Power-Drain Map for Mobile Network Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices face significant power drain due to frequent searches for better wireless communication modes, which is energy-intensive and affects battery life, especially in areas with poor coverage.
Innovation Solution
A system that utilizes a power-drain map to strategically select the most efficient communication mode based on the device's location and battery level, eliminating the need for real-time mode searching by referencing a coverage map generated considering different device capabilities and power needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the device frequently searches for better wireless communication modes, then connectivity quality is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating coverage maps that predict wireless communication quality at various locations before the device actually travels there. The coverage map server proactively computes and stores coverage information based on base station locations and transmission characteristics, so when the device needs to select a communication mode, it can reference pre-computed data rather than performing energy-intensive real-time searches.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a coverage map server as an intermediary between the mobile device and the wireless network infrastructure. This server acts as a mediator that pre-processes coverage information and provides it to devices, eliminating the need for devices to perform exhaustive real-time searches. The intermediary handles the computationally intensive tasks of mapping coverage areas, allowing devices to make quick mode selections based on pre-computed data.
2Measurement precision
If the device uses real-time mode searching, then network selection accuracy is improved, but battery life deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-computes and stores coverage maps that contain accurate network selection information for various locations before the device needs to make a decision. The coverage map server proactively generates these maps by analyzing base station locations, transmission powers, and coverage areas, so when the device queries for network selection, it receives pre-validated accurate information without performing energy-intensive real-time measurements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates simplified copies of the complex wireless environment in the form of coverage maps. These maps are simplified representations that capture the essential coverage characteristics of multiple base stations without requiring the device to perform complex real-time signal analysis. The device can reference these pre-computed copies to make accurate network selections without the computational burden of real-time searching.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the device performs comprehensive coverage analysis, then communication mode selection is optimized, but computational resources are depleted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the computationally intensive coverage analysis functions from the mobile device and relocates them to a dedicated coverage map server. The server performs the heavy computational work of analyzing base station locations, calculating coverage areas, and determining optimal communication modes, then provides the results to the device. This extraction allows the device to maintain adaptability in mode selection while conserving its limited computational resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The coverage map server serves as an intermediary that handles the complex computational tasks of coverage analysis. It processes information about multiple base stations, calculates coverage overlaps, and determines optimal communication modes, then presents simplified recommendations to the device. This intermediary approach enables comprehensive coverage analysis without depleting the device's computational resources.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for managing mobile communications device connectivity and communication behavior monitor device location relative to known communication-mode coverage areas and cause or suggest changes in device connectivity or behavior based on a power-drain map to preserve device battery power. The power-drain map provides, in an embodiment, a pairing of locations, available communication modes, and expected power drains when a given device employs each available communication mode. In general, behavioral modifications include preemptive or delayed downloading as well as switching networks or network types among other types of behavior.