Reducing power consumption in a networked battery-operated device using sensors

Abstract

A method and system for mobile device power consumption management decreases the instantaneous power consumption of a mobile device, increasing operational lifetime of the device. In an embodiment of the invention, the mobile device is associated with a plurality of device behavior modification techniques that can be set in response to data collected from a plurality of sensors associated with the device. In an embodiment, the sensors detect the device's motion, tilt, proximity to a user, contact with a user, and orientation with respect to a user. In a further embodiment, the sensors detect a temperature related to the device or its environment.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 124,720, filed Apr. 17, 2002, entitled REDUCING POWER CONSUMPTION IN A NETWORKED BATTERY-OPERATED DEVICE USING SENSORS, now pending.TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to mobile computing devices, and more particularly, to power consumption reduction in a mobile computing device using sensors. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] With the advent of extreme miniaturization in electronic components, many new types of devices and activities have become possible and even prevalent. For example, the use of many types of mobile devices that use radio frequency signals for connectivity has become routine. One such device is a cell phone, and another is a personal information device, i.e. a handheld computing device that is usable for tasks such as scheduling appointments as well as tasks such as communicating over a network with another user having...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

While mobile computing devices such as those mentioned above, as well as others, confer many benefits on their users, there are certain limitations imposed by such devices that are not experienced with non-mobile devices.

For example, one dominant problem associated with mobile devices is the problem of operational lifetime between battery charges.

As the user uses a device, the device power source, typically a battery, becomes depleted, eventually falling below a level required for operation of the device.

This requirement for battery renewal can be problematic for several reasons.

First, if the battery becomes depleted unexpectedly, the user may be greatly inconvenienced if he or she was relying on the device for some functionality, such as emergency calling etc.

Additionally, even if the user is aware of the depletion and responds by beginning to charge the battery, the device will generally not be mobile and usable until after the charge cycle is complete, decreasing the overall general usefulness of the device.

However, such measures do not take full advantage of environmental cues to reduce power consumption.

In addition, while battery technologies have advanced rapidly in past years, the current rate of battery technology development is not keeping pace with the increasing capabilities and power drain of mobile devices.

Thus, although techniques such as those mentioned above have been useful in somewhat increasing mobile device battery life, device operational lifetimes continue to be fairly limited, and better mobile device power management techniques are required to further reduce battery consumption and increase device operational lifetimes.

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