Systems and methods for bluetooth resource conservation

• US 8,380,125 B2
• Filed: 09/01/2004
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/01/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
• Inventors: Kirbas, Bilhan
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Duc
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jain, Ankur
• Application Number:
  US10/931,712
• Publication Number:
  US 20060046653A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,093 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41.2, 455/574, 455/556.1, 455/573, 455/75.1, 455/575.2, 455/575.3, 455/575.4
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0235 Slidable or telescopic telephones, i.e. with a relative translation movement of the body parts; Telephones using a combination of translation and other relative motions of the body parts
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0245 using open/close detection
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72412 using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72448 with means for adapting the functionality of the device according to specific conditions
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• 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 88/021 adapted for Wireless Local Loop operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A Bluetooth device searches for another Bluetooth device or a Bluetooth command in response to a user intervention event. A user intervention event can take many forms, such as, for example, a connection to a power source or communication device, a mechanical configuration change, or a user input. Specifically, a Bluetooth device begins searching when the user intervention event takes place. To list some examples, the Bluetooth device may enter a page state, a page scan state, an inquiry state or an inquiry scan state in response to the user intervention. Alternatively, as more examples, if the Bluetooth device is in a sniff mode, a hold mode or a park state, the Bluetooth device may enter the active mode in response to the user intervention event.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a Bluetooth module operatively coupled to a slider wireless communication device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the slider wireless communication device with a top housing portion slidably connected to a bottom housing portion having a keypad;

associating the Bluetooth module with the slider wireless communication device having a cellular communication module, wherein the slider wireless communication device is operatively coupled to the Bluetooth module;

enabling the top housing portion to slide over the bottom housing portion covering the keypad;

triggering a mechanical configuration user intervention event when the top housing portion is slidably separated from the lower housing portion revealing the keypad corresponding to the bottom portion and extending the length of the slider wireless communication device;

receiving an indication of the mechanical configuration user intervention event from a user intervention sensor that detects the slidable separation between the top housing portion and the bottom housing portion revealing the keypad corresponding to the bottom portion;

waking up the Bluetooth module from a passive stand by state, in which a Bluetooth state machine is on but not transmitting or receiving, to an activity state in response to the mechanical configuration user intervention event, where the intervention sensor has detected the slidable separation between the top housing portion and the bottom housing portion revealing the keypad corresponding to the bottom portion;

sensing a communication adapter connected to a communication connector with a communication sensor that is connected to the communication connector wherein a Bluetooth module is connected to the communication sensor;

sensing a connection of a power source to the slider wireless communication device with a power connection sensor, wherein a Bluetooth module is connected to the power connection sensor;

wherein when the communication adapter is connected to the slider wireless communication device and the power source is connected to the slider wireless communication device the Bluetooth module receives notification that the communication adapter is connected to the communication connector and that the power source is connected to the slider wireless communication device and enters the activity state in response to the notification.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of waking up the Bluetooth module comprises the steps of:

changing a state of the Bluetooth module from a stand by state to a page state.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of waking up the Bluetooth module comprises the steps of:

changing a state of the Bluetooth module from a stand by state to a page scan state.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of waking up the Bluetooth module comprises the steps of:

changing a state of the Bluetooth module from a stand by state to an inquiry state.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of waking up the Bluetooth module comprises the steps of:

changing a state of the Bluetooth module from a stand by state to an inquiry scan state.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of waking up the Bluetooth module comprises the steps of:

changing a state of the Bluetooth module from a park state to a connection state, wherein the park state is the state in which the Bluetooth module of a slave Bluetooth device is made to turn its receiver off except at regular intervals.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of waking up the Bluetooth module comprises the steps of:

changing a mode of the Bluetooth module from a sniff mode to an active mode, wherein the sniff mode is the Bluetooth mode in which a slave Bluetooth device is made to turn its receiver off except at regular intervals.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of waking up the Bluetooth module comprises the steps of:

changing a mode of the Bluetooth module from a hold mode to an active mode, wherein the hold mode is the Bluetooth mode in which a slave Bluetooth device is made to turn its receiver off for a predetermined time period.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving an indication of a user intervention event comprises the step of receiving a key input signal.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving an indication of a user intervention event comprises the step of receiving a voice activated signal.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving an indication of a user intervention event comprises the steps of:

receiving a menu navigation command; and

receiving a menu selection command.

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

receiving a wireless communication signal other than a Bluetooth signal; and

causing the Bluetooth module to enter a sleep mode, responsive to the step of receiving a wireless communication signal other than a Bluetooth signal.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving an indication of a user intervention event comprises the step of sensing a reconfiguration of a wireless communication device.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of receiving an indication of a user intervention event comprises the step of sensing a reconfiguration of a wireless communication device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of sensing a reconfiguration comprises the step of sensing sliding a first housing portion relative to a second housing portion.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of sensing a reconfiguration comprises the step of sensing rotating a first housing portion relative to a second housing portion.

