1111111111111111 IIIIII IIIII 1111111111 11111 11111 1111111111 111111111111111 1111111111 11111111
`US 20100013778Al
`
`c19) United States
`c12) Patent Application Publication
`Liu et al.
`
`c10) Pub. No.: US 2010/0013778 Al
`Jan. 21, 2010
`(43) Pub. Date:
`
`(54) PORTABLE ELECTRONIS DEVICE AND THE
`MODE SWITCHING METHOD THEREOF
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Ching-Tung Liu, Taoyuan County
`(TW); Yu-Peng Lai, Taoyuan
`County (TW)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`BACON & THOMAS, PLLC
`625 SLATERS LANE, FOURTH FLOOR
`ALEXANDRIA, VA 22314-1176 (US)
`
`(73) Assignee:
`
`HIGH TECH COMPUTER,
`CORP., TAOYUAN County (TW)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`12/458,524
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jul. 15, 2009
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`Jul. 16, 2008
`
`(TW) ................................... 97126888
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`G06F 3/041
`(2006.01)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ........................................................ 345/173
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`The present invention relates to a portable electronic device
`which can be switched between a first mode and a second
`mode. The portable electronic device comprises a first sensor
`to detect a touch on the portable electronic device and gener(cid:173)
`ate a first signal based on such touch, a second sensor to detect
`a movement of the portable electronic device and generate a
`second signal based on such movement, and a processing unit
`which electrically connects the first sensor and the second
`sensor. When the portable electronic device is in the first
`mode, the processing unit switches the portable electronic
`device to the second mode based on the first and second
`signals. In addition, the present invention provides a mode
`switching method that enables the portable electronic device
`to determine whether to enter or exit from the sleep mode.
`
`Display Interface
`
`LCD Dsiplay
`
`14--..._
`
`Application Processor
`
`Movement Data Signal
`
`Accelerometer
`
`Touching Signal
`
`Touch Sensor
`
`11
`
`12
`
`15
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1021, 0001
`
`

`

`PatentApplication Publication
`
`Jan. 21, 2010 Sheet 1 of 6
`
`US 2010/0013778 Al
`
`t
`
`I
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`~ \
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`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1021, 0002
`
`

`

`QO
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`0 ....
`0 --- 0
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`15
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`12
`
`11
`
`Fig. 3A
`
`Touch Sensor
`
`Touching Signal
`
`Accelerometer
`
`Movement Data Signal
`
`Application Processor
`
`LCD Dsiplay
`
`Display Interface
`
`14~
`
`10
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1021, 0003
`
`

`

`QO
`-....J
`-....J
`~
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`> ....
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`0 ....
`0 --- 0
`0 ....
`N
`rJJ
`c
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`.... 0 = ""O = O" -....
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`
`~ .....
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`Fig. 3B
`
`16
`
`12
`
`---------, Touch Sensor
`Touching Signal
`
`MCU
`
`L, 15
`
`L~_c_c_e_le_r_o_m_e_te_r _ ___.l
`I
`
`Data Signal
`
`Data Signal
`Movement
`
`-------, Movement
`
`Application Processor
`
`LCD Display
`
`Display Interface
`
`11
`
`14
`
`10
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1021, 0004
`
`

`

`> ....
`
`00
`-...l
`-...l
`(H
`
`0 ....
`0 -- 0
`0 ....
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`rJ)
`d
`
`Accelerometer is disenabled ~---------__J
`
`y
`
`Fig. 4
`
`106
`
`105
`
`redetermined ra
`
`d by the acceleromete
`he gravitational acce
`
`107
`
`operating mode
`System enters
`
`accelerometer is monitored
`
`the gravitational acceleration, g, outputted by the
`
`Accelerometer is enabled;
`
`N
`
`y
`
`to
`OU
`
`System in sleep mode
`
`'--
`
`103
`
`102
`
`101
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1021, 0005
`
`

`

`> ....
`
`00
`-...l
`-...l
`(H
`
`0 ....
`0 -- 0
`0 ....
`N
`rJ)
`d
`
`Fig. 5
`
`t predetermined
`utted by the accelerom
`oes the gravitational ac
`
`N
`
`System enters sleep mode
`
`y
`
`f
`
`205
`
`203
`
`YL----------------,
`
`N
`
`nd predetermine
`by the accelerom
`e gravitational ac
`
`System in operating mode
`
`201
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1021, 0006
`
`

