Patent US5838140A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5838140A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Portable device battery technique
Assignee: Nokia of America Corp
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Filing: 1997-01-17
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Granted: 1998-11-17
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Expires: 2017-01-17
Abstract
Abstract When a user has a portable telephone near the absolute end of its available battery power, the user can be caused to behave in a manner that more likely results in the preservation of some battery power for subsequent high priority high priority calls by conveying the illusion that the battery will soon be, or is, depleted even though there actually remains sufficient power in the battery to power the portable telephone for an additional period of time. To this end, at a predetermined time, e.g., two minutes, prior to a projected time at which the battery is expected to have power for only a particular additional amount of time, e.g., eight minutes, the user is signaled with an almost-out-of-power warning. This warning indicates that there remains in the battery enough power to operate the portable telephone only until the projected time, notwithstanding that there actually remains in the battery sufficient power to operate the portable telephone for the additional time beyond the projected time. To enhance the illusion of early battery power depletion, the portable telephone powers off at the projected time. Furthermore, any battery power indicator provides the user with an artificially low power reading that indicates that the battery power will be completely depleted at the projected time. At any point after initiation of the almost-out-of-power warning, the user may take an affirmative action to make available the additional power remaining in the battery. At that point, the display is restored to an accurate indication.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene J. Rosenthal
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:13
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W52/00; H04W52/02; H04W52/0209; H04W52/0261; H04W52/0264; Y; Y02; Y02D; Y02D30/00; Y02D30/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
198 words
A method for use in a portable device powered by a battery, comprising the steps of: at a point at which the battery is depleted to a predetermined power level, developing a signal which indicates that the battery will be completely depleted within a predetermined amount of time even though there actually remains sufficient power in the battery to power said portable device for a further period of time in addition to the predetermined amount of time; and powering off said portable device upon the passing of the predetermined amount of time unless a user performs a predetermined action prior thereto; wherein said portable device has at least first and second operating modes, said first mode being a standby mode and said second mode being an active mode, and wherein said predetermined and further periods of time are computed on a basis selected from one of the following bases (i) as if said portable communication device is only operated in said first mode, (ii) as if said portable communication device is only operated in said second mode, and (iii) as if said portable communication device is operated in a combination of said first mode and said second mode.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
198 words
A method for use in a portable device powered by a battery, comprising the steps of: at a point at which the battery is depleted to a predetermined power level, developing a signal which indicates that the battery will be completely depleted within a predetermined amount of time even though there actually remains sufficient power in the battery to power said portable device for a further period of time in addition to the predetermined amount of time; and powering off said portable device upon the passing of the predetermined amount of time unless a user performs a predetermined action prior thereto; wherein said portable device has at least first and second operating modes, said first mode being a standby mode and said second mode being an active mode, and wherein said predetermined and further periods of time are computed on a basis selected from one of the following bases (i) as if said portable communication device is only operated in said first mode, (ii) as if said portable communication device is only operated in said second mode, and (iii) as if said portable communication device is operated in a combination of said first mode and said second mode.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said predetermined time is selected by the user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said combination is a predetermined combination.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said predetermined combination is determined as a function of the historical use of the portable device by the user.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said predetermined combination is a function permanently stored in the portable device.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for use in a portable device powered by a battery, comprising the steps of: at a point at which the battery is depleted to a predetermined power level, developing a signal which indicates that the battery will be completely depleted within a predetermined amount of time even though there actually remains sufficient power in the battery to operate said portable device for a further period of time in addition to the predetermined amount of time; and powering off said portable device upon the passing of the predetermined amount of time unless a user performs a predetermined action prior thereto; wherein said portable device has at least first and second operating modes, said first mode being a standby mode and said second mode being an active mode, and wherein said predetermined amount of time is computed as if the portable device is operated in whichever of said first and second modes the portable device is operating in when said computation is made and wherein said further period of time is calculated as if said portable device is operating only in said second mode regardless of which mode said portable device is actually operating in.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
195 words
A method for use in a portable device powered by a battery, comprising the steps of: at a point at which the battery is depleted to a predetermined power level, developing a signal which indicates that the battery will be completely depleted within a predetermined amount of time even though there actually remains sufficient power in the battery to operate said portable device for a further period of time in addition to the predetermined amount of time; and powering off said portable device upon the passing of the predetermined amount of time unless a user performs a predetermined action prior thereto; wherein said portable device has at least first and second operating modes, said first mode being a standby mode and said second mode being an active mode, and wherein said predetermined amount of time is computed as if the portable device is operated in whichever of said first and second modes the portable device is operating in when said computation is made and wherein said further period of time is calculated as if said portable device is operating only in said second mode regardless of which mode said portable device is actually operating in.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
196 words
A method for use in a portable communication device powered by a battery, comprising the steps of: when said portable communication device is on, signaling a user with a short-term almost-out-of-power warning starting a first predetermined period of time prior to a projected time at which the battery is expected to have power for only a particular additional amount of time; and turning off the portable communication device at the projected time as if the portable communication device then had no remaining battery power unless a predetermined indication was received from the user after initiation of said signaling; wherein said portable communication device has at least first and second operating modes, said first mode being a standby mode and said second mode being a conversation mode, and wherein said predetermined amount of time is computed as if the portable communication device is operated in whichever of said first and second modes the portable communication device is operating in when said computation is made and wherein said further period of time is calculated as if said portable communication device is operating in said second mode regardless of which mode said portable communication device is actually operating in.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
196 words
A method for use in a portable communication device powered by a battery, comprising the steps of: when said portable communication device is on, signaling a user with a short-term almost-out-of-power warning starting a first predetermined period of time prior to a projected time at which the battery is expected to have power for only a particular additional amount of time; and turning off the portable communication device at the projected time as if the portable communication device then had no remaining battery power unless a predetermined indication was received from the user after initiation of said signaling; wherein said portable communication device has at least first and second operating modes, said first mode being a standby mode and said second mode being a conversation mode, and wherein said predetermined amount of time is computed as if the portable communication device is operated in whichever of said first and second modes the portable communication device is operating in when said computation is made and wherein said further period of time is calculated as if said portable communication device is operating in said second mode regardless of which mode said portable communication device is actually operating in.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
208 words
A method for use by a portable device powered by a battery, comprising the steps of: when said portable device is on, signaling a user with a short-term almost-out-of-power warning for a predetermined time immediately prior to a projected time at which the battery is expected to have power for only a particular additional amount of time; and turning off said portable device at the projected time so that it appears as if said portable device has no remaining battery power unless a predetermined indication has been received from the user before the expiration of said predetermined time; wherein said times are calculated, and said signaling is performed, only relative to periods that said portable device actually is, or has sufficient battery power to be, on; wherein said portable device has at least first and second operating modes, said first mode being a standby mode and said second mode being an active mode, and wherein said times are computed as if said portable device is operated in whichever of said first and second modes said portable device is operating in when said computation is made and wherein said particular additional amount of time is calculated only on the basis of said portable device operating in said second mode.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
208 words
A method for use by a portable device powered by a battery, comprising the steps of: when said portable device is on, signaling a user with a short-term almost-out-of-power warning for a predetermined time immediately prior to a projected time at which the battery is expected to have power for only a particular additional amount of time; and turning off said portable device at the projected time so that it appears as if said portable device has no remaining battery power unless a predetermined indication has been received from the user before the expiration of said predetermined time; wherein said times are calculated, and said signaling is performed, only relative to periods that said portable device actually is, or has sufficient battery power to be, on; wherein said portable device has at least first and second operating modes, said first mode being a standby mode and said second mode being an active mode, and wherein said times are computed as if said portable device is operated in whichever of said first and second modes said portable device is operating in when said computation is made and wherein said particular additional amount of time is calculated only on the basis of said portable device operating in said second mode.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for use with a portable device powered by a battery, comprising the steps of: detecting depletion of the battery to a predetermined first point; issuing an almost-out-of-power warning; detecting depletion of the battery to a predetermined second point, said second point being such that there yet remains at least sufficient power in said battery to operate said portable device for the difference in time between (i) detection of depletion of the battery to said predetermined first point and (ii) the time difference between detection of depletion of the battery to said predetermined first point and detection of depletion of the battery to said predetermined second point; and operating said portable device in response to detecting depletion of the battery to said predetermined second point so that it appears as if said portable device has no remaining battery power when a predetermined indication has not been received from the user by said predetermined second point and yet said portable device can receive said predetermined indication; wherein said portable device has at least first and second operating modes, said first mode being a standby mode and said second mode being an active mode, and wherein said first and second points are set based on operation of said portable communication device only in said active mode.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
215 words
