Method and apparatus for power management in an electronic device
First Claim
1. A method of power management in an electronic device having a supervisor circuit for disabling all or a portion of functions of said device if a first level of power to said device falls below a predefined threshold, said method comprising:
- receiving a request for a function to be performed by said electronic device;
performing a pre-function test;
said pre-function test based on said function and selected to consume fewer power resources than said function and also selected to not to fall below said predefined threshold;
determining a second level of power to said device as a consequence of performing said pre-function test; and
,if said second level of power meets a predefined criteria, preventing said device from performing said function and otherwise permitting said device to perform said function.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electronic device and method for power management in an electronic device is provided. In an embodiment, the electronic device includes the functionality of a personal digital assistant, wireless email paging and a camera with a flash that is operated via self-contained power supply in the form of a battery. The device also includes a supervisor circuit which causes the device to enter sleep mode, or disables the device, or certain features of the device, if the battery level falls below a certain threshold. A method in accordance with an embodiment performs, in response to a request to fire the flash, a pre-flash test which is selected so as to not trip the supervisor circuit. The battery level is examined after the pre-flash test. If the battery level meets certain criteria, the full flash is permitted to proceed, else the full flash is not permitted to proceed.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method of power management in an electronic device having a supervisor circuit for disabling all or a portion of functions of said device if a first level of power to said device falls below a predefined threshold, said method comprising:
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receiving a request for a function to be performed by said electronic device; performing a pre-function test;
said pre-function test based on said function and selected to consume fewer power resources than said function and also selected to not to fall below said predefined threshold;determining a second level of power to said device as a consequence of performing said pre-function test; and
,if said second level of power meets a predefined criteria, preventing said device from performing said function and otherwise permitting said device to perform said function. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An electronic device comprising:
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a power supply; a supervisor circuit connected to said power supply for disabling all or a portion of functions of said electronic device if a first level of power from said power supply falls below a predefined threshold, a processor connected to said power supply and said supervisor circuit;
said processor configured to receive a request via an input device for a function to be performed by said electronic device;an output device connected to said power supply, said processor, and said supervisor circuit, said output device configured to perform a function that draws power from said power supply; said processor configured to perform a pre-function test;
said pre-function test based on said function and selected to consume fewer power resources than said function and also selected to not to fall below said predefined threshold;said processor further configured to determine a second level of power drawn from said power supply as a consequence of performing said pre-function test; and
,said processor further configured to, if said second level of power meets a predefined criteria, prevent said output device from performing said function and otherwise permitting said output device to perform said function. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification