GB2341753A - RF interface for portable communication terminal - Google Patents

RF interface for portable communication terminal Download PDF

Info

Publication number
GB2341753A
GB2341753A GB9820212A GB9820212A GB2341753A GB 2341753 A GB2341753 A GB 2341753A GB 9820212 A GB9820212 A GB 9820212A GB 9820212 A GB9820212 A GB 9820212A GB 2341753 A GB2341753 A GB 2341753A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
low power
radio frequency
power radio
terminal
transceiver
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB9820212A
Other versions
GB9820212D0 (en
Inventor
Kanji Kerai
James Scales
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Nokia Oyj
Original Assignee
Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd filed Critical Nokia Mobile Phones Ltd
Priority to GB9820212A priority Critical patent/GB2341753A/en
Publication of GB9820212D0 publication Critical patent/GB9820212D0/en
Priority to PCT/EP1999/007721 priority patent/WO2000018025A1/en
Priority to AU63391/99A priority patent/AU6339199A/en
Priority to EP99950721A priority patent/EP1114520A1/en
Publication of GB2341753A publication Critical patent/GB2341753A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
    • H04W88/02—Terminal devices
    • H04W88/06—Terminal devices adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W88/00—Devices specially adapted for wireless communication networks, e.g. terminals, base stations or access point devices
    • H04W88/02—Terminal devices
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
    • G06F1/16—Constructional details or arrangements
    • G06F1/1613—Constructional details or arrangements for portable computers
    • G06F1/1633—Constructional details or arrangements of portable computers not specific to the type of enclosures covered by groups G06F1/1615 - G06F1/1626
    • G06F1/1684—Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675
    • G06F1/1698—Constructional details or arrangements related to integrated I/O peripherals not covered by groups G06F1/1635 - G06F1/1675 the I/O peripheral being a sending/receiving arrangement to establish a cordless communication link, e.g. radio or infrared link, integrated cellular phone
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B1/00—Details of transmission systems, not covered by a single one of groups H04B3/00 - H04B13/00; Details of transmission systems not characterised by the medium used for transmission
    • H04B1/38—Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
    • H04B1/3827—Portable transceivers
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M1/00—Substation equipment, e.g. for use by subscribers
    • H04M1/72—Mobile telephones; Cordless telephones, i.e. devices for establishing wireless links to base stations without route selection
    • H04M1/724—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
    • H04M1/72403—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality
    • H04M1/72409—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by interfacing with external accessories
    • H04M1/72412—User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones with means for local support of applications that increase the functionality by interfacing with external accessories using two-way short-range wireless interfaces
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W52/00—Power management, e.g. TPC [Transmission Power Control], power saving or power classes
    • H04W52/02—Power saving arrangements
    • H04W52/0209—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices
    • H04W52/0225—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02D—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE
    • Y02D30/00—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks
    • Y02D30/70—Reducing energy consumption in communication networks in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A portable communication terminal, which may be a cellular radio telephone 1, comprises a low power radio frequency transceiver for establishing a communication link with a local terminal 50 and a transceiver for communicating with a telecommunications network. In response to a user input via a user interface, the portable terminal monitors signals received by the low power radio frequency transceiver with a view to establishing a communication link.

