Electronic apparatus having a software controlled power switch

A computer, comprising:

• a display;
• a keyboard;
• a central processor unit (CPU) coupled to said display and said keyboard;
• a software controlled switch for coupling power to said central processing unit (CPU), said switch having a first mode of operation wherein power to said processor is terminated substantially simultaneously with user actuation of said switch, and a second mode of operation wherein power to said central processing unit (CPU) is terminated upon completion of both said switch being user actuated and software releasing control of said switch at a time not substantially simultaneous with user actuation of said switch;
• and
• a timer circuit coupled to said switch, said timer circuit including a power off timer with a set value that initiates a shut down procedure when said power off timer times out.

A method of controlling power to an apparatus, comprising the step of:

• providing a user input;
• providing an output;
• providing a processor coupled to said user input and output;
• providing a software controlled switch for coupling power to said processor, said switch having a first mode of operation wherein power to said processor is terminated substantially simultaneously with user actuation of said switch, and a second mode of operation wherein power to said processor is terminated upon completion of both said switch being user actuated and software releasing control of said switch at a time not substantially simultaneous with user actuation of said switch;
• and
• providing a timer circuit for coupling to said switch, said timer circuit including a power off timer with a set value that initiates a shut down procedure when said power off timer times out.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a means for user input;
• a means for output;
• a processor coupled to said means for user input and means for output;
• circuitry for coupling power to said processor, said circuitry having a first mode of operation wherein power to said processor is terminated substantially simultaneously with user actuation of a switch, and a second mode of operation wherein power to said processor is terminated upon completion of both said switch being user actuated and software releasing control of said circuitry at a time not substantially simultaneous with user actuation of said switch;
• and
• a timer circuit coupled to said circuitry, said timer circuit including a power off timer with a set value that initiates a shut down procedure when said power off timer times out.

An apparatus, comprising:

• a means for user input;
• a means for output;
• a processor coupled to said means for user input and means for output;
• a software program executed on said processor, said software program facilitating a first mode of operation wherein power to said processor is terminated substantially simultaneously with user actuation of a switch, and a second mode of operation wherein power to said processor is terminated upon completion of both said switch being user actuated and said software program triggering said termination of power at a time not substantially simultaneous with user actuation of said switch;
• and
• a timer function for initiating a termination of power to said processor when said timer times out.