Power on/off in combined PDA/telephone

• US 6,233,464 B1
• Filed: 05/14/1999
• Issued: 05/15/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 05/14/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Chmaytelli, Mazen
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jackson, Blane J.
• Application Number:
  US09/312,237
• Time in Patent Office: 732 Days
• Field of Search: 345/179, 455/550, 455/556, 455/572, 455/574, 455/90, 708/107, 708/109, 708/140, 708/141, 713/310, 713/321
• US Class Current: 455/556.2
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/26 Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof for memories G11C
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/1632 Pen holder integrated in the computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A combined Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) (208) and wireless telephone (206) has a switch (204) which, if selected by the user through a user interface (104), will power-on the PDA in response to the stylus being removed from the PDA'"'"'s stylus holder (106). The switch, also selectably, will power-off the PDA in response to the stylus being replaced into the PDA. The switch further allows selection as to whether either or both of these actions will also turn the telephone on or off. The switch further allows selection as to whether either or both of these actions will also open or close the keypad (108).

Claims

1. A method for operating a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), wherein:

(a) the method includes the action of removing a stylus from the PDA or replacing the stylus into the PDA; and

b) the method is characterized in that if further includes the activities of;

(1) in response to a stylus removing or replacing action, checking at least one user interface stylus action setting;

(2) if the setting indicates that a PDA power on is required, then determining if the PDA is already on;

(3) if the setting indicates that a PDA power on is not required, then returning to the stylus action activity (a);

(4) if the PDA already on activity (2) indicates that the PDA is not already on, then powering on the PDA, and returning to the stylus action activity;

(5) if the PDA already on activity (2) indicates that the PDA is already on, then determining if a PDA power off is required;

(6) if a PDA power off (5) is required, then powering off the PDA and returning to the stylus action activity (a); and

(7) if a PDA power off (5) is not required, then returning to the stylus action activity (a).

2. The method of claim 1, further characterized in that the checking activity includes checking less than every possible user interface stylus action setting.

3. The method of claim 2, further characterized in that the checking activity includes checking only the following user interface stylus action settings:

(a) turn PDA ON when stylus is removed;

turn PDA OFF when stylus is replaced;

(b) turn PDA ON when stylus is removed;

leave PDA ON when stylus is replaced; and

(c) no action is implemented when removing or replacing the stylus.

4. A method for operating a combined Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and wireless telephone, wherein:

(a) the method includes the action of removing a stylus from the PDA or replacing the stylus into the PDA; and

(b) the method is characterized in that if further includes the activities of;

(1) in response to a stylus removing or replacing action, checking at least one user interface stylus action setting;

(2) if the setting indicates that a telephone power on is required (1), then determining if the telephone is already on;

(3) if the setting indicates that a telephone power on is not required (1), then determining if a PDA power on is required;

(4) if a PDA power on is not required (3), then returning to the stylus action activity (a);

(5) if the setting indicates that a PDA power on is required (3), then determining if the PDA is already on;

(6) if the telephone is already on (2), then determining if the PDA is already on;

(7) if the telephone is not already on (2), then powering on the telephone and determining if the PDA is already on;

(8) if the PDA is not already on (5, 6,

     7), then powering on the PDA and returning to the stylus action activity (a).

(9) if the PDA is already on (5, 6,

     7), then determining if a PDA power off is required;

(10) if a PDA power of is not required (9), then returning to the stylus action activity (a);

(11) if a PDA power off is required (9), then powering off the PDA and returning to the stylus action activity (a).

5. The method of claim 4, further characterized in that the checking activity includes checking less than every possible user interface stylus action setting.

6. The method of claim 5, further characterized in that the checking activity includes checking only the following user interface stylus action settings:

(a) turn PDA and telephone ON when stylus is removed;

leave telephone ON and turn PDA OFF when stylus is replaced;

(b) turn PDA and telephone ON when stylus is removed;

leave PDA and telephone ON when stylus is replaced;

(c) turn PDA ON when stylus is removed;

turn PDA OFF when stylus is replaced;

(d) turn PDA ON when stylus is removed;

leave PDA ON when stylus is replaced; and

no action is implemented when removing or replacing the stylus.

7. A combination of a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and a wireless telephone comprising a stylus, a stylus holder having an action trigger, and a switch, the action trigger and switch being communicably adapted to power on/off at least the wireless telephone in response to the stylus being placed in and out of the stylus holder,

the action trigger and switch further being communicably adapted to identify a telephone call in progress, and in response thereto, not power off the wireless phone.

8. The combination of claim 7, wherein the combination further comprises a keypad, the action trigger and switch being communicably adapted to open or close the keypad.