Abstract:
The present invention relates to a system and method for reserving enough battery power in a mobile communication device to make emergency calls. The invention additionally relates to a system and method to restrict the user if necessary to a set of emergency numbers when there is limited power available to the mobile communication device.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to power management in a mobile communication device and more particularly to a system for managing power in a mobile communication device for emergency purposes.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    As the mobile information society grows, there is an increasing demand for mobile phones and other mobile communication devices. As the physical size of mobile phones and costs for these devices shrink, their proliferation in our society will sharply increase. Proliferation is not narrowly focused to certain market segments, but rather more evenly distributed among many diverse markets. Our society is becoming increasingly dependent on these portable communication devices for business, socializing, entertainment and most importantly for the security they provide. For example, parents want their children to have a mobile phone handy especially in an emergency and want to be able to contact them regardless of their location and know that they are safe. Likewise, senior citizens are carrying mobile phone in increasing numbers primarily because of the security they provide.  
           [0003]    One common requirement among all mobile communication devices is readily available battery power lasting as long as possible. Rechargeable batteries that easily connect to mobile phones and provide for many hours of air-time are common. But regardless of how long a particular manufacturer&#39;s battery lasts, it will eventually dissipate and cease to provide the mobile communication device with sufficient power. When battery power has been used completely, the mobile communication device will not operate until the battery is recharged or replaced. Generally, it&#39;s a minor inconvenience to a user if the user is not able to use the mobile communication device due to lack of battery power when used for social or entertainment reasons. However, it is very inconvenient and possibly life threatening if the user is not able to use the mobile communication device in case of an emergency. It is especially inconvenient for user of the mobile communication device to manually manage the battery power to insure that electronic device will be operable if need for emergency.  
           [0004]    Since safety is your most important call and your least expected call to make, it would be wise to include functionality on the mobile communication device to intelligently manage power such that power would always be available in the event of an emergency. Existing mobile phones show available battery power to the user, but do not provide a means for saving minimum battery power to make emergency calls in the event of a true emergency.  
           [0005]    Therefore, it would be useful if a method was provided that would reserve minimum battery power to make an emergency call.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0006]    The present invention advantageously provides a system and a method in an electronic device, such as a mobile terminal, for reserving enough battery power to make emergency calls. The method further provides the user with an indication when there is only enough available power to make emergency calls. When a user is aware that only enough power exists to make emergency calls, the cautious user will refrain from making calls for entertainment or convenience purposes in case of an unexpected emergency. The invention additionally provides for a system and method to restrict the user, if necessary, to making and receiving emergency calls when there is limited power available to the mobile communication device. Once the battery power reaches a minimum threshold, the electronic device may be restricted to use a set of pre-programmed phone numbers, such as “911” for US or other emergency numbers. For example, a parent or employer may choose to restrict calls for a child or employee, respectively, to a set of emergency pre-programmed numbers when only minimal battery power is available.  
           [0007]    A more complete appreciation of all the advantages and scope of the present invention can be obtained from the accompanying drawings, the following detailed description of the invention, and the appended claims. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile communication device into which an embodiment of the invention may be implemented.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 illustrates a mobile communication device and a second communication device linked by a network.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 illustrates a mobile communication device battery pack comprising a primary and secondary power source.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 illustrates a method for determining when to switch from a primary power source to a secondary power source when a connection exists.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 5 illustrates a method for determining when to switch from a primary power source to a secondary power source when a request to establish a connection is received.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the invention comprising a method for managing power on a mobile communication device.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 7 illustrates a method of optionally restricting calls by the mobile communication device to a pre-programmed set of at least one subscriber number. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]    [0015]FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a mobile communication device  100 , according to an embodiment of the invention. Generally, the mobile communication device  100  includes a processor  103  (which may also be known as a controller) coupled to various memories, collectively shown as memory  104 . Memory  104  includes a plurality of stored constants and variables that are used by processor  103  during the operation of the mobile communication device  100 . For example, memory  104  stores the values of the various feature parameters. Memory  104  is also used to store data provided by the user through the user interface. Operating instructions  105  for controlling the operation of processor  103  are also stored in memory  104 . In several embodiments of the invention, the methods comprise operating instructions stored in memory  104  and are executed by processor  103 . Based on these operating instructions, processor  103  may control various resources and peripherals such as primary power source  101 , secondary power source  102 , memory  104 , input device  120 , receiver  130 , transmitter  132 , LED  132 , speaker  118 , tone generator  116 , timer  128 , vibrating device  136  and motion sensor  134 .  