The present disclosure describes a method for conserving power on a portable electronic device and a portable electronic device configured for the same. In accordance with one embodiment, there is provided a method for conserving power comprising: switching a portable electronic device to a low power mode in response to a trigger condition; and switching the portable electronic device from the low power mode to a full power mode on the portable electronic device in response to detection of a designated wake-up gesture on a touch-sensitive overlay of the portable electronic device.

Power supply efficiency may be provided. First, a total power supply capacity may be determined comprising a sum of a plurality of supply capacities respectively corresponding to a plurality of power supplies serving a plurality of components. Next, a load value corresponding to the plurality of components may be determined. A number of the plurality of power supplies may then be powered down. The number of power supplies powered down may comprise a value that may cause a remaining number of the plurality of power supplies serving the plurality of components to operate within an efficiency range.

Power supply efficiency may be provided. First, a total power supply capacity may be determined comprising a sum of a plurality of supply capacities respectively corresponding to a plurality of power supplies serving a plurality of components. Next, a load value corresponding to the plurality of components may be determined. A number of the plurality of power supplies may then be powered down. The number of power supplies powered down may comprise a value that may cause a remaining number of the plurality of power supplies serving the plurality of components to operate within an efficiency range.

An electronic device includes a backup power supply unit, a first power management unit, a switch, a voltage detection unit, a processor and an electronic module. The first power management unit is coupled to the backup power supply unit and an external power supply unit. The switch is coupled to the first power management unit. The voltage detection unit is coupled to the external power supply unit and the switch. The processor is coupled to the voltage detection unit. The electronic module is coupled to the switch and the processor. When a voltage level of the external power supply unit is lower than a first predetermined level, the voltage detection unit outputs a detection signal. The switch is controlled by the detection signal to open to stop supplying power to the electronic module. The processor is controlled by the detection signal to execute a shutdown process.

An electronic device includes a backup power supply unit, a first power management unit, a switch, a voltage detection unit, a processor and an electronic module. The first power management unit is coupled to the backup power supply unit and an external power supply unit. The switch is coupled to the first power management unit. The voltage detection unit is coupled to the external power supply unit and the switch. The processor is coupled to the voltage detection unit. The electronic module is coupled to the switch and the processor. When a voltage level of the external power supply unit is lower than a first predetermined level, the voltage detection unit outputs a detection signal. The switch is controlled by the detection signal to open to stop supplying power to the electronic module. The processor is controlled by the detection signal to execute a shutdown process.

Examples herein relate to assigning, by a system agent of a central processing unit (CPU), an operating frequency to a core group based priority level of the core group while avoiding throttling of the system agent. Avoiding throttling of the system agent can include maintaining a minimum performance level of the system agent. A minimum performance level of the system agent can be based on a minimum operating frequency. Assigning, by a system agent of a central processing unit, an operating frequency to a core group based priority level of the core group while avoiding throttling of the system agent can avoid a thermal limit of the CPU. Avoiding thermal limit of the CPU can include adjusting the operating frequency to the core group to avoid performance indicators of the CPU. A performance indicator can indicate CPU utilization corresponds to Thermal Design Point (TDP).

An electronic device wirelessly communicates with an information processing device via a wireless communication unit and can operate at least in a first mode and in a second mode that is a state where power consumption is higher than in the first mode. The electronic device includes a direction information acquisition unit and a processor. The direction information acquisition unit acquires direction information about a direction of the information processing device in relation to a reference location of the electronic device by the wireless communication with the information processing device via the wireless communication unit. The processor performs at least one of a transition from the first mode to the second mode and a transition from the second mode to the first mode, based on the direction information.

An electronic device wirelessly communicates with an information processing device via a wireless communication unit and can operate at least in a first mode and in a second mode that is a state where power consumption is higher than in the first mode. The electronic device includes a direction information acquisition unit and a processor. The direction information acquisition unit acquires direction information about a direction of the information processing device in relation to a reference location of the electronic device by the wireless communication with the information processing device via the wireless communication unit. The processor performs at least one of a transition from the first mode to the second mode and a transition from the second mode to the first mode, based on the direction information.

A wireless instrument area network node employs an internal force sensor arrangement to detect user-provided force on the node and initiate a node operation, such as wake the node from a sleep state or low power mode to a more power-hungry awake and processing state. The internal force sensor avoids the need to provide external buttons, a screen, and the like on the surface of the node that could lead to intrusion of fluids, gases, or other unwanted substances into the node. In some embodiments, the internal sensor may include a microswitch that has sufficient sensitivity to detect even a very small amount of deflection resulting from, for example, a hand touch. In some embodiments, the internal sensor may include a piezoelectric sensor that has similarly high deflection sensitivity. Multiple such deflection detectors may be at different angles to one another deployed to provide greater directional coverage for the deflection.

A wireless instrument area network node employs an internal force sensor arrangement to detect user-provided force on the node and initiate a node operation, such as wake the node from a sleep state or low power mode to a more power-hungry awake and processing state. The internal force sensor avoids the need to provide external buttons, a screen, and the like on the surface of the node that could lead to intrusion of fluids, gases, or other unwanted substances into the node. In some embodiments, the internal sensor may include a microswitch that has sufficient sensitivity to detect even a very small amount of deflection resulting from, for example, a hand touch. In some embodiments, the internal sensor may include a piezoelectric sensor that has similarly high deflection sensitivity. Multiple such deflection detectors may be at different angles to one another deployed to provide greater directional coverage for the deflection.