Selective call transceiver with system approved power saving state

• US 5,710,975 A
• Filed: 12/26/1995
• Issued: 01/20/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 12/26/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Motorola, Inc. (Motorola Solutions, Inc.)
• Inventors: Powell, Clinton C. II, Bernhardt, Richard C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SOBUTKA, PHILIP
• Application Number:
  US08/578,755
• Time in Patent Office: 756 Days
• Field of Search: 455/38.3, 455/38.1, 455/38.2, 455/127, 455/343, 455/227, 455/228, 455/229, 455/466, 455/574, 340/825.44
• US Class Current: 340/7.22
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/025 with acknowledge back capability
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/022 Selective call receivers
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A battery-powered selective call transceiver, operating in two-way communication with an RF communication system, can be put in a power saving state. A user control on the transceiver allows a user to select the duration of a power saving interval. The transceiver sends to the communication system a signal requesting that the transceiver enter a power saving state for the selected interval. Upon receipt of an acknowledgment signal from the system, the transceiver enters the power saving state.

Claims

1. For use with an asynchronous communication system that exchanges information with a selective call transceiver by transmissions that occur at random intervals, a method of establishing a power saving state within the selective call transceiver without losing information comprising:

a) establishing a communication link between the selective call transceiver and the communication system;

b) sending from the selective call transceiver to the communication system a signal requesting that the selective call transceiver, be permitted to enter a power saving state for a predetermined, uninterrupted power saving interval;

c) if the communication system approves the request, sending an acknowledgment signal from the communication system to the selective call transceiver;

d) if the acknowledgement signal indicating request aaproval is received by the selective call receiver, causing the selective call transceiver to enter the power saving state; and

e) during the power saving interval, storing messages intended for the selective call transceiver.

2. A method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the power saving state lasts for an interval whose maximum duration is controlled by the communication system.

3. A method as set forth in claim 1 including selecting a duration for the power saving interval at the selective call transceiver.

4. A method as set forth in claim 3, further including transmitting from the communication system to the selective call transceiver a signal indicating a maximum duration for the power saving interval.

5. In a selective call transceiver that is capable of two-way RF communication with an asynchronous communication system by transmissions that occur at random intervals, a method of establishing a power saving state in the selective call transceiver, comprising:

a) sending to the communication system a signal requesting that the selective call transceiver be permitted to enter a power saving state for a predetermined, uniterrupted power saving interval;

b) receiving an acknowledgement signal from the communication system approving the request to enter a power saving state; and

c) entering the power saving state if the acknowledgement signal is received.

6. A method as set forth in claim 5 wherein the power saving interval is variable.

7. A method as set forth in claim 6, including using the selective call transceiver to select a duration for the power saving interval.

8. A method as set forth in claim 5 further including detecting the end of the power saving interval and sending a signal to the communication system indicating that the selective call transceiver'"'"'s power saving state has ended.

9. A method as set forth in claim 8 including manually re-setting the selective call transceiver from the power saving state to an active state.

10. In a selective call transceiver that is capable of two-way RF communication with an asynchronous communication system by transmissions that occur at random intervals, a method of establishing a power saving state in the selective call transceiver, comprising:

a) sending to the communication system a signal requesting that the selective call transceiver be permitted to enter a power saving state for a user-selected, uninterrupted power saving interval;

b) receiving an acknowledgment signal from the communication system approving the request to enter a power saving state;

c) entering the power saving state if the acknowledgement signal is received;

d) detecting the end of the power saving interval; and

e) sending a signal to the communication system indicating that the selective call transceiver'"'"'s power saving state has ended.

11. A method as set forth in claim 10 including manually re-setting the selective call transceiver from the power saving state to an active state.

12. A battery-powered selective call transceiver capable of two-way RF communication with an asynchronous communication system by transmissions that occur at random intervals, comprising:

a receiver for receiving incoming signals;

a transmitter for sending outgoing signals at random intervals;

a memory for storing an indication of a duration for a power saving state; and

a processor coupled to the memory and programmed to cause the transmitter to send to the communication system a signal indicating that the selective call transceiver be permitted to enter the power saving state for a predetermined, uninterrupted power saving interval, and to cause the selective call reveiver to enter the power saving state in response to the selective call receiver receiving a signal from the communication system indicating request approval.

13. A battery-powered selective call transceiver as set forth in claim 12 further including a user control for selecting a duration for the power saving interval, the processor being responsive to the user control for causing an indication of the selected duration to be stored in the memory.