U.S. patent application number 13/909629 was filed with the patent office on 2015-09-03 for deep sleep in 1x m2m devices.
The applicant listed for this patent is VIA TELECOM, INC.. Invention is credited to ANTHONY S. LEE, GUOTONG WANG.
Application Number | 20150249957 13/909629 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49196048 |
Filed Date | 2015-09-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150249957 |
Kind Code |
A2 |
LEE; ANTHONY S. ; et
al. |
September 3, 2015 |
DEEP SLEEP IN 1X M2M DEVICES
Abstract
A wireless apparatus including a machine-to-machine (M2M)
device. The M2M device has an applications processing element, RF
transceive elements, and a deep sleep controller. The applications
processing element executes one or more functions corresponding to
an M2M processing environment, and directs the transmission and
reception of radio frequency (RF) messages. The RF transceive
elements are operationally coupled to the applications processing
elements and transmit and receive the RF messages over the one or
more wireless communications links. The deep sleep controller is
coupled to the applications processing element and the RF
transceive elements, and directs the applications processing
element to request a sleep time from a corresponding base station,
and causes the M2M device to enter a deep sleep mode upon
acceptance of the sleep time by the corresponding base station,
where the deep sleep mode is entered by removing power from the RF
transceive elements.
Inventors: |
LEE; ANTHONY S.; (San Diego,
CA) ; WANG; GUOTONG; (Beijing, CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
VIA TELECOM, INC. |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Prior
Publication: |
|
Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20130324122 A1 |
December 5, 2013 |
|
|
Family ID: |
49196048 |
Appl. No.: |
13/909629 |
Filed: |
June 4, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61655333 |
Jun 4, 2012 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
455/435.1 ;
455/561; 455/574 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02D 30/70 20200801;
Y02D 70/1242 20180101; H04W 52/028 20130101; Y02D 70/21 20180101;
Y02D 70/1262 20180101; Y02D 70/1244 20180101 |
International
Class: |
H04W 52/02 20060101
H04W052/02 |
Claims
1. A wireless apparatus, comprising: a machine-to-machine (M2M)
device, comprising: an applications processing element, configured
to execute one or more functions corresponding to an M2M processing
environment, and configured to direct the transmission and
reception of radio frequency (RF) messages over one or more
wireless communications links; RF transceive elements,
operationally coupled to said applications processing elements,
configured to transmit and receive said RF messages over said one
or more wireless communications links; and a deep sleep controller,
coupled to said applications processing element and said RF
transceive elements, configured to direct said applications
processing element to request a sleep time from a corresponding
base station, and configured to cause the M2M device to enter a
deep sleep mode upon acceptance of said sleep time by said
corresponding base station, wherein said deep sleep mode is entered
by removing power from said RF transceive elements.
2. The wireless apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein said one
or more wireless communications links comprise circuit-switched
links.
3. The wireless apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said one
or more wireless communications links further comprise
packet-switched links.
4. The wireless apparatus as recited in claim 2, wherein said
circuit-switched links comprise cdma2000 circuit-switched
links.
5. The wireless apparatus as recited in claim 4, wherein said
applications processing element requests said sleep time from said
corresponding base station by transmitting a power down
registration message to said corresponding base station, and
wherein said power down registration message comprises a sleep
period field indicating said sleep time that is requested.
6. The wireless apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said
corresponding base station accepts said sleep time by transmitting
a power down registration acceptance message to said M2M
device.
7. The wireless apparatus as recited in claim 5, wherein said
corresponding base station transmits a maximum sleep time to said
M2M device in a system parameters message during registration of
said M2M device.
8. A wireless apparatus, comprising: a base station, configured to
communicate with one or more wireless devices over one or more
wireless communications links; a machine-to-machine (M2M) device,
coupled to said base station via said one or more wireless
communications links, said M2M device comprising: an applications
processing element, configured to execute one or more functions
corresponding to an M2M processing environment, and configured to
direct the transmission and reception of radio frequency (RF)
messages over said one or more wireless communications links; RF
transceive elements, operationally coupled to said applications
processing elements, configured to transmit and receive said RF
messages over said one or more wireless communications links; and a
deep sleep controller, coupled to said applications processing
element and said RF transceive elements, configured to direct said
applications processing element to request a sleep time from said
base station, and configured to cause the M2M device to enter a
deep sleep mode upon acceptance of said sleep time by said base
station, wherein said deep sleep mode is entered by removing power
from said RF transceive elements.
9. The wireless apparatus as recited in claim 8, wherein said one
or more wireless communications links comprise circuit-switched
links.
10. The wireless apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said one
or more wireless communications links further comprise
packet-switched links.
11. The wireless apparatus as recited in claim 9, wherein said
circuit-switched links comprise cdma2000 circuit-switched
links.
12. The wireless apparatus as recited in claim 11, wherein said
applications processing element requests said sleep time from said
base station by transmitting a power down registration message to
said base station, and wherein said power down registration message
comprises a sleep period field indicating said sleep time that is
requested.
13. The wireless apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said
base station accepts said sleep time by transmitting a power down
registration acceptance message to said M2M device.
14. The wireless apparatus as recited in claim 12, wherein said
corresponding base station transmits a maximum sleep time to said
M2M device in a system parameters message during registration of
said M2M device.
15. A method for conserving power in a machine-to-machine (M2M)
environment, the method comprising: in an M2M device, executing one
or more functions corresponding to the M2M environment, and
directing the transmission and reception of radio frequency (RF)
messages over one or more wireless communications links; via RF
transceive elements disposed within the M2M device, transmitting
and receiving the RF messages over the one or more wireless
communications links; and requesting a sleep time from a
corresponding base station, and causing the M2M device to enter a
deep sleep mode upon acceptance of the sleep time by the
corresponding base station, wherein the deep sleep mode is entered
by removing power from the RF transceive elements.
16. The method as recited in claim 15, wherein the one or more
wireless communications links comprise circuit-switched links.
17. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the one or more
wireless communications links further comprise packet-switched
links.
18. The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the circuit-switched
links comprise cdma2000 circuit-switched links.
19. The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the sleep time is
requested from the corresponding base station by transmitting a
power down registration message to the corresponding base station,
and wherein the power down registration message comprises a sleep
period field indicating the sleep time that is requested.
20. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the corresponding
base station accepts the sleep time by transmitting a power down
registration acceptance message to the M2M device.
21. The method as recited in claim 5, wherein the corresponding
base station transmits a maximum sleep time to the M2M device in a
system parameters message during registration of the M2M device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the following U.S.
Provisional Applications, each of which is herein incorporated by
reference for all intents and purposes.
TABLE-US-00001 SERIAL NUMBER FILING DATE TITLE 61/655,333 Jun. 04,
2012 DEEP SLEEP IN 1X (VTU.12-0032-US) M2M DEVICES
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates in general to the field of wireless
communications, and more particularly to apparatus and methods for
extending sleep cycles in machine-to-machine (M2M) devices.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] The cell phone industry continues to experience exponential
growth, not only in this country, but all over the world. In fact,
it is well known that over twenty percent of the adult population
in the United States does not have a traditional landline
telephone. In addition, is it well known that nearly ninety percent
of the adult population owns a wireless phone regardless of whether
they have a landline or not.
[0006] Furthermore, the usage of cell phones continues to increase
over the use of traditional landline telephone coverage. In fact,
one in seven adults now uses only cell phones. Whereas in the past
cell phones were used when a landline was not available or under
emergency conditions, lower carrier rates, affordability of family
packages, and free mobile-to-mobile or friend-to-friend promotions
have fostered in significant increases in usage. It is not uncommon
today to walk into any public forum or facility and notice a
majority of the people there talking (or texting) on their cell
phones.
[0007] The ability to communicate using a mobile phone, or mobile
station, has been available since the middle of the previous
century. However, during the 1990's so-called "2G" or second
generation mobile phone systems were provided that began the growth
in both deployment and usage that we currently enjoy today. These
initial systems predominately provided for the routing and reliable
servicing of voice calls between parties. And the foundation
provided by these systems addresses the timing and latency
requirements associated with transmission and reception of voice
data in order to maintain quality of service. As such, so-called
circuit switched voice links have been fielded that guarantee this
quality of service.
