Radio telephone apparatus

Abstract: A radio telephone apparatus power-supplied with a battery comprises a power supply control means for controlling the battery so as to terminate power supply if the apparatus is not operated for a prede­ termined time period. The apparatus further com­ prises means for informing at least a user of the termination of power supply prior to the power being turned off.

Description: The present invention relates to the field of radio telephone apparatus such as mobile telephones, portable telephones, cordless telephones, or the like and more specifically to radio telephones in which power is supplied by a battery. Recently various kinds of radio telephone have been developed. One of these is generally referred to as a mobile telephone. The mobile radio telephone, which may be mounted in a car, a train, a ship or the like, comprises a transceiver unit with an antenna and telephone unit including a handset and a base unit. These units are physically separated and are connected by signal lines to one other. Another kind of radio telephone is referred to as a portable telephone. Portable telephones may be further divided into two groups: a transportable type and a handheld type. In the transportable type of portable radio telephone, a transceiver unit is combined into a main unit of a telephone unit and an antenna is attached to the main unit; consequently a user may carry the transportable telephone wherever the user goes. In the handheld type of portable radio telephone, all components are compacted into one unit which may be held in the hand of a user. All of these radio telephones are supplied power from a battery. Differentiated from the kinds of radio telephone mentioned above, there is yet a further kind of radio telephone, namely a cordless telephone. The cordless telephone has one or more base units connected to one or more land lines and one or more handheld units. The handheld unit communicates with another telephone apparatus by first establishing a radio channel with the base unit. The handheld unit of a cordless telephone is also supplied power with a battery. Generally, it is required to reduce consumption of electric power in a radio telephone since a battery installed therein or in a vehicle has a limited power capacity. In the case of a mobile telephone in a car, a battery mounted in the car is rechargeable as long as the car runs. However when the car ignition is turned off and the car is parked the user may leave the mobile telephone turned on by entering a certain command on the key pad. In such a situation, the mobile telephone consumes the power of the battery wastefully. The power consumption may drain the battery to the extent that the car will not start. Another problem unsolved by prior art mobile telephone apparatus is introduced when the automobile is removed from the serving area of the mobile telephone service provider. In such a situation, the apparatus may continue to drain battery energy even though the mobile telephone apparatus may be useless. In the case of either a portable telephone or a hand-held unit of cordless telephone, the consumption of battery power is a more serious problem because these have only a limited power capacity. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved radio telephone apparatus capable of conserving battery power. US-A-4495649 discloses a portable type radio apparatus having a power source device connected to a receiving circuit and connected to a transmitting circuit through an on-off switch. When the switch is closed by the user to energise the transmitting circuit, a time-constant circuit is also energised. The time-constant circuit includes a capacitor and when the capacitor has charged to a predetermined voltage after a time interval, it causes the supply to the transmitting circuit to be cut off. The apparatus includes a short-circuiting switch which the user operates to short-circuit and hence discharge the capacitor before the capacitor has charged to the predetermined voltage at which the supply to the transmitting circuit is cut-off. A time-signal generator also forms part of the apparatus. This generator produces a signal which energises some form of alarm to warn the user, prior to the transmitting circuit being cut-off from the power source device. It is also known from JP-57-147622 to employ a counting device in a camera which commences to count a time period when the battery of the camera is switched on. The count in the counting device is compared with a preset count stored in a memory and when the two are equal the battery is switched off to conserve the life of the battery. According to a first aspect of the present invention radio telephone apparatus comprises transmitting means for transmitting signals over a first radio channel; receiving means for receiving signals transmitted over a second radio channel; keyboard input means comprising a plurality of keys responsive to a user's operation for inputting data associated with the operation of said transmitting means and said receiving means; power supply means for supplying said transmitting means and said receiving means with electric power; power supply control means for terminating the supply of electric power from said power supply means to at least said transmitting means; memory means for storing a predetermined count value and counting means for counting passage of time and for causing the power supply control means to terminate the supply of electric power when a count value counted by the counting means exceeds the predetermined count value, characterised in that the operation of any one of said plurality of keys reduces the count counted by the counting means to zero and the operation of a particular combination of said keys permits the predetermined count value in said memory means to be changed. The user is conveniently warned of impending power turn-off to their radio telephone apparatus before power is turned off. Power is automatically turned off to the radio telephone apparatus whenever the telephone is idle for a predetermined period of time. The power is turned off in a two-step process wherein the user is first warned after a period of non-usage of the telephone of the impending turning off of power. Then the power is finally turned off after a second predetermined time period. Furthermore, the present apparatus may be integrated into the structural components of an automobile, i.e. into the dashboard comprising visual and audible warning devices, and the automobile's warning control systems. According to a second aspect of the invention a method of operating a radio telephone apparatus comprises the steps of employing the operation of a particular combination of a plurality of keys of a keyboard of the apparatus to set a predetermined time count value in a memory means, sensing an operation of any of said keys, counting the passage of time and re-starting the measurement of time on each occasion that the operation of a key is sensed; regularly comparing the measurement of time with the predetermined time count and terminating the supply of electric power to at least transmitting means of the apparatus when the count value counted by the counting means exceeds the predetermined count value. In order that the invention may be more readily understood, it will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of a mobile telephone apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of an automobile showing the installation of mobile telephone apparatus therein; Figure 3 is a block diagram of a radio unit in the mobile telephone apparatus; Figure 4 is a circuit diagram of a telephone set; Figure 5 is a flow chart of an algorithm showing the operation of power supply control according to a first embodiment; Figure 6 is a flow chart of and algorithm showing the operation of power supply control according to a second embodiment; Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram showing the control of the supply to radio section 310 according to either the algorithm of Figure 5 or 6. A preferred embodiment or the present invention, applied in a mobile telephone, will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may be likewise applied in any other kind of radio telephone apparatus including but not limited to portable telephones or cordless telephones. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an arrangement of a mobile telephone apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Fig. 1, mobile telephone apparatus 100 comprises antenna 200, radio unit 300, and telephone unit 400. As shown in Fig. 2, antenna 200 is mounted on an outer body surface of automobile 500. Telephone unit 400 is mounted near driver's seat 504 inside automobile 500. Radio unit 300 mainly comprises radio section 310 for establishing a first and a second radio channel 600 with a base station (not shown) through antenna 200 and for exchanging signals therewith, radio unit controller 330 for controlling the overall operations of the apparatus, voice dial/response circuit 350 for performing speech recognition and synthesis and for storing speech pattern signals, ID ROM 370 for storing ID (Identification Number) and telephone numbers, and power source 390 for supplying power from battery 506 (Fig. 2) mounted in the automobile to the above components through fuse 508. Telephone unit 400 mainly comprises handset controller 418 for controlling the overall operations of telephone unit 400 in response to instructions or the like from radio unit controller 330, key unit 430 for entering key inputs, display unit 450 for displaying numerical or alphabetical characters in response to the control of handset controller 418, switches 470 for performing various switching operations, and selectable audio input/output units 490 a or b for inputting or outputting an audible sound. Telephone unit 400 may be divided into main unit 400a and handset 400b. Microphone 494 may be a hands-free microphone mounted on sun visor 510 or the like near driver's seat 504 and is connected to main unit 400a. Together, microphone 494 and speaker 492 comprise a hands-free handset 410a. Loud speaker 492 may be mounted in main unit 400a. Handset controller 418, key unit 430, and display unit 450 are mounted in handset 400b. Handset microphone 466 and handset receiver 498 constitute audio input/output unit 490b of handset 400b. Each section of radio unit 300, main unit 400a, and handset 400b is supplied power by way of a power line 1005 extending from power source 390 in radio unit 300. The opened or closed status of switches 470: is transmitted to power source 390 or radio unit controller 330 by way of line 1000 or line 1001, respectively. Control or command signals are transmitted between handset controller 418 and radio unit controller 330 by way of line 1002. Audio signals are transmitted by way of lines 1003. Radio unit controller 330 sends control signals to audio input/output unit 490a, by way of lines 1004. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing a detailed arrangement of the radio unit of Fig. 1. Referring to Fig. 3, radio section 310 comprises demodulator 312, modulator 314, and synthesizer 320. Demodulator 312 demodulates a radio signal received from the base station through radio channels 600, antenna 200, and duplexer 318. It should be noted that this signal includes audible sound signals and control signals. Modulator 314 modulates the audio and control signals and the like from audio controller 330 and generates transmission signals. Power amplifier 316 amplifies the transmission signals from modulator 314. The amplification of power amplifier 316 is variable, e.g., 8-step variable. Duplexer 318 sends the signals received through radio channel 600 and antenna 200, to demodulator 312, and the signals from modulator 314 and power amplifier 316, to antenna 200. Synthesizer 320 comprises a channel selection local oscillator and specifies a frequency from which signals are demodulated by demodulator 312 and a frequency to which signals are modulated by modulator 314. About 666 channels are available for synthesizer 320. Radio unit controller 330 comprises CPU 331, oscillator/frequency divider 332, address decoder 333, ROM 334, RAM 335, radio controller 336, audio circuit 337, control signal processor 338, audo controller 339, digital interface 340, power controller 341, and interrupt controller 342. Reference numeral 343 denotes a data bus; 344, an address bus; and 345, a control bus. CPU 331 controls the operations of radio unit controller 330. Oscillator/frequency divider 332 supplies clock signals to CPU 331 and divides the clock signals so as to supply appropriately frequency-divided pulses as timing pulses to each section of the mobile telephone apparatus requiring them. Address decoder 333 outputs predetermined operation signals to the components in response to instruction signals from CPU 331. ROM 334 stores various programs required for operations by CPU 331. RAM 335 stores various kinds of data during processing of CPU 331. Radio controller 336 controls radio section 310 in response to an instruction from CPU 331. For example, radio controller 336 sends signals indicative of available frequencies to the synthesizer 320, signals indicative of an amplification level to power amplifier 316, and signals indicative of modulation parameters to modulator 314. Radio controller 336 receives a step-out signal from synthesizer 320 and output power detection signals from power amplifier 316 and supplies them to CPU 331, thereby preventing operation errors. Audio circuit 337 extracts control signals and audio signals from the received signals demodulated by demodulator 312 and supplies the control signals to control signal processor 338 and the audio signals to voice dial/response circuit 350 and telephone unit 400. Audio circuit 337 also supplies, the control signals from control signal processor 338 and audio signals from telephone set 400 and voice dial/response circuit 350 to modulator 314. It should be noted that audio circuit 337 also arranges the signal form of the control signal to be sent to control signal processor 338 in a particular wave format and filters the control signal to be supplied to modulator 314. Control signal processor 338 acquires bit and frame synchronization with the control signal from audio circuit 337. Maintaining the acquired synchronization, control signal processor 338 converts the serial control signals including control data received from a base station into parallel signals and converts the parallel control data signals to be transmitted to a base station into serial signals the control signals are sent to and from the base station via audio circuit 337. Audio circuit controller 339 controls audio circuit 337. For example, under the control of audio circuit controller 339, audio circuit 337 selectively applies the received signals from demodulator 312 to control signal processor 338, to voice dial/response circuit 350, and to telephone unit 400 and selectively receives the signals from control signal processor 338, voice dial/response circuit 350, or telephone unit 400. Digital interface 340 interfaces data communication between radio unit 300 and telephone unit 400. Power controller 341 controls power source 390. For example, power controller 341 sets a voltage supplied from battery 506 to power source 390 to a predetermined level. The voltage having the predetermined level is supplied to the respective components. Interrupt controller 342 interrupts CPU 331 in response to an interrupt signal from each component. Figure 4 is a further detailed view of the telephone unit 400 described above. Referring to Fig. 4, main unit 400a mainly comprises audio controller 410, speech input/output unit 490a, and switch unit 470. Audio controller 410 mainly comprises B/U converter 411, U/B converter 412, amplifiers 413 and 414, echo canceler 415, and switches 416 and 417. Speech input/output unit 490a comprises hands-free microphone 494 and loudspeaker 492. Switch unit 470 comprises hook switch 472 and on/off switch 474. Balanced line to unbalanced line (B/U) converter 411 converts the speech signals sent from audio circuit 337 in radio unit 300 through balanced line 411a into signals on unbalanced line 411b. The speech signal converted into the signals on unbalanced line 411b are amplified by amplifier 411b and output via loudspeaker 492. Since the speech signal outputs from the audio circuit in the radio unit are the signals on the unbalanced line, the speech signals are converted into the signals on the balanced line by U/B converter 337a arranged