Portable radio communication apparatus with improved power-saving function

• US 6,731,958 B1
• Filed: 02/01/2000
• Issued: 05/04/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Ltd Hong Kong (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Shirai, Koji
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): SHARMA, SUJATHA R
• Application Number:
  US09/495,450
• Time in Patent Office: 1,554 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550, 455/566, 455/574, 455/343, 455/127, 345/211, 345/212, 345/214, 379/433.06, 379/433.07, 379/368
• US Class Current: 455/574
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/027 by controlling a display operation or backlight unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A portable radio communication apparatus which allows reduction in power consumption is disclosed. An input device has a special key and a plurality of general keys. A microprocessor changes an operation mode from a power-saving mode to a normal operation mode when receiving an interrupt signal. A controller connected to the special key outputs the interrupt signal to the microprocessor when one of the general keys is operated. When the special key is operated, the controller controls a backlit LCD without outputting the interrupt signal such that the LCD is backlighted and predetermined information is displayed on the LCD.

Claims

1. A portable radio communication apparatus operable in one of a normal operation mode and a power-saving mode, comprising:

an input device having a plurality of keys consisting of a predetermined key and a plurality of general keys;

a first controller for changing an operation mode of the portable radio communication apparatus from the power-saving mode to the normal operation mode when receiving an interrupt signal; and

a second controller for outputting the interrupt signal to the first controller when one of the general keys is operated and starting a predetermined operation that includes lighting a display without outputting the interrupt signal when the predetermined key is operated.

2. A portable radio communication apparatus operable in one of a normal operation mode and a power-saving mode, comprising:

a display;

a light for backlighting at least the display;

an input device having a plurality of keys consisting of a predetermined key and a plurality of general keys;

a first controller for changing an operation mode of the portable radio communication apparatus from the power-saving mode to the normal operation mode when receiving an interrupt signal; and

a second controller for outputting the interrupt signal to the first controller when one of the general keys is operated and, when the predetermined key is operated, controlling the display and the light without outputting the interrupt signal such that the light backlights the display and predetermined information is displayed on the display.

3. The portable radio communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined information is at least one of the time of day, an electric field strength of a radio receiving signal, and an animated comic character.

4. The portable radio communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second controller controls the light such that the light backlights the display during an interval that the predetermined key is operated.

5. The portable radio communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the second controller controls the light such that the light backlights the display until after a lapse of a predetermined time period from a time when the predetermined key is operated.

6. The portable radio communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the light backlights the display and each of the predetermined key and the keys.

7. The portable radio communication apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising a memory storing a plurality of items of information each corresponding to a different predetermined operation,

wherein the predetermined information is a selected one of the items of information.

8. The portable radio communication apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the predetermined information is a selected one of the time of day, an electric field strength of a radio receiving signal, and an animated comic character.

9. The portable radio communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the predetermined key is separated from a key matrix mounted with the general keys such that the predetermined key is provided near the display.

10. The portable radio communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of keys are integrated on a single key matrix.

11. The portable radio communication apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of keys includes a function key which is used to switch the second controller between active and inactive.

12. A portable radio communication apparatus operable in one of a normal operation mode and a power-saving mode, comprising:

a display;

a light for backlighting at least the display;

a controller for changing an operation mode of the portable radio communication apparatus from the power-saving mode to the normal operation mode when receiving an interrupt signal; and

a key input controller having a plurality of keys consisting of a predetermined key and a plurality of general keys, for outputting the interrupt signal to the first controller when one of the general keys is operated and, when the predetermined key is operated, controlling the display and the light without outputting the interrupt signal such that the light backlights the display and predetermined information is displayed on the display.

13. A power-saving method in a portable radio communication apparatus operable in one of a normal operation mode and a power-saving mode, the portable radio communication apparatus comprising a microprocessor and an input device having a plurality of keys consisting of a predetermined key and a plurality of general keys, comprising:

outputting an interrupt signal to the microprocessor when one of the general keys is operated; and

starting a predetermined operation that includes lighting a display without outputting the interrupt signal when the predetermined key is operated,

wherein the microprocessor changes an operation mode of the portable radio communication apparatus from the power-saving mode to the normal operation mode when receiving the interrupt signal.

14. A power-saving method in a portable radio communication apparatus operable in one of a normal operation mode and a power-saving mode, the portable radio communication apparatus comprising:

a microprocessor;

a display;

a light for backlighting at least the display; and

an input device having a plurality of keys consisting of a predetermined key and a plurality of general keys, comprising;

outputting an interrupt signal to the microprocessor when one of the general keys is operated; and

backlighting the display and displaying predetermined information on the display without outputting the interrupt signal when the predetermined key is operated,

wherein the microprocessor changes an operation mode of the portable radio communication apparatus from the power-saving mode to the normal operation mode when receiving the interrupt signal.