System and method for saving mobile battery and empowering user equipment for incoming communication and paging

A system and method for saving mobile battery and empowering user equipment for controlling incoming communication and paging are provided. Also provided are a system and method for determining whether a mobile a device is in an idle mode, and in response to receiving an incoming communication from a service, determining whether the service associated with the incoming communication is on a reject list of services or a preferred list of services. The system performs a first action specified by a determination that the service is on the reject list of services or the service is not on the preferred list of services, and performs a second action specified by a determination that the service is on the preferred list of services. The first action differs from the second action.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to PCT Application No. PCT/US2018/052636, filed on Sep. 25, 2018, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

An example embodiment of the present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications technology and, more particularly, relate to a system, method, computer program product, and apparatus for saving mobile battery and empowering user equipment for incoming communication and paging.

BACKGROUND

Services provided by the wireless communication network has increased in recent years. These services include specific Data Network Name (DNN), specific Single Network Slice Selection Assistance Information (S-NSSAI), incoming calls, Short Message Service (SMS), etc. Along with the expansion of services and improvement of wireless communication networks, mobile electronic devices used for wireless communication have also been continually improving. Due to the now ubiquitous nature of mobile electronic devices, people of all ages and education levels are utilizing mobile terminals to communicate with other individuals or contacts, receive services and/or share information, media and other content.

With the proliferation of mobile terminals, and given the variety of services beyond just placing phone calls that can be accomplished with mobile terminals, many individuals are finding mobile terminals to be important parts of their work and social lives. Thus, being able to rely upon the availability of the mobile terminal is an important consideration for many users. However, since mobile terminals run on battery power, and since the number of scenarios associated with the variety of services can often trigger the mobile terminal to switch from “idle mode” to “connected mode”, battery conservation is a constant concern for mobile terminal users and therefore balancing utility with power consumption becomes an issue. In this regard, for example, if a user is waiting for a specific email, call, or an alert from a certain application (e.g., mapped to a specific DNN or several DNNs) and is equipped with a mobile terminal having a low battery such as less than 5%, the user would almost certainly like to have more battery power available since the mobile terminal has moved to a “connected mode” and may be open to receiving incoming communications/paging from the variety of services and the network.

Accordingly, it may be desirable to provide a mechanism by which battery power may be conserved.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A system, method, computer program product, and apparatus are therefore provided that may save mobile battery power and empower user equipment in controlling incoming communications and paging. In particular, user equipment in a radio network is paged for subscribed/opted services such as for example, different DNNs, slices, terminating video/video calls, terminating SMS, etc. Accordingly, for example, user equipment (e.g., mobile devices) rapidly consumes battery power in situations in which the user equipment is paged for all of these services. In the context of a system, the system includes a mobile device configured to transmit, via a first Non-Access Stratum (NAS) message, an information element comprising information related to a reject list of services or a preferred list of services to a network node through a radio access network. The system also includes a network node to which the network node is configured, in response to receiving an incoming communication from a service, to determine whether the mobile device is in idle mode. The network node is further configured to in an instance when the mobile device is in the idle mode, determine whether the service associated with the incoming communication is on the reject list of services or the preferred list of services. The network node is then configured to perform a first action specified by a determination the service is on the reject list of services or the service is not on the preferred list of services and perform a second action specified by a determination the service is on the preferred list of services, wherein the first action differs from the second action.

In another example embodiment, an apparatus for controlling incoming communication activity is provided. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing computer program code with the at least one memory and stored computer program code being configured, with the at least one processor, to cause the apparatus to at least in response to receiving an incoming communication from a service, determine whether a mobile device is in idle mode and in an instance when the mobile device is in idle mode, determine whether the service associated with the incoming communication is on a reject list of services or a preferred list of services. The apparatus is further configured to perform a first action specified by a determination that the service is on the reject list of services or the service is not on the preferred list of services and perform a second action specified by a determination that the service is on the preferred list of services, wherein the first action differs from the second action.

Also provided is a method for determining whether a mobile a device is in idle mode, and in response to receiving an incoming communication from a service, determining whether the service associated with the incoming communication is on a reject list of services or a preferred list of services. The method also comprises performing a first action specified by a determination that the service is on the reject list of services or the service is not on the preferred list of services, and performing a second action specified by a determination that the service is on the preferred list of services, wherein the first action differs from the second action.

Further, an apparatus is provided in accordance with another example embodiment that includes means for determining whether a mobile a device is in idle mode, and means for determining, in response to receiving an incoming communication from a service, whether the service associated with the incoming communication is on a reject list of services or a preferred list of services. The apparatus also comprises means for performing a first action specified by a determination that the service is on the reject list of services or the service is not on the preferred list of services, and means for performing a second action specified by a determination that the service is on the preferred list of services, wherein the first action differs from the second action.

Additionally, a computer program product is provided in accordance with another example embodiment that includes means for determining whether a mobile a device is in idle mode, and means for determining, in response to receiving an incoming communication from a service, whether the service associated with the incoming communication is on a reject list of services or a preferred list of services. The computer program product also comprises means for performing a first action specified by a determination that the service is on the reject list of services or the service is not on the preferred list of services, and means for performing a second action specified by a determination that the service is on the preferred list of services, wherein the first action differs from the second action.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and/or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and/or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present.

This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and/or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and/or firmware. The term “circuitry” would also cover, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or application specific integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other network device. As defined herein, a “computer-readable storage medium,” which refers to a physical storage medium (e.g., volatile or non-volatile memory device), may be differentiated from a “computer-readable transmission medium,” which refers to an electromagnetic signal.

Some embodiments of the present invention may provide a mechanism by which improvements may be experienced in relation to incoming communications/paging that may provide conservation of battery power for mobile terminals. In this regard, for example, rather than the mobile terminal being paged for multiple services, an example embodiment empowers the mobile terminal to select specific services (e.g., DNN, S-NSSAI, voice, or SMS) for which the mobile terminal wants to be paged and/or to select services for which the mobile terminal does not want to be paged. The selection or listing of services may be determined by the mobile terminal or by a network entity serving the mobile terminal.

A system, method, computer program product, and apparatus are therefore provided for facilitating user equipment (UE) to configure a preference (e.g., a list) of services in a network for which it wants to be paged or does not want to be paged. These services include DNN, S-NSSAI, any incoming call, SMS, etc. In a CONNECTED state, the UE temporarily configures any of these specific services as “the only list of services for paging”. Alternatively, the UE configures any of these specific services in “the do not be disturbed (with paging) service list”. The UE uses any available Non-Access Stratum (NAS) messages (e.g., Registration Accept, Service Accept, etc.) to define and/or activate the preference on the network. The network stores the activated list and when the UE is in IDLE state, the network pages only for the services that the UE wants to be paged and it does not page the UE for the services mentioned in the “do not disturb service list” or otherwise not included in the activated list.

Although the system, method, computer program product, and apparatus may be implemented in a variety of different systems, one example of such a system is shown inFIG.1.FIG.1is a networked system100in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG.1specifically illustrates User Equipment (UE)102(e.g., mobile terminal), which may be in communication with a Radio Access Network (RAN)104in order to access a network node106. The network node106may, in turn, be in communication with network services108. In some example embodiments, network node106may, for example, be embodied as various network functions including, for example, Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management function (SMF), Unified Data Management (UDM), or some combination thereof. While the system may be implemented in Fifth Generation (5G) wireless networks that include one or more RANs, other networks may support the system, method, computer program product, and apparatus of some embodiments of the present invention.

In example embodiments, the UE102may be a mobile communication device such as, for example, a personal digital assistant (PDA), wireless telephone, mobile computing device, camera, video recorder, audio/video player, positioning device, game device, television device, radio device, or various other like devices or combinations thereof. Furthermore, although not shown inFIG.1, the UE102may communicate in accordance with, for example, radio frequency (RF), Bluetooth (BT), Infrared (IR) or any of a number of different wireline or wireless communication techniques, including LAN, wireless LAN (WLAN), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Wi-Fi, ultra-wide band (UWB), Wibree techniques and/or the like. As such, the UE102may be enabled to communicate with a network and/or with other terminals by any of numerous different access mechanisms. For example, mobile access mechanisms such as wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA), CDMA2000, global system for mobile communications (GSM), general packet radio service (GPRS) and/or the like may be supported as well as wireless access mechanisms such as WLAN, WiMAX, and/or the like and fixed access mechanisms such as digital subscriber line (DSL), cable modems, Ethernet and/or the like.

In some examples, the network node106stores the lists created by UE102. The lists may include a do not disturb list of services (also referenced as a reject list of services) for blocking communications or mobile terminated (MT) transactions to UE102. A preferred list of services may also be implemented for only allowing communications from the preferred list to be sent to UE102. Services not from the preferred list will be rejected by network node106. With respect to the do not disturb list, for example, when UE102is in IDLE mode and when the network node106receives an initial message associated with a service on the “do not disturb list”, the network node106should reject the message and not page UE102. In other words, only services identified on the “do not disturb list” will be rejected, and any communications related to services not on the “do not disturb list” will be allowed/paged. Additionally or alternatively, with respect to the preferred list, when the UE102is in IDLE mode and the network node106receives an initial message associated with a service that is on the “preferred list of services,” the network node106will allow the communication and page the UE102so that the UE102is in CONNECTED mode. Should the message be associated with a service not from the “preferred list of services,” then the network node106of this example embodiment rejects the message and does not page UE102so that the UE102remains in IDLE mode.

In some examples, only one of the “do not disturb list” or the “preferred list” may be configured. In this case, only one of the lists will be active, either the “do not disturb list” or the “preferred list.” In some examples, both the “do not disturb list” and the “preferred list” may be configured. In some examples, both lists may be configured and activated at the same time. In this case, the network node is configured to consider both the “do not disturb list” and the “the preferred list” when determining to allow the communication service. For example, the network node is configured to allow the communication service when the service is not in the “do not disturb list” and the communication service is in the “preferred list.”

In some examples, the UE102is configured to transmit, via a first NAS message, an information element comprising information related to the reject list of services or the preferred list of services to the network node106through a radio access network. The information element may further include an activation flag which may be set by the UE102. The activation flag indicates whether or not to activate the reject list of services or the preferred list of services. For example, the information element contains attributes comprising a specific DNN, or any specific S-NSSAI, IP@, AppName, etc. The information element may also contain the activation/enabler flag for SMS service (to disable voice or SMS (mobile terminal) service). UE102can activate or deactivate the lists any number of times via NAS messaging, however, the lists will only be applied, even when activated, when UE102is in IDLE mode. When the UE102is in IDLE mode, the UE102is “camped” in a cell of the network and the UE102can receive information from the network. For example, for calls originated by the UE102, the call is begun in the corresponding control channel, from the cell on which the UE is camped. In the case of terminated calls, the network previously knows location information associated with the UE, and in which registration area the UE is located, and then sends a “paging” message for the UE102in the control channel(s) of this registration area, which the UE102can answer. Without the lists provided by an example embodiment of the present disclosure, the UE may be paged for all subscribed/opted services. When UE102is in IDLE mode, the paging performed in accordance with these different scenarios causes to the UE102to switch into CONNECTED mode which is one of the main reasons for battery drain issues.

In some examples, the network node104contains mechanisms for controlling communications and paging according to the lists created by the UE102. The network node104is configured to receive the reject list of services or the preferred list of services via the NAS message from the UE102and store the lists for future reference. When an incoming communication from a service is received, the network node104determines whether the UE102is in IDLE mode. Only when the UE102is in IDLE mode, will the network node proceed with filter operations to determine whether the service associated with the incoming communication is on the reject list of services or the preferred list of services. The network node checks if the service is from the reject list of services or the preferred list of services. Thereafter, the network node performs a first action specified by a determination that the service is on the reject list of services or the service is not on the preferred list of services. The network node alternatively performs a second action specified by a determination that the service is on the preferred list of services. The first action differs from the second action. The first action comprises rejecting the incoming communication and not paging the mobile device in idle mode. The second action comprises permitting the incoming communication and paging the mobile device causing the mobile device to enter connected mode. In the case where the UE is in CONNECTED mode, the network node is configured to suppress operations related to the lists and permit all services to be performed.

Turning now toFIG.2, examples of a network node apparatus (including network node106) may be embodied as a core network apparatus as configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. As described below, the network node106of an example embodiment may be configured to perform the functions described herein. In any instance, the network node106may more generally be embodied by a computing device, such as a server, a personal computer, a computer workstation or other type of computing device including those functioning as a user equipment and/or a wireless local area network. Regardless of the manner in which the network node106is embodied, the apparatus of an example embodiment may be configured as shown inFIG.2so as to include, be associated with or otherwise be in communication with processing circuitry200including, for example, a processor202and a memory204and, in some embodiments, and/or a communication interface206.

