WO2000052847A1

WO2000052847A1 - Radiotelephone timer

Info

Publication number: WO2000052847A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/005463
Authority: WO
Inventors: Charles J. Persico
Original assignee: Qualcomm Inc
Current assignee: Qualcomm Inc
Priority date: 1999-03-05
Filing date: 2000-03-03
Publication date: 2000-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 2001-09-05
Also published as: AU3392400A

Abstract

A programmable radiotelephone uses a real time clock (124), in combination with a digital baseband processor (106), to implement preprogrammed events. The events (212) include a 'turn off' event (212) where the radiotelephone is powered off (that is, placed in a quiet mode) at a preprogrammed time, and a 'turn on' event (210) where the radiotelephone is placed in a standby mode. The user can also preprogram the events to be specific to a day in a week, a week in a month, and a month in a year (214), so that the entire calendar cycle can be controlled. Multiple events are permitted in a given day, so that more than one 'turn on' and 'turn off' event can be effected in a given day. In addition, the user can set an activation time (216). If the user desires to power up the radiotelephone when it is in a preprogrammed quiet mode, then following the phone call, the radiotelephone stays in the standby mode for the activation time period and automatically re-enters the quiet mode at the end of this period. Consequently, the radiotelephone permits conservation of valuable battery power that is otherwise dissipated during the standby mode.

Description

RADIOTELEPHONE TIMER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to timing devices, and more specifically to timing devices for radiotelephones.

II. Description of the Related Art

Since radiotelephones are required to be portable, they typically have internal batteries as power sources. The batteries are a source of inconvenience, for both the user and the manufacturer, because they add undesired weight to the radiotelephone. Previous efforts have attempted to reduce the size of the battery by reducing the amount of power required by each radiotelephone component.

Radiotelephones are powered on to receive incoming calls when the user presses a power button. This powering on activates the receiver, and internal microprocessor. When radiotelephones are not being used (that is, not powered on), they can be kept in a "standby" mode or in a "quiet" (that is, powered off, or "sleep") mode. In the quiet mode, the receiver, transmitter, and internal microprocessor are powered off, so that there is no drain on the battery. In the standby mode, the radiotelephone stands ready to receive incoming calls. During standby, the internal microprocessor and receiver are powered on, while the transmitter is actuated. (While actuated, the transmitter stands ready to be powered on, which happens when the radiotelephone, itself, is powered on.) Consequently, precious battery power is spent in the standby mode. Unfortunately, no user-friendly method exists for a user to program when and how the radiotelephone can be converted from the standby to the quiet mode, to conserve battery power. What is needed is a way of preprogramming the radiotelephone, to make it automatically convert between the quiet mode and the standby mode. What is also needed is a way of automatically re-converting the radiotelephone back to the quiet mode if the user wishes to place a call during the quiet mode.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a programmable radiotelephone. The radiotelephone uses a real time clock, which works in combination with a digital baseband processor, to implement preprogrammed events. The events include a "turn off" event where the radiotelephone is powered off (that is, placed in a quiet mode) at a preprogrammed time, and a "turn on" event where the radiotelephone is placed in a standby mode. The user can also preprogram the events to be specific to a day in a week, a week in a month, and a month in a year, so that the entire calendar cycle can be controlled. Multiple events are permitted in a given day, so that more than one "turn on" and "turn off" event can be effected in a given day. In addition, the user can set an activation time. If the user desires to power up the radiotelephone when it is in a preprogrammed quiet mode, then following the phone call, the radiotelephone stays in the standby mode for the activation time period and automatically re- enters the quiet mode at the end of this period.