[0008] And although wireless cellular network technologies have
continued to provide improvements related to the ability to process
voice calls, there has also been an enormous pull on the industry
to provide for the reliable and efficient transfer of packetized
data. As a result, the incremental developments in high speed
packetized data networks have not always tracked with the
development of voice networks. It is a goal within the industry to
field a more unified solution that would provide both reliable
voice and high speed data access, however, the industry is not at
that point presently. Consequently, it is common practice to field
a mobile system that provides for voice communications over one
type of circuit switched network, say cdma200 1xRTT, and high speed
data communications over another type of network, say LTE, which
provides exclusively for packetized data and does not provide the
quality of service that users prefer to support voice
communications. In the near future, these hybrid solutions will be
prevalent within the art.
[0009] In more recent times, the use of cellular networks has
expanded to include so-called machine-to-machine (M2M) devices,
where remote devices (absent a user typically) are monitored and
controlled by the transmission and reception of data over the
cellular networks. Consider that a security system may include a
motion-activated video camera, and the system may utilize a given
cellular network to transmit video to a network operations center.
M2M devices are ubiquitous and support the automation of processes
in a wide variety of industries including transportation, security,
shipping, healthcare, finance, building management, utilities, and
construction.
[0010] But like mobile phones, a significant number of M2M devices
run on batteries or other limited power sources. In addition, the
M2M devices draw a significant amount of power associated with
elements (e.g., radio frequency (RF) transceivers, power
amplifiers, etc.) that are employed to communicate over wireless
communications links. Moreover, unlike mobile phones, M2M devices
exhibit a wide range of times when they are required to communicate
over the links. For example, one M2M device may require
communications every 30 seconds, while another may only communicate
once per day, and a third M2M device may only be required to
communicate once per month. Accordingly, the present inventors have
observed that there are no provisions in wireless communication
standards and specifications that enable a given M2M device to
affect a power saving mode of operation for an extended period of
time.
[0011] Consequently, what is needed is a technique that enables M2M
devices coupled to a cellular network to request and enter into an
extended sleep mode.
[0012] Furthermore, what is needed is a mechanism for requesting an
extended power saving period for an M2M device coupled to a
cellular network, where the period is prescribed in a request over
the cellular network.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention, among other applications, is directed
to solving the above noted problems and addresses other problems,
disadvantages, and limitations of the prior art. The present
invention provides a superior technique for executing extended
sleep cycles in machine-to-machine devices, thus conserving limited
power resources
[0014] One aspect of the present invention contemplates a wireless
apparatus. The wireless apparatus includes a machine-to-machine
(M2M) device. The M2M device has an applications processing
element, RF transceive elements, and a deep sleep controller. The
applications processing element is configured to execute one or
more functions corresponding to an M2M processing environment, and
is configured to direct the transmission and reception of radio
frequency (RF) messages over one or more wireless communications
links. The RF transceive elements are operationally coupled to the
applications processing elements and are configured to transmit and
receive the RF messages over the one or more wireless
communications links. The deep sleep controller is coupled to the
applications processing element and the RF transceive elements, and
is configured to direct the applications processing element to
request a sleep time from a corresponding base station, and is
configured to cause the M2M device to enter a deep sleep mode upon
acceptance of the sleep time by the corresponding base station,
where the deep sleep mode is entered by removing power from the RF
transceive elements.
[0015] One aspect of the present invention contemplates a wireless
apparatus that includes a base station and an M2M device. The base
station is configured to communicate with one or more wireless
devices over one or more wireless communications links. The M2M
device is coupled to the base station via the one or more wireless
communications links. The M2M device has an applications processing
element, RF transceive elements, and a deep sleep controller. The
applications processing element is configured to execute one or
more functions corresponding to an M2M processing environment, and
is configured to direct the transmission and reception of radio
frequency (RF) messages over the one or more wireless
communications links. The RF transceive elements are operationally
coupled to the applications processing elements, and are configured
to transmit and receive the RF messages over the one or more
wireless communications links. The deep sleep controller is coupled
to the applications processing element and the RF transceive
elements, and is configured to direct the applications processing
element to request a sleep time from the base station, and is
configured to cause the M2M device to enter a deep sleep mode upon
acceptance of the sleep time by the base station, where the deep
sleep mode is entered by removing power from the RF transceive
elements.