`

`> ....
`
`00
`-...l
`-...l
`(H
`
`0 ....
`0 -- 0
`0 ....
`N
`rJ)
`d
`
`Fig. 6
`
`System enters sleep mode
`
`305.-/
`
`y
`
`N
`
`y
`
`d predetermine
`by the accelerom
`e gravitational ac
`
`y
`
`N
`
`System in operating mode i---1-------------------.
`
`302
`
`301
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1021, 0007
`
`

`

`US 2010/0013778 Al
`
`Jan. 21, 2010
`
`1
`
`PORTABLE ELECTRONIS DEVICE AND THE
`MODE SWITCHING METHOD THEREOF
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0001]
`1. Field of the Invention
`[0002] The present invention relates to a mode switching
`method for portable electronic device, more particularly, to a
`portable electronic device and its mode switching method, in
`which the mode is switched between a first mode and a second
`mode based on the signals generated by two types of sensors.
`[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
`[0004] Portable electronic devices such as mobile phones
`and PDAs are usually equipped with two modes, a sleep mode
`and an operating mode. Such portable electronic device will
`remain in operating mode when its functions and applications
`are operated by the user and will enter sleep mode to extend
`its battery life after being idle for a certain period of time.
`[0005] For a conventional portable electronic device, the
`switch between sleep mode and operating mode usually relies
`on a predetermined period of time set with software. Where a
`predetermined period of inactivity has elapsed, the portable
`electronic device will enter sleep mode and the user must
`manually press a default key to switch the portable electronic
`device to operating mode when s/he wants to operate it.
`[0006] As the mode switching method of the conventional
`portable electronic device is not based on the user's actions,
`the device will not enter sleep mode immediately after the
`user stops using it, and will thus cause unnecessary power
`consumption during the predetermined period of time. More(cid:173)
`over, prior to the portable electronic device resuming operat(cid:173)
`ing mode, the user is required to perform an additional step of
`pressing a key to have the portable electronic device exit from
`sleep mode, thus resulting in unnecessary operation for the
`user. To address the aforementioned drawbacks, the present
`invention provides a portable electronic device and the mode
`switching method thereof designed based on the user's
`actions to reduce unnecessary power consumption and sim(cid:173)
`plify the operation procedure.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a
`portable electronic device that switches between different
`modes of operation based on the user's actions.
`[0008] Another object of the present disclosure is to pro(cid:173)
`vide a mode switching method for the portable electronic
`device designed based on the user's actions.
`[0009] To achieve the aforementioned objects, the present
`disclosure provides a portable electronic device which can be
`switched between a first mode and a second mode. The por(cid:173)
`table electronic device comprises a first sensor to detect a
`touch on the portable electronic device and generate a first
`signal based on such touch, a second sensor to detect a move(cid:173)
`ment of the portable electronic device and generate a second
`signal based on such movement, and a processing unit which
`electrically connects the first sensor and the second sensor.
`When the portable electronic device is in the first mode, the
`processing unit will switch the portable electronic device to
`the second mode based on the first and second signals.
`[0010] According to one embodiment of the present disclo(cid:173)
`sure, the aforementioned first and second modes may be sleep
`mode and operating mode respectively, and the portable elec(cid:173)
`tronic device consumes less power in the first mode than in the
`second mode.
`
`[0011] According to one embodiment of the present disclo(cid:173)
`sure, the aforementioned first sensor is a capacitive touch
`sensor disposed at one side of the portable electronic device
`and/or on the surface opposite to the surface of the display and
`the second sensor is an accelerometer.
`[0012] To achieve the aforementioned objects, the present
`disclosure further provides a mode switching method for a
`portable electronic device which can be switched between a
`first mode and a second mode. The mode switching method
`comprises the following steps: detecting a touch on the por(cid:173)
`table electronic device and generating a first signal based on
`such touch; detecting a movement of the portable electronic
`device and generating a second signal based on such move(cid:173)
`ment; and switching the portable electronic device to the
`second mode based on the first and second signals when the
`portable electronic device is in the first mode.
`[0013] According to one embodiment of the present disclo(cid:173)
`sure, the aforementioned first mode and second mode are
`sleep mode and operating mode respectively; a capacitive
`touch sensor is used to detect the touch on the portable elec(cid:173)
`tronic device; and an accelerometer is used to detect a move(cid:173)
`ment of the portable electronic device.
`[0014] According to one embodiment of the present disclo(cid:173)
`sure, the aforementioned mode switching method further
`comprises the step of initiating the detection of the portable
`electronic device's movement based on the first signal.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`[0015] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view showing the
`portable electronic device of the present invention.
`[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the rear portion
`of the portable electronic device of the present invention.
`[0017] FIG. 3A is a system block diagram of the portable
`electronic device according to the first embodiment of the
`present invention.
`[0018] FIG. 3B is a system block diagram of the portable
`electronic device according to the second embodiment of the
`present invention.
`[0019] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the steps of determin(cid:173)
`ing whether to switch from sleep mode to operating mode
`according to the method of the present invention.
`[0020] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the steps of determin(cid:173)
`ing whether to switch from operating mode to sleep mode
`according to the method of the present invention.
`[0021] FIG. 6 is another flow chart showing the steps of
`determining whether to switch from operating mode to sleep
`mode according to the method of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`[0022] The techniques, functions and features of the
`present invention will be described more fully hereinafter
`with the preferred embodiments of the present invention and
`the accompanying drawings.
`[0023] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional view showing a por(cid:173)
`table electronic device 10 of the present invention. According
`to the embodiment of the present invention, the portable
`electronic device 10 may be any portable electronic device
`which performs the present invention, including but not lim(cid:173)
`ited to a mobile phone, PDA, digital camera, etc. In the
`embodiment, the portable electronic device 10 is a mobile
`phone. The portable electronic device 10 includes an LCD
`display 11 and a touch sensor 12 which is mounted on at least
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1021, 0008
`
`

