carried in one hand of a user, the computing device including:
- a battery power supply that can be charged by a mains supply while the portable computing device is in use, a processor, a display, a memory arrangement and input devices, the computing device being capable of being operated under different operational contexts and being arranged so the processor determines the present operational context in response to indications of (a) whether the battery is being charged by mains supply or by the battery supplying power to the processor, display and memory arrangement without being supplied with power by the mains supply, and (b) another operational context in which the computing device is operating at any particular time and that differs from (a), the processor being arranged to control the operation of the computing device in response to the determined present operational context.
- View Dependent Claims (55, 56)
Specification