When an event is preprogrammed, the digital baseband processor sets power down and power up registers in the real time clock (RTC). The RTC counts down the time using a crystal oscillator. When the event times occur, that is, the time is the same as that which is preset in the registers, the RTC sends control signals to the receiver, the synthesizer, and the transmitter, as well as sending control interrupt signals to the digital baseband processor, to implement the event. During a "turn on," the RTC sends control signals to turn on the receiver, the synthesizer, and the digital baseband processor, and sends a control signal to actuate the transmitter. During a "turn off," the RTC sends control signals to turn off the receiver, the synthesizer, the digital baseband processor, and the transmitter. In this manner, the user can preprogram the radiotelephone to conserve valuable battery power that is otherwise dissipated during the standby mode. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like reference numbers generally indicate identical, functionally similar, and /or structurally similar elements. The drawing in which an element first appears is indicated by the leftmost digit(s) in the reference number. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary radiotelephone in block diagram form; and

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow chart used to describe how a real time clock is programmed in the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED

EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is described in terms of an example environment. In this example environment, a radiotelephone works in combination with a real time clock (RTC) circuit powered by a crystal oscillator. Together, the radiotelephone and the RTC provide a programmable radiotelephone. Description in these terms is provided for convenience only. It is not intended that the invention be limited to application in this example environment. After reading the following description, it will become apparent to one skilled in the relevant art how to implement the invention in alternative environments. In fact, it will be clear that the present invention can be utilized in any battery operated telephone system.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary radiotelephone in block diagram form. As those skilled in the art will recognize, a variety of different types of radiotelephones can be modified in accordance with the functions of the present invention. This includes radiotelephones used for cellular, personal communications service (PCS) and low earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications. Examples of radiotelephones that can be modified in accordance with the present invention include: QCP 820, QCP 800, Q800, QCP 1900. These radiotelephone modelsare provided by Qualcomm, Inc. The radiotelephone illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises data entry device 102, display 104, digital baseband processor 106, receiver 108, synthesizer 110, transmitter 112, power device 114, crystal oscillator 116, duplexer 118 and antenna 120. Power device 114 includes power control 122 and real time clock (RTC) 124.

Data Entry device 102 can be soft keys labeled numerically and alphabetically. For normal functions, the user presses the soft keys to make an outbound telephone call. With respect to the present invention, the user can use data entry device 102 to set a turn on time, to set a turn off time, to set the days of the week, and to set an activation time. These operations are described in detail below.

Data Entry device 102 can include other input devices as well. In one embodiment, data entry device 102 is a data keyboard. In this embodiment, data entry device 102 includes one or more menu-driven buttons. The buttons can include, for example, arrow keys, which the user can use to scroll up and down through different menus. The functions in this embodiment are the same as those noted above.

In another embodiment, data entry device 102 is a jog shuttle. The jog shuttle is a data entry device resembling a rotary dial. The user can scroll through menus with the jog shuttle, and select menu items by pushing a button. In this way, a jog shuttle resembles a mouse input device on a PC. The jog shuttle can be found, for example, on a QCP 820 model cellular telephone.

Display device 104 is a display device modified in accordance with the present invention. Specifically, display device 104 has been modified to display a "turn on" time and a "turn off" time. Additionally, display device 104 can be modified to display the day of the week, the week of the month, the month of the year. Display device 104 can also be modified to display more than one "turn on" and "turn off" time on a given day. Finally, display device 104 can display an activation time, which is described below. Digital baseband processor 106 incorporates a microprocessor and all of the digital circuitry required to operate the radiotelephone. Accordingly, digital baseband processor 106 includes decoders (for decoding received messages), encoders (for encoding transmitted messages), vocoders, interleavers, etc., which are items required for radiotelephone functionality. Exemplary digital baseband processors include the mobile station modem (MSM) 2300 and the MSM 3000, both offered by Qualcomm Inc. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that any comparable processor can be used instead.

Power device 114 is the device used to power the radiotelephone. As noted, power device 114 comprises power control 122 and RTC circuit 124. As those skilled in the art will recognize, a variety of different power control devices, such as standard radiotelephone batteries, can be used. RTC circuit 124 interacts with a crystal oscillator 116. RTC 124 performs the functions of a low power time keeper, that is, by keeping track of time in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months and years. RTC 124 is a low power circuit driven by crystal oscillator 116. In one embodiment, crystal oscillator 116 comprises a 32.768 kHz crystal oscillator. The RTC divides down the 32.768 kHz crystal oscillator signal in a timer counter to generate seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years references. The RTC can function as a timer and an alarm clock by interacting with digital baseband processor 106, transmitter 112, synthesizer 110 and receiver 108. When a preprogrammed date and time occur, the RTC transmits control signals and control signal interrupts to these units, as described below.