Description

2341753 PORTABLE COMMUNICATION TERMINAL The present invention relates to a
portable communication terminal.
As technology advances, it is becoming more and more usual for devices to communicate with each other. For instance, a radiotelephone may act as a gateway to the'public telephone switching -network (PTSN) for a local data terminal such as, for example, a PC, a laptop PC, a personal organiser, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a printer, a facsimile machine and the like. Interfacing between the such devices may be accomplished via a low power radio frequency (RF) link. Such interfaces may be provided between almost any digital device e.g. computers, phones, scanners, cameras, headsets, keyboards, joysticks etc.
Such low power radio frequency links are the focus of the 'Bluetooth" initiative of major telecommunications players launched in May 1998. Further discussion of this initiative can be found on pages 26-27 of 'Nobile Communications International" September 1998. On the road, this technology would allow notebook users to use a smart phone as a modem to dial in to a corporate network. Within an office, the technology could be used in network hubs to keep users connected to the network as they move about the corporation. It would also allow users to synchronise personal data, such as an address book, between a PDA and a PC.
Low power radio frequency (RF) transmission envisages a power of the order of l mW (or 0 dB) for operation over distances in the range of 10cm to 30 meters. Currents of around 8 to 30rnA at a voltage around 2.7V are contemplated. Data rates of around 1 Mbps are envisaged for communication between devices such as hand-held computers, notebooks and cellular 2 phones. The frequency used in such scenarios is envisaged to be around 2.4 GHz.
The present invention has particular, but not exclusive, application to the management of the low power radio frequency (RF) link in the above and similar circumstances.
With this in mind, in one aspect the presdnt invention provides a terminal comprising a user interface, a radio transceiver for communicating with a telecommunication network, and a low power radio frequency (RF) transceiver by which a low power radio frequency (RF) communication link can be established with a local terminal, wherein, in response to a user input via the user interface, the terminal monitors signals received by the low power radio frequency (RF) transceiver with a view to establishing the low power radio frequency (RF) link.
By limiting the occasions when the portable communication terminal seeks to establish the low power radio frequency (RF) link only to those occasions when a user input indicates that 'the user is requesting that the low power radio frequency (RF) link is established, power savings resulting from reduced use of the low power radio frequency (RF) transceiver can be achieved.
Preferably, if no low power radio frequency (RF) link is established within a predetermined interval, for example 20 seconds, the monitoring activity of the low power radio frequency (RF) transceiver is discontinued. By limiting the monitoring activity in this way, further power savings can be achieved in circumstances where for some reason it has not been possible to establish the low power radio frequency (RF) link within a reasonable period.
3 In another aspect, the present invention provides a method of communicating between two terminals via a low power radio frequency (RF) link in which at least one of the terminals monitors for low power radio frequency (RF) activity in response to a user input via its user interface.
In a further aspect, the present invention provides a terminal comprising a user interface and a low power radio frequency (RF) transceiver by which a low power radi6 frequency (RF) communication link can be established with a local terminal, wherein, in response to a user input via the user interface, the terminal monitors signals received by the low power radio frequency (RF) transceiver with a view to establishing the low power radio frequency (RF) link.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are hereinafter described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a terminal according to the invention; Figure 2 shows a diagram of the main features in the terminal of Figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a diagram of the terminal of Figure 1 establishing a low power radio frequency (RF) link with a PC.
The terminal shown in Figure I is a cellular mobile telephone I having an 'A' or front cover 3a and a '13' or rear cover 3b powered by a rechargeable battery pack 2. The user interface of the telephone 1 comprises a liquid crystal display 5 having backlighting, a microphone 7, a loudspeaker 8 and a keypad 6. The keypad 6 comprises two groups of keys: a first group of alphanumeric keys 6a for entering telephone numbers and text data, and a second group of functions keys 6b for enabling/disabling functions of the telephone 1 or causing operations of the telephone I to be executed.
4 Referring to Figure 2, the telephone includes a transceiver 9 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from a cellular telecommunication network. A controller 4 in the form of a microprocessor controls the operation of the telephone 1 including its user-interface, a memory 14, the radio transceiver 9 and a low power radio frequency (RF) transceiver 16 (not visible in the Figure 1 view).
