Method, telephone, telecommunication system and device for controlling power consumption of a telephone

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling the power consumption of a telephone (10), (310). A power saving mode is automatically switched on or off for the telephone (10), (310), depending on: at least one given timespan, within which the telephone (10) is predicted not to be used or another terminal (380).

Claims

1. A method to control power consumption of a phone, comprising: recording activity data relating to usage of the phone by a user associated with the phone; monitoring non-reception related factors of phone usage, the non-reception related factors comprising at least one of log-in status of the user, an empirical usage history of the phone by the user, and a location of the user; assessing the recorded activity data relating to usage of the phone by the user to estimate time ranges for non-use of the phone by the user, the estimated time ranges being time ranges that correspond with identified time ranges of empirical non-use of the phone based on recorded activity of prior days of use and non-use of the phone; communicating with the phone to switch the phone to a power saving mode for the estimated time ranges of non-use of the phone so that the phone is switched into the power saving mode during each of the estimated time ranges; monitoring a call forwarding status for the phone; upon a determination that the call forwarding for the phone is activated so that calls directed to the phone are forwarded to another device, switching the phone to the power saving mode; monitoring a switch of the phone for transferring data packets between a first terminal device to which the phone is connected and a network to which the phone is connected; upon determining that no data is being transferred between the network and the first terminal device, switching the phone to the power saving mode; and wherein the power saving mode causes at least one of a brightness of a display unit of the phone to be dimmed and the display unit to be switched off.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining whether the user is attempting to use the phone while the phone is in the power saving mode; upon a determination that the user is attempting to use the phone, triggering a switching off of the power saving mode so the phone is no longer in the power saving mode; determining whether the phone is no longer in use for a predetermined period of time; upon a determination of the phone no longer being in use for the predetermined period of time, switching the phone to the power saving mode.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising: determining that a day is a predefined holiday or vacation day; upon determining that the day is the predefined holiday or vacation day, automatically switching the phone to the power saving mode.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) In the following, examples of embodiments of the invention are explained based on the enclosed drawings. These show:

(2) FIG. 1 Operating modes of an IP phone,

(3) FIG. 2 A control system for a power saving mode of the IP phone depending on usage behavior,

(4) FIG. 3 Function components of an IP telecommunication system,

(5) FIG. 4 Function components of the IP phone,

(6) FIG. 5 Function components of an additional IP telecommunication system,

(7) FIG. 6 Units to implement a mobility-controlled power saving mode,

(8) FIG. 7 Units to implement a power saving mode depending on the location of a dual mode cellular phone

(9) FIG. 8 Function components of an IP telecommunication system, and

(10) FIG. 9 Function components of an IP phone,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) These figures use the same reference symbols for the same technical characteristics. When the word “can” is used in this application, it refers to the technical characteristic actually implemented as well as to the possibility of such an implementation. The following explanations of the different embodiment examples serve for better understanding of the invention and are not to be used to limit the interpretation of the invention.

(12) FIG. 1 shows operating modes of an IP phone 10. The phone 10 works according to internet protocol and contains: a housing 12, a receiver 14 with mouthpiece and speaker, a screen 16.

(13) In a display mode, a horizontal menu bar 18, a work area 19 and a vertical menu bar 20 are shown on the screen 16. The vertical menu bar shows the wiring of function keys 22 located on the right frame bar of the screen 16.

(14) In a partial power saving mode the horizontal menu bar 18 and the work area 19 appear only with a reduced brightness, see menu bar 18b and work area 19b. The already very dark vertical menu bar 20 is no longer recognizable in semi-bright or partial power savings mode, see vertical menu bar 20b.

(15) For instance, in the partial power saving mode, the brightness of the screen 16 is reduced, e.g., a 10 TFT screen (Thin Film Transistor) or a LCD display (Liquid Crystal Display).

(16) In the power saving mode, the screen 16 of phone 10 is completely switched off, so that only a black area 24 is visible on the screen 16. Other functions of the phone 10 are, however, still available in this power saving mode, e.g., accepting a call or the input of connection requirements by pressing keys on the keyboard in the case 12 or the menu bar 20.

