(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2007/0057068 A1
`Tsai
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Mar. 15, 2007
`
`US 20070057068A1
`
`(54) PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND
`METHOD FOR AUTOMATICALLY
`SWITCHING POWER MODES
`(76) Inventor: Hsin-Feng Tsai, Pao Chiao City (TW)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`RABIN & Berdo, PC
`1101 14TH STREET, NW
`SUTE SOO
`WASHINGTON, DC 20005 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`11/366,564
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Mar. 3, 2006
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Sep. 14, 2005 (TW).......................................... 94131702
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`(2006.01)
`G06K 7/10
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................................ 235/472.01
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A portable electronic device and method for automatically
`switching power modes is provided. First, detect variation of
`external forces applied to the portable electronic device by
`an accelerometer. Next, obtain a placement state of the
`portable electronic device according to the external force
`variation. Then, switch a power mode of the portable elec
`tronic device according to the placement state.
`
`
`
`Processor
`
`220
`
`200
`
`210
`
`Exhibit 2010
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Mar. 15, 2007 Sheet 1 of 2
`
`US 2007/0057068 A1
`
`120
`
`FIG. 1 (PRIOR ART)
`
`Processor
`
`220
`
`25
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Accelerometer
`
`210
`
`FIG. 2
`
`Exhibit 2010
`
`

`

`Patent Application Publication Mar. 15, 2007 Sheet 2 of 2
`
`US 2007/0057068 A1
`
`Measure variation of external forces applied to the
`portable electronic device by the accelerometer
`
`Obtain the placement state of the portable electronic
`device according to the external force variation
`330
`
`Determine
`if the portable electronic
`device falls in a user definition range
`according to the placement
`
`31 O
`
`320
`
`NO
`
`
`
`392
`
`Switch the portable
`electronic device to
`a normal operation
`mode
`
`Yes
`Wait for a first predetermined duration
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Determine if
`there is any variation of external
`forces applied to the portable electronic device
`during the first predetermined
`duration
`
`No
`Switch the power mode of the portable
`electronic device to a first mode
`
`W ait for a second predetermined duration
`
`
`
`380
`
`Determine if
`there is any variation of forces
`applied to the portable electronic device
`during the second predetermined
`duration
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 3
`
`NO
`
`GEnd)
`
`390
`
`Exhibit 2010
`
`

