Wireless-enabled device with capability of responding to changes in operational state

• US 7,705,726 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2006
• Issued: 04/27/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/11/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Nortel Networks Limited (Nortel Networks Corporation)
• Inventors: Wallace, Raymond Bruce, Duxbury, Guy Michael Amyon Farquharson, Graves, Alan F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen, Tai T
• Application Number:
  US11/613,375
• Publication Number:
  US 20080089254A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,224 Days
• Field of Search: 340/539.1, 340/455, 340/636.1, 340/636.11, 340/636.19, 340/660, 340/661, 370/338, 455/522
• US Class Current: 340/539.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0277 according to available power supply, e.g. switching off when a low battery condition is detected
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0296 switching to a backup power supply
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/22 Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A device suitable for wireless communication with a network entity. The device comprises a functional unit configured to monitor an operational state of the device and, in response to detecting that the device is in a de-powered operational state, to inform the network entity of an ability of the device to wirelessly communicate with the network entity during a future time interval while the device remains in a de-powered operational state. A second functional unit capable of wireless communication with the network entity may also be provided and may be selectably powered from either a main power source or an alternate power source such that the second functional unit is powered from the alternate power source during the future time interval and becomes unpowered from the alternate power source after the future time interval. Thus, de-powered devices can be located and communicated with more easily.

Claims

1. A device suitable for wireless communication with a network entity, comprising:

a main power source;

an alternate power source;

a first functional unit configured to monitor an operational state of the device and, in response to detecting that the device is in a de-powered operational state, to inform the network entity of an ability of the device to wirelessly communicate with the network entity during a future time interval while the device remains in a de-powered operational state;

and a second functional unit capable of wireless communication with the network entity and configured to be selectably powered from either the main power source or the alternate power source;

wherein the first functional unit is further configured to cause the second functional unit to be powered from the alternate power source during the future time interval and to become unpowered from the alternate power source after the future time interval, thereby to permit wireless communication between the second functional unit and the network entity during the future time interval while the device remains in a de-powered operational state.

2. The device defined in claim 1, wherein the first functional unit is configured to be powered from the alternate power source when the device is in a de-powered operational state.

3. The device defined in claim 2, further comprising a housing.

4. The device defined in claim 3, further comprising a power switch that enables the first functional unit to be selectably powered from either the main power source or the alternate power source, the power switch being controllable by the first functional unit.

5. The device defined in claim 4, wherein the alternate power source comprises a battery.

6. The device defined in claim 5, wherein the alternate power source is configured to be non-removable by a user without damage to the housing unless a specialized service tool is used.

7. The device defined in claim 5, wherein the alternate power source is a battery, said main power source and said alternate power source being configured to allow the alternate power source to be recharged by the main power source while the device is in an active operational state.

8. The device defined in claim 7, wherein the main power source comprises a removable battery.

9. The device defined in claim 7, wherein the main power source is fed by a wall outlet.

10. The device defined in claim 1, wherein the first functional unit is configured to cause the second functional unit to be attentive to receipt of a message from the network entity during the future time interval.

11. The device defined in claim 10, wherein the message from the network entity comprises data destined for the first functional unit, said second functional unit being configured to forward said data to the first functional unit upon receipt of the message.

12. The device defined in claim 10, further comprising:

a third functional unit.

13. The device defined in claim 12, wherein the message comprises information for disabling a functional characteristic of the device.

14. The device defined in claim 13, wherein the third functional unit is configured to process data stored in a memory, wherein the data can be processed only if an encryption key is known.

15. The device defined in claim 14, wherein disabling a functional characteristic of the device comprises preventing the third functional unit from knowing the encryption key.

16. The device defined in claim 12, wherein the message comprises information for enabling a functional characteristic of the device.

17. The device defined in claim 16, wherein the third functional unit is configured to process data stored in a memory, wherein the data can be processed only if an encryption key is known.

18. The device defined in claim 17, wherein enabling a functional characteristic of the device comprises allowing the third functional unit to know the encryption key for a limited amount of time.

19. The device defined in claim 12, wherein the message comprises information for modifying a functional characteristic of the device.

20. The device defined in claim 19, wherein the third functional unit is configured to consult an anti-virus file stored in a memory, the anti-virus file containing a information regarding computer viruses.

21. The device defined in claim 20, wherein modifying a functional characteristic of the device comprises modifying the information regarding computer viruses.

22. The device defined in claim 12, wherein the message comprises a request for a status of the device, the second functional entity being configured to obtain a status of the device and to release a return message indicative of the status of the device in response to receipt of the message, the return message destined for the network entity.

23. The device defined in claim 12, wherein the device is considered to be in a de-powered state if certain functions of the device have been turned off or the main power source has an inability to power said certain functions of the device.

24. The device defined in claim 23, further comprising:

an on/off switch for allowing said certain functions to be turned on or off.

25. The device defined in claim 24, wherein the on/off switch is capable of being toggled by an external user.

26. The device defined in claim 25, wherein the on/off switch is capable of being overridden by the second functional unit.

