CLIAMS:
1. An apparatus for providing power management in mobile devices, the apparatus comprising:
a sensor unit comprising a plurality of active sensors adapted for generating power in response to an user input during one of a low power mode or power off state of the mobile device; and
a device power management module coupled to the sensor unit and a device processor, wherein the device power management module is configured for:
receiving a plurality of sensor inputs from the sensor unit; and
activating, controlling or signaling one or more device components on the mobile device based on the plurality of sensor inputs for enabling one or more predefined device functionalities.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the device power management module comprises of a processor unit which is powered by the plurality of active sensors.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predefined device functionalities comprises at least one of:
switching the mobile device to one or more device modes based on a device battery power;
turning off a display screen of the mobile device;
enabling a call functioning;
enabling a device camera function;
turning on the mobile device in a specific mode;
locking the device;
enabling a pre-stored voice message to be sent to another user without turning on the mobile device; and
sending a battery down alert to at least one of a last called person or to a predefined number.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the one or more device modes comprises one of:
an airplane mode of the mobile device, where a plurality of radio signals are disabled; and
a silent mode of the mobile device.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of active sensors comprises of a plurality of piezoelectric sensor strips fabricated on a contact surface of the mobile device.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of piezoelectric sensor strips coupled to the device processor are adapted for:
detecting a user input by the mobile device; and
generating an amount of power in response to the detected user input.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the user input comprises at least one of a voice input, a touch input or one or more predefined gestures.

8. A method for providing power management in mobile devices, the method comprising steps of:
generating a power in a mobile device in response to an user input during one of a low power mode or power off state of the mobile device;
activating, signaling or controlling one or more device components using the generated power; and
enabling a user to perform a plurality of predefined device functionalities during the low power mode or power off state of the mobile device.
,TagSPECI:FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to the field of power management in computing devices, and in particular to an apparatus and method for activating one or more device specific functions of the mobile device during a low-power state of the mobile device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, the users of portable electronics devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable gaming devices, etc., have increasingly relied upon these devices for various functions, ranging from telecommunications (e.g., phone calls, emails, text messages, etc.) to telling the time of day. However, the mobile nature of these devices makes their utility dependent upon the battery power available to each device. When the battery gets exhausted, consequently all the functionalities of the device become unavailable.

The moveable devices that use battery power must maintain an “always on” state so that they are ready for use when desired by a user. The conventional power processing stage consists of several power regulators, which start functioning at the press of a power-on switch and further keep providing a stable power supply to the computing device and its peripherals. To recognize the user actions and gestures, the computing device is kept powered up to continuously monitor the user actions. This leads to associated power drain from the battery. Further, onboard active sensors (transducers) present in the device are used to perform certain tasks while the main computing device is not drawing power from the battery. However, the conventional systems do not support to activate only some specific functions while disabling other functions in the mobile device when the device battery is in a low power mode. Active sensors like piezoelectric sensors are already used in many mobile devices as a means of alternate power source although for limited purposes.

In view of the foregoing, there is a need to provide a mechanism for managing power in the computing devices for enabling one or more device functionalities when the battery power of the mobile device is below a marginal power.