(17) FIG. 2 shows a control system for a power saving mode of phone 10 depending on usage behavior of the user of phone 10. An IP network 50 serves to connect the phone 10 via a connection 56. Also connected to network 50 is a telecommunication system 52, see connection 54. The telecommunication system 52, for instance, is a HiPath system from Siemens AG. The telecommunication system 52 serves to connect a multitude of IP phones from a company, wherein these IP phones are provided with a multitude of characteristics, e.g., call forwarding, company calling number, etc.

(18) A notebook 60 or another computer is connected to phone 10 via a connection 62. In phone 10, for instance, a so-called mini-switch transfers data packets between the network 50 and phone 10 and the notebook 60, especially based on MAC addresses.

(19) A power control unit 70 can be implemented as a component of the telecommunication system 52, as an independent unit or as a component of the IP phone 10. The function of the power control unit 70 is explained later on.

(20) The power control unit 70 works in conjunction with a statistics unit 72 which collects data describing the usage of the phone 10 by the user. In particular, times when the phone 10 is used by the user and the times when phone 10 is not used by user are recorded. The embodiment assumes that the statistics unit 72 has determined that phone 10 is in use between 9:00 AM and 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. The statistics units 72, 74 can also be implemented in the phone 10, independent from or in conjunction with the telecommunication system 52.

(21) Optionally, the power control unit 70 can also work with a statistics unit 74 which collects the activity data of the notebook 60. In the embodiment the notebook 60, for example, is active between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM.

(22) The power control unit 70 uses the statistical data of the statistics units 72 or 74 to generate a total statistic according to which the user, according to embodiment, is near the phone 10 between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM. Outside of this time period, the user is not near the phone, so that it may be switched to power saving mode or standby. The power control unit 70 triggers the switching on or off of the power saving mode, see “Standby Command” 84, for instance.

(23) The granularity of the statistics units can be determined empirically; for instance, intervals considered depending on the available computing power intervals, e.g. in the range of 5 minutes to up to 2 hours, or in the range of 5 minutes to 15 minutes. If there is any usage within this interval, the power saving mode is not being activated. However, if there is no usage within this interval, the power saving mode is activated.

(24) Alternatively or in addition, it is possible to include a programming unit 80 in the method, to program times during which the power saving mode is switched on, e.g., during night hours, on holidays, weekends, vacation time such as company-defined holidays or vacation of individual employees, etc. The programming unit 80, therefore, contains data storage 81 for this purpose. The programming unit 80 can be implemented centrally, e.g., as a unit independent from the phone 10 and the telecommunication system 52. The programming unit 80 can, however, also be integrated into the telecommunication system 52. As another alternative, the times mentioned may also be registered locally in the phone 10 and then incorporated by the power control unit 70.

(25) FIG. 3 shows function units of the IP telecommunication system 52. The telecommunication system 52 contains: a LAN connection 102, a control system 104, a processor 106 and storage 108.

(26) The processor 106, for instance, executes a program stored in the memory 108, in order to generate the functions of control system 104. As an alternative, the telecommunication system 52 can be implemented strictly with switching functions, i.e., without programming.

(27) If the power control unit 70 is located in the phone 10, the telecommunication system 52 has only indirect influence as far as the power saving mode is concerned, in as much as the phone 10 is connected to it and the available characteristics are implemented with control unit 104.

(28) As already mentioned, the central programming unit 80 can also be contained in the telecommunication system 52.

(29) In an alternative embodiment, an IP Centrex solution can be used, i.e., the functions of the telecommunication system 52 are provided by a unit on a public data communication network or telecommunication network, e.g., a switching center.

(30) FIG. 4 shows function units of the IP phone 10. The phone 10 contains: a LAN connection 152, a control unit 154 which in turn can contain the power control system 70, a power saving switch 156 and an input/output unit 158, also containing the screen 16.

(31) The LAN connection, among other things, serves as the connection 56 or 62. The power control 70 works together with the statistics units 72 and 74 not depicted in FIG. 4. The input/output unit 158 sends data depending on keys pressed and/or other input to the statistics units.

(32) The power control 70 controls the power saving switch 156 depending on the data made available by the statistics units 72 and 74. The power saving switch 156 in turn directly affects the output unit 158, i.e., the screen 16 in the embodiment.

