United States Patent (19)
`Mese et al.
`
`USOO5396443A
`Patent Number:
`Date of Patent:
`
`11
`45
`
`5,396,443
`Mar. 7, 1995
`
`54)
`
`INFORMATION PROCESSINGAPPARATUS
`INCLUDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR
`ACTIVATION TO AND DEACTIVATION
`FROMA POWER-SAVING STATE
`Michihiro Mese, Chigasaki; Toshio
`75 Inventors:
`Kamimura, Fujisawa; Shigeto Oeda,
`Kamakura; Hitoshi Yonenaga,
`Hitachi, all of Japan
`Assignee:
`Hitachi, Ltd., Tokyo, Japan
`(73)
`Appl. No.:
`21
`133,221
`22
`Oct. 7, 1993
`Filed:
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`(30)
`Oct. 7, 1992 JP
`Japan .................................. 4-268417
`51) Int. Cl. ................................................ G06F 1/32
`52 U.S. Cl. .................................................... 364/707
`58) Field of Search ......................................... 364/707
`(56)
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,922,526 11/1975 Cochran .............................. 364/707
`4,409,665 10/1983 Tubbs .................................. 364/707
`4,649,373 3/1987 Bland et al. .....
`... 364/707
`5,065,357 11/1991 Shiraishi et al. .................... 364/707
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1-271796 10/1989 Japan.
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Ejiri et al., “A Process For Detecting Defects in Com
`plicated Patterns' Computer Graphics & Image Process
`ing 1973 pp. 326-334.
`Glass, “Power Management” Byte Sep.
`1991 pp.
`329-335.
`Primary Examiner-David H. Malzahn
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Antonelli, Terry, Stout &
`Kraus
`ABSTRACT
`57)
`An information processing apparatus can save an elec
`tric power when it is not in use and can be made active
`immediately after an operation medium such as a pen
`and a finger or the user approaches or comes in contact
`with the apparatus, the arrangement being such that a
`housing portion of the apparatus includes therein a
`sensor for detecting the approach or contact of a user
`operation medium or user and a state display unit for
`informing the user that the apparatus is in the active
`state or in the standby state, a power saving control unit
`controls a controlled object concerning a power con
`sumption in response to the approach, contact or sepa
`ration of the operation medium or user, and a timer
`included in the electric power saving control unit deter
`mines whether or not the operation medium or user is
`separate from the apparatus.
`
`29 Claims, 10 Drawing Sheets
`
`APPROACH OR
`CONTACT DE
`
`O5
`
`ELECTRIC
`POWER
`SAVING
`CONTROL
`
`
`
`OO
`
`
`
`OPERATION
`MEDIUM
`O
`
`USER
`
`Petitioners Samsung and Sony Ex-1005, 0001
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 1 of 10
`
`5,396,443
`
`F G.
