Activating satellite SOS mode in limited services

Abstract

Various embodiments include methods and wireless devices implementing such methods for detecting when a wireless device is operating in a limited service state (LSS) mode, transitioning from operating in the LSS mode to a satellite-based SOS mode in response to the wireless device operating in the LSS mode, and transmitting a text message or initiating a voice call using a satellite-based SOS mode.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Application No. 18 / 302,821, filed April 19, 2023; the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND

[0003] Satellite-based SOS mode, also known as emergency SOS via satellite coverage, is a feature that allows a wireless device user to transmit an emergency distress signal in areas without cellular coverage. This mode can operate on the Iridium satellite constellation, which is a 66-satellite network that traditionally powers specialized satellite phones with external antennas. Modern wireless devices can use such satellite constellations to implement a call and messaging system that allows users to make emergency calls (e.g., 911 calls) and / or transmit short, predefined emergency messages when there is no cellular connectivity. This feature can allow devices in remote locations (e.g., devices carried by hikers, campers, sailors, etc.) to transmit emergency messages to first responders or friends and family in the event of an accident or emergency. This feature is also a useful feature for people living in areas where cellular coverage is unreliable or in disaster-prone areas where the communication infrastructure can be destroyed. SUMMARY

[0004] Various aspects include methods for and wireless devices configured to perform methods for detecting when the wireless device is operating in a limited service state (LSS) mode, transitioning from operating in the LSS mode to a satellite-based SOS mode in response to the wireless device operating in the LSS mode, and transmitting a text message or placing a phone call using the satellite-based SOS mode. Some aspects include methods for communicating by a wireless device via a satellite communication system, which can include detecting when the wireless device is operating in a limited service state (LSS) mode, transitioning from operating in the LSS to a satellite-based SOS mode in response to the wireless device operating in the LSS mode, and transmitting a text message or initiating a voice call using the satellite-based SOS mode. Some aspects can also include transitioning from operating in the LSS mode to the satellite-based SOS mode in response to detecting that a text message or voice call has been initiated on the wireless device operating in the LSS mode. Some aspects can also include determining whether a global positioning system signal is available in response to detecting that a text message or voice call has been initiated on the wireless device operating in the LSS mode, and transitioning from operating in the LSS mode to the satellite-based SOS mode in response to determining that the global positioning system signal is available. Some aspects can also include prompting a user to move to another location in response to determining that the global positioning system signal is not available.

[0005] Some aspects can also include transitioning from operating in a satellite-based SOS mode to an LSS mode in response to transmitting a text message or initiating a voice call. Some aspects can also include receiving a text message using a satellite-based SOS mode by transmitting a null text message using the satellite-based SOS mode to initiate a polling sequence with a satellite system. Some aspects can also include establishing a connection to an acceptable cell and transitioning to operating in an LSS mode in response to not finding a suitable cell to connect or camp on, in response to not detecting a subscriber identity module (SIM), or in response to detecting another condition that prevents the wireless device from accessing its home network or another condition that prevents the wireless device from accessing a suitable partner or visited network.

[0006] Further aspects include a wireless device having a processor configured to perform operations of any of the methods summarized above. Further aspects include a wireless device having means for performing any of the functions of the methods summarized above. Further aspects include a non-transitory processor-readable medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor of a wireless device to perform operations of any of the methods summarized above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0007] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and constitute part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the claims, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description given below, serve to explain features of the present disclosure.

[0008] Figure 1 is a block diagram illustrating a system-on-a-chip that can be included in a mobile or wireless computing device, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0009] Figure 2 is a block diagram illustrating example components of a mobile or wireless computing device that can be configured to transmit text messages and / or make calls using a satellite-based SOS mode, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0010] Figures 3 to 5 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method of transmitting and receiving calls and / or text messages using a satellite system when a wireless device is in a limited service state (LSS) mode.

[0011] Figure 6 is a process flow diagram illustrating a method of causing a satellite system to poll for incoming text messages.

[0012] Figure 7 is a component block diagram illustrating an example wireless device suitable for implementing various embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. References made to particular examples and implementations are for illustrative purposes, and are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0014] In general, various embodiments include methods for automatically activating a satellite SOS mode and using a satellite system to transmit and receive text messages and / or initiate or receive calls when a wireless device is in a limited service state (LSS) mode, in which the wireless device includes a cellular connection to an "acceptable cell" that is not part of the device's home network, is not included in the device's preferred roaming list, and is not part of a partner / visited network associated with the home network, and wireless devices configured to implement the methods. For example, a wireless device user can be traveling internationally, and the wireless device can connect to an "acceptable cell" of a foreign service provider that does not have any roaming or usage agreements with the device's home service provider or home network.

[0015] The term "computing device" can be used herein to refer to any or all of: a quantum computing device, an edge device, an Internet access gateway, a modem, a router, a network switch, a residential gateway, an access point, an integrated access device (IAD), a mobile convergence product, a networking adapter, a multiplexer, a personal computer, a laptop computer, a tablet computer, a user equipment (UE), a smartphone, a personal or mobile multimedia player, a personal data assistant (PDA), a palm-top computer, a wireless electronic mail receiver, a multimedia Internet enabled cellular telephone, a game system (e.g., PlayStation ™ , Xbox ™ , Nintendo Switch ™ , etc.), a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, smart glasses, a head-mounted display, a fitness tracker, etc.), a media player (e.g., a DVD player, ROKU ™ , AppleTV ™ , etc.), a digital video recorder (DVR), an automobile display, a portable projector, a 3D holographic display, and other similar devices that include a display and a programmable processor that can be configured to provide the functionality of various embodiments.

[0016] The term "wireless device" can be used herein to refer to any one or all of mobile devices, UE devices, Internet of Things (IOT) devices, cellular telephones, smartphones, personal or mobile multi-media players, laptops, tablets, ultrabooks, palm tops, wireless electronic mail receivers, multimedia Internet enabled cellular telephones, wireless gaming controllers, smart automobiles, connected vehicles, wearable devices (e.g., HMDs, etc.), and similar electronic devices that include a programmable processor, memory, and circuitry for transmitting and / or receiving wireless communication signals. While various embodiments are particularly useful in wireless mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets, the embodiments are generally useful in any electronic device that includes a programmable processor suitable for executing an extended reality software application.

[0017] The term "system on a chip" (SoC) is used herein to refer to a single integrated circuit (IC) chip that contains multiple resources or standalone processors integrated on a single substrate. A single SoC can contain circuitry for digital, analog, mixed-signal, and radio-frequency functions. A single SoC can also include any number of general-purpose or special-purpose processors (e.g., network processors, digital signal processors, modem processors, video processors, etc.), memory blocks (e.g., ROM, RAM, Flash, etc.), and resources (e.g., timers, voltage regulators, oscillators, etc.). For example, a SoC can include an application processor that operates as the SoC's main processor, central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor unit (MPU), arithmetic logic unit (ALU), etc. A SoC can also include software for controlling the integrated resources and processors, as well as for controlling peripheral devices.

[0018] The term "system in a package" (SIP) can be used herein to refer to a single module or package that contains multiple resources, computing units, cores, or processors on two or more IC chips, substrates, or SoCs. For example, a SIP can include a single substrate on which multiple IC chips or semiconductor dies are stacked in a vertical configuration. Similarly, a SIP can include one or more multi-chip modules (MCMs) on which multiple ICs or semiconductor dies are packaged into a unified substrate. A SIP can also include multiple independent SoCs coupled together via high-speed communication circuitry and packaged in close proximity, such as on a single motherboard, in a single UE, or in a single CPU device. The proximity of the SoCs facilitates high-speed communication as well as sharing of memory and resources.

[0019] A wireless device can include a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC), a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM), hardware, memory, or a card that stores information needed by one or more radio systems (e.g., in a cellular communication network base station or the like) to identify, authenticate, and / or locate a wireless device. The stored information can include one or more authentication keys, an International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) value, a Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI) value, a Location Area Code (LAC), a Home Public Land Mobile Network (HPLMN) value, and other similar identification, authentication, or location information.

[0020] An IMSI value can be a sixty-four (64) bit field or a fifteen (15) digit number that serves as an identifier for a wireless device and a network. The first three digits of an IMSI value can store a Mobile Country Code (MCC) value, the next three digits can store a Mobile Network Code (MNC) value, and the remaining nine (9) digits can store a Mobile Station International Subscriber Directory Number (MSISDN), which can be a phone number associated with a SIM card in a wireless device. The combination of a MCC value and a MNC value can uniquely identify a particular cellular service provider (e.g., AT&T, Verizon, etc.) in a particular country.

[0021] A wireless device can use random access procedures and camp-on procedures to establish and maintain a connection with a cellular network. These procedures are interrelated and work together to provide reliable and seamless communication for a wireless device.

[0022] A wireless device can perform a random access procedure when it needs to initiate a new connection with a wireless network. This can occur when a wireless device is powered on, moved to a new location, or for some other reason needs to establish a new connection. During a random access procedure, a wireless device can transmit a request to a network to establish a connection. The request can include an IMSI or other identification information for the wireless device, as well as a type of service requested. The network (e.g., a base station or the like) can respond with instructions on how to proceed with connection setup, such as assigning a frequency channel and establishing a temporary identifier for the wireless device.

[0023] After establishing an initial connection, a wireless device can need to move between different network areas or cells. When a device moves from one cell to another, it can perform a camp-on procedure to “camp on” to the new cell and register its presence with the new cell. A camp-on procedure can include exchanging signaling messages with a new cell to establish a connection and register the presence of a wireless device. A wireless device can also utilize a network to update its location information and routing information, which can be used to deliver incoming calls, messages, and data to the wireless device.

[0024] Thus, when a modem of a wireless device is powered on or the wireless device moves into a new geographic area, the modem scans for available networks to identify base stations in the available networks through which the wireless device can connect to a global telecommunication network and ultimately to the Internet. This can be accomplished by the wireless device receiving IMSI-based paging messages from surrounding base stations and determining whether any of the received IMSI values (or MCC / MNC values within the IMSI values) match information stored on a SIM of the wireless device. If the values match, the wireless device can establish a connection to the base station and camp on it. When none of the values stored on the SIM match any of the values received from the available networks, the wireless device modem can perform a roaming operation that includes traversing a preferred roaming list to identify a visitor network through which the wireless device can connect to a global telecommunication network. If no suitable network is found, the wireless device does not establish a connection to a base station.

[0025] A wireless device can be configured to operate in a number of different service states, including a full service state (FSS), a no service state (NSS), and an LSS mode. When operating in the FSS, the wireless device can connect to its home network, can transmit at full or near full power levels, can transmit and receive data, and / or access many or all services and functions provided by the network (e.g., voice, data, messaging, etc.).