The foregoing examples of the related art and limitations related therewith are intended to be illustrative and not exclusive. Other limitations of the related art will become apparent upon a reading of the specification and a study of the drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The various embodiments of the present invention disclose an apparatus and method for providing power management in mobile devices. The apparatus of the present invention comprises of a sensor unit, a device processor unit and a device power management module coupled to the sensor unit and the device processor. The sensor unit comprises of a plurality of active sensors adapted for generating power in response to a user input during a low power mode of the mobile. The device power management module coupled to the sensor unit and the processor is configured for receiving a plurality of sensor instructions from the sensor unit and instructing the processor to activate one or more device components on the mobile device using the generated power to perform a plurality of predefined device functionalities.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the predefined device functionalities comprises at least one of switching the mobile device to one or more device modes based on a device battery power, turning off a display screen of the mobile device, enabling a call functioning, enabling a device camera function, turning on the mobile device in a specific mode, locking the device, enabling a pre-stored voice message to be sent to another user without turning on the mobile device; sending a battery down alert to at least one of a last called person or to a predefined number and the like.
According to an embodiment of the preset invention, the plurality of active sensors comprises of a plurality of piezoelectric sensor strips fabricated on a contact surface of the mobile device.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the plurality of piezoelectric sensor strips coupled to the processor are adapted for detecting a movement of the mobile device and generating a power in response to the detected movement.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus herein is adapted to receive user inputs during a low power mode of the mobile device, wherein the user input comprises at least one of a voice input, a touch input or one or more predefined gestures.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, when the device is in a low battery state or has marginal power, such that the power is not available for enabling the full functionality of the mobile device, wherein the device provides only part of the functionality.
Embodiments herein further provide a method for providing power management in mobile devices. The method comprises of generating a power in a mobile device in response to a user input during a low power mode of the mobile device, activating one or more device components using the generated power and enabling a user to perform a plurality of predefined device functionalities in the low power mode of the mobile device.

According to an embodiment herein, the method herein provides for powering a device without using energy from a dedicated power source when the device has only marginal power. The apparatus and method herein allows to turn-on the device by user-defined gestures thus eliminating the use of power button.

When the device has only marginal power, the embodiments herein switches the mobile device to a low power mode where the device screen is not turned on, switches the mobile device to a special mode where all the functions apart from the telephony are disabled, switches to a mode where only the camera function is activated, switches to a mode that stores and enables a pre-stored voice message to be sent via the mode without booting the phone and turning the screen on, sends a battery down message to a person last called on the device or a restored number.

According to an embodiment herein, when the mobile device is switched off, it can be activated via a gesture to directly call a predefined number without switching the device on. Further, the device is booted up only after the call is completed.

According to an embodiment herein, the apparatus herein is powered by voice activation using a piezo electric microphone. The piezo electric driven subsystem, upon appropriate user input, performs any functionality based on RTC such as alarms. The piezo electric sensors on the device bezel can be directly pressed, thereby acting as a simple switch.

The embodiments herein further provides for powering up a single LED on the display, thus acting as a torch. The device can be activated by a shout and can activate a buzzing sound as a response, even when the device is turned off, thereby enabling locating a missing device that is turned off.

The foregoing has outlined, in general, the various aspects of the invention and is to serve as an aid to better understanding the more complete detailed description which is to follow. In reference to such, there is to be a clear understanding that the present invention is not limited to the method or application of use described and illustrated herein. It is intended that any other advantages and objects of the present invention that become apparent or obvious from the detailed description or illustrations contained herein are within the scope of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiment and the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a power management system for a battery operated mobile device, according to a prior art illustration.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus for providing power management for mobile devices according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of a mobile device, illustrating various components for implementing the embodiments of the present invention.

Although specific features of the present invention are shown in some drawings and not in others. This is done for convenience only as each feature may be combined with any or all of the other features in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments herein disclose an apparatus and method for providing power management in mobile devices. In the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

The embodiments herein provides for activation one or more functionalities on a mobile computing device using active sensors when the mobile device is in a state of marginal power or low power or no power state. The plurality of sensors provided in the mobile device is triggered either by a voice command, a sliding action, or a press action on one of the sides of the device. The action enables the sensors to generate energy for powering on the device. Similarly the energy thus generated can be used to unlock the device, or to wake up the device from hibernate or sleeping mode.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a power management system 100 for a battery operated mobile device, according to a prior art illustration.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an apparatus for providing power management for mobile devices according to an embodiment of the present invention. The power management apparatus comprises of a power regulation subsystem 202, an SOC system 204, a sensor unit 210 and a device power management module 214. The power regulation sub system and System on Chip (SOC) system, comprising the device processor, in the mobile device are arranged typically as shown in the figure 1. The SOC system 204 comprises a power reset and clock management unit 206. Further a power button 216 and a device battery 218 are provided in the mobile device.

