Method for informing user of available battery time based on operating mode of hybrid terminal

• US 6,943,693 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2003
• Issued: 09/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Dae-Hwan
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Walk, Samuel J.
• Application Number:
  US10/459,971
• Publication Number:
  US 20040070511A1
• Time in Patent Office: 824 Days
• Field of Search: 340/636.1, 340/636.13, 340/636.19, 324/425, 324/433, 324/435, 324/427, 320/132
• US Class Current: 340/636.1
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3646 for indicating electrical conditions or variables, e.g. visual or audible indicators
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/382 Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0261 managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for informing a user of an available battery time of a battery in a hybrid terminal based on the operating mode of the hybrid terminal. The hybrid terminal has a plurality of modes and performs a function corresponding to a selection of the user. A battery current amount is subdivided into a plurality of current amount levels for each operating mode of the hybrid terminal, and an available battery time in each operating mode is calculated for each current amount level, so as to generate an available battery time table. The generated available battery time table is stored in a memory of the hybrid terminal. The operating mode of the hybrid terminal, and the amount of current supplied to the hybrid terminal are detected. An available battery time corresponding to the detected current amount is obtained from the available battery time table. A text or a sound message indicating the obtained available battery time is displayed.

Claims

1. A method for informing a user of an available battery time of a battery in a hybrid terminal, which has a plurality of modes and performs a plurality of functions corresponding to a selection of the user, based on the operating mode of the hybrid terminal, the method comprising the steps of:

subdividing a battery current amount into a first plurality of current amount levels for a first operating mode of the hybrid terminal, subdividing a battery current amount into a second plurality of current amount levels for a second operating mode of the hybrid terminal, and calculating the available battery time in each of the first and second operating modes for each respective first and second plurality of current amount levels, so as to generate an available battery time table;

storing the generated available battery time table in a memory of the hybrid terminal;

detecting the operating mode of the hybrid terminal;

detecting the amount of current provided to the hybrid terminal;

obtaining the available battery time corresponding to the detected operating mode and the detected current amount, from the available battery time table; and

displaying a text message indicating the obtained available battery time.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein a different current operating mode set by the user is detected in the step of detecting the operating mode.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the user is informed of the available battery time at predetermined time intervals.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

outputting a sound indicating the obtained available battery time, after displaying the text message indicating the obtained available battery time.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising the step of:

displaying an other text message corresponding to a battery-charging prompt message to prompt the user to charge the battery, when the available battery time corresponding to the detected operating mode is less than a predetermined reference time.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5, further comprising the step of:

outputting a sound corresponding to the battery-charging prompt message, after displaying the other text message of the battery-charging prompt message.

7. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the first and second operating modes are a Local Area Wireless Communication Mode and a Wireless Internet Mode, respectively.