`

`US 2010/0013778 Al
`
`Jan. 21, 2010
`
`2
`
`one of the two adjoining sides of the LCD display 11. Such
`touch sensor 12 detects whether or not the portable electronic
`device 10 is being held by a user. In addition, the touch sensor
`12 may be a capacitive touch sensor that detects whether the
`portable electronic device 10 is being held by a user.
`[0024] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the rear portion
`of the portable electronic device of the present invention. As
`shown in FIG. 2, a touch sensor 13 positioned at the rear
`portion opposite to the LCD display 11 is further included to
`more accurately detect the user's grip on the portable elec(cid:173)
`tronic device 10. As such, the portable electronic device 10
`detects whether it is being held by the user through the touch
`sensors 12 and 13.
`[0025] FIG. 3A is a system block diagram of the portable
`electronic device 10 according to the first embodiment of the
`present invention. In the first embodiment, the portable elec(cid:173)
`tronic device 10 can switch between an operating mode and a
`sleep mode and comprises an application processor 14 and an
`input interface (not shown). When the portable electronic
`device 10 is in the operating mode, the application processor
`14 can execute applications and display information on the
`LCD display 11 via the display interface. When the portable
`electronic device 10 enters the sleep mode, the operation of
`the application processor 14 consumes relatively less power
`and the LCD display 11 is turned off. The portable electronic
`device 10 consumes less power in the sleep mode than in the
`operating mode.
`[0026] The application processor 14 receives at least one
`touching signal from at least one of the touch sensors 12 and
`13 and a movement data signal from an accelerometer 15. The
`application processor 14 then analyzes the touching signal
`and the movement data signal and switches the portable elec(cid:173)
`tronic device 10 to one of the operating mode and the sleep
`mode based on the analyzed results. The movement data
`signal of the accelerometer 15 includes a value of gravita(cid:173)
`tional acceleration (value g) of the portable electronic device
`10 in a three dimensional space (x-, y- and z-axes).
`[0027] FIG. 3B is a system block diagram of the portable
`electronic device 10 according to the second embodiment of
`the present invention. In this embodiment, the portable elec(cid:173)
`tronic device 10 can switch between an operating mode and a
`sleep mode, and comprises an application processor 14, a
`micro-controller (MCU) 16 and an input interface (not
`shown). When the portable electronic device 10 is in the
`operating mode, the application processor 14 can execute
`applications and display information on an LCD display 11
`via the display interface. When the portable electronic device
`10 enters the sleep mode, the operation of the application
`processor 14 consumes relatively less power and the LCD
`display 11 is turned off.
`[0028]
`In both of the operating mode and the sleep mode,
`the MCU 16 will monitor at least one of the touch sensor 12
`and the accelerometer 15. The MCU 16 also analyzes the
`touching signal generated by the touch sensor 12 and the
`movement data signal generated by the accelerometer 15, and
`sends an interruption signal to the application processor 14
`based on the analyzed results. Based on the interruption sig(cid:173)
`nal, the application processor 14 will then execute the inter(cid:173)
`ruption program to switch the portable electronic device 10
`from the operating/sleep mode to the sleep/operating mode
`accordingly.
`[0029] The MCU 16 generates an interruption signal to
`perform different tasks in various embodiments. The follow(cid:173)
`ing description lists a number of situations in which an inter-
`
`ruption signal is generated. For example, in the sleep mode,
`when the MCU 16 analyzes a touching signal generated when
`the touch sensor 12 is touched (i.e. the user is holding the
`portable electronic device 10), an interruption signal will be
`generated to enable the application processor 14 to read the
`movement data signal from the accelerometer 15 via the
`MCU 16. In the operating mode, when the MCU 16 deter(cid:173)
`mines that the change of the value g of the accelerometer 15
`falls within a predetermined range, an interruption signal will
`be generated to cause the application processor 14 to execute
`certain procedures. In the operating mode, when the MCU 16
`determines that the touching signal of the touch sensor 12 is
`disenabled or not actuated (i.e. the portable electronic device
`10 is no longer held by the user), an interruption signal will be
`generated to cause the application processor 14 to execute
`certain procedures.
`[0030] According to the first and second embodiments
`described above, the portable electronic device 10 of the
`present invention utilizes two types of sensors to detect the
`user's act of gripping the portable electronic device 10. More
`specifically, the touch sensors ( or capacitive touch sensors) 12
`and 13 are utilized to detect whether the portable electronic
`device 10 is being held by the user and, in the affirmative, the
`accelerometer 15 will start to detect the movement of the
`portable electronic device 10 in the three dimensional space
`to determine whether the portable electronic device 10 is
`"being lifted" or "being put down". More particularly, only
`when the signal generated by the first sensor satisfies a pre(cid:173)
`determined condition or range, the present invention deter(cid:173)
`mines whether the signal generated by the second sensor
`satisfies another predetermined condition or range. The por(cid:173)
`table electronic device 10 will be switched between operating
`mode and sleep mode based on the analyzed results of the
`signal generated by the second sensor.
`[0031] As depicted in the embodiments shown in FIG. 3A
`and FIG. 3B, the portable electronic device 10 of the present
`invention utilizes two types of sensors to detect the user's
`behavior of operating the portable electronic device 10 to
`determine the mode thereof. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the
`steps of determining whether to enter operating mode from
`sleep mode. As shown in FIG. 4, the portable electronic
`device 10 first reads the touching signal generated by the
`touch sensor and then enables the accelerometer 15 to deter(cid:173)
`mine whether to switch modes. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are two flow
`charts showing the steps of determining whether to enter
`sleep mode from operating mode. As shown in FIG. 5, the
`portable electronic device 10 may read and analyze the value
`g of the accelerometer 15 before determining whether to enter
`sleep mode based on the touching signals of the touch sensors
`12 and 13. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, the portable
`electronic device 10 may read and analyze the touching signal
`generated by the touch sensors 12 and 13 before determining
`whether to enter sleep mode based on the value g of the
`accelerometer 15. Each flow chart will be further described in
`detail as follows.
`[0032] FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the method of deter(cid:173)
`mining whether to enter operating mode from sleep mode.
`When the portable electronic device 10 is in sleep mode (Step
`101), the application processor 14 or the MCU 16 will moni(cid:173)
`tor whether the touch sensors 12 and 13 have been touched or
`actuated (Step 102) and will read and analyze the touching
`signal to determine whether the portable electronic device has
`been gripped or touched by the user accidentally. If the touch
`sensors 12 and 13 are not being touched or if it is determined
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1021, 0009
`
`

`

`US 2010/0013778 Al
`
`Jan. 21, 2010
`
`3
`
`that the touching signal is caused due to an accident touch,
`then the portable electronic device 10 will remain in sleep
`mode (Step 101). If the touch sensors 12 and 13 are being
`touched or if it is determined that the touching signal is
`correct, it means that the user is holding the portable elec(cid:173)
`tronic device 10 and the application processor 14 will execute
`the interruption program to perform the following steps.
`Alternatively, the MCU 16 may send the application proces(cid:173)
`sor 14 an interruption signal to execute the interruption pro(cid:173)
`gram to perform the following steps.
`[0033] After the user's grip on the portable electronic
`device 10 is confirmed, the application processor 14 or the
`MCU 16 will enable the accelerometer 15 to detect the move(cid:173)
`ment of the portable electronic device 10 and monitor the
`change of the value g, gravitational acceleration, generated by
`the accelerometer 15 (Step 103). The value g represents the
`gravitational acceleration in the three dimensional space.
`When the portable electronic device 10 is being held and a
`movement is detected, the application processor 14 or the
`MCU 16 will continuously reads the value g, generated by the
`accelerometer 15, to determine whether the value g falls
`within a first predetermined range (Step 104). The first pre(cid:173)
`determined range represents the range corresponding to
`changes in the value g which is generated by the accelerom(cid:173)
`eter 15 when the portable electronic device 10 is "being
`lifted". By conducting prior experiments to record the change
`in the value g when the portable electronic device 10 is being
`lifted, the first predetermined range may be established and
`stored in the database of the portable electronic device 10.
`[0034] As the speed at which the portable electronic device
`10 is being lifted varies from person to person, the confidence
`level that the change in the value g outputted by the acceler(cid:173)
`ometer 15, falls within the range of change corresponding to
`the portable electronic device 10 being lifted can be calcu(cid:173)
`lated via different sampling time. Once the confidence level
`reaches a threshold, thereby indicating that the user's act of
`lifting the portable electronic device 10 is confirmed and the
`analyzed result is reliable, then the system of the portable
`electronic device 10 will enter operating mode (Step 107). In
`addition, if the change in the value g outputted by the accel(cid:173)
`erometer 15, corresponds to the trend of change in the value g
`stored in the database ( established through the "lifting" of the
`portable electronic device 10), the user's act of lifting the
`portable electronic device 10 can also be confirmed. There(cid:173)
`fore, when the process proceeds to Step 107, the user's grip on
`the portable electronic device 10 would have been confirmed
`and the user can simply lift the portable electronic device 10
`to have the system enter operating mode without pressing any
`key.
`[0035] When the application processor 14 or the MCU 16
`determines that the value g outputted by the accelerometer 15,
`does not fall within the first predetermined range (Step 104),
`that is, the portable electronic device 10 is not being lifted, the
`application processor 14 or the MCU 16 will keep monitoring
`the touch sensors 12 and 13 to determine whether such sen(cid:173)
`sors continue to be touched (Step 105). If the touch sensors 12
`and 13 are continuously touched, then the user continues to
`hold the portable electronic device 10 and the application
`processor 14 or the MCU 16 will continue to read the value g
`outputted by the accelerometer 15, to determine whether the
`change in the value g outputted by the accelerometer 15, falls
`within the first predetermined range (Step 104). If the touch
`sensors 12 and 13 are not being touched, then the user has
`loosened his/her grip on the portable electronic device 10
`
`before lifting it. The application processor 14 or the MCU 16
`will then interrupt the process of determining whether the
`value g outputted by the accelerometer 15, falls within the
`first predetermined range and disenable the accelerometer 15
`(Step 106). The portable electronic device 10 will then remain
`in sleep mode (Step 101) until the touch sensors 12 and 13 are
`once again touched or the user once again grips the portable
`electronic device 10.
`[0036]
`In a further embodiment of the present invention,
`when the application processor 14 or the MCU 16 enables the
`accelerometer 15 and monitors its movement data signal
`(Step 103), the process proceeds to a loop between Step 104
`and Step 105. At the same time, the application processor 14
`or the MCU 16 will start a timer and, within a predetermined
`period of time, will read the gravitational acceleration gout(cid:173)
`putted by the accelerometer 15, to determine whether the
`portable electronic device 10 is being lifted. If the application
`processor 14 or the MCU 16 is unable to determine, within the
`predetermined period of time, that the portable electronic
`device 10 is being lifted based on the value g outputted by the
`accelerometer 15, to switch the system to operating mode,
`then the application processor 14 or the MCU 16 will cause
`the portable electronic device 10 to enter operating mode
`once such predetermined period of time has elapsed. There(cid:173)
`fore, forcing the system to enter operating mode after the
`predetermined period of time has elapsed by means of the
`timer prevents the system from being trapped in the loop
`between Step 104 and Step 105. Moreover, if the application
`processor 14 or the MCU 16 determines, within such prede(cid:173)
`termined period of time, that the touch sensors 12 and 13 are
`no longer being touched, the accelerometer 15 will then be
`disenabled (Step 106) and the portable electronic device 10
`will remain in sleep mode (Step 101).
`[0037] Both FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show the method of deter(cid:173)
`mining whether to enter sleep mode from operating mode, but
`the steps illustrated in the two drawings are slightly different
`in terms of order. In the flow chart shown in FIG. 5, the value
`g of the accelerometer 15 is read before determining whether
`the touch sensors 12 and 13 detect any touch on the portable
`electronic device 10. In the flow chart shown in FIG. 6,
`whether the touch sensors 12 and 13 detect any touch on the
`portable electronic device 10 is determined before reading the
`value g of the accelerometer 15. With reference to FIG. 5,
`when the portable electronic device 10 is in operating mode
`(Step 201), the application processor 14 or the MCU 16
`monitors the movement data signal of the accelerometer 15
`continuously or regularly at a predetermined period of time,
`and determines whether the value g outputted by the acceler(cid:173)
`ometer 15, falls within a second predetermined range (Step
`202). The second predetermined range represents the range
`corresponding to changes in the value g generated by the
`accelerometer 15 when the portable electronic device 10 is
`"being put down". By conducting prior experiments to record
`the change in the value g when the portable electronic device
`10 is being put down, the second predetermined range may be
`established and stored in the database of the portable elec(cid:173)
`tronic device 10.
`[0038] As the speed at which the portable electronic device
`10 is being put down varies from person to person, the con(cid:173)
`fidence level that the change in the value g outputted by the
`accelerometer 15, falls within the range of change corre(cid:173)
`sponding to the portable electronic device 10 being put down
`can be calculated via different sampling time. Once the con(cid:173)
`fidence level reaches a threshold, the user's act of putting
`
`Petitioner Samsung Ex-1021, 0010
`
`

