Intelligent management for an electronic device

Abstract

An electronic device is disclosed. The electronic device includes a first input device; a second input device capable of operating in a first operating mode; and a system management module in communication with the first input device and the second input device. The system management module is configured for switching the second input device to a second operating mode in response to detecting, by the first input device, a presence of a user without receiving any operation-specific input from the user.

1 . An electronic device comprising:
 a first input device;   a second input device capable of operating in a first operating mode; and   a system management module in communication with the first input device and the second input device,   wherein the system management module is configured for switching the second input device to a second operating mode in response to detecting, by the first input device, a presence of a user without receiving any operation-specific input from the user.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , further comprising a display configured for operating in the first operating mode,
 wherein the system management module is further configured such that the presence of the user detected by the first input device without receiving any operation-specific input from the user prevents the display from being switched to the second operating mode, and   wherein the system management module is further configured for switching the display to the second operating mode in response to a detected absence of a user for a predetermined period of time.   
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 2 , wherein the first operating mode of the display is a full-power mode; and the second operating mode of the display is one of a power-saving mode, dim mode, and off mode. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the first input device comprises a first proximity sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 4 , wherein the first input device is one of a keyboard, mouse, trackpad, and touch screen. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 4 , wherein the second input device comprises a second touch sensor, and
 wherein the first operating mode of the second input device is a full-power operation mode and the second operating mode of the second input device is one of a low-power mode and an off mode.   
     
     
         7 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein the electronic device is a handheld device, the first input device is a proximity sensor and the second input device is a touch screen, and wherein the first operating mode of the second input device is a touch-enabled mode and the second operating mode of the second input device is a touch-disabled mode. 
     
     
         8 . A handheld device comprising:
 a touch screen;   one or more proximity sensors separate from the touch screen, the one or more proximity sensors positioned to detect whether a user is holding the handheld device with both hands;   a system management module in communication with the touch screen and the one or more proximity sensors,   wherein the system management module is configured for turning off the touch screen in response to the one or more proximity sensors detecting a user holding the handheld device with both hands.   
     
     
         9 . The handheld device of  claim 8 , further comprising a display, wherein the system management module is further configured for keeping the display in a normal operating mode in response to the one or more proximity sensors detecting a user holding the handheld device without making any operation-specific input. 
     
     
         10 . The handheld device of  claim 8 , further comprising a wireless antenna, wherein the system management module is further configured for turning off the wireless antenna in response to the one or more proximity sensors detecting a user holding the handheld device without making any operation-specific input. 
     
     
         11 . The handheld device of  claim 8 , further comprising an accelerometer, wherein the system management module is further configured for turning off the accelerometer in response to an absence of touches detected by the one or more proximity sensors indicating a user holding the handheld device. 
     
     
         12 . A method for managing an operating mode of an electronic device, comprising:
 detecting a user's presence with a proximity sensor of the electronic device;   maintaining the electronic device in a first operating mode when the user's presence is detected; and   switching the electronic device to a second operating mode when the user is detected as being absent,   wherein the user's presence is detected without receiving any operation-specific user input.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first operation mode is a full power mode of the electronic device. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the proximity sensor comprises a touch sensor and detecting the user's presence comprises detecting the user touching the electronic device. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein switching to a second operating mode comprising changing an operating mode of at least one component of the electronic device. 
     
     
         16 . A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions for performing a method comprising:
 detecting a user's presence with a sensor of the electronic device;   maintaining the electronic device in a first operating mode when the user's presence is detected; and   switching the electronic device to a second operating mode when the user is detected as being absent,   wherein the user's presence is detected without receiving any operation-specific user input.   
     
     
         17 . The computer-readable storage medium of  claim 16 , wherein switching to a second operating mode comprising changing the operating mode of at least one component of the electronic device. 
     
     
         18 . A method for managing an application running on an electronic device, comprising:
 detecting a type of interaction between a user and the device;   determining whether an application is in an idle mode in response to the detected type of interaction between the user and the device; and   suspending the application if the application is determined to be in the idle mode.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein suspending the application comprises allocating less resources of the electronic device to the applications. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the resources of the electronic device comprise an area of a display of the electronic device. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein determining whether an application is in an idle mode further comprises determining whether the user is likely to interact with the application with the detected type of interaction between the user and the device. 
     
     
         22 . A computer-readable medium storing instructions for performing a method for managing an application running on an electronic device, the method comprising:
 detecting a type of interaction between the user and the device;   determining whether an application is in an idle mode in response to the detected type of interaction between the user and the device;   suspending the application if the application is determined to be in the idle mode.   
     
     
         23 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 22 , wherein suspending the application comprises allocating less resources of the electronic device to the applications. 
     
     
         24 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 22 , wherein the resources of the electronic device comprise an area of a display of the electronic device. 
     
     
         25 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 22 , wherein determining whether an application is in an idle mode further comprises determining whether the user is likely to interact with the application with the detected type of interaction between the user and the device.