Devices and methods for power transmission level indication

• US 9,891,288 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2017
• Issued: 02/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Li, Jian, Li, Zhi, Savoor, Raghvendra
• Primary Examiner(s): KHIRODHAR, MAHARISHI V
• Application Number:
  US15/430,804
• Publication Number:
  US 20170153293A1
• Time in Patent Office: 365 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3648 comprising digital calculation means, e.g. for performing an algorithm
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/371 with remote indication, e.g. on external chargers
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/382 Arrangements for monitoring battery or accumulator variables, e.g. SoC
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/3842 combining voltage and current measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 3/10 using electric transmission; using electromagnetic transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72403 with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/06 including a wireless LAN interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0261 managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level

Abstract

Devices and methods are disclosed which relate to a wireless communications device comprising a wireless power transmission detector and a wireless power transmission indicator for displaying to a user the current level of wireless power transmission. A voltmeter and ammeter take readings from the wireless transceiver circuit while the wireless communications device is on. A power logic stored on a memory within the wireless communications device converts the readings into a wireless power transmission level. The wireless power transmission level is output to an indicator on the wireless communications device where a user can view it. Exemplary embodiments include a true battery life indicator on the wireless communications device. The true battery life indicator gives an amount of time a battery powering the wireless communications device will last at the current wireless power transmission level.

Claims

1. A cellular communication device comprising:

a wireless transceiver;

a display;

a voltmeter connected to a wireless transceiver circuit that comprises the wireless transceiver;

an ammeter connected to the wireless transceiver circuit that comprises the wireless transceiver;

a battery connected to the wireless transceiver circuit;

a processor; and

a memory that stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

obtaining a voltage reading measured for the wireless transceiver circuit, wherein the voltage reading is obtained using the voltmeter,

obtaining a current reading measured for the wireless transceiver circuit, wherein the current reading is obtained using the ammeter,

calculating, based upon the voltage reading and the current reading, a power transmission level of the cellular communication device,

displaying, at the display, an indication of the power transmission level of the cellular communication device,

determining an amount of energy remaining in the battery,

calculating, based upon the power transmission level and the amount of energy remaining in the battery, an amount of time the battery will last at the power transmission level of the cellular communication device, and

displaying the amount of time the battery will last at the display.

2. The cellular communication device of claim 1, wherein the amount of time the battery will last comprises an amount of time at the power transmission level until the battery reaches a critical battery level.

3. The cellular communication device of claim 1, wherein the display comprises a multi-color wireless power transmission indicator.

4. The cellular communication device of claim 1 wherein the amount of time the battery will last comprises an amount of time at the power transmission level until the wireless transceiver is deactivated.

5. The cellular communication device of claim 1, further comprising a speaker, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising providing an audible alert via the speaker in response to the power transmission level reaching a maximum power transmission level.

6. A cellular communication device comprising:

a wireless transceiver;

a display;

a voltmeter connected to a module that comprises the wireless transceiver;

an ammeter connected to the module that comprises the wireless transceiver;

a battery connected to the module;

a processor; and

a memory that stores computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations comprising;

obtaining a voltage reading measured for the module, wherein the voltage reading is obtained using the voltmeter,

obtaining a current reading measured for the module, wherein the current reading is obtained using the ammeter,

calculating, based upon the voltage reading and the current reading, a power transmission level of the cellular communication device,

displaying, at the display, an indication of the power transmission level of the cellular communication device,

determining an amount of energy remaining in the battery,

calculating, based upon the power transmission level and the amount of energy remaining in the battery, an amount of time the battery will last at the power transmission level of the cellular communication device, and

displaying the amount of time the battery will last at the display.

7. The cellular communication device of claim 6, wherein the amount of time the battery will last comprises an amount of time at the power transmission level until the battery reaches a critical battery level.

8. The cellular communication device of claim 6, wherein the display comprises a multi-color wireless power transmission level indicator.

9. The cellular communication device of claim 6, wherein the amount of time the battery will last comprises an amount of time at the power transmission level until the wireless transceiver will be deactivated.

10. The cellular communication device of claim 6, further comprising a speaker, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations further comprising providing an audible alert via the speaker in response to the power transmission level reaching a maximum power transmission level.

11. The cellular communication device of claim 6, wherein displaying the amount of time comprises displaying an icon that represents the amount of time.

12. A method comprising:

obtaining, at a cellular communication device that comprises a processor, a wireless transceiver, a display, a voltmeter connected to a wireless transceiver circuit that comprises the wireless transceiver, an ammeter connected to the wireless transceiver circuit that comprises the wireless transceiver, and a battery connected to the wireless transceiver circuit, a voltage reading from the wireless transceiver circuit, wherein the voltage reading is obtained using the voltmeter,

obtaining, by the processor and using the ammeter, a current reading measured for the wireless transceiver circuit;

calculating, by the processor and based upon the voltage reading and the current reading, a power transmission level of the cellular communication device;

displaying, by the processor and at the display, an indication of the power transmission level of the cellular communication device;

determining, by the processor, an amount of energy remaining in the battery;

calculating, by the processor and based upon the power transmission level and the amount of energy remaining in the battery, an amount of time the battery will last at the power transmission level; and

displaying, by the processor and at the display, the amount of time the battery will last.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

providing, using a speaker of the cellular communication device, an audible alert in response to the power transmission level reaching a maximum power transmission level.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the display comprises a multi-color wireless power transmission level indicator.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the amount of time the battery will last comprises an amount of time at the power transmission level until the wireless transceiver of the cellular communication device is deactivated.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the current reading comprises a first current reading associated with a first wireless transceiver and a second current reading associated with a second wireless transceiver, and wherein the voltage reading comprises a first voltage reading associated with the first wireless transceiver and a second voltage reading associated with the second wireless transceiver.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the first wireless transceiver comprises a cellular radiofrequency transceiver, and wherein the second wireless transceiver comprises a short range wireless transceiver.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the power transmission level comprises a total power transmission level.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the amount of time the battery will last comprises an amount of time at the power transmission level until the battery reaches a critical battery level.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the critical battery level comprises a level at which the cellular communication device will save data and power down.