`
`
`
`O2
`
`O5
`
`APPROACH OR
`CONAC DE-
`TECTING SENSOR
`
`ESSC
`SAVING
`CONTROL
`
`CONTACT, APPROACH OR
`SITUATION O
`OPERATION SEA-APPROACH-SAORT fMESEARATION--ONS
`RESSES SEPARATION
`RATION
`MEDUM
`OPERATED)
`
`POWER
`STATE OF
`CONTROLEDSAVING
`OBJECT
`STATE
`9NENOf STANDEY
`
`
`
`NON-POWER SAVING STATE
`
`
`
`Petitioners Samsung and Sony Ex-1005, 0002
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 2 of 10
`
`5,396,443
`
`F G. 3
`
`a So
`
`OPERATION MEDUM
`APPROACHEDP
`
`SET CONTROLLED OBJECT IN NON 3O2
`POWER SAVING STATE AND DIS
`PLAY ON STATE DISPLAY UNIT
`THAT APPARATUS IS MADE ACTIVE
`
`OPERATION MEDIUM se
`
`SEPARATED 9
`
`CLEAR COUNT VALUE OF TIMER
`AND ACTIVATE TIMER
`
`4O2
`
`OPERATION MEDIUM
`APPROACHED P
`
`REFER TO COUNT VALUE OF TIMER
`
`4O4
`
`COUNT VALUE
`OF TIMER LARGER THAN T
`
`
`
`YES
`SET CONTROLLED OBJECT IN NON
`POWER SAVING STATE AND DS
`PLAY ON STATE DISPLAY UNIT THAT
`APPARATUS IS IN SANDBY STATE
`
`4O6
`
`
`
`9 s 5
`5 |
`>
`G.3
`Sé
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`X
`SuS
`555
`5
`en
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Petitioners Samsung and Sony Ex-1005, 0003
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 3 of 10
`
`5,396,443
`
`O25O8 509
`CLOCKPULSE
`CONTROL H
`CIRCUIT
`
`POWERSUP
`PLY VOLAGE
`CONTROL
`CIRCUIT
`
`MEMORY
`
`FILE
`APPARATUS
`CIRCUIT
`
`CONTROL
`
`FILE
`
`--
`SENSOR
`2RL
`L.
`
`OO
`
`operation
`MEDUM
`O
`
`USER
`
`DISPLAY
`SFL B
`T
`
`DISPLAY
`
`5EVICE
`
`o
`
`a ma
`
`w
`
`O6
`
`--O3
`
`--IO5
`
`F G. 6
`
`6O9
`
`6OO
`
`6O7
`R AYYYYYYu
`
`valvaravaayaaaavaasayavaravasavaavis availav
`
`6O3
`
`
`
`6O2
`6O4
`6O
`
`Petitioners Samsung and Sony Ex-1005, 0004
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 4 of 10
`
`5,396,443
`
`ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
`ryyyyyyaay Nyalyx NNNNNNNNO
`YZ21222/721/721/7ZZZZ
`
`7O2
`7O
`
`6O2
`6O3
`36O4
`
`F G. 7
`
`7OO
`
`
`
`
`
`Petitioners Samsung and Sony Ex-1005, 0005
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 5 of 10
`
`5,396,443
`
`
`
`CONTAC, APPROACHOR
`STUATION OF
`OPERATION SEA-APPROACH - SHORTMESEPARATION-- ONSTIME
`RATION
`(APPARATUS IS BEING
`SEPARATION
`MEDIUM
`OPERATED)
`POWER
`STATE OF
`CONTROLLED SAVING
`OBJECT
`STATE
`
`NON-POWER SAVING STATE
`
`
`
`CONTENT OF SANDBY
`STATE
`DISPLAY
`STATE
`
`ACTIVE STATE
`E
`
`STANDBY
`STATE
`
`
`
`Petitioners Samsung and Sony Ex-1005, 0006
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 6 of 10
`
`5,396,443
`
`F G. 2
`
`
`
`
`
`L
`i.
`an is
`
`si
`32
`5
`
`L
`s
`(-
`
`SCANNING OF ONE PIC- -
`TURE COMPLETED P
`
`
`
`CONVERT IMAGE INFORMATION
`INTO BINARY DATA
`
`REFER TO BLACK PXEL NUMBER
`B(t) IN PICTURE
`
`2O2
`
`
`
`
`
`SET CONTROLLED OBJECT IN NON
`POWER SAVING STATE AND DS
`PLAY ON STATE DISPLAY UNIT
`THAT APPARATUS IS MADE ACTIVE
`
`Petitioners Samsung and Sony Ex-1005, 0007
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 7, 1995
`
`.
`
`Sheet 7 of 10
`
`5,396,443
`
`F G. 3
`
`SCANNING OF ONE PIC- se
`TURE COMPLETED 2
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`CONVERT MAGE INFORMATION
`INTO BINARY DATA
`
`REFER TO BLACK PIXEL NUMBER
`B(t) N PICTURE
`3O3
`
`B(t) < 8
`2
`YES
`CLEAR COUNT VALUE OF TIME
`AND ACTIVATE TIMER
`
`B(t ) > 9
`?
