Abstract: A keyboard module for use with touchscreen displays may provide more than one function associated with one or more keys. Activation of touchscreen keys may be triggered by providing detection of more than one contact type for a key. A key may include a first contact path with a first touchscreen key and a second contact path with a second touchscreen display key. Activation of the touchscreen keys may be triggered depending on the type of contact made with the key.

Abstract: A folding electronic device is disclosed. The folding electronic device includes a first flexible display, a second flexible display, a hinge mechanism and an image data generation unit. The first flexible display, which includes a first pixel matrix disposed at a first primary flat part and at a first bending part, enables a user to observe light beams emitted from the first primary flat part and the first bending part that bends to define a first inner side face in a front view direction. The second flexible display, which includes a second pixel matrix disposed at a second primary flat part and a second bending part, enables said user to observe light beams emitted from the second primary flat part and the second bending part that bends to define a second inner side face in the front view direction. The first flexible display is connected to the second flexible display via the hinge mechanism.

Abstract: A method for protecting a password of a computer having a non-volatile memory is disclosed. A password is stored in a non-volatile memory of a computer. The computer is then transitioned to a power saving state. In response to a detection of an unauthorized access to the non-volatile memory during the power saving state transition, a password input is requested from a user. The computer returns to a power-on state from the power saving state when there is a success in authentication of the input password.

Abstract: An energization range of a laptop PC is controlled for safety component replacement. An EC can communicate with a battery unit to control a FET of the battery unit. In a power-off state, a PWC receives electricity from the battery unit or an AC/DC adapter. In the power-off state, a system of the EC stops. When a housing cover of the laptop PC is opened, a cover switch turns ON. When a logic circuit detects the operation of the cover switch, the PWC controls a DC/DC converter group to activate the system. The EC receiving electricity turns the FET OFF. Then the PWC turns the FET OFF.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying power to a portable electronic device is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first receptacle to which an AC/DC adaptor is connectable, a second receptacle to which an electronic device is connectable, a battery charger for charging a battery using power supplied by the AC/DC adaptor, an output circuit for supplying power to the electronic device from the AC/DC adaptor when the AC/DC adaptor is connected to the apparatus, and supplies power to the electronic device from the battery when the AC/DC adaptor is not connected to the apparatus, and a control circuit for controlling the battery charger to supply power to the electronic device while charging the battery when the AC/DC adaptor is connected to the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing electric power to a portable computer is disclosed. The apparatus includes a timekeeping circuit, a voltage regulator, a set of battery cells and a controller. The timekeeping circuit includes a clock circuit and a memory for storing a calendar time that is updated based on time information generated by the clock circuit. The battery cells can supply electric power to the voltage regulator, and the voltage regulator is capable of supplying electric power to the timekeeping circuit. When the output voltage from the battery cells exceeds a first voltage threshold, the controller directs the voltage regulator to supply electric power to the timekeeping circuit. When the output voltage from the battery cells drops below the first voltage threshold, the controller directs one of the battery cells to supply electric power to the timekeeping circuit.

Abstract: A portable computer having a biometric authentication device is disclosed. The portable computer also includes a processor, a power supply unit having a first power system and a second power system, a power control circuit for controlling the power supply unit, and a start-up button for generating a startup signal for starting the portable computer. The biometric authentication device sends a power request signal to the power control circuit to activate the second power system upon a detection of a human user in a state where the second power system is deactivated and electric power is being supplied by the first power system. The biometric authentication device can perform an authentication operation while receiving electric power from the second power system, and the power control circuit causes the portable computer to transition to a power-on state in response to an authentication success by the biometric authentication device.

Abstract: Reducing standby power of an information apparatus is described. In one aspect, a laptop PC is equipped with an Ethernet controller. The laptop PC operates in an intermittent manner and a DC/DC converter supplies power to the Ethernet controller. The laptop PC determines whether the Ethernet controller is connected to a network by a cable in a time Twake during which the converter is on. When it is determined that the Ethernet controller is connected, the laptop PC maintains operation of the DC/DC converter until the Ethernet controller is disconnected. When it is determined that the Ethernet controller is not connected, the laptop PC stops operation of the DC/DC converter during a time Tsleep and resumes the operation thereof when a setting time by a timer elapses. The DC/DC converter supplies power to the Ethernet controller when it is actually connected to the network. Other aspects are described.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for enabling an apparatus having a wireless module mounted thereon to detect an access point while saving power consumption in a battery. An apparatus according to the present invention preferably has a system main body, a cover which covers a surface of the system main body, an antenna disposed to the cover, a lid sensor which detects that the cover is opened from the system main body and outputs a lid event signal, a wireless module which is connected with the antenna and detects an access point upon receiving a power, and a power supply module. This power supply module supplies the power to the wireless module in response to output of the lid event signal from the lid sensor. As a result, even if this portable computer is in an OFF state, the power is supplied to the wireless module when the cover is opened, thereby detecting an access point.

Abstract: A optical disc drive is disclosed. The optical disc drive includes a housing and a tray configured to accommodate a disc therein. The optical disc drive also includes an automatic return-type eject switch, a drive controller, and an eject controller. Mounted in the housing, the automatic return-type eject switch is configured to generate an eject signal. In response to the eject signal, the drive controller ejects the tray. In response to the eject signal, the eject controller supplies an electric power to the optical disc drive, and transmits a pseudo eject signal to the drive controller to eject the tray by way of a line through which the eject signal has been transferred after a predetermined time period from the supply of the electric power has lapsed.

Abstract: A method for controlling power in a computer system having a network device and a wakeup function is disclosed. A determination is made whether or not the network device is in an associated state at the time when the computer system moves into a power saving mode. In response to a determination that the network device is not in the associated state, power supply is turned off from a power source to the network device. In response to a determination that the network device is in the associated state, power supply is continually provided from the power source to the network device.

Abstract: A fingerprint reader (FPR) on a computer is illuminated when an operational context of the computer renders the FPR useful for receiving tactile input from a user.

Abstract: A portable computer having a biometric authentication device is disclosed. The portable computer also includes a processor, a power supply unit having a first power system and a second power system, a power control circuit for controlling the power supply unit, and a start-up button for generating a startup signal for starting the portable computer. The biometric authentication device sends a power request signal to the power control circuit to activate the second power system upon a detection of a human user in a state where the second power system is deactivated and electric power is being supplied by the first power system. The biometric authentication device can perform an authentication operation while receiving electric power from the second power system, and the power control circuit causes the portable computer to transition to a power-on state in response to an authentication success by the biometric authentication device.

Abstract: A notebook type of computer of one embodiment includes a display unit, a housing to which the display unit is pivotally attached, an angle sensor which detects an opening angle between the display unit and the housing, a sensor driver which A/D converts an output from the angle sensor and passes the result to a power management driver, and an angle comparison module which reads a setting value as to the opening angle and determines whether the opening angle is within a range of a predetermined angle. If the opening angle is within the predetermined range, a user is presumed to be using the notebook computer on a lap and the power management operation is performed per that presumption.

Abstract: A optical disc drive is disclosed. The optical disc drive includes a housing and a tray configured to accommodate a disc therein. The optical disc drive also includes an automatic return-type eject switch, a drive controller, and an eject controller. Mounted in the housing, the automatic return-type eject switch is configured to generate an eject signal. In response to the eject signal, the drive controller ejects the tray. In response to the eject signal, the eject controller supplies an electric power to the optical disc drive, and transmits a pseudo eject signal to the drive controller to eject the tray by way of a line through which the eject signal has been transferred after a predetermined time period from the supply of the electric power has lapsed.

Abstract: Power usage of computing device components is controlled in a holistic manner. The projected total power consumption for the computing device to satisfy a power consumption policy for the device is determined. Power usage of each component of the computing device is controlled in a holistic manner—i.e., balancing the power usage of the component against the power usage of other components—so that the total power usage of the computing device falls within the projected total power consumption needed to satisfy the power consumption policy. How the user is currently utilizing the computing device may be periodically detected, based at least on a power consumption distribution of the components of the computing device. A current usage model is determined based on how the user is currently utilizing the computing device. The power usage of each component of the computing device is controlled based on the current usage model.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for enabling an apparatus having a wireless module mounted thereon to detect an access point while saving power consumption in a battery. An apparatus according to the present invention preferably has a system main body, a cover which covers a surface of the system main body, an antenna disposed to the cover, a lid sensor which detects that the cover is opened from the system main body and outputs a lid event signal, a wireless module which is connected with the antenna and detects an access point upon receiving a power, and a power supply module. This power supply module supplies the power to the wireless module in response to output of the lid event signal from the lid sensor. As a result, even if this portable computer is in an OFF state, the power is supplied to the wireless module when the cover is opened, thereby detecting an access point.

Abstract: Power usage of computing device components is controlled in a holistic manner. The projected total power consumption for the computing device to satisfy a power consumption policy for the device is determined. Power usage of each component of the computing device is controlled in a holistic manner—i.e., balancing the power usage of the component against the power usage of other components—so that the total power usage of the computing device falls within the projected total power consumption needed to satisfy the power consumption policy. How the user is currently utilizing the computing device may be periodically detected, based at least on a power consumption distribution of the components of the computing device. A current usage model is determined based on how the user is currently utilizing the computing device. The power usage of each component of the computing device is controlled based on the current usage model.

Abstract: A notebook type of computer of one embodiment includes a display unit, a housing to which the display unit is pivotally attached, an angle sensor which detects an opening angle between the display unit and the housing, a sensor driver which A/D converts an output from the angle sensor and passes the result to a power management driver, and an angle comparison module which reads a setting value as to the opening angle and determines whether the opening angle is within a range of a predetermined angle. If the opening angle is within the predetermined range, a user is presumed to be using the notebook computer on a lap and the power management operation is performed per that presumption.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus is provided, which includes: plural devices, each having a high-power mode as an operation mode in which power consumption and processing speed are high, and a low-power mode as an operation mode in which power consumption and processing speed are lower than the power consumption and processing speed of the high-power mode; a measurement unit which measures temperature of a predetermined measurement point; a device selection unit which selects a device to be minimized degradation in processing performance when an operation mode is changed from the high-power mode to the low-power mode to lower the temperature of the measurement point in a case that the measured temperature is equal to or higher than a predetermined reference temperature; and an operation mode setting unit which changes the operation mode of the selected device from the higher-power mode to the lower-power mode.