Laptop Cover Opening Detection for Automatic Booting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of mobile computing devices, such as laptops, need to manually press a power button after opening the device's cover, which is inconvenient and goes against the intention of using the device, as opening the cover implies the user's intent to activate it.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allow automatic booting when the device's cover is opened, utilizing a user interface to configure an automatic booting mode, storing this setting in the BIOS's ROM, and detecting the cover's opening state to initiate the boot process without requiring a separate power button press.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automatic booting is enabled to eliminate the need for pressing power button, then user convenience is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional detection and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cover opening detection function with the power button press detection function. The embedded controller integrates both detection capabilities into a single control mechanism, where opening the cover serves dual purposes: it detects user intent to use the device and simultaneously triggers the boot process, eliminating the need for a separate power button press while maintaining systematic control
Solution Approach 2:
The cover opening action is given multiple functions: it serves as both a mechanical operation to access the keyboard and as an electrical signal to initiate system booting. This multi-functionality reduces the number of separate operations required from the user while the embedded controller manages multiple detection scenarios (cover open, cover closed, power button press) through a unified control architecture
2Productivity
If the system automatically detects cover opening to initiate booting, then productivity is improved by reducing activation steps, but reliability may worsen due to potential false detection or unintended activation
Solution Approach 1:
The embedded controller continuously monitors the cover opening state through a feedback mechanism. The controller receives real-time status information about whether the cover is open or closed and adjusts system behavior accordingly. This feedback loop ensures that booting is triggered only when the cover opening state is properly detected and confirmed, preventing false activation while maintaining rapid response
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary detection of the cover opening state before initiating the boot process. The embedded controller checks the cover status signal in advance and validates it as a legitimate boot trigger condition before activating the system, ensuring that automatic booting occurs only when intended while maintaining fast activation speed
Data Source
AI summary
A laptop computer includes a display unit configured to display a graphic user interface (GUI) including an automatic booting mode option for turning on or off an automatic booting mode of the laptop computer; a cover having the display unit on one surface facing into a keyboard when the cover is in a closed state; a sensing unit configured to detect an opening of the cover; a power supply unit configured to supply power to the sensing unit even when the cover is in the closed state; and a controller configured to perform a booting process for operating an operating system (OS) in response to detecting the opening of the cover when the automatic booting mode option is selected to turn on the automatic booting mode of the laptop computer, and cause the display unit to display a screen.