System and method for monitoring a mobile computing product/arrangement

Described is a mobile computing arrangement having a sensor detecting first motion data of the arrangement and a memory to store second motion data, the second motion data including a threshold value. A comparison module compares the first motion data to the second motion data and an actuation module initiates an action for the arrangement when the first motion data exceeds the threshold value.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Businesses and individuals today rely on mobile computing products/arrangements (“MCPs”, e.g., bar code readers, PDAs, laptops, two-way pagers, mobile phones, digital cameras, mobile optical readers, vehicle radio computers (“VRCs”), etc.) in a multitude of situations ranging from basic everyday tasks to highly specialized procedures. As the virtues and benefits of utilizing MCPs continue to be realized across increasingly diverse industries, the features and capabilities of these products are expanding at a correspondingly rapid pace. In many industries, MCPs have gone from fashionable accessories to essential business components used by all levels of personnel.

In some industries, MCPs may be mounted on a vehicle or other motion based system (e.g., forklifts, cars, trucks, pallet jacks, mail trucks, hand carts, etc.). Placement of the MCP upon such vehicles may provide a user with immediate access to relevant information, such as a delivery address and/or a list of awaiting tasks. Further, the user may communicate information (e.g., a delivery confirmation, a current status of a workload, a present location, etc.) to others via the MCP. Although the placement of the MCP may be convenient in a number of respects, it may also present a potential for accidents. For example, a user/driver may be compelled to look at a display of the MCP and thus become distracted. Distractions, especially while the vehicle is in motion, may result in accidents (e.g., collisions).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A mobile computing arrangement having a sensor detecting first motion data of the arrangement and a memory to store second motion data, the second motion data including a threshold value. A comparison module compares the first motion data to the second motion data and an actuation module initiates an action for the arrangement when the first motion data exceeds the threshold value.

A method for detecting a motion of a mobile computing device, operating the mobile computing device in a first mode when the motion is less than a threshold value and operating the mobile computing device in a second mode when the motion is one of greater than and equal to the threshold value.

A motion based system having a vehicle for imparting a motion and a mobile computing device coupled to the vehicle. The mobile computing device includes a sensor detecting first motion data corresponding to the motion of the vehicle, a memory to store second motion data, the second motion data including a threshold value, and a processor to compare the first motion data to the second motion data and initiate an action for the mobile computing device when the first motion data exceeds the threshold value.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The present invention relates to an MCP which includes a sensor that monitors the MCP's motion. The sensor does not require an input from a motion based system, e.g., an axle sensor, a speedometer, etc. In particular, the sensor may measure the MCP's acceleration, velocity, angular velocity or vibration in any direction. These measurements may be contrasted with prerecorded movement patterns or predefined levels of acceptable and unacceptable movement. As will be described below, predetermined procedures may then be executed that may be useful in a wide range of applications, including but not limited to accident prevention and power management.

FIG. 1shows an exemplary embodiment of a motion based system100, such as a forklift. An MCP110may be placed in view of an operator of the system100(e.g., on a dashboard170adjacent to a steering column160). The MCP110may be any type of computer or processor based mobile device (e.g., a bar code reader, a PDA, a laptop, a two-way pager, a mobile phone, a digital camera, a mobile optical reader). Since the MCP110is mobile, it may be capable of connecting to a wireless network, and may be sized to be integrated into the motion based system100. The MCP110may be battery powered or it may receive power from the motion based system100.

The MCP110may include a display115and/or a keypad120. The display115may be used to output information to the operator and/or to receive input therefrom. For example, the display115may portray a map of a route to be taken, an address, and/or a list of instructions. Additionally, a touchpanel may be integrated with the display115to enable the operator to input information. According to the present invention, the display115may toggle between a first mode (e.g., illuminated) and a second mode (e.g., a black screen) as a function of movement of the MCP110as will be explained below.

The operator, positioned in a seat130, may maneuver the motion based system100using footpedals140, gears150, and/or the steering column160. However, in the interest of safety, an operator should not use the MCP110while the motion based system100is moving. Thus, to prevent the operator from being distracted by the MCP110and to reduce a power usage of the MCP110, the display115may not be illuminated while the system100is in motion. According to the present invention, the display115may automatically turn off (e.g., go black, initiate power save mode, etc.) when the MCP110determines that the motion based system100is moving.

