System and method for selectively activating a communication device

• US 20080008313A1
• Filed: 11/24/2004
• Published: 01/10/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Research In Motion Limited (Blackberry Limited)
• Inventors: Fyke, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 7,826,874 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/433.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/027 by controlling a display operation or backlight unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

The invention provides a system and method for detecting activation of a communication device via passive means. For the system and method, the device comprises a casing for housing a display and a keyboard; a microprocessor controlling aspects of the keyboard and display; a passive usage sensor; and a power application operating on the microprocessor. The power application monitors the usage sensor for a signal indicating movement of the device from a resting location when the device is in a low power mode and upon detection of the signal for provides power to at least one additional element in the device.

Claims

1. A handheld communication device, comprising:

a display;

a backlight system for said display;

a keyboard;

a microprocessor controlling aspects of said keyboard and display;

a sensor; and

a power application operating on said microprocessor to place said device in one of a plurality of power consumption modes by

monitoring said sensor for a first signal indicating movement of said device when said device is in both a stationary state and a low power state;

activating said backlight system upon detection of said first signal to place said device in a higher power state; and

returning said device to said low power state from said higher power state and deactivating said backlight upon the earlier instance of passing of said preset amount of time or a receipt of a second signal from one or more of said sensor and said keyboard indicating an intent to return to said low power state.

2. The handheld communication device of claim 1, wherein said sensor is selected from a motion detector, an accelerometer, a switch and a proximity sensor.

4. The handheld communication device of claim 1, wherein said power application activates another element in said device after receiving said first signal.

5. The handheld communication device of claim 4, wherein said backlighting system has a variable intensity set by said power application.

14. The handheld communication device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said low power state is a partially-off state.

15. The handheld communication device as claimed in claim 5, wherein said low power state is a fully-off state.

22. The handheld communication device as claimed in claim 2, wherein tracking of time relating to said preset amount of time is reset upon detection of a third signal from said sensor.

3. (canceled)

6. (canceled)

7. (canceled)

8. A method for selectively activating a backlight system for a display of a handheld communication device, comprising:

monitoring a sensor in said device for a first signal indicating movement of said device when said device is operating in both a low power state, and a stationary state;

activating said backlight system upon detection of said first signal and placing said device in a higher power state; and

when in said higher power state returning said device to said low power state and deactivating said backlight upon the earlier instance of passing of a preset amount of time and receipt of a second signal from one or more of said sensor or a keyboard in said device, said second signal indicating an intent to return said device to said low power state.

9. The method for selectively activating a backlight system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said sensor is selected from a motion detector, an accelerometer, a switch and a proximity sensor.

11. The method for selectively activating a backlight system as claimed in claim 9, wherein upon activating said backlight system upon detection of said first signal, activating another element in said device.

18. The method for selectively activating a backlight system as claimed in claim 11, wherein said low power state is a partially off state.

19. The method for selectively activating a backlight system as claimed in claim 11, wherein, said low power state is a fully off state.

21. The method for selectively activating a backlight system as claimed in claim 11, wherein tracking of time relating to said preset amount of time is reset upon detection of a third signal from said sensor.

10. (canceled)

12. (canceled)

13. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

20. (canceled)

23. A power application module for execution on a microprocessor to control a power consumption mode of a communication device, said power application module comprising:

a first set of instructions operating on said microprocessor to monitor a sensor in said communication device for a first signal from a sensor indicating movement of said device when said device is in both a stationary state and a low power state;

a second set of instructions operating on said microprocessor to activate a backlight system upon detection of said first signal to place said device in a higher power state; and

a third set of instructions operating on said microprocessor to returning said device to said low power state from said higher power state and deactivating said backlight upon the earlier instance of passing of said preset amount of time or a receipt of a second signal from one or more of said sensor and said keyboard indicating an intent to return to said low power state.

24. The power application module as claimed in claim 23, further comprising:

a fourth set of instructions to track of time relating to said preset amount of time and to reset said time upon detection of a third signal from said sensor.