in the immediate output stage of the audio circuit 337. The speech signal input at hands-free microphone 494, amplified by amplifier 414, and appearing on unbalanced line 412a are converted into signals on balanced line 412b. The speech signals converted into the signals on balanced line 412b are sent to audio circuit 337 through balanced line 412b. The speech signal inputs to audio circuit 337 in radio unit 300 are signals on the unbalanced line, so that the speech signals are converted into signals on the unbalanced line by B/U converter 337b arranged in the immediate output stage of audio circuit 337. Echo canceller 415 comprises attenuator 415a for attenuating the speech signal input from B/U converter 411 to amplifier 413, attenuation controller 415b for controlling an attenuation rate of attenuator 415a, attenuator 415c for attenuating the speech signal input from the amplifier 414 to U/B converter 412, attenuation controller 415ds for controlling an attenuation rate of attenuator 415c, and control amount calculator 415e for calculating control amounts of attenuation controllers 415b and 415d on the basis of the speech signal on the respective lines. Switch 416 is operated to determine whether the speech signal from B/U converter 411 is to be output from loudspeaker 492. Switch 417 is operated to determine whether the speech signal from hands-free microphone 494 is sent to audio circuit 337 in radio unit 300. The operations of switches 416 and 417 are performed on the basis of control signals output from radio unit controller 330. Hook switch 472 detects the on- or off-hook state of handset 400b. The detected signal is sent to radio unit controller 330 in radio unit 300. On/off switch 474 performs overall ON/OFF operation of mobile telephone apparatus 100. A switching signal from switch 474 is sent to radio unit controller 330 in radio unit 300. Handset 400b comprises handset controller 418, display unit 450, key unit 430, and speech input/output unit 490b. Display unit 450 comprises liquid crystal display 452 and LCD driver 454. Key unit 430 comprises a plurality of keys which may be arranged in a key pad. Speech input/output unit 490b comprises amplifiers 419a, 419b, and 419c, an attenuator 420, U/B converter 421, speech switch unit 422, and switches 423 and 424, handset microphone 496, and handset receiver 498. Handset controller 418 controls the overall operations of handset 400b on the basis of control signals sent from radio unit controller 330 in radio unit 300. At the same time, handset controller 418 sends control signals or the like input from key unit 430 to radio unit controller 330 in radio unit 300. Amplifiers 419a and 419b amplify the speech signal sent from the B/U converter 411 in main unit 400a. Attenuator 420 attenuates the speech signals amplified by amplifiers 419a and 419b. The speech signal output through amplifier 419a, attenuator 420, and amplifier 419b is output from handset receiver 498. Amplifier 419c amplifies the speech signal input from handset microphone 496. U/B converter 421 converts the amplified speech signals on unbalanced line 421a into signals on balanced line 421b. The speech signal converted into the signal on balanced line 421b is sent to audio circuit 337 through balanced line 421b and balanced line 421c. Switch 423 is operated to determine whether the speech signal from B/U converter 411 is to be output from handset receiver 498. Switch 424 is operated to determine whether the speech signal from handset microphone 496 is to be output to audio circuit 337 in radio unit 300. The operations of switches 423 and 424 are performed on the basis of the control signal output from handset controller 418 and are interlocked with switches 416 and 417 in main unit 400a. In a standby mode of mobile telephone apparatus 100, all switches 416, 417, 423 and 424 are turned off. In a sound generation mode for a key input, switch 416 is turned on, and switches 417, 423 and 424 are turned off. When handset 400b is used for communication in the off-hook state, switches 416 and 417 are turned on, and switches 423 and 424 are turned off. Speech switch unit 422 comprises level detector 422a, OR gate 422b, and switch 422c. Level detector 422a detects a signal level of speech signal input to handset microphone 496. If the signal level is less than a predetermined value, level detector 422a generates a signal of level "L". However, if the signal level exceeds the predetermined value, level detector 422a generates a signal of level "H". OR gate 422b receives an output signal L or H from level detector 422a and a predetermined control signal output from controller 418 and generates an output signal when either input is present. Switch 422c is turned on in response to the signal of level "L" from OR gate 422b, and speech signal line 421a is grounded. The speech signal from handset microphone 496 is not transmitted to audio circuit 337, and handset microphone 496 is set in the OFF state. Switch 422c is turned off in response to the signal of level "H" from the OR gate 422b, and the handset microphone 496 is set in the ON state. The control signal input from controller 418 to one input terminal of OR gate 422b is set at level "L" in the standby mode and during normal communication and at level "H" in the voice recognition mode allowing voice dialing. Therefore, when no voice is inputted to handset microphone 496 in the busy state, handset microphone 496 is set in the OFF state. Therefore, noise in the automobile 500 is not sent to the other party, thereby comfortable communication can be achieved. Liquid crystal display 452 comprises a numerical display element 452a having several display digit positions and display element 452b for displaying various functions. LCD driver 454 drives liquid crystal display 452 under the control of handset controller 418 to display numerical or alphabetical characters. Key unit 430 includes keys including at least numerical keys "O" to "9" as well as function keys "*", "#", "SND", "STO", "END", "RCL", "FCN", "CLR", "EMR", "MUTE", and "TONE". When a desired key pad is depressed, the depressed key is detected by handset controller 418. Next, the operation for power supply control in this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 5. Referring to Fig. 5, after on/off switch 474 in main unit 400a is turned on by a user (step 501), handset controller 418 in handset 400b determines whether any key is operated at key unit 430 within a first predetermined period: t₁ (steps 504, 506). Namely, if at least one key is operated, a flag indicative of key operation is set at a register 418a in handset controller 418. A processor 418b of controller 418 checks whether the flag is set or not (step 504). This check is made periodically, for example at 8msec intervals. In the case that at least one key is operated, handset controller 418 continues to perform the periodical check. On the other hand, in the case that the flag is not set when the flag register is checked the processor 418b of handset controller 418 increments a count value at a register A418a in handset controller 418 (step 505). Thus, this count value, which is zero in an initial state (step 502), shows how many times the check was made continuously without detecting the flag being set and is stored in register A 418c. And, in step 506, it is determined whether the count value exceeds a first predetermined value: X, which is read from RAM 335 by CPU 331, transmitted via digital interface 340 and line 1002 to handset controller 418, and stored in register B 418d in advance (step 502). If the count value neither exceeds nor equals the first predetermined value X the operation of handset controller 418 returns to step 504. The above mentioned value counted by the processor 418b of controller 418 is reset to zero when the setting of the flag indicative of key operation is detected at step 504. If the count value exceeds or equals the first predetermined value X in step 506, the operation proceeds to step 507. In step 504, handset controller 418 controls LCD driver 454 to drive liquid crystal device 452. Thereby liquid crystal device 452 is lit by the control of handset controller 418 so that an alarm message, for example, "POWER TURNED OFF SOON. PRESS ANY ONE KEY" is displayed. In this embodiment, since a number of digits for display in display unit 450 is limited to ten digits, sentences or phrases of the alarm messages are properly divided into groups of words and the groups of words are sequentially and continuously displayed on liquid crystal device 452. Also simultaneously a beep tone may be generated via receiver 498 or speaker 492 under control of handset controller 418 and CPU 331. The beep tone may continue as long as the alarm message is displayed or may be generated only at the time that the alarm message is originally displayed. If a user stands by the apparatus and presses any one key thereof, the flag indicative of key operation is set. The setting of the flag will be detected in step 508 discussed below. After the lighting, of display 450 the operation proceeds to step 508. In steps 508-510, handset controller 418 determines whether any key is operated at key unit 430 within a second predetermined period t₂. If at least one key is operated, the flag indicative of key operation is set at the register F 418a in handset controller 418. The processor of handset controller 418 checks whether the flag is set or not (step 508). This check is made periodically as mentioned before. In the case that at least one key is operated, handset controller 418 controls LCD driver 454 so that liquid crystal device 452 stops lighting (step 511) and the count value in register A 418c is reset to zero (step 503). After that, the operation proceeds to step 504. On the other hand, if the flag is not set when the flag register is checked the processor 418b of handset controller 418 increments the count value in register A 418c and the operation proceeds to step 510. In step 510, it is determined whether the count value exceeds a second predetermined value Y, which is read from RAM 335 by CPU 331, transmitted via digital interface 340 and line 1002 to handset controller 418, and stored in register C 418e in advance (step 502) or not. If the count value neither exceeds nor equals the second predetermined value, the operation returns to step 508. If the count value exceeds or equals the second predetermined value Y in step 510, the operation proceeds to step 512. In step 512, handset controller 418 sends a signal indicative of automatic power supply termination to radio unit controller 330 by way of line 1002. The signal is input to CPU 331 via digital interface 340. Responsive to this signal, CPU 331 sends a power supply termination signal to power controller 341 on control bus 345. Power controller 341 responsive to the termination signal controls power source 390 so that the power supply to respective sections of each unit is cut off. Thereby all the power supply to each unit of this mobile telephone is terminated. It should be noted that a user may easily reset