FIG. 2shows an exemplary embodiment of an MCP110according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the MCP110may include a processor210, a sensor220, a non-removable memory230, and a removable memory240. The processor210is a central processing unit (“CPU”, that executes instructions on measurements taken by the sensor220and performs procedures such as storing a result in memory, transmitting the result to remote devices, or performing a predetermined task as a function of the result (e.g., turning off the display115). The non-removable memory230is any type of memory component integrated into the electronic architecture of the MCP110and may be temporary (e.g., random access memory, or RAM) or permanent (e.g., a hard-disk drive). The removable memory240may be any type of detachable memory component that may connect to the MCP110through an expansion interface (e.g., a FLASH interface, a USB interface, a firewire interface, etc.).

In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 2, the sensor220is integrated into the MCP110. This sensor220may be a device coupled to an electronic architecture of the MCP110that dispatches data to a separate memory device, or it may be coupled to at least a portion of another device in the architecture. For instance, in the latter embodiment, the sensor220may be coupled to a memory arrangement in which event data (e.g., a first data of an event relating to the MCP110movement with values above a certain threshold) is stored. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, the sensor220may be a separate external device that connects to the MCP110through an expansion slot (e.g., a sensor with a FLASH, USB, firewire or similar interface).

The sensor220may be any type of measurement device capable of monitoring motion, and may be based on, for example, a G-shock sensor, a switch, an accelerometer, a strain gage, a piezo-electric sensor, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (“MEMS”) technologies, or combinations of the like. The motion may include, for example, a velocity value, an acceleration value, an angular velocity value, a mechanical vibration/shock value, etc. Although the sensor220may be of any size, the sensor220is preferably small enough so that any added weight and space occupied on the MCP110are negligible. Because the MCP110usually operates on batteries (e.g., its own battery or a battery utilized by the system100), the sensor220should also have a low power consumption. As described above, the sensor220will detect motion for the MCP without an external input from the motion based system100.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor220detects motion of the MCP110and generates first data. The first data is provided to the processor210which compares the first data to predetermined second data which includes a threshold value. For example, the second data may be a prerecorded acceleration of the MCP110by 0.5 m/s2, the detection of which may indicate the occurrence of an event (i.e., the system100is moving). Subsequently, based on the first data, a particular predetermined procedure is selected and executed (e.g., the display115and/or the MCP110is turned off). This embodiment will be described in greater detail below with respect toFIG. 4.

Those of skill in the art will understand that the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described with a general reference to translation motion (e.g., a forklift translates across a factory floor). However, other motion may be detected which indicate a different type of movement and/or action of the system100. For example, if the system100includes a forklift and the forks are being moved up and down, this may cause a specific vibratory movement for the system100which may be detected by the sensor220. Thus, the present invention is not limited to translation motion.

FIG. 3shows an exemplary method for monitoring motion of the system100by the MCP110. In the step310, the sensor220of the MCP110is activated. The sensor220may be activated manually by the operator, or it may be activated upon receipt of a wireless transmission from a remote location (i.e., initiation is controlled by a separate network entity). In one embodiment of the present invention, the sensor220may be automatically activated each time the MCP110and/or the motion based system100is started and/or powered on. For example, the sensor220may remain activated even while the MCP110is in a power save mode.

In step320, the sensor220determines whether motion is detected. The sensor220may measure the acceleration and/or the velocity of the MCP110and determine, based on the measurement, whether the system100is in motion. In one embodiment of the present invention, the system100may only be considered moving if it exceeds a predetermined velocity or acceleration, and/or if it continues to move for a predetermined period of time. For example, the sensor220may only determine that the system100is moving if it accelerates at 0.5 m/s2for more than 1.5 seconds. Thus, merely bumping into the system100may not register as movement.

In step330, if the sensor220does not detect any movement of the MCP110in step320, the MCP110may assume that the motion based system100is stationary, or that it is at least not moving as fast as a prerecorded threshold speed. Therefore, the MCP110remains in a first mode. The first mode represents a state of the MCP110where it is turned on and the display115is illuminated. Thus, an operator may use the MCP110when it is in the first mode.

In step340, if the sensor220determines that the MCP110is moving in step320, the MCP110switches to the second mode. The second mode represents a state where the display115of the MCP110is turned off, or in a “stand by” mode. However, it may be preferable to merely turn off the display115(e.g., by turning off a backlight) to facilitate re-illumination of the display115when the motion based system100slows down or stops.

