U.S. patent application number 13/492413 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-15 for methods and apparatus for intelligent wirless technology selection.
The applicant listed for this patent is Sachin Sane. Invention is credited to Sachin Sane.
Application Number | 20130210481 13/492413 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48945995 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130210481 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sane; Sachin |
August 15, 2013 |
METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR INTELLIGENT WIRLESS TECHNOLOGY
SELECTION
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for intelligently selecting and operating
one or more air interfaces of a mobile wireless device for e.g.,
call setup time reduction. In one embodiment, operation of a high
speed cellular interface is selectively adjusted or disabled or
switched out when not required so as to minimize call setup times
by, e.g., using a different cellular interface to receive pages. In
one implementation, the wireless device includes a high-speed
cellular interface, a lower-speed cellular interface, and a WLAN
(e.g., Wi-Fi) interface.
Inventors: |
Sane; Sachin; (Santa Clara,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sane; Sachin |
Santa Clara |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48945995 |
Appl. No.: |
13/492413 |
Filed: |
June 8, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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61599338 |
Feb 15, 2012 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/552.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02D 70/1264 20180101;
Y02D 70/1242 20180101; H04W 88/06 20130101; H04W 48/18 20130101;
H04W 52/0209 20130101; Y02D 70/142 20180101; Y02D 30/70 20200801;
Y02D 70/23 20180101; Y02D 70/1262 20180101; Y02D 70/146 20180101;
Y02D 70/122 20180101; Y02D 70/22 20180101; H04W 76/10 20180201 |
Class at
Publication: |
455/552.1 |
International
Class: |
H04W 88/06 20090101
H04W088/06 |
Claims
1. Mobile apparatus, comprising: a cellular wireless transceiver
operable in at least first and second modes; a second wireless
transceiver; a processor in signal communication with the cellular
and second transceivers; and logic in communication with the
processor and configured to: determine if the second transceiver is
operating; when it is determined that the second transceiver is
operating, operate the cellular wireless transceiver in the first
mode; and when it is determined that the second transceiver is not
operating, operate the cellular wireless transceiver in the second
mode; wherein the operation of the cellular wireless transceiver in
the first mode reduces call setup time as compared to operation in
the second mode.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first mode comprises an
idle mode of a code division multiple access (CDMA)-based wireless
technology.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second mode comprises an
idle mode of a Long Term Evolution (LTE)-based wireless
technology.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second mode comprises an
idle mode of a cellular wireless technology that is primarily
utilized to provide high-speed data access for the mobile
device.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the first mode comprises an
idle mode of a code division multiple access (CDMA)-based wireless
technology; the second mode comprises an idle mode of a Long Term
Evolution (LTE)-based wireless technology; and the second interface
comprises a wireless LAN (WLAN) interface.
6. Mobile wireless apparatus, comprising: a first cellular wireless
interface operable in at least first and second modes; a second
cellular wireless interface operable in at least first and second
modes; a local area wireless transceiver; a processor in signal
communication with the first and second cellular interfaces and the
local area transceiver; and logic in communication with the
processor and configured to: determine when the local area
transceiver is in a designated state; and when it is determined
that the local area transceiver is in the designated state, cause a
transition from the first cellular interface operating in its first
mode to the second cellular interface operating in its first mode;
wherein the transition reduces subsequent voice call setup time as
compared to operation of the first cellular wireless interface in
its first mode.
7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the first mode and second mode
of the first cellular interface comprise (i) an idle or standby
mode; and (ii) an active or connected mode, respectively.
8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein: the first cellular interface
comprises a Long Term Evolution (LTE)-based wireless technology;
the second cellular interface comprises a code division multiple
access (CDMA)-based wireless technology; and the local area
interface comprises a wireless LAN (WLAN) interface compliant with
an IEEE-Std. 802.11 standard.
9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the logic is configured such
that the determination and causation of the transition are
performed proactively upon the designated state being achieved.
10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the designated state
comprises association of the mobile apparatus via the local area
interface to a base station or access point, and the logic is
configured such that the causation of the transition is performed
upon the designated state being achieved.
11. Mobile wireless apparatus, comprising: a first cellular
wireless interface having at least an idle or standby mode; a
second cellular wireless interface having at least an idle or
standby modes; a third wireless interface having high-speed data
capability; a processor in signal communication with the first and
second cellular interfaces and the third interface; and logic in
communication with the processor and configured to: receive a
communication from an external entity indicating that the third
interface is at least connected; and based at least in part on said
communication: (i) cause the second cellular interface to operate
in its idle or standby mode and receive any voice call pages; and
(ii) cause the first cellular interface to be temporarily disabled
from receiving the any voice call pages.
12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the communication is
received by the apparatus via the third interface.
13. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the communication from an
external entity indicating that the third interface is at least
connected further includes information indicating that the third
interface connection is operating at least to a prescribed
level.
14. A method of reducing voice call setup time in a mobile wireless
device having at least first and second cellular radio access
technologies and a non-cellular radio access technology, the method
comprising: selectively utilizing the second cellular access
technology in place of the first when the non-cellular access
technology is enabled; wherein the second technology can receive
indications of incoming voice calls, and can set up such calls via
the second technology faster than said first cellular access
technology can.
15. The method of claim 14, wherein the selectively utilizing
comprises using the second cellular access technology in an idle
mode.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein: the second cellular technology
comprises a code division multiple access (CDMA)-based wireless
technology; the first cellular interface comprises a Long Term
Evolution (LTE)-based wireless technology; and the local area
interface comprises a wireless LAN (WLAN) interface compliant with
an IEEE-Std. 802.11 standard.
17. The method of claim 14, further comprising reverting to use of
said first cellular interface from said second access technology at
least during periods when said non-cellular technology is not
enabled.
18. The method of claim 14, wherein the selectively utilizing
comprises informing a network entity that said non-cellular access
technology is enabled.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] This application claims priority to co-owned and co-pending
U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/599,338 filed Feb.
15, 2012 of the same title, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
COPYRIGHT
[0002] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of Invention
[0004] The present invention relates generally to the field of
wireless communication, and data networks. More particularly, in
one exemplary aspect, the invention is directed to methods and
apparatus for intelligently selecting device wireless access
technology based on e.g., prevailing device and network operating
conditions.
[0005] 2. Description of Related Technology
[0006] Within telecommunications, devices having multiple air
interfaces (e.g., 2G/3G, LTE/LTE-A) will seek to maximize the
efficiency of the wireless network. Specifically, a cellular device
will always use the available network with the highest speed. For
example, a device that has a Global System for Mobile
Communications (GSM) connection (2G) will always handover to a
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) connection (3G)
when possible. This behavior ensures that limited network resources
are being most efficiently used.
[0007] Recent standards, such as the Long Term Evolution (LTE),
LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) cellular standards provide very high data
rates. However, LTE standards are data only; i.e., LTE does not
natively handle voice traffic. As a brief aside, voice traffic is
very sensitive to time delay (latency). Data only technologies
(e.g., LTE, CDMA-1XDO, etc.) offer much faster data rates, but
cannot guarantee latency requirements that would be required to
support voice traffic. Consequently, many data-only technologies
are paired with a voice-capable technology, specifically to handle
voice calls. At all other times, the data-only technology is used,
thereby at least ostensibly optimizing the overall network
operation. However, in the case of call setup time, the foregoing
approach is less than optimal, since a device "camped" on the data
only (e.g., LTE) interface will need to hand over to the voice
capable technology before setting up a voice call, thereby
increasing latency and reducing overall user experience with the
device.
[0008] Additionally, artisans of ordinary skill in the related arts
will recognize that overall power consumption can have significant
impact on user experience for mobile device consumers. Devices
which consume less power can operate longer and have greater
standby longevity; thus, metrics such as so-called "battery life",
"standby time" and "talk time" are critical factors that consumers
consider when purchasing new equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention provides, inter alia, improved
apparatus and methods for intelligent selection and operation of
radio area technologies within a mobile device.
[0010] In one aspect of the present invention, a mobile apparatus
is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes: a cellular
wireless transceiver operable in at least first and second modes; a
second wireless transceiver; a processor in signal communication
with the cellular and second transceivers; and logic in
communication with the processor. In one variant, the logic is
configured to: determine if the second transceiver is operating;
when it is determined that the second transceiver is operating,
operate the cellular wireless transceiver in the first mode; and
when it is determined that the second transceiver is not operating,
operate the cellular wireless transceiver in the second mode. The
operation of the cellular wireless transceiver in the first mode
reduces call setup time as compared to operation in the second
mode.
[0011] In another variant, the first mode comprises an idle mode of
a code division multiple access (CDMA)-based wireless technology;
the second mode comprises an idle mode of a Long Term Evolution
(LTE)-based wireless technology; and the second interface comprises
a wireless LAN (WLAN) interface.
[0012] In another embodiment, the apparatus includes: a first
cellular wireless interface operable in at least first and second
modes; a second cellular wireless interface operable in at least
first and second modes; a local area wireless transceiver; a
processor in signal communication with the first and second
cellular interfaces and the local area transceiver; and logic in
communication with the processor. In one variant, the logic is
configured to: determine when the local area transceiver is in a
designated state; and when it is determined that the local area
transceiver is in the designated state, cause a transition from the
first cellular interface operating in its first mode to the second
cellular interface operating in its first mode. The transition
reduces subsequent voice call setup time as compared to operation
of the first cellular wireless interface in its first mode.
[0013] In yet another embodiment, the apparatus includes a first
cellular wireless interface having at least an idle or standby
mode; a second cellular wireless interface having at least an idle
or standby modes; a third wireless interface having high-speed data
capability; a processor in signal communication with the first and
second cellular interfaces and the third interface; and logic in
communication with the processor. In one variant, the logic is
configured to: receive a communication from an external entity
indicating that the third interface is at least connected; and
based at least in part on said communication: (i) cause the second
cellular interface to operate in its idle or standby mode and
receive any voice call pages; and (ii) cause the first cellular
interface to be temporarily disabled from receiving the any voice
call pages.
[0014] In another aspect of the invention, a method of reducing
voice call setup time in a mobile wireless device is disclosed. In
one embodiment, the mobile device has at least first and second
cellular radio access technologies and a non-cellular radio access
technology, and the method includes selectively utilizing the
second cellular access technology in place of the first when the
non-cellular access technology is enabled. The second technology
can receive indications of incoming voice calls, and can set up
such calls via the second technology faster than said first
cellular access technology can.
[0015] In a third aspect of the invention, a wireless system is
disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one base
station and at least one wireless mobile device. The mobile device
is configured to implement reduced call setup time and enhanced
user experience through "intelligent" operation of the cellular air
interfaces.
[0016] In a fourth aspect of the invention, a computer readable
apparatus is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a
storage medium having a computer program disposed thereon, the
program configured to, when executed, implement cellular interface
management for enhanced call setup behavior on a mobile device
(e.g., one with 4G and 3G interfaces, and WLAN).
[0017] In a fifth aspect of the invention, methods and apparatus
for enhancing user experience of a mobile device are disclosed. In
one embodiment, the user experience is enhanced through reduced
latency in voice call setup operations. This is accomplished in one
implementation by leveraging the aforementioned "intelligent"
management of the radio access technologies of the device such that
data (rate) requirements are met, yet voice call setup times are
optimized through selective disabling of the high speed data
interface when the latter is not required to meet the
aforementioned requirements.
[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
immediately be recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the art
with reference to the attached drawings and detailed description of
exemplary embodiments as given below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] FIG. 1 is a logical flow diagram depicting one embodiment of
a generalized method for selectively operating radio access
technologies of a mobile device in accordance with the present
invention.
[0020] FIG. 2 is a logical block diagram illustrating one exemplary
Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular network useful with various
aspects of the present invention.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a logical flow diagram illustrating one exemplary
implementation of the generalized methodology of FIG. 1, in the
context of the LTE/LTE-A network of FIG. 2.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram illustrating one
embodiment of a mobile wireless user device in accordance with the
present invention.
[0023] All Figures.COPYRGT. Copyright 2012 Apple Inc. All rights
reserved.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] Reference is now made to the drawings, wherein like numerals
refer to like parts throughout.
Overview--
[0025] In one salient aspect of the invention, methods and
apparatus for intelligently selecting and operating one or more air
interfaces (also known as radio access technologies or RATs) of a
mobile wireless device for e.g., power optimization and/or enhanced
call setup are disclosed. In one embodiment, operation of a
high-speed cellular data interface is selectively adjusted or
disabled when not required so as to minimize power consumption
within the device, while not adversely impacting user experience.
In one implementation, the wireless device includes the LTE/LTE-A
high-speed cellular interface, a lower-speed 2G or 3G cellular
interface, and a WLAN (e.g., Wi-Fi) interface. Depending on the
status of the WLAN interface and other operational considerations
such as mode of the device display, the high-speed interface is
selectively disabled so as to mitigate unnecessary power
consumption by that interface when its capacity is not
required.
[0026] In one variant, the selection of radio access technology is
conducted autonomously by the mobile device, without aid from the
host cellular or WLAN network(s). In another variant, one or more
of the networks participates in the selection process.
[0027] Various embodiments of the invention also improve voice call
(e.g., Circuit Switched Fall Back or CFSB) setup time in certain
scenarios. Existing mobile devices are configured to remain camped
on LTE/LTE-A when not in use; this significantly lengthens call
set-up time for voice calls (i.e., the mobile device must handover
to a voice-capable technology, since LTE is a data-only
technology). Thus, in one aspect of the present invention, the
mobile device connects to the WLAN interface for data operations,
but remains camped on a voice-capable network for voice data. By
camping on a voice-capable network, the mobile device can quickly
initiate a voice call while still maintaining the requisite level
of data service.
Description of Exemplary Embodiments
[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are now
described in detail. While these embodiments are primarily
discussed in the context of cellular networks including without
limitation, second generation (2G) and third generation (3G)
Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) wireless
networks, Long Term Evolution (LTE/LTE-A) fourth generation (4G)
wireless networks, and WLANs such as those compliant with IEEE Std.
802.11, it will be recognized by those of ordinary skill that the
present invention is not so limited.
[0029] In fact, the various aspects of the invention are useful in
and readily adapted to any wireless network (or combination
thereof) that can benefit from intelligent management of air
interface or RAT selection and operation, as described herein.
Methods--
[0030] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a generalized method
100 for selecting and managing RATs within a wireless mobile device
according to the invention.
[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the method 100 starts by evaluating the
status of an alternate high speed data link to that of the cellular
data interface (step 102). In one embodiment, the alternate link is
a WLAN (e.g., Wi-Fi) interface of the mobile device, and the
primary (cellular) link is the LTE interface. If the WLAN interface
is determined to be available and in operation (discussed in
greater detail below) per step 102, then the method proceeds to
step 104, wherein the status of one or more operational parameters
are evaluated. In one implementation, these other operational
parameters include the status of the display device (e.g., touch
screen device) of the mobile user device, and the presence of any
background data transfers or operations within the device. Assuming
that the display is not in use, and there are no background data
transfers under way, the method then proceeds to step 106, wherein
the cellular data interface is temporarily disabled, and replaced
instead with the high speed alternate data link. Additionally, in
some embodiments, the device may preemptively handover to a
voice-capable cellular connection (step 108).
[0032] If the aforementioned checks of step 104 do not pass (e.g.,
the display is active), then the method proceeds to step 110,
wherein a wait period is invoked before the method is re-entered
again at step 102 (or alternately, the method is placed in a wait
state until it is triggered by an event, such as activity
associated with the WLAN connection indicating that the WLAN has
recently changed states, or as yet another alternative the display
has entered a sleep or inactive mode). It will be appreciated from
the foregoing that any number of different logical scenarios or
criteria can be employed consistent with the invention in order to
re-enter the method 100.
[0033] In one exemplary embodiment, the foregoing determination is
performed as part of a regular link evaluation. In some variants,
the link evaluation may be performed on a periodic basis. In other
common embodiments, link evaluation may be performed on an
aperiodic basis; common examples of aperiodic schemes include,
without limitation: opportunistically, event triggered, user
triggered, application triggered, etc.
Example Operation--
[0034] In the following discussion, an exemplary cellular radio
system is described that includes a network of radio cells each
served by a transmitting station, known as a cell site or base
station (BS). The radio network provides wireless communications
service for a plurality of user equipment (UE) transceivers. The
network of BSs working in collaboration allows for wireless service
which is greater than the radio coverage provided by a single
serving BS. The individual BSs are connected to a Core Network,
which includes additional controllers for resource management and
in some cases access to other network systems (such as the
Internet, other cellular networks, etc.).
