Patent Application
20050221791
The present invention relates to communication devices, and more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to mobile telephone handsets, headsets and related communication devices utilizing sensors for facilitating reduced power consumption.
The popularity and worldwide acceptance of handheld mobile telephones is well recognized. This widespread use has resulted in the mobile telephone becoming a common part of both modern society and contemporary business. There are many reasons for the success of mobile telephones, and they include the inherent ease with which a user can access telephonic communication from place to place without the concern of fixed communication networks. This ease in communication access affords greater convenience for the consumer and increased efficiency for business.
It is common to carry handheld mobile telephones in pockets, on belts, in purses, and in briefcases. Such telephones are generally in the “on” condition as the user often wants the telephone to be readily available for immediate use and in a condition to receive calls. Such demands upon the function of a modern handheld mobile telephone handset have required improved efficiency in power consumption and battery life. It has thus become well-known to “power down” telephone handset screens and/or related handset functions when a pre-defined period of time has passed since last use of the screen to display information. This powering down aspect promotes extended battery life and allows the user to leave the telephone in an “on mode” for prolonged periods of time without unnecessary power loss.
From a technology background standpoint, it is well-known to use proximity sensors in telephones for activating various functions. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,151 discloses a proximity sensor for use in a handset speaker phone. This particular design utilizes an infrared range detection unit built into the handset for controlling switching between a handset mode and a speaker phone mode. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 5,337,353 discloses a capacity proximity sensor. In this particular design, a guard electrode and a sensor electrode separated by an insulating layer are utilized for controlling switching between a handset mode and a speaker phone mode.
It may be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 5,712,911, that a telephone system is set forth, shown, and described for activating a speaker phone in response to incoming call based upon the presence or absence of a subscriber within a predetermined proximity zone. This particular technology utilizes a proximity unit and a control unit for automatically activating the speaker phone to establish communication with the caller when the subscriber is within the predetermined proximity zone. Likewise, U.S. Pat. No. 3,109,893 discloses a proximity operated telephone in which proximity switches are used for turning the telephone on when a subscriber passes his hand near the sensor to establish communication with the caller. European Patent No. EP0541439 discloses an auditory communication device using a proximity detector to activate a microphone when a speaker is present within a predetermined proximity zone. In this particular case, the effects of ambient noise are reduced.
Finally, U.S. Pat. No. 6,532,447, assigned to Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (publ) and incorporated in its entirety herein for reference, teaches yet another use of a proximity sensor in an electronic device. In this patent, a proximity sensor is employed to provide a control signal indicative of whether an object is in proximity of the device. The control signal allows voice recognition circuitry of a mobile telephone to be enabled or disabled.
Recent developments in handheld mobile telephone technology have also led to separate earpieces, or headsets, that communicate with a linked mobile telephone handset by utilizing short-range wireless technology such as, for example, BLUETOOTH. Although the following description may utilize the term “BLUETOOTH” to describe a particular wireless scheme, it will be understood by one in the art that any short-range wireless scheme may be employed. Future BLUETOOTH headset designs should soon incorporate display screens and some of these may be color. It is well-recognized that color displays and backlights currently used in mobile telephone handsets typically and headsets consume a relatively-large amount of power when active. These design considerations are further exacerbated by commercial marketability aspects of headsets, which focus on issues such as weight, size and standby power duration.
As referenced above, certain mobile telephone handset displays go into an energy-saving mode based solely upon timing factors. While effective for handsets with relatively large batteries, telephone headsets of the BLUETOOTH variety may require even more power-saving remedies when incorporating display screens.
The present invention relates to communication devices, and more particularly, to mobile telephone handsets, headsets and related communication devices utilizing sensors to facilitate reduced power consumption. In one embodiment, the present invention includes a communication device comprising at least one of a display screen for displaying information and a backlight for lighting a portion of the device. The device also includes a sensor for providing a command signal and control means for controlling the operation of the display screen in response to the command signal. The device has a first mode in which the display screen displays information and a second mode having lower power consumption than in the first mode, and the command signal causes a change between the first mode and the second mode. In yet another aspect of the invention, the communication device is portable, and in another embodiment comprises a mobile telephone.
In yet a further aspect, an embodiment of the invention comprises a method of controlling the operation of a display screen in a communication device comprising the steps of providing a sensor within the communication device, producing a command signal indicative of whether an object is in proximity of the device or a temperature or pressure, etc. threshold has been exceeded, and controlling the display of the device in response to the command signal. In yet another aspect of the invention, the control of the display screen controlled operation is enabled by the command signal and is terminated by the absence of a command signal.
A more complete understanding of the method and apparatus of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
It has been recognized by the inventor of the present application that utilization of a sensor in a communication device, such as a telephone headset, handset or other auxiliary device, can afford a user enhanced efficiency by reduced power consumption. In one embodiment of the present invention, the communication device incorporates a sensor disposed therein to detect if the device is sufficiently close to the head of the user or any other surface so as to prevent its effective viewing of the display or keypad. In this event, the display screen power, display backlight, keypad backlight, or other power consuming applications may be turned off and/or the device placed in a pre-selected energy-saving mode for reduced power consumption and prolonged battery life.
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As noted above, the sensor 104 may be a type of sensor other than a proximity sensor. For example, if the sensor 104 is a pressure sensor, then, in this case, the signal 110 may be the pressure applied to the pressure sensor. A command signal 114 is generated based on the sensed pressure. Similarly to the pressure sensor, when employing a temperature sensor, the signal 110 may be the temperature received at the temperature sensor. The sensed temperature may indicate that the communication device 100 is near a user's head and a command signal 114 is generated based on the sensed temperature. Similar signals may be generated when, for example, a light sensor, or other type of sensor is utilized by an embodiment of the present invention.
In addition, the command signal 114 may also affect other settings of the communication device 100. For example, the communication device 100 may be operating in a vibration ring mode. In some instances, a user may desire that the communication device 100 not vibrate for an incoming call. An aspect of the present invention prevents the communication device 100 from ringing or vibrating when the command signal 114 sent to the control means 108 indicates that the display screen 102 should be put into a power-saving mode. In another embodiment, settings may cause the display screen 102 to be put into a power-saving mode. For example, a meeting setting may cause the communication device 100 not to ring or vibrate when there is an incoming call. The meeting setting may also cause the display screen 102 to be put into a power-saving mode. Furthermore, the sensor 104 may be utilized in conjunction with other settings, a timer, application, etc. for effecting a power-saving mode. For example, although the sensor 104 does not detect a condition for entering a power-saving mode, a timer may be utilized to determine when an amount of time lapses without activity. In this instance, the communication device 100 may enter a power-saving mode due to the timer exceeding a predetermined time interval.
The sensor 104, if a proximity sensor, may be a capacitive, inductive, temperature, IR, or other variety of sensor capable of detecting whether an object is present in the proximity zone 112. A primary object of detection for the proximity zone 112 may be the head of the user or any other object that would prevent viewing of the display screen 102. In this regard, an override signal 116 can be emitted by an override control 118, allowing the user or the communication device to reactivate the display screen 102 even though an object is sensed within the proximity zone 112, the pressure sensed exceeds a predetermined threshold, a temperature sensed exceeds a predetermined threshold, etc. The override control 118 may be used, for example, when the user has inadvertently covered the sensor 104 or desires for the display screen to remain activated even though the sensor 104 detects an object within the proximity zone 112 or the predetermined threshold is exceeded in the temperature or pressure sensor. In addition, the override control 118 may be activated when the communication device receives an incoming call. In this way, the user may view the phone number of the calling party.
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Other control systems may be incorporated for the control of the display screen, including activation or deactivation of power thereto, as is conventional in the prior art for mobile telephone technology. For example, the display screen 102 may also be powered down through the control means 108 after a defined period of time, as recognized by a timer 120 that detects use of the communication device 100 through a signal 122, has elapsed. In this manner, the display screen 102 in position to be viewed by a user may be powered down in accordance with existing screen saver/power consumption standards whether or not the sensor 104 detects that the display screen 102 should be powered down. This may occur, for example, when the communication device 100 is simply left on for a prolonged period of time.
In addition to entering a power-saving mode, the sensor 104 and command signal 114 may be utilized to restore power to a portion of the device previously in a power-saving mode. For example, when the communication device 100 is in close proximity to an object, such as a user's head, then the display, keypad backlight, other power-consuming applications, etc. may be put into a power-saving mode. When the sensor 104 senses that the communication device 100 is no longer in close proximity to an object, the display, keypad backlight, etc. may be authorized to return to a power-consuming mode.
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Although the above description illustrates utilizing one sensor to aid in determining the mode of operation of the display or backlight, multiple sensors may be employed to determine the mode of operation of the display or backlight. For example, a pressure sensor and a light sensor may be utilized to determine whether a portion of the device should enter a power-saving mode. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may cooperate with other applications, timers, settings, etc. for determining whether a portion of the device should enter a power-saving mode.
It is thus believed that the operation and construction of various embodiments of the present invention will be apparent from the foregoing Detailed Description. While various devices have been described, it will be obvious to a person of ordinary skill in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined in the following claims. Therefore, the spirit and the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the embodiments contained herein.
