US 7,321,974 B2
Method of providing a simulated off condition in a computing device wherein the device is able to run applications while in an off state
Jason Michael Anderson, Snoqualmie, Wash. (US); William Jefferson Westerinen, Sammamish, Wash. (US); Tony Dwayne Pierce, Bellevue, Wash. (US); Allen Marshall, Woodinville, Wash. (US); and Peter Viscarola, Mount Vernon, N.H. (US)
Assigned to Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash. (US)
Filed on May 03, 2004, as Appl. No. 10/837,728.
Application 10/837728 is a continuation in part of application No. 10/780039, filed on Feb. 17, 2004.
Prior Publication US 2005/0182612 A1, Aug. 18, 2005
Int. Cl. G06F 1/26 (2006.01)
U.S. Cl. 713—320  [713/300; 713/323] 8 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A computing device having a simulated off state, comprising:
a power supply having a power supply heat sink having a first fin orientation matching a direction airflow through said power supply, said power supply heat sink further including first cross-cuts to induce airflow turbulence,
a central processing unit having a CPU heat sink having a bi-metallic outer portion and base;
a graphics processing unit having a GPU heat sink having a second fin orientation matching a direction airflow over said graphics processing unit, said GPU heat sink further including second cross-cuts to induce airflow turbulence;
a hard disk drive;
random access memory; and
wherein when said computing device is powered down, the computing device is placed into the simulated off state by placing the system components into a low power state such that the computing device appears to be off, and
wherein the computing device remains enabled to run applications when in the simulated off state.