User configurable power conservation through LCD display screen reduction
First Claim
1. A computer-readable storage medium including computer-executable instructions for conserving power on a portable computing device, the portable computing device comprising a display unit and a power unit, the power unit providing power to the display unit, the display unit providing a display at a first resolution, the computer-executable instructions comprising instructions for:
- monitoring an amount of power remaining in the power unit;
determining that the remaining power falls below a first threshold level; and
in response to the amount of the remaining power falling below the first threshold level;
partitioning the display into a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion includes the second portion;
causing power provided to the first portion to be substantially reduced so that a size of the display is reduced to the second portion;
continuing to monitor the amount of power remaining in the power unit;
determining that the remaining power falls below a second threshold; and
in response to the amount of remaining power falling below the second threshold level;
partitioning the display into a third portion and a fourth portion; and
causing power provided to the third portion to be substantially reduced, wherein the second portion includes the fourth portion, and the size of the display is reduced to the fourth portion.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A novel system and method increase battery life for portable computing devices through intelligent display management. A user interface allows a user to input threshold values and parameters such that power management actions are taken should battery power fall below the thresholds. Such actions include the reduction of size to the projected display, disabling of network activity, and management of intensive CPU processes.
38 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A computer-readable storage medium including computer-executable instructions for conserving power on a portable computing device, the portable computing device comprising a display unit and a power unit, the power unit providing power to the display unit, the display unit providing a display at a first resolution, the computer-executable instructions comprising instructions for:
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monitoring an amount of power remaining in the power unit; determining that the remaining power falls below a first threshold level; and in response to the amount of the remaining power falling below the first threshold level; partitioning the display into a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion includes the second portion; causing power provided to the first portion to be substantially reduced so that a size of the display is reduced to the second portion; continuing to monitor the amount of power remaining in the power unit; determining that the remaining power falls below a second threshold; and in response to the amount of remaining power falling below the second threshold level; partitioning the display into a third portion and a fourth portion; and causing power provided to the third portion to be substantially reduced, wherein the second portion includes the fourth portion, and the size of the display is reduced to the fourth portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. For use in a portable computing device comprising a display unit and a power unit, the power unit providing power to the display unit and the display unit providing a display at a first resolution, a user interface for managing power consumption, the user interface comprising:
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a user-selectable option for setting a first power threshold; and a user-selectable option for specifying at least one action to be performed if the power remaining in the power unit falls below the first threshold; wherein the at least one action to be performed comprises; substantially reducing an amount of power directed to a first portion of the display partitioned into the first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion includes the second portion, so that a size of the display is reduced to the second portion; causing the display unit to provide a display at a lower resolution, wherein the first resolution is reduced to the lower resolution in accordance with a reduction in the size of the display; a user-selectable option for setting a second power threshold, the second power threshold less than the first power threshold; and a user-selectable option for specifying at least one action to be performed if the power remaining in the power unit falls below the second threshold; wherein the at least one action to be performed comprises; substantially reducing an amount of power directed to a third portion of the display partitioned into the third portion and a fourth portion so that the size of the display is reduced to the fourth portion; and causing the display unit to provide a display at a further lower resolution.
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9. A method for conserving power on a portable computing device, the portable computing device comprising a display unit and a power unit, the power input providing power to the display unit and the display unit providing a display at a first resolution, the method comprising steps of:
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monitoring an amount of power remaining in the power unit; and in response to the amount of remaining power falling below a first threshold level; partitioning the entire display into a first portion and a second portion, wherein the first portion includes the second portion; causing power provided to the first portion to be substantially reduced so that a size of the display is reduced to the second portion; continuing to monitor the amount of power remaining in the power unit; and in response to the amount of remaining power falling below a second threshold level; partitioning the entire display into a third portion and a fourth portion; and causing power provided to the third portion to be substantially reduced so that the size of the display is reduced to the fourth portion; wherein the third portion includes the second portion, and the first portion includes the fourth portion. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification