Momentary burst protocol for wireless communication

• US 7,949,317 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2008
• Issued: 05/24/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lydon, Gregory, Krueger, Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Lee
• Application Number:
  US12/030,754
• Publication Number:
  US 20090203393A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,196 Days
• Field of Search: 455/127.5, 4553432-3434, 455/574, 340/7.32, 340/7.34, 340/7.38, 370/311, 370/338
• US Class Current: 455/127.5
• 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 method for communicating data, the method comprising:

enabling power to a transmitter;

transmitting a plurality of packets indicative of substantially the same payload;

disabling power to the transmitter;

determining a first predetermined time to enable a receiver;

determining a second predetermined time to disable the receiver;

enabling power to the receiver based on the first predetermined time;

outputting the payload in response to receiving one or more of the plurality of packets; and

disabling power to the receiver based on the second predetermined time.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein enabling power to the transmitter comprises enabling power to the transmitter in response to an event associated with a device.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the plurality of packets indicative of substantially the same payload comprises transmitting each of the plurality of packets with a payload identifier associated with the payload.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein transmitting the plurality of packets comprises transmitting the plurality of packets for a predetermined interval.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein determining the first predetermined time to enable the receiver comprises determining one of a plurality of times to enable the receiver in response to a timing plan associated with the plurality of packets.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein outputting the payload in response to receiving the one or more of the plurality of packets comprises outputting a single instance of the payload based on a set of filters.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first and second predetermined times are determined in response to power criteria.

8. A system for communicating data, the system comprising:

a first device having a transmitter, the first device configured to enable power to the transmitter, to transmit a plurality of packets indicative of substantially the same payload, and to disabling power to the transmitter; and

a second device having a receiver, the second device configured to determine a first predetermined time to enable the receiver, to determine a second predetermined time to disable the receiver, to enable power to the receiver based on the first predetermined time, to output the payload in response to receiving one or more of the plurality of packets, and to disable power to the receiver based on the second predetermined time.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the first device is configured to enable power to the transmitter in response to an event.

10. The system of claim 8 wherein the first device is configured to transmit each of the plurality of packets with a payload identifier associated with the payload.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the first device is configured to transmit the plurality of packets for a predetermined interval.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the second device is configured to determine one of a plurality of times to enable the receiver in response to a timing plan associated with the plurality of packets.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the second device is configured to output a single instance of the payload based on a set of filters.

14. The system of claim 8 wherein the second device is configured to determine the first and second predetermined times in response to power criteria.

15. A computer readable medium configured to store a set of code modules which when executed by a set of processors cause the processors to communicate data, the computer readable medium comprising:

code for enabling power to a transmitter;

code for transmitting a plurality of packets indicative of substantially the same payload;

code for disabling power to the transmitter;

code for determining a first predetermined time to enable a receiver;

code for determining a second predetermined time to disable the receiver;

code for enabling power to the receiver based on the first predetermined time;

code for outputting the payload in response to receiving one or more of the plurality of packets; and

code for disabling power to the receiver based on the second predetermined time.

16. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein the code for enabling power to the transmitter comprises code for enabling power to the transmitter in response to an event associated with a device.

17. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein the code for transmitting the plurality of packets indicative of substantially the same payload comprises code for transmitting each of the plurality of packets with a payload identifier associated with the payload.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein the code for transmitting the plurality of packets comprises code for transmitting the plurality of packets for a predetermined interval.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein the code for determining the first predetermined time to enable the receiver comprises code for determining one of a plurality of times to enable the receiver in response to a timing plan associated with the plurality of packets.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein the code for outputting the payload in response to receiving the one or more of the plurality of packets comprises code for outputting a single instance of the payload based on a set of filters.

21. The computer readable medium of claim 15 wherein the first and second predetermined times are determined in response to power criteria.