Referring initially to
Accordingly, the module 10 includes a portable lightweight housing 12 holding a processor 14. In accordance with security module principles known in the art, the processor 14 controls a wireless interface 16 to periodically transmit wireless signals which can be received by entities, such as but not limited to computers and buildings, which have complementary receivers to electronically or mechanically unlock the entities, provided satisfactory authentication information is carried in the signal transmitted by the module 10. The particular type of wireless signal is not limiting.
One or more batteries (only a single battery 18 shown for clarity of disclosure) can be in the housing 18 and can be electrically connected to various components, including, e.g., the processor 14 and wireless interface 16, to power the components. Security information to be transmitted, as well as code implementing the present logic, can be stored in a computer readable medium such as but not limited to a memory 20 within the housing 12 for access thereof by the processor 14.
In non-limiting implementations, status light emitting diodes (LEDs) 22 can be provided on the housing to indicate, e.g., transmission status, battery status, unlock status, etc. Also, if desired one or more user controls 24, such as user-manipulable buttons, can be provided on the housing 12.
In accordance with present principles, the housing 12 also supports a motion detector 26 that senses motion and sends a signal indicative thereof to the processor 14. Any suitable motion detector may be used, including, without limitation, accelerometers, piezoelectric-based or otherwise, etc.
Non-limiting logic executable by the processor 14 for using the motion detector 26 can be seen in
Decision diamond 32 is meant to indicate that the timer is monitored to determine whether a threshold period (e.g., ten seconds or some other appropriate period) has elapsed since the most recent motion signal was generated. If not, the non-limiting logic determines at decision diamond 34 whether a new motion signal has been received. If not, the logic loops back to block 30. When a new motion signal is received at decision diamond 34, the module 10 remains in the active mode at state 36, and the timer is reset to zero at block 38, with the logic then resuming the time count, now rezeroed, at block 30. As stated above, the flow chart loops shown in
Recall that decision diamond 32 represented a possible time count of no motion exceeding the threshold period. When this occurs, the logic enters a sleep mode at state 40 until such time as the motion detector 26 once again generates a motion signal at state 42, in which case the logic assumes the active mode at block 36 and proceeds as disclosed above. In the sleep mode, less than all of the components that are energized during the active are powered on, to conserve battery life. For instance, in the sleep mode, by way of non-limiting example the wireless interface 16 and/or LEDs 22 and/or other non-essential components are not energized by the battery 18. This can be accomplished in any suitable way, such as opening switches between the battery and the non-essential components. Typically, the processor 14 and, if it requires battery power, the motion detector 26, remain energized by the battery 18 in the sleep mode, for the limited purpose of detecting motion.
While the particular SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING MOTION OF PORTABLE SECURITY MODULE TO CONSERVE BATTERY LIFE is herein shown and described in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter which is encompassed by the present invention is limited only by the claims.