Case 1:22-cv-22706-RNS Document 1-18 Entered on FLSD Docket 08/25/2022 Page 1 of 10
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`EXHIBIT A
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`

`

`(12) United States Patent
`Goris et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8.204,554 B2
`*Jun. 19, 2012
`
`USOO8204554B2
`
`(54)
`
`SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR CONSERVING
`BATTERY POWER IN A MOBILE STATION
`
`(56)
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors: Norman Goris, Dortmund (DE);
`Wolfgang Scheit, Rothenbach (DE)
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee: Agere Systems Inc., Allentown, PA (US)
`
`(*)
`
`Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 448 days.
`This patent is Subject to a terminal dis
`claimer.
`
`(21)
`
`Appl. No.: 11/945,505
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Nov. 27, 2007
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2008/OO7O639 A1
`Mar. 20, 2008
`
`(63)
`
`(51)
`
`(52)
`
`(58)
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`Continuation of application No. 1 1/516,316, filed on
`Sep. 6, 2006, now Pat. No. 7,319,889, which is a
`continuation of application No. 10/463,630, filed on
`Jun. 17, 2003, now Pat. No. 7,113,811.
`
`Int. C.
`(2006.01)
`H04M I/00
`U.S. C. ....... 455/574; 455/566:455/412:455/572;
`455/556.1
`Field of Classification Search ............... 455/550.1,
`455/412,566,572-574, 575.1, 343.1-343.5,
`455/418; 34.5/211, 156, 166, 169; 713/230;
`340/732,539.23,539.26,539.3
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`5,224,151 A
`6/1993 Bowen et al. ................... 379, 58
`5,586,182 A * 12/1996 Miyashita ..................... 455,566
`5,684,294 A 11, 1997 Kouhi
`5,712,911 A *
`1/1998 Her .......................... 379,388.01
`5,881,377 A
`3/1999 Giel et al. ..................... 455,343
`5,884, 156 A
`3, 1999 Gordon .......
`... 455,350
`6,246,862 B1
`6/2001 Grivas et al. .................... 455,90
`6,265,833 B1
`7/2001 Kim et al. ...
`315/1693
`6,278,887 B1
`8, 2001 Son et al. ....
`... 455,566
`6,330,457 B1
`12/2001 Yoon ............................. 455,550
`(Continued)
`
`DE
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`19537224 A1
`4f1997
`(Continued)
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Office Action received in JP 2004-179016 (Mailing date: Apr. 1,
`2009).
`
`(Continued)
`Primary Examiner — Kamran Afshar
`Assistant Examiner — Kathy Wang-Hurst
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Mendelsohn, Drucker &
`Associates, P.C.; Kevin M. Drucker; Steve Mendelsohn
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`In one embodiment, a mobile station including a chassis
`having a display, a power reducer, a proximity sensor, and a
`microprocessor. The power reducer controls power consump
`tion of the display. The proximity sensor is coupled to the
`chassis and causes the power consumption to be reduced
`when the display is within a predetermined range of an exter
`nal object. The microprocessor is coupled to the proximity
`sensor and to the display and automatically activates the
`proximity sensor based on the mobile station receiving an
`incoming wireless telephone call.
`14 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
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`
`
`
`
`3. O O
`
`stelephone call
`active?
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Activate proximity
`SeSO
`
`s external object
`proximate?
`
`Reduce
`display power
`305
`
`

`

`US 8,204,554 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6,631,192 B1
`10/2003 Fukiharu
`6,665,803 B2 12/2003 Osborn et al. ................ T13,320
`6,684,294 B1
`1/2004 Huffman .....
`711,112
`6,726,099 B2
`4/2004 Becker et al.
`235,380
`D493,451 S
`7, 2004 Wada ...
`... D14,247
`6,836.212 B2 12/2004 Sawinski.
`340,539.23
`SS E2, 225 Sinear 455,550.
`7,076,675 B2
`T/2006 Martinez Perez et al. .... 455,566
`7,113,811 B2 * 9/2006 Goris et al. ................... 455,574
`7,248,899 B2
`7/2007 Ozaki et al.
`ck
`7,319,889 B2
`1/2008 Goris et al. ................... 455,574
`2002fOO84998 A1
`7, 2002 Sawada ....
`3452il
`2002/0177475 A1 11/2002 Park .............................. 455,574
`2003/0036412 A1
`2/2003 Chong .......................... 455,566
`2003,0162570 A1* 8, 2003 Suzuki et al.
`455,566
`2003. O197597 A1 10, 2003 Bahl et al. ...
`340,758
`2004/0097.261 A1
`5/2004 Ujii ............................ 455,556.1
`2004/O198458 A1 10, 2004 Kawamura .................... 455,566
`2004/0225904 A1 11/2004 Perez et al. .
`713,320
`2004/0252115 A1 12/2004 Boireau ......
`345,211
`2006, OO19724 A1
`1/2006 Bahl et al.
`455,574
`2006/0284.848 Al 12/2006 Lin ............................... 345/169
`
`
`
`JP
`JP
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`2000 106598 A
`4/2000
`2000307719. A 1 1/2000
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`
`200O341376. A 12/2000
`2001352395 A 12/2001
`2002111801 A
`4/2002
`2003O32357 A
`1, 2003
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`Response to Rule 312 Communication received in U.S. Appl. No.
`10/463,630, filed Jun. 17, 2003 dated, Jul 27, 2006.
`Notice of Allowance and Fee(s) Due received in U.S. Appl. No.
`10/463,630, filed Jun. 17, 2003 dated Apr. 21, 2006.
`Office Action received in U.S. Appl. No. 10/463,630, filed Jun. 17.
`2003 dated Nov. 17, 2005.
`Final Office Action received in U.S. Appl. No. 10/463,630, filed Jun.
`17, 2003 dated Jul. 11, 2005.
`Office Action received in U.S. Appl. No. 10/463,630, filed Jun. 17.
`2003 dated Feb. 23, 2005.
`Notice of Allowance and Fee(s) Due received in U.S. Appl. No.
`1 1/516,316, filed Sep. 6, 2006 dated Oct. 11, 2007.
`Final Office Action received in U.S. Appl. No. 1 1/516,316, filed Sep.
`6, 2006 dated Jul. 19, 2007.
`Office Action recieved in U.S. Appl. No. 11/516,316, filed Sep. 6.
`2006 dated Jan. 29, 2007.
`German Office Action; Mailed Mar. 6, 2012 for corresponding DE
`Application No. 10 2004 028 259.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 19, 2012
`
`Sheet 1 of 4
`
`US 8,204,554 B2
`
`FIGURE 1.
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`
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`30
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`U.S. Patent
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`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 2 of 4
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`US 8,204,554 B2
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`FIGURE 2
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`
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 19, 2012
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`Sheet 3 of 4
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`US 8,204,554 B2
`
`O
`
`O
`
`Start
`301
`
`ls telephone call
`active?
`302
`
`
`
`Activate proximity
`SeSO
`303
`
`
`
`ls external object
`proximate?
`304
`
`yes
`
`Reduce
`display power
`305
`
`
`
`FIGURE 3
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Jun. 19, 2012
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
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`US 8,204,554 B2
`
`400
`
`Incoming call?
`402
`
`
`
`Activate proximity
`SeSO
`403
`
`
`
`
`
`ls external object
`proximate?
`404
`
`O
`
`yes
`
`Automatically answer
`incoming Call
`405
`
`FIGURE 4
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`

`

`1.
`SYSTEMAND METHOD FOR CONSERVING
`BATTERY POWER IN A MOBILE STATION
`
`US 8,204,554 B2
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
`No. 1 1/516,316, filed on Sep. 6, 2007, which is a continuation
`of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/463,630, filed on Jun. 17,
`2003, the teachings of both of which are incorporated herein
`by reference.
`
`10
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed, in general, to mobile
`stations and, more specifically, to a mobile station of mobile
`radio system having a reduced power consumption under
`certain operating conditions.
`
`15
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Mobile stations have found many uses in today’s world.
`When paired with a single base station located at a user's own
`premises, they are called “cordless telephones.” When they
`interact with various, geographically distributed cellular base
`stations, they are called “cellular telephones' or simply “cell
`phones.”
`Usually the stand-by time, as well as the talk-time, of a
`mobile station depend on the lifetime of a (rechargeable)
`battery inserted within the mobile station and hence, on the
`load and/or on the capacity of the battery.
`Increasing of the capacity of the battery would increase the
`lifetime of the mobile station, but batteries having increased
`capacities are often larger, heavier or more expensive, none of
`which are desirable attributes for a portable, affordable
`mobile station. Accordingly, what is needed in the art is a way
`to prolong the lifetime of a mobile station without having to
`use a battery with an increased capacity.
`
`25
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`30
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`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
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`40
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`Case 1:22-cv-22706-RNS Document 1-18 Entered on FLSD Docket 08/25/2022 Page 8 of 10
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`To address the above-discussed deficiencies of the prior art,
`the present invention provides a mobile station, including: (1)
`a chassis having a display and (2) a proximity sensor coupled
`to the chassis and adapted to cause a power consumption of
`45
`the display to be reduced when the display is within a prede
`termined range of an external object.
`Thus, by reducing the power consumption of the display of
`an activated telephone set in case the display is not needed,
`i.e., in particular during a telephone call, current is saved
`instead of needlessly consumed from the (rechargeable) bat
`tery. Accordingly, the spared available battery power may be
`significant, especially for color displays, resulting in an over
`all increasement of the stand-by and/or talk time of the tele
`phone set.
`According to preferred embodiments the means are
`adapted to Switch-off the display in response to a detection
`that the set, preferably the display of the set, is attached near
`to an object, in particular to the ear.
`As a consequence, if a call for example is incoming for
`example, possibly the user wants to see by means of the
`display the number and/or the stored name of the calling
`party. However, if the user wants to accept the call and hence
`is attaching the telephone set to the ear, the invention enables
`that the display is switched off. In a similar way, in case the
`user is trying to call a third party he may want to have a look
`at the display for verifying the entered number, but when the
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`2
`call is established he is likewise attaching the set and accord
`ingly the display to his ear for performing the call. On the
`other hand, as long as the telephone set is inside a pocket, for
`example, it is not necessary to keep the display in an on
`condition or to indicate the number and/or the name of a
`calling party.
`Moreover, the means may be further adapted to switch-on
`the display in response to a detection that the set, preferably
`the display of the set, is moved away from any object, in
`particular from the ear.
`As an alternative or in addition, the triggering event for
`current saving purposes may also be selectable by the user, for
`example via a menu list. According to further preferred
`refinements, the proximity sensor is proposed to be a heat
`flow or temperature sensor, an optical or infrared sensor, or a
`load sensor. However, as a further advantage, basically any
`kind of proximity sensor which is capable of observing a
`close range or Small distance may be used.
`Correspondingly, the invention proposes a method for Sav
`ing available battery power of a mobile station, in particular
`of a mobile station comprising the steps of detecting an
`attachment of the set, in particular of the display of said set
`near to an object, in particular to the ear, and Switching off the
`display in response to Such a detection in case the display is in
`an on-condition.
`The foregoing has outlined, rather broadly, preferred and
`alternative features of the present invention so that those
`skilled in the art may better understand the detailed descrip
`tion of the invention that follows. Additional features of the
`invention will be described hereinafter that form the subject
`of the claims of the invention. Those skilled in the art should
`appreciate that they can readily use the disclosed conception
`and specific embodiment as a basis for designing or modify
`ing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the
`present invention. Those skilled in the art should also realize
`that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the
`spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest form.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`For a more complete understanding of the present inven
`tion, reference is now made to the following descriptions
`taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in
`which:
`FIG. 1 schematically depicts a preferred embodiment of a
`mobile station having the inventive detection functionality;
`FIG. 2 schematically depicts a block diagram showing
`essential components of the invention;
`FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of exemplary steps for reducing
`power to a display; and
`FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of exemplary steps for automati
`cally answering an incoming call.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`FIG. 1 illustrates a mobile station 110 of a mobile radio
`telecommunication system having a loudspeaker 120 and a
`microphone 130. A proximity sensor 140 is located near a
`display 150 toward a side of the loudspeaker 120. A keypad
`160 allows a user (not shown) to establish an outgoing call,
`accept an incoming call and/or terminate an active call. How
`ever, it should be apparent to one skilled in the pertinent art,
`that these functionalities can be also performed by other
`control means, for example by speech control. The proximity
`sensor 140 is integrated within the mobile station 110 to
`enable a functionality as described in more detail with regard
`to FIG. 2.
`
`

`

`US 8,204,554 B2
`
`3
`As can be seen from FIG. 2, an incoming call may be
`managed by a central processing unit 220, for example for
`further specific processing. For example, the number or the
`name of the calling party stored within a storage (not refer
`enced) implemented within the mobile station 110 can be
`depicted at the display 150.
`If the user of the mobile station 110 wants to accept the
`incoming call 210, he may press a key on the keypad 160 or
`issue a voice command. Alternatively, an incoming call may
`directly activate the proximity sensor 140 without the neces
`sity of pressing a key on the keypad 160 to accept the call.
`In response to the acceptance of the incoming call 210 or
`automatically, the proximity sensor 140 is activated to moni
`tor a proximity 230 to an external object (not shown), for
`example a range of about five centimeters. This is preferably
`done by a standard low-cost proximity sensor, for example a
`thermal sensor. However, other proximity sensors, such as
`conventional mechanical proximity (load) sensors, optical
`sensors or range detecting sensors, fall within the broad scope
`of the present invention. If the proximity sensor 140 detects
`an external object (Such as the user's ear) within the moni
`tored range, the power consumption of the display 150 is
`reduced, most preferably by switching the display 150 com
`pletely off, as indicated by an arrow 240, to spare battery
`25
`power during the telephone call.
`When the telephone call 210 is finished, the user of the
`mobile station 110 typically moves the mobile station 110
`away from his ear. This causes the proximity sensor 140 to
`move out of range of the external object (in this case the user's
`ear). Accordingly, in response thereto, the display 150 is
`switched back on, enabling the user to look at information on
`the display 150.
`Correspondingly, for an outgoing call, the proximity sen
`sor 140 is activated by pressing a key on the keypad 160 to
`establish the outgoing call to a third party. As long as the
`outgoing call remains in effect and the proximity sensor 140
`detects proximity to an external object, e.g., the ear of the
`user, the display 150 remains in a state of reduced power
`consumption, or off, as the case may be.
`The function of switching the display off or on or otherwise
`reducing the amount of power the display consumes may
`comprise hardware and/or software components. For
`example, electronically readable instructions executable in
`the central processing unit 220 may be stored on a memory
`chip located in the mobile station 110 and adapted to coop
`erate with the proximity sensor 140 to perform the function.
`Moreover, if the proximity sensor 140 is directly activated
`by an incoming call or automatically activated, the display
`can be kept in a Switched-off condition as long as the mobile
`station 110 is, for example, within a pocket (not referenced)
`or the like and is only switched on when the user retrieves the
`mobile station 110 from the pocket to enable the user to look
`on the display 150 for an information about the calling party.
`If the user then wants to accept the call and thence places the
`mobile station 110 proximate an external object, such as his
`ear, the proximity sensor 140 again detects an object, causing
`the display again to be switched off.
`FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary steps for reducing power to a
`display, as described above, and FIG. 4 illustrates exemplary
`steps for automatically answering an incoming call, as
`described above.
`Although the present invention has been described in
`detail, those skilled in the art should understand that they can
`make various changes, Substitutions and alterations herein
`without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in
`its broadest form.
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`4
`
`What is claimed is:
`1. A mobile station, comprising:
`a display;
`a proximity sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative
`of the existence of a first condition, the first condition
`being that an external object is proximate; and
`a microprocessor adapted to:
`(a) determine, without using the proximity sensor, the
`existence of a second condition independent and dif
`ferent from the first condition, the second condition
`being that a user of the mobile station has performed
`an action to initiate an outgoing call or to answer an
`incoming call;
`(b) in response to a determination in step (a) that the
`second condition exists, activate the proximity sen
`Sor,
`(c) receive the signal from the activated proximity sen
`Sor, and
`(d) reduce power to the display if the signal from the
`activated proximity sensor indicates that the first con
`dition exists.
`2. The mobile station of claim 1, further comprising
`increasing power to the display if the signal from the activated
`proximity sensor indicates that the first condition no longer
`exists.
`3. The mobile station of claim 1, wherein, if (i) the micro
`processor determines that an incoming telephone call arrives
`at the mobile station and (ii) the signal indicates the proximity
`of the external object, then the incoming telephone call is
`automatically answered.
`4. The mobile station as recited in claim 1, wherein the
`microprocessor reduces power to the display by turning off
`the display.
`5. The mobile station as recited in claim 1, wherein the
`proximity sensor is a mechanical proximity sensor, an optical
`sensor, or a range-detecting sensor.
`6. The mobile station as recited in claim 1, wherein the
`proximity sensor is located proximate to the display.
`7. The mobile station as recited in claim 1, wherein the
`proximity sensor begins detecting whether an external object
`is proximate substantially concurrently with the mobile sta
`tion initiating an outgoing telephone call.
`8. A method of conserving battery power in a mobile sta
`tion, the mobile station adapted to detect the existence of a
`proximity condition, the proximity condition being that an
`external object is proximate, the method comprising:
`the mobile station detecting the existence of an initiated
`call condition or an answered-call condition indepen
`dent and different from the proximity condition, the
`initiated-call condition being that a user of the mobile
`station has performed an action to initiate a call, and the
`answered-call condition being that a user of the mobile
`station has performed an action to answer a call;
`the mobile station activating the proximity sensor in
`response to a determination that an answered-call con
`dition or initiated-call condition exists; and
`the mobile station reducing power consumption of a dis
`play of the mobile station if the activated proximity
`sensor indicates that the proximity condition exists.
`9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the mobile
`station increasing power consumption of the display if the
`signal from the activated proximity sensor indicates that the
`proximity condition no longer exists.
`10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:
`if (i) an incoming telephone call is determined to arrive at
`the mobile station and (ii) the proximity of the external
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`5
`object is detected, then the mobile station automatically
`answering the incoming telephone call.
`11. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein reducing
`power consumption of the display comprises turning off the
`display.
`12. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein the detecting
`of the proximity of the external object is performed by a
`mechanical proximity sensor, an optical sensor, or a range
`detecting sensor.
`13. The method as recited in claim 8, wherein detecting
`whether an external object is proximate begins substantially
`concurrently with the mobile station initiating an outgoing
`telephone call.
`14. A mobile station, comprising:
`a display;
`a proximity sensor adapted to generate a signal indicative
`of the existence of a first condition, the first condition
`being that an external object is proximate; and
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`US 8,204,554 B2
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`6
`a microprocessor adapted to:
`(a) determine, independently of the determination
`whether the external object is proximate, the exist
`ence of a second condition different from the first
`condition, the second condition being that a user of
`the mobile station has performed an action to initiate
`an outgoing call or to answer an incoming call;
`(b) in response to a determination in step (a) that the
`second condition exists, activate the proximity sen
`Sor,
`(c) receive the signal from the activated proximity sen
`Sor, and
`(d) reduce power to the display if the signal from the
`activated proximity sensor indicates that the first con
`dition exists.
`
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