Method and system for changing the power state of a portable electronic device

1. A portable electronic device comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled with said processor;

a display coupled with said processor;

a housing for enclosing said processor, said memory, and said display, wherein said housing comprises a portion for receiving an object;

a first detector disposed within said housing;

a second detector coupled with said first detector, said first detector and said second detector to detect said object in said portion when an electrical connection is made between said first detector and said second detector through a conductive portion of said object; and

a switch, coupled with said first and said second detector, to change a power state of said processor responsive to a detection of said object in said portion.

2. The portable electronic device of claim 1 , said switch to generate a signal to power up said processor responsive to removal of said object from said portion, and said switch to generate a signal to place said processor in a power conservation mode responsive to insertion of said object in said portion.

3. The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein said portion comprises a slot, and wherein said object comprises a stylus.

4. The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein said first and said second detectors are each disposed within said portion.

5. The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein said first and second detectors are each an electrical detector.

6. The portable electronic device of claim 1 , wherein said first detector and said second detector to determine movement of said object with respect to said portion.

7. The portable electronic device of claim 1 further comprising:

a battery; and

said switch to selectively supply power from said battery to said processor and said display.

8. The portable electronic device of claim 1 further comprising:

a button to change said power state of said processor responsive to a user interaction therewith.

9. The portable electronic device of claim 1 further comprising:

a digitizer coupled with said processor to detect a user interaction with said display.

10. A portable electronic device comprising:

a processor;

a memory coupled with said processor;

a housing to enclose said processor and said memory;

a cover movably coupled with said housing;

a hinge to rotatably couple said cover with said housing, wherein said hinge comprises a conductive tracing;

a detector, coupled with said hinge, to detect rotational movement of said cover with respect to said housing, wherein said detection is based upon a contact with said conductive tracing; and

a switch, coupled with said detector, to change a power state of said processor responsive to said movement of said cover with respect to said housing.

11. The portable electronic device of claim 10 , said switch to generate a signal to power up said processor responsive to said movement of said cover with respect to said housing, and to generate a signal to place said processor in a power conservation mode responsive to said movement of said cover with respect to said housing.

12. The portable electronic device of claim 10 , wherein said detector comprises an electrical detector.

13. The portable electronic device of claim 10 further comprising:

a battery; and

said switch to selectively supply power from said battery to said processor and said display.

14. The portable electronic device of claim 10 further comprising:

a button to change said power state of said processor responsive to a user interaction therewith.

15. The portable electronic device of claim 10 further comprising:

a digitizer coupled with said processor and to detect a user interaction with said display.