U.S. patent application number 15/827364 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-22 for method and apparatus for controlling sleep mode using a low power processor in portable terminal.
The applicant listed for this patent is Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Changryong HEO, Kenhyung PARK.
Application Number | 20180081421 15/827364 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48771302 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180081421 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HEO; Changryong ; et
al. |
March 22, 2018 |
METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING SLEEP MODE USING A LOW POWER
PROCESSOR IN PORTABLE TERMINAL
Abstract
A method and an apparatus for controlling a sleep mode in a
portable terminal having a main controller and a sub-controller
operating at low power are provided. The method includes detecting,
by the sub-controller, a motion signal generated by a camera when
the main controller enters the sleep mode, extracting a motion
pattern from the detected motion signal, determining whether the
extracted motion pattern is substantially identical with a preset
motion wake-up pattern, and cancelling the sleep mode by waking-up
the main controller when the extracted motion pattern is
substantially identical with the motion wake-up pattern.
Inventors: |
HEO; Changryong; (Suwon-si,
KR) ; PARK; Kenhyung; (Suwon-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. |
Suwon-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
48771302 |
Appl. No.: |
15/827364 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13933596 |
Jul 2, 2013 |
9851779 |
|
|
15827364 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02D 70/166 20180101;
H04W 52/027 20130101; G06F 1/3215 20130101; G06F 1/3293 20130101;
Y02D 10/122 20180101; H04W 52/0254 20130101; H04W 52/0293 20130101;
Y02D 10/00 20180101; Y02D 70/164 20180101; H04W 52/028 20130101;
Y02D 30/70 20200801 |
International
Class: |
G06F 1/32 20060101
G06F001/32; H04W 52/02 20090101 H04W052/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 3, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0072239 |
Claims
1. A method of controlling a sleep mode in a portable terminal
having a main controller and a sub-controller operating at low
power, the method comprising: detecting, by the sub-controller, a
sound signal generated by a first microphone of at least two
microphones when the main controller is in a sleep mode; extracting
a sound pattern from the detected sound signal; comparing the
extracted sound pattern to a preset sound wake-up pattern; and
cancelling the sleep mode by waking-up the main controller
depending on the outcome of the comparison between the extracted
sound pattern and the sound wake-up pattern.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: receiving, by the
sub-controller, a second sensor signal; determining whether the
received second sensor signal satisfies a preset alarm condition;
cancelling the sleep mode by waking-up the main controller when the
alarm condition is satisfied; limiting at least one function of the
portable terminal when the alarm condition is satisfied; and
reporting an alarm notifying that some functions of the portable
terminal are limited.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising storing the received
second sensor signal in a protected area which a user is not able
to access or delete.
4. An apparatus for controlling a sleep mode in a portable
terminal, the apparatus comprising; a main controller arranged to
request entering the sleep mode; at least two microphones, a first
microphone of the at least two microphones arranged to detect a
sound signal when the main controller is in the sleep mode; and a
sub-controller arranged to operate at a low power; wherein the
sub-controller is configured to: activate to extract a sound
pattern from the sound signal detected by the microphone when the
main controller is in the sleep mode, and wake-up the main
controller depending on a comparison between the extracted sound
pattern and a preset sound wake-up pattern.
5. The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising: a second sensor
arranged to be activated in the sleep mode, and further arranged to
sense a surrounding situation and a state of the portable terminal;
wherein the sub-controller is further configured to wake-up the
main controller when the surrounding situation or the state of the
portable terminal sensed through the second sensor satisfies a
preset alarm condition; and wherein the main controller is further
arranged to limit some functions of the portable terminal when the
preset alarm condition is satisfied, and is further arranged to
report an alarm notifying that some functions of the portable
terminal are limited.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the second sensor comprises at
least one of an accelerometer sensor, a motion sensor, a
geomagnetic sensor, a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an
atmospheric sensor, a pressure sensor, a gravity sensor, or a
vision sensor.
7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the main controller is further
configured to store sensor information sensed by the second sensor
in a protected area which the user is not able to access or delete
when the preset alarm condition to wake-up the main controller is
satisfied.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application is a continuation application of prior
application Ser. No. 13/933,596, filed on Jul. 2, 2013, and claimed
the benefit under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(a) of a Korean patent
application filed on Jul. 3, 2012 in the Korean Intellectual
Property Office and assigned Serial No. 10-2012-0072239, the entire
disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus
for controlling a sleep mode. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a method and an apparatus for controlling a
sleep mode capable of controlling cancellation of the sleep mode
using a low power processor.
2. Description of the Related Art
[0003] In recent years, with the significant development of
information and communication technology and a semiconductor
technology, supply and use of all types of mobile terminals and/or
portable terminals has rapidly increased. The portable terminal
provides various functions, such as a call function, a music
playback function, a character message transceiving function, a
digital broadcasting reception function, a near field wireless
communication function, and an Internet connection function.
[0004] Meanwhile, the portable terminal uses a battery for
portability. Due to use of the battery, schemes for reducing
current consumption, or in other words, power consumption, are
being focused on in a field of portable terminals. In order to
reduce current consumption, when a portable terminal according to
the related art is not used, the portable terminal operates in a
low power mode, that is, a sleep mode. If a wake-up event is
generated, the portable terminal operating in the sleep mode
cancels, i.e., terminates or exits, the sleep mode and operates in
an active mode. For example, the wake-up event may be a key signal
input from a physical key input unit. When the physical key input
is needed, the user may inconveniently perform the physical key
input. For example, when both hands are dirty, the user may
inconveniently wash their hands in order to perform the physical
key input. In order to address the problem, in recent years, a
scheme of cancelling a sleep mode of the portable terminal through
motion or voice without key input has been considered. However, in
order to cancel a sleep mode of the portable terminal using the
motion or voice, a main controller such as an Application Processor
(AP) should maintain an active state or be periodically woken-up.
This results in an increase of current consumption in the portable
terminal and thus, reduces an amount of power stored in the battery
of the portable terminal.
[0005] The above information is presented as background information
only to assist with an understanding of the present disclosure. No
determination has been made, and no assertion is made, as to
whether any of the above might be applicable as prior art with
regard to the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] Aspects of the present invention are to address at least the
above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at
least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the
present invention is to provide a method of controlling a sleep
mode of a portable terminal by monitoring generation of a wake-up
event in a sleep mode using a low power processor, and an apparatus
thereof.
[0007] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
method of controlling a sleep mode in a portable terminal having a
main controller and a sub-controller operating at low power is
provided. The method includes detecting, by the sub-controller, a
motion signal generated by a camera when the main controller enters
the sleep mode, extracting a motion pattern from the detected
motion signal, determining whether the extracted motion pattern is
substantially identical with a preset motion wake-up pattern, and
cancelling the sleep mode by waking-up the main controller when the
extracted motion pattern is substantially identical with the motion
wake-up pattern.
[0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
an apparatus for controlling a sleep mode in a portable terminal is
provided. The apparatus includes a main controller requesting
entering the sleep mode, a camera detecting a motion of a user when
entering the sleep mode, and a sub-controller operating at low
power, the sub-controller being activated to extract a motion
pattern from the motion of the user detected by the camera when
entering the sleep mode and waking-up the main controller when the
extracted motion pattern is substantially identical with a preset
motion wake-up pattern.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention,
a method of controlling a sleep mode in a portable terminal having
a main controller and a sub-controller operating at low power is
provided. The method includes activating the sub-controller when
the main controller enters the sleep mode, collecting, by the
sub-controller, sensor information for at least one of surrounding
situation information of the portable terminal and state
information of the portable terminal, determining whether the
collected sensor information satisfies a preset alarm condition,
waking-up the main controller when the alarm condition is
satisfied, limiting some functions of the portable terminal, and
storing the collected sensor information in a protected area which
user is not able to access or delete.
[0010] Another aspect of the invention provides a computer program
comprising instructions arranged, when executed, to implement a
method in accordance with any one of the above-described aspects. A
further aspect provides machine-readable storage storing such a
program.
[0011] Other aspects, advantages, and salient features of the
invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the
following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with
the annexed drawings, discloses exemplary embodiments of the
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of
certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be more
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
configuration of a portable terminal according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a
sleep mode of a portable terminal according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a
sleep mode of a portable terminal by detecting a motion signal
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a
sleep mode of a portable terminal by detecting a sound signal
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
and
[0017] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a
sleep mode of a portable terminal by detecting a sensor signal
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0018] Throughout the drawings, like reference numerals will be
understood to refer to like parts, components, and structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The following description with reference to the accompanying
drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of
exemplary embodiments of the invention as defined by the claims and
their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist
in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely
exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments
described herein can be made without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention. In addition, descriptions of well-known
functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and
conciseness.
[0020] The terms and words used in the following description and
claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are
merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent
understanding of the invention. Accordingly, it should be apparent
to those skilled in the art that the following description of
exemplary embodiments of the present invention is provided for
illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the
invention as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
[0021] It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an,"
and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly
dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component
surface" includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.
[0022] Meanwhile, although exemplary embodiments of the present
invention have been described in detail hereinabove, it should be
clearly understood that many variations and modifications of the
basic inventive concepts herein taught which may appear to those
skilled in the present art will still fall within the spirit and
scope of the present invention, as defined in the appended
claims.
