Low power warning in a portable communication device based on predicted device utilization

• US 7,548,767 B2
• Filed: 06/24/2005
• Issued: 06/16/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ranganathan, Sumant, Vorenkamp, Pieter, Chen, Chun-ying, Kim, Neil Y.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Nhan T
• Application Number:
  US11/166,305
• Publication Number:
  US 20060001402A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,453 Days
• Field of Search: 455/574, 455/343.1, 455/343.2, 455/343.5, 455/343.6, 455/550.1, 455/572, 320/127, 320/106, 320/114, 320/132, 340/335, 340/336.1
• US Class Current: 455/574
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0048 Detection of remaining charge capacity or state of charge [SOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0258 controlling an operation mode according to history or models of usage information, e.g. activity schedule or time of day
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A system and method for providing a low power warning in a portable communication device based on predicted device utilization. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise monitoring power utilization for a portable communication device. A power utilization profile may be determined based, at least in part, on the results of the power utilization monitoring. Power availability for the portable communication device may be determined. Future power need for the portable communication device may be predicted based, at least in part, on the determined power utilization profile. The predicted future power need and the determined power availability may be analyzed to determine whether to generate a warning indicating a potential future power shortage. If it is determined that a potential future power shortage warning should be generated, such a warning may be generated. Such a warning may, for example, be generated in accordance with user specifications.

Claims

1. In a portable communication device, a method for providing a low power warning, the method comprising:

monitoring power utilization for the portable communication device;

determining a power utilization profile for the portable communication device based at least in part on results of the power utilization monitoring;

determining power availability for the portable communication device;

predicting future power need for the portable communication device based at least in part on the determined power utilization profile;

analyzing the predicted future power need and determined power availability to determine whether to generate a warning indicating a potential future power shortage; and

if it is determined that a potential future power shortage warning should be generated, then generating the potential future power shortage warning.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring power utilization comprises determining power consumption for an instance of portable communication device usage.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a power utilization profile comprises generating a set of information comprising information of power utilization versus time of day.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a power utilization profile comprises generating a set of information comprising information of power utilization for a first type of day and power utilization for a second type of day.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein determining power availability comprises monitoring power availability for the portable communication device.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining power availability comprises determining power availability based at least in part on a battery discharge profile.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein determining power availability comprises determining power availability based at least in part on monitored discharge behavior of a particular battery of the portable communication device.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein predicting future power need comprises predicting future power need for operation until a particular time of day.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein predicting future power need comprises determining a point in the future that predicted future power need exceeds determined power availability.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the predicted future power need and determined power availability comprises considering times at which the portable communication device is typically charged.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the predicted future power need and determined power availability comprises determining a level of warning to generate.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the predicted future power need and determined power availability comprises determining a probability of future power shortage.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising communicating power warning control information with a user, wherein analyzing the predicted future power need and determined power availability comprises analyzing the power warning control information.

14. A system for providing a low power warning in a portable communication device, the system comprising:

at least one module that operates to, at least;

monitor power utilization for the portable communication device;

determine a power utilization profile for the portable communication device based at least in part on the monitored power utilization;

determine power availability for the portable communication device;

predict future power need for the portable communication device based at least in part on the power utilization profile;

analyze the predicted future power need and the determined power availability to determine whether to generate a warning indicating a potential future power shortage; and

generate a warning of potential future power shortage if it is determined that a potential future power shortage warning should be generated.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module comprises:

a power utilization monitor;

a profile development module;

a power availability module;

a power analysis module; and

a user interface module.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module operates to determine power consumption for an instance of portable communication device usage.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module operates to generate a set of information comprising information of power utilization versus time of day.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module operates to generate a set of information comprising information of power utilization for a first type of day and power utilization for a second type of day.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module operates to monitor power availability for the portable communication device.

20. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module operates to determine power availability based at least in part on a battery discharge profile.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module operates to determine power availability based at least in part on monitored discharge behavior of a particular battery of the portable communication device.

22. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module operates to predict future power need for operation until a particular time of day.

23. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module operates to determine a point in the future that predicted future power need exceeds determined power availability.

24. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module operates to analyze the predicted future power need and determined power availability by, at least in part, considering times at which the portable communication device is typically charged.

25. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module operates to determine a level of warning to generate.

26. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module operates to analyze the predicted future power need and determined power availability by, at least in part, determining a probability of future power shortage.

27. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module operates to:

communicate power warning control information with a user; and

analyze the power warning control information in determining whether to generate a warning.

28. A portable electronic device comprising a low power warning system, wherein the low power warning system comprises:

at least one module that operates to, at least;

monitor power utilization for the portable electronic device;

determine a power utilization profile for the portable electronic device based at least in part on the monitored power utilization;

determine power availability for the portable electronic device;

predict future power need for the portable electronic device based at least in part on the power utilization profile;

analyze the predicted future power need and the determined power availability to determine whether to generate a warning indicating a potential future power shortage; and

generate a warning of potential future power shortage if it is determined that a potential future power shortage warning should be generated.

29. The portable electronic device of claim 28, wherein the portable electronic device comprises a portable communication device.

30. The portable electronic device of claim 28, wherein the portable electronic device is a portable communication device.