Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02566099 2011-06-06
AUTOMATIC POWER-UP OF PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICE BASED ON TIME-
DEPENDENT EVENT
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0001] The present disclosure relates to automatic power-up of a portable
electronic
device from a low power or power off state.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Portable electronic devices including, for example, smart telephones
and
wireless PDAs are becoming increasingly common and typically integrate
functions of
personal information management such as calendaring and data communications
such
as email, World Wide Web browsing and telecommunications in a single device.
Such
devices run on a wide variety of networks from data-only networks such as
Mobitex and
DataTAC to complex voice and data networks such as GSM/GPRS, CDMA, EDGE,
UMTS and CDMA2000 networks.
[0003] Such portable electronic devices commonly rely on battery power. To
conserve battery power, users frequently turn off their portable electronic
device during
periods of non-use, for example, while the user is sleeping. Certain devices
permit the
user to set automatic off and automatic on times. In this case, the portable
electronic
device automatically powers down to a power-off or low-power state at a user
set time
and automatically powers up at a user set time. For example, the portable
electronic
device can be set to power down at 11:00 PM each night and power up at 7:00 AM
each
morning, thereby saving the user from having to remember to turn on or off the
portable
electronic device to conserve battery power. Of course even with such
automatic
settings, a user may still use a power-off button during certain periods of
inactivity.
When in the power-off or low-power state, however, a preset alarm time may be
missed.
For example, a calendar event reminder such as an appointment reminder
previously set
to go off at 6:30 AM may be missed if the device is in the low-power state
until 7:00 AM.
[0004] Improvements in methods and apparatus for powering up a portable
electronic device are desirable.
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SUMMARY
[0005] According to an aspect a method of controlling a portable electronic
device,
comprising: receiving a power-down command at a processor of the portable
electronic
device; determining, at the processor, an automatic power-up date and time
based on an
earliest one of a next preset power-up date and time and a next time-dependent
event
reminder; the next time-dependent event reminder occurring prior to an
associated time-
dependent event; the time-dependent event occurring before or after the next
preset
power-up date and time; generating, on an output device of the portable
electronic
device, an output notification indicating the automatic power-up date and time
if the next
time-dependent event reminder is earlier than the next preset power-up date
and time;
entering the portable electronic device into a power-down state; monitoring,
via the
processor, a date and time; and automatically powering up the portable
electronic device
at the automatic power-up date and time.
[0006] According to another aspect, there is provided a portable electronic
device
comprising: a housing; a display mounted within the housing; a user input
mounted
within the housing; a memory mounted within the housing; a microprocessor
within the
housing and connected to the memory, the user input and the display for
controlling the
display; and an application for execution by the microprocessor; the
application
configured for receiving a power-down command, and further configured for
determining
an automatic power-up date and time based on an earliest one of a next preset
power-
up date and time and a next time-dependent event reminder, the next time-
dependent
event reminder occurring prior to an associated time-dependent event; the time-
dependent event occurring before or after the next preset power-up date and
time; the
application further configured for generating an output notification
indicating the
automatic power-up date and time if the next-time dependent event reminder is
earlier
than the next preset power-up date and time; the application further
configured for the
portable electronic device into entering a power-down state and monitoring a
date and
time; the application further configured for automatically powering up at the
automatic
power-up date and time.
[0007] According to yet another aspect, there is. provided a computer program
product for controlling a portable electronic device, the computer program
product
comprising a computer-readable medium having computer-readable code embodied
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therein for: receiving a power-down command at a processor of the portable
electronic
device; determining, at the processor, an automatic power-up date and time
based on an
earliest one of a next preset power-up date and time and a next time-dependent
event
reminder; the next time-dependent event reminder occurring prior to an
associated time-
dependent event; the time-dependent event occurring before or after the next
preset
power-up date and time; generating, on an output device of the portable
electronic
device, an output notification indicating the automatic power-up date and time
if the next-
time dependent event reminder is earlier than the next preset power-up date
and time;
entering the portable electronic device into a power-down state; monitoring,
via the
processor, a date and time; and automatically powering up the portable
electronic device
at the automatic power-up date and time.