[0023] Prior to a detailed description, a portable terminal
according to present exemplary embodiments of the present invention
is a terminal providing a low power mode, such as a sleep mode,
wherein the terminal may be a mobile communication terminal, a
smart phone, a tablet PC, a hand-held PC, a Portable Multimedia
Player (PMP), a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or any other
similar and/or suitable portable electronic device.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a
configuration of a portable terminal according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0025] Referring to FIG. 1, a portable terminal 100 may include a
main controller 110, a sub-controller 190, a camera 180, a shared
memory 170, an audio processor 160, a sensor 150, an input unit
140, a display unit 130, and a memory 120.
[0026] The input unit 140 may include a plurality of input keys and
function keys for receiving numerical and character information,
and for setting various functions. The function keys may include
arrow keys, side keys, and hot keys corresponding to performing
respective functions and/or operations. Further, the input unit 140
generates a key signal associated with a user setting and function
control of the portable terminal 100 and transfers the generated
key signal to the main controller 110. The key signal may include a
power on/off signal, a volume control signal, a screen on/off
signal and any other similar and/or suitable signal for executing
operations of the portable terminal 100. Moreover, the input unit
140 may be configured by one of input means such as a Qwerty key
pad including a plurality of keys, a 3*4 key pad, a 4*3 key pad, a
Ball Joystick, an Optical Joystick, a Wheel Key, a Touch key, a
Touch Pad, a Touch screen, a combination thereof or any other
similar and/or suitable input means. In addition, when the portable
terminal 100 supports a full touch screen, the input unit 140 may
include only a volume key for controlling a volume which is formed
on a side of a case of the portable terminal 100, and a power key
for a screen on/off operation and a portable terminal on/off
operation.
[0027] The display unit 130 displays information input by a user
and/or information provided to the user as well as various menus of
the portable terminal 100. That is, the display unit 130 may
provide various screens according to use of the portable terminal
100, for example, a home screen, a menu screen, a message creation
screen, a call screen, a schedule management screen, an address
book screen, a web page output screen, or any other similar and/or
suitable screen that may be displayed by the display unit 130 of
the portable terminal 100. When the portable terminal 100 enters a
sleep mode, the display unit 130 is turned-off. When the portable
terminal 100 cancels, i.e., exits or terminates, the sleep mode,
the display unit 130 is turned-on. Particularly, the display unit
130, according to the present exemplary embodiment, may display an
alarm message reporting a dangerous situation under control of the
main controller 110. The display unit 130 may be a Liquid Crystal
Display (LCD), a Light Emitting Diode (LED) display, an Organic LED
(OLED) display or any other similar and/or suitable type of display
device. When the display unit 130 is a touch screen, the display
unit 130 may provide functions of an input unit (not shown).
[0028] The camera 180 captures a picture of a subject and may
convert the subject into an electrical image signal. The camera 180
may be implemented by a Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor
(CMOS) scheme, a Charge Coupled Device (CCD) scheme or any other
similar and/or suitable scheme. The camera 180 will be apparent to
those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains,
and thus a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
Particularly, the camera 180 according to the present invention may
be connected to the main controller 110 and the sub-controller 190.
In detail, the camera 180 is connected to the main controller 110
through a High Speed Interface, for example, a Mobile Industry
Processor Interface (MIPI), a Mobile Display Digital Interface
(MDDI), or any other similar and/or suitable interface, in an
active mode. The camera 180 may be connected to the sub-controller
190 through a Low Speed Interface, for example, an Inter-Integrated
Circuit (I2C), a Serial Peripheral Interconnect (SPI), or any other
similar and/or suitable interface, in a sleep mode.
[0029] The camera 180 may be activated in the sleep mode and
recognize motion and/or movement of a user. For example, the camera
180 may transmit an input preview image to the sub-controller 190.
In this case, the sub-controller 190 may compare preview images to
recognize motion of a specific subject or object of the user, e.g.,
a finger and/or a hand of a user or a stylus held by a user. In
this case, the camera 180 may activate only some of all pixels of
the camera 180. That is, the camera 180 may activate only some
pixels in the sleep mode and may be driven to detect the motion of
the user and an image of a low resolution. Conversely, the camera
180 may activate all pixels in an active mode and may be driven to
detect an image of a high resolution, e.g., for camera operation of
the portable terminal 100. Accordingly, the present exemplary
embodiment may reduce current consumption in the sleep mode. That
is, since not all pixels of the camera 180 are needed to detect the
motion of the user, the present exemplary embodiment may activate
only some pixels to reduce current consumption in the sleep
mode.
[0030] The pixels of the camera 180 may refer to a plurality of
photosensor elements or other image sensor elements comprised by
the camera 180. Activating only some of pixels therefore refers to
activating only a subset of the plurality of image sensor
elements.
