Power saving in a device compatible with cellular and WLAN networks

• US 8,379,615 B2
• Filed: 10/22/2010
• Issued: 02/19/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Blackberry Limited, Mcmaster University
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited, Mcmaster University
• Inventors: Todd, Terence Douglas, Kezys, Vytautas Robertas
• Primary Examiner(s): MITCHELL, NATHAN A
• Application Number:
  US12/909,945
• Publication Number:
  US 20110034205A1
• Time in Patent Office: 851 Days
• Field of Search: 370/338
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0225 using monitoring of external events, e.g. the presence of a signal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0251 using monitoring of local events, e.g. events related to user activity
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/20 Manipulation of established connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A mobile communication device is able to communicate with wireless local area network and with a cellular network. A communication system is able to route a communication session between the mobile communication device and another communication device either by way of the wireless local area network or the cellular network. The communication system is able to trigger the mobile communication device via the cellular network to search for and attempt to connect to the wireless local area network. The mobile communication device, in response to reception of signaling via the cellular network, is able to activate a wireless local area network interface of the mobile communication device and to establish a connection to the wireless local area network.

Claims

1. A method in a mobile communication device, the method comprising:

transmitting presence signaling to a mobility manager via a cellular network;

in response to recognizing that a user of said device is initiating a communication session to another communication device, activating a wireless local area network interface of said mobile communication device and searching for and attempting to establish a connection to a wireless local area network; and

in response to determining that a connection to a particular wireless local area network is established, transmitting updated presence signaling to said mobility manager via said particular wireless local area network.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

establishing said communication session with said other communication device via said particular wireless local area network.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

in response to determining that said connection is lost, transmitting updated presence signaling to said mobility manager via said cellular network, establishing said communication session with said other communication device via said cellular network.

4. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions which when executed by a computer in a mobile communication device result in:

transmitting presence signaling to a mobility manager via a cellular network;

in response to recognizing that a user of said device is initiating a communication session to another communication device, activating a wireless local area network interface of said mobile communication device and searching for and attempting to establish a connection to a wireless local area network; and

in response to determining that a connection to a particular wireless local area network is established, transmitting updated presence signaling to said mobility manager via said particular wireless local area network.

5. A mobile communication device comprising:

a processor;

a cellular communication interface coupled to said processor;

a wireless local area network interface coupled to said processor; and

a memory configured to store code which, when executed by said processor, causes said mobile communication device to transmit presence signaling to a mobility manager via a cellular network using said cellular communication interface and in response to recognizing that a user of said device is initiating a communication session to another communication device, to activate said wireless local area network interface and to search for and attempt to establish a connection to a wireless local area network, and in response to determining that a connection to a particular wireless local area network is established via said wireless local area network interface, to transmit updated presence signaling to said mobility manager via said particular wireless local area network.

6. The mobile communication device of claim 5, wherein said code, when executed by said processor, further causes said mobile communication device to establish said communication session with said other communication device via said particular wireless local area network.

7. The mobile communication device of claim 5, wherein said code, when executed by said processor, further causes said mobile communication device, in response to determining that said connection is lost, to transmit updated presence signaling to said mobility manager via said cellular network, to establish said communication session with said other communication device via said cellular network.