the apparatus from the state in which the power supply is automatically cut off for battery saving by activating switches 474. Next the second embodiment of the algorithm for power supply control will be described with reference to Fig. 6. After on/off switch 474 in main unit 400a is turned on by a user (step 601), CPU 331 in radio unit controller 330 sets an internal timer thereof to zero (step 602). The internal timer is a free running timer clocked in response to a clock pulse signal supplied from oscillator/frequency divider 332. Then, whether any key is operated at key 430 or not is detected by handset controller 418 (step 603). In the case that at least one key is operated at key pad 430, handset controller 418 sends a detection signal to CPU 331 via digital interface 340 connected therewith by way of lines 1002. Responsive to the detection signal, CPU 331 sets the timer again (step 602). In the case that the time, which is measured by the internal timer of CPU 331, exceeds a first predetermined time period t₁ without receiving the detection signal (step 604), CPU 331 sends a display command signal to handset controller 418 via digital interface 340. Responsive to the display command signal, handset controller 418 controls display unit 450 so that alarm messages are displayed at liquid crystal device 452. Also, CPU 331 sends a sounding command signal to audio circuit controller 339. Responsive to the sounding command signal, audio circuit controller 339 controls audio circuit 338 so that a pulse signal supplied to audio circuit 337 from oscillator/frequency divider 332 is transmitted to speaker 492 in main unit 400a or receiver 498 in handset 400b by way of lines 1003 for sounding a beep tone. As described above, alarm indications may be both visually and acoustically made (step 605). After the alarm indication is turned on, CPU 331 waits for the detection signal from handset controller 418 again (step 606). Receiving the detection signal, CPU 331 sends stop command signals to handset controller 418 and audio circuit controller 39. Responsive to the stop command signals, handset controller 418 controls display unit 450 to terminate the alarm display. Also, audio circuit controller 339 controls audio circuit 337 so as to terminate the supply of the pulse signal for sounding a beep tone. In the case that the time measured by the internal timer of CPU 331 exceeds a second predetermined time period t₂ without receiving the detection signal (step 607), CPU 331 sends a control signal indicative of power supply termination to power supply controller 341 via control bus 345. Responsive to the termination signal, power controller 341 controls power source 390 so that the power supply to respective sections of each unit is cut off (step 609). In the above mentioned embodiment, while an indication to a user is made by displaying an alarm message or generating a beep tone, a voice message, for example, "PLEASE PRESS ANY ONE KEY, OR POWER WILL BE TURNED OFF SOON" may be artificially synthesized on the basis of prestored data or may be reproduced on the basis of recorded data which have been stored in advance by the user from a speech synthesis unit installed in voice dial/response circuit 350. Furthermore, while power supply to all units of the apparatus is terminated when a certain time period passes in the above-mentioned embodiment, only the power supply to a transmission section for transmitting signals in radio section 310 may be terminated. In this modification of the above described embodiments, the path of power supply for radio section 310 is divided into two paths 701, 702 as shown in Fig. 7. Transmission section 703 including modulator 314 and power amplifier 316 is supplied power by way of path 702 and the other sections in radio section 310 are supplied power by way of path 701. Power controller 341 cuts off only path 702 for transmission section 703 continuing the power supply for the other sections or units in response to the termination signal. According to this modification, when someone is near the apparatus besides an owner, the person may still receive a call from others. Consequently, a user of the apparatus may be prevented from making a call for a long time may only receive a call from others saving the battery power. If a call is received and the user responds to the call by hanging up handset 400b or pressing send key, CPU 331 detects the status and controls power controller 341 so that power supply to transmission section 703 is resumed. Still furthermore, while the timer is reset in response to the operation of at least one key of key unit 430 in the above mentioned embodiment, it may be further reset in response to the closure of hook switch 472, such as when handset 400b is returned to a carriage (not shown). In the first embodiment, for example, the state when hook switch 472 is closed is detected by audio radio unit controller 330 in radio unit 300 by way of line 1001. Responsive to a detection signal of the on hook state from radio unit controller 330, handset controller 418 sets the flag indicative of key operation. Although an embodiment applied to a mobile telephone apparatus has been described, it is apparent to those skilled in this art that this invention may be easily applied to any transportable type radio telephone or handheld type radio telephone that is battery powered. In the case of a transportable type radio telephone, radio unit 300 and antenna 200 are incorporated into a casing of main unit 400a of telephone unit 400, and thereby the telephone