Adaptive Scan Rate Control for Mobile Device Power and Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile communication devices experience service denials and missed calls due to poor or no RF coverage, and users are not alerted to coverage issues until close to scheduled calls, leading to missed appointments and inefficient scanning operations that consume battery power.
Innovation Solution
Implementing methods and apparatus in mobile devices to identify call appointments and reminders, adjust scanning rates based on coverage requirements, and provide user alerts and reminders to reattempt calls when coverage is restored, while optimizing scanning operations to conserve power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the mobile device performs scanning operations at a fast scan rate to identify available wireless networks, then the reliability of establishing communication is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scan rate is made dynamic and adaptive rather than fixed. The system automatically adjusts the scan rate based on real-time conditions including presence of call appointments, current RF coverage status, and historical scanning performance. When call appointments are detected or coverage issues are identified, the system increases scan rate to improve reliability. When no calls are anticipated and coverage is stable, the system decreases scan rate to conserve power.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning parameter (scan rate) is changed based on multiple factors including time of day, presence of calendar appointments, current coverage conditions, and duration of out-of-coverage status. The system modifies scan rate parameters dynamically - using higher rates when calls are anticipated and lower rates when power conservation is prioritized, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and power consumption.
2Use of energy by moving object
If the mobile device decreases the scan rate to reduce power consumption, then the power consumption is reduced, but the reliability of identifying available networks deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary identification of call appointments from calendar data before making scanning decisions. By anticipating upcoming calls, the system can pre-adjust scan rates to higher levels in advance, ensuring network availability is detected before calls are needed. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain high reliability during critical periods while using lower scan rates during non-critical periods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor scanning effectiveness and coverage status. When scanning fails to identify networks despite extended periods, the system adjusts scan rates based on this feedback. The feedback loop ensures that scan rate reductions do not permanently compromise reliability - the system learns from scanning outcomes and adapts future scanning behavior accordingly.
3Reliability
If the mobile device continuously scans for wireless networks to ensure coverage availability, then the reliability of maintaining service is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of continuous scanning, the system implements periodic scanning with variable intervals. The scanning period is adjusted based on current conditions - using shorter intervals when call appointments are present or coverage instability is detected, and longer intervals when power conservation is prioritized and coverage appears stable. This periodic action maintains service reliability when needed while reducing overall power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning frequency parameter is changed dynamically based on multiple factors including calendar appointments, current coverage status, and time of day. The system transitions between different scanning regimes - intensive scanning when reliability is critical and conservative scanning when power matters most, thereby resolving the contradiction between continuous monitoring and power conservation.
4Speed
If the mobile device uses fast scanning operations to identify networks quickly, then the speed of establishing communication is improved, but the power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The scanning speed is made dynamic rather than constant. The system adjusts scan rate based on real-time conditions including presence of upcoming calls, current RF coverage status, and historical performance data. When speed of establishment is critical (e.g., call appointments detected), the system uses fast scanning. When power conservation is prioritized and no calls are anticipated, the system uses slower scanning.
Solution Approach 2:
The scanning speed parameter is changed based on multiple factors including time of day, presence of calendar appointments, current coverage conditions, and duration of out-of-coverage status. The system modifies scanning parameters dynamically to match operational needs, resolving the contradiction between speed and power consumption by using high speed only when necessary.
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods and apparatus for use in controlling scanning operations or a scan rate based on call appointments or reminders are disclosed. In one illustrative example, one or more processors of a mobile communication device are operative to identify whether a call appointment or reminder for a communication session to be established during a current time period is stored in the memory, and determine a scan rate for scanning operations of the wireless transceiver which varies based on whether the call appointment or reminder for the communication session to be established is identified. If the call appointment or reminder for the communication session to be established is identified, then the scan rate may be determined to be a first scan rate; otherwise the scan rate may be determined to be a second scan rate that is less than the first rate. The scan rate may further be determined to vary based on a duration of time over which repeated scanning operations fail to identify a suitable wireless communication network for communication (e.g. as the duration of time increases, the scan rate decreases). Thus, scanning operations and/or the scan rate is preferably determined based on different items which include any stored upcoming appointments requiring wireless service, previous call attempts or call reminders, as well as the time period over which scanning has been unsuccessful. In a simpler embodiment, a scanning operation is triggered based on identifying an imminent appointment or reminder regardless of the existing scan rate which is otherwise left unchanged. Advantageously, scanning procedures are performed so as to reduce power consumption in the mobile communication device without compromising calling ability.