System and method for controlling the power in a wireless client device

• US 20040127265A1
• Filed: 09/10/2003
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Inventors: Van Bosch, James A., DʼAvello, Robert F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,596,366 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/574
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0216 using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0235 where the received signal is a power saving command
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0261 managing power supply demand, e.g. depending on battery level
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A system and method in a client device (22) for controlling the power within the client device. The client device has a network access device (30, 130) and a controller (42). The network access device has at least a powered state and a power-off state. The controller provides a time period for operating the network access device in the powered state. The controller determines the time period based on a discontinuous reception parameter obtained from the network access device. The network access device determines whether wireless coverage exists for the network access device and provides an indication thereof wherein the controller switches the network access device to the power-off state if there is an out-of-coverage condition.

Claims

1. A client device comprising:

a network access device having at least a powered state and a power-off state, the powered state allowing the network access device to receive messages over a communication channel, the power-off state not allowing the network access device to receive messages over the communication channel, the network access device determines whether wireless coverage exists for the network access device and provides an indication of an out-of-coverage condition; and

a controller that determines time periods for the network access device to be in the powered state, the time periods based on a discontinuous reception parameter obtained from the network access device, the controller also switching the network access device to the power-off state if there is an out-of-coverage condition for the network access device.

2. The client device in claim 1 wherein the network access device indicates an out-of-coverage condition to the controller using a ring indicator.

3. The client device in claim 1 wherein the network access device indicates an out-of-coverage condition to the controller using any signal on a communication bus therebetween.

4. The client device in claim 1 wherein upon notice of the out-of-coverage condition from the network access device, the controller will be switched to a power-on state.

5. The client device in claim 1 wherein upon indication of an out-of-coverage condition, the controller polls the network access device.

6. The client device in claim 1 wherein the out-of-coverage condition is only indicated to the controller when the controller is in a power-off state.

7. The client device in claim 1 wherein upon an out-of-coverage indication from the network access device, the controller waits a predetermined amount of time to determine if the network access device goes back into wireless coverage before directing the change of any power states.

8. The client device in claim 1 wherein upon an out-of-coverage condition the network access device waits a predetermined amount of time to determine if the network access device goes back into wireless coverage before indicating the out-of-coverage condition to the controller.

9. The client device in claim 1 wherein the client device is a Telematics unit in a vehicle, and wherein when a vehicle'"'"'s ignition is turned off the controller would enable the ring indicator on the network access device and program the network access device to only activate the ring indicator when the network access device has been out-of-coverage for a predetermined amount of time.

10. The client device in claim 9 wherein when the ignition to the vehicle is turned on and the controller is fully powered, the controller commands the network access device to disable the ring indication for out-of-coverage conditions.

11. The client device in claim 1 wherein upon an out-of-coverage condition, the network access device can periodically turn on to search for coverage, wherein the interval between turned-on periods lengthens over time, the network access device providing an indication to the controller when changing search periods.

12. A method in a client device, the client device having a network access device and a controller, the method comprising the steps of:

obtaining a discontinuous reception parameter from a network;

determining time periods for operating the network access device in a powered state based on the obtained discontinuous reception parameter;

operating the network access device in a powered state during the time period; and

establishing whether wireless coverage exists for the network access device, the network access device being switched to the power-off state if it is established that no wireless coverage exists for the network access device.

13. The method in claim 12 wherein the step of establishing includes indicating an out-of-coverage condition to the controller.

14. The method in claim 13 wherein the step of establishing includes powering the controller upon the indication of the out-of-coverage condition.

15. The method in claim 12 wherein if the establishing step shows an out-of-coverage condition, further comprises the step of:

waiting a predetermined amount of time to see if the transceiver goes back into wireless coverage.

16. The method in claim 12 wherein if the establishing step shows an out-of-coverage condition, further comprises the steps of:

waiting a predetermined amount of time to determine if the transceiver goes back into wireless coverage, otherwise

switching the network access device to a power-off state.

17. The method in claim 12 wherein the client device is a Telematics unit in a vehicle, and further comprises the steps of:

turning off the ignition of the vehicle; and

enabling the out-of-coverage indication by the network access device, and programming the network access device to only indicate an out-of-coverage condition when the network access device has been out-of-coverage for a predetermined amount of time.

18. The method in claim 17 further comprises the steps of:

turning on the ignition of the vehicle;

powering the controller; and

disabling the indication for out-of-coverage conditions.