Abstract:
A method for power management of a smart phone. The method comprises steps of resetting the smart phone, searching for network service, operating the mobile phone system in standby mode and a PDA system in normal mode when connected to a network, switching the mobile phone system to connection mode when establishing communication with a remote terminal, switching the mobile phone system to sleep mode when the mobile phone system has been idle for a first time period, switching the PDA system to sleep mode when the PDA system has been idle for a second time period, and implementing power detection to switch the mobile phone and PDA system to off mode when the detected power is lower than a first and second threshold respectively.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to a method for power management and particularly to power management of a smart phone having two subsystems, a mobile phone, and a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), which achieves long battery life and reduces unnecessary power loss due to system operation.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art  
           [0004]    The development of manufacturing techniques for mobile phones and PDAs has resulted in significant improvements in size and cost, adding to the popularity of these devices. Moreover, to better serve users with a greater need for mobility, smart phones, a combination of the PDA and mobile phone, have become commercially available. Smart phones combine mobile telephony and PDA functionality in a single device.  
           [0005]    Smart phones combine two sub-systems, the PDA and the mobile phone, sharing one battery, and therefore require efficient power management to reduce unnecessary power consumption and extend battery life. Traditionally, however, power management is dedicated to the PDA or mobile phone only. Single system power management is inefficient for a smart phone having two sub-systems. It is impossible for example, to engage the mobile phone the PDA sub-systems simultaneously. The traditional power management system, however, allocates full power to both sub-systems, even if full power is only required by one sub-system.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    The object of the present invention is to provide a power management system for a smart phone that achieves long battery life and reduces unnecessary power loss due to system operation.  
           [0007]    The present invention provides a method for power management of a smart phone having a power system, a mobile phone system operated in a standby, sleep, connection or off mode, and a PDA system operated in a normal, sleep or off mode. The method includes steps of resetting the smart phone, locating network service for the mobile phone system, operating the mobile phone system is in standby mode and the PDA system in normal mode when the network is located and connected to, switching the mobile phone system from standby mode to connection mode when establishing communication with a remote terminal of the network, switching the mobile phone system from standby mode to sleep mode when the mobile phone system has been idle for a first period of time, switching the PDA system from normal mode to sleep mode when the PDA system has been idle for a second period of time, and implementing a power detection method. The power detection method includes steps of detecting an amount of power of a source in the power system, switching the mobile phone system to off mode when the detected amount is less than a first threshold, and switching the PDA system to off mode when the detected amount is less than a second threshold.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings, given by way of illustration only and thus not intended to be limitative of the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a main procedure S of a method for power management of a smart phone according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a sub-procedure A of a method for power management of a smart phone according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a sub-procedure B of a method for power management of a smart phone according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a sub-procedure C of a method for power management of a smart phone according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a sub-procedure D of a method for power management of a smart phone according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a sub-procedure E of a method for power management of a smart phone according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a sub-procedure F of a method for power management of a smart phone according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a sub-procedure G of a method for power management of a smart phone according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a sub-procedure H of a method for power management of a smart phone according to one embodiment of the invention.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a power detection method according to one embodiment of the invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]    FIGS.  1 - 9  are flowcharts of a method for power management of a smart phone according to one embodiment of the invention. This method is applied to a smart phone having a PDA and mobile phone system which function independently from each other and share one power system. The mobile phone system can be operated in a standby, sleep, connection or off mode while the PDA system can be operated in a normal, sleep or off mode. In such a context, there are eight power supply modes:  
         [0020]    Mode A in which the PDA system is operated in normal mode while the mobile phone system is in sleep mode,  
         [0021]    Mode B in which the PDA system is operated in normal mode while the mobile phone system is in standby mode,  
         [0022]    Mode C in which the PDA system is operated in sleep mode while the mobile phone system is in standby mode,  
         [0023]    Mode D in which the PDA system is operated in normal mode while the mobile phone system is in connection mode,  
         [0024]    Mode E in which the PDA system is operated in normal mode while the mobile phone system is in off mode,  
         [0025]    Mode F in which both of the PDA and mobile phone system are operated in sleep mode,  
         [0026]    Mode G in which the PDA system is operated in sleep mode while the mobile phone system is in off mode, and  
         [0027]    Mode H in which the PDA system is operated in sleep mode while the mobile phone system is in connection mode.  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 1 is a flowchart of a main procedure S of the method for power management of a smart phone according to the embodiment of the invention.  
         [0029]    In step  11 , the smart phone is reset when being turned on.  
         [0030]    In step  12 , the smart phone searches for network service for the mobile phone system.  
         [0031]    In step  13 , sub-procedure B is implemented if the network is located and connected to by the mobile phone system; otherwise, sub-procedure A is implemented.  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 2 is a flowchart of sub-procedure A.  
         [0033]    In step  21 , the PDA system is operated in normal mode while the mobile phone system is in sleep mode.  
         [0034]    In step  22 , it is determined whether the mobile phone system is turned off. If so, sub-procedure E is implemented; otherwise, step  23  is implemented.  
         [0035]    In step  23 , it is determined whether the PDA system has been idle for a predetermined period of time, such as 5 minutes. If it has, sub-procedure F is implemented; otherwise, step  24  is implemented.  
         [0036]    In step  24 , the mobile phone system wakes and searches for network service after remaining in sleep mode for a predetermined period of time, such as 3 minutes.  
         [0037]    In step  25 , it is determined whether the mobile phone system has successfully connected to the network. If so, sub-procedure B is implemented; otherwise, step  26  is implemented.  
         [0038]    In step  26 , power detection is implemented to determine whether the amount of power of the battery in the power system is less than a first threshold. If so, the battery is at a critically low level and sub-procedure E is implemented; otherwise, step  21  is implemented.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 3 is a flowchart of sub-procedure B.  
         [0040]    In step  31 , the PDA system is operated in normal mode while the mobile phone system is in standby mode.  
         [0041]    In step  32 , it is determined whether the smart phone is out of network range and has failed to connect to the network service. If so, sub-procedure A is implemented; otherwise, step  33  is implemented.  
         [0042]    In step  33 , it is determined whether the PDA system has been idle for a predetermined period of time, such as 5 minutes. If so, sub-procedure C is implemented; otherwise, step  34  is implemented.  
         [0043]    In step  34 , it is determined whether the PDA system is turned off. If so, sub-procedure C is implemented; otherwise, step  35  is implemented.  
         [0044]    In step  35 , it is determined whether there is an outgoing or incoming call requiring the mobile phone system to establish communication with a remote terminal of the network. If so, sub-procedure D is implemented; otherwise, step  37  is implemented.  
         [0045]    In step  36 , it is determined whether the mobile phone system is turned off. If so, sub-procedure E is implemented; otherwise, step  37  is implemented.  
         [0046]    In step  37 , power detection is implemented to determine whether the amount of power in the battery of the power system is less than the first threshold. If so, the battery is at a critically low level and sub-procedure E is implemented; otherwise, step  38  is implemented.  
         [0047]    In step  38 , power detection is implemented to determine whether the amount of power in the battery of the power system is less than a second threshold. If so, the battery is in fault state and sub-procedure G is implemented; otherwise, step  31  is implemented.  
         [0048]    [0048]FIG. 4 is a flowchart of sub-procedure C.  
         [0049]    In step  41 , the PDA system is operated in sleep mode while the mobile phone system is in standby mode.  
         [0050]    In step  42 , it is determined whether the smart phone is out of network range and has failed to connect to the network service. If so, sub-procedure F is implemented; otherwise, step  43  is implemented.  
         [0051]    In step  43 , it is determined whether the PDA system is turned on. If so, sub-procedure B is implemented; otherwise, step  44  is implemented.  
         [0052]    In step  44 , it is determined whether there is an outgoing or incoming call requiring the mobile phone system to establish communication with a remote terminal of the network. If so, sub-procedure D is implemented; otherwise, step  45  is implemented.  
         [0053]    In step  45 , power detection is implemented to determine whether the amount of power in the battery of the power system is less than the first threshold. If so, the battery is at a critically low level and sub-procedure E is implemented; otherwise, step  41  is implemented.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 5 is a flowchart of sub-procedure D.  
         [0055]    In step  51 , the PDA system is operated in normal mode while the mobile phone system is in connection mode.  
         [0056]    In step  52 , it is determined whether the PDA system has been idle for a predetermined period of time, such as 5 minutes. If so, sub-procedure H is implemented; otherwise, step  53  is implemented.  
         [0057]    In step  53 , it is determined whether the PDA system is turned off. If so, sub-procedure H is implemented; otherwise, step  54  is implemented.  
         [0058]    In step  54 , power detection is implemented to determine whether the amount of power in the battery of the power system is less than the first threshold. If so, the battery is at a critically low level and sub-procedure E is implemented; otherwise, step  55  is implemented.  
         [0059]    In step  55 , it is determined whether communication is terminated. If so, step  56  is implemented; otherwise, step  51  is implemented.  
         [0060]    In step  56 , the connection between the mobile phone system and the remote terminal is cut off. Sub-procedure B is implemented.  
         [0061]    [0061]FIG. 6 is a flowchart of sub-procedure E.  
         [0062]    In step  61 , the PDA system is operated in normal mode while the mobile phone system is in off mode.  
         [0063]    In step  62 , power detection is implemented to determine whether the amount of power in the battery of the power system is less than the first threshold. If so, the battery is at a critically low level and step  631  is implemented; otherwise, step  641  is implemented.  
