Method of controlling power output by a primary power source so as to conserve power in an electronic communication device

• US 5,806,006 A
• Filed: 12/02/1994
• Issued: 09/08/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/02/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: EON Corporation
• Original Assignee: EON Corporation
• Inventors: Dinkins, Gilbert M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): TO, DORIS HA
• Application Number:
  US08/349,488
• Time in Patent Office: 1,376 Days
• Field of Search: 455/38.3, 455/343, 455/127, 455/54.1, 455/34.1, 455/54.2, 455/517, 455/522, 455/114, 455/550, 455/572, 455/574, 455/575, 379/57, 370/311, 375/222
• US Class Current: 455/574
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/029 reducing the clock frequency of the controller
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A system for reducing power consumption by a portable electronic communication device. Modem circuit for receiving messages and for transmitting messages from a portable electronic communication device are powered via power source control/switch coupled thereto. A logic circuit is coupled to the power source control/switch for control the power source control/switch to selectively deliver power to the modem circuit of the portable electronic communication device during a first time interval and to withhold power from the modem circuit of the portable electronic communication device during a second time interval. A low power control clock/counter is coupled to the logic circuit means for measuring the duration of the first and second time intervals. In one embodiment, the first time interval occurs while the modem circuit of the portable electronic communication device is transmitting or receiving messages. Thus, the modem circuit uses power only when transmitting and receiving, but does not consume substantial power during standby periods.

Claims

1. A system for reducing electrical power consumption by a portable electronic communication device comprising:

modem circuit means for receiving messages and for transmitting messages from a portable electronic communication device,

a base station communicatively coupled to said modem circuit means,

power source control/switch means coupled to said modem circuit means for delivering power to said modem circuit means of said portable electronic communication device,

logic circuit means coupled to said power source control/switch means for controlling said power source control/switch means to selectively deliver power to said modem circuit means of said portable electronic communication device during a first time interval and to withhold power from said modem circuit means of said portable electronic communication device during a second time interval, wherein a duration of said first and second time intervals is determined by said base station, and

wherein said duration of said first and second time intervals determined by said base station takes precedence over a duration of said first and second time intervals determined by a user of said portable electronic communication device, and

low power control clock/counter means coupled to said logic circuit means for measuring said first and second time intervals.

2. A method for reducing the electrical consumption of an electronic communication device communicating with a base station comprising the steps of:

(a) providing an electronic communication device having a modem circuit adapted to transmit and receive messages, a primary power source, a primary power source control circuit for selectively providing power from said primary power source to said modem circuit, a low power control clock counter for setting a first time interval during which said primary power source control circuit provides power to said modem circuit and a second time interval during which said primary power source control circuit prevents Dower from being provided from said primary power source to said modem circuit, a secondary power source Providing uninterrupted power to said low power control clock counter at least while said electronic communication device is actuated, and a logic circuit operatively coupled so as to control said modem circuit, said primary power source control circuit and said low power control clock counter;

(b) causing said primary power source control circuit to provide power to said modem circuit so that said modem circuit transmits a wake-up protocol and initialization message from said electronic communication device to a base station upon actuation of said electronic communication device;

(c) transmitting an acknowledgment message from said base station to said electronic communication device responsive to receipt of said wake-up protocol and initialization message by said base station;

(d) setting said first time interval and said second time interval in said low power control clock counter via said logic circuit based on time data provided in at least one of said wake-up protocol and initialization message and said acknowledgment message;

(e) controlling said primary power source control circuit, via said logic circuit and said low power control clock counter, such that said primary power source control circuit provides power from said primary power source to said modem circuit during said first time interval;

(f) controlling said primary power source control circuit, via said logic circuit and said low power control clock counter, such that said primary power source control circuit prevents power from being provided from said primary power source to said modem circuit during said second time interval;

(g) repeating steps (e) and (f) while said electronic communication device remains actuated.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 further including the step of:

altering said wake up protocol of said electronic communication device to comply with instructions contained within said acknowledgment message transmitted from said base station.

4. The method as recited in claim 2 further including the step of:

transmitting data from said electronic communication device to said base station during said first time interval.

5. The method as recited in claim 2 further including the step of:

transmitting data from said base station to said electronic communication device during said first time interval.