System and method for managing a wireless connection to reduce power consumption of a mobile terminal
View Patent ↗A mobile terminal includes a processor capable of operating a link manager. The link manager is capable of at least partially operating a wireless connection between the terminal and an access point in an active mode, where the access point is coupled to a network. The link manager is also capable of transitioning the connection from the active mode to a standby mode or hibernate mode. In this regard, transitioning the connection includes entering the mobile terminal in a power-saving mode of a bearer of the connection, such as a Bluetooth power-saving mode, and directing the access point to reduce traffic flowing from the network across the connection to the mobile terminal when the mobile terminal is otherwise capable of receiving the traffic.
1. An apparatus comprising:
a processor; and
a memory storing computer program code, the memory and computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform or cause performance of the following:
supporting operation of a wireless connection between the apparatus and an access point in an active mode, the access point being coupled to a network;
transitioning the connection from the active mode to a network-connectivity power-saving (NC-PS) mode, wherein transitioning the connection comprises:
entering the apparatus in a power-saving mode of a bearer of the connection; and
directing the access point to reduce traffic flowing from the network across the connection to the apparatus when the apparatus is otherwise capable of receiving the traffic from the access point, wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic includes directing the access point to reduce a quantity of traffic.
2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises notifying the access point of the apparatus entering the power-saving mode to thereby direct the access point to reduce traffic.
3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises requesting that the access point enter the apparatus in the power-saving mode to thereby direct the access point to reduce traffic.
4. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises directing the access point to select at least one power-saving technique, and thereafter reduce traffic in accordance with the selected at least one power-saving technique.
5. An apparatus according to claim 4 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises directing the access point to select at least one power-saving technique based upon at least one power-saving parameter, the selected at least one power-saving parameter being received by the access point in a request to enter the apparatus in the power-saving mode.
6. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises directing the access point to reduce traffic by preventing at least one type of network traffic from flowing to the apparatus, the at least one type of network traffic prevented from flowing to the apparatus including at least one of multicast traffic, broadcast traffic, address resolution traffic or group management traffic.
7. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the NC-PS mode comprises a hibernate mode, and wherein transitioning the connection further comprises:
terminating the connection between the apparatus and the access point, the connection being terminated while maintaining at least one network parameter for the apparatus to receive traffic from the network across the connection.
8. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises directing the access point to reduce, but not eliminate, traffic flowing from the network across the connection to the apparatus while the apparatus in the power-saving mode remains configured to receive the traffic from the access point.
9. An apparatus comprising:
a first means for operating supporting operation of a wireless connection between the apparatus and an access point in an active mode, the access point being coupled to a network; and
a second means for transitioning the connection from the active mode to a network-connectivity power-saving (NC-PS) mode, wherein the second means is configured to transition the connection by entering the apparatus in a power-saving mode of a bearer of the connection, and direct the access point to reduce traffic flowing from the network across the connection to the apparatus when the apparatus is otherwise capable of receiving the traffic from the access point, wherein the second means being configured to direct the access point to reduce traffic includes being configured to direct the access point to reduce a quantity of traffic.
10. An apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the second means is configured to notify the access point of the apparatus entering the power-saving mode to thereby direct the access point to reduce traffic.
11. An apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the second means is configured to request that the access point enter the apparatus in the power-saving mode to thereby direct the access point to reduce traffic.
12. An apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the second means is configured to direct the access point to reduce traffic such that the access point selects at least one power-saving technique, and thereafter reduces traffic in accordance with the selected at least one power-saving technique.
13. An apparatus according to claim 12 , wherein the second means is configured to direct the access point to reduce traffic such that the access point selects at least one power-saving technique based upon at least one power-saving parameter, the selected at least one power-saving parameter being received by the access point in a request to enter the apparatus in the power-saving mode.
14. An apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the second means is configured to direct the access point to reduce traffic such that the access point reduces traffic by preventing at least one type of network traffic from flowing to the apparatus, the at least one type of network traffic prevented from flowing to the apparatus including at least one of multicast traffic, broadcast traffic, address resolution traffic or group management traffic.
15. An apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the NC-PS mode comprises a hibernate mode, and wherein the second means is configured to transition the connection by further terminating the connection between the apparatus and the access point, the connection being terminated while maintaining at least one network parameter for the apparatus to receive traffic from the network across the connection.
