Method and apparatus for controlling alarm function of mobile device with inertial sensor

• US 7,633,836 B2
• Filed: 05/10/2007
• Issued: 12/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Dong Yoon, Choi, Eun Seok, Kim, Ki Tae, Cho, Sung Jung
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska; Vit W
• Assistant Examiner(s): KAYES, SEAN PHILLIP
• Application Number:
  US11/801,660
• Publication Number:
  US 20070263490A1
• Time in Patent Office: 950 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/244, 368/11, 340/669
• US Class Current: 368/11
• CPC Class Codes: G04G 13/026 acting at a number of different times
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 19/04 the ringing-current being generated at the substations

Abstract

Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for controlling an alarm function of a mobile device with an inertial sensor. In one example of the method, after an initial threshold value is established, an alarm occurrence is generated at a predefined hour. If the alarm occurrence is the first, an alarm control unit detects a first movement of the mobile device due to the alarm occurrence through the inertial sensor, and adjusts the initial threshold value according to the first movement. If the alarm occurrence is not the first, the alarm control unit detects a second movement of the mobile device through the inertial sensor, compares the second movement with the adjusted threshold value, and stops the alarm occurrence if the second movement is greater than the adjusted threshold value.

Claims

1. A method for controlling an alarm function of a mobile device with an inertial sensor, the method comprising the steps of:

establishing an initial threshold value for control of the alarm function;

generating an alarm occurrence at a predefined hour;

determining whether the alarm occurrence is the first occurrence and

detecting a first movement of the mobile device due to the alarm occurrence through the inertial sensor; and

adjusting the initial threshold value according to the first movement;

detecting a second movement of the mobile device through the inertial sensor;

comparing the second movement with the adjusted threshold value; and

stopping the alarm occurrence if the second movement is greater than the adjusted threshold value.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the initial threshold value is adjusted to be greater than the maximum of the first movement due to the alarm occurrence and to be smaller than the initial threshold value.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether an end signal is inputted; and

terminating die alarm function if the end signal is inputted.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of

determining whether the number of the stopped alarm occurrence satisfies a predefined alarm frequency;

and

terminating the alarm function if the predefined alarm frequency is satisfied.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of establishing of the initial threshold value comprises the steps of:

detecting a third movement of the mobile device through the inertial sensor, and

establishing the initial threshold value such that the initial threshold value is greater than the third movement.

6. A method for controlling an alarm function of a mobile device with an inertial sensor, the method comprising the steps of:

generating an alarm occurrence at a predefined hour;

determining whether the alarm occurrence is the first;

detecting a first movement of the mobile device due to the alarm occurrence through the inertial sensor if the alarm occurrence is the first; and

establishing a threshold value according to the first movement due to the alarm occurrence;

detecting a second movement of the mobile device trough the inertial sensor if the alarm occurrence is not the first;

comparing the second movement wit the threshold value; and

stopping the alarm occurrence if the second movement is greater than the threshold value.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the threshold value is established to be greater than the maximum of the first movement due to the alarm occurrence.

8. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether an end signal is inputted; and

terminating the alarm function if the end signal is inputted.

9. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

determining whether the number of the stopped alarm occurrence satisfies a predefined alarm frequency; and

terminating the alarm function if the predefined alarm frequency is satisfied.

10. An apparatus for controlling an alarm function of a mobile device, the apparatus comprising:

a memory unit storing a threshold value and a predefined alarm hour;

an inertial sensor detecting a first movement of the mobile device and creating a movement-sensing signal based on the first movement; and

an alarm control unit generating an alarm occurrence at the predefined hour, comparing the movement-sensing signal with the threshold value, and stopping the alarm occurrence if the movement-sensing signal is greater than the threshold value;

wherein the alarm control unit determines whether the alarm occurrence is the first, and, if the inertial sensor detects a second movement of the mobile device due to the alarm occurrence, adjusting the threshold value according to the second movement due to the alarm occurrence.

11. An apparatus for controlling am alarm function of a mobile device comprising:

a processor in communication with a memory, the processor executing code for;

receiving an indication of the occurrence of an alarm at a predetermined time;

receiving an input signal associated with the mobile device;

comparing the received input signal to a known threshold value; and

stopping the alarm occurrence when said received input signal is substantially in accordance with a known reference;

wherein the processor further executes code for;

determining a measure of said input signal after a first alarm occurrence; and

adjusting said reference value based on the measure of the input signal.

12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the processor further executing code for:

determining the number of stopped alarm occurrences; and

terminating the alarm function when the number of stopped alarm occurrences is at least equal to a predetermined number.

13. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the known reference is selected from the group consisting of:

a threshold value and a first voice signal.

14. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the received input signal is selected from the group consisting of:

a movement and a second voice signal.

15. The apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein the reference value is predetermined.