[0031] The audio processor 160 may include a speaker SPK for
outputting sound corresponding to audio data, such as audio data
received during a call, such as a voice call and/or a video call,
audio data included in a received message, and audio data according
to playback of an audio file stored in the memory 120. The audio
processor 160 may also include a first microphone MIC1 for
collecting a voice of a user or other audio signals during the call
or during other operations of the portable terminal. Particularly,
the audio processor 160 according to the present exemplary
embodiment may output an alarm effect sound reporting that a
dangerous situation is detected in the sleep mode through the
speaker SPK.
[0032] The sensor 150 may detect a surrounding situation and state,
such as a pause or not, of the portable terminal 100. The sensor
150 may transmit a sensor value corresponding to the surrounding
situation and state of the portable terminal 100 to the
sub-controller 190 in the sleep mode. Also, the sensor 150 may
transmit a sensor value corresponding to the surrounding situation
and state of the portable terminal 100 to the main controller 110
in the active mode. To this end, the sensor 150 may include an
accelerometer sensor, a motion sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, a
temperature sensor, a humidity sensor, an atmospheric pressure
sensor, a pressure sensor, a gravity sensor, a vision sensor, or
any other similar and/or suitable sensor that may be included in
the portable terminal 100. Meanwhile, although FIG. 1 illustrates
that the sensor 150 is connected to both the sub-controller 190 and
the main controller 110, the present invention is not limited
thereto. That is, in a portable terminal according to another
exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the sensor 150 may
be connected to the sub-controller 190 in the sleep mode. Further,
the portable terminal according to another exemplary embodiment of
the present invention may further include a switch (not shown)
switched so that the sensor 150 is connected to the main controller
110 in the active mode.
[0033] The memory 120 may store an Operating System (OS) of the
portable terminal 100, an application program for other functions,
for example, a sound playback function, an image or moving image
playback function, a broadcasting playback function, or any other
similar and/or suitable function, and may also store user data,
data transmitted and/or received during communication operations or
other operations of the portable terminal 100, and any other
similar and/or suitable data that may be stored on the portable
terminal 100. For example, the memory 120 may store a moving image
file, a game file, a music file, and a movie file. Particularly,
the memory 120, according to the present exemplary embodiment, may
store a motion wake-up pattern, a sound wake-up pattern, and an
alarm condition. The motion wake-up pattern may include a pattern
where a subject, e.g., a hand or a pen, is moved from a left side
to a right side of the portable terminal 100, a pattern where the
subject is moved from the right side to the left side of the
portable terminal 100, a pattern where the subject is moved from
the left side to the right side and is then moved from the right
side to the left side of the portable terminal 100, a pattern where
the subject is moved from a lower side to an upper side of the
portable terminal 100, a pattern where the subject is moved from
the upper side to the lower side of the portable terminal 100, a
pattern where the subject is again moved from the lower side to the
upper side of the portable terminal 100, and a pattern where the
subject is moved according to a predetermined figure, such as a
circle, a triangle, a star, or any other similar and/or suitable
figure shape. Such motion wake-up patterns may be set by the user
or may be predetermined according to a manufacturer or design
preference.
[0034] In the same manner, the sound wake-up pattern may be
variously set by the user or may be predetermined according to a
manufacturer or design preference. The alarm condition may include
at least one reference value for determining a situation where the
portable terminal 100 may be damaged or the user may be in a
dangerous situation and/or state with respect to the portable
terminal 100. For example, the alarm condition may include a high
temperature reference value, e.g., 70.degree. C., a low temperature
reference value, e.g., -5.degree. C., a humidity reference value,
e.g., 70%, and a reference value, e.g., an acceleration value, for
determining free fall of the portable terminal 100 or a sudden
movement and/or stopping of movement by the user. When the portable
terminal 100 enters the sleep mode, the motion wake-up pattern, the
sound wake-up pattern, and the alarm condition may be transmitted
to the sub-controller 190, and may be stored in an area which the
sub-controller 190 may access.
[0035] The main controller 110 controls overall operation of the
portable terminal 100 and signal flow between internal blocks
and/or elements of the portable terminal 100, and may perform a
data processing function of processing data. For example, the main
controller 110 may include a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and an
Application Processor (AP). Particularly, when entering or starting
of the sleep mode is requested, the main controller 110 may
activate the sub-controller 190 and may enter the sleep mode. If a
wake-up signal is input from the sub-controller 190 in the sleep
mode, then the main controller 110 may be woken-up. To this end,
the main controller 110 may receive a wake-up signal through an
interrupt port, such as a Wake-up interrupt port.
[0036] When the sleep mode is cancelled, i.e., terminated or
exited, due to detection of a dangerous situation of the portable
terminal 100, the main controller 110 may report a corresponding
alarm. For example, the main controller 110 may report the alarm
through at least one of displaying an alarm message on the display
unit 130, outputting an alarm effect sound through the speaker SPK
of the audio processor 160, and generating vibration through a
vibration motor (not shown). Further, when the sleep mode is
cancelled due to the detection of the dangerous situation of the
portable terminal 100, then the main controller 110 may limit some
functions of the portable terminal 100 or may control the portable
terminal 100 to turn the power of the portable terminal 100 off.
This is performed in order to prevent damage or failure by
stabilizing the portable terminal 100. Further, when the sleep mode
is cancelled due to detection of the dangerous situation, then the
main controller 110 may store sensor information detected in the
dangerous situation. The main controller 110 may store the sensor
information in an area of the memory 120 or any other area of the
portable terminal 100 which the user may not approach or
delete.
[0037] When the portable terminal 100 enters the sleep mode, the
sub-controller 190 may be activated and may control cancellation of
the sleep mode. The sub-controller 190 may be configured by a
Micro-Processor Unit (MPU) or a Micro-Controller Unit (MCU), which
are a low power processor type. For example, the sub-controller 190
may monitor generation of a wake-up signal through detection of a
motion signal, a sound signal, and a sensor signal.
[0038] In detail, the sub-controller 190 may extract a motion
pattern from image data input from the camera 180. To this end, the
sub-controller 190 may include a motion pattern extraction function
which extracts the motion pattern by analyzing image data. Next,
the sub-controller 190 may compare the extracted motion pattern
with a stored motion wake-up pattern. When the extracted motion
pattern is substantially the same as the motion wake-up pattern,
then the sub-controller 190 may transmit a wake-up signal to the
main controller 110. In this case, the sub-controller 190 may
directly transmit the wake-up signal to an interrupt port Wake-up
of the main controller 110.
[0039] Further, the sub-controller 190 may include an
Analog-Digital Converter (ADC) converting an analog signal input
through a second microphone MIC2 into a digital signal and an
amplifier. In addition, the sub-controller 190 may extract a sound
pattern by analyzing the digital signal. The sub-controller 190 may
compare the extracted sound pattern with a stored sound wake-up
pattern. When the extracted sound pattern is identical with the
sound wake-up pattern, the sub-controller 190 may transmit the
wake-up signal to the main controller 110. Further, the
sub-controller 190 may receive a sensor signal from the sensor 190
and may determine whether the sensor signal satisfies a stored
alarm condition. When the received sensor signal satisfies the
alarm condition, then the sub-controller 190 may transmit the
wake-up signal to the main controller 110. In this case, the
sub-controller 190 may transmit sensor information to the main
controller 110. In addition, the sub-controller 190 may store the
sensor information in an area which the user may not approach,
access or delete.
[0040] The shared memory 170 serves as a medium and/or element to
exchange data between the sub-controller 190 and the main
controller 110. A Dual Ported Random Access Memory (RAM) (DPRAM),
or any other similar and/or suitable type of storage medium, may be
used for the shared memory 170. When the sub-controller 190 may
directly communicate with the main controller 110, then the shared
memory 170 may be omitted.
[0041] In the meantime, FIG. 1 illustrates that two microphones,
that is, the first microphone MIC1 and the second microphone MIC2
are included, but the present invention is not limited thereto.
That is, the portable terminal according to another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention may include one microphone MIC
and a switch (not shown) which connects the microphone MIC to the
sub-controller 190 in the sleep mode and connects the microphone
MIC to the audio processor 160 in the active mode.
[0042] Further, although not shown in FIG. 1, the portable terminal
100 may selectively further include constituent elements having
additional functions such as a Global Positioning System (GPS)
module for receiving location information, a broadcasting receiving
module for receiving broadcasting, a digital sound source playback
module such as a digital audio module, an Internet communication
module for performing an Internet function, a motion sensor module
for detecting motion of the portable terminal 100, and any other
similar and/or suitable constituent elements that may be included
in the portable terminal 100. Since the constituent elements may be
variously changed according to a convergence trend of a digital
device, not all elements can be listed. However, the portable
terminal 100 according to the present exemplary embodiment may
further include constituent elements equivalent to the foregoing
structural elements.
[0043] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a
sleep mode of a portable terminal according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a main controller 110 according
to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention may determine
whether entering a sleep mode is requested in step 201. The
entering of the sleep mode may be requested when there is no signal
input for a predetermined time or longer or when a function key
(e.g., power key) signal requesting the sleep mode is input.
[0045] When the entering of a sleep mode is not requested, the main
controller 110 may maintain step 201. In this case, the main
controller 110 may perform a music playback function, an Internet
playback function, an Internet connection function, and a
photographing function, or any other similar and/or suitable
function according to a request of the user. Conversely, when the
entering a sleep mode is requested, the main controller 110 may
activate the sub-controller 190 in step 203, and may then enter the
sleep mode in step 205. Meanwhile, the main controller 110 may
transmit a motion wake-up pattern, a sound wake-up pattern, and an
alarm condition to the sub-controller 190 in step 203.
[0046] Next, the sub-controller 190 may determine whether a wake-up
event is generated in step 207. The wake-up event may be generated
according to at least one of a motion input having a defined
pattern, a sound input, and a sensor signal input meeting various
conditions. A detailed description thereof will be described with
reference to FIGS. 3 to 5. When a wake-up event cancelling the
sleep mode is not generated at step 207, then the sub-controller
110 may maintain step 207. That is, the portable terminal 100 may
maintain the sleep mode if the wake-up event cancelling the sleep
mode is not generated at step 207. Conversely, when the wake-up
event is generated, then the sub-controller 190 may activate the
main controller 110 in step 209. That is, the sub-controller 190
may transmit a wake-up signal to the main controller 110. In this
case, the wake-up signal may be an interrupt signal. Meanwhile,
when the main controller 110 is woken-up so that the sleep mode is
cancelled, the sub-controller 190 may be inactivated.
[0047] The foregoing exemplary embodiment illustrates a method of
controlling the sleep mode in a portable terminal. Hereinafter,
various exemplary embodiments with respect to the method of
controlling a sleep mode in the portable terminal according to the
present exemplary embodiments will be described with reference to
FIGS. 3 to 5. In detail, an exemplary embodiment cancelling a sleep
mode through movement or motion detection by the camera 180,
another exemplary embodiment cancelling the sleep mode through
sound recognition by the second microphone MIC2, and yet another
exemplary embodiment cancelling a sleep mode through sensor
information collected by the sensor 150, will be separately
described. However, the present invention is not limited to the
above noted exemplary embodiments.
[0048] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a
sleep mode of a portable terminal by detecting a motion signal
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the portable terminal 100
according to the present exemplary embodiment may operate in a
sleep mode in step 301. That is, instead of the main controller 110
having high current consumption, the sub-controller 190 having
lower current consumption monitors generation of a wake-up event
for requesting cancellation of the sleep mode.
[0050] The sub-controller 190 may determine whether motion
information is detected in step 303. To this end, when the portable
terminal enters the sleep mode, the camera 180 may be activated.
Meanwhile, in order to reduce current consumption in the sleep
mode, the camera 180 may not always be turned-on but may be
turned-on according to a predetermined period. In addition, in
order to minimize the current consumption, the camera 180 may
activate only some pixels. For example, the camera 180 may activate
only 1/100 or 1/1000 of total of two million pixels included in the
camera 180. The number of pixels of the camera 180 activated in the
sleep mode may be determined by considering a minimum number of
pixels capable of identifying motion of the user, an interface
speed between the sub-controller 190 and the camera 180, and a
current consumption according to the number of some pixels to be
activated.
[0051] When the motion information is not detected at step 303,
then the sub-controller 190 may maintain step 303. That is, the
portable terminal 100 may maintain the sleep mode, and the
sub-controller 190 may monitor generation of the wake-up event.
Conversely, when the motion information is detected at step 303,
then the sub-controller 190 may determine a state, e.g., a stopping
of motion or movement of the portable terminal 100, in step 305. To
this end, the sub-controller 190 may determine the state of the
portable terminal 100 through at least one senor, e.g., a gyroscope
sensor, an acceleration sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, or any other
suitable and/or similar sensor. The sub-controller 190, in step
307, may determine whether the portable terminal 100 is paused or
is not moving based on a result of the state determined in step
305. Steps 305 and 307 are performed in order to prevent erroneous
recognition of motion of a subject that is detected due to motion
of the portable terminal 100 in a state in which the subject is
fixed.
[0052] When the portable terminal 100 is not stopped in motion at
step 307, then the sub-controller 190 may return to step 303 and
repeat the foregoing procedures. Conversely, when the portable
terminal 100 is stopped in motion at step 307, then the
sub-controller 190 may extract a motion pattern from the detected
motion information in step 309. To this end, it is preferable that
the sub-controller 190 includes a pattern extraction function.
[0053] It will be appreciated that the motion or movement of the
portable terminal 100 is a relative concept. For example, a
stopping of motion may not require the portable terminal 100 to be
stationary in the sense that it is currently not passing through
space in any sense. The portable terminal 100 may still be rotating
with the spin of the Earth, or, perhaps more pertinently, moving
with a user who may themselves be moving, for example by some means
of transportation. Here, the portable terminal 100 could be thought
of as being stationary or substantially stationary with respect to
the frame of reference of the user. In this instance if may be
desirable for the described method to allow the sub-controller to
extract a motion pattern as per step 309, and then proceed with the
rest of the described method.
[0054] If the extraction of the motion pattern is completed, then
the sub-controller 190 may determine whether the extracted motion
pattern is identical or substantially identical, with a stored
motion wake-up pattern in step 311, or otherwise compare the
extracted motion pattern with the stored motion wake-up pattern.
The results of this comparison may be used to determine whether the
extracted motion pattern is identical or substantially identical
with the stored motion wake-up pattern. To this end, the
sub-controller 190 may store the motion wake-up pattern in an area
which the sub-controller 190 may access. The sub-controller 190 may
access the memory 120 that stores the motion wake-up pattern.
Furthermore, the sub-controller 190 may compare the results of the
comparison between the extracted motion pattern and the stored
motion wake-up pattern to a predefined reference value, when
determining whether or not the extracted motion pattern and the
stored motion wake-up pattern are identical or substantially
identical. Such a reference value may represent a required degree
of correlation between the extracted motion pattern and the stored
motion wake-up pattern.
[0055] When it is determined, in step 311, that the extracted
motion pattern is not identical or substantially identical, with
the motion wake-up pattern, then the sub-controller 190 may return
to step 303 and repeat the foregoing procedures. Conversely, when
the extracted motion pattern is identical or substantially
identical with the stored motion wake-up pattern, then the
sub-controller 190 may activate the main controller 110 in step
313. That is, the sub-controller 190 transmits the wake-up signal
to the main controller 110 so that the main controller 110 is
woken-up, thereby cancelling the sleep mode of the portable
terminal 100. The wake-up signal may be an interrupt signal.
[0056] It will be appreciated that the detected motion or motion
information may be thought of more fundamentally as a visual
signal. A motion signal detected by the camera 180 must correspond
to some manner of visual stimulus. Accordingly, a sensed pattern
may be extracted from the detected visual signal, and the sensed
pattern may then be compared to a preset wake-up pattern.
[0057] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a
sleep mode of a portable terminal by detecting a sound signal
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the portable terminal 100
according to the present exemplary embodiment may operate in a
sleep mode in step 401. That is, the sub-controller 190 and a
second microphone MIC2 are in an active state.
[0059] The sub-controller 190 may determine whether a sound signal
is input through the second microphone MIC2 in step 403. When the
sound signal is not input, then the sub-controller 190 may maintain
step 403. Conversely, when the sound signal is input at step 403,
then the sub-controller 190 may extract a sound pattern from the
input sound signal in step 405. Since the extraction of the sound
pattern is well known in the art of a sound recognition, a detailed
description thereof is omitted.
[0060] If the extraction of the sound pattern is completed, the
sub-controller 190 may determine whether the extracted sound
pattern is identical or substantially identical with a stored sound
wake-up pattern in step 407, or otherwise compare the extracted
sound pattern with the stored sound wake-up pattern. The results of
this comparison may be used to determine whether the extracted
sound pattern is identical or substantially identical with the
stored sound wake-up pattern. To this end, the sub-controller 190
may store the sound wake-up pattern in an area which the
sub-controller 190 may access. The sub-controller 190 may access
the memory 120 storing the sound wake-up pattern. Furthermore, the
sub-controller 190 may compare the results of the comparison
between the extracted sound pattern and the stored sound wake-up
pattern to a predefined reference value, when determining whether
or not the extracted sound pattern and the stored sound wake-up
pattern are identical or substantially identical. Such a reference
value may represent a required degree of correlation between the
extracted motion pattern and the stored motion wake-up pattern.
[0061] When the extracted sound pattern is not identical or
substantially identical with the sound wake-up pattern, then the
sub-controller 190 may return to step 403 and repeat the foregoing
procedures. Conversely when the extracted sound pattern is
identical or substantially identical with the sound wake-up
pattern, the sub-controller 190 may activate the main controller
110 in step 409. That is, the sub-controller 190 transmits the
wake-up signal to the main controller 110 so that the sleep mode of
the portable terminal 100 may be cancelled, i.e., so that the sleep
mode of the portable terminal 100 may be terminated or exited. The
wake-up signal may be an interrupt signal.
[0062] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method of controlling a
sleep mode of a portable terminal by detecting a sensor signal
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0063] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 5, the portable terminal 100
according to the present exemplary embodiment may operate in a
sleep mode in step 501. That is, the sub-controller 190 and a
sensor 150 are in an active state. In this case, the sensor 150
transmits a sensing result to the sub-controller 190.
[0064] The sub-controller 190 may determine whether at least one
sensor information is detected through the sensor 150 in step 503.
When the sensor information is not detected at step 503, then the
sub-controller 190 may maintain step 503. Conversely, when the
sensor information is detected at step 503, then the sub-controller
190 may determine whether the detected sensor information satisfies
a stored alarm condition in step 505. To this end, the
sub-controller 190 may store the alarm condition. The
sub-controller 190 may access to the memory 120 which stores the
alarm condition. The alarm condition may be a reference value with
respect to a situation where the portable terminal 100 may be
damaged or the user may be in a dangerous situation and/or state
with respect to the portable terminal 100. For example, the alarm
condition may be a high temperature value, a low temperature value,
a humidity value, a pressure value, an acceleration value, or any
other similar and/or suitable value indicating a situation where
the portable terminal 100 may be damaged or indicating that the
user may be in a dangerous situation and/or state with respect to
the portable terminal 100.
[0065] When it is determined, in step 505, that the sensor
information does not satisfy the alarm condition, then the
sub-controller 190 may return to step 503 and repeat the foregoing
procedures. Conversely, when the sensor information satisfies the
alarm condition, then the sub-controller 190 may activate the main
controller 110 in step 507. That is, the sub-controller 190
transmits a wake-up signal to the main controller 110 so that the
sleep mode of the portable terminal 100 may be cancelled,
terminated, or exited. The wake-up signal may be an interrupt
signal.
[0066] When the sleep mode is cancelled, the main controller 110
may limit some functions of the portable terminal 100 in step 509.
For example, the main controller 110 may turn-off the display unit
130 or may reduce a brightness of the display unit 130 because
current consumption of the display unit 130 is increased at a high
temperature. As another example, the main controller 110 may stop
charging of a battery at a high temperature because the battery may
be in an unsafe state due to the possibility of explosion when the
battery is charged at a high temperature. As another example, when
free fall of the portable terminal 100 is detected, then the main
controller 110 may drive an impact preventing circuit or block
power. As another example, when the humidity is high, the main
controller 110 may block the power in order to prevent the damage
of a circuit due to inundation caused by the high humidity.
[0067] Next, the main controller 110 may store sensor information
in step 511. The sensor information may be stored in an area which
the user may not access, approach, or delete. An exact reason of
failure of the portable terminal 100 may be detected through the
stored sensor information during repair of the portable terminal
100. The main controller 110 may report an alarm reporting that
some function of the portable terminal is restricted or reporting a
dangerous situation in step 513. For example, the main controller
110 may display the alarm message on the display unit 130. The main
controller 110 may output an alarm effect sound through the speaker
SPK of the audio processor 160 and may additionally or separately
generate a vibration or output any other similar and/or suitable
notification of the alarm. Meanwhile, when the power of portable
terminal 100 is blocked at step 509, the main controller 110 may
report the alarm when the portable terminal 100 is turned on
again.
[0068] In the above-described embodiments of the present invention
a single suitable sensor signal and its corresponding extracted
sensed pattern is disclosed as waking-up the main controller.
However it should be appreciated that waking-up the main controller
may require a combination of suitable sensor signals. For example,
waking the main controller up may require that an extracted visual
pattern and an extracted sound pattern are identical or
substantially identical to a visual wake-up pattern and a sound
wake-up pattern respectively. Alternatively a single pattern may be
extracted from multiple sensor signals and compared to a wake-up
pattern.
[0069] The foregoing method for controlling a sleep mode in a
portable terminal of the present exemplary embodiments may be
implemented in an executable program command form by various
computer means and be recorded in a hardware device, such as a
computer readable non-volatile recording medium or other similar
hardware device. In this case, the computer readable non-volatile
recording medium may include a program command, a data file, and a
data structure individually or a combination thereof. In the
meantime, the program command recorded in a recording medium may be
specially designed or configured for the present exemplary
embodiments or may be known to a person having ordinary skill in a
computer software field to be used. The computer readable
non-volatile recording medium includes magnetic media, such as a
hard disk, a floppy disk, a magnetic tape, optical media such as a
Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD-ROM) or Digital Versatile Disc
(DVD), a Magneto-Optical Media such as floptical disk, and a
hardware device such as a Read Only Memory (ROM), a Random Access
Memory (RAM), a flash memory storing and executing program
commands. Further, the program command may include a machine
language code created by a complier and a high-level language code
executable by a computer using an interpreter. The foregoing
hardware device may be configured to be operated as at least one
software module to perform an operation described.
[0070] As mentioned above, the method and the apparatus for
controlling a sleep mode in a portable terminal according to the
exemplary embodiments of the present invention may activate a low
power processor when the portable terminal enters the sleep mode,
and may monitor a wake-up event for cancelling the sleep mode
through the low power processor. Accordingly, the exemplary
embodiments of the present invention may reduce current
consumption, or power consumption, of a portable terminal. Further,
since the exemplary embodiments of the present invention are
configured in such a manner that the low power processor processes
a signal input from the camera, the microphone, and the sensor
including a plurality of sensors, the current consumption in the
sleep mode may be reduced. Particularly, the exemplary embodiments
of the present invention may activate only some pixels of the
camera in the sleep mode, and may connect the camera to the low
power processor through a low speed interface, thereby reducing the
current consumption.
[0071] While the invention has been shown and described with
reference to certain exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form
and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit
and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and
their equivalents.
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