Patent Publication Number: US-2010125346-A1

Title: Portable electronic device and controlling method thereof

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to controlling technology and, particularly, to a portable electronic device with changeable states. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Current cell phones provide the option of selecting one of a plurality of function modules. Each of the function modules may configured with one or a combination of audible alert, vibration alert, no alert, getting online, keypad tones, etc. 
     However, the function modules needs to be manually managed. 
     Therefore, what is needed is to provide a portable electronic device which can turn on/off some functions automatically according to a changed environment and a controlling method thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The components of the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments of an electronic device. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout several views 
         FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a portable electronic device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is a flowchart of a control method for controlling a portable electronic device in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a portable electronic device  20  in accordance with one embodiment is illustrated. The portable electronic device  20  includes a positioning module  201 , a processing module  203 , a storage module  205 , a programmable module  207 , a control module  209 , and a plurality of function modules  211 . In an embodiment, the portable electronic device  20  is a mobile phone. In other embodiments, the portable electronic device  20  also can be a personal digital assistant (PDA), a robot, or a portable electronic toy. 
     The plurality of function modules  211  of the portable electronic device  20  are configured for performing different functions. For example, the plurality of function modules  211  may include an audible alert module, a vibration alert, silent alert, etc. The portable electronic device  20  is capable of enabling and disabling the plurality of function modules  211  automatically according to different environments, such as a home, an office, a meeting room, etc. For example, when a user is at home with the portable electronic device  20 , more functions modules  211  may be enabled. When the user is at office with the portable electronic device  20 , so less function modules  211  may be enabled. 
     The positioning module  201  is configured for receiving real time positioning signals and determining a current position of the portable electronic device  20  according to the positioning signals. It may be understood that the real time positioning signals may be provided by a global positioning system (GPS), or a general packet radio service (GPRS). 
     The storage module  205  is configured for storing a position-locale table  251  and an instruction table  253 . The position-locale table  251  contains a plurality of location information. The location information can be an office location, a home location, a meeting room location, a bedroom location, etc. The instruction table  253  contains a plurality of function instructions. The function instruction can be operating one or a combination of audible alert function, vibration alert function, silent alert function, etc. In an embodiment, the storage module  205  operates as a database. The storage module  205  can be a memory. 
     The processing module  203  is configured for invoking one function instruction from the instruction table  253  according to the current position from the positioning module  201  and the position-locale table  251  from the storage module  205 . The processing module  203  includes a state detecting unit  231 , a location detecting unit  233 , and an instruction invoking unit  235 . 
     The state detecting unit  231  is configured for determining a current state of the portable electronic device  20  according to the current position. The current state includes a first state and a second state. When the portable electronic device  20  is in the first state, the portable electronic device  20  is in motion, such as, the user carrying the portable electronic device  20  is moving. When the portable electronic device  20  is in the second state, the portable electronic device  20  is motionless, such as, the user of the portable electronic device  20  is stationary. In an embodiment, when the portable electronic device  20  remains in motion, the state detecting unit  231  induces that the current position in a time changes relatively quickly, or else, the current position does not change or changes slowly. In other embodiments, the state detecting unit  231  is an acceleration transducer, and a displacement transducer. 
     The location detecting unit  233  is further configured for determining a current location of the portable electronic device  20  according to the current position from the positioning module  201 , the position-locale table  251  from the storage module  205 . 
     The instruction invoking unit  235  is configured for invoking one function instruction from the instruction table  253  according to the current state from the state detecting unit  231 , or according to the current location from the location detecting unit  233 , or combination thereof. 
     The control module  209  is configured for activating and deactivating the plurality of function modules  211  according the invoked function instruction from the instruction invoking unit  235 . 
     The programmable module  207  is configured for programming the position-locale table  251  according to the current position of the positioning module  201 . For example, in an embodiment, when the user is at the center of the bedroom location, the positioning module  201  can determine a position of the center of the bedroom, and the programmable module  207  programs the bedroom location with an inputted approximate radial value according to the estimated size of the bedroom. In other embodiments, the positioning module  201  can determine positions for a plurality of corners of the bedroom location, and the programmable module  207  programs the bedroom location cooperated by the plurality of positions, approximately. The programmable module  207  also can program a plurality of location information, such as a car location, a washing room location, according to the needs of the user. 
     The programmable module  207  is further configured for programming the instruction table  253  according to the programmed position-locale table  251 , and according to the user&#39; preference. The programmable module  207  sends the programmed position-locale table  251  and the programmed instruction table  253  to the storage module  205  for storing. 
     Further referring to  FIG. 2 , a flowchart of a controlling method for the portable electronic device  20  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is shown. The various actions in the method may be performed in the order presented, or may be performed in a different order. Furthermore, in some embodiments, some actions shown in  FIG. 2  may be omitted from the method. The method shown includes the following steps. 
     Beginning in step S 200 , storing a position-locale table containing a plurality of location information, and an instruction table containing a plurality of function instructions. The storage function is performed by the storage module  205 . 
     In step S 202 , receiving real time positioning signals and determining a current position of the portable electronic device according to the positioning signals. The positioning module  201  will determines a current position when the portable electronic device  20  is at a location. 
     In step S 204 , determining a current location of the portable electronic device according to the current position and the position-locale table. The location detecting unit  233  determines the current position in which location. 
     In step S 206 , determining a current state of the portable electronic device according to the current position. The state detecting unit  231  determines whether the portable electronic device  20  is in motion or motionless. 
     In step S 208 , invoking the function instruction from the instruction table according to the current location, the current state, and a combination of the current location and the current state. The invoked function is performed by the instruction invoking unit  235 . 
     In step S 210 , activating and deactivating the plurality of function modules according to the invoked function instruction. 
     In step S 212 , programming the position-locale table according to the current position, and programming the instruction table according to the programmed position-locale table and a user&#39; preference. The position-locale table and the instruction table can be programmed by the programmable module  207 . 
     In step S 214 , storing the programmed position-locale table and the programmed instruction table. 
     As discussed above, in operation of the portable electronic device  20 , the plurality of function modules  211  can be automatically activated and deactivated by the control module  209  following the various locations. 
     It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous has been described with reference to particular embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments described and exemplified, and the embodiments are capable of considerable variation and modification without departure from the scope of the appended claims.