Alarm-based power saving mode for electronic device where a power latch controls power switch based on a control value

• US 8,996,898 B2
• Filed: 04/24/2012
• Issued: 03/31/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/24/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Morey Corporation
• Original Assignee: The Morey Corporation
• Inventors: Podgorny, Michael E., Isaac, Emad S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lee, Thomas
• Assistant Examiner(s): HTAY, LIN LIN M
• Application Number:
  US13/454,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20130283072A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• US Class Current: 713/320
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3287 by switching off individual functional units in the computer system
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 10/00 Energy efficient computing, e.g. low power processors, power management or thermal management

Abstract

This disclosure relates to an alarm-based power saving mode and associated system implemented on a device for a microprocessor or a telematics circuitry, and more particularly, to an alarm and powered-up microprocessor-driven power latch for disabling a power source to a microprocessor or telematics circuitry at a power switch. A microprocessor and/or telematics circuitry are powered down by an instruction step from the microprocessor or the telematics circuitry by using a power switch to cut off power. The switch is controlled by a power latch, which is regulated by a wake-up value given to an alarm to enable the power latch and exercise power switch control, as well as by a value given directly by the microprocessor to enter the powered down mode.

Claims

1. A power saving mode for an electronic device with a microprocessor and a telematics circuit, comprising:

a power source;

a microprocessor and a telematics circuit powered by the power source;

a power switch on a power distribution line between the power source and the microprocessor and the telematics circuit for energizing or powering off the telematics circuit and the microprocessor;

a power latch for controlling the power switch at a power switch control based on a control value sent from the microprocessor to the power latch; and

an alarm with an external sensor powered by the power source with a configuration value sent by the microprocessor for producing a signal alarm to the power latch;

wherein the power switch is closed to energize the microprocessor and the telematics circuit when the signal alarm reaches the control value, and wherein the power switch is opened to power off the microprocessor and the telematics circuit at the request of the power latch controlled by the microprocessor.

2. The power saving mode of claim 1, wherein the power source is a battery.

3. The power saving mode of claim 1, wherein the alarm is a real-time clock and the signal alarm is a preset time.

4. The power saving mode of claim 1, wherein the alarm is an environmental sensor.

5. The power saving mode of claim 1, wherein the environmental sensor is a proximity detector.

6. A method of saving power at a power source of an electronic device with a microprocessor and a telematics circuit, the method comprising the steps of:

connecting a power saving system with a power source to a microprocessor and a telematics circuit powered by the power source, including a power switch on a power distribution line between the power source and the microprocessor and the telematics circuit for energizing or powering off the telematics circuitry and the microprocessor, a power latch for controlling the power switch at a power switch control based on a control value sent from the microprocessor to the power latch, and an alarm with an external sensor powered by the power source with a configuration value sent from the microprocessor for producing a signal alarm to the power latch;

programming the configuration value of the alarm associated with a detection level of the alarm via the microprocessor to energize the microprocessor and the telematics circuit for the closing of the power switch from the power latch;

allowing the microprocessor to direct the power latch to open the power switch to power off the microprocessor and the telematics circuit; and

allowing the alarm to direct the power latch to close the power switch to power on the microprocessor and the telematics circuit when the detection level of the alarm reaches the control value.

7. The method for saving power of claim 6, wherein the power source is a battery.

8. The method for saving power of claim 6, wherein the alarm is a real-time clock and the signal alarm is a preset time.

9. The method for saving power of claim 6, wherein the environmental sensor is a proximity detector.

10. The method for saving power of claim 6, wherein the last two steps of allowing the microprocessor and the alarm to direct the power latch are repeated instead to operate the device in the power saving mode.

11. The method for saving power of claim 10, further comprising the step of allowing a user to reprogram the configuration value of the alarm via the microprocessor and reprogramming the configuration value of the alarm associated via the microprocessor with a new detection level of the alarm.