[0008] According to yet another aspect, there is provided a portable
electronic
device comprising: a power supply; at least one component configured for
connection to
the power supply in a power-up state and configured for disconnection from the
power
supply in a power-down state; a memory configured for storing an earliest one
of a next
preset power-up date and time and a next time-dependent event reminder; an
internal
timer configured for determining an automatic power-up date and time based on
contents of the memory; and, the internal timer configured during the power-
down state
to connect power to the at least one component at the automatic power-up date
and
time.
[0009] According to yet another aspect, there is provided a method for
controlling a
portable electronic device comprising: determining an earliest one of a next
preset
power-up date and time and a next time-dependent event reminder; storing in a
memory
of the portable electronic device the earliest one of a next preset power-up
date and time
and a next time-dependent event reminder; disconnecting at least one component
within
the portable electronic device from a power supply of the portable electronic
device;
determining an automatic power-up date and time based on contents of the
memory;
and, connecting power to the at least one component at the automatic power-up
date
and time.
[0010] According to yet another aspect, there is provided a computer-readable
medium configured to execute a plurality of programming instructions within a
portable
electronic device, the programming instructions configured to perform a method
for
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controlling the portable electronic device, the method comprising: determining
an earliest
one of a next preset power-up date and time and a next time-dependent event
reminder;
storing in a memory of the portable electronic device the earliest one of a
next preset
power-up date and time and a next time-dependent event reminder; disconnecting
at
least one component within the portable electronic device from a power supply
of the
portable electronic device; determining an automatic power-up date and time
based on
contents of the memory; and, connecting power to the at least one component at
the
automatic power-up date and time.
[0011] Advantageously, the portable electronic device, automatically powers-up
based on the earlier one of a preset power-up and a time-dependent event such
as a
calendar appointment or task with a set reminder. Thus, if a calendar
appointment
reminder is set for a date and time prior to the date and time of the next
preset power-
up, the portable electronic device powers up (turns on) and provides the
reminder for the
user. In another aspect, if the user sets an automatic power-up, the portable
electronic
device notifies the user prior to going into a power-down state, what the
device power-up
date and time will be. Thus, if the date and time for power-up of the portable
electronic
device is prior to the next preset power-up, the display screen will provide
an indication
to the user that the device will power-up prior to the date and time of the
preset
automatic power-up, along with an indication of the reason. This way the user
is not
surprised by the early power-up and reminder from the portable electronic
device.
Without such an indication, the user may be led to believe that the portable
electronic
device is not functioning properly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The embodiments described herein will be better understood with
reference to
the following Figures, in which:
[0013] Figure 1 is a front view of an exemplary portable electronic device;
[0014] Figure 2 is a block diagram of certain components, including internal
components within the portable electronic device of Figure 1;
[0015] Figure 3 is an exemplary menu screen displayed on a display of the
portable
electronic device of Figure 1;
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[0016] Figure 4 is another exemplary screen showing automatic on and off
settings for
the portable electronic device;
[0017] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the steps in a method for controlling
an
electronic device, according to an embodiment;
[0018] Figure 6 is another exemplary screen displayed on the display of the
portable
electronic device according to one exemplary embodiment; and
[0019] Figure 7 is a front view of another exemplary portable electronic
device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0020] Referring to Figure 1, an exemplary portable electronic device in
accordance
with an embodiment is indicated generally by the numeral 20. In the present
embodiment, the portable electronic device 20 is based on the computing
environment
and functionality of a hand-held wireless communication device. It will be
understood,
however, that the electronic device is not limited to a hand-held wireless
communication
device. Other electronic devices are possible, such as cellular telephones,
smart
telephones, and laptop computers. Referring again to the present embodiment,
the
portable electronic device 20 includes a housing 22 that frames an LCD display
24, a
speaker 26, an LED indicator 28, a trackwheel 30, an exit key 32, a keypad 34,
and a
microphone 36. The trackwheel 30 and the exit key 32 can be inwardly depressed
along
the path of arrow "A" as a means to provide additional user-input. The housing
22 is
made from a suitable material as will occur to those skilled in the art and
can be stored,
for example, in a holster (not shown) that includes an attachment for
attaching to a
user's belt.
[0021] Referring now to Figure 2, a block diagram of certain components,
including
internal components within the portable electronic device 20, is shown. The
portable
electronic device 20 is based on a microcomputer that includes a
microprocessor 38
connected to a random access memory (RAM) unit 40 and a persistent storage
device,
which in the present embodiment is a flash memory 42 that is responsible for
various
non-volatile storage functions of the portable electronic device 20. Operating
system
software 50 executable by the microprocessor 38 is stored in the flash memory
42. It will
be appreciated, however, that the operating system software 50 can be stored
in other
CA 02566099 2011-06-06
types of memory such as read-only memory (ROM). In the present embodiment,
software applications 52 including Personal Information Manager (PIM)
applications are
stored in the persistent storage device 42 for execution by the microprocessor
38 for
carrying out various functions. The microprocessor 38 receives input from
various input
devices including the trackwheel 30, the exit key 32, and the keypad 34, and
outputs to
various output devices including the LCD display 24, the speaker 26 and the
LED
indicator 28. The microprocessor 38 also interacts with on/off circuitry 54
for powering
up the portable electronic device 20 and powering down the portable electronic
device
20, and an internal timer 56.
[0022] In the present embodiment, the portable electronic device 20 is a two-
way RF
communication device having voice and data communication capabilities. The
portable
electronic device 20 also includes Internet communication capabilities. Two-
way RF
communication is facilitated by a communications subsystem 46 that is used to
connect
to and operate with a data-only network such as Mobitex or DataTAC, or a
complex
voice and data network such as a GSM/GPRS, CDMA, EDGE, UMTS or CDMA2000
network, via the antenna 48.
[0023] As indicated above, the flash memory 42 stores a plurality of
applications
executable by the microprocessor 38 that enable the portable electronic device
20 to
perform certain operations including the communication operations referred to
above.
Applications software is provided including, for example, PIM applications
such as an
email application, an address book application, a calendar application, and a
tasks
application, as well as other applications such as a Web browser application,
and an
options application and a profiles application.
[0024] In a data communication mode, a received signal such as a text message
or
Web page download is processed by the communications subsystem 46 and input to
the
microprocessor 38 for further processing of the received signal for output to
the LCD
display 24. A user of the portable electronic device 20 can also compose data
items
within a software application such as an e-mail messaging application using
the keypad
34, for example, in conjunction with the trackwheel 30 and the LCD display 24.
Such
composed items can then be transmitted over the communications network through
the
communications subsystem 46 and antenna 48.
[0025] Although not shown, a short-range communications subsystem can also be
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provided for communication between the portable electronic device 20 and other
devices
or systems. Such short-range communications subsystems include, for example,
an
infrared device as well as associated components and circuitry, and a
BluetoothTM
communication system.
[0026] A rechargeable battery 62 such as a U-ion battery is provided for
powering
the portable electronic device 20.
[0027] To conserve energy stored in the battery 62, the user can power down
the
portable electronic device 20 to a power-off or low-power state by pressing a
power
on/off button (not shown). Alternatively, the device can be powered up or
powered down
using a combination of buttons that activate the on/off circuitry 54. In the
present
embodiment, pressing the on/off button actuates the onloff circuitry 54, which
delivers an
interrupt on interrupt line 58 shown in Figure 2, to either power up the
portable electronic
device 20 when it is in a power-down state, or to power down the portable
electronic
device 20 when it is in a power-up state. It will be appreciated that the
on/off circuitry
can be implemented in other suitable ways, as will be understood by those
skilled in the
art.
[0028] As indicated above, the portable electronic device 20 includes an
internal
timer 56 that can also deliver an interrupt on the interrupt line 58 to power
up the
portable electronic device 20 when the portable electronic device 20 is in a
power-down
state and to power down the device when the portable electronic device 20 is
in the
power-up state. The internal timer 56 is responsible for keeping track of the
date and
time even when the portable electronic device 20 is turned off. Thus, even
though the
portable electronic device 20 is "turned off", a small amount of energy from
the battery
62 is used to maintain power to certain components to enable the portable
electronic
device 20 to operate. For example, power is maintained to the internal timer
56 and to
the microprocessor to maintain the date and time, and to maintain other
functions such
as the ability to recognize a stimulus such as activation of the power onloff
button. The
internal timer 56 can be any suitable device or devices such as a dedicated
integrated
circuit and an oscillator for generating a clock signal. An oscillator that
provides a low-
frequency clock signal is preferable so that the internal timer 56 consumes a
relatively
low amount of power to further conserve the battery 62.