It will be understood that the MCP110may enter the second mode due to other circumstances, which may or may not be defined by the user. For example, the MCP110may enter the second mode if there has been no user input for a predetermined amount of time. That is, the display115may turn off after a time in order to preserve a life of the display115, the backlight, and/or the battery.

In step350, the sensor220may continue to monitor the motion of the MCP110. For example, in the embodiment where the second mode includes turning off the processor210, monitoring may not be continued after the MCP110has entered the second mode. Further, reactivation of the MCP110may require the operator to re-authenticate, or “log in.” However, in alternative embodiments the sensor system may continue monitoring, thus returning to step320. For example, in the embodiment where the second mode only includes powering down the display115, the sensor system may continue monitoring throughout a duration of the second mode. Thus, when the motion based system ceases moving, the MCP110may re-enter the first mode and the user may read the display115. In a further embodiment, where the MCP110remains in the first mode, the sensor system may continue monitoring until at least some motion is detected and thus the MCP110enters the second mode. In an even further embodiment, the sensor system may continue monitoring until the MCP110and/or the motion based system is manually turned off.

FIG. 4shows an exemplary method400for monitoring the MCP110according to the present invention. In the step410, certain distinct characteristics of events (e.g., the second data) are identified and programmed into the MCP110. The second data may include a specific threshold value and/or a threshold range of changes in the motion of the MCP110. The threshold value may correspond to the sensitivity of the sensor220. For example, it may be desired that very slow motion, or quick short motions (i.e., indicating that the motion based system was merely bumped) do not cross the threshold value which would trigger a predetermined procedure.

The operator (e.g., the manufacturer, a system administrator or any other authorized person) may designate and/or modify the characteristics. For instance, the MCP110may be prepackaged by the manufacturer with static acceleration maximum values that are inaccessible or not editable by the user. Alternatively, the threshold may simply be dynamic default values adjustable to future specifications.

In the step420, the MCP110is continuously monitored by the sensor220for changes in the motion/movements. Whenever the MCP110detects motion, the first data is generated. The sensor220may make no effort to differentiate between or prioritize motion values, returning all results to the processor210for processing.

In the step430, the processor210compares the first data with the second data. If the characteristics of the first data match those of the second data, the processor110determines that an event has occurred (i.e., the MCP110is in motion). Thus, the method400continues to the step450, where the predetermined procedure is executed. The execution of the predetermined procedure may depend upon an application of the present invention. For example, the backlight of the MCP110may be turned off and/or the MCP110may be powered down.

Other examples of predetermined procedures include storing the first data in one of memory devices230,240, encrypting the first data so that it may be accessible only by an authorized user, transmitting the first data to a remote computer, issuing alerts as to the MCP110's status, etc. After the predetermined procedure has been successfully executed, the method400may resume again at the step420to monitor for new event occurrences.

As previously mentioned, the predetermined procedure may vary depending on the specific application of the present invention. For example, in accident prevention, it may be desirable to alert the user through visible warning (e.g., on-screen precautionary displays, flashing LEDs) or audible sirens (e.g., using a speaker, headset, receiver) that the display115will turn off momentarily. Also, it may be desirable to notify the operator if important information is transmitted to the MCP110while it is in the second mode. For example, if the motion based system100is moving, and thus the display115is off, it may nonetheless be desired to communicate with the operator. Thus, a visible and/or audible alert may indicate that the operator should halt the vehicle in order to enable illumination of the display115, which would in turn enable receipt of the information.

Although the exemplary applications of the present invention in foregoing description have primarily focused on accident prevention, the present invention may also be used in a variety of other settings. As described below, these settings include, for example, power management.

The power management properties of MCPs have always been a primary focus of product design engineers. Due to their limited size and weight and their mobile nature, MCPs usually have limited power supplies (e.g., rechargeable or disposable battery packs). Developing MCPs that operate for long periods of time, without sacrificing mobility, is an ongoing design challenge. Designing a robust power management system that optimizes and conserves power is a critical element in addressing this challenge. An MCP110may have a backlight and a display, which consume a significant amount of power when turned on. According to the present invention, these devices may be turned off when the MCP110is in motion, thereby conserving power.

The present invention has been described with reference to the above exemplary embodiments. One skilled in the art would understand that the present invention may also be successfully implemented if modified. Accordingly, various modifications and changes may be made to the embodiments without departing from the broadest spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims that follow. The specification and drawings, accordingly, should be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.