Referring now toFIG.3, the operations performed, such as by UE102, RAN104, network node106and network services108, to control incoming communications/paging to the UE102are depicted. As shown in300, UE102is associated with and, in some embodiments, creates a reject list, also referenced as a do not disturb list, to block incoming communications/paging from specific services (e.g., internet-DNN, voice service or SMS services, or a certain list of S-NSSAI based communications) to the UE102while the UE is in IDLE mode. For example, the UE102may have only a small amount of battery power, for example, less than 20% such that the UE102may not want to be paged for all services and conserve battery power.

Regardless of the manner in which the reject list or the do not disturb list of services is created, the UE102shares the list with RAN104and network node106, such as via Non Access Stratum (NAS) signaling (302). For example, the UE102may use any available NAS message (e.g., Registration Accept, Service Accept, and the like) to add a new information element comprising the reject list (“DoNotDisturbServiceList”). In some examples, the information element includes an enabler flag for SMS service. The enabler flag indicates whether to disable voice or SMS service.

As shown in304, the network node106stores the list and sets corresponding filters to activate operations related to the do not disturb service list such as implementing additional checks whether an incoming communication is associated with a service on the do not disturb list. In other words, the network node is configured to determine a manner in which to handle paging or alerting of a terminating communication at the UE102. A terminating communication, according to an example embodiment, is a communication or mobile terminated (MT) transaction being terminated on the UE102. For example, the MT message/transaction or terminating communication is a message or communication sent to the UE102. The terms MT transaction, MT message, terminating communication, incoming communication and similar terms may be used interchangeably, according to some example embodiments, to refer to information data transmitted to the UE102.

In some example embodiments, the network node106is configured to apply a “do not disturb” filter (e.g., DNN=“internet”) such that if a terminating communication is related to a service configured in the “do not disturb” list, then the terminating communication is blocked (filtered). Conversely, if the service is not in the “do not disturb” list, then the service is allowed. In an instance when the UE102moves into IDLE mode such as when no activity is occurring, the do not disturb service list is activated (306) (since the do not disturb service list is not activated while in the CONNECTED mode). The UE102can activate or deactivate the do not disturb service list any number of times. For any incoming communication, the network node checks if the UE102is in the IDLE mode and in response to the network node being in the IDLE mode, the network node rejects the communication in an instance in which the communication is associated with a service on the do not disturb list as shown by308. As such, the network node does not send a paging message to the UE102. In other words, if the service is on the do not disturb service list, the communication trigger from the service is rejected. As such, the UE102is not paged and battery power of the UE102is not consumed. In some examples, the network node106is configured to allow any MT message/transaction not on the do not disturb list. In these examples, the UE102is paged by the network node.

In an instance when the UE102moves into CONNECTED mode (310), such as for example, when the UE102makes or receives a voice call, or makes or receives a data call, the network node106will suppress the do not disturb list (e.g., do not apply “do not disturb filter”) so that all services are allowed (312).

FIG.4includes similar operations performed byFIG.3, however, as shown in400, UE102creates or is otherwise associated with a preferred services list to only allow communications/paging from specific services (e.g., internet-DNN, voice service or SMS services, or a certain list of S-NSSAI based communications) to the UE102while the UE is in IDLE mode. In this case, communications received from services not on the preferred list will not disturb UE102in that paging of the UE will be suppressed and will not be performed. As shown in402, an information element comprising the “PreferredServiceList” is inserted into a message, such as an NAS message. In response, the network node106stores the preferred list and sets corresponding filters to invoke additional checks to confirm whether or not a service is on the preferred services list (404). Therefore, when the UE102is in the IDLE mode (406) and a terminating communication is received, the network node checks if the terminating communication is associated with a service on the preferred services list. If the service is on the preferred services list, the network node allows the communication and will page UE102. Alternatively, if the service is not from the preferred services list, then the network node rejects the communication and will not page UE102(408). In an instance the UE moves into CONNECTED mode (410), all terminating services are allowed (412).

