Adaptive wake-up period of roaming wireless terminals

• US 20070127425A1
• Filed: 08/14/2006
• Published: 06/07/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/15/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Keidar, Ron, Burroughs, Kirk, Manor, Liron, Holcman, Alejandro
• Granted Patent: US 8,060,119 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/338
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/16 Discovering, processing access restriction or access information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/0229 where the received signal is a wanted signal
• 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 method for controlling a wireless terminal operating in a hibernation cycle alternating between a wake mode and a hibernation mode includes communicating with a first wireless network during a first waking period having a first duration, and with a second wireless network during a second waking period following the first waking period. The second waking period is extended to a second duration, greater than the first duration, responsively to detecting that the second wireless network is different from the first wireless network. Network information relating to the second wireless network is received during the second waking period.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

a) communicating with a first wireless network during a first waking period;

b) communicating with a second wireless network during a second waking period following the first waking period; and

c) extending the second waking period in response to detecting that the second wireless network is different from the first wireless network.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving network information relating to the second wireless network during the second waking period.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless terminal comprises a low duty-cycle (LDC) terminal in an LDC network, and wherein communicating with the first and second wireless networks comprises applying an LDC service.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein communicating with the first and second wireless networks comprises registering with the respective wireless network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein detecting that the second wireless network is different from the first wireless network comprises:

a) receiving a first identification (ID) number from the first wireless network during the first waking period;

b) receiving a second ID number from the second wireless network during the second waking period; and

c) detecting that the first ID number is different from the second ID number.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein receiving the network information comprises receiving a dedicated message comprising an address in the second wireless network with which the terminal is to communicate.

7. A wireless terminal, comprising:

a) a transmitter configured to transmit information to first and second wireless networks;

b) a receiver configured to receive information from the first and second wireless networks; and

c) a control module configured to control the transmitter and receiver to;

i) alternate between a wake mode and a hibernation mode so as to communicate with the first wireless network during a first waking period having a first duration,

ii) communicate with the second wireless network during a second waking period following the first waking period, and

iii) extend the second waking period to a second duration greater than the first duration responsively to detecting that the second wireless network is different from the first wireless network.

8. The wireless terminal of claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured to receive network information relating to the second wireless network during the second waking period.

9. The terminal of claim 7, wherein the wireless terminal and the first and second wireless networks comprise a low duty-cycle (LDC) network.

10. The terminal of claim 7, wherein the control module is arranged to operate the transmission and reception circuits so as to register with the first and second wireless networks in order to communicate with the first and second wireless networks, respectively.

11. The terminal of claim 7, wherein the control module is arranged to:

a) receive through the receiver a first identification (ID) number from the first wireless network during the first waking period;

b) receive through the receiver a second ID number from the second wireless network during the second waking period; and

c) detect that the second wireless network is different from the first wireless network by detecting that the first ID number is different from the second ID number.

12. The terminal of claim 7, wherein the network information comprises a dedicated downlink message comprising an address in the second wireless network with which the terminal is to communicate.