         [0064]    In step  631 , the PDA system displays a warning message to inform the user of the critically low battery power level.  
         [0065]    In step  632 , the PDA system is switched to sleep mode.  
         [0066]    In step  633 , it is determined whether the PDA system has been engaged. If so, step  631  is implemented; otherwise, step  634  is implemented.  
         [0067]    In step  634 , power detection is implemented to determine whether the amount of power in the battery of the power system is less than the second threshold. If so, the battery is in fault state and sub-procedure G is implemented; otherwise, step  633  is implemented.  
         [0068]    In step  641 , it is determined whether the PDA system is turned off. If so, step  642  is implemented; otherwise, step  61  is implemented.  
         [0069]    In step  642 , it is determined whether the PDA system has been idle for a predetermined period of time, such as 5 minutes. If it has, step  61  is implemented; otherwise, step  643  is implemented.  
         [0070]    In step  643 , the mobile phone system is turned off and the PDA system is switched to sleep mode.  
         [0071]    In step  644 , it is determined whether the PDA system has been engaged. If so, step  61  is implemented; otherwise, step  643  is implemented.  
         [0072]    [0072]FIG. 7 is a flowchart of sub-procedure F.  
         [0073]    In step  71 , both the PDA and mobile phone system are operated in sleep mode.  
         [0074]    In step  72 , the mobile phone system is engaged to search for network service while remaining in sleep mode for a predetermined period of time, such as 3 minutes.  
         [0075]    In step  73 , it is determined whether the mobile phone system has successfully connected to network service. If so, sub-procedure C is implemented; otherwise, step  74  is implemented.  
         [0076]    In step  74 , power detection is implemented to determine whether the amount of power in the battery of the power system is less than the first threshold. If so, the battery is at a critically low level and sub-procedure E is implemented; otherwise, step  71  is implemented.  
         [0077]    [0077]FIG. 8 is a flowchart of sub-procedure G.  
         [0078]    In step  81 , the PDA system is operated in sleep mode while the mobile phone system is in off mode.  
         [0079]    In step  82 , it is determined whether the power system of the smart phone is connected to a charger. If so, step  83  is implemented; otherwise, step  81  is implemented.  
         [0080]    In step  83 , the battery in the power system is charged and step  11  of the main procedure S is implemented.  
         [0081]    [0081]FIG. 9 is a flowchart of sub-procedure H.  
         [0082]    In step  91 , the PDA system is operated in sleep mode while the mobile phone system is in connection mode.  
         [0083]    In step  92 , power detection is implemented to determine whether the amount of power in the battery of the power system is less than the first threshold. If so, the battery is at a critically low level and sub-procedure E is implemented; otherwise, step  93  is implemented.  
         [0084]    In step  93 , it is determined whether communication is terminated. If so, step  94  is implemented; otherwise, step  95  is implemented.  
         [0085]    In step  94 , the connection between the mobile phone system and the remote terminal of the network is cut off. Sub-procedure B is implemented.  
         [0086]    In step  95 , it is determined whether the PDA system has been engaged. If so, sub-procedure D is implemented; otherwise, step  91  is implemented.  
         [0087]    [0087]FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method of the power detection for determination of the battery power level.  
         [0088]    In step  101 , the amount of power of the battery is detected.  
         [0089]    In step  102 , it is determined whether the detected amount of power is less than the second threshold. If so, step  103  is implemented; otherwise, step  104  is implemented.  
         [0090]    In step  103 , a critical low state of the battery power is reported.  
         [0091]    In step  104 , it is determined whether the detected amount of power is less than the first threshold. If so, step  105  is implemented; otherwise, step  106  is implemented.  
         [0092]    In step  105 , a fault state of the battery power is reported.  
         [0093]    In step  106 , a normal state of the battery power is reported.  
         [0094]    In step  107 , step  101  is implemented again 5 seconds later than any one of the reported states.  
         [0095]    In the previously described embodiment of the invention, the smart phone is switched among the eight power modes. Particularly, the smart phone is allowed to switch from modes B, and D to H. That is to say, when the user communicates via the mobile phone system leaving the PDA system unused for a period of time, the PDA system will switch to sleep mode, consuming only partial power, thus avoiding unnecessary power consumption. Further, the PDA displays warning messages when the battery power is at a critically low level or in fault state, thus avoiding malfunctions or data loss due to the abnormal voltage supply of the battery.  
         [0096]    In conclusion, the present invention provides an efficient power management system for a smart phone. When the user communicates via the phone and the PDA is left idle, the PDA will only be supplied partial power. Warning messages are displayed when the battery power is at a critically low level or in fault state. This achieves long battery life, and reduces unnecessary power loss due to system operation and avoids malfunctions or data loss due to the abnormal voltage supply of the battery.  
         [0097]    The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of this invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of this invention and its practical application to thereby enable those skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.