`
`REFER TO COUNT VALUE
`OF TIMER
`
`COUNT VALUE OF
`MER LARGER THAN T 9
`
`3O7
`
`
`
`
`
`3O
`
`3O2
`
`3O4
`
`3O6
`
`
`
`YES
`SET CONTROLLED OBJECT IN
`POWER SAVING STATE AND DISPLAY
`ON STATE DISPLAY UNIT THAT
`APPARATUS IS IN STANDBY STATE
`
`3O8
`
`CO
`
`/6N
`
`Petitioners Samsung and Sony Ex-1005, 0008
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 8 of 10
`
`5,396,443
`
`
`
`4O9
`
`F G. 6A
`
`F G. 6B
`
`6O3
`
`
`
`6O
`
`6O2
`
`Petitioners Samsung and Sony Ex-1005, 0009
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 9 of 10
`
`5,396,443
`
`F G. 7
`
`4O 7O3 7O5 7O7 7O9
`
`7
`
`72
`
`
`
`
`
`73
`4O2 7O4 7O6 7.O8
`
`FEATURE
`EXTRACTING
`UNIT
`
`COORONATE
`VALUE AND
`SHADING
`PATTERN
`MEMORY
`
`78
`
`PATTERN l DISTANC
`MATCHING - JUDGING
`UNIT
`
`
`
`8O 90
`
`902
`
`
`
`F G. 9
`
`1903 907 19O5
`
`SAMPLNG
`AND DIGITIZ-
`ING UNIT
`
`
`
`
`
`FEATURE
`EXTRACTING
`UNIT
`
`908
`
`18OO
`
`1906
`
`APPROACH
`PATTERN
`MATCHING OR CONTACT
`UNIT
`JUDGING
`UNIT
`
`)
`
`Petitioners Samsung and Sony Ex-1005, 0010
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 7, 1995
`
`Sheet 10 of 10
`
`5,396,443
`
`OO
`
`OPERATION
`
`O
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`a mara
`
`S5N.3,
`
`
`
`APPROACH OR
`CONTACT DETECT
`ING SENSOR
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`CONRL
`CIRCUIT
`
`PO2 .508 509
`goals
`
`CONTROL
`CIRCUIT
`
`PLY VOLAGE
`CONTROL
`CIRCUIT
`
`Petitioners Samsung and Sony Ex-1005, 0011
`
`

`

`1.
`
`NFORMATION PROCESSINGAPPARATUS
`INCLUDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR
`ACTIVATION TO AND DEACTIVATION FROMA
`POWER-SAVING STATE
`
`15
`
`5,396,443
`2
`To solve the aforesaid problems, the information
`processing apparatus of the present invention includes
`at least at its whole of or a part of a housing thereof a
`means for detecting the approach or contact of a user
`operation medium or a medium accompanying with the
`user (including user's body, etc.) and a control means
`for controlling a power consumption of the apparatus in
`response to the approach or contact situation of the user
`operation medium or the user accompanying medium.
`Also, the information processing apparatus of the pres
`ent invention includes a state display means for inform
`ing the user that the information processing apparatus is
`made active or is set in the standby mode, if necessary.
`The control means controls a controlled object con
`cerning a power consumption within the apparatus such
`that, if the user operation medium or the user ap
`proaches an approach detecting means or comes in
`contact with a contact detecting means, then the con
`trolled object is set in the non-power saving state or
`that, if the user operation medium is continuously made
`separate from the approach detecting means or the
`contact detecting means for a long period of time, then
`the whole of or a part of the controlled object is set in
`the power saving state. Alternatively, if necessary, the
`situation that the information processing apparatus is set
`in the standby mode or is in the active state is displayed
`on the state display means in response to the two states
`of the power saving state and the non-power saving
`state. Therefore, when the user leaves his seat for a long
`period of time while the information processing appara
`tus is still being powered, the information processing
`apparatus is automatically set in the standby mode, i.e.,
`in the power saving state. Immediately after the opera
`tion medium such as the user's pen or finger approaches
`or comes in contact with the information processing
`apparatus, the information processing apparatus of the
`present invention can be made active.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a schematic functional block diagram show
`ing an arrangement of an information processing appa
`ratus according to the present invention;
`FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a time relationship be
`tween a distance of an operation medium or the like and
`the apparatus and the states of the apparatus;
`FIG. 3 is a flowchart according to the present inven
`tion and, to which references will be made in explaining
`the processing executed when a controlled object is
`switched from the power saving state to the non-power
`saving state;
`FIG. 4 is a flowchart according to the present inven
`tion, and to which references will be made in explaining
`the processing executed when the controlled object is
`switched from the non-power saving state to the power
`saving state;
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a hardware ac
`cording to an embodiment of the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating
`a pen/finger input device in which a display portion is
`laminated on the outside of the pen/finger input device
`and a tablet is laminated on the inside thereof according
`to the present invention;
`FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating
`the pen/finger input device in which the display portion
`is laminated on the inside of the pen/finger input device
`and the tablet is laminated on the outside thereof;
`FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of an international
`standard specification IC card having a pen/finger
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to an information pro
`cessing apparatus which is low in power consumption
`10
`and high in operability. More particularly, this inven
`tion relates to information processing apparatuses such
`as personal computers and word processors that are
`operated via keyboards and to information processing
`apparatus of a wide variety of application fields of a
`pen-base personal computer, a pen-base word proces
`sor, an electronic calculator, a portable electronic note
`book, a handy terminal device, a console of a plant, a
`kiosk such as a vending machine, an ATM (automated
`teller machine) and a street information service appara
`tus or a household furniture such as a table having a
`touch-sensitive display unit, etc.
`In order to save an electric power of a primary bat
`tery, a secondary battery or a solar battery of an elec
`tronic apparatus such as a portable personal computer,
`25
`a word processor or the like, an electric power saving
`control operation such as a resume operation for inter
`rupting the supply of the whole power after information
`necessary for continuing work had been saved in a
`nonvolatile memory has heretofore been carried out
`when a user operation medium such as a keyboard or a
`mouse is not in use for a long period of time. Further, as
`a technique for preventing a battery from being con
`sumed uselessly, JP-A-1-271796, for example, describes
`such a technique where a quantity of light of a back
`35
`light that illuminates a display screen of a liquid crystal
`display device is adjusted in accordance with a quantity
`of external light. This previously-proposed method is
`effective, to a certain extent, for electronic equipments
`such as a portable personal computer, a word processor
`40
`or a pen-based electronic equipment having a liquid
`crystal display panel with a back light in saving an
`electric power and also in improving viewability of
`picture screen. This method, however, has no consider
`ation of the situation that the user operates these elec
`45
`tronic equipments. There is then the problem that, when
`the user has left his seat and the electronic equipment
`has not been in use during a long period of time, the
`battery thereof is consumed uselessly.
`Further, according to the above-mentioned conven
`50
`tional methods, in electronic apparatus having no user
`operation medium such as a keyboard or a mouse and
`operated with a pen or fingers, for example, the opera
`tion situation of these operation media cannot be uti
`lized as a power saving control information.
`55
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`An object of the present invention is to solve the
`problem by effecting the electric power saving control
`that an electric power of a primary battery, a secondary
`60
`battery or an AC power supply is uselessly consumed
`when the apparatus has not been in use during a long
`period of time.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide
`an information processing apparatus of very high opera
`bility that can be made active immediately after a pen or
`finger approaches or comes in contact with the informa
`tion processing apparatus.