[0026] When the wireless device cannot connect to its home network or to another network included in its preferred roaming list, the wireless device can operate in the NSS. When operating in the NSS, the wireless device can periodically attempt to reestablish a connection to a network, but can not access any network services until it transitions out of the NSS. In some embodiments, the wireless device can include a satellite communication module and / or a satellite-based SOS mode that can be activated when the wireless device is operating in the NSS. When the satellite-based SOS mode is activated, the wireless device can switch to using the satellite communication module and a satellite network to transmit emergency distress signals, emergency messages, and / or location information to a registrar. In conventional solutions, the satellite-based SOS mode can only be activated when the wireless device is in the NSS and does not have cellular connectivity.

[0027] When a wireless device does not find a suitable cell to connect to or camp on, does not detect a SIM, or encounters other conditions that make it unable to access its home network or a suitable partner / visited network, it can automatically establish a connection to any available network (e.g., an “acceptable cell”) and transition to operating in an LSS mode. For example, a wireless device associated with a first cellular service provider (e.g., AT&T, etc.) that does not have a roaming agreement with a second cellular service provider (e.g., Verizon, etc.) can establish a connection to an acceptable cell in the second cellular service provider (e.g., Verizon, etc.) and transition to operating in an LSS mode. When operating in the LSS mode, the wireless device can have “partial connectivity” and / or access to a small subset of the services and functions provided by the connected network, such as emergency calls (e.g., 911 calls, etc.) or restricted local operator services (RLOS).

[0028] In conventional solutions, services such as voice calls and short message service (SMS) can not be available or restricted while a wireless device remains in the LSS mode. Further, because a conventional wireless device has some cellular connectivity to a network (e.g., an acceptable cell), the conventional wireless device can not allow activation or use of a satellite-based SOS mode while the wireless device continues to operate in the LSS mode. Thus, using conventional solutions, a wireless device user is unable to communicate with friends, family, other predefined contacts, and must instead rely on 911 services in an emergency situation.

[0029] Various embodiments include a wireless device configured to automatically activate a satellite SOS mode and a satellite system that transmits and receives calls and / or text messages when the wireless device is in an LSS mode.

[0030] Various embodiments can be implemented on a number of single- and multi-processor computer systems, including a system on a chip (SOC) or system in a package (SIP). Figure 1 An example computing system or SIP 100 architecture that can be used in mobile or wireless computing devices implementing various embodiments is illustrated.

[0031] Figure 1 The example SIP 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a SOC 102, a clock 106, a voltage regulator 108, a wireless transceiver 110, a millimeter wave and sub-6 GHz transceiver 150, a radio frequency (RF) front end 154, and a 5G millimeter wave module 156, any or all of which can communicate via an interconnect / bus module 150.

[0032] Figure 1The example SOC 102 illustrated in the middle includes one or more co-processors 112 (e.g., vector co-processor) connected to an applications processor 114, a graphics processor 116, a modem processor 118, a digital signal processor (DSP) 120, an artificial intelligence (AI) processor 122, a tensor processor 124, and one or more additional processors 126 connected to one or more of the processors 112-126, a memory 128, system components and resources 130, an interconnect / bus module 104, a satellite support subsystem 132, and a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) subsystem 134.

[0033] The SOC 102 can include various system components, resources, and custom circuitry for managing sensor data, analog-to-digital conversion, wireless data transmission, and for performing other specialized operations such as decoding data packets and processing encoded audio and video signals for presentation in a web browser. For example, the system components and resources 130 of the SOC 102 can include power amplifiers, voltage regulators, oscillators, phase-locked loops, peripheral bridges, data controllers, memory controllers, system controllers, access ports, timers, and other similar components for supporting processors and software clients running on a mobile computing device. The system components and resources 130 can also include circuitry for interfacing with peripheral devices such as cameras, electronic displays, wireless communication devices, external memory chips, and the like.

[0034] The SOC 102 can also include an input / output module (not illustrated) for communicating with resources external to the SOC, such as the clock 106, voltage regulator 108, and wireless transceiver 110 (e.g., cellular wireless transceiver, Bluetooth transceiver, etc.). The resources external to the SOC (e.g., clock 106, voltage regulator 108, wireless transceiver 110) can be shared by two or more of the internal SOC processors / cores.

[0035] The various processors 112-126 can be interconnected to each other and to one or more memory elements 128, system components and resources 130, satellite support subsystem 132, and / or global navigation satellite system (GNSS) subsystem. Similarly, the SOC 102 and / or millimeter wave and sub-6 GHz transceiver 150 can be interconnected to the RF front end 154 and 5G millimeter wave module 156 via an interconnect / bus module (not separately illustrated). The interconnect / bus module (e.g., module 104, etc.) can include an array of reconfigurable logic gates and / or implement a bus architecture (e.g., CoreConnect, AMBA, etc.). Communication can be provided by an advanced interconnect such as a high-performance network-on-chip (NoC).

[0036] In some embodiments, SOC 102 can operate as a central processing unit (CPU) of a wireless computing device that executes arithmetic, logical, control, and input / output (I / O) operations specified by instructions of software applications. In some embodiments, SOC 102 can communicate with a second SOC operating as a specialized processing unit, such as a specialized 5G processing unit responsible for managing high-capacity, high-speed (e.g., 5 Gbps or the like), and / or very high frequency short wavelength (e.g., 28 GHz millimeter wave spectrum or the like) communications.

[0037] Generally, the modem or modem processor 118 is responsible for encoding and decoding data for transmission over a network, and the RF components are responsible for transmitting and receiving data through radio waves. In some embodiments, SOC 102 can be a modem-RF SOC that combines the modem and radio frequency (RF) components into a single system. Integrating these components into a single system can allow for close coordination between the modem and RF components, which in turn can enable more efficient management of power, data, and signal processing on a wireless device. That is, by integrating the two components into a single system, the modem-RF SOC can improve overall performance, efficiency, latency, communication speed, and power consumption characteristics of the wireless device.

[0038] The modem-RF SOC can be configured to facilitate communication over a 5G network by converting data into radio waves and transmitting them through the air, receiving incoming data signals and converting them into usable data for the wireless device. The modem-RF SOC can include hardware (e.g., antennas, transceivers, processors, etc.) and software that manage the various functions of the system.

[0039] The AI processor 122 can be a specialized microprocessor or integrated circuit configured to handle the various computational requirements of machine learning workloads. The AI processor 122 can include specialized hardware units, such as tensor acceleration units or neural network processing units, that are well-suited for specific machine learning tasks, such as complex mathematical operations or tasks such as image recognition, natural language processing, and speech recognition. In some embodiments, the AI processor 122 can be configured to implement AI techniques that improve 5G network performance. For example, the AI processor 122 can improve signal strength, reduce interference, and enhance the accuracy and reliability of location information. In some embodiments, the AI processor 122 can include or be in communication with an AI-enhanced channel state feedback (CSF) component for millimeter wave beam management, an AI-enhanced antenna tuning component, an AI-enhanced global navigation satellite system (GNSS) component, and / or a sensor modem RF component.

[0040] The tensor processor 124 can be a tensor processing unit (TPU), an Al tensor accelerator, or a dedicated hardware component that accelerates the performance of machine learning models that use tensor calculations. Tensors are multidimensional data arrays used in many machine learning algorithms, such as convolutional neural networks (CNNs) and recurrent neural networks (RNNs). The tensor processor 124 can include dedicated hardware units, such as matrix multipliers and tensor cores, that perform matrix and tensor operations at high speed and with high efficiency, allowing machine learning models to be trained and executed much faster than using general-purpose processors (e.g., the application processor 114, etc.). In some embodiments, the Al processor 122 can be configured to work in conjunction with the tensor processor 124. In some embodiments, the tensor processor 124 can be included as a dedicated hardware unit in the Al processor 122.

[0041] Each processor 112-126 can include one or more cores, and each processor / core can perform operations independently of the other processors / cores. For example, the SOC 102 can include a processor that executes a first type of operating system (e.g., FreeBSD, LINUX, etc.) and a processor that executes a second type of operating system (e.g., OS X, etc.). Further, any or all of the processors 112-126 can be included as part of a processor cluster architecture (e.g., a synchronous processor cluster architecture, an asynchronous or heterogeneous processor cluster architecture, etc.).

[0042] Any or all of the processors 112-126 can operate as CPUs of a mobile computing device. Further, any or all of the processors 112-126 can be included as one or more nodes in one or more CPU clusters. A CPU cluster can be a group of interconnected nodes (e.g., processing cores, processors, SOCs, SIPs, computing devices, etc.) configured to work in a coordinated manner to perform computational tasks. Each node can run its own operating system and contain its own CPU, memory, and storage. Tasks assigned to a CPU cluster can be divided into smaller tasks that are distributed across the various nodes for processing. The nodes can work together to complete the tasks, with each node handling a portion of the computation. The results of the computation of each node can be combined to produce a final result. CPU clusters are particularly useful for tasks that can be parallelized and performed simultaneously. This allows CPU clusters to complete tasks much faster than a single high-performance computer. Additionally, because CPU clusters are made up of multiple nodes, they are generally more reliable and less prone to failure than a single high-performance component.

[0043] In addition to the example SIP 100 discussed above, various embodiments can be implemented in a wide variety of computing systems, which can include a single processor, multiple processors, multi-core processors, or any combination thereof.

[0044] Figure 2 An example computing system 200 architecture that can be used in a wireless device implementing various embodiments is illustrated. Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , the application processor 114 can be divided into an application space 202, a system space 204, and a vendor space 206. The application processor 114 can include a SOS client application component 208, a third party software development kit (SDK) component 210, an interface definition language (IDL) component 212, a phone component 214, an iRadio hardware abstraction layer (HAL) component 216, a radio interface layer (RIL) component 218, any or all of which can be included as part of a telecommunication stack 201 of an operating system. The application processor 114 can also include a SDK component 220, an IDL component 222, an edge service development kit (ESDK) architecture component 222, a SOS database daemon component 226, a SOS vendor library 228, and a SOS HAL component 230, any or all of which can be included as part of a satellite communication stack 203 of an operating system. The RIL component 218 and the SOS data daemon component 226 can communicate with a connection management module 252 in the modem processor 118 through interfaces 234, 250.

[0045] The modem processor 118 can include a connection management module 252, a legacy interface component 254, a cellular stack component 256, a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) component 258, a SOS service component 260, and a SOS stack component 262. The SOS stack component 262 can communicate with a satellite service component (SATCO) 270 via a satellite link 272.

[0046] In some embodiments, the connection management module 252 can be configured to monitor the system to determine whether it is currently connected to a cellular network or operating in a no service state (NSS). The application processor 114 can be configured to activate the SOS client application 208 and the SOS vendor library 228 in response to determining (e.g., based on instructions or information received from the modem processor 118) that the wireless device is not currently connected to a cellular network. The components 220-230 in the satellite communication stack 203 can work in coordination with each other to provide on-demand transmission and reception of text messages and / or voice calls over a satellite link 272 (e.g., using the Iridium constellation, etc.) when there is no cellular coverage and / or when the wireless device is operating in the NSS.