[0035] FIG. 2 illustrates one exemplary Long Term Evolution (LTE)
cellular network 200, with user equipment (UEs) 210, operating
within the coverage of the Radio Access Network (RAN) provided by a
number of base stations (BSs) 220. The LTE base stations are
commonly referred to as "Evolved NodeBs" (eNBs). The Radio Access
Network (RAN) is the collective body of eNBs along with the Radio
Network Controllers (RNC). The user interfaces to the RAN via the
UE, which in many typical usage cases is a cellular phone or
smartphone. However, as used herein, the terms "UE", "client
device", and "user device" may include, but are not limited to,
cellular telephones, smartphones (such as for example an iPhone.TM.
manufactured by the Assignee hereof), personal computers (PCs) and
minicomputers, whether desktop, laptop, or otherwise, as well as
mobile devices such as handheld computers, PDAs, personal media
devices (PMDs), or any combinations of the foregoing.
[0036] Each of the eNBs 220 are directly coupled to the Core
Network 230 e.g., via broadband access. Additionally, in some
networks the eNBs may coordinate with one another, via secondary
access. The Core Network provides both routing and service
capabilities. For example, a first UE connected to a first eNB can
communicate with a second UE connected to a second eNB, via routing
through the Core Network. Similarly, a UE can access other types of
services e.g., the Internet, via the Core Network.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 3, one particular variant of the
method 100 (shown in FIG. 1 herein) is described in the exemplary
context of the aforementioned LTE network of FIG. 2. Specifically,
in this case, the high-speed cellular interface (e.g., LTE or
LTE-A) is temporarily disabled, and the device "camps" on the
indigenous 3G interface of the mobile UE in one of the following
conditions: (i) an active association to a Wi-Fi access point (AP)
exists (step 302), and the Internet is reachable (step 304); (ii)
the mobile device display is off (not being utilized) (306), and no
active data transfers are occurring in the background; and/or (iii)
a blanket turn-off or other operation override is asserted with
respect to the LTE/LTE-A interface (such as during a prescribed
time period).
[0038] In one particular implementation, the active association
with a Wi-Fi AP must minimally exceed a stability threshold i.e., a
minimum length of time that the association has existed (so as to
provide a hysteresis of sorts, and avoid inter alia a "ping pong"
effect wherein the LTE interface is disabled, the Wi-Fi association
then becomes disestablished or inoperative, and accordingly the LTE
interface must be reestablished).
[0039] In addition, as referenced above, the availability or
"reachability" of the Internet may be assessed to ensure that the
mobile device can in fact access the Internet via the WLAN
association. Reachability can be tested in any number of different
ways, such as by probing one or more IP addresses, registering to a
known domain, etc. For example, a mobile device may be required to
indicate its IP address to the core network, such that the core
network can route data accordingly (i.e., the mobile device's
pushed data can be routed via an IP address).
[0040] Moreover, the received Wi-Fi signal strength and/or other
channel parameter(s) can be evaluated. In one such scheme, fuzzy,
deterministic, or other variables are specified (e.g., "good",
"moderate", and "poor" thresholds or criteria), and these
thresholds may also be user- or device-configurable e.g., via a
Graphical User Interface (GUI), or via logic present within the
mobile device). For instance, in one implementation, a Wi-Fi signal
strength (e.g., Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) of a
measured Wi-Fi beacon) value above a designated threshold ("good")
for a prescribed period of time (e.g., G_Timer) will enable the
Wi-Fi interface. Similarly, an RSSI value below a separate
designated threshold ("moderate") for another period of time (e.g.,
M_timer) will enable the LTE link. By adjusting the appropriate
timers and threshold values, the mobile device can associate with
Wi-Fi APs easily (low RSSI "good" threshold for a short duration)
or only during very good reception (high RSSI "good" threshold for
a long duration), and switch frequently (high RSSI "moderate"
threshold) or less frequently (low RSSI "moderate" threshold).
[0041] Moreover, with respect to the display activity and/or
background data transfers, a hysteresis may be applied as well,
such that the display must be off for a predetermined time, and/or
data transfers must have ceased for a predetermined period of time,
before the LTE interface will be disabled.