[0029] A main oscillator 62 is also provided for generating a relatively high-
frequency
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(MHz) clock signal compared to that generated by the oscillator that is part
of the internal
timer 56 (tens of kHz). The main oscillator 62 includes circuitry that
operates when the
portable electronic device is on for providing a clock signal to the
microprocessor 38 and
other components.
[0030] Referring to Figure 3, there is shown an exemplary menu screen that is
displayed on the LCD display 24 of the portable electronic device 20. The
exemplary
menu screen includes a display clock that is updated according to the main
oscillator
circuitry 62, and a list of applications including an email messaging
application, a Web
browser, an Address book, a Tasks application, a Calendar application, a
Profiles
application and an Options application. Each of the displayed applications in
the list is
selectable by, for example, scrolling to the desired application using the
trackwheel 30
and pressing inwardly on the trackwheel 30 in the direction of arrow "A".
[0031] It will be appreciated that the Calendar application is used for
providing a
graphical user interface (GUI) for the user to create calendar events and for
storage of
the calendar events in a database at the flash memory 42, when executed by the
processor 38. The Calendar application is used for creating, displaying and
storing
calendar events such as appointments, lectures, exams, movies, meetings,
performances, dinners, ceremonies, etc. as described below. Each calendar
event
includes a variety of information including a name, a date and time of the
event as well
as a user-selectable reminder time for the event. For example, the calendar
event can
include a reminder set for 15 minutes prior to the start time of the event. A
reminder
such as an audible alarm is then provided 15 minutes prior to the start time
of the event,
to thereby remind the user. The reminder type can also be selected or changed
by the
user using, for example, the profiles application. For example, the user can
select from
a number of audible alarms, or can select a visual alarm or even a kinetic
alarm, such as
a vibration.
[0032] Similarly, the Tasks application is used for providing a graphical user
interface
(GUI) for the user to create tasks and for storage of the tasks in a database
at the flash
memory 42, when executed by the processor 38. Each task also includes a
variety of
information including, for example, a subject, a due date and a reminder date
and time
for the task. Thus, a reminder can be set for reminding the user of the task
to be
completed.
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[0033] Both the calendar events and the tasks are referred to herein as time-
based
events as both are based on time and are stored in databases that can be
displayed in a
calendar view such as a day view, a week view, a month view or an agenda view
that
allow the user to view the time-based events.
[0034] To aid in conserving energy stored in the battery 62, the portable
electronic
device 20 includes an Options application as shown in Figure 3. The Options
application
includes an automatic on/off programming mode for user activation and
deactivation to
automatically power up the portable electronic device 20 and automatically
power down
the portable electronic device at user-definable times. The user accesses the
automatic
on/off programming mode by selection of the Options application, followed by
user
selection of the automatic on/off settings from a menu list of options for the
portable
electronic device 20. The user then enables or disables the automatic on/off
as desired,
by user selection and changing of the Enabled field shown in Figure 4. Such
user
selection and changing can be accomplished using, for example, the trackwheel
30.
The user then enters the data for the power-up and power-down cycle by
selecting the
indicated times using the trackwheel 30 and changing to the desired times
using either
the trackwheel 30 or the keypad 34. As shown, a power-up and power-down cycle
can
be selected for the weekdays (Monday to Friday) and a different power-up and
power-
down cycle can be selected for the weekends (Saturday and Sunday), thereby
allowing
the user to modify the power-up and power-down cycles based on the user's
needs. In
the exemplary screen shown in Figure 4, the automatic power-up and power-down
cycles are enabled for both the weekdays and for the weekends. The device is
scheduled to power down (turn off) at 11:00 P.M. each evening on both weekdays
and
weekends and to power up (turn on) at 7:00 A.M. on the weekend. Although
indicated
as a turn off time, it will be appreciated that a small amount of energy from
the battery 62
is used to maintain power to certain components to enable the portable
electronic device
20 to operate, as described above.
[0035] If the user wishes to power down the portable electronic device 20
prior to
11:00 P.M., for example, if the user is going to be going to bed early, the
user can use
the power on/off button to power down the portable electronic device 20 early
and
thereby conserve the energy stored in the battery 62. In this case, the device
20 powers
up automatically at the next scheduled time to power up based on the automatic
on/off
settings.
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[0036] Reference is now made to Figure 5 to describe steps in a method for
controlling the portable electronic device 20 according to an embodiment. It
will be
appreciated that each of the steps of Figure 5 is carried out by routines or
subroutines of
the portable electronic device software applications 52 executed by the
microprocessor
38. Coding of software for carrying out such steps is well within the scope of
a person of
ordinary skill in the art. The present embodiment will be described by way of
example.
First, the automatic on/off is enabled by, for example, user enablement of the
Enabled
fields for both weekdays and weekends, as described above and shown in Figure
4
(step 70). Thus, an automatic power up and automatic power down is preset by
the
user. It will be appreciated that the automatic on/off can be enabled in other
manners.
For example, in other embodiments, the automatic on/off is enabled during
manufacture
of the portable electronic device 20, or the automatic on/off is enabled in
another suitable
manner.
[0037] With the automatic on/off enabled, the user powers down the portable
electronic device by, for example, pressing the power on/off button on the
portable
electronic device 20, thereby activating the onloff circuitry 54, resulting in
the delivery of
an interrupt on 'the interrupt line 58. The interrupt effectively acts as a
power down
command that is received at the microprocessor 38 of the portable electronic
device 20
(step 72).
[0038] The portable electronic device 20 detects the automatic on/off setting
enabled
by the user (step 74) and with the automatic on/off enabled, the preset power-
up time is
determined based on the automatic on/off settings (step 76). In the exemplary
screen
shown in Figure 4, the preset power-up time is set at 7:00 A.M. (for weekdays
and
weekends). For the purpose of the present embodiment, if the automatic on/off
was not
enabled, the device enters the power-down state by powering down and does not
automatically power up. Thus, the user powers up the device by pressing the
power
on/off button.
[0039] Next, the time-dependent events from the calendar database (or
databases)
and from the task database (or databases) that meet a date and time range
constraint
are retrieved (step 78). The date and time range constraint is determined
based on the
date and time the device is powered-down and the date and time of the next
preset
power-up time from the automatic on/off settings. From this information, the
CA 02566099 2011-06-06
microprocessor determines if there are any time-dependent events for which a
reminder
is set for a date and time that falls in the time period between the date and
time that the
device is powered down and the date and time of the next preset power-up. To
accomplish this:. the reminder date and time for each of the calendar events
for which a
reminder is set is determined by subtracting a reminder time duration from a
start date
and time for each calendar event. It will be appreciated that for each
calendar event for
which a reminder is set, a reminder time duration is defined as well as a
start date and
time. For example, a reminder time duration of 15 minutes prior to the start
date and
time can be set. Thus, a reminder date and time is determined based on the
date and
time of the calendar event and the reminder time duration defined in the
stored calendar
event. If the reminder date and time falls within the time period between the
date and
time that the device is powered down and the date and time of the next preset
power-up,
the calendar event is retrieved.
[0040] In the present embodiment, the reminder date and time for each of the
tasks
is also determined. If the reminder date and time falls in the time period
between the
date and time that the device is powered down and the date and time of the
next preset
power up, the task is retrieved from the task database.
[0041] If there are any time-dependent events that meet the constraints, the
earliest
reminder date and time is determined by comparing the reminder date and time
for all of
the time-dependent events including the calendar events and tasks that meet
the
constraints (step 80) and an automatic power-up date and time is set for the
date and
time of the earliest reminder date and time and stored in memory (step 82).
The
automatic power-up date and time is stored in any suitable memory. For
example, the
automatic power-up date and time can be stored in the flash memory 42 or
within the
internal timer 56.
[0042] If, on the other hand, there are no time-dependent events that meet the
constraints, the automatic power-up date and time is set for the date and time
of the next
preset power-up (step 80) and stored in memory (step 82). Again, the automatic
power-
up date and time is stored in any suitable memory such as, for example, the
flash
memory 42 or within the internal timer 56.
(0043] The automatic power-up date and time and the reason for the automatic
power-up is then displayed on the LCD display 24 (step 84). Figure 6 shows one
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exemplary screen of the portable electronic device 20 in which the automatic
power-up
date and time is displayed as the "Next On Time" along with the reason that
the portable
electronic device 20 is set to power up at the "Next On Time". For exemplary
purposes,
the automatic power-up date and time is indicated as Tues. Aug. 15, 2006 and
the
reason is indicated as a reminder for a 9:00 flight. It will be appreciated
that this
reminder is a calendar event for which a reminder is set for 2 hours and 15
minutes prior
to the date and time of the event. If no time-dependent events have reminders
set that
fall within the time constraint indicated above, the automatic power-up date
and time is
indicated as the date and time set by the automatic on/off discussed above and
the
reason is indicated as Auto On/Off. Although the automatic power-up date and
time and
the reason for the automatic power-up is provided by displaying on the LCD
display 24
at step 84 of the present embodiment, it will be understood that the automatic
power-up
date and time and the reason for the automatic power-up can be provided by
other means such as, for example, by an audible message emitted from the
portable
electronic device 20. Providing the automatic power-up date and time and the
reason is
advantageous as the user of the portable electronic device 20 is not surprised
by the
automatic power-up and any subsequent reminder that is provided.
[0044] The portable electronic device 20 then enters the power-down state
(step 86)
and continues to monitor the date and time while in the power-down state (step
88). The
internal timer 56 keeps track of the current date and time while the portable
electronic
device 20 is in the power-down state and constantly compares the current date
and time
that is maintained by the internal timer 56 to the automatic power-up date and
time that
is stored in memory. When the current date and time reaches the automatic
power-up
date and time, the internal timer 56 causes the portable electronic device 20
to power up
(step 90) by delivering an interrupt on the interrupt line 58 to power up the
portable
electronic device 20. It will be appreciated that if the portable electronic
device 20
automatically powers up as a result of a set reminder, the reminder is
provided upon
power-up.
[0045] In the above-described example, the user powers down the portable
electronic device 20 by pressing the power on/off button on the portable
electronic
device 20, thereby activating the on/off circuitry 54, resulting in the
delivery of an
interrupt on the interrupt line 58. Rather than the user pressing the power
on/off button
on the portable electronic device 20, the portable electronic device 20 can
automatically
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a
power down at a set time according to the present power-down time set in the
automatic
on/off programming mode.
[0046] It will be appreciated that the portable electronic device of Figure 1
is shown
for exemplary purposes only. Other portable electronic devices such as that
shown in
Figure 7 are possible. Referring to Figure 7, another exemplary portable
electronic
device 20 is shown. The portable electronic device 20 includes a housing 22
that frames
an LCD display 24. In the present example, however, the portable electronic
device 20
includes a trackball 31, rather than a trackwheel. The trackball can be
depressed as a
means to provide additional user-input. The microprocessor 38 receives input
from the
trackball 31 which is used for user selection of features from a list or a
table on the LCD
display 24 of the portable electronic device 22 Selection is carried out by
rolling the
trackball to roll a cursor (or highlighted region), for example, to the
desired selection and
pressing inwardly on the trackball. The portable electronic device 20 shown in
Figure 7
includes many other features, including, for example, a key pad 34 and other
features
similar to those described above with reference to Figure 1. It will also be
appreciated
that reference is made to a trackwheel in the above description for exemplary
purposes
only, and a trackball 31 such as that shown in Figure 7 can be used.
[0047] While embodiment described herein is described by way of particular
examples, it will be understood that modifications and variations to these
examples are
well within the scope and sphere of the present application. For example, it
will be
appreciated that the displayed screens can differ. As indicated, the portable
electronic
device can also differ while still performing the same functions. Many other
modifications and variations may occur to those skilled in the art. All such
modifications
and variations are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the present
application.
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