[0047] In some embodiments, the wireless device can be configured to activate the SOS client application 208 and / or the SOS provider repository 228 in response to determining that the wireless device is operating in LSS mode. In response, the wireless device can switch to operating in self-organizing time division multiple access (SDRM) mode, and / or the components 220-230 in the satellite communication stack 203 can work in concert with one another to provide on-demand transmission and reception of text messages and / or place voice calls over a satellite link 272 (e.g., using the Iridium constellation, etc.) when cellular coverage is limited.

[0048] Figure 3 A method 300 of activating satellite SOS mode and using a satellite system to transmit and receive calls and / or text messages when a wireless device is in LSS mode is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments. Referring to FIG. 3, Figures 1 to 3 The operations of method 300 can be performed by a processor (e.g., processors 112-126, etc.) adapted to be used in a wireless device. Referring to FIG. 1, Figures 1 to 3 Components for performing the functions of method 300 can include the processor (e.g., processors 112-126, etc.) of the wireless device.

[0049] In block 302, the processor can detect that the wireless device is operating in LSS mode. As discussed above, the wireless device can automatically establish a connection to any available network (e.g., an "acceptable cell") and transition to operating in LSS when it does not find a suitable cell to connect to or camp on, does not detect a SIM, or encounters other conditions that prevent it from accessing its home network or a suitable partner / visited network. For example, a wireless device associated with AT&T can establish a connection to an acceptable cell in Vodafone and transition to operating in LSS. When operating in LSS, the wireless device can have "partial connectivity" and / or access to a small subset of the services and functions provided by the connected network, such as emergency calls (e.g., 911 calls, etc.) or restricted local operator services (RLOS).

[0050] In block 302, the processor can detect that the wireless device user is attempting to transmit a text message or initiate a voice call. The wireless device can use a combination of user input and software signals to detect when the user is attempting to transmit a text message or initiate a voice call. For example, when the user types a message on the wireless device, the processor can receive signals from the device's touchscreen or keypad and can interpret the input as text characters. As the user types, the processor can track the characters entered and determine whether they are part of a text message or a phone number.

[0051] In addition to user input, the processor can monitor the state of the device's software and / or hardware to detect when a text message is being transmitted or a call is being initiated. For example, when a user selects an option to transmit a text message, the device's software can trigger a series of processes to prepare the message for sending, including formatting the message, selecting the appropriate network and sending protocol, and establishing a connection with the network. In block 304, the processor can monitor these processes to determine whether the user is attempting to transmit a text message or initiate a voice call.

[0052] In block 306, the processor can switch from operating in the LSS mode to operating in a self-organizing time division multiple access (SDRM) mode. In some embodiments, switching from the LSS mode to the SDRM in block 306 can trick the wireless device into thinking that it is operating in a no-service mode and / or can cause the wireless device to enter a satellite-based SOS mode. For example, switching from the LSS mode to the SDRM in block 306 can activate the SOS client application 208 and / or the SOS vendor library 228 and / or any or all of the components 220-230 in the satellite communication stack 203 to work together and provide services for transmitting and receiving text messages and / or initiating and receiving voice calls on demand over a satellite link.

[0053] In block 308, the processor can transmit a text message or initiate a voice call using the satellite-based SOS mode. For example, the processor can activate the SOS mode on the wireless device to initiate the SOS mode, establish a connection with a satellite network (e.g., using a dedicated communication protocol designed for satellite-based communication systems, etc.), format the message (e.g., header, metadata) according to the requirements of the satellite-based communication system, and send the text message or initiate the voice call to an appropriate ground-based station via the satellite network for forwarding to a recipient or called party. In some embodiments, the wireless device can also receive a confirmation that the text message has been successfully sent and / or received by the appropriate recipient. The confirmation can be displayed on the screen of the device or communicated through an audio or vibration alert.

[0054] In block 310, the processor can switch back to the limited service state (i.e., the LLS mode) from the SDRM mode. For example, the processor can switch back to the LLS mode from the SDRM mode in order to maintain a stable and reliable connection with the network, take advantage of features available in the limited service state, conserve battery life, etc.

[0055] Figure 4 A method 400 of activating a satellite SOS mode and using a satellite system to transmit and receive messages when a wireless device is in a LSS mode is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments. Reference is made to FIG. 1 for purposes of explanation of the method 400. Figures 1 to 4The operations of method 400 can be performed by a processor suitable for use in a wireless device (e.g., processors 112-126, etc.). Reference is made to Figures 1 to 4 A component for performing the functions of method 400 can include a processor (e.g., processors 112-126, etc.).

[0056] In blocks 302 and 304, the processor can perform the operations of the same numbered blocks of method 300 as described. In decision block 402, the processor can determine whether a global positioning signal is available. Availability of such a signal would indicate to the wireless device that there is a high likelihood that the wireless device will be able to establish a satellite communication link to a satellite network.

[0057] In response to determining that a global positioning signal is not available (i.e., decision block 402 = "No"), the processor can continue to monitor the wireless device to determine whether the wireless device user attempts to transmit a text message or initiate a voice call while the wireless device continues to operate in LSS.

[0058] In response to determining that a global positioning signal is available (i.e., decision block 402 = "Yes"), the processor can perform the operations of blocks 306-310 of method 300 as described.

[0059] Figure 5 Another method 500 of activating a satellite SOS mode and using a satellite system to transmit and receive messages when a wireless device is in LSS mode is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments. Reference is made to Figures 1 to 5 The operations of method 500 can be performed by a processor suitable for use in a wireless device (e.g., processors 112-126, etc.). Reference is made to Figures 1 to 5 A component for performing the functions of method 500 can include a processor (e.g., processors 112-126, etc.).