The power regulation sub system 202 is adapted for providing various voltage regulation requirements imposed by SOC system 204. When the power button 216 is pressed ON, a corresponding signal is received at the power regulation sub system 202. The power regulation sub system 202 generates a Power ON reset signal which is forwarded to the SOC system 204 and its related peripherals 208. The reset signal initiate’s resetting and restarting of the SOC system 204.

The power regulation sub system 202 is also adapted to power up the peripherals 208 and the passive sensors as per requirements.

When powering OFF is required, the SOC system 204 communicates a corresponding signal to the power regulation sub system 202 which then functions accordingly. Thus, the mobile device works in low power mode in which the peripherals 208 are active and the SOC system 204 is in a sleeping state.

The sensor unit 210 herein comprises both active sensors 212 and passive sensors. The active sensors 212 in the sensor unit 210 of the apparatus of the present invention, comprises of a plurality of piezoelectric sensor strips fabricated on a contact surface of the mobile device. The active sensors 212 receive user inputs during a low power mode of the mobile device. These user inputs can be at least one of a voice input, a touch input or one or more predefined gestures. The active sensors 212 herein are adapted for detecting movements of the mobile device. The active sensors 212 generate power in response to the user inputs and detected movements of the mobile device.

The device power management module 214 is coupled to the sensor unit 210 and the SOC system 204, where the device power management module 214 is provided with a microcontroller unit (not shown). The plurality of active sensors 212 measure the physical parameters in electrical form and provide a part of the electrical energy generated to power up the microcontroller unit. Based on these measurements, it may be required to power on the user device so that the central processing is carried out by the SOC system 204 and the device performs the required operations. The microcontroller unit of the device power management module 214 provides a signal to start the SOC and powering ON the power regulation sub system 202 so as to supply power to the device components. The SOC system 204 then communicates with the low power microcontroller unit to determine the cause of trigger of the power on sequence and subsequently carries out the one or more operations as determined.

In purview of this, the device power management module 214 instructs the processor to activate one or more device components on the mobile device based on the instructions provided by the sensor unit 210. These device components then perform one or more predefined device functionalities using the power generated by the active sensors 212.

The predefined device functionalities herein comprises of switching the mobile device to one or more device modes based on a device battery power, turning off a display screen of the mobile device, enabling a call functioning, enabling a device camera function, turning on the mobile device in a specific mode, locking the device, enabling a pre-stored voice message to be sent to another user without turning on the mobile device and sending a battery down alert to at least one of a last called person or to a predefined number.

As an illustration, the user can enable a call function without switching on the other functionalities of the mobile device, during a low power mode, by a predefined voiced input like articulation of a word/name. A further example is locking the device, by a predefined user gesture like rubbing an edge of the mobile device.

When the overall system is to be powered ON, the device power management module 214 issues a signal to turn ON the power regulation sub system 202 by utilizing the power generated from the sensor unit 210. The power regulation sub system 202 starts up the SOC system 204 in a mobile device drawing and transmitting power from the device battery. The SOC system 204 communicates with the device power management module 214 and determines the functionality to be performed based on the sensor instruction that caused the power ON sequence and carries out the required operation.

Figure 3 is a block diagram of a mobile device, showing various components for implementing the embodiments of the present invention. The mobile device 300 includes the sensor unit 210, the device management module 214, processor 302, the memory 304, a display 312, an input device 314, a cursor control 316, a read only memory (ROM) 306, a transceiver 308 and a bus 310.

The processor 302, as used herein, means any type of computational circuit, such as, but not limited to, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a complex instruction set computing microprocessor, a reduced instruction set computing microprocessor, a very long instruction word microprocessor, an explicitly parallel instruction computing microprocessor, a graphics processor, a digital signal processor, or any other type of processing circuit. The processor 302 may also include embedded controllers, such as generic or programmable logic devices or arrays, application specific integrated circuits, single-chip computers, smart cards, and the like.