`
`Petitioners Samsung and Sony Ex-1005, 0012
`
`

`

`15
`
`10
`
`5,396,443
`3
`4
`input device function according to the present inven
`101 will be generally referred to as "operation media'.
`tion;
`There is provided a sensor 102 that detects whether the
`FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the
`operation media 100, 101 approach or come in contact
`international standard specification IC card having the
`with the information processing apparatus. As the sen
`pen/finger input device function according to the pres
`sor 102, a tablet, an image sensor, a microphone or a
`ent invention;
`temperature sensor etc. is available. A state display unit
`FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a structure of
`103 is adapted to enable the user to know whether the
`an apparatus that detects the approach of the operation
`information processing apparatus is being energized or
`medium by utilizing image information according to the
`set in the standby state. The sensor 102 and the state
`present invention;
`display unit 103 constitute a part of a housing unit 104.
`FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a time relationship
`An electric power saving control unit 105 is adapted to
`between a black pixel count value B(t) based on the
`control a controlled object 106 concerning a power
`situation of the approach of the operation medium and
`consumption within the information processing appara
`the states of the apparatus according to the present
`tus in response to the situation that the operation media
`invention;
`100, 101 approach or come in contact with the informa
`FIG. 12 is a flowchart according to the present inven
`tion processing apparatus. The controlled object 106
`tion, and to which references will be made in explaining
`might include a part of or whole of the sensor 102 and
`the processing executed when the controlled object is
`the state display unit 103, as will be described later on.
`switched from the power saving state to the non-power
`If the operation media 100, 101 approach or come in
`saving state;
`contact with the sensor 102, then the electric power
`20
`FIG. 13 is a flowchart according to the present inven
`saving control unit 105 is actuated by a signal 107 and
`tion, and to which references will be made in explaining
`the controlled object 106 is placed in the non-power
`the processing executed when the controlled object is
`saving state by a signal 108. Simultaneously, the state
`switched from the non-power saving state to the power
`display unit 103 is actuated by a signal 110 so as to
`Saving state;
`display that the information processing apparatus is
`25
`FIG. 14 is a conceptual diagram of an apparatus that
`made active. As shown in FIG. 1, the electric power
`detects the approach of the operation medium by utiliz
`saving control unit 105 includes a timer 109 that counts
`ing a stereoscopy according to the present invention;
`a time period after the operation media 100, 101 has
`FIG. 15 is a diagram used to explain a principle of
`been away from the sensor 102. If the condition that the
`how to calculate a distance of a stereoscopy according
`operation media 100, 101 had been away from the sen
`30
`to the present invention;
`sor 102 continues a predetermined time or more, then
`FIGS. 16A and 16B are diagrams used to explain a
`the controlled object 106 is wholly or partly set in the
`principle of how to detect a corresponding point of two
`power saving state and the state that the information
`images according to the present invention, respectively;
`processing apparatus is placed in the standby mode is
`FIG. 17 is a block diagram showing a circuit arrange
`displayed on the state display unit 103. Although the
`35
`ment of an information processing apparatus that de
`state display unit 103 and the signal 110 are not indis
`tects a corresponding point of two images according to
`pensable elements of the present invention, high opera
`the present invention;
`bility that will be described in the following embodi
`FIG. 18 is a conceptual diagram of an apparatus that
`ments can be realized by additionally providing the
`detects the approach or contact of the operation me
`state display unit 103 and the signal 110.
`dium by utilizing acoustic information according to the
`FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a time relationship be
`present invention;
`tween the operation media 100, 101 and the distance of
`FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing a circuit arrange
`the information processing apparatus and the states of
`ment of an information processing apparatus that de
`the information processing apparatus. Initially, when
`tects the approach or contact of the operation medium
`the operation media 100, 101 are sufficiently distant
`45
`by utilizing acoustic information according to the pres
`from the sensor 102, the controlled object 106 is in the
`ent invention; and
`power saving state and the situation that the informa
`FIG.20 is a block diagram showing a hardware of the
`tion processing apparatus is in the standby mode is dis
`information processing apparatus according to another
`played on the state display unit 103. As shown in FIG.
