US 2012/0233482 A1 · POWER MANAGEMENT BASED ON COMBINED USER INTERFACE AND SENSOR INPUTS

Abstract

Power usage of a portable computing device is modified to more efficiently use a power supply included in the portable computing device. Power usage by different components of the portable computing device is modified based on use of the portable computing device to allow dynamic modification of power consumption. The portable computing device includes data describing various power management states and the portable computing device transitions between different power management states as it is used, modifying the power consumption of various components in different power management states. Various communication device operating states are also defined to modify power usage by communication devices included in the portable computing device based on device usage.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus comprising:

a power supply;
a processor;
a power management module coupled to the processor and to the power supply, the power management module for identifying a plurality of power management states, determining a power management state and modifying power supplied by the power supply responsive to the determined power management state, the power management module also determining when to transition from a first power management state to a second power management state.

A method for managing power usage of a device, the method comprising:

transitioning from an off state where a power supply does not supply power to a display device, a communication unit, a second input device and a processor to a ready state responsive to a first input device receiving an input, a first amount of power supplied from the power supply to the processor and power supplied from the power supply to the display device, the second input device and the communication unit in the ready state;
transitioning from the ready state to a dozing state responsive to the second input device and the display device not receiving input for a predetermined length of time, ceasing to supply power from the power supply to the communication unit in the dozing state and decreasing power supplied to the processor in the dozing state;
operating in a wait state by supplying power to the display device, the second input device and the processor while providing a low amount of power from the power supply to a first communication device included in the communication unit and not supplying power to the second communication device included in the communication unit;
and
responsive to receiving an input to access an inbox or to submit a document while operating in the wait state, operating in a first communication device test state by providing a low amount of power from the power supply to the first communication device and not supplying power to the second communication device.

2 more elements

A method for managing power usage of a device, the method comprising:

operating in an asleep/off communication state where power is not supplied from a power supply to a display device, a processor, a first communication device and to a second communication device;
responsive to receiving an input, operating in a wait state by supplying power to the display device and the processor while providing a low amount of power from the power supply to the first communication device and not supplying power to the second communication device;
and
responsive to receiving an input to access an inbox or to submit a document while operating in the wait state, operating in a first communication device test state by providing a low amount of power from the power supply to the first communication device and not supplying power to the second communication device.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Power management based on combined user interface and sensor inputs

Life of this patent

Power management based on combined user interface and sensor inputs

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20