[0016] Another aspect of the present invention comprehends a method
for conserving power in a machine-to-machine (M2M) environment. The
method includes: in an M2M device, executing one or more functions
corresponding to the M2M environment, and directing the
transmission and reception of radio frequency (RF) messages over
one or more wireless communications links; via RF transceive
elements disposed within the M2M device, transmitting and receiving
the RF messages over the one or more wireless communications links;
and requesting a sleep time from a corresponding base station, and
causing the M2M device to enter a deep sleep mode upon acceptance
of the sleep time by the corresponding base station, where the deep
sleep mode is entered by removing power from the RF transceive
elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] These and other objects, features, and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with regard to the
following description, and accompanying drawings where:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a present day
exemplary machine-to-machine (M2M) scenario;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a block diagram depicting an apparatus for M2M
deep sleep cycle according to the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a block diagram featuring an alternative apparatus
for M2M deep sleep cycle according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an M2M device according to
the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a base station
according to the present invention; and
[0023] FIG. 6 is a flow diagram detailing a method for M2M deep
sleep according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Exemplary and illustrative embodiments of the invention are
described below. In the interest of clarity, not all features of an
actual implementation are described in this specification, for
those skilled in the art will appreciate that in the development of
any such actual embodiment, numerous implementation specific
decisions are made to achieve specific goals, such as compliance
with system-related and business related constraints, which vary
from one implementation to another. Furthermore, it will be
appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and
time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for
those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this
disclosure. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will
be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles
defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the
present invention is not intended to be limited to the particular
embodiments shown and described herein, but is to be accorded the
widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features
herein disclosed.
[0025] The present invention will now be described with reference
to the attached figures. Various structures, systems, and devices
are schematically depicted in the drawings for purposes of
explanation only and so as to not obscure the present invention
with details that are well known to those skilled in the art.
Nevertheless, the attached drawings are included to describe and
explain illustrative examples of the present invention. The words
and phrases used herein should be understood and interpreted to
have a meaning consistent with the understanding of those words and
phrases by those skilled in the relevant art. No special definition
of a term or phrase (i.e., a definition that is different from the
ordinary and customary meaning as understood by those skilled in
the art) is intended to be implied by consistent usage of the term
or phrase herein. To the extent that a term or phrase is intended
to have a special meaning (i.e., a meaning other than that
understood by skilled artisans) such a special definition will be
expressly set forth in the specification in a definitional manner
that directly and unequivocally provides the special definition for
the term or phrase.
[0026] In view of the above background discussion on
machine-to-machine wireless communications and associated
techniques employed within present day systems for prolonging
battery life, a discussion of the limitations and disadvantages
associated with present day techniques will be discussed with
reference to FIG. 1. Following this, a discussion of the present
invention will be presented with reference to FIGS. 2-6. The
present invention overcomes the problems of present day
machine-to-machine communications by providing mechanisms that
enable a longer, or "deep," sleep mode in machine-to-machine
devices, thus allowing for significant and substantial increases in
battery life.
[0027] Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram is presented
illustrating a present day exemplary machine-to-machine (M2M)
scenario 100. The scenario 100 depicts a carrier base station 101
atop a tower 102 that communicates via known M2M techniques, such
as are provided by virtually all of the major wireless carriers
throughout the world. The base station 101 wirelessly connects
substantial numbers of diverse devices 103-109 to a wireless
network 110, enabling two-way communication from, say, a fleet
management device inside a fuel truck 108 to a fleet management
network operations center (not shown). M2M allows network-ready
devices to connect and share reliable real-time data via radio
signals using wireless protocols including, but not limited to
Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), cdma2000,
Evolution-Data Optimized (EV-DO), Long-Term Evolution (LTE),
High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA), and Universal Mobile
Telecommunications System (UMTS). Data may be sent and received
over circuit-switched links or packet-switched links. As one
skilled in the art will appreciate, the M2M devices 103-109 are
monitored and managed remotely, that is, most often without the
presence of a human 111, thus enabling the automation of processes
in a wide variety of industries including transportation, security,
shipping, healthcare, finance, building management, utilities, and
construction. The scenario 100 shown in FIG. 1 depicts just a few
of the millions of M2M devices that may be remotely monitored and
controlled via the wireless network 110. For example, a smart
device 103 may be employed at a construction site to provide
real-time updates for architectural drawings, schematics, and work
orders. The construction site may also have a security system that
utilizes a remotely monitored and controlled video camera 104. At
another facility, a medical device 105 may monitor the vital signs
of a patient 111, and may periodically transmit the signs to a
remote physician. A shipping company may employ an M2M device in a
delivery truck 106 to track the status of packages therein. An M2M
instrument 107 in a processing facility may provide data to a
remote control facility. And an M2M printer 109 may be employed at
a facility to provide mobile printing capabilities.
[0028] The scenario 100 of FIG. 1 is merely an example that is
employed herein to teach limitations of the present day
architectures, and it not exhaustive. As one skilled in the art
will appreciate, each of the M2M devices 103-109 requires access to
the network 110 over an extremely wide range of intervals. For
example, the M2M video camera 104 may only be actively transmitting
when movement occurs. The medical device 105 may transmit vital
signs every 30 seconds. The instrument 107 may only be active on
the network 110 once per hour. In another application, a smart
power meter (not shown) may only transmit data once per billing
period, say, every 30 days. In addition, one skilled in the art
will appreciate that a substantial number of these devices 103-109
may operate on a limited power supply such as a battery.
[0029] It is well known in the art that the components in a
wireless device 103-109 that are associated with transmission and
reception of radio frequency (RF) signals, such as transceivers,
power amplifiers, and baseband processors, utilize a substantial
amount of the overall device power when they are turned on.
Accordingly, many techniques have been provided for in the mobile
phone industry to allow human-to-human (H2H) devices (i.e., mobile
telephones and smart phones) to prolong battery life. For example,
most mobile phones today include a "flight mode" setting. When a
smart phone is set to flight mode, the phone sends a power down
registration message to its corresponding base station, and turns
of all RF components. And even while the phone is not in flight
mode, many elements therein may be in an idle (or, "sleep") state
for most of the time when the phone is not in use.
[0030] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the current
circuit switched link specification for upper layer signaling for
prevalent code division multiple access (CDMA) H2H communications
over IMT-2000 CDMA Multi-Carrier Mode (also known as cdma2000,
1xRTT, and 1x) networks includes provisions for a comporting phone
(or "mobile station") to be in an idle mode most of the time when a
call is not in process. The specification is entitled "Upper Layer
(Layer 3) Signaling Standard for cdma2000 Spread Spectrum Systems
Revision E" (3GPP2 C.S0005-E, version 2.0, July 2011, published by
3.sup.rd Generation Partnership Project 2), and is herein
incorporated by reference for all intents and purposes.
Hereinafter, the specification will be referred to as "the '0005
specification."
[0031] The '0005 specification includes a parameter, SCI ("slot
cycle index"), that is transmitted in a system parameters message
to a registered mobile station. The SCI indicates particular time
slots in a time multiplexed paging channel which may contain
information transmitted by a corresponding base station that is
unique to the registered mobile station. As one skilled in the art
will appreciate, a cdma2000 forward paging channel comprises 2048
80-millisecond slots, and the SCI is a 3-bit value that defines a
designated wakeup times for the phone in order to receive pages
according to the interval 1.28*2 SCI seconds. Accordingly, an SCI
value of 0 directs the phone to wake up for pages every 1.28
seconds (or, 16 slots). A value of 1 directs the phone to wake up
every 2.56 seconds, (or, 32 slots). A value of 7 directs the phone
to wake up every 163.84 seconds (or, 2048 slots).
[0032] Thus, the '0005 specification includes provisions for H2H
devices operating over a cdma2000 network, and allows those devices
to enter an idle or sleep mode periodically in order to maximize
paging channel bandwidth while prolonging battery life.
[0033] But the present inventors have observed that present day
wireless protocols, including the '0005 specification, do not
include provisions that are suited for prolonging battery life in
M2M devices 103-109. They further do not include mechanisms
allowing for idle or sleep modes for M2M devices 103-109. And the
absence of such mechanisms have been noted by the present inventors
to be problematic for those devices 103-109 that have a wide
variety of transmission requirements and limited battery life.
[0034] The present invention overcomes the above noted limitations,
and others, by providing apparatus and methods that allow M2M
devices 103-109 to enter a sleep mode for a prescribed amount of
time, wherein the devices' RF components are powered down, thus
substantially reducing power consumption of the devices 103-109.
The present invention will now be discussed with reference to FIGS.
