System and method for selectively activating a communication device

• US 8,175,662 B2
• Filed: 10/08/2010
• Issued: 05/08/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/24/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Fyke, Steven
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham, Tuan
• Application Number:
  US12/900,908
• Publication Number:
  US 20110021254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 578 Days
• Field of Search: 455/574, 455/127.5, 4553431-3435
• US Class Current: 455/574
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/12 including a sensor for measuring a physical value, e.g. temperature or motion telephones including GPS signal receivers H04M2250/10
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/027 by controlling a display operation or backlight unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

The disclosure provides a system and method for detecting activation of a communication device via passive means. For the system and method, the device comprises a casing for housing a display and a keyboard; a microprocessor controlling aspects of the keyboard and display; a passive usage sensor; and a power application operating on the microprocessor. The power application monitors the usage sensor for a signal indicating movement of the device from a resting location when the device is in a low power mode and upon detection of the signal for provides power to at least one additional element in the device.

Claims

1. A power management system for an electronic device, comprising:

a microprocessor controlling said electronic device;

an accelerometer; and

a power application operating on said microprocessor to place said electronic device in one of a plurality of power consumption modes by monitoring signals from said accelerometer and changing modes within said plurality of power consumption modes based on said signals, said power application providing instructions to said microprocessor to

place said electronic device in a higher power state than a low power state when said electronic device is in a stationary state at a resting location and said accelerometer provides a first signal indicating a subsequent movement of said electronic device from said resting location to a first location in a spaced relationship from said resting location and then activate a backlight for said electronic device when placed in said higher power state; and

place said electronic device in said low power state from said higher power state upon receipt of a signal indicating return of said electronic device from said first location to around said resting location, said signal being derived from data from said accelerometer, and then deactivate said backlight,

wherein

said low power state is a partially-off state; and

said backlight has a variable intensity set by said power application.

2. The power management system of claim 1, wherein:

said plurality of power consumption modes include said low power state, said higher power state, at least an off state, a fully on state; and

said low power state consumes less power than said fully on state and more power than said off state.

3. The power management system of claim 1, wherein said power application turns off said backlight for said electronic device when said electronic device is in said low power state.

4. The power management system of claim 1, wherein said power application activates another element in said electronic device after receiving said first signal when said electronic device is placed from said low power state to said higher power state.

5. The power management system as claimed in claim 1, wherein:

after placing said electronic device in said higher power state, said power application further tracks a time that said electronic device is in said higher power state, monitors for receipt of a non-use signal from said accelerometer indicating an intent to return to said lower power state and monitors for receipt of a return signal from said accelerometer indicating return of said electronic device at or near said resting location.

6. The power management system of claim 1, wherein said signal indicating return of said electronic device to around said resting location is based on displacement signals provided by said accelerometer.

14. The power management system of claim 5, wherein said power application further provides instructions to said microprocessor to

place said electronic device in said low power state from said higher power state and deactivate said backlight if a predetermined length of time of non usage of said electronic device is indicated by said time prior to receipt of said signal indicating return of said electronic device at or near said resting location.

7. A method of selectively placing an electronic device in one of a plurality of power consumption modes, comprising:

monitoring a sensor in said electronic device for a first signal indicating movement of said electronic device from a resting location when said electronic device is operating in both a low power state and a stationary state;

placing said electronic device in a higher power state from said low power state when said electronic device is stationary and said sensor provides a first signal indicating subsequent movement of said electronic device and then activating a backlight for said electronic device when said electronic device is in said higher power state; and

placing said electronic device in said low power state from said higher power state upon receipt of a signal from said sensor indicating return of said electronic device at or near said resting location and deactivating said backlight,

wherein

said low power state is a partially-off state;

said backlight has a variable intensity set by a power application;

said sensor is selected from a motion detector, an accelerometer, a switch and a proximity sensor; and

said signal indicates return of said electronic device to around said resting location is based on displacement signals provided by said accelerometer.

8. The method of selectively activating a backlight as claimed in claim 7, wherein:

said plurality of power consumption modes further include an off state, a fully on state; and

said low power state consumes less power than said fully on state and more power than said off state.

9. The method of selectively activating a backlight as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

turning off said backlight system when said electronic device is in said low power state.

10. The method of selectively activating a backlight as claimed in claim 7, wherein said sensor is said accelerometer.

11. The method of selectively activating a backlight as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

while said electronic device is in said higher power state, tracking a time that said electronic device is in said higher power state, monitoring for receipt of a non-use signal from said sensor indicating an intent to return to said lower power state and monitoring for receipt of a return signal from said sensor indicating return of said electronic device at or near said resting location.

12. The method of selectively activating a backlight as claimed in claim 7, further comprising:

upon activating said backlight system upon detection of said first signal, activating another element in said electronic device.

13. The method of selectively activating a backlight as claimed in claim 11, further comprising:

placing said electronic device in said low power state from said higher power state and deactivating said backlight if a predetermined length of time of non usage of said electronic device is indicated by said time prior to receipt of said signal indicating return of said electronic device at or near said resting location.