Wireless telephone airplane and alarm clock modes

• US 20030032464A1
• Filed: 10/08/2002
• Published: 02/13/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: James A. Hutchison IV, Stephen A. Sprigg
• Original Assignee: James A. Hutchison IV, Stephen A. Sprigg
• Inventors: Sprigg, Stephen A., Hutchison, James A. IV
• Granted Patent: US 6,725,069 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/574
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0248 dependent on the time of the day, e.g. according to expected transmission activity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0293 having a sub-controller with a low clock frequency switching on and off a main controller with a high clock frequency
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A wireless telephone (200) has a power supply (102), which supplies power to a counter (104), a processor (106), a wireless modem (108), and a transceiver (110). The transceiver (110) communicates with the outside world through an antenna (112). The processor exchanges signals with a clock-calendar (114). When the telephone is in power-conservation mode, the processor opens a switch (216) between the power supply and the transceiver and modem. A second switch (218) is interposed between the power supply (102) and the processor (106), and is under the control of the counter (204). Thus, in power-conservation mode, only the counter draws power. Power-conservation mode (302) may be exited by external command (304), a signal from the clock-calendar (306), or an attempt to place an outgoing call (308).

Claims

1. A wireless communication device (WCD) comprising:

a transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals;

a modem for processing the transmitted and received signals;

a processor for controlling the modem;

a counter connected to the processor for providing a countdown signal;

a power supply for supplying power to the WCD;

a first switch connected to the power supply and selectively supplying power to the modem and the transceiver, the processor controlling the first switch to selectively supply power to the modem and the transceiver; and

a second switch connected to the power supply and selectively supplying power to the processor based on the countdown signal, the counter controlling the second switch to selectively supply power to the processor.

2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor connects the power supply to the modem and the transceiver through the first switch based on an user input.

3. The wireless communication device of claim 2, wherein the processor continuously performs functions when the power supply is disconnected to the modem and the transceiver.

4. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the second switch disconnects the power supply from the processor based on an user input.

5. The wireless communication device of claim 4, wherein the second switch connects the power supply to the processor based on another user input.

6. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor sets the counter to generate the countdown signal based on an user input.

7. The wireless communication device of claim 6, wherein the second switch connects the power supply to the processor based on the countdown signal.

8. The wireless communication device of claim 7, wherein the processor updates a clock-calendar when connected to the power supply.