[0060] In blocks 302 and 304, the processor can perform the operations of the same numbered blocks of method 300 as described. In decision block 402, the processor can perform the operations of the similarly numbered blocks of method 400 as described. In response to determining that a global positioning signal is available (i.e., decision block 402 = "Yes"), the processor can perform the operations of blocks 306-310 of method 300 as described.

[0061] In response to determining that a global positioning signal is not available (i.e., decision block 402 = "No"), the processor can present a prompt asking the user to move to a location with a clear sky view and retry transmitting a text message or initiating a voice call.

[0062] Figure 6 A method 600 of activating a satellite SOS mode and using a satellite system to receive messages when a wireless device is in LSS mode is illustrated in accordance with some embodiments. Reference is made to Figures 1 to 6The operations of method 600 can be performed by a processor suitable for use in a wireless device (e.g., processors 112-126, etc.). Reference is made to Figures 1 to 6 The components for performing the functions of method 500 can include a processor (e.g., processors 112-126, etc.).

[0063] In block 302, the processor can perform the operations of similarly numbered blocks of method 300 as described. In block 602, the processor can define a timer T. The processor can define the timer T by setting a particular time period, typically measured in milliseconds or seconds, and configure the timer to count down from the set value. For example, the processor can define a timer T of 10 seconds, which would mean that the timer will count down from 10 seconds to 0. The processor can also control the behavior of the timer by setting various parameters, such as timer mode (counting up or counting down), timer interrupt behavior (generating an interrupt when the timer reaches 0), and timer resolution (granularity of the timer, typically measured in microseconds). In some embodiments, the processor can include a dedicated hardware or software timer designed to automatically trigger an interrupt or other event when the timer value reaches zero, making it easier for the processor to detect when the timer has expired. After defining and configuring the timer T, the processor can use the timer to perform various functions, such as periodically transmitting a null text message or polling signal.

[0064] In decision block 604, the processor can determine whether the timer T has expired. For example, the processor can continuously or repeatedly monitor the value of the timer to determine whether it has reached zero. The processor can check the timer value in several ways depending on the particular hardware and software design of the wireless device, such as by polling a timer register or by using an interrupt. When the timer value reaches zero, the processor can detect that the timer has expired by comparing the timer value to a predefined threshold value. The processor can set this threshold value to a particular value, typically zero, to indicate that the timer has reached its end. In some embodiments, when the timer value reaches the threshold value, the timer can trigger an interrupt, set a flag that is monitored by the processor, or perform another action to indicate to the processor that the timer has expired.

[0065] In block 606, the processor can use a satellite-based SOS mode to transmit empty text messages, enabling the satellite system to poll incoming text and relay any pending or undelivered text messages to the wireless device. That is, transmitting an empty text message in block 606 can initiate a polling sequence with the satellite system. When the satellite system receives an empty message, it can recognize that a message has been transmitted and automatically initiate a polling sequence to check for any incoming messages or signals. During the polling sequence, the satellite system can send a signal to the wireless device prompting it to transmit any pending messages or data. This is particularly useful when the wireless device is operating in LSS mode and cannot transmit data. By transmitting empty messages and initiating a polling sequence in block 606, the wireless device can ensure that any pending data or messages are sent to and from the satellite system as quickly as possible.

[0066] Methods 300, 400, 500, and 600 allow wireless devices to offload Bluetooth-related functionality from the application processor to a lower-power processor, thereby allowing the high-speed application processor to be turned off to save power. For example, a Bluetooth application can utilize a Bluetooth stack running on a low-power processor instead of relying on a Bluetooth stack running on a high-speed application processor. As another example, in a smartwatch with a small battery, notification functionality can be offloaded to a low-power processor to save energy.

[0067] Various implementation plans (including but not limited to the above references) Figures 1 to 6 The described implementation scheme can be implemented in a wide variety of wireless devices, and examples of wireless devices suitable for use with various implementation schemes are provided in [the document / reference]. Figure 7 The wireless device 700 may include a processor 702 coupled to a touchscreen controller 704 and internal memory 706. The processor 702 may be one or more multi-core integrated circuits designated for general or specific processing tasks. The internal memory 706 may be volatile or non-volatile memory, and may also be secure and / or encrypted memory, or insecure and / or unencrypted memory, or any combination thereof. Examples of memory types that can be utilized include, but are not limited to, DDR, LPDDR, GDDR, WIDEIO, RAM, SRAM, DRAM, P-RAM, R-RAM, M-RAM, STT-RAM, and embedded DRAM. The touchscreen controller 704 and processor 702 may also be coupled to a touchscreen panel 712, such as a resistive-sensing touchscreen, a capacitive-sensing touchscreen, an infrared-sensing touchscreen, etc. Additionally, the display of the wireless device 700 does not need to have touchscreen capability.

[0068] The wireless device 700 can have one or more radio signal transceivers 708 (e.g., Peanut, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi, RF radio) and antennas 710 coupled to each other and / or to the processor 702 for transmitting and receiving communications. The transceivers 708 and antennas 710 can be used with the circuitry mentioned above to implement various wireless transmission protocol stacks and interfaces. The wireless device 700 can include a cellular network wireless modem chip 716 that enables communication via a cellular network and is coupled to the processor.

[0069] The wireless device 700 can include a peripheral device connection interface 718 coupled to the processor 702. The peripheral device connection interface 718 can be individually configured to accept one type of connection, or can be configured to accept various types of physical and communication connections that are common or proprietary, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), FireWire, Thunderbolt, or PCIe. The peripheral device connection interface 718 can also be coupled to a similarly configured peripheral device connection port (not shown).

[0070] The wireless device 700 can also include a speaker 714 for providing audio output. The wireless device 700 can also include a housing 720 constructed of a plastic, metal, or a combination of materials, containing some or all of the components described herein. The wireless device 700 can include a power supply 722, such as a disposable or rechargeable battery, coupled to the processor 702. The rechargeable battery can also be coupled to the peripheral device connection port to receive a charging current from an external source to the mobile computing device 700. The wireless device 700 can also include a physical button 724 for receiving user inputs. The wireless device 700 can also include a power button 726 for turning the mobile computing device 700 on and off.

[0071] The following paragraphs describe specific implementation examples. While the following specific implementation examples are described in terms of example methods, other example implementations can include: example methods implemented in a wireless device as discussed in the following paragraphs, including a processor configured to perform the operations of these example methods; example methods implemented by a wireless device as discussed in the following paragraphs, including components for performing the functions of these example methods; and example methods implemented as non-transitory processor-readable storage media having stored processor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor of a wireless device to perform the operations of these example methods, as discussed in the following paragraphs.

[0072] Example 1. An embodiment for communicating by a wireless device via a satellite communication system, the embodiment comprising: detecting when the wireless device is operating in a limited service state (LSS) mode; transitioning from operating in LSS to a satellite-based SOS mode in response to the wireless device operating in LSS mode; and communicating a text message or initiating a voice call using the satellite-based SOS mode.

[0073] Example 2. The method of example 1, further comprising transitioning from operating in LSS to a satellite-based SOS mode in response to detecting that the text message or voice call has been initiated on the wireless device operating in LSS mode.

[0074] Example 3. The method of one of example 1 or example 2, further comprising: determining whether a global positioning system signal is available in response to detecting that the text message or voice call has been initiated on the wireless device operating in LSS mode; and transitioning from operating in LSS to a satellite-based SOS mode in response to determining that the global positioning system signal is available.

[0075] Example 4. The method of any of examples 1-3, further comprising prompting a user to move to another location in response to determining that the global positioning system signal is not available.

[0076] Example 5. The method of any of examples 1-4, further comprising transitioning from operating in satellite-based SOS mode to LSS mode in response to communicating the text message or initiating the voice call.

[0077] Example 6. The method of any of examples 1-5, further comprising receiving a text message using the satellite-based SOS mode by communicating a null text message using the satellite-based SOS mode to initiate a polling sequence with a satellite system.

[0078] Example 7. The method of any of examples 1-6, further comprising establishing a connection to an acceptable cell and transitioning to operating in LSS mode in response to not finding a suitable cell to connect or camp on, in response to not detecting a subscriber identity module (SIM), or in response to detecting another condition that prevents the wireless device from accessing its home network or another suitable partner or visited network.

[0079] As used in this application, the terms “component,” “module,” “system,” and the like are intended to include computer-related entities, such as, but not limited to, hardware, firmware, a combination of hardware and software, software, or software in execution, which are configured to perform particular operations or functions. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable, a thread of execution, a program, and / or a computer. By way of illustration, both an application running on a computing device and the computing device can be referred to as a component. One or more components can reside within a process and / or thread of execution and a component can be localized, co-resident, and / or distributed across one or more computers or cores. Also, these components can execute from various non-transitory computer-readable media having various instructions and / or data structures stored thereon. Components can communicate by way of local and / or remote processes, function or procedure calls, electronic signals, data packets, memory reads / writes, and other known computer, processor, and / or process related communication methodologies.

[0080] The various embodiments illustrated and described are provided merely as examples of various features to an illustrative claim. However, features shown and described with respect to any given embodiment are not necessarily limited to the associated embodiment and can be used in conjunction with other embodiments or in combination with each other. Furthermore, claims are not intended to be limited to any one example embodiment. For example, one or more operations of a method can replace or be combined with one or more operations of a method.

[0081] The foregoing method descriptions and the process flow diagrams are provided merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that the operations of the various embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art, the order of operations in the foregoing embodiments can be performed in any order. Words such as “thereafter,” “then,” “next,” etc. are not intended to limit the order of the operations; these words are simply used to guide the reader through the description of the methods. Furthermore, any reference to claim elements in the singular, for example, using the articles “one,” “the,” or “said,” is not

[0082] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm operations described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and operations have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans can implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the claims.

[0083] The hardware used to implement various illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules, and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field

[0084] In one or more embodiments, the functions described can be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions can be stored on or transmitted over as one or more instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable medium or a non-transitory processor-readable medium. The operations of a method or algorithm disclosed herein can be embodied in a processor-executable software module, which can reside on a non-transitory computer- or processor-readable storage medium. Non-transitory computer- or processor-readable storage media can be any storage media that can be accessed by a computer or a processor. By way of example but not limitation, such non-transitory computer- or processor-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of non-transitory computer- and processor-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a method or algorithm can reside in one or more of the modules of a computer program product that can be executed by a computer or processor, and the one or more modules can be distributed across several devices or storage media. Additionally, any code or instructions that embody aspects of the present disclosure can be stored on a non-transitory computer- or processor-readable medium, such as a storage media, or a memory in a computing device.

[0085] The above description of disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the claims. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of the claims. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the claims and the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A wireless device comprising: a processor configured to: detect that the wireless device is operating in a limited service state (LSS) mode; transition from operating in LSS to a satellite-based SOS mode in response to the wireless device operating in LSS mode; and communicate a text message or initiate a voice call using the satellite-based SOS mode.

2. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to transition from operating in LSS to a satellite-based SOS mode in response to detecting that the text message or voice call has been initiated on the wireless device operating in LSS mode.

3. The wireless device of claim 2, wherein the processor is configured to: determine whether a global positioning system signal is available in response to detecting that the text message or voice call has been initiated on the wireless device operating in LSS mode; and transition from operating in LSS to a satellite-based SOS mode in response to determining that the global positioning system signal is available.

4. The wireless device of claim 3, wherein the processor is configured to present a prompt asking a user to move to another location in response to determining that the global positioning system signal is not available.

5. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the processor is further configured to transition from operating in a satellite-based SOS mode to LSS in response to communicating the text message or initiating the voice call.

6. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to receive a text message using the satellite-based SOS mode by communicating a null text message using the satellite-based SOS mode to initiate a polling sequence with a satellite system.

7. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to establish a connection to an acceptable cell and transition to operating in LSS mode in response to not finding a suitable cell to connect or camp on, in response to not detecting a subscriber identity module (SIM), or in response to detecting another condition that prevents the wireless device from accessing its home network or another suitable partner or visited network.

8. A method for communicating by a wireless device via a satellite communication system, the method comprising: detecting when the wireless device is operating in a limited service state (LSS) mode; transitioning from operating in LSS to a satellite-based SOS mode in response to the wireless device operating in LSS mode; and communicating a text message or initiating a voice call using the satellite-based SOS mode.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising transitioning from operating in LSS to a satellite-based SOS mode in response to detecting that the text message or voice call has been initiated on the wireless device operating in LSS mode.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising: determining whether a global positioning system signal is available in response to detecting that the text message or voice call has been initiated on the wireless device operating in LSS mode; and ​ transitioning from operating in LSS mode to satellite-based SOS mode in response to determining that a global positioning system signal is available.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising prompting the user to move to another location in response to determining that the global positioning system signal is not available.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising transitioning from operating in satellite-based SOS mode to LSS mode in response to transmitting the text message or initiating the voice call.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising receiving a text message using the satellite-based SOS mode by transmitting a null text message using the satellite-based SOS mode to initiate a polling sequence with a satellite system.

14. The method of claim 8, further comprising establishing a connection to an acceptable cell and transitioning to operating in LSS mode in response to not finding a suitable cell to connect or camp on, in response to not detecting a subscriber identity module (SIM), or in response to detecting another condition that prevents the wireless device from accessing its home network or another suitable partner or visited network.

15. A wireless device, comprising: means for detecting when the wireless device is operating in a limited service state (LSS) mode; means for transitioning from operating in LSS to satellite-based SOS mode in response to the wireless device operating in LSS mode; and means for transmitting a text message or initiating a voice call using the satellite-based SOS mode.

16. The wireless device of claim 15, further comprising means for transitioning from operating in LSS mode to satellite-based SOS mode in response to detecting that the text message or voice call has been initiated on the wireless device operating in LSS mode.

17. The wireless device of claim 16, further comprising: means for determining whether a global positioning system signal is available in response to detecting that the text message or voice call has been initiated on the wireless device operating in LSS mode; and means for transitioning from operating in LSS mode to satellite-based SOS mode in response to determining that the global positioning system signal is available.

18. The wireless device of claim 17, further comprising means for prompting the user to move to another location in response to determining that the global positioning system signal is not available.

19. The wireless device of claim 15, further comprising means for transitioning from operating in satellite-based SOS mode to LSS mode in response to transmitting the text message or initiating the voice call.

20. The wireless device of claim 15, further comprising means for receiving a text message using the satellite-based SOS mode by transmitting a null text message using the satellite-based SOS mode to initiate a polling sequence with a satellite system.

21. The wireless device of claim 15, the wireless device further comprising means for establishing a connection to an acceptable cell and transitioning to operating in a LSS mode in response to not finding a suitable cell to connect or camp on, in response to not detecting a subscriber identity module (SIM), or in response to detecting another condition that prevents the wireless device from accessing its home network or a suitable partner or visited network.

22. A non-transitory processor-readable medium having stored thereon processor- executable instructions configured to cause a processor of a wireless device to perform operations comprising: detecting when the wireless device is operating in a limited service state (LSS) mode; transitioning from operating in a LSS to a satellite-based SOS mode in response to the wireless device operating in the LSS mode; and transmitting a text message or initiating a voice call using the satellite-based SOS mode.

23. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 22, further comprising transitioning from operating in a LSS to a satellite-based SOS mode in response to detecting that the text message or voice call has been initiated on the wireless device operating in the LSS mode.

24. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 23, further comprising: determining whether a global positioning system signal is available in response to detecting that the text message or voice call has been initiated on the wireless device operating in the LSS mode; and transitioning from operating in a LSS to a satellite-based SOS mode in response to determining that the global positioning system signal is available.

25. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 22, further comprising prompting the user to move to another location in response to determining that the global positioning system signal is not available.

26. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 22, further comprising transitioning from operating in a satellite-based SOS mode to a LSS mode in response to transmitting the text message or initiating the voice call.

27. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 22, further comprising receiving a text message using the satellite-based SOS mode by transmitting a null text message using the satellite-based SOS mode to initiate a polling sequence with a satellite system.

28. The non-transitory processor-readable medium of claim 22, further comprising establishing a connection to an acceptable cell and transitioning to operating in a LSS mode in response to not finding a suitable cell to connect or camp on, in response to not detecting a subscriber identity module (SIM), or in response to detecting another condition that prevents the wireless device from accessing its home network or a suitable partner or visited network.

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