Thread Subject: Re: Power-on Patent

Note

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From: Randy Marsden
Date: Fri, Mar 09 2007 1:55 PM

Norman:

The power-on requirement is not just an example. It's a real requirement
that we are looking at on the hardware SC. More to David's question - we
know you can wake a computer from a sleep or hibernate mode using the
keyboard. But that's different than turning it on from a cold shut-down,
which is the issue being addressed.
------------------------------------------------
Randy Marsden
President & CEO, Madentec Limited
ATIA Global Policy Chair

780-450-8926 ext. 223
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =


> From: "Robinson, Norman B - Washington, DC" < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
> Reply-To: "TEITAC desktop/portable (hardware) subcommittee"
> < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
> Date: Fri, 9 Mar 2007 15:33:07 -0500
> To: "TEITAC desktop/portable (hardware) subcommittee"
> < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
> Subject: Re: [teitac-hardware] Power-on Patent
>
> Randy,
>
> I have several generic computers that all have wake on keyboard
> activity (not just a power button) built into the BIOS. It can activate
> on any key press or mouse press or specific keypress (e.g., only F1 key)
> so I believe the technology is common-place.
>
> Rather than specifically address your one example, I do find the
> subject of patents, intellectual property, and DRM to be a useful
> discussion in the context of user rights; specifically users with
> disabilities. I don't think this is hardware specific however.
>
> Regards,
>
>
> Norman B. Robinson
> Section 508 Coordinator
> IT Governance, US Postal Service
> phone: 202.268.8246
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
> [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Randy
> Marsden
> Sent: Friday, March 09, 2007 2:37 PM
> To: TEITAC desktop/portable (hardware) subcommittee
> Subject: [teitac-hardware] Power-on Patent
>
>
> OK - thanks guys.
>
> So, we've established it CAN be done, and HAS been done by Apple on
> certain
> computers (and only Apple, it would seem). That set off an alarm for
> me,
> and after a bit of searching, I indeed found a patent held by Apple on
> this
> very idea.
>
> It is patent number 6,256,682: Signaling of power modes over an
> interface
> bus, Gudan et al.
>
> So, an important accessibility feature that we'd like to include as a
> provision in Section 508 is patented by an IT manufacturer. Is there
> any
> precedent for this?
>
> -Randy
>
> ------------------------------------------------
> Randy Marsden
> President & CEO, Madentec Limited
> ATIA Global Policy Chair
>
> 780-450-8926 ext. 223
> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
>
>
>> From: David Poehlman < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
>> Reply-To: "TEITAC desktop/portable (hardware) subcommittee"
>> < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
>> Date: Fri, 9 Mar 2007 13:41:04 -0500
>> To: "TEITAC desktop/portable (hardware) subcommittee"
>> < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
>> Subject: Re: [teitac-hardware] Accessible utility keys
>>
>> It's a Macaley keyboard and it has a power button built into it.
>>
>> On Mar 9, 2007, at 1:18 PM, Sean Hayes wrote:
>>
>> This device http://www.welovemacs.com/usb-key-bt.html
>> seems to do it, but only on certain makes of Mac.
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = [mailto:teitac-hardware-
>> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of Randy Marsden
>> Sent: 09 March 2007 18:03
>> To: TEITAC desktop/portable (hardware) subcommittee
>> Subject: Re: [teitac-hardware] Accessible utility keys
>>
>> David:
>>
>> Can you confirm for us that you are using your keyboard to turn on
>> your computer from a COLD shutdown (as opposed to a sleep
>> condition)? If so, what key do you use on the keyboard for that, and
>> what computer are you using?
>> ------------------------------------------------
>> Randy Marsden
>> President & CEO, Madentec Limited
>> ATIA Global Policy Chair
>>
>> 780-450-8926 ext. 223
>> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
>>
>>
>>> From: David Poehlman < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
>>> Reply-To: "TEITAC desktop/portable (hardware) subcommittee"
>>> < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
>>> Date: Fri, 2 Mar 2007 05:46:18 -0500
>>> To: "TEITAC desktop/portable (hardware) subcommittee"
>>> < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
>>> Subject: Re: [teitac-hardware] Accessible utility keys
>>>
>>> Yes, It came from Mac Alley. Sorry for the potentially inaccurate
>>> spelling. I can dig it up later.
>>>
>>> On Mar 2, 2007, at 1:12 AM, Gregg Vanderheiden wrote:
>>>
>>> Does it work with the laptop??
>>>
>>> If so - great.
>>>
>>> Need to also address PC's though.
>>>
>>>
>>> Gregg
>>> -- ------------------------------
>>> Gregg C Vanderheiden Ph.D.
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
>>>> [mailto: = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = ] On Behalf Of David
>>>> Poehlman
>>>> Sent: Thursday, March 01, 2007 5:51 PM
>>>> To: TEITAC desktop/portable (hardware) subcommittee
>>>> Subject: Re: [teitac-hardware] Accessible utility keys
>>>>
>>>> Hi RANDY,
>>>>
>>>> I'VE A MAC KEYBOARD THAT HAS A POWER PUSH BUTTON ON IT. IT'S A USB
>>>> KEYBOARD AND IT WORKS. THIS SHOULD BE ADAPTABLE.
>>>>
>>>> On Mar 1, 2007, at 3:32 PM, Randy Marsden (Home) wrote:
>>>>
>>>> Thanks David. I believe what you are saying is true for most things
>>>> - but
>>>> utility keys are different. For example, there is no way I know of
>>>> to do the equivalent of pressing on the power button via an external
>>>> device connected through the USB port while the computer is turned
>>>> off. I know the power button is assigned a key code, so I can use
>>>> assistive technology to turn the computer off, for example (via
>>>> on-screen keyboards, etc).
>>>> But then
>>>> how do I turn it back on?
>>>>
>>>> There is a direct electrical connection internally in the hardware
>>>> that causes the computer to turn on when the power button is
> pressed.
>>>> That electrical connection is not extended to the standard ports,
>>>> such as USB, that I know of.
>>>> Ditto for reset buttons. They are done through hardware interrupts,
>>>> so present a particular challenge.
>>>> ------------------------------------------------
>>>> Randy Marsden
>>>> President & CEO, Madentec Limited
>>>> ATIA Global Policy Chair
>>>>
>>>> 780-450-8926 ext. 223
>>>> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>> From: David Poehlman < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
>>>>> Reply-To: "TEITAC desktop/portable (hardware) subcommittee"
>>>>> < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
>>>>> Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2007 14:57:25 -0500
>>>>> To: "TEITAC desktop/portable (hardware) subcommittee"
>>>>> < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
>>>>> Subject: Re: [teitac-hardware] Accessible utility keys
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi Randy,
>>>>>
>>>>> It flows through that anything doable frrom the keyboard is
>>>> replicable
>>>>> through manyy modalities or am I missing something. I was merely
>>>>> plugging a hole in your example set it seemed. We deffinitely need
>>>>> standards language to address this.
>>>>>
>>>>> On Mar 1, 2007, at 2:43 PM, Randy Marsden (Home) wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> But what if you can't press a key on the keyboard...? That's my
>>>>> point. Sit on your hands and then imagine how you'd do it.
>>>> I don't
>>>>> believe the USB port allows for an external keyboard emulator, for
>>>>> example, to do the same thing as the built-in keyboard.
>>>> The old Apple
>>>>> ADB protocol allowed for power-on from an external device,
>>>> but when it
>>>>> was replaced by USB, that feature went away. Unless I'm missing
>>>>> something...
>>>>> ------------------------------------------------
>>>>> Randy Marsden
>>>>> President & CEO, Madentec Limited
>>>>> ATIA Global Policy Chair
>>>>>
>>>>> 780-450-8926 ext. 223
>>>>> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> From: David Poehlman < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
>>>>>> Reply-To: "TEITAC desktop/portable (hardware) subcommittee"
>>>>>> < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
>>>>>> Date: Thu, 1 Mar 2007 14:32:27 -0500
>>>>>> To: "TEITAC desktop/portable (hardware) subcommittee"
>>>>>> < = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = >
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [teitac-hardware] Accessible utility keys
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Hi randy and all,
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Al of the examples you site can be accomplishable via the keyboard
>>>>>> even if the device is turned off. On and off for
>>>> instancee can be a
>>>>>> key instead of a switch or small button. computers have had warm
>>>>>> reset for quite a while and often, this is all that is
>>>> needed. Some
>>>>>> apple keyboards have a power button which turnss the system on as
>>>>>> well as off. Iin other words,, I agree with thee
>>>> importance of this
>>>>>> though the design is less invasive than it might seem.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On Mar 1, 2007, at 1:36 PM, Randy Marsden (Home) wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I wanted to open a discussion item that we haven't
>>>> addressed yet, but
>>>>>> that is important to people with physical and mobility
>>>> impairments.
>>>>>> It relates to the use of "utility keys" on hardware -
>>>> things like the
>>>>>> on/off button, reset button, volume keys, display brightness keys,
>>>>>> and so on - with a special emphasis on the Reset key and
>>>> ON/Off keys.
>>>>>> These are controls that can't be accessed via software.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On/Off Button: Many people with mobility impairments can't access
>>>>>> these keys, yet they become a critical part of the
>>>> operation of the
>>>>>> device. AT can't really help in the traditional sense,
>>>> because the
>>>>>> device may be hung (requiring reset) or simply turned off. In the
>>>>>> old days, when the On/ Off control was a toggle switch, special AT
>>>>>> devices were developed that turned on and off the AC power to the
>>>>>> computer (like a power bar), thus effectively turning the
>>>> computer on
>>>>>> and off. But now, with laptops and the momentary On/Off
>>>> key, these
>>>>>> solutions are no longer effective. Some AT manufacturers
>>>> have gone
>>>>>> to the extent of kludging solenoid actuators over the On/
>>>> Off key and
>>>>>> provided alternative access to that. But it is far from ideal.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Reset Key: these are becoming more and more prevalent (and
>>>>>> necessary) on
>>>>>> portable devices, such as PDA's and Smartphones. It's a
>>>> reality of
>>>>>> many of these devices that sooner or later it will lock up
>>>> and you'll
>>>>>> need to press the reset button. These are usually recessed and
>>>>>> require actuation by a stylus, paper-clip, or something
>>>> else small.
>>>>>> I believe most manufacturers view this as a necessary evil
>>>> (or they
>>>>>> wouldn't put a user-controlled reset switch there in the first
>>>>>> place). You know, "if all else fails, press the reset button". I
>>>>>> know I have to press the one on my smartphone at least 2
>>>> or 3 times a
>>>>>> week. But how do people with mobility impairments do this?
>>>>>> Many can't.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> These are not simple problems to solve. One suggestion is that if
>>>>>> there is an expansion connector or slot provided on an IT device,
>>>>>> that extra pins be assigned to perform the same function as the
>>>>>> On/Off and Reset buttons. In this way, AT can connect to
>>>> the device
>>>>>> via the expansion connector and provide alternative ways of
>>>>>> "pressing" the keys. Since most ports now are industry standard
>>>>>> (USB, PC Card, etc), we may be talking about making
>>>> recommendations
>>>>>> to those standards groups (outside of the TEITAC's
>>>> mandate, I know,
>>>>>> but could possibly be included as non-normative comments).
>>>>>> In any
>>>>>> case, I think it should be added as a "should" item in
>>>> 508. (I know
>>>>>> it can't be a "shall" item right now, since most existing
>>>> IT products
>>>>>> don't presently have this capability).
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>> -Randy
>>>>>> ------------------------------------------------
>>>>>> Randy Marsden
>>>>>> President & CEO, Madentec Limited
>>>>>> ATIA Global Policy Chair
>>>>>>
>>>>>> 780-450-8926 ext. 223
>>>>>> = EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED =
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>

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