(33) Another option for phone 10 is a programming unit 160 to program the time periods during which the power saving mode is to be activated, e.g., on weekends, holidays, during vacation, etc.

(34) The functions shown in FIG. 4, for instance, can be achieved with software or with hardware alone. FIG. 4 also shows a date 162 which can indicate a time period, for instance, when the power saving mode is to be switched on, if no key is pressed or no other use of phone 10 occurs.

(35) FIG. 5 shows function units of a telecommunication system 52a, which is structured like the telecommunication system 52, i.e., they comprise a LAN connection 202, a control unit 204, a processor 206 and storage 208. Contrary to telecommunication system 52, the telecommunication system 52a contains the power control system 70, among other things, for the phone 10. In this case, there is no power control system 70 contained in the phone 10. Also, the statistics units 72 and 74 are contained in the telecommunications system 52 (not depicted) and not in the phone 10. The power control unit 70 controls the phone 10 or the power saving switch 156 of the phone 10 directly via the LAN connection 202 and the connection 54.

(36) The telecommunication system 52a, too, can optionally contain a central programming unit 210, whose functions equal those of the central programming unit 80. The function units shown in FIG. 5 can be implemented in the software or also with hardware alone.

(37) In another embodiment the power control unit 70 can be implemented either outside the telecommunication system 52 or 52a or outside the phone 10. The power control unit 70 can, for example, access statistical data already stored at a central location, e.g., connection times, etc.

(38) The recording of very short time periods during which no keys are pressed or the phone 10 is not used, see date 162 in FIG. 4, can also be implemented independently from the other power saving measures. The time period during which no key is to be pressed in order to activate the power saving mode can be shorter than 5 minutes, for example, or shorter than one minute, but in particular longer than 10 seconds, 20 seconds or 30 seconds.

(39) In addition, data communication can take place via the mini-switch independent of the other power saving measures or it can be done in conjunction with them. For instance, the power saving mode 156 in phone 10 can be switched on, also when there is no data transfer via the connection 62. The power saving mode 156 is switched off when data is again transmitted via connection 62.

(40) FIG. 6 shows units to implement a cellular-controlled power saving mode. An IP phone 310 comprises: a housing 312, a receiver 314 with mouthpiece and earpiece, a screen 316.

(41) On the screen 316, for instance, a horizontal menu bar 318 is displayed. Also shown is a work area 319. A vertical menu bar 320 has been assigned to the function keys 322. The IP phone 310 can be switched to partial power saving mode or complete power saving mode, as explained above for the IP phone 10.

(42) The phone 310 is connected via a connection 356 to an IP network 350, e.g., the local data communication network (LAN) of a company. Also connected to the IP network 350 is a telecommunication system 352, e.g., HiPath 8000, wherein the following functions have been added to the telecommunication system 352. The telecommunication system 352 is connected via connection 354 to the IP network 350.

(43) A Notebook 380 or another computer can optionally be used instead of the phone 310, if the user of the phone 310 doesn't work in the office but at home, for example, in a so-called home office. The Notebook 380 is then connected with the network 350 via a connection 382.

(44) In the basic situation the phone 310 is active and calls coming to the telecommunication system 352 are transferred to the phone 310. If the user of the phone 310 is working from home, however, he uses the Notebook 380 to log into the telecommunication system 352. The telecommunication system 352 then activates the call forwarding, to forward all calls coming to the telecommunication system 352 for that user, who also uses phone 310, are forwarded to the Notebook 380. It is assumed that the Notebook 380 contains phone software enabling the user to make calls.

(45) In connection with the establishment of the call forwarding function, the telecommunication system 352 also sends a signal 390, 392 to a power control unit 370. The power control unit 370 switches the phone 310 to power saving mode, e.g., the screen 360 is turned off, see signal 394.

(46) The power control unit 370 can be implemented in the switching center 352, as an independent unit, or as a component of the IP phone 310.

(47) If the user of the Notebook 380 logs out because he is leaving his home office, for instance, the telecommunication system 352 forwards all incoming calls again to phone 310. In connection with the deactivation of the call forwarding to the Notebook 380, the telecommunication system 352 generates a signal 390, 392 for power control unit 370. Depending on the signal, the power control unit 370 then switches the phone 310 to operating mode and the power saving mode is inactive. Alternatively, turning on the screen 316 can also be done by pressing a key on the phone 310 or with an incoming call at phone 310.