2-6.
[0035] Turning to FIG. 2, a block diagram is presented depicting an
apparatus 200 for M2M deep sleep cycle according to the present
invention. The apparatus 200 includes an M2M device 201, such as
one of the devices 103-109 discussed above with reference to FIG.
1, that is coupled to a base station 202. In one embodiment, the
apparatus 200 otherwise communicates over a circuit-switched
network. Another embodiment contemplates communication between the
M2M device 201 and the base station 202 over a packet-switched
link. In a cdma2000 embodiment, the device 201 and base station 202
otherwise communicate over a cdma2000 wireless network. The
cdma2000 embodiment is provided to teach relevant features of the
present invention, however it is noted that the present invention
is not restricted to cdma2000 networks, or circuit-switched
networks in general, and may be employed over any wireless network
that provides for the integration of M2M devices 201.
[0036] According to the present invention, the M2M device 201
transmits a power down registration message 203 to the base station
202 over a reverse link channel. The power down registration
message 203 includes a sleep period parameter. In one embodiment,
the sleep period parameter is a 7-bit field that determines a sleep
time for the M2M device 201 according to the function:
SLEEP TIME=[2.sup.(SLEEP PERIOD/4)].times.0.08 seconds.
[0037] Accordingly, a sleep period value of 0 would indicate a
sleep time of 0.08 seconds. A sleep period value of 4 indicates a
sleep time of 0.16 seconds. A sleep period value of 128 would yield
a sleep time over ten years. Advantageously, the embodiment
described above would provide for sleep times varying from 80
milliseconds to over 10 years. Other functions are contemplated as
well for determining sleep times.
[0038] Following transmission of the power down registration
message 203, the base station 202 according to the present
invention transmits a registration accepted order 204 to the M2M
device 201 in response, indicating that the requested sleep period
is accepted. Accordingly, the M2M device 201 may power down
elements therein associated with transmission and reception over
the wireless network, a so-called "soft power down." The M2M device
201 thus enters a sleep mode for the prescribed sleep interval,
thus reducing power consumption. The base station 202 thus removes
registration of the M2M device 201 from its list of registered
devices.
[0039] At the termination of the sleep interval, the M2M device 201
may power up those elements that were powered down, and may
register again for communications with the base station 202, or
other like base stations in the wireless network by sending a
registration message (not shown).
[0040] Now referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram is presented
featuring an alternative apparatus 300 for M2M deep sleep cycle
according to the present invention. The apparatus 300 includes an
M2M device 301, such as one of the devices 103-109 discussed above
with reference to FIG. 1, that is coupled to a base station 302. In
one embodiment, the apparatus 300 otherwise communicates over a
circuit-switched network. Another embodiment contemplates
communication between the M2M device 301 and the base station 302
over a packet-switched link. In a cdma2000 embodiment, the device
301 and base station 302 otherwise communicate over a cdma2000
wireless network.
[0041] According to the present invention, the base station 302
transmits a system parameter message 305 to the M2M device 301 as
part of the registration process. The message 305 may include a
deep sleep enabled parameter (not shown) that indicates that sleep
mode is supported by the base station 302. The message 305 may
optionally include a sleep period parameter that prescribes a
maximum sleep time that is allowed for the M2M device 301, thus
allowing the base station 302 to schedule and control sleep times
for the M2M device. Accordingly, the M2M device 301 transmits a
power down registration message 303 to the base station 302 over a
reverse link channel. If the desired sleep time is less than the
sleep time indicated in the system parameters message, the power
down registration message 203 may include a sleep period parameter.
If the desired sleep time is greater, then the power down
registration message merely indicates a desire to sleep for the
sleep interval indicated in the system parameter message. In one
embodiment, the sleep period parameter is a 7-bit field that
determines a sleep time for the M2M device 201 according to the
function:
SLEEP TIME=[2.sup.(SLEEP PERIOD/4)].times.0.08 seconds.
[0042] Following transmission of the power down registration
message 303, the base station 302 according to the present
invention transmits a registration accepted order 304 to the M2M
device 201 in response, indicating that the requested sleep mode is
accepted. Accordingly, the M2M device 301 may execute a soft power
down. The M2M device 301 thus enters a sleep mode for the
prescribed sleep interval, thus reducing power consumption. The
base station 302 thus removes registration of the M2M device 301
from its list of registered devices.