A method for use with a portable device powered by a battery, comprising the steps of: detecting depletion of the battery to a predetermined first point; issuing an almost-out-of-power warning; detecting depletion of the battery to a predetermined second point, said second point being such that there yet remains at least sufficient power in said battery to operate said portable device for the difference in time between (i) detection of depletion of the battery to said predetermined first point and (ii) the time difference between detection of depletion of the battery to said predetermined first point and detection of depletion of the battery to said predetermined second point; and operating said portable device in response to detecting depletion of the battery to said predetermined second point so that it appears as if said portable device has no remaining battery power when a predetermined indication has not been received from the user by said predetermined second point and yet said portable device can receive said predetermined indication; wherein said portable device has at least first and second operating modes, said first mode being a standby mode and said second mode being an active mode, and wherein said first and second points are set based on operation of said portable communication device only in said active mode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as defined in claim 9 further wherein said portable device is a portable communication device and said active mode is a conversation mode.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for use by a portable device operated by a battery, said method comprising the steps of: issuing an almost-out-of-power warning when the battery is depleted to a point at which it is able to power the device for an additional Y minutes; powering off said device Z minutes later, Z being less than Y, unless a user has provided a predetermined indication within Z minutes after said warning was issued; wherein said portable device has at least first and second operating modes, said first mode being a standby mode and said second mode being an active mode, and wherein said Y and Z minutes are determined as if said portable communication device is only operated in said active mode.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
121 words
A method for use by a portable device operated by a battery, said method comprising the steps of: issuing an almost-out-of-power warning when the battery is depleted to a point at which it is able to power the device for an additional Y minutes; powering off said device Z minutes later, Z being less than Y, unless a user has provided a predetermined indication within Z minutes after said warning was issued; wherein said portable device has at least first and second operating modes, said first mode being a standby mode and said second mode being an active mode, and wherein said Y and Z minutes are determined as if said portable communication device is only operated in said active mode.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
153 words
Apparatus for use in a portable device powered by a battery, comprising: means, responsive to the battery being depleted to a predetermined power level, for developing a signal which indicates that the battery is nearly depleted and will be completely depleted within a predetermined amount of time even though there actually remains sufficient power in the battery to power said portable device for a further period of time in addition to the predetermined amount of time; and means for powering off said portable device upon the passing of the predetermined amount of time unless a user performs a predetermined action prior thereto; wherein said portable device has at least first and second operating modes, said first mode being a standby mode and said second mode being an active mode, and wherein said predetermined and further periods of time are determined as if said portable communication device is only operated in said active mode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
153 words
Apparatus for use in a portable device powered by a battery, comprising: means, responsive to the battery being depleted to a predetermined power level, for developing a signal which indicates that the battery is nearly depleted and will be completely depleted within a predetermined amount of time even though there actually remains sufficient power in the battery to power said portable device for a further period of time in addition to the predetermined amount of time; and means for powering off said portable device upon the passing of the predetermined amount of time unless a user performs a predetermined action prior thereto; wherein said portable device has at least first and second operating modes, said first mode being a standby mode and said second mode being an active mode, and wherein said predetermined and further periods of time are determined as if said portable communication device is only operated in said active mode.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 12 wherein said predetermined and further periods of time accrue only while said portable device is powered on.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
168 words
A portable device powered by a battery, comprising: means for signaling a user with a short-term almost-out-of-power warning when said portable device is on, said short-term almost-out-of-power warning being started at a predetermined time prior to a projected time at which the battery is expected to have power for only a particular additional amount of time; and means for turning off the portable device at the projected time as if the portable device then had no remaining battery power unless a predetermined indication is received from the user after said predetermined time; wherein said times accumulate only while said portable device is operating, and wherein said portable device has at least first and second operating modes, said first mode being a standby mode and said second mode being an active mode, and wherein said particular additional amount of time is determined as if said portable device is only operated in said active mode regardless of the mode of operation of said portable device prior to said projected time.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
168 words
A portable device powered by a battery, comprising: means for signaling a user with a short-term almost-out-of-power warning when said portable device is on, said short-term almost-out-of-power warning being started at a predetermined time prior to a projected time at which the battery is expected to have power for only a particular additional amount of time; and means for turning off the portable device at the projected time as if the portable device then had no remaining battery power unless a predetermined indication is received from the user after said predetermined time; wherein said times accumulate only while said portable device is operating, and wherein said portable device has at least first and second operating modes, said first mode being a standby mode and said second mode being an active mode, and wherein said particular additional amount of time is determined as if said portable device is only operated in said active mode regardless of the mode of operation of said portable device prior to said projected time.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-11-16 | 2002-05-18 | 2002-11-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-11-16 | 2006-05-18 | 2006-11-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-11-16 | 2010-05-18 | 2010-11-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |