Momentary Burst Protocol for Wireless Communication

• US 20110188431A1
• Filed: 04/12/2011
• Published: 08/04/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Krueger, Scott, Lydon, Gregory
• Granted Patent: US 8,351,883 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/311
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0209 in terminal devices terminal devices per se H04W88/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0254 detecting a user operation or a tactile contact or a motion of the device
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0274 by switching on or off the equipment or parts thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/286 during data packet transmission, e.g. high speed packet access [HSPA]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/34 TPC management, i.e. sharing limited amount of power among users or channels or data types, e.g. cell loading
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A method for communicating data using a “burst protocol” includes enabling power to transmitters and receivers when needed to balance power consumption with latency and unscheduled communication. A transmitter transmits a plurality of packets indicative of substantially the same payload. Power then may be disabled to the transmitter. A first predetermined time is determined to enable a receiver. A second predetermined time is determined to disable the receiver. Power then may be enabled to the receiver based on the first predetermined time. The payload is output in response to receiving one or more of the plurality of packets. Power to the receiver is disabled based on the second predetermined time.

Claims

1. A transmitting device comprising:

a processor; and

a transmitter coupled with the processor,

wherein the processor in conjunction with the transmitter is configured to;

receive a first input indicative of a first event;

enable power to the transmitter in response to the first input;

transmit a first plurality of data packets;

receive a second input indicative of a second event; and

disable the power to the transmitter in response to the second input.

2. The transmitting device of claim 1 wherein the first event comprises operation of a user control associated with the transmitting device.

3. The transmitting device of claim 2 wherein the user control comprises a button.

4. The transmitting device of claim 1 wherein the first plurality of data packets include one or more data packets comprising a payload indicative of information associated with the first event.

5. The transmitting device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further configured to transmit a second plurality of data packets in response to the second input.

6. The transmitting device of claim 5 wherein the second plurality of data packets comprise information associated with the second event.

7. The transmitting device of claim 1 wherein each of the first plurality of data packets comprises same payload.

8. The transmitting device of claim 1 wherein the first plurality of data packets are transmitted in about 8 milliseconds.

9. A media player comprising:

a processor;

a storage medium coupled to the processor;

a user interface coupled to the processor; and

a transmitter coupled to the processor,

wherein the processor in conjunction with the transmitter is configured to;

receive a first input via the user interface, the first input indicative of a first event;

enable power to the transmitter in response to the first event;

transmit a first sequence of data packets, wherein one or more data packets in the first sequence of data packets comprise information about the first event; and

disable power to the transmitter subsequently to transmitting the first sequence of data packets.

10. The media player of claim 9 wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a second input via the user interface, the second input indicative of a second event;

transmit a plurality of data packets comprising information about the second event; and

disable power to the transmitter in response to the second input.

11. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a plurality of instructions for controlling a processor to transmit data packets, the plurality of instructions comprising:

instructions that cause the processor to receive a first input;

instructions that cause the processor to enable power to a transmitter based on the first input;

instructions that cause the processor to transmit a first set of data packets;

instructions that cause the processor to receive a second input;

instructions that cause the processor to transmit a second set of data packets in response to the second input; and

instructions that cause the processor to disable power to the transmitter.

12. The computer readable medium of claim 11 wherein the first set of data packets comprise data associated with the first input.

13. The computer readable medium of claim 11 wherein all data packets in the set of first data packets comprise same payload information.

14. The computer readable medium of claim 11 wherein a time interval between transmission of successive data packets in the first set of data packets is same for all data packets in the first set of data packets.

15. A receiving device comprising:

a processor; and

a receiver coupled with the processor;

wherein the processor in conjunction with the receiver is configured to;

determine a window of time for receiving transmissions, wherein the window begins at a first predetermined time and ends at a second predetermined time;

enable the receiver at a third time earlier than the second predetermined time;

receive one or more data transmissions during the window; and

disable the receiver at the second predetermined time.

16. The receiving device of claim 15 wherein the third time is greater than or equal to the first predetermined time.

17. The receiving device of claim 15 wherein the window of time is about 13 milliseconds in duration.

18. The receiving device of claim 15 wherein two consecutive windows of time are spaced between 100 milliseconds to 250 milliseconds apart.

19. The receiving device of claim 15 wherein the processor is further configured to:

receive a data packet during the window of time;

determine whether the data packet is redundant; and

if it is determined that the data packet is redundant, discard the data packet.

20. The receiving device of claim 15 wherein the processor is further configured to:

detect an incoming transmission;

determine a time associated with the transmission; and

receive the transmission if the time associated with the transmission is within the window of time.

21. A non-transitory computer readable medium storing a plurality of instructions for controlling a processor to receive data packets, the plurality of instructions comprising:

instructions that cause the processor to specify a time period for receiving transmissions;

instructions that cause the processor to detect a transmission;

instructions that cause the processor to determine whether a time associated with the transmission is within the time period; and

instructions that cause the processor to receive the transmission if the time associated with the transmission is within the time period.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 21 wherein the plurality of instructions further comprise:

instructions that cause the processor to determine a time interval between two consecutive data packets in the transmission; and

instructions that cause the processor to determine that the transmission has ended if the time interval exceeds a predetermined value.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 21 wherein the plurality of instructions further comprise:

instructions that cause the processor to enable a receiver prior to the start of the time period; and

instructions that cause the processor to disable the receiver after expiry of the time period.