Patent Application
20070117594
This invention relates generally to displays, and more particularly to a method and system for deactivating a display on a portable electronic device.
Mobile communication devices typically rely on rechargeable power sources and therefore use many different schemes to reduce the current drain to enable longer usage time. One of the sources of current drain includes a main display that can display phone books, incoming caller identification information, and other information. Typically, when a cellular phone receives an incoming call, the backlight for a main display will be lit up. In a cellular phone having a flip portion, the main display backlight may only light up when the flip is open or when a flip is open and an incoming call is received. These actions, although useful in some instances to a user, will unnecessarily cause current drain in many other instances.
Embodiments in accordance with the present invention can enable a reduction in current drain by selectively deactivating a main display or a backlight for the main display when a measurable use characteristic is used to make a determination that the display or backlight can be turned off.
In a first embodiment of the present invention, a method of operating a main display in a communication device such as a radio can include the steps of monitoring a use characteristic of the radio and selectively deactivating the main display based on the use characteristic. The use characteristic can be among the use of an internal speaker or an external speaker, an open angle of the radio, a type of call, a time of day, a user location, a Caller ID, a holster status, a headset status, a cradle status, a network status, a prepaid minutes status, a bus status, or a volume level status. The radio can selectively transition dynamically from an activated display to a deactivated display or from the activated display to the deactivated upon a change in the use characteristic. In one example the use characteristic can be a status of a position of a flip portion of the radio or an angle or position of the communication device and a status of an incoming call where the display is selectively deactivated when the flip portion is opened to answer the incoming call. The method can further include the step of selectively activating the main display upon a user action such as button selection. The method can include monitoring a user's habits in turning off the main display during a particular use characteristic and prompting the user to offer to automatically turn off the main display when the particular use characteristic occurs.
In a second embodiment of the present invention, a user interface on a radio can include a main display on the communication device or radio and a processor coupled to the display. The processor can be programmed to monitor a use characteristic of the radio and selectively deactivate the main display based on the use characteristic. The use characteristic can be selected from use of an internal speaker or an external speaker, an open angle of the radio, a type of call, a time of day, a user location, a Caller ID, a holster status, a headset status, a cradle status, a network status, a prepaid minute status, a bus status, or a volume level status. The radio can selectively transition from an activated display to a deactivated display dynamically or vice-versa upon a change in the use characteristic. In one example, the use characteristic can be a status of a position of a flip portion of the communication device or of an angle or position (e.g., upright, sideways, etc.) of the communication device and a status of an incoming call where the radio can deactivate the main display upon the opening of the flip portion to answer the incoming call. The user interface further comprises at least one button and the radio is further programmed to selectively activate the main display after deactivation upon a user button selection. The processor can also be programmed to monitor a user's habits in turning off the main display during a particular use characteristic and prompt the user to automatically turn off the main display when the particular use characteristic occurs. Note, monitoring the user's habits can include recording or storing of the user habit information.
In a third embodiment of the present invention, a wireless communication device can include a main display, a transceiver, and a processor coupled to the display and the transceiver. The processor can be programmed to monitor a use characteristic of the wireless communication device and selectively deactivate the main display based on the use characteristic. As previously mentioned, the use characteristic can be selected from use of an internal speaker or an external speaker, an open angle of the wireless communication device, a type of call, a time of day, a user location, a Caller ID, a holster status, a headset status, a cradle status, a network status, a prepaid minute status, a bus status, or a volume level status. The wireless communication device can selectively transition from an activated display to a deactivated display dynamically (or vice-versa) upon a change in the use characteristic. In one example, the use characteristic can be a status of a flip position of a flip portion of the wireless communication device or an angle or position of the wireless communication device and a status of an incoming call where the wireless communication device deactivates the main display upon the opening of the flip portion to answer the incoming call. The communication device can further include a user interface further having at least one button and the wireless communication device can be further programmed to selectively activate the main display after deactivation upon a user action such as a user button selection. Note, it should be understood that “deactivating the display” can mean deactivating the display itself or deactivating a backlight or other lighting function for the display or even lighting function for the keypads or keys that would impact current drain. Note, that although many of the use characteristics illustrated involve a status of a flip, it should be understood that embodiments herein can include other use characteristics that do not necessarily involve a flip status or a clam-style shaped communication device. The examples of flip phones or devices used herein are not meant to limit the types of use characteristics that can be monitored in contemplation of the embodiments herein.
The terms “a” or “an,” as used herein, are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality,” as used herein, is defined as two or more than two. The term “another,” as used herein, is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including” and/or “having,” as used herein, are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled,” as used herein, is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly, and not necessarily mechanically.
The terms “program,” “software application,” and the like as used herein, are defined as a sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system. A program, computer program, or software application may include a subroutine, a function, a procedure, an object method, an object implementation, an executable application, an applet, a servlet, a source code, an object code, a shared library/dynamic load library and/or other sequence of instructions designed for execution on a computer system.
Other embodiments, when configured in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein, can include a system for performing and a machine readable storage for causing a machine to perform the various processes and methods disclosed herein.
While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of embodiments of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward.
The processor 104 can utilize conventional computing and/or processing technology such as a microprocessor and/or a DSP (Digital Signal Processor). Additionally, the processor 104 can include conventional media such as RAM (Random Access Memory), DRAM (Dynamic RAM), ROM (Read Only Memory), and/or Flash memory for data processing and storage. The audio system 114 utilizes conventional audio technology for intercepting and conveying audible signals to a user of the SCR 100. The display 112 can also utilize conventional technology such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for conveying images to the user with an optional backlight. The keypad 116 is a conventional input device coupled to the processor 104 for intercepting tactile responses from the user and can also include its own backlight. These responses can be, for instance, tactile responses that represent telephone number dialing for accessing another end user. Generally speaking, the keypad 116 serves to control operations of the SCR 100.
The power supply 110 utilizes conventional energy conversion technology for supply energy to the aforementioned components of the SCR 100. The power supply 110 can be, for instance, a portable battery-operated supply for portable applications of the SCR 100. The processor 104 can be programmed to reduce current drain in a number of ways in accordance with the embodiments of the present invention as will be further discussed below. Further note, the aforementioned embodiments of the SCR 100 can represent a conventional cellular phone, a wireless PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a handheld gaming device, and derivatives thereof.
Referring to
In contrast, a wireless communication system 130 as illustrated in
Another measurable use characteristic can involve monitoring a time of day (or an event on a calendar) such that when an incoming call comes in or a call by the user of the device 300 is made during daylight hours, the display will remain deactivated while nighttime calls (or call before an upcoming event) will activate the display during an incoming or outgoing call. Other use characteristics monitored and used to make a determination to selectively deactivate a display or backlight can include a user location or a recognized Caller ID. Referring to
Other factors that can affect the need for using a display or backlight can further include a network or call status, a prepaid minutes status, or a volume level. If a device is roaming or using one particular network technology versus another (3G, iDEN, WiFi, CDMA, GSM), then a logical decision can be made based on this measurable use characteristic. If a prepaid minute status indicates either a low tank, an empty tank or normal, a determination can be made whether to activate or deactivate a display or backlight. A volume level status can also provide such an indication as well. A speakerphone with a low volume may still indicate the use of an active display while a high volume setting may indicate an inactive display. Of course, the use characteristics enumerated herein are examples and should not be limited thereto.
Referring to
In light of the foregoing description, it should be recognized that embodiments in accordance with the present invention can be realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software. A network or system according to the present invention can be realized in a centralized fashion in one computer system or processor, or in a distributed fashion where different elements are spread across several interconnected computer systems or processors (such as a microprocessor and a DSP). Any kind of computer system, or other apparatus adapted for carrying out the functions described herein, is suited. A typical combination of hardware and software could be a general purpose computer system with a computer program that, when being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that it carries out the functions described herein.
In light of the foregoing description, it should also be recognized that embodiments in accordance with the present invention can be realized in numerous configurations contemplated to be within the scope and spirit of the claims. Additionally, the description above is intended by way of example only and is not intended to limit the present invention in any way, except as set forth in the following claims.
