Method and apparatus for efficient battery use by a handheld multiple function device

Abstract

A method for efficient battery use begins by monitoring at least one output of the handheld device for an overload condition. The processing continues by monitoring a system voltage produced by a DC-to-DC converter for a system low voltage condition. The process continues by monitoring voltage of the battery for a battery low voltage condition. The processing then continues by enabling one of a plurality of fail-safe algorithms based on when one or more of the overload condition, the system low voltage condition, and/or the battery low voltage condition are detected.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for efficient battery use by a handheld multiple function device, the method comprises: 
 monitoring at least one output for an overload condition;    monitoring a system voltage produced by a DC-to-DC converter for a system low voltage condition;    monitoring voltage of the battery for a battery low voltage condition; and    enabling one of a plurality of fail safe algorithms based on when one or more of the overload condition, the system low voltage, condition, and the battery low voltage condition are detected.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enabling one of the plurality of fail safe algorithms further comprises: 
 when the overload condition is detected and when the system low voltage condition and the battery low voltage condition are not detected, enabling a first fail safe algorithm of the plurality of failsafe algorithms to: 
 disable the at least one output for a predetermined period of time;  
 after expiration of the predetermined period of time, enable the at least one output; and  
 resume monitoring of the at least one output for the overload condition.  
   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enabling one of the plurality of fail safe algorithms further comprises: 
 when the system low voltage condition is detected and when the overload condition is not detected, enabling a second fail safe algorithm of the plurality of fail safe algorithms to: 
 disable the at least one output;  
 store current settings corresponding to execution of at least one functional algorithm; and  
 shutdown the handheld multiple function device.  
   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enabling one of the plurality of fail safe algorithms further comprises: 
 when the battery low voltage condition is detected, enabling a third fail safe algorithm of the plurality of fail safe algorithms to: 
 store essential current settings corresponding to execution of at least one functional algorithm; and  
 shut down the handheld multiple function device.  
   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring the at least one output for the overload condition further comprises: 
 determining output current provided to the at least one output; and    when the output current exceeds a current threshold, identifying the overload condition.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the monitoring a system voltage produced by the DC-to-DC converter for a system low voltage condition further comprises: 
 determining loading on an output of the DC-to-DC converter that is providing the system voltage;    determining available power duration based on the loading and the voltage of the battery; and    when the available power duration is less than a power available threshold, indicating the system low voltage condition.    
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the enabling one of the plurality of fail safe algorithms further comprises: 
 when the system low voltage condition is detected and when the overload condition is not detected, enabling a second fail safe algorithm of the plurality of fail safe algorithms to: 
 disable a portion of the handheld multiple function device;  
 store current settings corresponding to execution of at least one functional algorithm processed by the portion of the handheld multiple function device; and  
 continuing operation of the handheld, multiple function device in a limited, low power consumption mode.  
   
     
     
         8 . A method for efficient battery use by a handheld multiple function device, the method comprises: 
 monitoring at least one output for an overload condition;    monitoring: 
 voltage of the battery for a battery low voltage condition, or  
 system voltage produced by a DC-to-DC converter for a system low voltage condition; and  
   enabling one of a plurality of fail safe algorithms based on when one or more of the overload condition, the system low voltage condition, and the battery low voltage condition are detected.    
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the enabling one of the plurality of fail safe algorithms further comprises: 
 when the overload condition is detected and when the system low voltage condition and the battery low voltage condition are not detected, enabling a first fail safe algorithm of the plurality of fail safe algorithms to: 
 disable the at least one output for a predetermined period of time;  
 after expiration of the predetermined period of time, enable the at least one output; and  
 resume monitoring of the at least one output for the overload condition.  
   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the enabling one of the plurality of fail safe algorithms further comprises: 
 when the battery low voltage condition is detected, enabling a third fail safe algorithm of the plurality of fail safe algorithms to: 
 store essential current settings corresponding to execution of at least one functional algorithm; and  
 shutdown the handheld multiple function device.  
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the monitoring the at least one output for the overload condition further comprises: 
 determining output current provided to the at least one output; and    when the output current exceeds a current threshold, identifying the overload condition.    
     
     
         12 . A method for efficient battery use by a handheld multiple function device, the method comprises: 
 monitoring voltage of the battery for a battery low voltage condition;    monitoring a system voltage produced by a DC-to-DC converter for a system low voltage condition; and    enabling one of a plurality of fail safe algorithms based on when one or more of the system low voltage condition and the battery low voltage condition are detected.    
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the enabling one of the plurality of fail safe algorithms further comprises: 
 when the system low voltage condition is detected and when the overload condition is not detected, enabling a second fail safe algorithm of the plurality of fail safe algorithms to: 
 disable the at least one output,  
 store current settings corresponding to execution of at least one functional algorithm; and  
 shutdown the handheld multiple function device.  
   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the monitoring a system voltage produced by the DC-to-DC converter for a system low voltage condition further comprises: 
 determining loading on an output of the DC-to-DC converter that is providing the system voltage;    determining available power duration based on the loading and the voltage of the battery; and    when the available power duration is less than a power available threshold, indicating the system low voltage condition.    
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the enabling one of the plurality of fail safe algorithms further comprises: 
 when the system low voltage condition is detected and when the overload condition is not detected, enabling a second fall safe algorithm of the plurality of fail safe algorithms to: 
 disable a portion of the handheld multiple function device;  
 store current settings corresponding to execution of at least one functional algorithm processed by the portion of the handheld multiple function device; and  
   continuing operation of the handheld multiple function device in a limited, low power consumption mode.    
     
     
         16 . An apparatus for efficient battery use by a handheld multiple function device, the apparatus comprises: 
 processing module;    memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory includes operational instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 monitor at least one output for an overload condition;  
 monitor a system voltage produced by a DC-to-DC converter for a system low voltage condition;  
 monitor voltage of the battery for a battery low voltage condition; and  
 enable one of a plurality of fail safe algorithms based on when one or more of the overload condition, the system low voltage condition, and the battery low voltage condition are detected.  
   
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to enable one of the plurality of fail safe algorithms by: 
 when the overload condition is detected and when the system low voltage condition and the battery low voltage condition are not detected, enabling a first fail safe algorithm of the plurality of fail safe algorithms to: 
 disable the at least one output for a predetermined period of time;  
 after expiration of the predetermined period of time, enable the at least one output; and  
 resume monitoring of the at least one output for the overload condition.  
   
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to enable one of the plurality of fail safe algorithms by: 
 when the system low voltage condition is detected and when the overload condition is not detected, enabling a second fail safe algorithm of the plurality of fail safe algorithms to: 
 disable the at least one output;  
 store current settings corresponding to execution of at least one functional algorithm; and  
 shutdown the handheld multiple function device.  
   
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to enable one of the plurality of fail safe algorithms by: 
 when the battery low voltage condition is detected, enabling a third fail safe algorithm of the plurality of fail safe algorithms to: 
 store essential current settings corresponding to execution of at least one functional algorithm; and  
 shutdown the handheld multiple function device.  
   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to monitor the at least one output for the overload condition by: 
 determining output current provided to the at least one output; and    when the output current exceeds a current threshold, identifying the overload condition.    
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to monitor a system voltage produced by the DC-to-DC converter for a system low voltage condition by: 
 determining loading on an output of the DC-to-DC converter that is providing the system voltage;    determining available power duration based on the loading and the voltage of the battery; and    when the available power duration is less than a power available threshold, indicating the system low voltage condition.    
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to enable one of the plurality of fail safe algorithms by: 
 when the system low voltage condition is detected and when the overload condition is not detected, enabling a second fail safe algorithm of the plurality of fail safe algorithms to: 
 disable a portion of the handheld multiple function device;  
 store current settings corresponding to execution of at least one functional algorithm processed by the position of the handheld multiple function device; and  
 continuing operation of the handheld multiple function device in a limited, low power consumption mode.  
   
     
     
         23 . An apparatus for efficient battery use by a handheld multiple function device, the apparatus comprises: 
 processing module; and    memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory stores operational instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 monitor at least one output for an overload condition;  
 monitor at least one of: 
 voltage of the battery for a battery low voltage condition, and  
 system voltage produced by a DC-to-DC converter for a system low voltage condition; and  
 
 enable one of a plurality of fail safe algorithms based on when one or more of the overload condition, the system low voltage condition, and the battery low voltage condition are detected.  
   
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to enable one of the plurality of fail safe algorithms by: 
 when the overload condition is detected and when the system low voltage condition and the battery low voltage condition are not detected enabling a first fail safe algorithm of the plurality of fail safe algorithms to: 
 disable the at least one output for a predetermined period of time;  
 after expiration of the predetermined period of time, enable the at least one output; and  
 resume monitoring of the at least one output for the overload condition.  
   
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to enable one of the plurality of fail safe algorithms by: 
 when the battery low voltage condition is detected, enabling a third fail safe algorithm of the plurality of fail safe algorithms to: 
 store essential current settings corresponding to execution of at least one functional algorithm; and  
 shut down the handheld multiple function device.  
   
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to monitor the at least one output for the overload condition further comprises: 
 determining output current provided to the at least one output; and    when the output current exceeds a current threshold, identifying the overload condition.    
     
     
         27 . An apparatus for efficient battery use by a handheld multiple function device, the apparatus comprises: 
 processing module; and    memory operably coupled to the processing module, wherein the memory stores operational instructions that cause the processing module to: 
 monitor voltage of the battery for a battery low voltage condition;  
 monitor a system voltage produced by a DC-to-DC converter for a system low voltage condition; and  
 enable one of a plurality of fail safe algorithms based on when one or more of the system low voltage condition and the battery low voltage condition are detected.  
   
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to enable one of the plurality of fail safe algorithms by: 
 when the system low voltage condition is detected and when the overload condition is not detected, enabling a second fail safe algorithm of the plurality of fail safe algorithms to: 
 disable the at least one output;  
 store current settings corresponding to execution of at least one functional algorithm; and  
 shutdown the handheld multiple function device.  
   
     
     
         29 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to monitor a system voltage produced by the DC-to-DC converter for a system low voltage condition by: 
 determining loading on an output of the DC-to-DC converter that is providing the system voltage;    determining available power duration based on the loading and the voltage of the battery; and    when the available power duration is less than a power available threshold, indicating the system low voltage condition.    
     
     
         30 . The apparatus of  claim 27 , wherein the memory further comprises operational instructions that cause the processing module to enable one of the plurality of fail safe algorithms by: 
 when the system low voltage condition is detected and when the overload condition is not detected, enabling a second fail safe algorithm of the plurality of fail safe algorithms to: 
 disable a portion of the handheld multiple function device;  
 store current settings corresponding to execution of at least one functional algorithm processed by the portion of the handheld multiple function device; and  
   continuing operation of the handheld multiple function device in a limited, low power consumption mode.