The memory 304 and the ROM 306 may be volatile memory and non-volatile memory. A variety of computer-readable storage media may be stored in and accessed from the memory elements. Memory elements may include any suitable memory device(s) for storing data and machine-readable instructions, such as read only memory, random access memory, erasable programmable read only memory, electrically erasable programmable read only memory, hard drive, removable media drive for handling compact disks, digital video disks, diskettes, magnetic tape cartridges, memory cards, and the like.

The sensor unit 210 herein comprises of a plurality of active sensors and passive sensors. The sensors unit is adapted to recognize user inputs and generate power in response to the user inputs. The generated power is used by the sensor unit 210 to power up the device power management module 214. Further, the power generated by the sensor unit is used in performing predefined device functionalities by the device components activated by the processor in low power mode.

Embodiments of the present subject matter may be implemented in conjunction with modules, including functions, procedures, data structures, and application programs, for performing tasks, or defining abstract data types or low-level hardware contexts. The device power management module 214 has machine-readable instructions that may be executed by the processor. For example, a computer program may include machine-readable instructions, that when executed by the processor, cause the processor to manage power in mobile devices by activating one or more device components on the mobile device using the power generated by the sensor unit to perform a plurality of predefined device functionalities based on inputs received from a user, according to the teachings and herein described embodiments of the present subject matter. In one embodiment, the computer program may be included on a compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM) and loaded from the CD-ROM to a hard drive in the non-volatile memory. Further the device power management module 214 can communicate sensor instructions to the processor and signal other device components to perform corresponding predefined functionalities.

The bus acts as interconnect between various components of the mobile device. The components such as the display, the input device, the cursor control and the transceiver are well known to the person skilled in the art and hence the explanation is thereof omitted.

The embodiments as described by the invention herein can be employed on various applications. For example, a user getting of an airplane employs it to directly call to a number without switching the rest of the phone. After the call is completed, the device boots up normally. In another case, when the device has low or marginal power, it automatically switches to a special mode where only some essential functions, such as call function are activated and the screen is off. The user communicates with the device through voice commands and gestures. Further, the embodiments herein enable the device to automatically send a power down message to the last person called on the device when the phone has low or marginal power.

In another embodiment, where the device is having enough battery power but switched off, then it enables to switch ON the device without using the actual hardware key of the device. For example, if the phone is lost, the user can shout, which will turn on the phone and it will ring. Here the pone is turned on using voice. In another example, the phone can be turned by a user defined gesture similar to unlock. In another example, get rid of the power button and turn the phone on by pressing at any edge of the phone anywhere on the bezel. This will make product design more coherent with sleek body.

According to another embodiment, the user can make the phone to turn on in a specific profile or making it active from a dormant or sleeping state. For instance, consider a state where the phone has enough power, but the phone is switched OFF. The embodiment herein provides for turning on the phone in the silent mode when the user is in a meeting, turning on the phone in airplane mode when the user is in a flight, unlocking the phone, waking up the phone or turn on the screen from power save or sleeping mode.

The embodiments herein further enables to activate certain functionality on the device without using any additional power when the device has no power and is switched OFF, the user can activate certain low power functionality only such as sending a distress signal when the phone is switched off or turning on the LED light by pressing the bezel and use the phone as torch.

The present embodiments have been described with reference to specific example embodiments; it will be evident that various modifications and changes may be made to these embodiments without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the various embodiments. Furthermore, the various devices, modules, and the like described herein may be enabled and operated using hardware circuitry, for example, complementary metal oxide semiconductor based logic circuitry, firmware, software and/or any combination of hardware, firmware, and/or software embodied in a machine readable medium. For example, the various electrical structure and methods may be embodied using transistors, logic gates, and electrical circuits, such as application specific integrated circuit.