`embodiment of the present invention.
`2, when a distance between the operation media 100,
`50
`101 and the sensor 102 becomes less than the distanced,
`DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`the controlled object 106 is placed in the non-power
`EMBODIMENTS
`saving state and the situation that the information pro
`Embodiments of the present invention will hereinaf.
`cessing apparatus is energized is displayed on the state
`ter be described with reference to the drawings. Ini
`display unit 103. Even when the operation media 100,
`55
`tially, an embodiment shown in FIG. 1 of the accompa
`101 are temporarily away from the distanced after the
`nying drawings will be described.
`controlled object 106 had been set in the non-power
`FIG. 1 is a schematic functional block diagram of an
`saving state, if time periods t1, t2, for example, are
`information processing apparatus according to the pres
`shorter than a predetermined time T, then the non
`ent invention, and illustrating an example that the infor
`power saving state is continued as shown in FIG. 2. It is
`mation processing apparatus of the present invention is
`customary that, when character strings are written with
`operated in response to the situations that an operation
`a pen, for example, the pen is detached from a tablet or
`medium or user approaches or comes in contact with
`the like in each stroke of character or between charac
`the apparatus. As shown in FIG. 1, there is provided an
`ters. In this case, if the non-power saving state is not
`operation medium 100 such as a pen, a finger and so on.
`retained in such a short period of time, then it is un
`65
`Also, there is provided a medium 101 which accompa
`avoidable that operability of the information processing
`apparatus is lowered considerably. Finally, after a suffi
`nies the user, such as a voice and so on. Unless other
`wise specified, the operation medium 100 and the user
`ciently long period of time was passed since the opera
`
`Petitioners Samsung and Sony Ex-1005, 0013
`
`

`

`5
`
`15
`
`5,396,443
`5
`6
`tion media 100, 101 had been away from the distanced,
`represented by a YES at decision step 405, then the
`the controlled object 106 is set again in the power sav
`processing proceeds to step 406, whereat the controlled
`ing state and the condition that the information process
`object 106 is set in the power saving state and the condi
`ing apparatus is in the standby mode is displayed on the
`tion that the information processing apparatus is in the
`state display unit 103. Operation that the state of the
`standby mode is displayed on the state display unit 103.
`information processing apparatus is detected when the
`Then, the processing is ended. When the electric power
`operation media 100, 101 are brought in contact with
`saving control and the state display control are effected
`the sensor 102 is a special case that the value of d in
`on the basis of the contact situation of the operation
`FIG. 2 is zero. The processing therefor is similar to
`media 100, 101, "approach decision' in decision steps
`301 in FIG. 3 and decision steps 401,403 is replaced
`those described above and therefore need not be de
`10
`scribed herein.
`with "contact decision'. Hence, the same processing
`FIGS. 3 and 4 are flowcharts showing examples of
`flowchart is provided and therefore need not be de
`the processing for effecting an electric power saving
`scribed herein.
`control and a state display control on the basis of the
`Depending on the type and size of the information
`situation that the operation media approach the infor
`processing apparatus, such as the pocket type, the
`mation processing apparatus.
