Abstract: A portable computer. The computer includes a base, a display member, and an arm assembly coupling the display member to the base. The arm assembly includes a pair of spaced arm portions and a rigid connecting portion extending between the arm portions. The arm portions each have a first end pivotally coupled to the base edge for movement of the arm assembly between a closed position with the arm portion substantially parallel to the base and an open position with the arm portion oriented at an angle relative to the base, and a second end pivotally coupled to the display edge for pivotal movement of the display member relative to the arm portion to move the display member between a plurality of positions relative to the arm member.

Abstract: An activity sensing power reduction and conservation apparatus, system, and method for a computer system. The computer system has resources including a processor, a memory, and an input/output device, and an operating system for controlling the resources. At least one of the resources can be placed into in any one of three operating modes including a first mode having a first power consumption level, a second mode having a second power consumption level less than the first level, and a third mode having a third level less than the second level. The first mode may be characterized by maintaining clocking of the processor at a first clock frequency, the second mode by clocking the processor at a second clock frequency less than the first frequency or by not maintaining clocking of the processor, and the third mode by maintaining operation of the memory to preserve the integrity of any stored memory contents.

Abstract: A portable computer. The computer includes a base, a display member, and an arm assembly coupling the display member to the base. The arm assembly includes a pair of spaced arm portions and a rigid connecting portion extending between the arm portions. The arm portions each have a first end pivotally coupled to the base edge for movement of the arm assembly between a closed position with the arm portion substantially parallel to the base and an open position with the arm portion oriented at an angle relative to the base, and a second end pivotally coupled to the display edge for pivotal movement of the display member relative to the arm portion to move the display member between a plurality of positions relative to the arm member.

Abstract: Structure and method are provided for reducing power consumption in a computer system without sacrificing computer performance or inhibiting a computer user's rapid access to the computer. An identifier, such as a device address, network address, serial number, and the like, is associated with each device or resource. Communications over a communications link such as a parallel bus, serial bus, or wireless link, are monitored by each device to determine device identifiers communicated over the link, and these identifiers are compared to the identifier associated with the monitoring device. Each device monitors the communications and is responsible for self-controlling its operating condition to minimize power consumption. Each device includes a first component which operates continuously to provide the monitoring function, and a second component that operates in a low power consumption mode unless the first component signals the second component that its operation is needed during that time period.

Abstract: A system and method are described that reduce display subsystem power consumption in computer systems where image data is transferred from an image memory to a display each time a new image frame is displayed. In normal operation, the computer system displays uncompressed image data, which is stored in the image memory. After a period of display inactivity, a display processor compresses the uncompressed data and writes the compressed data to another location in the image memory. In subsequent display cycles, until there is display activity, the display processor retrieves the compressed data from the memory, decompresses it in real time and then transfers the decompressed data to the display. Entire images or segments of images can be compressed in this manner. Using the compressed image data saves display power as it requires fewer memory cycles to transfer from the memory to the display than the uncompressed data.

Abstract: A power conservation system for use in a computer system. The power system has an activity monitor and a plurality of modes of operation. The activity monitor can place the computer system in a reduced power consumption state during periods of low activity without waiting for a period of complete inactivity. By controlling the power mode in response to the activity of the computer system, the power consumption of the computer system can be controlled.

Abstract: A power conservation system for use in a computer system. The power conservation system has an activity monitor and a plurality of modes of operation. The power conservation system has a power switching unit which couples the power supply to a selected group of the computer system circuits depending upon the power mode of operation. By controlling the power mode in response to the activity of the computer system, the power consumption of the computer system can be controlled.