ENTERING A BATTERY POWER DOWN MODE USING OVER-THE-AIR COMMAND FOR WIRELESS DEVICES

• US 20100109931A1
• Filed: 11/03/2009
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Wyper, George Andrew, Esnard, Domitille
• Granted Patent: US 8,571,608 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 341/176
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0031 using battery or load disconnect circuits H02J9/002 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 9/005 using a power saving mode for copiers G03G15/5004
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0235 where the received signal is a power saving command
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 80/10 Efficient use of energy, e.g. using compressed air or pressurized fluid as energy carrier

Abstract

A wireless electronic device includes a rechargeable battery, a receiver, and a shut down module. The rechargeable battery is at least partially charged. The receiver is configured to enable wireless communications for the wireless device. The receiver is capable of receiving wireless commands configured to cause corresponding functions to be performed in the wireless electronic device, which may include test functions, calibration functions, and shut down functions. The shut down module is configured to cause the wireless electronic device to initiate a shut down protocol according to a shut down command received by the receiver.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

at least partially charging a rechargeable battery of a manufactured wireless electronic device, wherein the wireless electronic device does not include a wired communication interface;

transmitting a wireless command to the wireless electronic device that is configured to cause a function to be performed in the wireless electronic device; and

enabling the wireless electronic device to leave a manufacturing facility in which the wireless electronic device was manufactured.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting comprises:

transmitting a calibration command to the wireless electronic device to perform a calibration function in the wireless electronic device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting comprises:

transmitting a test command to the wireless electronic device to perform a test function in the wireless electronic device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting comprises:

transmitting a shut down command to the wireless electronic device that is configured to cause the wireless electronic device to initiate a shut down protocol.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the shut down protocol causes the wireless electronic device to enter a low power mode.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a wireless response to the transmitted wireless command from the wireless electronic device prior to said enabling.

7. A method in a wireless electronic device, comprising:

receiving a current that at least partially charges a rechargeable battery of the wireless electronic device;

receiving a wireless command at the wireless electronic device configured to cause a function to be performed in the wireless electronic device, wherein the wireless electronic device does not include a wired communication interface; and

performing the function prior to the wireless electronic device being enabled to leave a manufacturing facility in which the wireless electronic device was manufactured.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said receiving comprises:

receiving a calibration command to the wireless electronic device to perform a calibration function in the wireless electronic device.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein said receiving comprises:

receiving a test command to the wireless electronic device to perform a test function in the wireless electronic device.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein said receiving comprises:

receiving a shut down command that is configured to cause the wireless electronic device to initiate a shut down protocol.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said performing comprises:

performing the shut down protocol to cause the wireless electronic device to enter a low power mode.

12. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

receiving a wireless response to the transmitted wireless command from the wireless electronic device prior to said enabling.

13. A wireless electronic device, comprising:

a rechargeable battery that is at least partially charged;

a receiver configured to enable wireless communications for the wireless device, the receiver being capable of receiving wireless commands configured to cause corresponding functions to be performed in the wireless electronic device, the wireless electronic device not including a wired communication interface; and

a shut down module configured to cause the wireless electronic device to initiate a shut down protocol according to a shut down command received by the receiver.

14. The wireless electronic device of claim 13, further comprising:

a calibration module configured to perform a calibration function in the wireless electronic device according to a calibration command received by the receiver.

15. The wireless electronic device of claim 13, further comprising:

a test module configured to perform a test function in the wireless electronic device according to a test command received by the receiver.

16. The wireless electronic device of claim 13, wherein the shut down module is configured to cause the wireless electronic device to enter a low power mode.

17. The wireless electronic device of claim 13, further comprising:

a transmitter capable of transmitting a wireless response to a received wireless command.