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 2 illustrates a mobile communication device  100  and a second communication device  202  linked by a network  201 . A mobile communication device  100  comprises a memory  104  which includes a pre-selected list of at least one subscriber number  106  as shown in FIG. 1. A second communication device  202  comprises a subscriber number  203 .  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 3 illustrates a battery pack arrangement  300  for an electronic device, for example the mobile communication device  100 , according to an embodiment of the invention. The battery pack arrangement  300  generally comprises a primary power source  101 , a secondary power source  102 , and battery pack arrangement contacts  303  that electrically connects the battery pack arrangement  300  to an electronic device such as a mobile communication device  100 . In an embodiment of the invention, both the primary power source  101  and secondary power source  102 , each may be separately or directly connected to the electronic device. According to an embodiment of the invention, both the primary power source  101  and secondary power source  102  may be used independently as power sources for the mobile communication device. The primary power source  101  is capable of storing enough power to enable the mobile communications device to operate normally for as long as possible. The secondary power source  102  is also capable of storing enough power to enable the mobile communications device to operate for as long as possible but according to an embodiment of the invention the secondary battery may store enough power to allow minimum mobile communication device functionality including the placing and receiving emergency phone calls. According to an embodiment of the invention, the primary power source  101  and secondary power source  102  may each comprise a battery electrically connected with the mobile communication device  100 .  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 4 illustrates a method for managing the available power on a mobile communication device according to an embodiment of the invention. More specifically, FIG. 4 illustrates a method for determining when to switch from primary power source  101  to a secondary power source  102  when a connection exists. In an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises operating instructions that are stored in memory  104  and are executed by processor  103 . Generally, at block  401 , the method determines if the power level of the primary power source  101  has reached a pre-selected threshold. If yes, then at block  402 , the method determines if a connection exists between the mobile communication device  100  and a second communication device  202 . If yes, then at block  403 , the method determines if the subscriber number  203  of the second communication device  202  is included in a pre-selected list of subscriber numbers  106 . If yes, then at block  404 , the method switches the mobile communication device  100  from primary power source  101  to a secondary power source  102 .  
         [0019]    The pre-selected threshold in block  401  may be received in the mobile communication device by pre-selecting or pre-programming by the manufacturer or by the user. The pre-selected threshold may be received by the mobile communication device  100  from a second mobile communications  202  device or from a communications device manager over a communication path.  
         [0020]    The connection in block  402  may be a one-way or two-way communication between the mobile communication device  100  and the second communication device  202 .  
         [0021]    The subscriber number  203  in block  402  or block  403  may be any alphanumeric sequence such as a phone number, serial number, communications device identification, or other alpha-numeric sequence that uniquely identifies the second communication device  202 .  
         [0022]    The pre-selected list of at least one subscriber number  106  in block  403  may exist within the mobile communications device  100 , on a second communications device  202  or on a server. The list may be programmed by a user or a manufacturer.  
         [0023]    In block  404 , according to an embodiment of the invention the switch to the secondary power source  102  from the primary power source  101  may take place automatically within the mobile communications device  100 . According to an alternative embodiment, the switch may be initiated manually by the user.  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 illustrates a method for managing the available power on the mobile communication device  100  using two power sources: a primary power source  101  and a secondary power source  102 . More specifically, FIG. 5 illustrates a method for determining when to switch from a primary power source to a secondary power source when a connection request is received. In an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises operating instructions that are stored in memory  104  and are executed by processor  103 . According to FIG. 5, three requirements must be met before switching from a primary power source  101  to a secondary power source  102 : the power level of the primary power source  101  has reached a pre-selected threshold according to block  501 , a request is received by the mobile communication device  100  to establish a connection between a mobile communication device  100  and a second communication device  202  according to block  502  and the subscriber number  203  on the second communication device  202  is included in a pre-selected list of at least one subscriber number  104  according to block  503 .  
         [0025]    In one embodiment of the invention the request in block  502  may originate from a user to establish a connection between a mobile communication device  100  and a second communication device  202 . In another embodiment of the invention the request may originate internally from within the mobile communication device  100 . For example, software located within the mobile communication device  100  may initiate the request in block  502  based on a timer preset by a user.  
         [0026]    The pre-selected threshold in block  501  may be received in the mobile communication device  100  by pre-selecting or pre-programming by the manufacturer or by the user. The pre-selected threshold may be received by the mobile communication device  100  from a second communications device  202  or from a communications device manager over a communication path.  
         [0027]    The subscriber number  203  in block  503  may be any alphanumeric sequence such as a phone number, serial number, communications device identification, or other alphanumeric sequence that uniquely identifies the second communication device.  
