System and method for detection of an accessory device connection status
First Claim
1. A method for operating a portable computing device, the method comprising:
- detecting that an external computing device is actively connected to communicate and provide power to the portable computing device; and
responsive to detecting the external computing device, suspending execution of at least a portion of a program that would otherwise reduce a power consumption of the portable computing device after a given duration of inactivity;
wherein suspending execution of at least a portion of a program includes suspending occurrence of a timeout feature; and
wherein the method further comprises launching a program that is transferred to the portable computing device through the external computing device once the occurrence of the time-out feature is suspended.
8 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Embodiments of this invention provide for a portable computer that determines whether an accessory device is actively connected to it. In one embodiment, the portable computer may include a signal line accessible through an output of the portable computing device. The signal line may be connected to a communication device such as a communication cradle. The portable computer may detect a signal on the signal line to determine whether the communication device is actively connected to the portable computer. If the communication device is actively connected, the portable computer suspends implementation of a time-out feature that would otherwise reduce power consumption of the portable computer.
138 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for operating a portable computing device, the method comprising:
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detecting that an external computing device is actively connected to communicate and provide power to the portable computing device; and responsive to detecting the external computing device, suspending execution of at least a portion of a program that would otherwise reduce a power consumption of the portable computing device after a given duration of inactivity; wherein suspending execution of at least a portion of a program includes suspending occurrence of a timeout feature; and
wherein the method further comprises launching a program that is transferred to the portable computing device through the external computing device once the occurrence of the time-out feature is suspended. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method for operating a portable computing device, the method comprising:
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detecting that an accessory device is connected to communicate and provide power to the portable computing device; and responsive to detecting the accessory device, suspending execution of at least a portion of a program that would otherwise reduce a power consumption of the portable computing device after a given duration of inactivity; wherein detecting that an accessory device is connected and providing power to the portable computing device includes coupling one or more signal lines accessible through an outlet of the portable computing device to the accessory device; and wherein the method further comprises determining a type of the accessory device from a signal on the one or more signal lines. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9)
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10. A method for operating a portable computing device, comprising:
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responsive to a connector of the portable computing device being connected to a connector of an accessory device, receiving on one or more signal lines, one or more signals from the accessory device, the one or more signals including a power signal; automatically determining a type of accessory device coupled to the portable computing device using one or more signals on the one or more signal lines; and responsive to receiving the power signal from the accessory device, suspending a feature for reducing power consumption of the portable computing device after a given duration of inactivity; and responsive to receiving one or more signals from the accessory device, executing at least one program based on the type of accessory device. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12)
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13. A method for operating a portable computing device, the method comprising:
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detecting whether an external power is being provided to the portable computing device from a computing device external to the portable computing device; if the external power is not being provided, executing at least a portion of a program to cause the portable computing device to reduce operations and power consumption after a given duration of inactivity;
elseif the external power is being provided, suspending execution of at least the portion of the program and maintaining a display of the portable computing device at a high setting of brightness unless an input is provided from a user to reduce or turn-off the display; and causing the external computing device and the portable computing device to communicate with one another in response to a user-interaction with an interface of the external computing device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for operating a portable computing device, the method comprising:
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operating the portable computing device in a first mode of high power consumption; detecting inactivity of user-interaction with the portable computing device for a first duration of time when the portable computing device is in the first mode of high power consumption; responsive to detecting inactivity for the first duration of time, executing a first programmed event to switch operation of the portable computing device from the first mode into a second mode of intermediate power consumption, in which a display of the portable computing device is at least partially powered; detecting whether an accessory device is connected to provide power to the portable computing device; while the portable computing device is in the second mode, detecting inactivity of user-interaction with the portable computing device for a second duration of time, responsive to detecting inactivity for the second duration of time and if the accessory device is not detected as being connected, executing a second programmed event to switch operation of the portable computing device from the second mode into a third mode of lower power consumption in which the display is not powered;
elseresponsive to detecting inactivity for the second duration of time and if the accessory device is detected as being connected, suspending execution of the second programmed event that would otherwise reduce a power consumption of the portable computing device after the second duration of inactivity, wherein suspending execution of the second programmed event includes performing at least one of (i) maintaining operation of the portable computing device in the second mode, or (ii) executing a third programmed event to switch operation of the portable computing device from the second mode to the first mode. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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22. A method for operating a portable computing device, the method comprising:
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enabling execution of at least a portion of a program to selectively power on and power off a backlight of a display screen for the portable computing device in response to one or more events, wherein selectively powering on and powering off the backlight is independent of the display screen; detecting a period of inactivity in a user-interaction with the portable computing device; responsive to detecting the period of inactivity, suspending a feature for reducing power consumption of the portable computing device, including executing at least the portion of the program to power off the backlight independent of the display screen being powered on; and displaying a digital image while the display screen is powered on. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25)
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26. A portable computing device comprising:
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a connector comprising a plurality of signal lines; a processor programmed to; detect an accessory device that is connected to the connector; automatically determine information indicating whether the accessory device is of a particular type, and responsive to determining that the accessory device is of the particular type, execute a program for the type of accessory device; and automatically detect whether the accessory device supplies power across the connector, and responsive to detecting power, suspend execution of at least a portion of a program that would otherwise reduce a power level of the portable computing device after a given duration of inactivity. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification