Wearable Cellular Modem Power Mode Transition via Paging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Wearable devices face challenges in efficiently transitioning from reduced power mode to active mode to establish direct cellular communication, especially when operating in tethered or untethered conditions, which affects power consumption and communication latency.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that enable a wireless device to receive a paging message while in reduced power mode, transition to active mode, and register with the cellular network directly, bypassing a companion device, while adjusting the discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle based on movement and connection status to optimize power usage and communication efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If the cellular modem operates in reduced power mode to save energy, then power consumption is reduced, but communication latency increases when direct cellular communication is needed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication latency

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The cellular modem dynamically transitions between reduced power mode and active mode based on operational needs. The system monitors connection status and movement information to determine when to activate direct cellular communication, optimizing the balance between power savings and communication responsiveness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary registration with the cellular network while in reduced power mode upon receiving a paging message. This preliminary action allows the device to be pre-positioned for direct cellular communication, reducing the latency that would otherwise occur when transitioning from reduced power mode to active mode upon needing to communicate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If the device transitions to active mode to establish direct cellular communication, then communication latency is reduced, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication latencyVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary registration with the cellular network while still in reduced power mode upon receiving a paging message through the wireless link. This preliminary action prepares the device for direct cellular communication without requiring a full transition to active mode, thereby reducing the duration and power consumption of the activation process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its operational mode based on real-time conditions including connection status and movement information. The cellular modem transitions to active mode only when necessary for direct cellular communication, and returns to reduced power mode when tethered to the companion device, optimizing the trade-off between latency and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Use of energy by moving object

If the device remains tethered to the companion device, then power consumption is reduced, but communication independence is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidcommunication independence

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between tethered and untethered communication modes based on operational context. The cellular modem can operate in reduced power mode while tethered to the companion device for power savings, but can independently transition to active mode and establish direct cellular communication when movement information indicates the device has separated from the companion device, ensuring communication independence when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Use of energy by moving object

If the DRX cycle is extended to reduce power consumption, then power usage is optimized, but responsiveness to paging messages decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower usageVSAvoidresponsiveness to paging messages

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The device performs preliminary registration actions upon receiving a paging message during the extended DRX cycle. This preliminary action ensures that when the device wakes up to check for messages, it can quickly establish direct cellular communication without requiring additional registration steps, maintaining responsiveness despite the extended sleep cycle.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11825529B2Systems and methods for wireless device modes

Publication Date: 2023.11.21 META PLATFORMS TECHNOLOGIES LLC

AI summary

Disclosed herein are systems and methods for facilitating wireless communication of a wearable device. In one aspect, a wireless device receives a paging message from a cellular network, via a wireless link between the wireless device and a companion device. The paging message can be received while a cellular modem of the wireless device is operating in reduced power mode and not registered with the cellular network, and the companion device is registered with the cellular network. The wireless device can transition the cellular modem from the reduced power mode to an active mode in response to receiving the paging message via the wireless link with the companion device. The wireless device can register with the cellular network after the modem has transitioned to active mode, to establish a cellular link directly with the cellular network.