         [0028]    The pre-selected list of at least one subscriber number  106  in block  503  may exist within the mobile communications device  100 , on a second communications device  202  or on a server. The list may be programmed by a user or a manufacturer.  
         [0029]    In one embodiment of the invention, the processor  103  provides a means for switching from the primary power source  101  to the secondary power source  102  when the processor  103  determines that the power level on the primary power source  101  has reached a pre-selected threshold while a connection exists between the mobile communication device  100  and a second communication device  202 .  
         [0030]    In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the processor  103  provides a means for switching from the primary power source  101  to the secondary power source  102  when the processor  103  determines that the power level on the primary power source  101  has reached a pre-selected threshold and when a connection is initiated using a subscriber number, wherein the subscriber number is located in a pre-selected list of at least one subscriber number  106  on the mobile communication device  100 .  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the invention comprising a method for managing power on a mobile communication device  100 . In an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises operating instructions that are stored in memory  104  and are executed by processor  103 . Once the primary power source  101  and secondary power source  102  have been charged and connected with the mobile communication device, according to block  601  the device may be used by a user with unrestricted access to normal functionality. Normal functionality of a mobile communication device may include but is not limited to: placing and receiving phone calls, text messaging such as sending and receiving emails and paging. According to block  602 , power is received by the mobile communication device  100  during normal operation from the primary power source  101 . According to block  603 , the mobile communication device  100  continuously monitors available power on the primary power source  101 . According to block  604 , if the available power on the primary power source  101  is not below a threshold, then the user may continue to use the mobile communication device normally. The threshold described herein is typically but not necessarily the quantity of power required by the mobile communication device from the primary power source  101  to allow normal operation of the device. According to an embodiment of the invention, this threshold may be variable and may be pre-programmed by the manufacturer of the mobile communication device or the user. However, if the available power on the primary power source  101  is below a threshold, perform block  605 . In block  605 , the mobile communication device  100  switches from the primary power source  101  to the secondary power source  102  in case emergency calls are required. In block  606 , the mobile communication device  100  may limit the functionality available to the user to conserve power in case the device must be used in an emergency. For example, the functionality of the mobile communication device  100  may be limited to placing or receiving a call wherein the call is associated with the pre-selected list of subscriber numbers. It should be noted that other limitation may be added by the user or the manufacturer of the mobile communication device  100  without departing from the invention. In block  607 , phone calls made from the mobile communication device  100  may be limited by the device to a pre-programmed set of emergency numbers. In block  608 , incoming phone calls from a second communication device  202  are accepted if the second communication device subscriber number  203  is located in pre-selected list of at least one subscriber number  106  located on the mobile communication device  100 .  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 7 illustrates a method of optionally restricting incoming or outgoing calls by the mobile communication device to a pre-selected list of at least one subscriber number  106 . In an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises operating instructions that are stored in memory  104  and are executed by processor  103 . In block  701 , an administrator programs a set of emergency subscriber numbers into the mobile communication device  100  during normal mode. In normal mode the mobile communication device  100  operates normally providing all available functionality to the user. The administrator may be the owner of the mobile communication device  100  or one who has authority from the owner of the device to add, edit and delete phone numbers from the emergency set of phone numbers. For example, the administrator may be a parent of a child who uses the mobile communication device  100  for security. In block  702 , the administrator may configure the device to restrict incoming or outgoing calls when the device is in emergency mode to the pre-programmed set of at least one emergency number programmed in block  701 . In the emergency mode, the mobile communication device  100  has limited available power sufficient to place and receive emergency calls and possibly provide some other minimal device functionality. In block  703 , the mobile communication device  100  switches to emergency mode due to power reaching a pre-selected threshold on the primary power source  101 . In block  704 , if calls were restricted in block  702  by the administrator to the pre-selected list of at least one emergency number  106 , then perform block  706 . In block  704 , if calls were not restricted in block  702  by the administrator to the pre-selected list of emergency phone numbers, then perform block  705 . In block  705 , the user is not restricted by the mobile communication device to the pre-selected list of emergency numbers  106  while in emergency mode. In block  706 , the user is restricted to the pre-selected list of emergency numbers programmed in block  701  in case an emergency call is required while the mobile communication device is in emergency mode.  
         [0033]    From the foregoing description, it will be evident that there are a number of changes, adaptations and modifications of the present invention which come within the province of those skilled in the art. However, it is intended that all such variations not departing from the spirit of the invention be considered as within the scope thereof as limited solely by the claims appended thereto.