One of the function keys 66, the ON/OFF key, can be depressed for a relatively long duration (>I second) to cause the controller 4 to switch the telephone I between an off mode in which negligible battery power is consumed to an on mode. In an on mode, the telephone 1 can be considered to be in any one of a call processing mode, an active standby mode or a passive standby mode.
In the call processing mode, a telephone call is conducted over the (radio) air interface via the radio transceiver 9. Due to heavy use of the air interface during calls, this mode results in high power consumption.
In active standby mode, power is consumed as a result of certain userinterface functions of the telephone 1 and the radio transceiver 9. In passive standby mode, power is consumed substantially only as a result of the radio transceiver 9. In either kind of standby mode, the power consumption of the radio transceiver 9 arises out of the need to access the air interface to maintain registration with the cellular network, specifically, for example, to watch for incoming calls and hand over from one cell to another as the telephone 1 changes location, even though no calls traffic is being processed. The difference between the two standby modes lies in the fact that in active standby mode, the user is able to make use of the keypad 6 and the display 5 in order to review or alter the contents of the memory 14, for example, with a view to adding a number to the telephone number store or altering a control 1 setting of the telephone 1. In this active standby mode, the backlighting of the display 5 is activated. In order to move between the active standby mode and the passive standby mode, the keys MENU and are pressed sequentially. In passive standby mode, the display 5 and its backlighting are inactive as is the keypad (except, of course, in response to the sequential pressing of the MENU and keys). While in passive standby mode, if an incoming call is received, then depression of any key accepts the call and thus the telephone 1 enters the call processing mode.
Figure 3 shows the telephone I and a local data terminal in the form of a PC 50. The PC comprises a keyboard 52, a cathode ray visual display 54 and a low power radio frequency (RF) transceiver 18. In order to send a facsimile document prepared on the PC 50 using the telephone I as a gateway to the PTSN, the data defining the facsimile needs to be transferred to the telephone I via their respective low power radio frequency (RF) transceivers 16,18.
The PC 50 and the telephone 1 are arranged such that their low power radio frequency (RF) transceivers 16, 18 are in range of each other. Initially, the telephone 1 is in passive standby mode. On sequentially pressing the MENU and keys, the telephone 1 switches from passive standby mode to active standby mode, Also, the low power radio frequency (RF) transceiver 16 of the telephone I starts to monitor or poll for incoming low power radio frequency (RF) signals with a view to establishing a low power radio frequency (RF) link (20) between the telephone I and the PC 50. If during a 20 second period, the PC 50 transmits signals which seek to create a low power radio frequency (RF) link, then a low power radio frequency (RF) link is established permitting the facsimile document data to be transmitted. If, however, after the 20 second period, no link is established then the telephone 1 discontinues monitoring the incoming low power radio frequency (RF) 6 signals, It will thus be appreciated that the functional effect of sequentially pressing the MENU and keys is two fold, firstly, to switch the telephone 1 from passive standby to active standby mode, but also secondly to start the monitoring activity.
In other embodiments, the user input for the low power radio frequency (RF) transceiver 16 to start to monitor low power radio frequency (RF) activity can be actions which are dedicated to or have the sole functional effect of triggering the monitoring activity. Examples include the selection of an option from a menu, the depression of predetermined keys, either in a defined sequential order or simultaneously, or a voice command.
When the low power radio frequency (RF) transceiver 16 is not polling for low power radio frequency (RF) activity, it can be either 'on' but not consuming much power by virtue of not actively polling for low power radio frequency (RF) activity, or shut-down into a power-saving or standby mode where it uses negligible power.
In another embodiment, when the telephone I is in the off mode, the trigger to start monitoring low power radio frequency (RF) activity can be provided by depression of the ON/OFF key for a relatively short duration which is insufficient to place the telephone 1 into on mode. If during the 20 second interval, no low power radio frequency (RF) link is established then the monitoring activity is discontinued and the telephone 1 remains in off mode.
On the other hand, if a low power radio frequency (RF) link is established, then the telephone 1 is switched to the on mode.
The terminal has been described with reference to a radiotelephone however the invention has application to many other devices e.g. printers etc. as set out in the initial paragraphs of this document.

