Method for waking a device in response to a wireless network activity

• US 6,943,667 B1
• Filed: 02/25/2002
• Issued: 09/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/25/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Palm, Inc. (TCL Technology Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Kammer, David, Davis, Mark T.
• Primary Examiner(s): SWARTHOUT, BRENT
• Application Number:
  US10/083,044
• Time in Patent Office: 1,296 Days
• Field of Search: 340/286.01, 709/203, 709/223, 709/218, 709/227, 713/320, 713/323, 713/324, 713/300, 455/54.1, 702/188
• US Class Current: 340/286.01
• 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 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/12 Arrangements for remote connection or disconnection of substations or of equipment thereof

Abstract

A method and a system for data transmission between a first electronic device and a second electronic device, wherein the second electronic device is in a sleep mode. Transmission of data between the first electronic device and the second electronic device occurs while a microprocessor in the second device is in sleep mode and the wireless transceiver is in a wake mode. The first electronic device transmits data signals and the second electronic device detects the transmitted signal. A base band processor in the second electronic device optionally determines if the signal is from a known source. If the first electronic device is a known electronic device, an interrupt signal is generated to wake up the microprocessor in the second electronic device. The wakened microprocessor opens a communication port and disables the wake-up interrupt. In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the data receive line is directly coupled to a line that triggers an interrupt when a signal is detected. The received message is then stored in memory for subsequent use.

Claims

1. A method for receiving information comprising:

a) transmitting a communication signal including a connection request from a first electronic device to a second electronic device using a wireless communication protocol, said second electronic device comprising a processor and a wireless communication device;

b) said wireless device in said second electronic device continuously scanning for wireless traffic while said processor is in a sleep mode;

c) initially receiving said communication signal including said connection request from said first device while a communication port of said second electronic device is closed;

d) in response to said connection request said wireless communication device triggering an interrupt line activating the processor; and

e) said processor opening said communication port and receiving the communication signal;

f) storing said communication signal;

g) upon power-up, notifying a user that a communication has been stored; and

h) providing said user with an accept/reject function with respect to any stored communications.

2. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said second electronic device is a personal digital assistant (PDA).

3. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said second electronic device is a handheld computer.

4. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said wireless communication device substantially complies with the Bluetooth specification.

5. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said wireless communication device is Infrared (IR).

6. A method as described in claim 1 further comprising the steps of determining if said first electronic device belongs to a list of trusted devices before generating said interrupt to wake said processor.

7. A method as described in claim 6 wherein said processor adds an identification of a transmitting device to said list of trusted devices.

8. A method as described in claim 6 wherein a user initially creates said list of trusted devices in said processor.

9. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said communication port is a serial port.

10. A method as described in claim 1 wherein said communication port is a universal serial bus (USB) port.

11. A portable electronic device comprising:

a processor capable of being switched between a sleep mode and an awake mode;

a wireless receiver continuously scanning for wireless message traffic independent of the sleep/wake state of said processor;

a communication port coupled to said wireless receiver and coupled to said processor and for receiving information from said wireless receiver; and

an interrupt mechanism for generating a wake-up interrupt signal for waking said processor in response to any wireless message traffic detected by said wireless receiver,

wherein said processor is for opening said communication port in response to said wake-up interrupt signal and further for causing wireless information to be received and stored,

wherein said processor is also for notifying a user of any saved messages upon said portable electronic device being powered on and providing said user with an accept/reject function regarding said saved messages.

12. A portable electronic device as described in claim 11 wherein said wireless receiver comprises a base band processor for identifying the transmitting device of detected wireless traffic and for comparing said transmitting device against a list of trusted devices.

13. A portable electronic device as described in claim 11 wherein said portable electronic device is a handheld computer.

14. A portable electronic device as described in claim 11 wherein said portable electronic device is a pager.

15. A portable electronic device as described in claim 11 wherein said communication port is a serial port.

16. A portable electronic device as described in claim 11 wherein said wireless receiver is substantially compliant with the Bluetooth communication protocol.

17. A portable electronic device as described in claim 11 wherein said wireless receiver is infrared.