`

`US 2007/0057068 A1
`
`Mar. 15, 2007
`
`PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE AND METHOD
`FOR AUTOMATICALLY SWITCHING POWER
`MODES
`0001. This application claims the benefit of Taiwan appli
`cation Serial No. 94131702, filed Sep. 14, 2005, the subject
`matter of which is incorporated herein by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`0002)
`1. Field of the Invention
`0003. The invention relates in general to an electronic
`device, and more particularly to a portable electronic device
`capable of automatically Switching power modes, and
`switching method thereof.
`0004 2. Description of the Related Art
`0005. In recent years, portable computers, such as note
`book or tablet PCs, are very popular in the market of
`electronic products and become a favorite product for the
`consumers. The portable computer is convenient due to its
`thinness and Smallness. In terms of tablet computers, the
`user can just input information on the display panel by a
`touch pen without using the keyboard. Therefore, the weight
`of the computer can be reduced as carried by the user,
`thereby improving its convenience in application.
`0006 The conventional method for switching power
`modes in the portable computer includes manual and auto
`matic switching methods. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of
`a conventional notebook computer. The notebook computer
`100 includes an upper cover 120 and a body part 110. The
`body part 110 has a protrusion element 112. When the
`computer 100 is not used, and the upper cover 120 is closed
`upon the body part 110 by the user, the upper cover 120
`compresses the protrusion element 112 to Switch the com
`puter to a standby mode or a sleep mode. However, this
`Switching mode is not applicable to tablet computers.
`0007 Another method for switching power modes
`Switches the computer system into a standby or sleep mode
`as the computer is in an idle state beyond a predetermined
`duration. However, this switching method needs a waiting
`duration to Switch the computer back to a normal mode,
`thereby reducing the speed for Switching power modes.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0008. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide
`a portable computer capable of automatically and conve
`niently Switching power modes and Switching method
`thereof.
`0009. The invention achieves the above-identified object
`by providing a method for automatically Switching power
`modes applied to a portable electronic device. The portable
`electronic device includes an accelerometer. The method
`includes detecting variation of external forces applied to the
`portable electronic device by the accelerometer; obtaining a
`placement state of the portable electronic device according
`to the external force variation; and Switching a power mode
`of the portable electronic device according to the placement
`State.
`0010. The invention achieves the above-identified object
`by providing a portable electronic device including an
`accelerometer and a processor. The accelerometer is for
`
`measuring variation of external forces applied to the por
`table electronic device. The processor is for obtaining a
`placement state of the portable electronic device according
`to the external force variation, and Switching a power mode
`of the portable electronic device according to the placement
`State.
`0011. Other objects, features, and advantages of the
`invention will become apparent from the following detailed
`description of the preferred but non-limiting embodiments.
`The following description is made with reference to the
`accompanying drawings.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0012 FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a conventional
`notebook computer.
`0013 FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the portable electronic
`device according to a preferred embodiment of the inven
`tion.
`0014 FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the method for automati
`cally Switching power modes according to the preferred
`embodiment of the invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`0015. In order to improve the intuition, convenience, and
`speed of power mode Switching, the portable electronic
`device of the invention uses an accelerometer to detect the
`external force applied to the portable electronic device for
`determining its present placement state, and automatically
`Switches its power mode according to the placement state.
`0016 Referring to FIG. 2, a block diagram of the portable
`electronic device according to a preferred embodiment of
`the invention is shown. The portable electronic device 200
`includes an accelerometer 210, a system chipset 215, and a
`processor 220. The accelerometer 210, for example,
`includes three sensors for respectively sensing the external
`force components applied to the portable electronic device
`200 in three dimensions (x, y, z), and thus measuring the
`variation of external forces applied to the portable electronic
`device 200. The accelerometer is exemplified here to be
`disposed in the neighborhood of the screen of the portable
`electronic device 200. When the external force applied to the
`electronic device 200 remains a constant value, it means the
`portable electronic device 200 is not used by the user. If the
`line vertical to the screen is defined as an Z axis, when the
`detected external force is oriented to the +z axis, it means the
`screen of the portable electronic device 200 faces up while
`it means the screen face down when the detected external
`force is oriented to -Z axis, vice versa. The processor 220
`determines the placement state of the portable electronic
`device 200 and thus switches the power mode of the portable
`electronic device 200 according to the placement state. The
`power mode can be a normal operation mode, a standby
`mode, a sleep mode and a power-off mode.
`0017 Taking a computer as an example, in the normal
`operation mode, the computer is in an ordinary power Supply
`state, and Supplies powers to each device in the computer. In
`the power-off mode, powers stop Supplying to the computer.
`The standby mode and the sleep mode are power saving
`modes. Under the standby mode, the present data of the
`computer are stored in a memory and thus powers are
`
`Exhibit 2010
`
`

`

`US 2007/0057068 A1
`
`Mar. 15, 2007
`
`supplied to the memory only. The feature of the standby
`mode is that it spends less time in returning to the normal
`operation mode than the sleep mode. In the sleep mode, the
`data of the memory are stored into a hard disk temporarily
`and then the power is stopped from Supplying to the
`memory. Therefore, in the sleep mode, most of the devices
`in the computer have no power Supply. As the computer is
`awaken from the sleep mode, the computer needs some time
`for transmitting the data in the hard disk back to the memory.
`Therefore, the sleep mode spends more time in returning to
`the original state than the standby mode.
`0018. The method for switching power modes can be
`defined according to the habit of the user. Ordinary speak
`ing, as in a user operation, the screen of the portable
`electronic device 200 will not be placed in a state of facing
`down because the screen as facing down is inconvenient for
`inputting information and observing the information
`thereon. Therefore, the placement state of the portable
`electronic device 200 with the screen facing up can be
`defined into a user-defined range. That is, when the place
`ment state belongs to the user-defined range, the user's sight
`can suitably focus on the screen. Therefore, when the screen
`of the portable electronic device 200 is not placed in
`accordance with the user-defined range for a predetermined
`duration, and the external force applied to the portable
`electronic device 200 is unchanged, the portable electronic
`device 200 is switched to the sleep mode or powered off.
`0.019
`Conversely, if the placement state of the portable
`electronic device 200 belongs to the user-defined range,
`when the portable electronic device 200 is set in an idle state
`and the external force applied to the device 200 is not
`Substantially changed for a predetermined duration, the
`power mode of the portable electronic device 200 will be
`switched.
`0020. Therefore, by setting the user-defined range, the
`embodiment can effectively and automatically switch the
`power mode according to the placement state of the portable
`electronic device 200.
`0021. In a preferred embodiment, the processor 220 can
`define two predetermined durations. If the portable elec
`tronic device 200 is placed in accordance with the user
`defined range, go on detecting the external force applied to
`the portable electronic device 200 by the accelerometer 210.
`When the portable electronic device 200 is under the idle
`state and the accelerometer 210 does not detect any external
`force variation for a first predetermined duration, the por
`table electronic device 200 is switched to a first mode, for
`example, from the normal operation mode to the power
`saving mode (the standby or sleep mode). If the electronic
`device 200 is set in the power saving mode and the accel
`erometer does not detect any external force variation for a
`second predetermined duration, it means the portable elec
`tronic device 200 is in a static status, the portable electronic
`device 200 is switched to a second mode, for example, a
`power-off mode. Therefore, the portable electronic device
`200 of the embodiment can effectively achieve the power
`saving purpose.
`0022 Conversely, if the accelerometer detects an external
`force variation in the second duration, the power mode of the
`electronic device 200 is switched from the power saving
`mode (the standby or sleep mode) to the normal operation
`mode.
`
`0023 FIG. 3 is a flow chart of the method for automati
`cally Switching power modes according to the preferred
`embodiment of the invention. First, in step 310, measure
`variation of the external force applied to the portable elec
`tronic device 200 by using the accelerometer 210. Following
`that, in step 320, according to the external force variation,
`obtain the placement state of the portable electronic device
`200. Next, in step 330, determine if the portable electronic
`device 200 is in a state within the user-defined range
`according to the placement state. If yes, wait for a first
`predetermined duration as shown in step 340. If no, wait for
`a second predetermined duration as shown in step 370. After
`the step 340, the process goes to the step 350 to determine
`if the accelerometer 210 detects any external force variation
`during the first predetermined duration. If the accelerometer
`does not detect any external force variation in this duration,
`and the portable electronic device 200 is under an idle state,
`proceed to the step 360 and switch the power mode of the
`portable electronic device 200 to a first mode, such as a
`power saving mode (the standby or sleep mode). If some
`external force variation is detected in this duration, go to the
`step 392 and switch the portable electronic device 200 to a
`normal operation mode.
`0024. After the step 360, perform the step 370 to wait in
`the first mode for a second predetermined duration. Next, in
`step 380, determine if there is any variation of the external
`force applied to the portable electronic device 200 during the
`second predetermined duration. If there is no external force
`variation, proceed to the step 390 and switch the power
`mode to a second mode, Such as a power-off mode. Con
`versely, if there is some variation of external forces applied
`to the portable electronic device 200 in the step 380, switch
`the portable electronic device 200 to the normal operation
`mode, as in step 392.
`0025 The method for automatically switching power
`modes disclosed according to the above-mentioned embodi
`ment of the invention, can detect the placement state of the
`portable electronic device by an accelerometer and auto
`matically switch power modes of the portable electronic
`device accordingly. The portable electronic device can be a
`tablet computer, a notebook computer, or a personal digital
`assistant.
`0026.
`Besides, by the method for switching power
`modes, the invention can switch the portable electronic
`device to a power saving mode as the electronic device is
`static, thereby achieving the power saving purpose.
`0027. While the invention has been described by way of
`example and in terms of a preferred embodiment, it is to be
`understood that the invention is not limited thereto. On the
`contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and
`similar arrangements and procedures, and the scope of the
`appended claims therefore should be accorded the broadest
`interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and
`similar arrangements and procedures.
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A method for automatically Switching power modes,
`applied to a portable electronic device, the portable elec
`tronic device comprising an accelerometer, the method
`comprising:
`detecting variation of external forces applied to the por
`table electronic device by the accelerometer;
`
`Exhibit 2010
`
`