[0042] The foregoing "hysteresis" functions, while effective at
mitigating deleterious effects on user experience resulting from
the device logic "jumping" back and forth between LTE-enabled and
LTE-not enabled modes, may also be applied based on criteria other
than time (or in combination with temporal considerations). For
example, the hysteresis may be event-driven, such as where the
occurrence of an event once a particular state has been entered can
be used as the basis for allowing the LTE-disable logic described
above to proceed. In one such example, the Wi-Fi interface, once
verified to be associated with an AP, may be required to transmit
or receive a certain volume of data (or at a certain rate) before
it is deemed to be "active" for purposes of the LTE enable/disable
logic. As another example, a prescribed number of probes must be
successfully sent and responded to before the LTE-disable function
is enabled. As yet another example, an accelerometer within the
device (if so equipped) must indicate no motion of the device
(thereby ostensibly indicating no user interaction with the
device), or a prescribed pattern of movement (e.g., consistent with
a user walking with the device in their bag or pocket) before the
logic is enabled.
[0043] It will also be appreciated that other aspects of the
operation or use of the mobile device can be considered. For
instance, in one alternate implementation, the presence or absence
of an internally or externally generated "keep awake" or other
signal or message (from e.g., other supervisory logic within the
mobile device, or from the host LTE network infrastructure) is
considered in determining whether to disable the LTE interface. In
one such case, the core network may instruct the mobile device to a
particular technology based on a so-called NSET signal. For
example, the core network may force a UE to camp on a UMTS network,
even where an LTE network may exist.
[0044] Furthermore, it is further appreciated that various
modifications of the foregoing aspects may implement a wide range
of considerations, including without limitation: signaling load,
latencies due to RAT switching, IP continuity (i.e., during the
switching process the device may not have continuous IP access),
etc. Other factors or considerations in implementing the logic or
"intelligence" of the invention include for example and without
limitation: (i) whether or not the mobile device is connected to an
external power supply, such as a wired or wireless battery charger;
(ii) when no 2G or 3G is present (thereby effectively providing the
device with no LTE alternative); (iii) when no 3G is present, but
2G is available (or vice versa); (iv) when the 2G/3G system is
"roaming" (roaming subscriber costs may be considered); (v) the
presence or availability of signal strength indications (e.g.,
signal bars) and technology indicators (banners) on the mobile
device GUI.
[0045] While the foregoing discussion has been described a
particular family of interrelated technologies (e.g., GSM(2G),
WCDMA(3G), LTE(4G)); it is further appreciated that various aspects
of the present invention are equally applicable to other technology
families such as e.g., CDMA 1.times., CDMA 1.times. EV-DO, LTE;
GSM, eHRPD, and LTE (GHL), WiMAX (802.16), etc.
[0046] Moreover, it should be further noted that whereas the
foregoing technology families are likely implementations, the
aforementioned relationship between technologies is merely
incidental, and not required for practice thereof.
[0047] Additionally, it is appreciated that in certain operational
contexts, IP continuity can be maintained even while the device
transitions between RATs; for example, IP continuity can be
maintained for: (i) GSM, WCDMA, and LTE (GWL); and (ii) GSM, eHRPD,
and LTE (GHL). Specifically, the core network can ensure that IP
transactions are not interrupted even where the underlying RAT is
changing.
[0048] Accordingly, in one salient aspect of the invention, the
radio access technology RAT) is intelligently selected by the
mobile device (or in alternate embodiments, a network entity) so as
optimize power consumption and hence battery performance (including
standby time) within the mobile device (step 308). The present
invention is particularly useful in LTE devices, which consume
significant amounts of electrical power by substantially always
maintaining their baseband connected to the serving network, even
when not required for high speed data transfers (for example, when
an alternative data network such as Wi-Fi is available).
[0049] For example, consider devices that automatically implement a
system selection preference (SSP) of GSM, WCDMA, LTE (abbreviated
GWL) or GSM, eHRPD, LTE (abbreviated GHL). During operation, the
device will select the highest speed RAT available to them, unless
the network operator specifies otherwise (where the network
operator controls one or more of the available RATs). Thus, a GWL
device will automatically camp on the LTE network, if the LTE
network is available. Unfortunately, while the application
processor is asleep, the cellular baseband processor may still be
registered to the host LTE network, even though the data connection
is dormant or disconnected. Moreover, since the device is still
"camped" on the LTE network, the LTE modem must periodically wake
up to perform measurements, etc. This periodic wake up consumes
appreciable amounts of electrical power in the mobile device.