17. A method for controlling a Bluetooth module on a processor of a slider wireless communication device, the method comprising the steps of:

providing the slider wireless communication device with a top housing portion slidably connected to a bottom housing portion having a keypad;

associating the Bluetooth module with the slider wireless communication device having a cellular communication module, wherein the slider wireless communication device is operatively coupled to the Bluetooth module;

enabling the top housing portion to slide over the bottom housing portion covering the keypad;

triggering a mechanical configuration user intervention event when the top housing portion is slidably separated from the lower housing portion revealing the keypad corresponding to the bottom portion and extending the length of the slider wireless communication device;

receiving an indication of the mechanical configuration user intervention event from a user intervention that detects the slidable separation between the top housing portion and the bottom housing portion revealing the keypad corresponding to the bottom portion;

waking up the Bluetooth module from a passive stand by state, in which a Bluetooth state machine is on but not transmitting or receiving, to an active state in response to the mechanical configuration user intervention event, where the intervention sensor has detected the slidable separation between the top housing portion and the bottom housing portion revealing the keypad corresponding to the bottom portion;

sensing a communication adapter connected to a communication connector with a communication sensor that is connected to the communication connector, wherein a Bluetooth module is connected to the communication sensor;

sensing a connection of a power source to the slider wireless communication device with a power connection sensor, wherein a Bluetooth module is connected to the power connection sensor;

wherein when the communication adapter is connected to the slider wireless communication device and a power source is connected to the slider wireless communication device the Bluetooth module receives notification that the communication adapter is connected to the communication connector and that the power source is connected to the slider wireless communication device and enters the activity state in response to the notification.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of waking up the Bluetooth module comprises the steps of:

changing a state of the Bluetooth module from a stand by state to a page state.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of waking up the Bluetooth module comprises the steps of:

changing a state of the Bluetooth module from a stand by state to a page scan state.

20. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of waking up the Bluetooth module comprises the steps of:

changing a state of the Bluetooth module from a stand by state to an inquiry state.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of waking up the Bluetooth module comprises the steps of:

changing a state of the Bluetooth module from a stand by state to an inquiry scan state.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of waking up the Bluetooth module comprises the steps of:

changing a state of the Bluetooth module from a park state to a connection state, wherein the park state is the state in which the Bluetooth module of a slave Bluetooth device is made to turn its receiver off except at regular intervals.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of waking up the Bluetooth module comprises the steps of:

changing a mode of the Bluetooth module from a sniff mode to an active mode, wherein the sniff mode is the Bluetooth mode in which a slave Bluetooth device is made to turn its receiver off except at regular intervals.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of waking up the Bluetooth module comprises the steps of:

changing a mode of the Bluetooth module from a hold mode to an active mode, wherein the hold mode is the Bluetooth mode in which a slave Bluetooth device is made to turn its receiver off for a predetermined time period.

25. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of receiving an indication of a user intervention event comprises the step of receiving a key input signal.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of receiving an indication of a user intervention event comprises the step of receiving a voice activated signal.

27. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of receiving an indication of a user intervention event comprises the steps of:

receiving a menu navigation command; and

receiving a menu selection command.

28. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of receiving an indication of a user intervention event comprises the step of sensing a reconfiguration of a wireless communication device.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of sensing a reconfiguration comprises the step of sensing sliding a first housing portion relative to a second housing portion.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein the step of sensing a reconfiguration comprises the step of sensing rotating a first housing portion relative to a second housing portion.

31. A slider wireless communication device comprising:

a top housing portion for the slider wireless communication device;

a bottom housing portion having a keypad, wherein the top housing portion is slidably connected to the bottom housing;

the top housing portion configured to slide over the bottom housing portion covering the keypad;

a mechanical configuration user intervention event that is triggered when the top housing portion is slidably separated from the bottom housing portion revealing the keypad corresponding to the bottom portion and extending the length of the slider wireless communication device;

a configuration sensor that is configured to sense a user interacting with the slider wireless communication device and triggering the mechanical configuration user intervention event, wherein the configuration sensor detects the slidable separation between the top housing portion and the bottom housing portion that reveals the keypad corresponding to the bottom portion;

a Bluetooth module capable of waking up form a passive stand by state, in which a Bluetooth state is on but not transmitting or receiving, to an activity state in response to triggering the mechanical configuration user intervention event when the configuration sensor has detected the slidable separation between the top housing portion and the lower housing portion revealing the keypad corresponding to the bottom portion;

a Bluetooth radio frequency circuit connected to the Bluetooth module and configured to receive and transmit Bluetooth signals;

a communication sensor connected to a communication connector;

a power source connected to the slider wireless communication device;

wherein the communication sensor senses a communication adapter connected to the communication connector, wherein a Bluetooth module is connected to the communication sensor;

wherein a power source sensor senses a connection of the power source to the slider wireless communication device, wherein a Bluetooth module is connected to the power source sensor;

wherein when the communication adapter is connected to the slider wireless communication device and the power source is connected to the slider wireless communication device the Bluetooth module receives notification that the communication adapter is connected to the communication connector and that the power source is connected to the slider wireless communication device and enters the activity state in response to the notification.

32. The slider wireless communication device of claim 31, further comprising:

a wireless communication transceiver other than a Bluetooth transceiver; and

a portable power supply connected to the Bluetooth RF circuit and to the other wireless communication transceiver to supplying portable power to the Bluetooth RF circuit and to the other wireless communication transceiver.

33. The slider wireless communication device of claim 32, wherein the other wireless communication transceiver comprises a communication band that overlaps with a Bluetooth communication band.

34. The slider wireless communication device of claim 33, wherein the other wireless communication transceiver comprises an IEEE 802.11 transceiver.

35. The slider wireless communication device of claim 34, wherein the Bluetooth state machine is:

connected to the IEEE 802.11 transceiver; and

configured to cause the Bluetooth module to enter a passive state, responsive to sensing an IEEE 802.11 signal.