Transmitter 112 receives baseband signals from digital baseband processor 106 and transmits these signals to antenna 120. Specifically, signals must be up-converted from the baseband frequencies to the intermediate frequencies (IFs) and from intermediate frequencies to the radio frequencies (RFs). In one embodiment, transmitter 112 requires up-converting modulators to convert the signal from baseband frequencies to IFs, variable gain amplifiers to amplify the signal, up-converters to convert the signal from IF frequencies to the RFs, RF bandpass filters to filter the RF frequencies, and power amplifiers to amplify the resulting RF signal. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that any comparable transmitter can be used instead.

Receiver 108 receives RF signals from antenna 120 and transmits the signals to digital baseband processor 106. The signals must be down-converted from the RF frequenices to the IF frequencies, and then further down-converted from the IF frequencies to the baseband frequencies. In one embodiment, receiver 108 includes a low noise amplifier (LNA) to amplify the received RF signal, bandpass filters to filter the entire radio receive band, down-converters to down convert the RF signal to an IF signal, bandpass filters to filter the IF band, variable gain amplifiers to amplify the signal, IF bandpass filters to filter the IF signal, other variable gain amplifiers to amplify the signal, and down- converting demodulators to demodulate the signal down to a baseband signal. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that any comparable receiver can be used instead.

Synthesizer 110 is a device that provides reference signals required by transmitter 112 and receiver 108. These reference signals are generated by a local oscillator (that is, a voltage controlled oscillator) and controlled by a phase locked loop (PLL) device. The PLL includes programmable dividers, a phase detector and a charge pump. The signals produced by synthesizer 110 are mixed with signals in receiver 108 and transmitter 110 to implement the noted down- and up-conversions (that is, between the RF, IF and baseband frequencies). The synthesizer can also include a time reference device, such as a temperature compensated crystal oscillator (TCXO). Those skilled in the art will recognize that any comparable synthesizer can be used instead.

Duplexer 118, which can comprise a plurality of bandpass RF filters, separates the RF signals transmitted from transmitter 112 and the RF signals received by receiver 108. For North American cellular telephones, 869 MHz to 894 MHz are used for received RFs, whereas 824 MHz to 849 MHz are used for transmitted RFs. In one embodiment, duplexer 118 uses one receive-side bandpass filter and one transmit-side bandpass filter to effect this separation. Duplexer 118 permits the radiotelephone to have full duplex communications, so that both received and transmitted communications can be implemented simultaneously. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any comparable duplexer can be used instead, and in fact, that a duplexer need not be used to implement the present invention.

Antenna 120 is an antenna used to transmit and receive RF signals. In one embodiment, antenna 120 is a dipole antenna. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that any comparable antenna can be used instead. FIG. 2 is a flow chart used to describe how RTC 124 is programmed. In step 202, the user actuates the timer function by keying in a predesignated command in data entry device 102.

In step 204, digital baseband processor 106 receives the command and begins timer processing. Initially, digital baseband processor 106 sends a display signal to display device 104. In step 206, in response to the display signal, display device 104 displays a programmable quiet time display for the user. At any point in time, the user can disable the timer function by entering one or more predesignated commands. An exemplary disable timer function is shown as step 208. In step 210, the user sets the "turn off" time by entering a time using data entry device 102. The "turn off" time is the time that the radiotelephone is to be powered off. This is the time that the radiotelephone is automatically converted from the standby mode to the quiet mode. Initially, digital baseband processor

