Communication device providing out-of-range battery saving and method therefor

摘要

A communication device (100) provides an out-of-range battery saving function (700) for a receiver (104) which receives messages transmitted from at least one transmitter (902) over a radio frequency channel. The communication device (100) includes a signal quality detector (154) which detects when the communication device (100) is out-of-range of the transmitter 902, and a controller (108) which determines when the communication device (100) is out-of-range for a first predetermined period of time (726), generating an out-of-range confirmation signal (728). A first visual warning (214, 216, 222) is displayed on a display (128) and power to the receiver (104) is subsequently suspended by a power control circuit (154). Alternately, when out-of-range for a second predetermined period of time (722) less than the first period of time 726, an out-of-range notification signal (724) is generated. The display (128) displays a second visual warning (210) while the power control circuit (154) maintains a supply of power to the receiver (104) to enable in-range detection of the transmitter 902.