27. The device defined in claim 26, wherein the message is instrumental in causing the second functional unit to override the on/off switch, thereby to wake up at least one of said certain functions of the device.

28. The device defined in claim 1, wherein the first functional unit is configured to emit beacons to enable the network entity to determine a location of the device.

29. The device defined in claim 28, wherein each of the beacons is a beacon of a first type, a beacon of a second type or a beacon of a third type, wherein the second functional unit is configured to emit beacons of the first type when the device is in an active operational state.

30. The device defined in claim 29, wherein the first functional unit is configured to emit beacons of the second and third types when the device is in a de-powered operational state.

31. The device defined in claim 30, wherein the first functional unit is configured to emit recurring sets of N−

1 beacons of the second type followed by 1 beacon of the third type when the device is in a de-powered operational state, where N is an integer greater than zero.

32. The device defined in claim 31, wherein the beacons of the second type comprise data indicative of an inattentiveness of the device to messages from the network entity.

33. The device defined in claim 32, wherein the beacons of the third type comprise ancillary data indicative of a future attentiveness of the device to messages from the network entity.

34. The device defined in claim 28, the first functional unit being configured to monitor a charge level of the main power source, wherein at least some of the beacons comprise ancillary data indicative of the charge level of the main power source.

35. The device defined in claim 1, further comprising:

an antenna subsystem connected to the first and second functional units, for exchanging wireless signals with the network entity.

36. The device defined in claim 35, wherein the antenna subsystem supports a first wireless protocol for exchanging wireless signals between the first functional unit and the network entity, and wherein the antenna subsystem supports a second wireless protocol for exchanging wireless signals between the second functional unit and the network entity.

37. The device defined in claim 36, wherein the first and second wireless protocols are the same.

38. The device defined in claim 36, wherein the first and second wireless protocols are different.

40. A method for execution at a wirelessly-enabled device of claim 1, comprising:

monitoring an operational state of the device; and

in response to detecting that the device is in a de-powered operational state, informing the network entity of an ability of the device to wirelessly communicate with the network entity during a future time interval while the device remains in a de-powered operational state.

51. The device defined in claim 20, wherein the first functional unit is configured to emit beacons of the second and third types when the device is in a de-powered operational state.

52. The device defined in claim 51, wherein the first functional unit is configured to emit recurring sets of N−

1 beacons of the second type followed by 1 beacon of the third type when the device is in a de-powered operational state, where N is an integer greater than zero.

53. The device defined in claim 52, wherein the feature is the value of N.

54. The device defined in claim 53, the first functional unit being configured to monitor a charge level of the main power source, wherein at least some of the beacons comprise ancillary data indicative of the charge level of the power source.

39. A device suitable for wireless communication with a network entity, comprising;

a main power source;

an alternate power source;

a first means configured to monitor an operational state of the device and, in response to detecting that the device is in a de-powered operational state, to inform the network entity of an ability of the device to wirelessly communicate with the network entity during a future time interval while the device remains in a de-powered operational state and a second means capable of wireless communication with the network entity and configured to be selectably powered from either the main power source or the alternate power source;

wherein the first means is further configured to cause the second means to be powered from the alternate power source during the future time interval and to become unpowered from the alternate power source after the future time interval, thereby to permit wireless communication between the second means and the network entity during the future time interval while the device remains in a de-powered operational state.

41. A device suitable for wireless communication with a network entity, comprising:

a main power source;

an alternate power source;

a first functional unit capable of wirelessly transmitting beacons to the network entity in accordance with a signaling scheme so as to allow the network entity to obtain information regarding the device;

a second functional unit configured to monitor a charge level of the power source and to modify a feature of the signaling scheme based on the monitored charge level wherein the first functional unit is further configured to cause the second functional unit to be powered from the alternate power source during the future time interval and to become unpowered from the alternate power source after the future time interval, thereby to permit wireless communication between the second functional unit and the network entity during the future time interval while the device remains in a de-powered operational state.

42. The device defined in claim 41, wherein the beacons are emitted in accordance with a signaling scheme.

43. The device defined in claim 42, the first functional unit being configured to monitor a charge level of the power source and to effect a modification of a feature of the signaling scheme if the monitored charge level meets a pre-defined condition.

44. The device defined in claim 43, wherein the pre-defined condition is a function of a rate of change of the charge level.

45. The device defined in claim 44, wherein the pre-defined condition is a negative rate of change of the charge level.

46. The device defined in claim 44, wherein the pre-defined condition is a rate of change of the charge level that is sufficiently large to support an inference that the power source has been removed.

47. The device defined in claim 46, wherein the feature is a rate of emission of the beacons.

48. The device defined in claim 46, wherein the feature is a content of ancillary information conveyed by the beacons.

49. The device defined in claim 48, wherein the beacons allow the network entity to obtain location information regarding the device.

50. The device defined in claim 46, wherein each of the beacons is a beacon of a first type, a beacon of a second type or a beacon of a third type, wherein the first functional unit is configured to emit beacons of the first type when the device is in an active operational state.