106 transmits a display signal to display device 104, requesting input from the user. In one embodiment, display device 104 requests the "turn off" time in hours and minutes, A.M and P.M. The user enters the "turn off" time using data entry device 102. In one embodiment, upon receiving a "turn off" time signal from data entry device 102, digital baseband processor 106 transmits a display signal to display device 104, indicating to the user that the "turn off" time has been set properly. Digital baseband processor 106, through either a serial (that is, clock, data, strobe) interface or a parallel interface with power device 114, sets up the power off parameters of RTC circuit 124. RTC circuit 124, which uses crystal oscillator 116 to keep track of time, sets power down registers to the user-entered time. When the "turn off" time arrives, RTC circuit 124 sends power down control signals to receiver 108, synthesizer 110 and transmitter 112, and also sends a power down interrupt (that is, an interrupt control signal) to digital baseband processor 106. In response, these units are shut down in an orderly manner.

In step 212, the user sets the "turn on" time by entering a time using data entry device 102. The "turn on" time is the time that the radiotelephone is to be powered back on after it has been turned off. This is the time that the radiotelephone is automatically converted from the quiet mode back to the standby mode. Initially, digital baseband processor 106 transmits a display signal to display device 104, requesting input from the user. In one embodiment, display device 104 requests the "turn on" time in hours and minutes, A.M and P.M. The user enters the "turn on" time using data entry device 102. In one embodiment, upon receiving a "turn on" time signal from data entry device 102, digital baseband processor 106 transmits a display signal to display device 104, indicating to the user that the "turn on" time has been set properly. Digital baseband processor 106 sets up the power up parameters of RTC circuit 124. Here, RTC circuit 124 sets power up registers to the user- entered time. When the "turn on" time arrives, RTC circuit 124 sends power up control signals to receiver 108, synthesizer 110 and transmitter 112, and also sends a power up interrupt (that is, an interrupt control signal) to digital baseband processor 106. In response, the receiver 108, synthesizer 110 and digital baseband processor 106 are turned back on in an orderly manner. Transmitter 112 is actuated (instead of turned back on), meaning that transmitter 112 is placed in a standby state, wherein it is readily activated when the user turns on the radiotelephone power. In step 214, the user can optionally set the "day of the week," the "week of the month," and the "month of the year" parameters. In this manner, the user can specify a different "turn on" time or "turn off" time for each day of a given week, a given month, or a given year. Optionally, in this step the user can also schedule multiple "turn on" and "turn off" times, so that more than one "turn on" and "turn off" event can occur in a given day. The user enters these parameters via data entry device 102. Digital baseband processor 106 transmits a display signal to display device 104, requesting that the "day of the week," the "week of the month," or the "month of the year" be input by the user. In one embodiment, this information request message is displayed for the user via display device 104. The user enters the requested information using data entry device 102. In one embodiment, upon receiving a signal from data entry device 102, digital baseband processor 106 transmits a display signal to display device 104, indicating to the user that this information has been set properly. Digital baseband processor 106 sends additional parameters to RTC circuit 124, which sets additional registers corresponding to the user-entered data. This additional data permits "day of the week," "week of the month," or "month of the year" specific power down and power up signals to be sent to receiver 108, synthesizer 110, transmitter 112 and digital baseband processor 106. For the option of more than one "turn on" or "turn off" events in a given day, steps 210 and 212 are repeated, and logged as separate events by the digital baseband processor 106.

Finally, in step 216 the user enters an activation time. The user may desire to power up the radiotelephone when the radiotelephone is in the quiet mode. During power up, the radiotelephone is ready to transmit outgoing communications. In the power up mode, not only are receiver 108, synthesizer 110, and digital baseband processor 106 turned on, but so is transmitter 112. (In other words, during power up, the radiotelephone is ready for full duplex communications.) It is a desirable feature that upon completion of a call interrupting the quiet mode, the radiotelephone be maintained in the standby mode for a preprogrammed time, and then automatically be re-converted back to the quiet mode. This preprogrammed period of time is the activation time.

For example, if the radiotelephone has been programmed to turn off

(that is, enter the quiet mode) at 10:00 P.M., and not enter the standby mode until 7:00 A.M., the user may nevertheless desire to make a call at 11:00 P.M. At 11:00 P.M., the user will power up the radiotelephone, place a call, and complete the call sometime before 7:00 A.M. If an activation period of 15 minutes has been preprogrammed, then after the user powers down the radiotelephone, it remains in the standby mode for 15 minutes, and then reconverts back to the quiet mode until 7:00 A.M. At 7:00 A.M., the radiotelephone re-enters the standby mode.

The activation time is programmed much like the "turn off" time. Digital baseband processor 106 handles the processing of the request, by sending a signal to display device 104 requesting the user to input the activation time. After being prompted by display device 104, the user enters the activation time via entry device 102. In one embodiment, digital baseband processor 106 transmits a second display signal to display device 104, indicating to the user that the information has been set properly. Digital baseband processor 106 sends the activation time parameter to RTC circuit 124, which sets one or more additional registers corresponding to this user-entered data. RTC circuit 124, using crystal oscillator 116, counts down the user-entered activation period after power off occurs. RTC circuit 124 keeps the radiotelephone in the standby mode for the duration of the activation period, and then re-converts the radiotelephone to the quiet mode. (At the end of the activation period, the "turn off" processing (described in step 210) is begun.) While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that they have been presented by way of example only, and not limitation. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

Claims

1. A system for preprogramming one or more events in a radiotelephone, comprising: a data entry device for receiving event timer instructions from a user; a display device for displaying said event timer instructions for a user; a digital baseband processor for receiving said event timer instructions from said entry device, said digital baseband processor indicating a status of said event timer instructions to said display device; and a real time clock having parameters set by said digital baseband processor in response to said event timer instructions, said real time clock sending control signals to said digital baseband processor, a receiver of the radiotelephone, and a transmitter of the radiotelephone, in response to said event timer instructions, wherein one of said events is an activation event triggered after the radiotelephone has been powered on and a call has been completed when the radiotelephone is in a preprogrammed quiet mode, wherein the radiotelephone remains in a standby mode for the duration of an activation time corresponding to said activation event, and wherein the radiotelephone re-enters said preprogrammed quiet mode after said activation time has expired.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein one of said events is a "turn on" event, and wherein said control signals comprise a signal to power up said receiver, a signal to actuate said transmitter, and an interrupt to power up said digital baseband processor.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein one of said events is a "turn off" event, and wherein said control signals comprise a signal to power down said receiver, a signal to power down said transmitter, and an interrupt to power down said digital baseband processor.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein one of said events is programmed to be specific to a day of a week.

5. A system according to claim 4, wherein said one of said events is programmed to be specific to a week of a month.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein said one of said events is programmed to be specific to a month of a year.

7. A system according to claim 1, further comprising: a crystal oscillator, wherein said real time clock counts down time leading to one of said events using said crystal oscillator.

8. A system for preprogramming a radiotelephone, comprising: a processor; a real time clock programmed by said processor to convert the radiotelephone between a standby mode and a quiet mode according to a preprogrammed instruction; means for keeping the radiotelephone in said standby mode for a preprogrammed activation time period before converting the radiotelephone to the quiet mode if the radiotelephone is powered on and powered off during the quiet mode.

9. A method for preprogramming one or more events in a radiotelephone, comprising the steps of: actuating a timer function; setting a "turn off" time in response to a user input, wherein the radiotelephone enters a quiet mode at said "turn off" time; setting a "turn on" time in response to a user input, wherein the radiotelephone enters a standby mode at said "turn on" time; and setting an activation time, wherein said activation time is triggered after the radiotelephone has been powered on and a call has been completed when the radiotelephone is in said quiet mode, wherein the radiotelephone remains in a standby mode for the duration of said activation time, and wherein the radiotelephone re-enters said quiet mode after said activation time has expired.

10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising any combination of: setting a day of a week corresponding to said "turn on" time; setting a week of a month corresponding to said "turn on" time; and setting a month of a year corresponding to said "turn on" time.

11. A method according to claim 9, further comprising any combination of: setting a day of a week corresponding to said "turn off" time; setting a week of a month corresponding to said "turn off" time; and setting a month of a year corresponding to said "turn off" time.