Method and apparatus for power management in an electronic device
First Claim
1. A method of power management in an electronic device having a supervisor circuit foi disabling all or a portion of functions of said device if a first level of power to said device falls below a predefined threshold, said method comprising:
- receiving a request for a function to be performed by said electronic device;
performing a pre-function test;
said pre-function test based on said function and selected to consume fewer power resources than said function and also selected to not to fall below said predefined threshold;
determining a second level of power to said device as a consequence of performing said pre-function test; and
,if said second level of power meets a predefined criteria, preventing said device from performing said function and otherwise permitting said device to perform said function.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic device and method for power management in an electronic device is provided. In an embodiment, the electronic device includes the functionality of a personal digita assistant, wireless email paging and a camera with a flash that is operated via self-contained power supply in the form of a battery. The device also includes a supervisor circuit which causes the device to enter sleep mode, or disables the device, or certain features of the device, if tile battery level falls below a certain threshold. A method in accordance with an embodiment performs, in response to a request to fire the flash, a pre-flash test which is selected so as to not trip the supervisor circuit. The battery level is examined as a consequence of performing the pre-flash test and, if the battery level as so examined meets certain criteria, then the full flash is either permitted to proceed. If the battery level does not meet the criteria, the full flash is not permitted to proceed.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of power management in an electronic device having a supervisor circuit foi disabling all or a portion of functions of said device if a first level of power to said device falls below a predefined threshold, said method comprising:
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receiving a request for a function to be performed by said electronic device; performing a pre-function test;
said pre-function test based on said function and selected to consume fewer power resources than said function and also selected to not to fall below said predefined threshold;determining a second level of power to said device as a consequence of performing said pre-function test; and
,if said second level of power meets a predefined criteria, preventing said device from performing said function and otherwise permitting said device to perform said function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electronic device comprising:
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a power supply; a supervisor circuit connected to said power supply for disabling all or a portion of functions of said electronic device if a first level of power from said power supply falls below a predefined threshold, a processor connected to said power supply and said supervisor circuit;
said processor configured to receive a request via an input device for a function to be performed by said electronic device;an output device connected to said power supply, said processor, and said supervisor circuit, said output device configured to perform a function that draws power from said power supply; said processor configured to perform a pre-function test;
said pre-function test based on said function and selected to consume fewer power resources than said function and also selected to not to fall below said predefined threshold;said processor further configured to determine a second level of power drawn from said power supply as a consequence of performing said pre-function test; and
,said processor further configured to, if said second level of power meets a predefined criteria, prevent said output device from performing said function and otherwise permitting said output device to perform said function. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification