UE Energy Harvesting Timeout Control for Connected Mode Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communications, energy harvesting devices may pause communications during energy harvesting procedures, leading to unpredictable communication availability and increased power consumption when re-establishing connections.

Innovation Solution

A method where a user equipment (UE) transmits an indication of a time period for an energy harvesting procedure, pauses connected mode inactivity or idle timers during this period, performs energy harvesting, and resumes the timers upon completion, allowing for seamless reconnection without entering idle modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a wireless device pauses communications during energy harvesting procedures, then energy can be harvested for operation, but communication availability becomes unpredictable and connection re-establishment power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy harvestingVSAvoidcommunication availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The wireless device performs preliminary actions by notifying the network entity of the upcoming energy harvesting procedure and its duration before actually pausing communications. This allows the network to proactively adjust timer values and prepare for the communication pause, maintaining predictability and reducing reconnection overhead.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent dynamically adjusts connected mode inactivity timers and idle timers based on the energy harvesting procedure duration. The network entity receives the duration indication and modifies timer values accordingly, allowing the system to adapt timer behavior to the specific energy harvesting scenario rather than using fixed timer values.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If connected mode inactivity timers and idle timers continue running during energy harvesting procedures, then timer management remains simple, but the device may unnecessarily enter idle modes causing communication interruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetimer managementVSAvoidcommunication continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The network entity performs preliminary timer adjustments upon receiving the energy harvesting duration indication, modifying inactivity and idle timers before the wireless device pauses communications. This preliminary action prevents timers from expiring during the energy harvesting period, avoiding unnecessary idle mode transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes timer parameters (inactivity timer and idle timer values) based on the energy harvesting procedure duration. The network entity receives the duration indication and adjusts timer values to match the expected pause period, ensuring timers remain appropriately configured for the altered communication state.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the device notifies the network of energy harvesting procedures, then communication availability can be maintained, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication availabilityVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the energy harvesting notification into existing uplink signaling mechanisms, allowing the duration indication to be conveyed through established signaling channels. This multi-functional approach uses existing signaling infrastructure for multiple purposes, minimizing additional overhead while maintaining communication availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250203511A1Energy harvesting activity timeouts

Publication Date: 2025.06.19 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications at a user equipment (UE) are described. The UE may transmit an indication of a time period for an energy harvesting procedure during which a first wireless device pauses communications with a second wireless device. The UE may pause a connected mode inactivity timer, a connected mode idle timer, or both, at the first wireless device at a beginning of the time period. The UE may perform the energy harvesting procedure during the time period. The UE may resume the connected mode inactivity timer, the connected mode idle timer, or both, at an end of the time period. The UE may communicate with the second wireless device in a connected communications mode after the end of the time period and in accordance with a status of the connected mode inactivity timer, the connected mode idle timer, or both.