Finally, since LTE is a data-only technology, any voice call
(received or initiated) requires the mobile device to handover to a
voice-capable network.
[0050] Currently, device users only have gross control of LTE SSP
(e.g., via an "Enable LTE" switch); however, this is essentially an
"all or nothing" proposition, and does not account for myriad
different operating conditions or scenarios. Accordingly, users
must actively elect to increase power consumption and LTE link
availability; the device does cannot perform this autonomously.
Therefore, in one exemplary aspect of the invention, the LTE
interface is disabled when high-speed data transfer (e.g., data
rates that would necessitate use of the LTE air interface) is not
necessary, or alternatively when such high data rates are
achievable over another air interface such as a Wi-Fi or WiMAX
interface of the mobile device (step 310).
[0051] In one embodiment, a supervisory process (e.g., a
"communication center" logic) will change system selection
preferences according to a prescribed set of operating rules
designed to optimize device power consumption while not
significantly detracting from user experience or other operational
attributes. For example, in one embodiment, the system selection
logic is modified under a number of different operational
scenarios, including: (i) when the application processor is awake
and Wi-Fi is the primary network route; and (ii) before the
application processor enters into low power mode. In one such
embodiment, the supervisory process may further update the system
selection preference (SSP) to allow LTE interface operation in
cases such as when: (i) the display of the mobile device is
unlocked after leaving low power mode; and/or (ii) if association
with a Wi-Fi access point is lost for whatever reason.
WLAN/Cellular Co-Existence--
[0052] Currently, when Wi-Fi is the primary network route on the
mobile device, the device baseband is still operating in a "data
attached" state to the cellular network. Specifically, if a service
requiring the interface (e.g., so-called "push" services) is
active, (or is mandated for certain carriers/service providers) a
cellular data connection is kept active through a data assertion.
In particular, the system selection preference (SSP) will select
the highest data capable network, such as LTE, which can consume
significant amounts of power for link maintenance.
[0053] However, during such operation (i.e., when the user is not
actively using the data connection), only low-throughput traffic
will be used (e.g., push notifications). Consequently, the mobile
device will remain in LTE, despite the relatively low data rate,
and significantly higher power consumption (than alternative RATs).
Technologies which are limited to lower data rates (such as those
afforded by legacy 2G/3G cellular systems) are more than sufficient
to service the required throughput of the device, whereas a Wi-Fi
interface is available to the device for high data rate
operations.
[0054] Accordingly, under various embodiments of the invention,
after the mobile device associates with a WLAN access point or node
(e.g., Wi-Fi AP), and the desired level of connectivity is verified
to be available (e.g., access to the Internet is truly reachable as
verified via a network probe or other such mechanism), the system
selection preference (SSP) is set to disable the comparatively
higher consumption high speed cellular interface (e.g., SSP is set
to GW or GH, thereby removing LTE).
[0055] In one implementation, the device logic periodically or
continuously monitors the availability of the WLAN interface (such
as using the aforementioned probe technique). When availability of
the WLAN interface is lost (or the Internet is no longer
reachable), the device logic changes the SSP to re-enable the high
speed cellular link (e.g., to GWL or GHL, thereby adding LTE).
[0056] In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a
supervisory entity (such as a "communication center" or
"CommCenter") monitors low-power mode (LPM) entry/exit, and display
transitions (e.g., the display element powering on or off). In one
variant, the supervisory entity limits baseband processor activity
(e.g., reduces or disables wake up functionality for non-essential
notifications) while the application processor is asleep;
additionally serving system indications (e.g., notifications
received from the core network) will not automatically wake the
application processor.
[0057] In one embodiment of the current invention, an application
processor entering low power mode (LPM) triggers the SSP preference
to be set to a lower power cellular mode (e.g., 3G). In one such
variant, the change in SSP preference does not interfere with
so-called "dormancy" requests. Specifically, dormancy allows
logical packet switched (PS) service to the network without a
physical link (the physical link is taken down by the network to
save network resources, but the device still maintains the device
state as if there is a data connection), consequently
re-establishing the physical link can be made much faster than
starting a new session. Furthermore, in one variant, the
application processor is further configured to ignore non-essential
wake up events. For example, the application processor can be
configured to ignore serving system signaling (e.g.,
QMI_NAS_SERVING_SYSTEM_IND) while in LPM.
