Wireless Communication Device and Remote User Interface Device with Automatic Disconnect Apparatus and Method

• US 20120309388A1
• Filed: 05/31/2011
• Published: 12/06/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Moosavi, Vahid, Wilson, Sean Elliott, Orr, Kevin Howard
• Granted Patent: US 8,565,736 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/426.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/026 using orientation information, e.g. compass
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/38 triggered by timers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A portable communication device, such as a cellular telephone, communicates via a wireless communication link with a remote user interface device, such as a hands-free interface. The portable communication device and the remote user interface device each comprises a motion sensor, by which each device can determine motion of the device with respect to the earth. The devices may share, via the wireless communication link, motion messages. The wireless communication link may be terminated as a function of the motion of the devices. After the wireless communication link is terminated, the remote user interface device may automatically enter a low-power mode.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a portable communication device comprising;

a first transceiver operable to exchange wireless signals with a cellular network,

a second transceiver operable to wirelessly communicate with a remote user interface device via a wireless communication link, and

a first motion sensor that generates a first motion signal as a function of motion of the portable communication device with respect to the earth; and

the remote user interface device, comprising;

a third transceiver for communicating via the wireless communication link with the second transceiver, and

a second motion sensor that generates a second motion signal as a function of motion of the remote user interface device with respect to the earth;

wherein one of the portable communication device and the remote user interface device terminates the wireless communication link as a function of the first and second motion signals.

2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote user interface device is further operable automatically to enter a low-power mode after the wireless communication link is terminated.

3. The system as recited in claim 2, wherein to enter a low-power mode comprises to turn off the remote user interface device.

4. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the first motion sensor is an accelerometer.

5. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the second motion sensor is an accelerometer.

6. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein the remote user interface device further comprises a microphone and a speaker.

7. The system as recited in claim 1 wherein the portable communication device is operable to generate a motion message as a function of the first motion signal, wherein the remote user interface device terminates the wireless communication link, and wherein terminating the communication link as a function of the first second motion signal comprises terminating the communication link as a function of the motion message.

8. A method executed by a processor in a remote user interface device, the remote user interface device comprising a motion sensor operably connected to the processor, the remote user interface device further having a wireless communication link with a portable communication device, the method comprising:

receiving a motion message from the portable communication device, the motion message indicating whether the portable communication device is in motion with respect to the earth;

receiving from the motion sensor a motion signal, the motion signal being a function of motion of the remote user interface device with respect to the earth; and

terminating the communication link as a function of the motion message and the motion signal.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein terminating the communication link as a function of the motion message and the motion signal comprises:

determining that the remote user interface device is substantially stationary with respect to the earth as a function of the motion signal;

determining that the portable communication device is in motion with respect to the earth as a function of the motion message, and

thereafter terminating the communication link.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the motion message is a first motion message, the motion signal is a first motion signal, the method further comprising, after determining that the portable communication device is in motion with respect to the earth as a function of the first motion message:

after a delay period, receiving a second motion message from the portable communication device, the second motion message indicating whether the portable communication device is in motion with respect to the earth;

after the delay period, receiving from the motion sensor a second motion signal, the second motion signal being a function of motion of the remote user interface device with respect to the earth;

determining that the remote user interface device is substantially stationary with respect to the earth as a function of the second motion signal; and

determining that the portable communication device is in motion with respect to the earth as a function of the second motion message.

11. The method of claim 8, wherein the motion message is a first motion message, the motion signal is a first motion signal, the method further comprising,

after an extended period of time of at least ten minutes, receiving a second motion message from the portable communication device, the second motion message indicating whether the portable communication device is in motion with respect to the earth;

after the extended period of time, receiving from the motion sensor a second motion signal, the second motion signal being a function of motion of the remote user interface device with respect to the earth;

determining that the portable communication device is substantially stationary with respect to the earth as a function of the first and second motion messages;

determining that the remote user interface device is substantially stationary with respect to the earth as a function of the first and second motion signals; and

thereafter terminating the communication link.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising, after terminating the communication link, entering a low-power mode.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein terminating the communication link comprises sending a request to the portable communication device to terminate the communication link.

14. A method executed by a processor in a portable communication device, the portable communication device comprising a motion sensor operably connected to the processor, the portable communication further having a wireless communication link with a remote user interface device, the method comprising:

receiving a motion message from the remote user interface device, the motion message indicating whether the remote user interface device is in motion with respect to the earth;

receiving from the motion sensor a motion signal, the motion signal being a function of motion of the portable communication device with respect to the earth; and

terminating the communication link as a function of the motion message and the motion signal.

15. An electronic device comprising:

a processor;

a motion sensor;

a transceiver operable to communicate wirelessly over a short-range communication link with a second electronic device;

wherein the processor is operable to;

receive via the transceiver a motion message from the second electronic device;

receive from the motion sensor a motion signal, the motion signal being a function of motion of the electronic device with respect to the earth; and

terminate the communication link as a function of the motion message and the motion signal.

16. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the electronic device is a portable communication device.

17. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the electronic device is a remote user interface device.

18. The electronic device of claim 15, wherein the processor is further operable to:

determine that the second electronic device is substantially stationary with respect to the earth as a function of the motion signal;

determining that the electronic device is in motion with respect to the earth as a function of the motion message, and thereafter terminating the communication link.

19. The electronic device of claim 15, further comprising a speaker and a microphone operably connected to the processor.

20. The electronic device of claim 15, further comprising a second transceiver operable to communicate wirelessly with a cellular telephone network over a range longer than the short-range communication link.