System and method for controlling the power in a wireless client device

1. A client device, wherein the client device is a Telematics unit in a vehicle, the client device comprising:

a network access device having at least a powered state and a power-off state, the powered state allowing the network access device to receive messages over a communication channel, the power-off state not allowing the network access device to receive messages over the communication channel wherein the network access device determines whether wireless coverage exists for the network access device and provides an indication of an out-of-coverage condition when the network access device is out of wireless coverage; and

a controller that determines time periods for the network access device to be in the powered state, the time periods based on a discontinuous reception parameter obtained from the network access device, wherein when the vehicle's ignition is turned off, the controller enables a ring indicator on the network access device to indicate the out-of-coverage condition and programs the network access device to only activate the ring indicator to indicate the out-of-coverage condition when the network access device has been out of wireless coverage for a predetermined amount of time, wherein the controller receives the indication of the out-of-coverage condition if the network access device has been out of wireless coverage for the predetermined amount of time and switches the network access device to the power-off state if there is the out-of-coverage condition for the network access device, wherein upon receipt of the indication of the out-of-coverage condition, the controller waits a second predetermined amount of time to determine if the network access device goes back into wireless coverage before switching the network access device to the power-off state.

2. The client device in claim 1 wherein upon notice of the out-of-coverage condition from the network access device, the controller will be switched to a power-on state.

3. The client device in claim 1 wherein upon the indication of the out-of-coverage condition, the controller polls the network access device.

4. The client device in claim 1 wherein the out-of-coverage condition is only indicated to the controller when the controller is in a power-off state.

5. The client device in claim 1 wherein when the ignition to the vehicle is turned on and the controller is fully powered, the controller commands the network access device to disable the ring indication for out-of-coverage conditions.

6. The client device in claim 1 wherein upon the out-of-coverage condition, the network access device can periodically turn on to search for wireless coverage, wherein the interval between turned-on periods lengthens over time, the network access device providing an indication to the controller when changing search periods.

7. A method in a client device, the client device being a Telematics unit in a vehicle, and the client device having a network access device and a controller, the method comprising the steps of:

turning off the ignition of the vehicle;

obtaining a discontinuous reception parameter from a network; determining time periods for operating the network access device in a powered state based on the obtained discontinuous reception parameter;

enabling a ring indicator on the network access device to indicate an out-of coverage condition when the ignition is off and programming the network access device to only activate the ring indicator to indicate an out-of-coverage condition when the network access device has been out of wireless coverage for a predetermined amount of time;

operating the network access device in a powered state during the time period;

establishing whether wireless coverage exists for the network access device, including providing an indication of the out-of-coverage condition to the controller if the network access device has been out of wireless coverage for the predetermined amount of time; and

the controller switching the network access device to the power-off state if there is the out-of-coverage condition for the network access device,

wherein upon receipt of the indication of the out-of-coverage condition, the controller further waiting a second predetermined amount of time to determine if the network access device goes back into wireless coverage before switching the network access device to the power-off state.

8. The method in claim 7 wherein the step of establishing includes powering the controller upon the indication of the out-of-coverage condition.

9. The method in claim 7 further comprising the steps of:

turning on the ignition of the vehicle;

powering the controller; and

disabling the ring indication for out-of coverage conditions.