`

`US 2007/0057068 A1
`
`Mar. 15, 2007
`
`obtaining a placement state of the portable electronic
`device according to the external force variation; and
`switching a power mode of the portable electronic device
`according to the placement state.
`2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the power
`mode comprises a normal operation mode, a standby mode,
`a sleep mode and a power-off mode.
`3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of
`obtaining the placement state comprises determining if a
`front face of the portable electronic device has an orientation
`state within a user-defined range.
`4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of
`switching a power mode of the portable electronic device
`comprises:
`waiting for a second predetermined duration and Switch
`ing the power mode of the portable electronic device if
`the placement state of the portable electronic device not
`belongs to the user-defined range.
`5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of
`obtaining the placement state further comprises:
`if the placement state of the portable electronic device
`belongs to the user-defined range, proceeding the step
`of detecting variation of external forces applied to the
`portable electronic device by the accelerometer; and
`if the external forces applied to the portable electronic
`device are not changed in a first predetermined dura
`tion, and the portable electronic device is under an idle
`state, the power mode of the portable electronic device
`is switched.
`6. The method according to claim 3, wherein the step of
`obtaining the placement state further comprises:
`if the placement state of the portable electronic device
`belongs to a user-defined range, going on the step of
`detecting variation of external forces applied to the
`portable electronic device by the accelerometer;
`if the accelerometer detects no external force variation for
`a first predetermined duration, and the portable elec
`tronic device is under an idle state, Switching the
`portable electronic device to a first mode; and
`if no external force variation is detected for a second
`predetermined duration as the portable electronic
`device is in the first mode, switching the portable
`electronic device to a second mode.
`7. The method according to claim 6, wherein the first
`mode comprises a standby mode or a sleep mode.
`8. The method according to claim 6, wherein the second
`mode comprises a power-off mode.
`
`9. A portable electronic device, comprising:
`an accelerometer, for measuring variation of external
`forces applied to the portable electronic device; and
`a processor, for obtaining a placement state of the portable
`electronic device according to the external force varia
`tion, and Switching a power mode of the portable
`electronic device according to the placement state.
`10. The portable electronic device according to claim 9.
`wherein if the processor determines the placement state does
`not belong to a user-defined range, the processor Switches
`the power mode of the portable electronic device after a
`second predetermined duration as there is no external force
`variation.
`11. The portable electronic device according to claim 9.
`wherein the power mode comprises a normal operation
`mode, a standby mode, a sleep mode, and a power-off mode.
`12. The portable electronic device according to claim 9.
`wherein if the processor determines the placement state does
`not belong to a user-defined range, the processor Switches
`the portable electronic device to be powered off after waiting
`a second predetermined duration.
`13. The portable electronic device according to claim 9.
`wherein if the processor determines the placement state
`belongs to a user-defined range, the accelerometer is con
`tinuously used to detect the variation of external forces
`applied to the portable electronic device and the processor
`switches the power mode of the portable electronic device
`after a first predetermined duration when there is no sub
`stantial external force variation and the portable electronic
`device is under an idle state.
`14. The portable electronic device according to claim 9.
`wherein if the processor determines the placement state
`belongs to a user-defined range, the accelerometer is con
`tinuously used to detect the variation of external forces
`applied to the portable electronic device and the processor
`switches the portable electronic device to a first mode after
`a first predetermined duration when there is no substantial
`external force variation and the portable electronic device is
`under an idle state.
`15. The portable electronic device according to claim 14,
`wherein the processor switches the portable electronic
`device to a second mode if the portable electronic device is
`under the first mode and no external force variation is
`detected by the accelerometer for a second predetermined
`duration.
`16. The portable electronic device according to claim 15,
`wherein the first mode comprises a standby mode or a sleep
`mode.
`17. The portable electronic device according to claim 15,
`wherein the second mode comprises a power-off mode.
`
`k
`
`k
`
`k
`
`k
`
`k
`
`Exhibit 2010
`
`