Mobile Station Paging Channel Scanning Based on Location

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In cellular wireless communication systems, mobile stations consume excessive battery power due to frequent scanning of paging channels, especially when far from their zone of last registration, as existing systems lack efficient methods to adjust scanning frequency based on location relative to the registration zone.

Innovation Solution

A mobile station determines its location relative to its zone of last registration and adjusts the scanning frequency of the paging channel accordingly, reducing the number of scans by increasing the scan period when further from the registration zone, thereby conserving battery power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mobile station scans the paging channel frequently to ensure reliable page reception, then the reliability of page reception is improved, but the battery power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepage reception reliabilityVSAvoidbattery power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile station dynamically adjusts its paging channel scanning frequency based on its location relative to the zone of last registration. When the mobile station is far from the registration zone, it increases the scan period (scans less frequently) to reduce power consumption. When closer to the registration zone, it decreases the scan period (scans more frequently) to improve page reception reliability. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the scanning behavior flexible rather than fixed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile station changes the scanning parameter (scan period) based on its spatial location. By determining its location relative to the zone of last registration, the mobile station adjusts the time interval between scans accordingly. This parameter change allows the system to optimize the balance between power consumption and page reception reliability for different operational scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the mobile station increases the scan period to conserve battery power, then the battery power consumption is reduced, but the page reception reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoidpage reception reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Rather than using a fixed scan period, the mobile station employs a dynamic scanning strategy where the scan period varies based on location. The mobile station determines its distance from the zone of last registration and adjusts the scan period accordingly. This dynamic approach ensures that power conservation is achieved without unacceptable loss of reliability, as the scan frequency adapts to the actual risk of missed pages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The scanning parameter (scan period) is changed based on the mobile station's spatial context. By monitoring its location relative to the registration zone, the mobile station modifies the scan period to match the actual paging strategy being used by the network in different zones, thereby optimizing the trade-off between power consumption and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the mobile station scans the paging channel every slot cycle to ensure no pages are missed, then the page reception reliability is maximized, but the battery power is consumed excessively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepage reception reliabilityVSAvoidbattery power loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of scanning every slot cycle (excessive action), the mobile station performs partial scanning based on its location relative to the zone of last registration. When far from the registration zone, the mobile station scans less frequently than every slot cycle, accepting that some pages might be missed under normal conditions but avoiding excessive power consumption. This partial action approach optimizes energy efficiency while maintaining acceptable reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The scanning frequency is dynamically adjusted rather than remaining constant at every slot cycle. The mobile station monitors its location and adjusts the scan period accordingly, transitioning between frequent scanning (when near registration zone) and infrequent scanning (when far from registration zone). This dynamic behavior eliminates the need for continuous scanning while maintaining reliability where needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8843162B2Intelligent paging-channel scanning based on location relative to zone of last registration

Publication Date: 2014.09.23 SPRINT SPECTRUM LP

AI summary

Exemplary methods and systems are disclosed herein that may, among other benefits, help a mobile station to conserve power by intelligently determining how often to scan for incoming pages. An exemplary method may be carried out by a mobile station that has most-recently registered with a radio access network in a zone of last registration, and involves the mobile station (a) determining a location of the mobile station in relation to the zone of last registration, (b) using the location of the mobile station in relation to the zone of last registration as a basis for determining a scan period to wait between scans of the paging channel; and (c) periodically scanning the paging channel according to the determined scan period. Furthermore, an exemplary method may be carried out in order to conserve battery power when a mobile station determines that its battery power is low.