16. An apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the second means being configured to direct the access point to reduce traffic includes being configured to direct the access point to reduce, but not eliminate, traffic flowing from the network across the connection to the apparatus while the apparatus in the power-saving mode remains configured to receive the traffic from the access point.
17. An apparatus comprising:
a processor; and
a memory storing computer program code, the memory and computer program code configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform or cause performance of the following:
supporting operation of a wireless connection between the apparatus and another apparatus in an active mode, the apparatus being coupled to a network;
receiving direction to reduce traffic flowing from the network across the connection to the other apparatus when the other apparatus is otherwise capable of receiving traffic from the apparatus; and
reducing traffic flowing from the network,
wherein receiving direction to reduce traffic comprises receiving direction to reduce a quantity of traffic in conjunction with the other apparatus transitioning the connection from the active mode to a network-connectivity power-saving (NC-PS) mode, transitioning the other apparatus also including entering the other apparatus in a power-saving mode of a bearer of the connection.
18. An apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein receiving direction to reduce traffic comprises receiving notification of the other apparatus entering the power-saving mode to thereby receive direction to reduce traffic.
19. An apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein receiving direction to reduce traffic comprises receiving a request to enter the other apparatus in the power-saving mode to thereby receive direction to reduce traffic.
20. An apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to further perform the following:
selecting at least one power-saving technique, wherein reducing traffic comprises reducing traffic in accordance with the selected at least one power-saving technique.
21. An apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein selecting at least one power-saving technique comprises selecting at least one power-saving technique based upon at least one power-saving parameter, the selected at least one power-saving parameter being received by the apparatus in a request to enter the other apparatus in the power-saving mode.
22. An apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein reducing traffic comprises reducing traffic by preventing at least one type of network traffic from flowing to the other apparatus, the at least one type of network traffic prevented from flowing to the other apparatus including at least one of multicast traffic, broadcast traffic, address resolution traffic or group management traffic.
23. An apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein the NC-PS mode comprises a hibernate mode, and wherein the memory and computer program code are further configured to, with the processor, cause the apparatus to further perform the following:
terminating the connection with the other apparatus in conjunction with the other apparatus transitioning the connection from the active mode to the NC-PS mode, the connection being terminated while at least one network parameter for the other apparatus to receive traffic from the network across the connection is maintained.
24. An apparatus according to claim 17 , wherein receiving direction to reduce traffic comprises receiving direction to reduce, but not eliminate, traffic flowing from the network across the connection to the other apparatus while the other apparatus in the power-saving mode remains configured to receive the traffic from the apparatus.
25. A method comprising performing or causing performance of at least the following:
supporting operation of a wireless connection between an apparatus and an access point in an active mode, the access point being coupled to a network; and
transitioning the connection from the active mode to a network-connectivity power-saving (NC-PS) mode, wherein transitioning the connection comprises:
entering the apparatus in a power-saving mode of a bearer of the connection; and
directing the access point to reduce traffic flowing from the network across the connection to the apparatus when the apparatus is otherwise capable of receiving the traffic from the access point, wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic includes directing the access point to reduce a quantity of traffic.
26. A method according to claim 25 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises notifying the access point of the apparatus entering the power-saving mode to thereby direct the access point to reduce traffic.
27. A method according to claim 25 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises requesting that the access point enter the apparatus in the power-saving mode to thereby direct the access point to reduce traffic.
28. A method according to claim 25 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises directing the access point to select at least one power-saving technique, and thereafter reduce traffic in accordance with the selected at least one power-saving technique.
29. A method according to claim 28 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises directing the access point to select at least one power-saving technique based upon at least one power-saving parameter, the selected at least one power-saving parameter being received by the access point in a request to enter the apparatus in the power-saving mode.
30. A method according to claim 25 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises directing the access point to reduce traffic by preventing at least one type of network traffic from flowing to the apparatus, the at least one type of network traffic prevented from flowing to the apparatus including at least one of multicast traffic, broadcast traffic, address resolution traffic or group management traffic.
31. A method according to claim 25 , wherein the NC-PS mode comprises a hibernate mode, and wherein transitioning the connection further comprises:
terminating the connection between the apparatus and the access point, the connection being terminated while maintaining at least one network parameter for the apparatus to receive traffic from the network across the connection.
32. A method according to claim 25 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises directing the access point to reduce, but not eliminate, traffic flowing from the network across the connection to the apparatus while the apparatus in the power-saving mode remains configured to receive the traffic from the access point.
