Adaptive Wireless Handset Scanning for Power Conservation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Dual-mode wireless handsets consuming excessive battery power due to frequent scanning for unlicensed wireless access points, which is not effectively managed by existing UMA technology, leading to increased power consumption and potential delays in accessing unlicensed networks.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method for intelligent access point scanning with self-learning capability, where the handset detects licensed mobile access cell identifiers, obtains a probability measure for accessing unlicensed mobile access networks, and adjusts the scan rate based on this measure, using a processing device and memory to store and update credit scores for successful connections, thereby optimizing power usage and access efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the unlicensed radio is turned on frequently for access point scanning, then the ability to access unlicensed wireless networks is improved, but the battery power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to access unlicensed wireless networksVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the scan rate adjustable and adaptive rather than fixed. The system dynamically changes the scanning frequency based on the detected probability of unlicensed access point availability, allowing the dual-mode radio to scan more frequently when access points are likely present and less frequently when they are not, thus optimizing power consumption while maintaining access capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameter of scan rate from a constant value to a variable determined by probability measures. By calculating the probability of unlicensed access point presence and adjusting the scan rate accordingly, the system optimizes the balance between access reliability and power consumption, scanning more aggressively when probability is high and conserving power when probability is low

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the scan rate of the unlicensed radio is decreased to reduce power consumption, then the battery power consumption is reduced, but the latency in acquiring unlicensed wireless access points increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoidlatency in acquiring unlicensed wireless access points

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the scan rate parameter based on calculated probability measures of unlicensed access point availability. When the probability is high, the scan rate increases to reduce latency; when the probability is low, the scan rate decreases to save power. This adaptive parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between power consumption and access latency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by continuously monitoring the environment for unlicensed access points, calculating probability measures based on detected signals or historical data, and using this feedback to adjust the scan rate. This closed-loop control ensures that power consumption is optimized without sacrificing access speed when unlicensed networks are available

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7515575B1Intelligent access point scanning with self-learning capability

Publication Date: 2009.04.07 RIBBON COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING CO INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for intelligent access point scanning with self-learning capability enables a wireless handset to conserve power while scanning for unlicensed mobile access.