Power management method for handheld electronic device using G-sensor

• US 8,117,471 B2
• Filed: 06/26/2008
• Issued: 02/14/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 11/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Original Assignee: HTC Corporation
• Inventors: Chin, Cheng-Hao
• Primary Examiner(s): PATEL, NITIN C
• Application Number:
  US12/146,455
• Publication Number:
  US 20090138736A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,328 Days
• Field of Search: 713/300, 713/320
• US Class Current: 713/320
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1626 with a single-body enclosure integrating a flat display, e.g. Personal Digital Assistants [PDAs]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1684 Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/3203 Power management, i.e. event-based initiation of a power-saving mode
• 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: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A power management method for a handheld electronic device is provided. In the present method, a G-sensor is used for detecting a normal vector of a plane of the handheld electronic device. The normal vector is then determined whether being directed toward a downward direction. When the normal vector is determined as being directed toward the downward. Accordingly, the handheld electronic device can be controlled to enter the power saving mode timely according to the positioned state of the device without going through complicated procedures such as operating a menu, so as to provide a more intuitive and convenient way for power management.

Claims

1. A power management method for a handheld electronic device, comprising:

using a G-sensor for detecting a normal vector of a plane which is a screen of the handheld electronic device comprising a verticle type or a glide open type handheld electronic device;

determining whether the normal vector comprising an x, y, or z component is directed toward a downward direction by determining whether the z component of the normal vector is negative, and the x component and the y component of the normal vector fall within a specific range respectively; and

the normal vector is determined to be directed toward the downward direction when the z component of the normal vector is negative and the x component and the y component of the normal vector fall within the specific range; and

controlling the handheld electronic device to enter a power saving mode if the normal vector of a plane which is a screen of the handheld electronic device is directed toward the downward direction.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of determining whether the normal vector is directed toward the downward direction comprises:

determining whether the z component of the normal vector is negative and the x component and the y component of the normal vector are 0; and

determining the normal vector is directed toward the downward direction when the z component of the normal vector is negative and the x component and the y component of the normal vector are 0.

3. The method according to claim 1, after determining the normal vector is directed toward the downward direction, further comprising:

determining whether the normal vector is directed toward the downward direction for more than a first time period; and

controlling the handheld electronic device to enter the power saving mode when the normal vector is directed toward the downward direction for more than the first time period.

4. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

continuing to detect the normal vector of the plane of the handheld electronic device;

determining whether the normal vector deviates from the downward direction; and

controlling the handheld electronic device to resume a normal operating mode when the normal vector deviates from the downward direction.

5. The method according to claim 4, after determining the normal vector deviates from the downward direction, further comprising:

determining whether the normal vector deviates from the downward direction for more than a second time period; and

controlling the handheld electronic device to resume the normal operating mode when the normal vector deviates from the downward direction for more than the second time period.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein an operating system of the handheld device controls the handheld electronic device to enter the power saving mode, and an embedded controller of the handheld electronic device controls the handheld electronic device to resume the normal operating mode.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the power saving mode comprises a sleep mode, a hibernate mode, a silent mode, or a mute mode.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the power saving mode comprises the functions of switching off the screen, switching off the speaker, switching the handheld electronic device to silent mode, or muting the ring of an incoming call.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the handheld electronic device comprises a mobile phone, a smart phone, a touch phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) phone, or an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC).