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

• US 7,953,459 B2
• Filed: 06/15/2009
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• 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:
  US12/484,430
• Publication Number:
  US 20090251326A1
• Time in Patent Office: 715 Days
• Field of Search: 455/343.1, 455/343.2, 455/343.5, 455/343.6, 455/550.1, 455/572, 455/574, 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:

determining power availability for the portable communication device;

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

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 initiating generation of the potential future power shortage warning.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising predicting future power need for the portable communication device based, at least in part, on previous power consumption.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising predicting future power need for the portable communication device based, at least in part, on previous power utilization at different times of day.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising predicting future power need for the portable communication device based, at least in part, on previous power utilization during different types of days.

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, comprising communicating power warning control information with a user, and 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 operable to, at least;

determine power availability for the portable communication device;

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

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

if it is determined that a potential future power shortage warning should be generated, then initiate generation of a potential future power shortage warning.

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

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 is operable to predict future power need for the portable communication device based, at least in part, on previous power consumption.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module is operable to predict future power need for the portable communication device based, at least in part, on previous power utilization at different times of day.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module is operable to predict future power need for the portable communication device based, at least in part, on previous power utilization during different types of days.

19. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module is operable to determine power availability by, at least in part, operating to monitor power availability for the portable communication device.

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

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

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

27. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one module is operable 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 operable to, at least;

determine power availability for the portable electronic device;

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

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

if it is determined that a potential future power shortage warning should be generated, then initiate generation of a potential future power shortage warning.

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.