`handy type, the portable type, the desktop type and the
`FIG.3 shows the processing that the operation media
`floor type, in order to avoid work and thinking of the
`100, 101 approach the information processing apparatus
`user from being interrupted, it is preferable to set the
`predetermined value T necessary for monitoring the
`and the controlled object 106 is switched from the
`power saving state to the non-power saving state. In
`timer 109 in a range of from about several minutes to
`FIG. 3, the controlled object 106 is set in the power
`several tens of minutes similarly to those generally set in
`saving state initially. Referring to FIG. 3, following the
`the electric power saving control operation when the
`start of operation, it is determined in decision step 301
`keyboard is not operated. However, in the information
`whether or not the operation media 100, 101 approach
`service apparatus such as the kiosk or the like for pro
`the information processing apparatus. If the operation
`viding information to many and unspecified persons, it
`25
`media 100, 101 do not approach the information pro
`is preferable that the information processing apparatus
`cessing apparatus yet as represented by a NO at decision
`may not be set in the standby mode after about ten and
`step 301, then the decision step 301 is repeated until the
`several seconds but instead, the information processing
`operation media 100, 101 approach the information
`apparatus may generate a message which urges the user
`processing apparatus. If the operation media 100, 101
`to operate the apparatus or which becomes helpful for
`30
`approach the information processing apparatus as rep
`the user to operate the apparatus. Further, it becomes
`resented by a YES at decision step 301, then the pro
`more convenient for the user that, if the predetermined
`cessing proceeds to the next step 302, whereat the con
`value T can be set or updated when the user begins to
`trolled object 106 is set in the non-power saving state
`use this information processing apparatus. Furthermore,
`and the condition that the information processing appa
`it is preferable that the predetermined value T is not
`35
`ratus is energized is displayed on the state display unit
`made constant and can be varied freely. By way of
`103. Then, the processing is ended.
`example, time periods T1, T2, ..., Tn during which the
`FIG. 4 shows the processing that the operation media
`operation media approach the information processing
`100, 101 go away from the information processing appa
`apparatus after the operation media had been away
`ratus and the controlled object 106 is switched from the
`from the information processing apparatus and the con
`non-power saving state to the power saving state. Ini
`trolled object had been set in the non-power saving
`tially, the controlled object 106 is set in the non-power
`state are measured in advance and the predetermined
`saving state. Referring to FIG. 4, following the start of
`time T may be varied freely in response to, for example,
`operation, it is determined in decision step 401 whether
`the maximum value thereof, the average value thereof
`or not the operation media 100, 101 are away from the
`or histogram thereof. If the predetermined time T is
`45
`information processing apparatus. If the operation
`extended in proportional to the maximum value, for
`media 100, 101 are away from the information process
`example, then the time out value of T is extended in
`ing apparatus as represented by a YES at decision step
`unison with a work in which the user frequently
`401, then the processing proceeds to step 402, whereat
`watches a picture on the display screen while not mov
`ing the operation media so much, user's peculiar way of
`a count value of the timer 109 is cleared to zero and then
`50
`operating the information processing apparatus such as
`the timer 109 is activated to count. In the next decision
`step 403, it is determined whether or not the operation
`the slow movement of the pen and the user's skill. With
`media 100, 101 approach the information processing
`this arrangement, it is possible to prevent the informa
`apparatus. If the operation media 100, 101 are not close
`tion processing apparatus from being placed in the
`to the information processing apparatus as represented
`standby mode unintentionally.
`55
`by a NO at decision step 403, then the processing re
`According to the arrangement shown in the func
`turns to the decision step 401. If the operation media
`tional block diagram of FIG. 1 and the processing
`100, 101 are approaching the information processing
`shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 3 and 4, the informa
`apparatus as represented by a YES at decision step 403,
`tion processing apparatus of the present invention be
`then the processing proceeds to step 404, whereat a
`comes energized immediately after the operation me
`dium such as the pen and the finger approaches or
`count value of the timer 109 is measured. Then, it is
`judged in the next decision step 405 whether or not the
`comes in contact with the information processing appa
`count value of the timer 109 is larger than the predeter
`ratus and the user can continue to operate the informa
`tion processing apparatus smoothly while the user's
`mined value T. If the count value of the timer 109 is
`smaller than the predetermined value T as represented
`work and thinking are not interrupted even when the
`65
`by a NO at decision step 405, then the decision step 403
`operation medium is temporarily away from the infor
`is repeated. If on the other hand the count value of the
`mation processing apparatus. Further, if the operation
`timer 109 is larger than the predetermined value T as
`medium is not operated for a long period of time, then
`
`Petitioners Samsung and Sony Ex-1005, 0014
`
`

`

`5
`
`10
`
`5,396,443
`8
`7
`the controlled object can automatically be set in the
`tion processing apparatus is switched from a high volt
`power saving standby mode, thereby saving an electric
`age to a low voltage (e.g., a combination of high voltage
`power. In addition, the distance detection sensitivity d
`and low voltage is 5 V, 3 V or 3 V, 2 V, etc.);
`used when the approach of the operation medium is
`(2) When the display device 506 is of a liquid crystal
`detected can be varied depending on the kinds of sen
`display device, for example, there are available two
`kinds of liquid crystal display device with a so-called
`sors as will be described later on.
`FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of
`back light and a liquid crystal display device without
`the hardware of the information processing apparatus
`the back light. When the display device 506 is formed of
`according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5,
`the liquid crystal display device with the back light, a
`there is provided a central processing unit (hereinafter
`brightness of the back light (not shown) is reduced or
`the back light is turned off by lowering or interrupting
`simply referred to as a CPU) 501 which executes a
`the power supply voltage of the back light;
`program stored in a memory 512 via a bus 502 to
`thereby control the whole operation of this information
`(3) When the information processing apparatus is
`processing apparatus, such as the control of a variety of
`connected with the file apparatus 514 such as the floppy
`input/output control circuits, the memory 512, data
`disk apparatus, the hard disk apparatus and the optical
`15
`disk apparatus, the supply of the voltage to a drive
`processing, data transfer and calculation. A sensor 503
`detects the approach or contact situation of the opera
`motor (not shown) of the file apparatus 514 is stopped;
`tion media 100, 101. The CPU 501 is responsive to a
`(4) A function similar to a so-called resume function is
`effectively utilized. That is to say, a part of the memory
`signal 515 from a sensor control circuit 504 to execute
`the program processing and the electric power saving
`512 is formed as a nonvolatile memory (not shown) such
`20
`control of the controlled object 106 (see FIG. 1) under
`as a flash memory or the like and contents stored in a
`register and a work memory immediately before the
`the control of the electric power saving control unit 105
`electric power saving control is started are saved in the
`(see FIG. 1). Also, the condition that the information
`processing apparatus is energized or set in the standby
`nonvolatile memory. Then, all powers other than those
`mode is displayed on the state display unit 103 (see FIG.
`of the CPU 501, the sensor 603, the sensor control cir
`25
`1). The signal 515 indicative of the approach or contact
`cuit 504 and the display control circuit 505 are turned
`situation of the operation media 100, 101 might be any
`off. When the information processing apparatus be
`of an interrupt signal and a status signal for the CPU
`comes active, then the above-mentioned powers are
`501. The aforementioned timer 109 (see FIG. 1) counts
`turned on and the contents saved in the nonvolatile
`a time passed after the operation media 100, 101 had
`memory are recovered; and
`30
`been away from the sensor 503. A display device 506 is
`(5) When the display device 506 is formed of the
`liquid crystal display device with the back light, a
`formed of some suitable display devices such as a liquid
`crystal display (LCD) device or the like and displays
`brightness of the back light is reduced or the back light
`thereon characters, graphic image, image, picture,
`is turned off by varying a frequency or duty ratio of a
`clock pulse input to a control circuit (e.g., inverter,
`hand-written information or audio data under the con
`35
`trol of a display control circuit 505. A clock pulse con
`etc.) of the back light.
`trol circuit 508 is adapted to control a period of a clock
`As a method of controlling the clock pulse, there are
`pulse of electronic circuits in response to a signal 509
`enumerated the following examples:
`Supplied thereto. A power supply voltage control cir
`(6) Frequencies of clock pulses of all electronic cir
`cuit 510 is adapted to control the power supply voltage
`cuits other than the sensor 503 and the sensor control
`40
`of the electronic circuits in response to a signal 511
`cir