CONNECTION MANAGER RESPONSIVE TO POWER STATE

• US 20080080457A1
• Filed: 09/29/2006
• Published: 04/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
• Inventors: Cole, Terry L.
• Application Number:
  US11/537,509
• Publication Number:
  US 20080080457A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/342
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/5692 Selection among different networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/18 Selecting a network or a communication service
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0258 controlling an operation mode according to history or models of usage information, e.g. activity schedule or time of day
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 64/00 Locating users or terminals or network equipment for network management purposes, e.g. mobility management
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method for establishing connectivity for a mobile device including a plurality of communication interfaces is provided. A power state of the mobile device is monitored. A first one of the communication interfaces is selected based on the power state. Connectivity is established to a remote network using the first communication interface.

Claims

1. A method for establishing connectivity for a mobile device including a plurality of communication interfaces, comprising:

monitoring a power state of the mobile device;

selecting a first one of the communication interfaces based on the power state; and

establishing connectivity to a remote network using the first communication interface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein monitoring the power state comprises detecting a change from a high power state to a power-conserving state.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

storing power characteristics of the communication interfaces;

responsive to the change in power state, identifying a second one of the communication interfaces capable providing connectivity to the remote network, the second communication interface having a power characteristic less than a power characteristic of the first communication interface; and

establishing connectivity to the remote network using the second communication interface.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

identifying that no communication interfaces having lower power characteristics are available; and

prompting a user to change the connectivity provided using the first communication interface.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein prompting the user to change the connectivity comprises prompting the user to allow disconnection of the first communication interface.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein prompting the user to change the connectivity comprises prompting the user to allow operation of the first communication interface in an intermittent connectivity mode.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein storing the power characteristics comprises storing thermal characteristics of the communication interfaces.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising intermittently connecting and disconnecting the first communication interface to establish connectivity to the remote network based on the power state.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

implementing a system configuration for the mobile device, the system configuration defining a connectivity mode; and

selecting the first one of the communication interfaces based on the power state and the connectivity mode.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the connectivity mode comprises an intermittent connectivity mode.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the connectivity mode comprises a low power connectivity mode.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of communication interfaces comprises at least one of a wireless wide area network interface, a wireless local area network interface, a local area network interface, a personal area network interface, and a voice band modem interface.

13. A mobile device, comprising:

a plurality of communication interfaces; and

a processor coupled to the communication interfaces and operable to implement a connection manager, the connection manager being operable to monitor a power state of the mobile device, select a first one of the communication interfaces based on the power state, and establishing connectivity to a remote network using the first communication interface.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the connection manager is operable to detect a change from a high power state to a power-conserving state.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the connection manager is operable to store power characteristics of the communication interfaces, and responsive to the change in power state, identify a second one of the communication interfaces capable providing connectivity to the remote network, the second communication interface having a power characteristic less than a power characteristic of the first communication interface, and establish connectivity to the remote network using the second communication interface.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein the connection manager is operable to identify that no communication interfaces having lower power characteristics are available and prompt a user to change the connectivity provided using the first communication interface.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the connection manager is operable to prompt the user to allow disconnection of the first communication interface.

18. The device of claim 16, wherein the connection manager is operable to prompt the user to allow operation of the first communication interface in an intermittent connectivity mode.

19. The device of claim 15, the power characteristics comprise thermal characteristics of the communication interfaces.

20. The device of claim 13, wherein the connection manager is operable to intermittently connect and disconnect the first communication interface to establish connectivity to the remote network based on the power state.

21. The device of claim 13, wherein the connection manager is operable to implement a system configuration for the mobile device, the system configuration defining a connectivity mode, and select the first one of the communication interfaces based on the power state and the connectivity mode.

22. The device of claim 21, wherein the connectivity mode comprises an intermittent connectivity mode.

23. The device of claim 21, wherein the connectivity mode comprises a low power connectivity mode.

24. The device of claim 13, wherein the plurality of communication interfaces comprises at least one of a wireless wide area network interface, a wireless local area network interface, a local area network interface, a personal area network interface, and a voice band modem interface.

25. A mobile device, comprising:

a plurality of communication interfaces;

means for monitoring a power state of the mobile device;

means for selecting a first one of the communication interfaces based on the power state; and

means for establishing connectivity to a remote network using the first communication interface.