(48) FIG. 7 shows units to implement a power saving mode depending on the location of a dual mode cellular phone 480. The scenario in FIG. 7 relates, for instance, to the area of a company which can also be called “campus.” On the “campus” there are an IP network 450, for instance, a LAN. A telecommunication system 452 is connected to the network 450 with connection 454. The telecommunication system 452, e.g., can be a HiPath 8000 system from Siemens AG.

(49) Also connected to the network 450 is an IP phone 410 which contains basically the same components as phone 310. The functions of the telecommunications system 452 and phone 410 which exceed the customary functions and regard the power saving mode will be discussed in detail below.

(50) The “campus” also has a WLAN 481 which, for instance, only covers only a part of the “campus” or can cover the whole “campus.” The WLAN 481 is controlled by a WLAN control unit 482. The WLAN control unit 482 is connected with the telecommunication system 452 via a connection 484. The connection 484, for instance, is a component of the network 450.

(51) In a basic situation, in which the phone 410, for instance, has no active power saving mode, the user is located on the “campus” with his cellular phone 481 switched on. This has been relayed to the telecommunication system 452 by the WLAN control unit 482. If the user of the phone 410 and the dual mode cellular phone leaves the “campus”, however, and takes the phone 480 with him, but not the phone 410, the WLAN control unit 482 detects this, because there is no longer contact with the cellular phone 480. The user can continue to use the cellular IP phone 480, for instance via a public cellular network, because calls coming in for him are forwarded accordingly, e.g., in a cellular network.

(52) The WLAN control unit 482 notifies the telecommunication system 452 that the mobile phone 480 is no longer within the WLAN area 481 and thus no longer in the “campus” area. The telecommunication system 452 then signals a power control unit 470 (FMC-control unit, Fixed Mobile Convenience—optional or availability-dependent usage of “dual mode” equipment, e.g., WLAN/GSM) that the power saving mode can be switched on, see signal 490 and 492. The power control unit 470 then uses signal 494 to signal to the phone 410 that the power saving mode is to be switched on, i.e., that a screen 316 corresponding to the screen of the phone 410 will be dimmed or switched off.

(53) The power control unit 470 can be implemented as a component of the telecommunication system 452, as an independent unit or as component of the phone 410.

(54) When the user returns to the “campus”, the WLAN 481 detects this and signals the WLAN control unit 482. The WLAN control unit 482 signals the telecommunication system 452 the arrival of the user and the latter then can switch off the power saving mode, see signal 490, 492, 494. The on/off switching of the phone 410 can, however, also be accomplished simply at the first press of a key on the phone 410 or an incoming call for the phone.

(55) The steps shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 can also be implemented in a combination in a telecommunication system 452, so that the power saving mode is switched on depending on the usage of the home office and depending on the departure from the company grounds.

(56) FIG. 8 shows function units of the telecommunication system 352. The telecommunication system 352 comprises: a LAN connection 502 which is connected by the connection 454, a control system 504, a processor 506 and storage 508.

(57) The control system 504, for instance, is implemented with a program stored in storage 508, which is executed by the processor 506. As an alternative, the functions of the control system 504 can also be provided without using a program.

(58) The control system 504 provides the basic functions of the telecommunication system. The control system 504 also provides the functions mentioned in FIG. 6 in connection with the activation or deactivation of the power saving mode for the phone 310.

(59) Included in the basic functions of the telecommunication system 352 is the connection of a multitude of phones of the company network, the provision of functions like call forwarding, conference calling and administration of internal company numbers for these phones. As an option, the power control unit 370 can also be included in the telecommunication system 352.

(60) However, the functions of the telecommunication system 352 can also be provided with an IP Centrex solution of a public data communication network unit or a public telecommunication network. Alternatively, the control functions relating to the power saving mode can also be provided in an independent unit, i.e., independent of the telecommunication system 352 or the phone 310.

(61) The telecommunication system 452 comprises the same units as the telecommunication system 352. It is, however, also connected to the WLAN control unit 482 via the connection 484.

(62) FIG. 9 shows the function units of the IP phone 310 or 410. The phone 310 or 410 comprise: a LAN connection 552, a control system 554, a power saving switch 556 and an on/off switch 558.

(63) The control system 554 provides the basic functions of the phone 310 or 410, e.g., by using a processor and a program which has been saved in storage of the phone 310 or 410. In addition, the phone 310 or 410 provides the functions mentioned above in FIGS. 6 and 7, in connection with the on/off switching of the power saving mode. The power saving mode is switched with the power saving switch 556, wherein the power saving switch 556 controls the input/output unit 558, i.e., especially the display unit 316 of the phone 310 or the display unit of the phone 410.

(64) The IP phones 10, 310, 410 are preferably connected by cable to the respective IP network. Also, there is a power cord that can be connected to a power transformer which can be plugged into an electrical outlet or power strip. The phones, devices, and telecommunication systems can be implemented with software or also with hardware alone.

(65) In other words, a method is provided to automatically reduce the power consumption in IP terminal devices. Depending on the technology used or the requirements for high-resolution graphics, IP terminal devices, their processor and interfaces have a high power consumption.

(66) In contrast to PCs, cable-connected phones usually don't have a standby mode since phones based on technical traditions have always been kept fully operational at all times.

(67) The described solution shows the possibility of reduced power consumption during times when the IP terminal device is not being used also. For this purpose, an evaluation of the user interface and the data stream of the IP terminal device is used: a) Evaluation of the user interface: As soon as the user does not call up any functions via the user interface or PC or when there is no call up or action at the IP terminal device for a certain period of time (which is configured in the menu “Settings”), the screen will be switched to power saving mode, meaning that first the brightness of the screen is dimmed and after a user-specified period of time, the terminal device will switch the screen off completely. When the terminal device is used again or if a function of the IP terminal device is called upon via a connected PC, the screen will automatically be switched back to display mode. b) Evaluation based on the data stream of the IP terminal device: As soon as the IP terminal device or a terminal device connected to it processes a data stream (e.g., during a phone call, surfing of the internet, download of data, etc.) the screen is automatically switched to display mode. c) Automation based on behavior: Evaluation of statistically recorded time periods, derived from the behavior of the end user. In this context, a unit located either in the equipment or in a central unit detects the past user behavior and switches the equipment into operational or standby-mode based on the experience (e.g., for an office workstation where active usage between 8:00 AM and 6:00 PM has been detected, the standby mode will automatically be activated between 6:10 PM and 7:50 AM). d) Optionally, a central unit may switch terminal devices of a certain group to standby mode. This makes sense especially at night, during holidays and on weekends.

(68) The result is a considerable reduction in the power consumption of IP terminal devices during time periods when IP terminal devices are not being used. Assuming an average usage time of four hours per day, the power savings would be approximately 84 percent per terminal device. Using a power consumption of 6 Wh (Watt hours) and assuming 20 hours of standby mode, 120 Wh (Watt hours) can be saved per day and terminal device.

(69) Using the automation based on behavior as described in c), the noticeable consequences of the power saving mode for the user are minimal.

(70) Terminal devices can be equipped with the power saving automation or the power saving automation can be provided in a central unit, e.g., a telecommunication system.

(71) In other words, it still holds true that a method is provided to reduce the power consumption of stationary IP communication devices with a cellular control system. IP terminal devices, due to the technology used or requirements for high-resolution graphics, have a high power consumption for display, processor and interfaces. At the same time, the mobility requirements of today's users are increasing. A consequence of this development is that with the use of mobile functions, e.g., the use of IP Soft Clients with the same call number as a phone or the integration of a dual mode cellular phone (e.g. Siemens “Mobile Connect” solution), the absence of a user from an IP communication unit eliminates the necessity of the concurrent operation of an IP phone.

(72) It is also the case here that phones, as opposed to PCs, usually don't have a standby mode since phones based on technical traditions have always been kept fully operational at all times. This means that when mobile functions are clearly being used by the end user, the IP terminal device in the office continues to consume full power.

(73) The described solution also shows the possibility of reduced power consumption during those times when a mobile function is used concurrently: a) HFA (HiPath Feature Access) mobility: In this case, the user owns an IP Soft Client working with the same call number as the landline phone. Usually, when the Soft Client is started, the communication system is notified and consequently the forwarding or switching off of the