[0058] In various embodiments of the invention, an application
processor exiting low power mode (LPM) does not necessarily need to
reset the SSP (e.g., re-enable LTE) to allow high speed data
operation. For instance, if the device display never turns on, it
is likely that only low-throughput data is required. Similarly, if
the display is never unlocked, it is highly unlikely to have any
high-speed data requests (certain real time data applications may
be exceptions (e.g., video calls, etc.)). Finally, it is further
appreciated that where the device is associated to a Wi-Fi access
point, there is no need for high speed data service to be provided
over the cellular data interface.
[0059] Finally, responsive to (i) the application processor being
woken, (ii) the screen being unlocked or turned on, and/or (iii) a
loss of Wi-Fi capability, the supervisory entity can restore the
SSP to include high speed data services (re-enabling LTE) in order
to provide high speed data capability. Moreover, it is further
appreciated, that certain conditions, may not necessitate a change
to SSP. For example, if the device is woken up and the screen
unlock was merely to accept a mobile device voice call; the SSP
rules may be left unchanged. For example, the supervisory entity
may further assess usage (e.g., voice calls) before changing the
SSP.
[0060] Apparatus--
[0061] Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary user device 400 for
intelligently selecting device wireless access technology based on
e.g., prevailing device and network operating conditions is
illustrated. As used herein, the term "user device" includes, but
is not limited to cellular telephones, smartphones (such as for
example an iPhone.TM.) wireless-enabled tablet devices (such as for
example an iPad.TM.), or any combinations of the foregoing. While
one specific device configuration and layout is shown and discussed
herein, it is recognized that many other configurations may be
readily implemented by one of ordinary skill given the present
disclosure, the apparatus 400 of FIG. 4 being merely illustrative
of the broader principles of the invention.
[0062] The apparatus 400 of FIG. 4 includes one or more
transceivers 402, a processor 404 and a computer readable memory
406.
[0063] The processing subsystem 404 includes one or more of central
processing units (CPU) or digital processors, such as a
microprocessor, digital signal processor, field-programmable gate
array, RISC core, or plurality of processing components mounted on
one or more substrates. The baseband processing subsystem is
coupled to computer readable memory 406, which may include for
example SRAM, FLASH, SDRAM, and/or HDD (Hard Disk Drive)
components. As used herein, the term "memory" includes any type of
integrated circuit or other storage device adapted for storing
digital data including, without limitation, ROM. PROM, EEPROM,
DRAM, SDRAM, DDR/2 SDRAM, EDO/FPMS, RLDRAM, SRAM, "flash" memory
(e.g., NAND/NOR), and PSRAM. The processing subsystem may also
comprise additional co-processors, such as a dedicated graphics
accelerator, network processor (NP), or audio/video processor. As
shown processing subsystem 404 includes discrete components;
however, it is understood that in some embodiments they may be
consolidated or fashioned in a SoC (system-on-chip)
configuration.
[0064] The processing subsystem 404 is adapted to receive one or
more data streams from the one or more transceivers 402. The
processing subsystem also includes logic (as described above) for
implementing selective enabling/disabling of the one or more radio
transceivers in accordance with the methods describe above. In one
variant, this logic is implemented in software adapted to run on
the processing subsystem, although it will be appreciated that
hardware or firmware (or any combinations of the foregoing) may be
used with equal success consistent with the invention.
[0065] Myriad other schemes for intelligently selecting device
wireless access technology will be recognized by those of ordinary
skill given the present disclosure.
[0066] It will be recognized that while certain aspects of the
invention are described in terms of a specific sequence of steps of
a method, these descriptions are only illustrative of the broader
methods of the invention, and may be modified as required by the
particular application. Certain steps may be rendered unnecessary
or optional under certain circumstances. Additionally, certain
steps or functionality may be added to the disclosed embodiments,
or the order of performance of two or more steps permuted. All such
variations are considered to be encompassed within the invention
disclosed and claimed herein.
[0067] While the above detailed description has shown, described,
and pointed out novel features of the invention as applied to
various embodiments, it will be understood that various omissions,
substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the device or
process illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art without
departing from the invention. The foregoing description is of the
best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention.
This description is in no way meant to be limiting, but rather
should be taken as illustrative of the general principles of the
invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with
reference to the claims
* * * * *