Radio telephone apparatus

• US RE36,712 E
• Filed: 11/18/1997
• Issued: 05/23/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/1987
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Hoshimo, Makoto, Sato, Hiroshi, Ishii, Takaaki
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMMING, WILLIAM D
• Application Number:
  US08/972,715
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 455/550, 455/574, 455/572, 455/127, 455/404, 455/411, 455/73, 455/462, 455/38.3, 331/57
• US Class Current: 455/574
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 70/00 Techniques for reducing energy consumption in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A radio telephone apparatus power-supplied with a battery comprises a power supply control .[.means.]. for controlling the battery so as to terminate power supply if the apparatus is not operated for a predetermined time period. The apparatus further comprises .[.means.]. .Iadd.an alerting device .Iaddend.for informing .[.at least.]. a user of the termination of power supply prior to the power being turned off.

Claims

2. exceeds a first predetermined value..]..[.33. The apparatus of claim 32 further comprising alerting means for alerting a user of the apparatus when the count value counted by said counting means exceeds a second predetermined value..]..[.34. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the first predetermined value is the same as the second predetermined value..]..[.35. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the first predetermined value is larger than the second predetermined value..]..[.36. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said alerting means comprises means for generating sounds..]..[.37. The apparatus of claim 36 wherein the sound generating means comprises speech synthesis means for synthesizing predetermined speech patterns..]..[.38. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein the alerting means comprises a visual display unit for displaying at least one alarm message..]..[.39. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said input means comprises a key pad for entering numerical data or command data..]..[.40. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said input means comprises a hook switch for detecting an on-hook or off-hook state..]..[.41. The apparatus of claim 32 wherein said first predetermined value is programmably responsive to a certain order of input at said input means..]..[.42. The apparatus of claim 33 wherein said second predetermined value is programmably responsive to a certain order of input at said input means..]..[.43. Radio telephone apparatus comprising:

transmitting means for transmitting signals over at least one radio channel;

receiving means for receiving signals transmitted over at least one radio channel;

input means responsive to the user'"'"'s operation for inputting data associated with the operation of said transmitting means and said receiving means;

control means for controlling said transmitting means and said receiving means in response to the data input by said input means;

power supply means for supplying said transmitting means, said receiving means, and said control means with electric power;

time measuring means for measuring time passage form the time when any input of said input means is operated lastly; and

power supply control means coupled to said time measuring means for controlling said power supply

means so that power supply is terminated to at least said transmitting means in response to the time passage measured by said measuring means

3. exceeding a first predetermined time period..]..[.44. The apparatus of claim 43 further comprising alerting means for alerting a user of the apparatus when the time passage measured by said measuring means exceeds a second predetermined time period..]..[.45. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the first predetermined time is the same as the second predetermined time..]..[.46. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the first predetermined time period is longer than the second predetermined time period..]..[.47. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said alarming means comprises means for generating sounds..]..[.48. The apparatus of claim 47 wherein the sound generating means comprises speech synthesis means for synthesizing predetermined speech patterns..]..[.49. The apparatus of claim 44 wherein the alerting means comprises a visual display unit for displaying at least one alarm message..]..[.50. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said input means comprises a key pad for entering numerical data or command data..]..[.51. The apparatus of claim 43 wherein said input means comprises a hook switch for detecting an on-hook or off-hook state..]..[.52. A method of terminating power for use in a radio telephone apparatus with a transmitter, comprising the steps of:

setting a count in a memory to zero;

periodically sensing an actuation of any input key of a plurality of input keys of the apparatus;

incrementing the count if no actuation of any input key is sensed;

determining if said count exceeds a first predetermined number; and

terminating power supply at least to the transmitter if said count exceeds

4. said first predetermined number..]..[.53. The method claim of claim 52 further comprising the steps or determining if the count exceeds a second predetermined number and alerting a user of the apparatus if the count exceeds the second predetermined number..]..[.54. A method of terminating power for use in a radio telephone apparatus with a transmitter, comprising the steps of:

sensing an actuation of any input key of a plurality of input keys of the apparatus;

starting the measurement of time each time said actuation of a key is sensed;

determining if the measured time exceeds a first predetermined time period;

terminating power supply at least to a transmitter if the measured time exceeds said first predetermined time period..]..[.55. The method of claim 54 further comprising the steps of determining if the measured time exceeds a second predetermined time period and alerting a user of the apparatus if the measured time exceeds said second predetermined time

5. period..]..Iadd.56. Radio telephone apparatus comprising:

transmitting means for transmitting signals;

receiving means for receiving signals;

key input means for inputting a first predetermined count value corresponding to a first predetermined time period;

power supply means for supply the transmitting means and the receiving means with power;

counting means for counting passage of time; and

,

power supply control means for controlling the power supply means so as to terminate power to at least of the transmitting means and the receiving means when the passage of time counted by the counting means exceeds the first predetermined time period, the termination of power supply being postponed if a user'"'"'s operation is performed within the first

6. predetermined time period. .Iaddend..Iadd.57. The apparatus of claim 56 further comprising alerting means for alerting a user of the apparatus, and wherein the key input means is also for inputting a second predetermined count value corresponding to a second predetermined time period, and the alerting means alerts the user when the passage of time counted by the counting means exceeds the second predetermined time period. .Iaddend..Iadd.58. Radio telephone apparatus comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting signals;

a receiver for receiving signals;

key input means having keys responsive to a user'"'"'s actuation for inputting a command data associated with the operation of at least one of the transmitter and the receiver and for inputting a first predetermined count value corresponding to a first predetermined time period;

a power supply for supplying the transmitter and the receiver with electric power;

a counter for counting passage of time from the time when an operation responsive to the user'"'"'s actuation of the key input means is performed; and

,

a power supply controller for controller for controlling the power supply to terminate electric power to at least one of the transmitter and the receiver when the passage of time counted by the counter exceeds the first

7. predetermined time period. .Iaddend..Iadd.59. The apparatus of claim 58 further comprising alerting means for alerting a user of the apparatus and wherein the key input means is also for inputting a second predetermined time period and the alerting means alerts the user when the passage of time counted by the counter exceeds the second predetermined time period. .Iaddend..Iadd.60. A radio telephone apparatus for communicating over a radio link comprising:

transmitting means for transmitting signals over the radio link;

receiving means for receiving signals transmitted over the radio link;

switch means responsive to a user'"'"'s operation for terminating the radio link;

key input means for inputting a count value corresponding to a first predetermined time period;

counting means for counting passage of time from a time when the switch means is operated lastly;

power supply means for supplying the transmitting means and the receiving means with power; and

,

power supply control means for controlling the power supply means so as to terminate power supply to at least one of the transmitting means and the receiving means from the power supply means when the passage of time counted by the counting means exceeds the first predetermined time period. .Iaddend..Iadd.61. The apparatus of claim 60 wherein the switch means is a hook switch. .Iaddend..Iadd.62. A method of terminating power for use in a radio telephone apparatus with a transmitter and an input means comprising keys, the method comprising the steps of;

setting a first count value corresponding to a first predetermined time period by operating the input means;

sensing an actuation of any key of the input means associated with the operation of the transmitter;

starting the count of time when each actuation of any of the input keys is sensed;

determining if the counted time exceeds the first predetermined time period; and

terminating power supply to at least the transmitter if the counted time

8. exceeds the first predetermined time period. .Iaddend..Iadd.63. The method of claim 62 further comprising the steps of:

setting a second count value corresponding to a second predetermined time period;

determining if the counted time exceeds the second predetermined time period; and

alerting a user of the apparatus if the counted time exceeds the second predetermined time period. .Iaddend..Iadd.64. The apparatus of claim 56 wherein the key input means has numeral keys and function keys. .Iaddend..Iadd.65. The apparatus of claim 58 wherein the key input means has numeral keys and function keys. .Iaddend..Iadd.66. The apparatus of claim 57 wherein the first predetermined time period and the second

9. predetermined time period have different values. .Iaddend..Iadd.67. The apparatus of claim 59 wherein the first predetermined time period and the second predetermined time period have different values. .Iaddend..Iadd.68. The method of claim 63 wherein the first predetermined time period and the second predetermined time period have different values.

10. Iaddend..Iadd. A radio telephone apparatus comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting signals;

a receiver for receiving signals;

a switch;

power supply means, responsive to actuation of said switch, for supplying power to said transmitter and said receiver;

time measuring means for measuring time passage when said switch is actuated;

periodic sensing means for periodically sensing actuation of one of a plurality of key inputs;

power supply controller for controlling said power supply means to terminate power supplied to at least one of said transmitter and said receiver when said sensing means fails to sense actuation of one of the plurality of key inputs and the time passage exceeds a predetermined time period. .Iaddend..Iadd.70. The radio telephone apparatus according to claim 69 wherein when said sensing means senses actuation of one of the plurality of key inputs prior to the time passage exceeding the predetermined time period, said time measuring means restarts measuring time passage. .Iaddend..Iadd.71. Power terminating apparatus for use with a radio telephone comprising;

a switch;

power supply means, responsive to actuation of said switch, for supplying power to said radiotelephone apparatus;

time measuring means for measuring time passage when said switch is actuated;

periodic sensing means for periodically sensing actuation of one of a plurality of key inputs; and

power supply controller for controlling said power supply means to terminate power supplied to at least a portion of said radiotelephone apparatus when said sensing means fails to sense actuation of one of the plurality of key inputs and the time passage exceeds a predetermined time period. .Iaddend..Iadd.72. The power terminating apparatus according to claim 71 wherein when said sensing means senses actuation of one of the plurality of key inputs prior to the time passage exceeding the predetermined time period, said time measuring means restarts measuring

11. time passage. .Iaddend..Iadd.73. Radio telephone apparatus comprising;

transmitting means for transmitting signals;

receiving means for receiving signals;

setting means for setting a predetermined count value corresponding to a predetermined time period;

memory means coupled to said setting means for storing the predetermined count value set by said setting means;

power supply means for supplying said transmitting means and said receiving means with electric power;

counting means for counting passage of time;

power supply control means for controlling said power supply means so as to terminate power supply to at least one of said transmitting means and said receiving means when a count value counted by said counting means exceeds the predetermined count value; and

wherein said setting means comprises a plurality of keys and the passage of time counted by said counting means is reset when any of said keys of said

12. setting means is operated. .Iaddend..Iadd.74. The apparatus of claim 73 wherein the passage of time counted by said counting means is reset to zero when a switch for terminating an established radio link is operated. .Iaddend..Iadd.75. The apparatus of claim 73 wherein said setting means has numeral keys and function keys. .Iaddend.

1. at said input means..]..[.11. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said second predetermined value is programmable responsive to a certain order of input at said input means..]..[.12. Radio telephone apparatus comprising:

transmitting means for transmitting signals over a first radio channel;

receiving means for receiving signals transmitted over a second radio channel;

input means responsive to a user'"'"'s operation for inputting data associated with the operation of said transmitting means and said receiving means;

control means for controlling said transmitting means and said receiving means in response to the data inputted by said input means;

power supply means for supply said transmitting means, said receiving means, and said control means with electric power;

time measuring means for measuring time passage from the time when any input of said input means is operated lastly; and

alarming means for alarming at least one user of the apparatus in response to the time passage measured by said measuring means exceeding a first predetermined time period..]..[.13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said power supply means terminates power supply at least to said transmitting means when the time passage measured by said measuring means exceeds a second predetermined time period..]..[.14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the first predetermined time is the same as the second predetermined time..]..[.15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the second predetermined time period is longer than the first predetermined time period..]..[.16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said alarming means comprises means for generating sounds..]..[.17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the sound generating means comprises speech synthesis means for synthesizing predetermined speech patterns..]..[.18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the alarming means comprises a visual display unit for displaying at least one alarm message..]..[.19. The apparatus for claim 12 wherein said input means comprises a key pad for entering numerical data or command data..]..[.20. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said input means comprises a hook switch for detecting an on-hook or off-hook state..]..[.21. Radio telephone apparatus comprising transmitting means for transmitting signals over a first radio channel;

receiving means for receiving signals transmitted over a second radio channel;

keyboard input means comprising a plurality of keys responsive to a user'"'"'s operation for inputting data associated with the operation of said transmitting means and said receiving means;

power supply means for supplying said transmitting means and said receiving means with power;

power supply control means for controlling said power supply means to terminate said power supplied from said power supply means when a predetermined time period passes from the time when any one key of said plurality of keys of said keyboard input means is operated lastly..]..[.22. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein power supply control means controls said power supply means so as to terminate power supply at least to said transmitting means..]..[.23. A method of terminating power for use in a radio telephone apparatus, comprising the steps of;

setting a count in a memory to zero;

periodically sensing an actuation of a key of the apparatus;

incrementing the count if no actuation of said key is sensed;

determining if the count exceeds a first predetermined number; and

alarming a user of the apparatus if the count exceeds the first predetermined number..]..[.24. The method of claim 23 further comprises the steps of determining if the count exceeds a second predetermined number and terminating power supply at least to a transmitter if the count exceeds the second predetermined number..]..[.25. A method of terminating power for use in a radio telephone apparatus, comprising the steps of;

sensing an actuation of a key of the apparatus;

starting the measurement of time each time the actuation of a key is sensed;

determining if the measured time exceeds a first predetermined time period;

alarming a user of the apparatus if the measured time exceeds the first predetermined time period..]..[.26. The method of claim 25 further comprises the steps of determining if the measured time exceeds a second predetermined time period and terminating power supply at least to a transmitter if the measured time exceeds the second predetermined time period..]..[.27. Power terminating apparatus for use with a radio telephone apparatus comprising;

input means responsive to a user'"'"'s operation for inputting data associated with the operation of said radio telephone apparatus;

time measuring means for measuring time passage from the time when said input means is operated lastly;

control means for generating an alarm signal in response to the time passage measured by said time measuring means exceeding a first predetermined time period; and

indicating means responsive to said alarm signal for indicating the termination of power supply to said radio telephone apparatus..]..[.28. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said control means further generates a power terminating signal for terminating power supply to said radio telephone apparatus in response to the time passage measured by said measuring means exceeding a second predetermined time period..]..[.29. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said alarming means comprises means for generating sounds..]..[.30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the sound generating means comprises speech synthesis means for synthesizing predetermined speech patterns..]..[.31. The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said alarming means comprises a visual display means for displaying at least one alarm message..]..[.32. Radio telephone apparatus comprising;

transmitting means for transmitting signals over at least one radio channel;

receiving means for receiving signals sent over at least one radio channel;

input means responsive to user'"'"'s operation for inputting data associated with the operation of said transmitting means and said receiving means;

power supply means for supplying said transmitting means and said receiving means with electric power;

signal generating means responsive to any input at said input means for generating a flag signal;

detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of said flag signal at a predetermined interval;

counting means for counting how many times said detecting means detects the absence of said flag signal continuously; and

control means coupled to said counting means for controlling said power supply means so that said power supplied to at least said transmitting means is terminated when a count value counted by said counting means