Background process scheduling method and apparatus for optimizing specific absorption rate

• US 9,900,039 B2
• Filed: 05/28/2015
• Issued: 02/20/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/28/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Ganesh, Shriram, Forutanpour, Babak, Lu, Lin
• Primary Examiner(s): MEHRA, INDER P
• Application Number:
  US14/723,711
• Publication Number:
  US 20160352379A1
• Time in Patent Office: 999 Days
• Field of Search: 4552261, 4554141, 455522, 455405, 4555755, 370328-329, 370259, 718100, 718101
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/46 Multiprogramming arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3838 Arrangements for reducing RF exposure to the user, e.g. by changing the shape of the transceiver while in use
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/60 Subscription-based services using application servers or record carriers, e.g. SIM application toolkits

Abstract

Embodiments described herein provide a method for scheduling background processes. The method begins when a task scheduler requests a SAR severity level from the application processor. The application processor then requests the SAR severity level from the modem. Upon receipt of the SAR severity level the task scheduler then determines if the SAR severity level is high. If the SAR severity level is high, the task scheduler waits a predetermined time and then requests a further SAR severity level. This process continues until the SAR severity level returned in within a normal level. At that time, the background process is scheduled. This prioritizes transmission. The apparatus includes a task scheduler in communication with an application processor and a modem in communication with the application processor. The task scheduler may include a memory and a timer.

Claims

1. A method of scheduling background processes, comprising:

requesting a specific absorption rate (SAR) severity level;

determining if the SAR severity level is above a predetermined SAR regulatory limit;

waiting a predetermined duration if the SAR severity level is above the predetermined SAR regulatory limit, wherein the predetermined duration is based on a measurement time window and the predetermined SAR regulatory limit;

repeating the requesting the SAR severity level step and the determining if the SAR severity level is above the predetermined SAR regulatory limit until the SAR severity level is below the predetermined SAR regulatory limit; and

scheduling a background process, based on the SAR severity level, wherein scheduling the background process prioritizes maintaining a transmission.

2. The method of claim 1, where the predetermined duration is a measurement time window and an additional fine tuning increment of time.

3. The method of claim 1, where the SAR severity levels are predetermined and based on measurements taken within a measurement time window.

4. The method of claim 3, where the additional fine tuning factor is determined for a particular device and network.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending an alarm message when the SAR severity value increases beyond a predetermined normal level;

postponing any scheduled background processes for a specified duration of time; and

scheduling the background processes when the SAR value is within the predetermined normal level.

6. The method of claim 5, where the specified duration of time includes a fine tuning factor.

7. The method of claim 6, where the fine tuning factor is determined for a particular device and network.

8. An apparatus for scheduling background processes, comprising:

a task scheduler in communication with a processor, wherein the task scheduler is configured to schedule background processes based on a SAR severity level; and

a modem in communication with the processor.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the task scheduler includes a timer.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the timer includes a fine tuning adjustment.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the task scheduler includes a memory.

12. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the modem includes a specific absorption rate (SAR) measuring device.

13. An apparatus for scheduling background processes, comprising:

means for requesting a specific absorption rate (SAR) severity level;

means for determining if the SAR severity level is above a predetermined SAR regulatory limit;

means for waiting a predetermined duration if the SAR severity level is above the predetermined SAR regulatory limit, wherein the predetermined duration is based on a measurement time window and the predetermined SAR regulatory limit;

means for repeating the SAR severity level step and the determining if the SAR severity level is above the predetermined SAR regulatory limit until the SAR severity level is below the predetermined SAR regulatory limit; and

means for scheduling a background process based on the SAR severity level, wherein the means for scheduling the background process prioritizes maintaining a transmission.

14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the means for waiting a predetermined duration of time includes a means for determining an additional fine tuning increment of time.

15. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising:

means for sending an alarm message when the SAR severity value increases beyond a predetermined normal level;

means for postponing any scheduled background processes for a specified period of time; and

means for scheduling the background processes when the SAR value is within the predetermined normal level.

16. The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising means for storing the predetermined normal SAR level.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the means for storing the predetermined normal SAR level also stores the fine tuning value.