33. A method comprising performing or causing performance of at least the following:
supporting operation of a wireless connection between an apparatus and an access point in an active mode, the access point being coupled to a network;
receiving direction to reduce traffic flowing from the network across the connection to the apparatus when the apparatus is otherwise capable of receiving traffic from the access point; and
reducing traffic flowing from the network,
wherein receiving direction to reduce traffic comprises receiving direction to reduce a quantity of traffic in conjunction with the apparatus transitioning the connection from the active mode to a network-connectivity power-saving (NC-PS) mode, transitioning the apparatus also including entering the apparatus in a power-saving mode of a bearer of the connection.
34. A method according to claim 33 , wherein receiving direction to reduce traffic comprises receiving notification of the apparatus entering the power-saving mode to thereby receive direction to reduce traffic.
35. A method according to claim 33 , wherein receiving direction to reduce traffic comprises receiving a request to enter the apparatus in the power-saving mode to thereby receive direction to reduce traffic.
36. A method according to claim 33 further comprising:
selecting at least one power-saving technique, wherein reducing traffic comprises reducing traffic in accordance with the selected at least one power-saving technique.
37. A method according to claim 36 , wherein selecting at least one power-saving technique comprises selecting at least one power-saving technique based upon at least one power-saving parameter, the selected at least one power-saving parameter being received by the access point in a request to enter the apparatus in the power-saving mode.
38. A method according to claim 33 , wherein reducing traffic comprises reducing traffic by preventing at least one type of network traffic from flowing to the apparatus, the at least one type of network traffic prevented from flowing to the apparatus including at least one of multicast traffic, broadcast traffic, address resolution traffic or group management traffic.
39. A method according to claim 33 , wherein the NC-PS mode comprises a hibernate mode, and wherein the method further comprises terminating the connection with the apparatus in conjunction with the apparatus transitioning the connection from the active mode to the NC-PS mode, the connection being terminated while at least one network parameter for the apparatus to receive traffic from the network across the connection is maintained.
40. A method according to claim 33 , wherein receiving direction comprises receiving direction to reduce, but not eliminate, traffic flowing from the network across the connection to the apparatus while the apparatus in the power-saving mode remains configured to receive the traffic from the access point.
41. A computer-readable storage medium having computer-readable program code portions stored therein, the computer-readable storage medium and computer-readable program code portions being configured to, with a processor, cause an apparatus to at least perform or cause performance of the following:
supporting operation of a wireless connection between an apparatus and an access point in an active mode, the access point being coupled to a network; and
transitioning the connection from the active mode to a network-connectivity power-saving (NC-PS) mode, wherein transitioning the connection comprises:
entering the apparatus in a power-saving mode of a bearer of the connection; and
directing the access point to reduce traffic flowing from the network across the connection to the apparatus when the apparatus is otherwise capable of receiving the traffic from the access point, wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic includes directing the access point to reduce a quantity of traffic.
42. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 41 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises notifying the access point of the apparatus entering the power-saving mode to thereby direct the access point to reduce traffic.
43. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 41 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises requesting that the access point enter the apparatus in the power-saving mode to thereby direct the access point to reduce traffic.
44. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 41 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises directing the access point to reduce traffic such that the access point selects at least one power-saving technique, and thereafter reduce traffic in accordance with the selected at least one power-saving technique.
45. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 44 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises directing the access point to select at least one power-saving technique based upon at least one power-saving parameter, the selected at least one power-saving parameter being received by the access point in a request to enter the apparatus in the power-saving mode.
46. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 41 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises directing the access point to reduce traffic by preventing at least one type of network traffic from flowing to the apparatus, the at least one type of network traffic prevented from flowing to the apparatus including at least one of multicast traffic, broadcast traffic, address resolution traffic or group management traffic.
47. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 41 , wherein the NC-PS mode comprises a hibernate mode, and wherein transitioning the connection further comprises:
terminating the connection between the apparatus and the access point, the connection being terminated while maintaining at least one network parameter for the apparatus to receive traffic from the network across the connection.
48. A computer-readable storage medium according to claim 41 , wherein directing the access point to reduce traffic comprises directing the access point to reduce, but not eliminate, traffic flowing from the network across the connection to the apparatus while the apparatus in the power-saving mode remains configured to receive the traffic from the access point.