`

`US 2010/0013778 Al
`
`Jan. 21, 2010
`
`4
`
`down the portable electronic device 10 is confirmed and the
`analyzed result is reliable. In addition, if the change in the
`value g outputted by the accelerometer 15, corresponds to the
`trend of change in the value g stored in the database ( estab(cid:173)
`lished through the "putting down" of the portable electronic
`device 10), the user's act of putting down the portable elec(cid:173)
`tronic device 10 can also be confirmed. When the application
`processor 14 or the MCU 16 determines that the value g
`outputted by the accelerometer 15, does not fall within the
`second predetermined range (Step 202), that is, the portable
`electronic device 10 has not been put down, the portable
`electronic device 10 will remain in operating mode (Step
`201).
`[0039]
`If the application processor 14 or the MCU 16 deter(cid:173)
`mines that the value g outputted by the accelerometer 15, falls
`within the second predetermined range, the application pro(cid:173)
`cessor 14 will execute the interruption program ( alternatively,
`the MCU 16 may generate an interruption signal to cause the
`application processor 14 to execute the interruption program)
`and further monitor the touch sensors 12 and 13 to determine
`whether they are not being touched (Step 203). If the appli(cid:173)
`cation processor 14 or the MCU 16 reads the touching signal
`and determines that the user has put down the portable elec(cid:173)
`tronic device 10, the system of the portable electronic device
`10 will enter sleep mode (Step 205). As such, when the
`process proceeds to Step 205, the user's act of putting down
`the portable electronic device 10 would have been confirmed
`and the system will enter sleep mode immediately without
`having to wait for a predetermined period of time, thus reduc(cid:173)
`ing power consumption.
`[0040] Where the application processor 14 or the MCU 16
`determines that the user is still holding the portable electronic
`device 10, that is, the touch sensors are touched continuously,
`the application processor 14 or the MCU 16 will determine
`whether the value g outputted by the accelerometer 15, falls
`within the first predetermined range (Step 204). In the affir(cid:173)
`mative, the portable electronic device 10 has been lifted again
`before the user loosened his/her grip on it and the portable
`electronic device 10 will therefore remain in operating mode
`(Step 201). If the value g does not fall within the first prede(cid:173)
`termined range, the application processor 14 or the MCU 16
`will continue to monitor the touch sensors 12 and 13 to
`determine whether they are not being touched (Step 203) to
`confirm whether the portable electronic device 10 has been
`put down.
`[0041]
`In the further embodiment of the present invention,
`the process will proceed to a loop between Step 203 and Step
`204 after the application processor 14 or the MCU 16 deter(cid:173)
`mines that the value g outputted by the accelerometer 15, falls
`within the second predetermined range. At the same time, the
`application processor 14 or the MCU 16 will start a timer and
`monitor the touch sensors 12 and 13 to determine, within a
`predetermined period of time, whether the two sensors 12 and
`13 are not being touched (Step 203). If the application pro(cid:173)
`cessor 14 or the MCU 16 is unable to determine, within such
`predetermined period of time, whether the user has loosened
`his/her grip on the portable electronic device 10 based on the
`touching signal generated by the touch sensors 12 and 13 and
`to switch the system to sleep mode (Step 205), then the
`application processor 14 or the MCU 16 will cause the por(cid:173)
`table electronic device 10 to enter sleep mode once such
`predetermined period of time has elapsed. Therefore, forcing
`the system to enter sleep mode after the predetermined period
`of time has elapsed by means of the timer can prevent the
`
`system from being trapped in the loop between Step 203 and
`Step 204. Moreover, if the application processor 14 or the
`MCU 16 determines, within such predetermined period of
`time, that the value g outputted by the accelerometer 15, falls
`within the first predetermined range (Step 204), then the
`portable electronic device 10 has again been lifted and the
`portable electronic device 10 will remain in operating mode
`(Step 201).
`[0042]
`In reference to FIG. 6, when the portable electronic
`device 10 is in operating mode (Step 301), the application
`processor 14 or the MCU 16 will monitor the touch sensors 12
`and 13 to determine whether they are not being touched (Step
`302). If the application processor 14 or the MCU 16 reads the
`touching signal and determines that the user is still holding
`the portable electronic device 10, the portable electronic
`device 10 will remain in operating mode (Step 301). If the
`application processor 14 or the MCU 16 determines that the
`user has likely loosened his/her grip on the portable electronic
`device 10 (whereas in fact the touch sensors 12 and 13 may
`not be touched by reason of different ways of holding the
`portable electronic device 10), then the application processor
`14 will execute the interruption program (alternatively, the
`MCU 16 may generate an interruption signal to cause the
`application processor 14 to execute the interruption program)
`and further monitor the value g comprised in the movement
`data signal of the accelerometer 15 (Step 303). If the appli(cid:173)
`cation processor 14 or the MCU 16 determines that the value
`g outputted by the accelerometer 15, falls within the second
`predetermined range, then the user's act of putting down the
`portable electronic device 10 is confirmed and the system of
`the portable electronic device 10 will enter sleep mode (Step
`305).
`[0043] The application processor 14 or the MCU 16 will
`monitor the touch sensors 12 and 13 to determine whether
`they are being touched (Step 304) before confirming that the
`portable electronic device 10 has not been put down, that is,
`the value g of the accelerometer 15 has not yet fallen