Methods and apparatus for reducing power consumption for mobile devices using broadcast-to-unicast message conversion
First Claim
1. A method for use in reducing power consumption in a mobile communication device, the method comprising the acts of:
- receiving a broadcast message within a communication network;
identifying whether the broadcast message is intended for use at a mobile communication device which operates in a wireless network coupled to the communication network;
if the broadcast message is intended for use at the mobile communication device;
producing, from the broadcast message, a unicast message which includes information from the broadcast message; and
causing the unicast message to be sent to the mobile communication device in the wireless network.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for use in reducing power consumption in battery-powered mobile communication devices in wireless local area networks (WLANs) are described. In one illustrative example, a mobile device in a WLAN is configured to normally refrain from receiving broadcast messages so that it may remain in a low power mode of operation. A network server is configured to convert broadcast messages into unicast messages for receipt by the mobile device only if the message or protocol type of the broadcast message is one in which the mobile device needs to process. As the mobile device is still configured to receive unicast messages, it will receive and decode such a unicast message and process the broadcast information within it accordingly. Advantageously, battery power is conserved at the mobile device.
86 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for use in reducing power consumption in a mobile communication device, the method comprising the acts of:
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receiving a broadcast message within a communication network;
identifying whether the broadcast message is intended for use at a mobile communication device which operates in a wireless network coupled to the communication network;
if the broadcast message is intended for use at the mobile communication device;
producing, from the broadcast message, a unicast message which includes information from the broadcast message; and
causing the unicast message to be sent to the mobile communication device in the wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A computer program product, comprising:
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a storage medium;
computer instructions stored on the storage medium;
the computer instructions being executable by one or more processors for;
receiving a broadcast message within a communication network;
identifying whether the broadcast message is intended for use at a mobile communication device which operates in a wireless network coupled to the communication network;
if the broadcast message is intended for use at the mobile communication device;
producing, from the broadcast message, a unicast message which includes information from the broadcast message; and
causing the unicast message to be sent to the mobile communication device in the wireless network. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for use in reducing power consumption in a mobile communication device, the method comprising the acts of:
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refraining from receiving, through a wireless receiver of the mobile communication device, a broadcast message which is broadcasted from a wireless network;
if the broadcast message is intended for use at the mobile communication device;
monitoring to receive, through the wireless receiver, a unicast message from the wireless network; and
identifying broadcast message information of the broadcast message within the unicast message. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A mobile communication device, comprising:
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a wireless receiver;
one or more processors coupled to the wireless receiver;
the one or more processors being operative to;
refrain from receiving, through the wireless receiver, a broadcast message which is broadcasted from a wireless network;
if the broadcast message is intended for use at the mobile communication device;
receive, through the wireless receiver, a unicast message from the wireless network; and
identify broadcast message information of the broadcast message within the unicast message. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A wireless communication system, comprising:
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a communication network;
a wireless network coupled to the communication network;
the wireless network being adapted to wirelessly broadcast messages from the communication network;
a server component coupled to the communication network;
the server component being adapted to;
receive the broadcast messages from the communication network;
identify whether the broadcast messages are intended for use at a mobile communication device which operates in the wireless network;
if a broadcast message is intended for use at the mobile communication device;
produce, from the broadcast message, a unicast message which includes information from the broadcast message;
cause the unicast message to be sent to the mobile communication device in the wireless network;
the mobile communication device being adapted to;
refrain from receiving the broadcast messages which are wirelessly broadcasted from the wireless network;
if a broadcast message is intended for use at the mobile communication device;
receive a unicast message sent from the server component through the wireless network; and
identify broadcast message information of the broadcast message within the unicast message. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification