Method and apparatus for a remote speaker microphone to indicate radio battery charge state with flashlight and strobe control

• US 9,473,908 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2013
• Issued: 10/18/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
• Inventors: Jaris, Charles B., Patel, Chirag N., Sachs, Daniel Grobe, Borkhovik, German
• Primary Examiner(s): HEIBER, SHANTELL LAKETA
• Application Number:
  US14/078,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20150133071A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,071 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/10 Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-On-Call services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

A communication system (100) formed of a portable radio (102) and radio accessory (106) is provided in which the accessory (106) provides emergency strobe and flashlight modes, the flashlight mode further providing a low battery indicator. Strategic control of lighting triggers and patterns allows for a single high intensity LED (132) to be used for both emergency strobe and flashlight modes, with minimized impact on battery life.

Claims

1. A portable communication system, comprising:

a portable radio having a battery;

an accessory coupled to the radio, the accessory comprising;

a light emitting diode (LED);

a first user interface button for enabling an emergency SOS strobe signal at the LED;

a second user interface button for enabling continuous lighting of the LED, the LED switching from continuous lighting to a predetermined blinking pattern in response to a low battery indicator by the radio;

the first user interface button comprises an emergency button that enables an emergency mode of operation;

the second user interface button comprises a light control button that enables a flashlight mode of operation;

the emergency mode of operation overriding the flashlight mode of operation; and

the flashlight mode of operation further providing another predetermined blinking pattern distinct from the emergency SOS strobe signal and distinct from the predetermined blinking pattern associated with the low battery indicator.

2. The portable communication system of claim 1, wherein the accessory is powered solely by the battery of the portable radio.

3. The portable communication system of claim 1, wherein the LED is turned off when the second user interface button is pressed for a predetermined amount of time.

4. The portable communication system of claim 1, wherein a time out timer of the accessory turns off the predetermined blinking pattern after a predetermined elapsed time.

5. The portable communication system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined blinking pattern indicating low battery is distinct from the emergency SOS strobe signal.

6. The portable communication system of claim 1, wherein the accessory comprises a remote speaker microphone.

7. The portable communication system of claim 1, wherein the LED comprises a high intensity LED.

8. The portable communication system of claim 1, wherein the flashlight mode of operation is also enabled automatically by a sensor.

9. The portable communication system of claim 1, wherein the flashlight mode of operation is also enabled automatically in response to one or more sensors detecting a predetermined level of darkness or smoke.

10. The portable communication system of claim 1, wherein the emergency SOS strobe signal strobes in accordance with international Morse code.

11. The portable communication system of claim 1, wherein the portable radio further comprises an emergency button, and the radio emergency button being triggered activates the SOS strobe signal on the accessory.

12. A method of a radio accessory, comprising:

enabling a flashlight mode of operation in response to a light control button, the flashlight mode of operation providing continuous lighting at a light emitting diode (LED) of the radio accessory until a low radio battery condition is detected, the flashlight mode of operation further providing a predetermined blinking pattern in response to the low radio battery condition; and

enabling an emergency mode of operation in response to an emergency trigger, the emergency mode of operation generating an emergency SOS strobe signal at the LED of the radio accessory, the emergency mode of operation overriding the flashlight mode of operation; and

wherein the flashlight mode of operation further provides another predetermined blinking pattern distinct from the emergency SOS strobe signal and distinct from the predetermined blinking pattern associated with the low battery condition.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein theflashlight mode of operation is further automatically enabled in response to a sensor sensing smoke or a light detector detecting darkness at the radio accessory.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

adjusting timing of the predetermined blinking pattern of the LED as the low radio battery is depleted.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

de-activating the flashlight mode of operation at a predetermined low radio battery capacity.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the emergency mode of operation prevents the flashlight mode of operation from being enabled.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the emergency SOS strobe signal strobes in accordance with international Morse code.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein an emergency button of the portable radio is triggered to activate the SOS strobe signal at the LED of the radio accessory.