Method and apparatus for user selectable display mode for intelligently enhancing battery life

• US 6,603,469 B1
• Filed: 08/28/2000
• Issued: 08/05/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kim, Anthony, Gettemy, Shawn
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, CHANH DUY
• Application Number:
  US09/649,999
• Time in Patent Office: 1,072 Days
• Field of Search: 345/102, 345/211, 345/212, 345/87, 345/213, 348/730, 349/61, 349/64, 349/113, 349/114
• US Class Current: 345/211
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3265 Power saving in display device
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/021 Power management, e.g. power saving
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

A method and system for enhancing the life of a battery within a portable or otherwise battery operated electronic device. The method and system provide user selectable display modes, e.g., from color to monochrome, that can be changed in order to enhance the life of the device'"'"'s battery. The monochrome display mode can be selected by the user when the battery level is detected below a predefined threshold. In one embodiment, the electronic device is a hand held computer system with a display device. When the battery level is detected as below a preselected level, a message is generated on the computer display screen. The message informs the user that the display mode of the screen can be changed to enhance the battery life. If selected, the display mode can change from color to monochrome thereby saving power because the monochrome display does not utilize a back-lighting element. In one embodiment, color sequential techniques are used to provide a flat panel color display. Within the display, a transreflective layer provides reflective light for monochrome applications. When the battery energy returns to normal levels, the color display mode can be re-entered automatically. It is appreciated that the display mode changes can also be performed automatically if the battery level falls below certain critical levels.

Claims

1. In a portable electronic device, a method of enhancing battery life comprising the steps of:

a) detecting a battery energy level of said portable electronic device below a first predetermined level, wherein said portable electronic device has a multi-mode display device;

b) in response to step a), placing said multi-mode display device into a monochrome display mode to enhance remaining battery life of said portable electronic device;

b1) displaying a message on said multi-mode display device indicating a low battery state and also indicating a user selection between color and monochrome display modes;

b2) in response to a user selection of said monochrome display mode, placing said multi-mode display device into said monochrome display mode;

c) detecting said battery energy level of said portable electronic device above a second predetermined level; and

d) in response to step c), placing said multi-mode display device into a color display mode.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said portable electronic device is a palm sized computer system.

3. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said portable electronic device is a wireless telephone.

4. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said first and second predetermined levels are the same level.

5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said multi-mode display device comprises:

a) selectively energized multi-color lighting elements;

b) a color flat panel display layer utilizing color sequential scanning processes; and

c) a transreflective layer positioned between said multi-color lighting elements and said color flat panel display layer.

6. A method as described in claim 5 wherein said multi-color lighting elements are disabled during said monochrome display mode.

7. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said step b) further comprises the step of b3) automatically placing said multi-mode display device into said monochrome display mode, regardless of said user selection, provided said battery level is below a predetermined critical low level.

8. In a battery powered palm sized computer system, a method of enhancing battery life comprising the steps of:

a) detecting a battery energy level of said computer system below a first predetermined level, wherein said computer system has a flat panel multi-mode display device;

b) in response to step a), placing said flat panel multi-mode display device into a monochrome display mode to enhance remaining battery life of said computer system;

b1) displaying a message on said flat panel multi-mode display device indicating a low battery state and also indicating a user selection between color and monochrome display modes;

b2) in response to a user selection of said monochrome display mode, placing said flat panel multi-mode display device into said monochrome display mode;

c) detecting said battery energy level of said computer system above a second predetermined level; and

d) in response to step c), placing said flat panel multi-mode display device into a color display mode.

9. A method as described in claim 8 wherein said first and second predetermined levels are the same level.

10. A method as described in claim 8 wherein said flat panel multi-mode display device comprises:

a) selectively energized multi-color lighting elements;

b) a color flat panel display layer utilizing color sequential scanning processes; and

c) a transreflective layer positioned between said multi-color lighting elements and said color flat panel display layer.

11. A method as described in claim 10 wherein said multi-color lighting elements are disabled during said monochrome display mode.

12. A method as described in claim 8 wherein said step b) further comprises the step of b3) automatically placing said flat panel multi-mode display device into said monochrome display mode, regardless of said user selection, provided said battery level falls below a predetermined critical low level.

13. A portable electronic device as described in claim 12 wherein said step b) further comprises the step of b3) automatically placing said multi-mode display device into said monochrome display mode, regardless of said user selection, provided said battery level is below a predetermined critical low level.

14. A portable electronic device comprising:

a battery;

a processor coupled to bus;

an input device coupled to said bus;

a multi-mode display device coupled to said bus;

a memory unit coupled to said bus wherein said memory unit contains processor instructions that when executed implement a method of enhancing battery life comprising the steps of;

a) detecting a battery energy level of said portable electronic device below a first predetermined level, wherein said portable electronic device has a multi-mode display device;

b) in response to step a), placing said multi-mode display device into a monochrome display mode to enhance remaining battery life of said portable electronic device;

b1) displaying a message on said multi-mode display device indicating a low battery state and also indicating a user selection between color and monochrome display modes;

b2) in response to a user selection of said monochrome display mode, placing said multi-mode display device into said monochrome display mode;

c) detecting said battery energy level of said portable electronic device above a second predetermined level; and

d) in response to step c), placing said multi-mode display device into a color display mode.

15. A portable electronic device as described in claim 14 wherein said first and second predetermined levels are the same level.

16. A portable electronic device as described in claim 14 wherein said multi-mode display device comprises:

a) selectively energized multi-color lighting elements;

b) a color flat panel display layer utilizing color sequential scanning processes; and

c) a transreflective layer positioned between said multi-color lighting elements and said color flat panel display layer.

17. A portable electronic device as described in claim 16 wherein said multi-color lighting elements are disabled during said monochrome display mode.