Methods and apparatus for conserving power in a mobile communication device
A technique for conserving power in a mobile communication device operative in a wireless communication network is described. The mobile device identifies a condition to change a parameter in the wireless communication network. However, the mobile device delays for a period of time until an expected message used for registration is to be sent to the wireless communication network. The mobile device provides the parameter within the expected message used for registration, and causes the expected message used for registration to be transmitted to the wireless communication network.
1. A method for communications in a wireless communication network, the method comprising:
identifying, at a mobile communication device, a parameter to change in the wireless communication network;
delaying for a period of time until a registration message is to be sent from the mobile communication device to the wireless communication network, the registration message being for a timer-based registration with the wireless communication network; and
causing the changed parameter to be sent from the mobile communication device to the wireless communication network when sending the registration message.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein delaying for a period of time further comprises delaying for a period of time defined by a timer which is set in the mobile communication device.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the registration message is sent based on a periodic timer.
4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the changed parameter comprises a quick paging channel termination indication for terminating use of a quick paging channel for the mobile communication device.
5. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
identifying whether a predetermined power source is coupled to the mobile communication device; and
wherein identifying the parameter to change is responsive to a change in the coupling of the predetermined power source to the mobile communication device.
6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
determining whether to send the changed parameter with one of a current message and the registration message, based on which message would provide a greater power savings advantage; and
selecting one of the current message and the registration message with which to send the changed parameter based on the determining.
7. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the wireless communication network comprises a cellular telecommunications network.
8. The method according to claim 1 , which is embodied as computer instructions stored in a non-transitory storage medium which are executable by one or more processors of the mobile communication device.
9. A mobile communication device, comprising:
a controller;
a radio frequency “RE” transceiver coupled to the controller, the RF transceiver operative for communication via a wireless communication network;
the controller being operative to:
identify a parameter to be changed in the wireless communication network;
delay for a period of time until a registration message is to be sent from the mobile communication device to the wireless communication network, the registration message being for a timer-based registration with the wireless communication network; and
cause the changed parameter to be sent from the mobile communication device to the wireless communication network via the RF transceiver when sending the registration message.
10. The mobile communication device according to claim 9 , wherein the controller is further operative to delay for a period of time by delaying for a period of time defined by a timer which is set in the mobile communication device.
11. The mobile communication device according to claim 9 , wherein the registration message is sent based on a periodic timer.
12. The mobile communication device according to claim 9 , wherein the changed parameter comprises a quick paging channel termination indication for terminating use of a quick paging channel for the mobile communication device.
13. The mobile communication device according to claim 9 , wherein the controller is further operative to:
identify whether a predetermined power source is coupled to the mobile communication device; and
wherein identifying the parameter to be changed is responsive to change in coupling of the predetermined power source to the mobile communication device.
14. The mobile communication device according to claim 9 , wherein the controller is further operative to:
determine whether to send the changed parameter with one of a current message and the registration message, based on which message would provide a greater power savings advantage; and
select one of the current message and the registration message with which to send the changed parameter based on the determining.
15. A wireless communication system, comprising:
a wireless communication network;
a mobile communication device operative for communication with the wireless communication network; and
the mobile communication device being further operative to:
identify a parameter to be changed in the wireless communication network;
delay for a period of time until a registration message is to be sent from the mobile communication device to the wireless communication network, the registration message being for a timer-based registration with the wireless communication network; and
cause the changed parameter to be sent from the mobile communication device to the wireless communication network when sending the registration message.
16. The wireless communication system according to claim 15 , wherein the mobile communication device is further operative to delay for a period of time by delaying for a period of time defined by a timer which is set in the mobile communication device.
17. The wireless communication system according to claim 15 , wherein the registration message is sent based on a periodic timer.