(12) United States Patent
`Park et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,151,105 B2
`*Apr. 3, 2012
`
`US008151 1 05B2
`
`(54) CONVERTIBLE COMPUTER WITH
`SELECTIVE ACTIVATION OF INPUT
`DEVICES AND POWER CONSUMPTION
`LEVEL BASED ON A TABLET OR
`NOTEBOOKMODE
`
`(75) Inventors: Jun Hyung Park, Anyang-si (KR); Jong
`Won Kim, Suwon-si (KR); Jeong Hun
`Kim, Suwon-si (KR)
`
`(73) Assignee: LG Electronics Inc., Seoul (KR)
`(*) Notice:
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`past is listed under 35
`M
`YW-
`(b) by
`ayS.
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`(21) Appl No.: 12/276.813
`
`y x- - -
`
`9
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Nov. 24, 2008
`
`65
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Dat
`O DO
`US 2009/0083562 A1
`Mar. 26, 2009
`Related U.S. Application Data
`(62) Division of application No. 1 1/598,777, filed on Nov.
`14, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,472,267, which is a division
`of application No. 10/812,905, filed on Mar. 31, 2004,
`now Pat. No. 7,506,152.
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`(30)
`Aug. 11, 2003 (KR) ..................................... 03-55520
`Sep. 3, 2003 (KR) ..................................... 03-61548
`Sep. 3, 2003 (KR) ..................................... 03-61549
`Sep. 9, 2003 (KR) ..................................... 03-63. 107
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`G06F 9/00
`G06F 9/24
`G06F 15/177
`G06F I/00
`G06F 3/00
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................ 713/100; 713/1; 713/2; 713/300;
`710/1: 710/8
`(8) Flotiate State. None
`pp
`p
`ry.
`
`O A
`
`O
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,200,913 A
`4/1993 Hawkins et al.
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2000-0050394
`8, 2000
`(Continued)
`
`KR
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Korean Office Action dated Sep. 25, 2009.
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner — Ji H Bae
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — KED & Associates, LLP
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`A convertible computer is equipped with a notebook com
`puter function and a tablet computer function. When a system
`power Supply is turned on, a functionality or physical con
`figuration Such as rotation state of a display module can be
`detected, and an environment can be controlled Such as an
`operating system (OS) for a tablet computer or notebook
`computer is selectively booted. Input signals of input units
`can also be controlled in an activation or inactivation state
`according to a system mode. An operation of Switch sensing
`an open/closed state of a liquid crystal display (LCD) can be
`controlled by a signal generated by the rotation operation of
`the display module. In a state in which at least one control
`value necessary for setting a system environment is stored in
`a memory, the system mode Switching operation is monitored
`and the system environment is set according to the Switched
`system mode.
`
`10 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets
`
`Detect current system mode
`L. Modei)
`
`S22
`w
`c.
`Carry out control operation
`Corresponding to keyboard
`- Input signal . . . .
`
`
`
`S23
`
`igno?e keyboard input
`8.
`
`Lenovo EX-1021,
`
`

`

`US 8,151,105 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,375,076 A 12/1994 Goodrich et al.
`6,327,653 B1 12/2001 Lee
`6,366,935 B2
`4/2002 Hawkins et al.
`6,415.388 B1* 7/2002 Browning et al. ............ T13,322
`6,654,826 B1
`1 1/2003 Cho et al.
`6,684.338 B1
`1/2004 Koo .............................. T13,300
`6,711,004 B2
`3/2004 Yen et al.
`6,735,663 B2
`5/2004 Watts, Jr. et al.
`6,771,494 B2
`8/2004 Shimano
`6,788.527 B2
`9/2004 Doczy et al.
`6,903,927 B2
`6/2005 Anlauff
`7,148,877 B2 12/2006 Chang et al.
`7,472,267 B2 * 12/2008 Park et al. ..................... T13/100
`2001/002094.0 A1* 9, 2001 Nakazato et al. ............. 345/418
`2002/0162444 A1 11/2002 Yu et al.
`2002fO181722 A1 12, 2002 Hibino et al.
`2002/0198006 Al 12/2002 Hirayama et al.