Claims (1)

  1. 7 CLAIMS
    1 A portable communication terminal, comprising:
    a user interface; a radio transceiver for communicating with a telecommunication network; and a low power radio frequency (RF) transceiver by which a low power radio freqency (RF) communication link can be established with a local terminal; wherein, in response to a user input via the user interface, the terminal monitors signals received by the low power radio frequency (RF) transceiver with a view to establishing the low power radio frequency (RF) link.
    2. A portable communication terminal as in Claim 1, wherein, if no low power radio frequency (RF) link is established within a predetermined interval, said monitoring is discontinued.
    3. A portable communication terminal as in Claims 1 or 2, wherein the user input comprises the depression of predetermined keys.
    4. A portable communication terminal as in any of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the user input comprises a voice command.
    5. A portable communication terminal as in Claims 3 or 4, wherein the user input has the sole functional effect of triggering said monitoring.
    6. A portable communication terminal as in Claims 3 or 4, wherein the user input has the functional effect of triggering said monitoring and changing the mode of operation of the portable terminal.
    8 7. A terminal comprising a user interface and a low power radio frequency (RF) transceiver by which a low power radio frequency (RF) communication link can be established with a local terminal, wherein, in response to a user input via the user interface, the terminal monitors signals received by the low power radio frequency (RF) transceiver with a view to establishing the low power radio frequency (RF) link.
    8. A portabld communication terminal constructed, arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereindescribed with reference to the accompanying drawings.
GB9820212A 1998-09-17 1998-09-17 RF interface for portable communication terminal Withdrawn GB2341753A (en)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9820212A GB2341753A (en) 1998-09-17 1998-09-17 RF interface for portable communication terminal
PCT/EP1999/007721 WO2000018025A1 (en) 1998-09-17 1999-09-13 Portable communication terminal
AU63391/99A AU6339199A (en) 1998-09-17 1999-09-13 Portable communication terminal
EP99950721A EP1114520A1 (en) 1998-09-17 1999-09-13 Portable communication terminal

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB9820212A GB2341753A (en) 1998-09-17 1998-09-17 RF interface for portable communication terminal

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB9820212D0 GB9820212D0 (en) 1998-11-11
GB2341753A true GB2341753A (en) 2000-03-22

Family

ID=10838983

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB9820212A Withdrawn GB2341753A (en) 1998-09-17 1998-09-17 RF interface for portable communication terminal

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1114520A1 (en)
AU (1) AU6339199A (en)
GB (1) GB2341753A (en)
WO (1) WO2000018025A1 (en)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2363291A (en) * 2000-06-07 2001-12-12 Ubinetics Ltd Communications system
DE10100648A1 (en) * 2001-01-09 2002-07-11 Alcatel Sa Information output apparatus
EP1895388A1 (en) * 2006-08-31 2008-03-05 Research In Motion Limited System and method for providing a standby mode in a handheld electronic device
US7894848B2 (en) 2006-08-31 2011-02-22 Research In Motion Limited System and method for providing a standby mode in a handheld electronic device

Families Citing this family (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2812149B1 (en) * 2000-07-19 2003-01-03 Laurent Maleysson COMMUNICATION MODULE BETWEEN A LOCAL RADIO DATA TRANSMISSION NETWORK AND A HIGH SPEED RADIO NETWORK
US7580005B1 (en) 2000-08-15 2009-08-25 Nokia Corporation Display change between mobile terminal display and external device display
JP4362748B2 (en) * 2000-08-21 2009-11-11 ソニー株式会社 Information processing system, information processing apparatus and method, recording medium, and communication terminal apparatus
US7209893B2 (en) 2000-11-30 2007-04-24 Nokia Corporation Method of and a system for distributing electronic content
FI113991B (en) 2000-11-30 2004-07-15 Nokia Corp Procedure for short range radio frequency communication
US7200130B2 (en) 2001-02-13 2007-04-03 Nokia Corporation Short range RF network configuration
US6954443B2 (en) 2001-03-09 2005-10-11 Nokia Corporation Short range RF network with roaming terminals
US6990316B2 (en) 2001-06-26 2006-01-24 Nokia Corporation Short range RF network configuration
US6804538B2 (en) * 2001-10-31 2004-10-12 Siemens Information & Communication Mobile, Llc System and method for interfacing a wireless telephone to a personal computer

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1994015413A1 (en) * 1992-12-23 1994-07-07 Norand Corporation Wireless personal local area network
US5724566A (en) * 1994-01-11 1998-03-03 Texas Instruments Incorporated Pipelined data processing including interrupts
WO1998035453A1 (en) * 1997-02-06 1998-08-13 Norand Corporation A low-power wireless beaconing network supporting proximal formation, separation and reformation

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6031825A (en) * 1992-08-18 2000-02-29 Nokia Mobile Phones Limited Infrared audio link in mobile phone
US6195564B1 (en) * 1997-09-19 2001-02-27 Ericsson Inc. Method for automatically establishing a wireless link between a wireless modem and a communication device

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1994015413A1 (en) * 1992-12-23 1994-07-07 Norand Corporation Wireless personal local area network
US5724566A (en) * 1994-01-11 1998-03-03 Texas Instruments Incorporated Pipelined data processing including interrupts
WO1998035453A1 (en) * 1997-02-06 1998-08-13 Norand Corporation A low-power wireless beaconing network supporting proximal formation, separation and reformation

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2363291A (en) * 2000-06-07 2001-12-12 Ubinetics Ltd Communications system
GB2363291B (en) * 2000-06-07 2004-01-21 Ubinetics Ltd Communications system
DE10100648A1 (en) * 2001-01-09 2002-07-11 Alcatel Sa Information output apparatus
EP1895388A1 (en) * 2006-08-31 2008-03-05 Research In Motion Limited System and method for providing a standby mode in a handheld electronic device
US7894848B2 (en) 2006-08-31 2011-02-22 Research In Motion Limited System and method for providing a standby mode in a handheld electronic device
US8457689B2 (en) 2006-08-31 2013-06-04 Research In Motion Limited Handheld electronic device with dedicated standby key

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2000018025A1 (en) 2000-03-30
AU6339199A (en) 2000-04-10
GB9820212D0 (en) 1998-11-11
EP1114520A1 (en) 2001-07-11

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
JP3283176B2 (en) Wireless communication device with movable housing element control
JP3209150B2 (en) Foldable portable wireless communication device
US6646873B2 (en) Personal digital assistant for connecting with a communtcations module
US20070047506A1 (en) Methods and devices for dynamically adjusting page scan intervals of bluetooth enabled devices
US20070129103A1 (en) Cellular phone having multiple lines
KR20090127508A (en) Dual standbay portable terminal and method for communicating thereof
GB2341753A (en) RF interface for portable communication terminal
US20040192406A1 (en) Antenna circuit and wireless communication device
WO2001013660A1 (en) Communications device
WO2004114534A1 (en) Transferable wireless communicator for data and voice
JP5094279B2 (en) Communication device
GB2323230A (en) Portable communication terminal with both radio and infrared transceivers
US20040224722A1 (en) Wireless communication device having an integral laser pointer
JP2002101193A (en) Portable telephone
KR100365778B1 (en) System and method of automatically ringing up using bluetooth communication
GB2384944A (en) Reducing the power consumption of a Bluetooth device
KR100452844B1 (en) Portable terminal having power-saving function, and method for control thereof
KR20020014587A (en) A Mobile Telecommunication Device Which has the Function of Interface with Other Devices
KR20040041278A (en) A device and a operating method of power control in shadow area for portable phone
KR100442678B1 (en) Time Display Method Of DECT Handset
CN100490485C (en) Wireless device interconnected with portable terminal
KR20050057762A (en) Method for managing messenger program in the mobile communication terminal
KR100357124B1 (en) Mobile communication system
KR100594460B1 (en) Mobile communication terminal of the WiFi type having a voltage source control function and controlling method therefore
KR20030017230A (en) Power saving method for mobile communication device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
732E Amendments to the register in respect of changes of name or changes affecting rights (sect. 32/1977)
WAP Application withdrawn, taken to be withdrawn or refused ** after publication under section 16(1)