Discontinuous transmission of circuit-switched analog cellular data
First Claim
1. A method for controlling data communication in an analog cellular modem so as to minimize power consumption, the method comprising the steps of:
- establishing a cellular data connection between a data communication device coupled to the analog cellular modem and a far-end data endpoint;
monitoring the cellular data connection for the existence of a data signal from the data communication device;
switching to an inactive state when the data signal does not exist for a predefined period of time;
transmitting an inactive signal to the far-end data endpoint;
receiving an acknowledgment signal from the far-end data endpoint, the acknowledgment signal indicating that the far-end data endpoint has received the inactive signal;
transmitting a mobile phone power-down signal to the mobile phone to switch a transceiver of the mobile phone to a low power state, thereby reducing power consumption; and
periodically powering up the mobile phone and performing a quick retrain with the far-end data endpoint while in the inactive state during a continued absence of the data signal.
6 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A cellular modem couples a data terminal equipment (DTE) to a portable mobile telephone that includes a cellular transceiver. The cellular modem monitors the activity of a circuit-switched analog cellular data connection between the DTE and a far-end data endpoint, e.g., a computer, through a cellular modem pool in the network. If the circuit-switched analog cellular data connection is idle for a predetermined amount of time, the cellular modem initiates a power-down sequence. For example, the cellular modem uses a protocol, e.g., a predefined tone, to indicate to the cellular modem pool that a power-down is occurring and that the circuit-switched analog data connection is to be put on hold. Upon receiving an acknowledgment from the cellular modem pool, the cellular modem provides a power-down signal to the cellular transceiver, which activates the "Discontinuous Transmission" feature for cellular voice, treating the circuit-switched analog cellular data call just like it was a circuit-switched analog cellular voice call.
73 Citations
24 Claims
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1. A method for controlling data communication in an analog cellular modem so as to minimize power consumption, the method comprising the steps of:
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establishing a cellular data connection between a data communication device coupled to the analog cellular modem and a far-end data endpoint; monitoring the cellular data connection for the existence of a data signal from the data communication device; switching to an inactive state when the data signal does not exist for a predefined period of time; transmitting an inactive signal to the far-end data endpoint; receiving an acknowledgment signal from the far-end data endpoint, the acknowledgment signal indicating that the far-end data endpoint has received the inactive signal; transmitting a mobile phone power-down signal to the mobile phone to switch a transceiver of the mobile phone to a low power state, thereby reducing power consumption; and periodically powering up the mobile phone and performing a quick retrain with the far-end data endpoint while in the inactive state during a continued absence of the data signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A method of controlling data communication in an analog cellular modem coupled to data terminal equipment so as to minimize power consumption, the method comprising the steps of:
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establishing an analog data connection through a cellular transceiver between the data terminal equipment and a far-end data endpoint; putting the analog data connection on hold upon detecting an absence of data transmission activity on the analog data connection for a predefined period of time; powering down the cellular transceiver when the analog data connection is on hold, thereby minimizing power consumption; periodically powering up the cellular transceiver and performing a quick retrain with the far-end data endpoint while the analog data connection is on hold during a continued absence of the data signal; and powering up the cellular transceiver when the analog data connection is not on hold. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of controlling data communication in an analog cellular modem so as to minimize power consumption, comprising the steps of:
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establishing a data connection with a far-end modem; monitoring the data connection for an inactive signal transmitted by the far-end analog modem representing that the far-end analog modem is putting the data connection on hold; transmitting an acknowledgment signal to the far-end data endpoint indicating that the inactive signal has been received; ceasing transmission of a data carrier signal to the far-end modem while the data connection is on hold without dropping the data connection; and periodically performing a quick retrain with the far-end modem while the data connection is on hold during a continued absence of a data signal from the far-end modem. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An analog cellular modem for establishing a data connection with a far-end data endpoint via cellular network, comprising:
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a data terminal equipment interface for coupling to data terminal equipment to receive data therefrom; a cellular interface for coupling to a mobile phone; and a processor operating according to software on a memory, the software being configured to monitor the existence of data transmission activity from the data terminal equipment; place a data call on hold when the data transmission activity does not exist for a predefined amount of time; transmit an inactive signal to the far-end data endpoint; receive an acknowledgment signal from the far-end data endpoint; power down the mobile phone via the cellular interface when the data call is on hold; and periodically power up the mobile phone and perform a quick retrain with the far-end data endpoint while on hold during a continued absence of the data transmission activity. - View Dependent Claims (24)
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Specification