`2003/0093659 A1
`5, 2003 Wen et al.
`2003/0188144 A1 10, 2003 Du et al.
`
`2003/0204708 A1 10, 2003 Hulme et al.
`2004/0001306 A1
`1/2004 Oakley
`2004/OOO6690 A1
`1/2004 Du et al.
`2004/0027337 A1
`2/2004 Hunt et al.
`2004/0140967 A1
`7/2004 Kojo
`ck
`2005/0039081 A1* 2/2005 Chang et al. .................... T14? 36
`2005/O144432 A1* 6, 2005 W.
`713/2
`2005/0219217 A1 10, 2005
`obardietal."
`Ongobardi et al.
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`WOO1/84729
`11, 2001
`
`WO
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`European Search Report dated Jun. 6, 2007.
`J. Wittgen: “Riesencabrio Tablet PC Toshiba Portege 3500;” CT
`Magazin Fuer Computer Technik, Heise Zeitschriften Verlag, Han
`nover, DE, No. 3, Jan. 27, 2003, p. 67.
`* cited by examiner
`
`Lenovo EX-1021,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 1 of 11
`
`US 8,151,105 B2
`
`FIG
`1
`(Prior Art)
`Notebook Computer Mod e
`
`
`
`Lenovo EX-1021,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 2 of 11
`
`US 8,151,105 B2
`
`FIG. 2
`(Prior Art)
`Tablet Computer Mode
`
`
`
`Lenovo EX-1021,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`US 8,151,105 B2
`
`u 33.10S
`?ono L
`
`KeIds[c]
`
`
`
`Snº. VSI
`
`
`
`Sng IOc]
`
`9. "SDI
`
`
`
`
`
`07
`
`Lenovo EX-1021,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 4 of 11
`
`US 8,151,105 B2
`
`FIG. 4
`
`
`
`
`
`100
`
`110
`
`120
`
`BOS
`
`130
`
`Keyboard
`Controller
`
`Display
`Module
`Rotate
`
`WCC
`
`> R
`
`m
`
`------
`
`140
`
`Rotate it
`
`Lenovo EX-1021,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 5 of 11
`
`US 8,151,105 B2
`
`System Power ON
`
`S1 O
`
`Detect rotation state
`of display module
`
`3s.
`Yes
`
`otation detection
`switch OFF? 2.
`sea NO
`
`S11
`
`S12
`
`S 15
`
`Determine system mode to be S13
`notebook Computer mode
`
`Determine system mode to be
`tablet Computer mode
`
`Select and boot
`OS for notebook computer
`
`S 14
`
`Select and boot
`OS for tablet Computer
`
`N
`O
`
`O
`
`O
`
`S 17
`
`S18
`
`
`
`Lenovo EX-1021,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 6 of 11
`
`US 8,151,105 B2
`
`FIG. 6
`(Prior Art)
`
`210
`
`KEYCO
`
`2OO
`
`Micro
`Controller
`
`KEYC 13
`
`KEYCROWO
`
`Keyboard
`
`KEYCROW7
`
`FIG. 7
`
`230
`
`
`
`220
`
`Micro
`Controller
`
`KEYC 13
`
`KEYCROWO
`
`Keyboard
`
`KEYCROW7
`
`o NTB TBL Modei
`
`Lenovo EX-1021,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 7 of 11
`
`US 8,151,105 B2
`
`FIG. 8
`
`NTB TBL Modei
`-
`
`Keyboard
`
`Notebook
`Computer
`
`Tablet
`Computer
`
`High
`
`LOW
`
`Activation
`State
`
`inactivation
`State
`
`FIG. 9
`
`
`
`Detect current system mode
`(NTB TBL Modei)
`
`
`
`
`
`Notebook Mode? -d
`
`
`
`S21
`
`S23
`
`Carry out control operation
`Corresponding to keyboard
`input signal
`
`ignore keyboard input
`
`Lenovo EX-1021,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 8 of 11
`
`US 8,151,105 B2
`
`FIG. 10
`(Prior Art)
`
`
`
`VCC
`
`WCC
`
`R3
`
`R4
`
`*
`
`C2
`
`r
`
`-- SW 11
`
`32O
`
`D-X
`
`WCC
`
`340
`
`R9
`
`350
`
`D g
`LCD Close Signal
`
`VCC
`
`R5
`
`R7
`
`O
`
`O
`
`Hé
`
`O
`
`-- SW 12
`
`VCC
`
`R6
`
`Q1 w
`
`R8 a
`
`33O
`
`Lenovo EX-1021,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 9 of 11
`
`US 8,151,105 B2
`
`FIG. 12
`
`340
`
`Ain —D-You
`oE —
`
`
`
`Lenovo EX-1021,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 10 of 11
`
`US 8,151,105 B2
`
`F.G. 14
`
`440
`
`450
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`System
`Controller
`
`CPU Clock
`Control Signal
`
`Temperature
`Detection Signal
`
`Fan Control Signal
`
`
`
`
`
`-
`Micro
`Controller
`
`
`
`430
`
`
`
`Menno
`ry
`
`Computer Selection
`Signal
`
`
`
`Switching
`Sensor
`
`Mode
`
`Tablet
`Computer
`
`Notebook
`
`CPU Speed
`
`Low
`
`Temperature
`
`LOW
`
`Fan speed
`
`low
`
`High
`
`High
`
`High
`
`Lenovo EX-1021,
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Apr. 3, 2012
`
`Sheet 11 of 11
`
`US 8,151,105 B2
`
`FIG. 16
`
`Read table values
`based upon Current system mode
`
`S31
`
`Set temperature
`
`Set CPU speed
`
`Set fan speed
`
`S32
`
`S33
`
`S34
`
`
`
`car. S35
`
`Lenovo EX-1021,
`
`

`

`US 8,151,105 B2
`
`1.
`CONVERTIBLE COMPUTER WITH
`SELECTIVE ACTIVATION OF INPUT
`DEVICES AND POWER CONSUMPTION
`LEVEL BASED ON A TABLET OR
`NOTEBOOKMODE
`
`This application is a Divisional of U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 1 1/598,777, filed Nov. 14, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No.
`7,472,267, which is a Divisional of U.S. patent application
`Ser. No. 10/812,905, filed Mar. 31, 2004 U.S. Pat. No. 7,506,
`152, which claims priority to Korean Application Nos.
`10-2003-0055520, filed Aug. 11, 2003: 10-2003-0061549,
`filed Sep. 3, 2003: 10-2003-0061548, filed Sep. 3, 2003 and
`10-2003-0063107, filed Sep. 9, 2003. The entire disclosures
`of the prior applications are considered as being part of the
`disclosure of the accompanying application and are hereby
`incorporated by reference.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`2
`can rotate the display module so that it can be used as the
`tablet computer or the notebook computer.
`In a prior art convertible computer, a fixed operating sys
`tem (OS) such as Windows 98TM or Windows XPTM is loaded
`or booted. However, when a power supply of the convertible
`computer is turned on where the display module is rotated to
`perform a specific operating mode, for example, a tablet
`computer mode, a unique OS appropriate for the specific
`operating mode is not booted, which results in a condition in
`where various functions and operations cannot be provided.
`On the other hand, a keyboard of the prior art notebook
`computer is configured like the keyboard of a prior art desk
`top keyboard as shown in FIG. 6. That is, a keyboard cable is
`connected between a keyboard 200 and a micro controller 210
`serving as a keyboard controller so that various signals can be
`communicated. The keyboard of the notebook computer
`based upon the above-described components does not depend
`upon a system use state and an operating state in which the
`display module is open or closed.
`When the convertible computer is used in the tablet com
`puter mode, the display module is rotated and overlapped
`with the computer's main body, such that the LCD faces
`upwards. Thus, the backside of the display module undesir
`ably presses input units such as the keyboard, a stick pointer
`and a touch pad (not shown). In this case, there is a problem
`in that an error of the system can be incurred. Further, when
`the convertible computer is used in the tablet computer mode,
`power can be unnecessarily Supplied to the input units such as
`the keyboard 200, the stick pointer and the touchpad. Mean
`while, when the convertible computer is used in the notebook
`computer mode, power is unnecessarily Supplied to the digi
`tizer, such that power can be wasted.
`FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating a circuit for switch
`ing an operating mode of the system to a suspend mode using
`a switch when the LCD is closed in the prior art notebook
`computer. In the prior art notebook computer, a switch SW1
`is configured so that it can be in an ON state when the LCD is
`closed, and it can be in an OFF state when the LCD is open.
`Thus, when the user switches an operating state of the LCD
`from the open state to the closed state in the prior art notebook
`computer, the switch SW1 is switched from the OFF state to
`the ON state, and an output terminal 310 come to output a low
`level signal. A controller (not shown in FIG. 10) into which
`the low level signal is inputted, detects the closed state of the
`LCD, and performs a control operation corresponding to the
`closed state of the LCD. Because it is determined that the
`computer is to be temporarily not used when the user closes
`the LCD, the operating mode of the system is switched to the
`Suspend mode, and an operation for turning off an LCD
`backlight is performed so that unnecessary power consump
`tion can be prevented. Otherwise, when the user switches the
`operating state of the LCD from the closed state to the open
`state, the Switch SW1 come to be in the OFF state and the
`output terminal 310 come to output a high level signal. The
`controller into which the high level signal is inputted releases
`the Suspend mode, and the system returns to a normal oper
`ating mode.
`In the convertible computer in which the notebook com
`puter function and the tablet computer function are imple
`mented in the single system, when the system mode of the
`convertible computer is switched to a tablet computer mode,
`the display module is rotated and overlapped with the com
`puter's main body, such that the LCD faces upwards. This
`state is the same as a state in which the LCD is closed in the
`prior art notebook computer. In this case, a Switch capable of
`monitoring the open/closed State of the display module is
`operated when the operating mode is the tablet computer
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to a convertible computer
`equipped with a first mode (e.g., a notebook computer func
`tion) and a second mode (e.g., a tablet computer function).
`2. Background of the Related Art
`Tablet computers have been developed on the basis of
`advantageous effects of desktop, notebook and handheld
`computers. A notebook computer is referred to as a mobile
`computer. But, when the notebook computer is used, its main
`body must be positioned on a fixed base surface. Meanwhile,
`a tablet computer can be easily used on a user's hand like a
`personal digital assistant (PDA). The tablet computer enables
`the user to directly take notes on a monitor using an electronic
`pen in place of a keyboard. Since an input unit in the tablet
`computer is based upon a touch screen, a special input unit
`Such as a mouse is not necessary, and hence, the tablet com
`puter can be conveniently used. Thus, the tablet computer has
`excellent mobility and convenience. Furthermore, since the
`tablet computer includes the computer's basic components
`inside the monitor, its exterior is simple.
`In order for the user to conveniently and selectively use a
`notebook computer function and a tablet computer function,
`a convertible computer that can implement the notebook
`computer function and the tablet computer function in a
`single system is being developed and commercialized.
`The convertible computer includes a main module and a
`display module in which a liquid crystal display (LCD) and a
`digitizer are unified. The LCD displays video images and
`various menus. The digitizer allows the user to touch a screen
`using an electronic pen, etc. and to select and input the various
`menus displayed on the LCD.
`As shown in FIG. 1, where the user uses the convertible
`computer as the notebook computer, he or she performs a
`desired function and task using a keyboard and a touch pad
`provided in a main body while the display module is fixed as
`the LCD of the notebook computer. Where the user uses the
`convertible computer as the tablet computer, he or she touches
`various menus displayed through the LCD using the elec
`tronic pen in a state while the LCD is overlapped with the
`computer's main body to face upwards as shown in FIG. 2.
`The digitizer installed at a front or back end of the LCD can
`detect a coordinate value corresponding to a position of the
`LCD touched with the electronic pen and can perform a
`user-desired function and task.
`The display module can be rotated according to the user's
`selection. Thus, the user holding the convertible computer
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Lenovo EX-1021,
`
`

`

`US 8,151,105 B2
`
`3
`mode. Thus, there can be a problem in that the operating mode
`of the system is switched to the suspend mode or the backlight
`of the LCD provided in the display module is in the OFF state.
