Mobile device and method for controlling sensor by the mobile device

Abstract

A method for controlling a sensor by a mobile device, the method comprising: executing an application performing a task; obtaining first sensor data using a first sensor to perform the task; receiving second sensor data obtained using a second sensor of at least one communicably connected external device; comparing the first sensor data with the second sensor data; and when the first sensor data is replaceable with the second sensor data, controlling an operation of the first sensor and the second sensor according to a battery state of the mobile device and the external device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A mobile device comprising:
 a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device;   a first sensor configured to sense a state or a state change for the mobile device or an external environment;   a memory unit configured to store digital data; and   a processing unit configured to control the communication unit, the first sensor, and the memory unit and execute an application to perform a task,   wherein the mobile device:   obtains first sensor data using the first sensor;   receives second sensor data from at least one external device;   compares a pattern of the first sensor data with a pattern of the second sensor data referring to at least one of a time difference, a phase difference, a frequency difference, an amplitude difference or pixel difference; and   when the pattern of the first sensor data is consistent with the pattern of the second sensor data in a predetermined range for a predetermined time interval, disables the first sensor and uses the second sensor data to perform the task according to a battery state of at least one of the mobile device or the external device.   
     
     
         2 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device determines whether to receive or to use the second sensor data from the external device based on a distance between the mobile device and the external device or signal strength of a signal received from the external device. 
     
     
         3 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device outputs list of sensors or list of external devices which provide the second sensor data. 
     
     
         4 . The mobile device of  claim 3 , wherein the mobile device determines a specific sensor or a specific external device from the list or sensors or the list of the external devices based on a distance between the mobile device and the external devices or signal strength of a signal received from the external devices. 
     
     
         5 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device outputs feedback for noticing the first sensor is disabled or for noticing the second sensor is in use, the feedback is one of audio feedback or visual feedback. 
     
     
         6 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device disables the first sensor and uses the second sensor data for a first time interval and enables the first sensor and uses the first sensor data for a second time interval. 
     
     
         7 . The mobile device of  claim 6 , wherein the first time interval and the second time interval is determined based on the battery state of the mobile device and the external device. 
     
     
         8 . The mobile device of  claim 7 , wherein the first time interval and the second time interval are repeated and the first time interval and the second time interval are reset periodically. 
     
     
         9 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the mobile device
 generates first task data using the first sensor data;   generates second task data using the second sensor data;   comparing a pattern of the first task data with a pattern of the second task data referring to at least one of a time difference, a phase difference, a frequency difference, an amplitude difference or pixel difference instead of comparing the pattern of the first sensor data and the pattern of the second sensor data; and   when the pattern of the first task data is consistent with and the pattern of the second task data in predetermined range, disabling the first sensor and using the second sensor data for performing the task according to the battery state of at least one of the mobile device or the external device.   
     
     
         10 . The mobile device of  claim 9 , wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are of same types or different types. 
     
     
         11 . The mobile device of  claim 1 , wherein the battery state includes information on at least one of a total battery capacity, a remaining battery capacity, a recharge pattern, a battery remaining capacity variation state, at least one factor affecting a battery, a recharge frequency, a recharge pattern, or a recharge circumstance for the mobile device or the external device. 
     
     
         12 . A mobile device comprising:
 a communication unit configured to communicate with an external device;   a first sensor configured to sense a state or a state change for the mobile device or an external environment;   a memory unit configured to store digital data; and   a processing unit configured to control the communication unit, the first sensor, and the memory unit and execute an application to perform a task,   wherein the mobile device:   generates first task data by using first sensor data from the first sensor;   receives second task data from at least one external device;   compares a pattern of the first task data with a pattern of the second task data referring to at least one of a time difference, a phase difference, a frequency difference, an amplitude difference or pixel difference; and   when the pattern of the first task data is consistent with the pattern of the second task data in a predetermined range for a predetermined time interval, disables the first sensor and uses the second task data to perform the task according to a battery state of at least one of the mobile device or the external device.   
     
     
         13 . The mobile device of  claim 12 , wherein the first sensor and the second sensor are of same types or different types. 
     
     
         14 . The mobile device of  claim 12 , wherein the mobile device determines whether to receive or to use the second task data from the external device based on a distance between the mobile device and the external device or signal strength of a signal received from the external device. 
     
     
         15 . The mobile device of  claim 14 , wherein the mobile device outputs list of sensors of at least one external device or list of the at least one external device which is determined to receive or to use the second sensor data 
     
     
         16 . The mobile device of  claim 12 , wherein the mobile device outputs feedback for noticing the first sensor is disabled or for noticing a second sensor is in use, the feedback is one of audio feedback or image feedback and
 wherein the second task data is generated by using the second sensor.   
     
     
         17 . The mobile device of  claim 12 , wherein the mobile device disables the first sensor and uses the second task data for a first time interval and enables the first sensor and uses the first task data for a second time interval. 
     
     
         18 . The mobile device of  claim 17 , wherein the first time interval and the second time interval is determined based on the battery state of the mobile device and the external device. 
     
     
         19 . The mobile device of  claim 18 , wherein the first time interval and the second time interval are repeated and the first time interval and the second time interval are reset periodically. 
     
     
         20 . The mobile device of  claim 12 , wherein the battery state includes information on at least one of a total battery capacity, a remaining battery capacity, a recharge pattern, a battery remaining capacity variation state, at least one factor affecting a battery, a recharge frequency, a recharge pattern, or a recharge circumstance for the mobile device or the external device.