Accelerometer-Controlled Master Power Switch for Electronic Devices

• US 20130278081A1
• Filed: 04/24/2012
• Published: 10/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Analog Devices, Inc.
• Inventors: Chien, Yu-Tsun
• Granted Patent: US 9,507,399 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 307/121
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3206 Monitoring of events, devices or parameters that trigger a change in power modality

Abstract

An accelerometer or other motion sensor is used to provide power to an entire processor system such that the processor does not need to be powered to process the motion signals for initial power-on control. After the processor system is powered on, the processor system may receive and process motion signals as normal, including, for example, performing various power-control functions such as power-down of certain components or the entire system upon detection of a lack of motion for a predetermined amount of time.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising:

a power source;

an inertial sensor coupled to the power source via a non-switched connection; and

a master power switch coupled to the power source and to the inertial sensor, wherein the master power switch is actuated by a predetermined signal from the inertial sensor to turn on the device.

2. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the inertial sensor comprises a MEMS accelerometer.

3. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined signal indicates a predetermined motion of the device.

4. An electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the predetermined motion includes at least one of movement in a specific direction, movement in a specific pattern, movement with a specific intensity, or movement of a specific duration.

5. An electronic device according to claim 1, further comprising a processor system coupled to the master power switch and to the inertial sensor, wherein the processor system is configured to process signals from the inertial sensor after the device is turned on.

6. An electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the processor system is configured to control power to at least one component of the device based on the signals from the inertial sensor.

7. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the inertial sensor includes a circuit to cycle the inertial sensor on and off to provide additional power savings.

8. An electronic device according to claim 1, wherein the master power switch is actuated by a second predetermined signal from the inertial sensor to turn off the device.

9. An electronic device according to claim 8, wherein the second predetermined signal indicates a predetermined motion of the device.

10. An electronic device according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined motion includes at least one of movement in a specific direction, movement in a specific pattern, movement with a specific intensity, or movement of a specific duration.

11. A master power switch system for an electronic device, the master power switch system comprising:

an inertial sensor couplable to a power source via a non-switched connection; and

a master power switch couplable to the power source and coupled to the inertial sensor, wherein the master power switch is actuated by a predetermined signal from the inertial sensor to turn on the device.

12. A system according to claim 11, wherein the inertial sensor comprises a MEMS accelerometer.

13. A system according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined signal indicates a predetermined motion of the device.

14. A system according to claim 13, wherein the predetermined motion includes at least one of movement in a specific direction, movement in a specific pattern, movement with a specific intensity, or movement of a specific duration.

15. A system according to claim 11, wherein the inertial sensor includes a circuit to cycle the inertial sensor on and off to provide additional power savings.

16. A system according to claim 11, wherein the master power switch is actuated by a second predetermined signal from the inertial sensor to turn off the device.

17. A system according to claim 16, wherein the second predetermined signal indicates a predetermined motion of the device.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein the predetermined motion includes at least one of movement in a specific direction, movement in a specific pattern, movement with a specific intensity, or movement of a specific duration.