`Since the notebook computer and the tablet computer have
`different purposes and usages, they have been independently
`implemented and used on the basis of different specifications.
`For example, the notebook computer and the tablet computer
`have different operating environments in terms of a central
`processing unit (CPU) speed, a systems internal temperature
`and fan speed. Where the notebook computer function and the
`tablet computer function are implemented in a single system,
`a method and apparatus for managing different use modes
`based upon the notebook computer function and the tablet
`computer function is needed.
`The above references are incorporated by reference herein
`where appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or
`alternative details, features and/or technical background.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`4
`computer unit responsive to a system power Supply of the
`portable computer being turned on, wherein the controller
`operates an application program for the tablet computer mode
`or the notebook computer mode according to the determina
`tion.
`To further achieve at least the above objects in whole or in
`part, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided an apparatus for booting a system in a
`portable computer including a display module whose rotation
`state allows a system mode to be switched to a notebook
`computer mode or a tablet computer mode that includes
`detection unit for detecting the rotation state of the display
`module when a system power Supply provided in the portable
`computer is turned on and control unit for selectively booting
`an operating system (OS) for a tablet computer or a notebook
`computer according to a result of the detection.
`To further achieve at least the above objects in whole or in
`part, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a method for booting a system in a portable
`computer that includes detecting one of a notebook computer
`configuration and a tablet computer configuration when a
`system power Supply provided in the portable computer is
`turned on and selectively booting an initialization application
`program for a tablet computer or a notebook computer
`according to said detecting.
`To further achieve at least the above objects in whole or in
`part, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided an article including a machine-readable
`storage medium containing instructions for booting a system
`in a portable computer including a display module whose
`rotation state allows a system mode to be switched to a note
`book computer mode or a tablet computer mode, the instruc
`tions, when executed, causing the portable computer to detect
`the rotation state of the display module when a system power
`Supply provided in the portable computer is enabled and
`selectively boot an operating system (OS) for a tablet com
`puter or a notebook computer according to the detection.
`To further achieve at least the above objects in whole or in
`part, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a portable computer that includes a portable
`computer device whose configuration allows a system mode
`to be switched to a notebook computer mode or a tablet
`computer mode, at least one input unit, a monitor configured
`to monitor a system mode Switching operation and a control
`ler coupled to the monitor and configured to control an oper
`ating state of the input unit to be inactive according to a
`current system mode.
`To further achieve at least the above objects in whole or in
`part, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided an apparatus for protecting at least one input
`unit in a portable computer including a first input unit includ
`ing a touchscreen digitizer and a second input unit selectively
`including at least one of a keyboard, a stick pointer and a
`touch pad, and a portable computer device whose configura
`tion state is configured to Switch a system mode to a notebook
`computer mode or a tablet computer mode that includes
`monitoring unit for monitoring a system mode Switching
`operation and control unit for controlling an operating state of
`the input units to be an inactivation state according to a
`current system mode.
`To further achieve at least the above objects in whole or in
`part, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a method for protecting at least one input
`unit in a portable computer including a display module whose
`rotation state allows a system mode to be switched between a
`notebook computer mode and a tablet computer mode that
`includes monitoring a system mode Switching operation and
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`25
`
`An object of the invention is to solve at least the above
`problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the
`advantages described hereinafter.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide an
`apparatus and method for convertible computer that selects
`and initializes the computer responsive to one of a first mode
`and a second mode.
`Another object of the present invention is to provide an
`apparatus and method for a convertible computer that selects
`an initializes the computer responsive to a notebook computer
`function or a tablet computer function.
`Another object of the present invention to provide an appa
`ratus and method for booting a system in a convertible com
`puter that can select an operating system (OS) according to a
`rotation state of a display module in the convertible computer
`that implements a notebook computer function and a tablet
`computer function.
`Another object of the present invention to provide an appa
`ratus and method that can protect at least one input unit in a
`convertible computer to reduce or prevent an erroneous
`operation.
`Another object of the present invention to provide an appa
`ratus and method that can reduce or prevent a state in which
`power is unnecessarily consumed by an input unit not used in
`a current system mode in a convertible computer that imple
`ments a notebook computer function and a tablet computer
`function in a single system.