[0043] At the termination of the sleep interval, the M2M device 301
may power up those elements that were powered down, and may
register again for communications with the base station 302, or
other like base stations in the wireless network by sending a
registration message (not shown).
[0044] Now turning to FIG. 4, a block diagram is presented showing
an M2M device 400 according to the present invention. The M2M
device 400 may be embodied as any of the devices 103-109 discussed
with reference to FIG. 1, or as any other device known to have M2M
communication capabilities. Accordingly, the device 400 may include
an applications processing element 401 that is coupled to a deep
sleep controller 402 and to a baseband processor 403. The deep
sleep controller 402 is also coupled to the baseband processor and
to radio frequency (RF) transceive elements 404 such as power
amplifiers, RF transmitters and receivers, RF switches, active
antennas, and the like. The RF transceive elements 404 are coupled
to the baseband processor 403.
[0045] In operation, the applications processing element 401 may
perform all of the processing and control functions to perform the
functions required of the M2M device 400. The device 400 may
include other elements required to perform its intended function
such as transducers, batteries, signal processors, etc. The
applications processing element 401 generates message data for
transmission over a wireless network. The message data is provided
to the baseband processor 403, which generates baseband messages
for transmission. The baseband messages are provide to the RF
transceive elements 404. The baseband messages are converted and
amplified by the transceive elements 404 into transmissions over a
corresponding wireless radio link, wherein they are received by an
associated base station (not shown).
[0046] RF transmissions from the associated base station are
received by the RF transceive elements 404 and are provided to the
baseband processor 403 in the form of baseband messages. The
baseband processor 403 extracts received data from the baseband
messages and provides this data to the applications processing
element 401, where the data is employed to manage and control the
M2M device 400.
[0047] The deep sleep controller 402 operates in conjunction with
the applications processing element 401 to identify, request,
confirm, and manage sleep periods as is discussed above with
reference to FIGS. 2-3. The deep sleep controller may monitor power
reserves versus power utilization by the M2M device 400, and may
further request that the applications processing element 401 queue
up power down registration messages as noted above. The baseband
processor 403 and RF transceive elements 404 provide for
transmission of the power down registration messages and subsequent
receipt of registration accepted orders from the base station. Upon
receipt of a registration accepted order, the applications
processing element 401 may direct the deep sleep controller 402 to
cause the M2M device 400 to perform a soft power down, thus placing
the M2M device in a deep sleep mode for a prescribed period of time
negotiate with the base station. Accordingly, in one embodiment the
deep sleep controller 402 powers down the baseband processor 403,
the RF transceive elements 404, and any other elements (not shown)
in the device that are available for power down for the prescribed
period of time. Upon expiration of the prescribed period of time,
the deep sleep controller 402 directs the applications processing
element 401 to cause transmission of a registration message, thus
ending the deep sleep period.
[0048] The M2M device 400 according to the present invention is
configured to perform the functions and operations as discussed
above. The M2M device 400 comprises logic, circuits, devices, or
microcode (i.e., micro instructions or native instructions), or a
combination of logic, circuits, devices, or microcode, or
equivalent elements that are employed to execute the functions and
operations according to the present invention as noted. The
elements employed to accomplish these operations and functions
within the M2M device 400 may be shared with other circuits,
microcode, etc., that are employed to perform other functions
and/or operations within the M2M device 400. According to the scope
of the present application, microcode is a term employed to refer
to a plurality of micro instructions. A micro instruction (also
referred to as a native instruction) is an instruction at the level
that a unit executes.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 5, a block diagram is presented
illustrating a base station 500 according to the present invention.
The base station 500 may include a baseband processor 502, that is
coupled to RF transceive elements 503 and to a deep sleep processor
501. In operation, the baseband processor 502 and RF transceive
elements function in substantially the same manner as is described
above with reference to FIG. 4 for like named elements. The deep
sleep processor 501 operates to format and cause
transmission/reception of power down registration messages,
registration acceptance orders, and system parameters messages as
is described above. Upon transmission of a registration acceptance
order to a corresponding M2M device, the deep sleep processor will
remove the M2M device from its list of registered devices.
[0050] The base station 500 according to the present invention is
configured to perform the functions and operations as discussed
above. The base station 500 comprises logic, circuits, devices, or
microcode (i.e., micro instructions or native instructions), or a
combination of logic, circuits, devices, or microcode, or
equivalent elements that are employed to execute the functions and
operations according to the present invention as noted. The
elements employed to accomplish these operations and functions
within the base station 500 may be shared with other circuits,
microcode, etc., that are employed to perform other functions
and/or operations within the base station 500.
[0051] Now referring to FIG. 6, a flow diagram 600 is presented
detailing a method for M2M deep sleep according to the present
invention. Flow begins at block 601 where an M2M device according
to the present invention is operating to perform its intended M2M
function. Flow then proceeds to decision block 602.
[0052] At decision block 602, an evaluation is made to determine if
a deep sleep mode for the device is required. If not, then flow
proceeds to decision block 602 where the device continues to
perform its required function. If deep sleep is required, then flow
proceeds to block 603.
[0053] At block 602, the M2M device transmits a power down
registration message to a corresponding base station. The message
includes a sleep period parameter as is discussed above with
reference to FIGS. 2-5. Flow then proceeds to decision block
604.
[0054] At decision block 604, an evaluation is made to determine if
a power down registration acceptance order has been received by the
M2M device. If not, flow proceeds to decision block 604, where the
device continues to wait for the acceptance order. If the order has
been received, then flow proceeds to block 605.
[0055] At block 605, the M2M device performs a soft power down,
turning off power to elements of the device associated with
transmission/reception of messages over one or more wireless
communication links. Flow then proceeds to decision block 606.
[0056] At decision block 606, an evaluation is made to determine if
a prescribed sleep cycle (i.e., a period of time) has expired. If
not, then flow proceeds to decision block 606, where the device
remains in its deep sleep mode. If so, then flow proceeds to block
607.
[0057] At block 607, the M2M device exits from its sleep mode,
powering up the elements that were previously powered down, and
transmits a power up registration message over the wireless
network. Flow then proceeds to block 608.
[0058] At block 608, the method completes.
[0059] Portions of the present invention and corresponding detailed
description are presented in terms of software, or algorithms and
symbolic representations of operations on data bits within a
computer memory. These descriptions and representations are the
ones by which those of ordinary skill in the art effectively convey
the substance of their work to others of ordinary skill in the art.
An algorithm, as the term is used here, and as it is used
generally, is conceived to be a self-consistent sequence of steps
leading to a desired result. The steps are those requiring physical
manipulations of physical quantities. Usually, though not
necessarily, these quantities take the form of optical, electrical,
or magnetic signals capable of being stored, transferred, combined,
compared, and otherwise manipulated. It has proven convenient at
times, principally for reasons of common usage, to refer to these
signals as bits, values, elements, symbols, characters, terms,
numbers, or the like.
[0060] It should be borne in mind, however, that all of these and
similar terms are to be associated with the appropriate physical
quantities and are merely convenient labels applied to these
quantities. Unless specifically stated otherwise, or as is apparent
from the discussion, terms such as "processing" or "computing" or
"calculating" or "determining" or "displaying" or the like, refer
to the action and processes of a computer system, a microprocessor,
a central processing unit, or similar electronic computing device,
that manipulates and transforms data represented as physical,
electronic quantities within the computer system's registers and
memories into other data similarly represented as physical
quantities within the computer system memories or registers or
other such information storage, transmission or display
devices.
[0061] Note also that the software implemented aspects of the
invention are typically encoded on some form of program storage
medium or implemented over some type of transmission medium. The
program storage medium may be electronic (e.g., read only memory,
flash read only memory, electrically programmable read only
memory), random access memory magnetic (e.g., a floppy disk or a
hard drive) or optical (e.g., a compact disk read only memory, or
"CD ROM"), and may be read only or random access. Similarly, the
transmission medium may be metal traces, twisted wire pairs,
coaxial cable, optical fiber, or some other suitable transmission
medium known to the art. The invention is not limited by these
aspects of any given implementation.
[0062] The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative
only, and those skilled in the art will appreciate that they can
readily use the disclosed conception and specific embodiments as a
basis for designing or modifying other structures for carrying out
the same purposes of the present invention, and that various
changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without
departing from the scope of the invention as set forth by the
appended claims.
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