Mobile Station Sleep Mode Activation for Low Battery Power

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) standard does not specify how to trigger the sleep mode in mobile stations, leading to battery drain and loss of connectivity when the battery capacity is low, necessitating methods to reduce power consumption and prolong operation time.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method to activate the sleep mode in mobile stations when residual battery capacity falls below a predefined threshold, using power saving class type 2 with constant sleep time duration, and adjusting sleep and listening window lengths to conserve battery power, while maintaining connectivity with the base station.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the mobile station remains in active mode to maintain connectivity, then communication service is ensured, but battery power is rapidly depleted

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveconnectivityVSAvoidbattery power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic power management by enabling the mobile station to transition between active and sleep modes based on battery status. The system dynamically adjusts its operational state - remaining active when battery level is sufficient, and entering sleep mode when battery level drops below a threshold, thus adapting connectivity behavior to available energy resources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the operational parameter of the mobile station from a fixed active state to a variable state that depends on battery level. By monitoring battery status and adjusting the power mode parameter accordingly, the system resolves the contradiction between maintaining connectivity and conserving battery power.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Use of energy by moving object

If the mobile station enters sleep mode to conserve battery power, then energy consumption is reduced, but connectivity may be lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebattery power consumptionVSAvoidconnectivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mobile station monitors its own battery status and uses this information to control its power mode. The system continuously checks battery level and provides feedback to the power management logic, which then adjusts the operational state accordingly, ensuring connectivity is maintained when possible while conserving power when necessary.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by setting a battery threshold level in advance that triggers the transition to sleep mode. Before complete battery depletion occurs, the system proactively enters sleep mode when the threshold is reached, preventing total power loss while minimizing connectivity interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the mobile station frequently checks battery status, then power mode can be optimized, but additional power is consumed by monitoring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumption optimizationVSAvoidenergy lost to monitoring
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by implementing battery status monitoring at strategic intervals rather than continuously. The system performs battery level checks only when necessary to determine mode transitions, avoiding excessive monitoring that would consume more energy than it saves, thus optimizing the balance between power management and monitoring overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2351235B1Methods and systems to prolong mobile station operation during low battery power
Publication Date: 2017.04.19 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP2351235B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2351235B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2351235B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Certain embodiments of the present disclosure allow a mobile station to activate a sleep mode in order to reduce power consumption when the residual battery capacity is low. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure also provide techniques for adaptive power saving applied during an idle mode operation.