`Another object of the present invention to provide a pro
`tection circuit and method for use in a convertible computer,
`which can address a problem that an operating mode of a
`system is inappropriately switched to a suspend mode or a
`liquid crystal display (LCD) backlight is disabled when a
`tablet computer mode is used in the convertible computer that
`implements a notebook computer function and a tablet com
`puter function in a single system.
`55
`Another object of the present invention to provide an appa
`ratus and method that can manage a system mode in a single
`convertible system to control system environments according
`to various operating modes including a notebook computer
`function and a tablet computer function.
`In order to achieve at least the above objects and advan
`tages in whole or in part, in accordance with one aspect of the
`present invention there is provided a portable computer that
`includes a portable computer unit having a configuration that
`allows a system mode to be switched between a notebook
`computer mode and a tablet computer mode and a controller
`configured to determine the configuration of the portable
`
`45
`
`50
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Lenovo EX-1021,
`
`

`

`US 8,151,105 B2
`
`5
`controlling an operating state of the input unit to be each of an
`active state and an inactive state according to a current system
`mode.
`To further achieve at least the above objects in whole or in
`part, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided an article including a machine-readable
`storage medium containing instructions for protecting first
`input unit including a touch screen digitizer, and a second
`input unit selectively including at least one of a keyboard, a
`Stick pointer and a touchpad in a portable computer including
`a display module whose rotation state allows a system mode
`to be switched between a notebook computer mode and a
`tablet computer mode, the instructions, when executed, caus
`ing the portable computer to monitor a system mode Switch
`ing operation and control an operating state of at least one
`input unit to be each of an activation state and inactivation
`state according to a current system mode.
`To further achieve at least the above objects in whole or in
`part, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a portable computer that includes a display
`module whose rotation State allows a system mode to be
`Switched to a notebook computer mode or a tablet computer
`mode, a first Switch configured to sense opening and closing
`operations of the display module, a second Switch configured
`to sense a rotation operation of the display module, a logic
`device configured to output an open/close signal of the dis
`play module based on a signal of the first Switch and a logic
`device controller configured to control the logic device to be
`in an enable/disable state based on a signal of the second
`switch.
`To further achieve at least the above objects in whole or in
`part, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a protection circuit provided in a portable
`computer including a display module whose rotation state
`allows a system mode to be switched to a notebook computer
`mode or a tablet computer mode, a first Switch for sensing
`opening and closing operations of the display module, and a
`second Switch for sensing a rotation operation of the display
`module that includes a logic device configured to output an
`open/close signal of the display module based upon an opera
`tion of the first switch and a logic device controller configured
`to control the logic device to be in an enable/disable state
`based upon an operation of the second Switch.
`To further achieve at least the above objects in whole or in
`part, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a portable computer that includes a control
`ler configured to set a system performance operation based
`upon the portable computer operating in each of a notebook
`computer mode or a tablet computer mode and a memory
`configured to store at least one control value necessary for
`setting the system performance operation in said each mode.
`To further achieve at least the above objects in whole or in
`part, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided an apparatus for managing a system mode in
`a portable computer including a notebook computer mode or
`a tablet computer mode that includes monitoring unit for
`monitoring a system mode Switching operation and setting
`unit for setting different system power consumption environ
`ments based upon a current system mode.
`To further achieve at least the above objects in whole or in
`part, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a method that includes operating a portable
`computerina notebook computer mode and a tablet computer
`mode, wherein devices in the portable computer operate in
`each mode and operating at least one device in the portable
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`computer at a first power consumption level in the notebook
`computer mode and a second lower power consumption level
`in the tablet computer mode.
`To further achieve at least the above objects in whole or in
`part, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided a method for managing a system mode in a
`portable computer having a configuration that Switches a
`system mode to a notebook computer mode or a tablet com
`puter mode that includes monitoring a system mode Switch
`ing operation, setting at least one control value necessary for
`Switching a system performance based upon the Switched
`system mode.
`To further achieve at least the above objects in whole or in
`part, in accordance with one aspect of the present invention
`there is provided an article including a machine-readable
`storage medium containing instructions for managing a sys
`tem mode in a portable computer including a display module
`whose rotation state allows the system mode to be switched to
`a notebook computer mode or a tablet computer mode, the
`instructions, when executed, causing the portable computer
`to monitor a system mode Switching operation, read, from a
`memory, at least one control value necessary for setting a
`system environment based upon the Switched system mode
`when the system mode is Switched and set the system envi
`ronment based upon the read control value.
`Additional advantages, objects, and features of the inven
`tion will be set forth in part in the description which follows
`and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary
`skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be
`learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advan
`tages of the invention may be realized and attained as particu
`larly pointed out in the appended claims.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention will be described in detail with reference to
`the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer
`to like elements wherein:
`FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a prior art convert
`ible computer used in a notebook computer mode;
`FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a prior art convert
`ible computer is used in a tablet computer mode;
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a
`preferred embodiment of a convertible computer in accor
`dance with the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a preferred
`embodiment of an apparatus for booting a system in the
`convertible computer in accordance with the present inven
`tion;
`FIG.5 is a flowchart illustrating a preferred embodiment of
`a method for booting the system in the convertible computer
`in accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the connection
`relationship between a keyboard and a micro controller in a
`prior art notebook computer;
`FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a preferred
`embodiment of an apparatus for protecting the keyboard in
`the convertible computer in accordance with the present
`invention;
`FIG. 8 is a diagram of an exemplary table illustrating an
`operating state of the keyboard in the convertible computer in
`accordance with the present invention;
`FIG.9 is a flow chart illustrating a preferred embodiment of
`a method for protecting the keyboard in the convertible com
`puter in accordance with the present invention;
`
`Lenovo EX-1021,
`
`

`

`US 8,151,105 B2
`
`7
`FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram illustrating a circuit for detect
`ing an operating state in which a liquid crystal display (LCD)
`is closed in a prior art notebook computer;
`FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of a
`preferred embodiment of a protection circuit in a convertible
`computer in accordance with the present invention;
`FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram illustrating an exemplary logic
`device for use in the present invention;
`FIG. 13 is a diagram of an exemplary table illustrating an
`operating state of the logic device for use in the present
`invention;
`FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a preferred embodi
`ment of an apparatus for managing a system mode in the
`convertible computer in accordance with the present inven
`tion;
`FIG. 15 is a diagram of a table illustrating exemplary
`control values based upon each system mode stored in a
`memory in accordance with the present invention; and
`FIG. 16 is a flow chart illustrating a preferred embodiment
`of a method for managing a system mode in the convertible
`computer in accordance with the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`8
`As shown in FIG. 4, an embodiment of a system booting
`apparatus provided in the convertible computer in accordance
`with the present invention can include a random access
`memory (RAM) 100, a hard disc 110, a basic input/output
`system (BIOS) 120, a keyboard controller 130, a rotation
`detection switch 140, etc. The rotation detection switch 140
`can be in an ON or OFF state according to the rotation state of
`the display module in which the LCD and the digitizer are
`unified.
`The rotation detection switch 140 can monitor a system
`mode switching operation. The rotation detection switch 140
`can be turned on/off, for example, by a magnetic sensor for
`electrically detecting the rotation operation of the display
`module or a mechanical contact.
`The keyboard controller 130 can use a rotation detection
`signal generated according to the ON/OFF state of the rota
`tion detection switch 140 to determine whether the display
`module is currently in the notebook computer mode or the
`tablet computer mode. For example, where the rotation detec
`tion switch 140 is in the ON state and a rotation detection
`signal Rotateh is outputted as a low level signal, it can be
`determined that the display module has been rotated to per
`form the tablet computer mode. On the other hand, where the
`rotation detection switch 140 is in the OFF state and the
`rotation detection signal Rotateh is outputted as a high level
`signal, it can be determined that the display module has been
`rotated to perform the notebook computer mode. The key
`board controller 130 can use a micro controller, microcom
`puters or the like.
`Where the BIOS 120 confirms that the display module has
`been set to the notebook computer mode (e.g., through an
`interface with the keyboard controll