unit including radio unit and antenna is capable of being carried by a user. In the case of a handheld type radio telephone or a mobile unit of a cordless telephone, telephone unit 400, radio unit 300, and antenna 200 are combined together in a single casing. The essential features of this invention are applicable to all such cases. Furthermore, the scope of this invention is not limited to the application in a radio telephone capable of being connected to a land-line telephone such as a cellular radio telephone in a cellular radio system but any application of a radio telephone using radio channels falls within the scope of this invention. Furthermore, this invention may be applicable to an automobile controller controlling input and display unit disposed separately from a main unit of a radio telephone apparatus and any kind of processing unit with the same function as mentioned falls within the scope of this invention. The first and second predetermined time periods t₁ and t₂ may be of different durations. It basically depends on the situation. In the case of a mobile telephone, for example, t₁ may be appropriatley two hours and t₂ two hours and three minutes. In portable telephones, for example, t₁ may be appropriately one hour and t₂, one hour and one minute. It is more important to reduce the battery power consumption in a portable telephone. Also t₁ and t₂ may be of the same duration. In that case, if a user stands by the apparatus and wishes the apparatus to be operative after the power supply is automatically cut off to save battery power, he has to reactivate the power on/off switch instead of operating any key or a hook switch. Furthermore, a user is able to reset the first and second predetermined time period t₁ and t₂ for themselves. In the above described embodiment, a user may reset them by performing a certain order of key input at key units 430 as to change the count value of X and Y corresponding to t₁ and t₂, prestored in RAM 335. For example, to change the count value of X, the user may press keys: FCN , 8 , 0 , * , 1 , 0 , *. In this case responsive to the key input of FCN , 8 , 0 , handset controller 418 recognizes that the user's request of changing the count value X and responsive to the key input of 1 , 0 between * and * , handset controller 418 changes the count value X in RAM 335 to a value corresponding to 10 hours.

Claims: Radio telephone apparatus comprising transmitting means (314, 316) for transmitting signals over a first radio channel; receiving means (312, 320) for receiving signals transmitted over a second radio channel; keyboard input means comprising a plurality of keys (430) responsive to a user's operation for inputting data associated with the operation of said transmitting means (314, 316) and said receiving means (312, 320); power supply means (390) for supplying said transmitting means and said receiving means with electric power; power supply control means (418, 331, 341) for terminating the supply of electric power from said power supply means to at least said transmitting means; memory means (335) for storing a predetermined count value and counting means (331) for counting passage of time and for causing the power supply control means (390) to terminate the supply of electric power when a count value counted by the counting means exceeds the predetermined count value, characterised in that the operation of any one of said plurality of keys (430) reduces the count counted by the counting means to zero and the operation of a particular combination of said keys permits the predetermined count value in said memory means (335) to be changed. Radio telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that said memory means (335) stores a second predetermined count value which is less than said first predetermined count value and said counting means causes alarm means to be activated when a count value counted by the counting means exceeds the second predetermined count value. Radio telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 2, characterised in that the alarm means comprises means for generating sound. Radio telephone apparatus as claimed in claim 2 or 3, characterised in that the alarm means comprises a visual display unit. A method of operating a radio telephone apparatus comprising the steps of employing the operation of a particular combination of a plurality of keys of a keyboard of the apparatus to set a predetermined time count value in a memory means, sensing an operation of any of said keys, counting the passage of time and re-starting the measurement of time on each occasion that the operation of a key is sensed; regularly comparing the measurement of time with the predetermined time count and terminating the supply of electric power to at least transmitting means of the apparatus when the count value counted by the counting means exceeds the predetermined count value. A method as claimed in claim 5 including the step of determining whether the counted time passage exceeds a second predetermined period of time which is less than said first mentioned time count and alerting a user of the apparatus if the measured time exceeds the second predetermined period of time.

Inventors: HOSHINO MAKOTO, ISHII TAKAAKI, SATO HIROSHI, HOSHINO, MAKOTO C/O PATENT DIVISION, ISHII, TAKAAKI C/O PATENT DIVISION, SATO, HIROSHI C/O PATENT DIVISION
Applicants: TOSHIBA AVE KK, TOSHIBA KK, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA AVE CO., LTD
Application year: 1988
Main classification: H04Q7
IPC codes: H04M1, H04B1, H04B7