The aforementioned sequence of operations provides for automated configuration of the network node to control communications on behalf of the UE102according to the lists created by or otherwise associated with the UE102. In this case, the UE102is empowered to control which services may disturb the UE102. For example, instead of repeatedly paging the UE102for every service, the UE102may set a do not disturb list of services or a preferred list of services to which the network node104is configured to check whether a service is on the do not disturb list or the preferred list and take action accordingly.

Another notable benefit is that the UE102′s battery consumption is reduced with the implementation of said lists. The network node104rejects any communications on the do not disturb list or not on the preferred list; and/or allows communication from services on the preferred list. Additionally or alternatively, the UE102may be configured with a predetermined list. In some embodiments, the UE102is configured to manually accept or edit a predetermined list via a user interface of UE102.

In some examples, in an instance when the UE102is in the IDLE state, and a service request or MT transaction is to be made, the network node106may be configured to determine whether the UE102's battery power fails to satisfy a predefined threshold (e.g., 50%). If it fails to satisfy the threshold (by being less than the threshold), the network node is configured to apply the preference list(s) and prevent paging as described herein. If, however, the UE102has battery power satisfying the predefined threshold (by meeting or being greater than the threshold), the network node is configured not to apply the preference list(s) and skips the disclosed filtering process and permits paging. Additionally or alternatively, the network node106may not consider or determine the UE102's battery power when applying the filtering process according to the preference list(s). The process of battery power comparison may be “turned on” or activated as a value/flag set by the UE102and included as part of the information element of the NAS message.

Turning now toFIG.5, a series of operations is illustrated that may be performed by an apparatus in controlling communications to UE102. In the following example, the apparatus is embodied by the network node104, but, in other embodiments, the apparatus may be embodied by other devices, such as UE102. The network node104may be embodied by processing circuitry200, such as shown inFIG.2. Processing circuitry200may as discussed above include means, such as a processor202, memory204, and/or communication interface206for executing the operations described in connection withFIG.5.

In some examples, in response to receiving an incoming communication from a service, the network node104may include means, such as the processing circuitry200, the processor202or the like, configured to determine whether a mobile device/UE102is in an IDLE mode (block502). As previously mentioned above, the network node104is configured to invoke operations related to the reject list/do not disturb list or the preferred list only when the mobile device/UE102is in IDLE mode. In an instance when the mobile device is in IDLE mode, the network node104may include means, such as the processing circuitry200, the processor202or the like, configured to determine whether the service associated with the incoming communication is on the reject list of services or the preferred list of services (block504). That is, the network node104may check if the communication is from a service on the reject list or the preferred list.

The network node104also includes means, such as the processing circuitry200, the processor202or the like, configured to perform a first action specified by a determination that the service is on the reject list of services or the service is not on the preferred list of services (block506). For example, the first action may be rejecting the incoming communication and not paging the mobile device in IDLE mode. Additionally or alternatively, network node104includes means, such as the processing circuitry200, the processor202or the like, configured to perform a second action specified by a determination the service is on the preferred list of services with the first action differing from the second action (block508). The second action may include permitting the incoming communication and paging the mobile device causing the mobile device to enter connected mode.

In another embodiment, the network node104may include means, such as the processing circuitry200, the processor202or the like, configured to determine that the mobile device is in CONNECTED mode, and in response to the determination, may include means, such as the processing circuitry200, the processor202or the like, configured to suppress operations related to the reject list of services or the preferred list of services and permit the incoming communication. For example, when the mobile device/UE102is in CONNECTED mode, the reject list/do not disturb list of services and the preferred list of services are not activated. The lists may be activated once the mobile device is in IDLE mode. The mobile device may activate or deactivate said lists at any time via network signaling, such as NAS messaging, by setting an activation flag. The activation flag indicates whether or not to activate the lists. In some examples, the network node104includes means, such as the processing circuitry200, the processor202, the memory204or the like, configured to store the reject list of services and/or preferred list of services in memory204. In another embodiment, the network node may include means, such as the processing circuitry200, the processor202or the like, configured to determine that the mobile device is in IDLE mode, and in response to the determination, may include means, such as the processing circuitry200, the processor202or the like, configured to determine whether the UE102's battery power fails to satisfy a predefined threshold (e.g., 50%). If it fails to satisfy the threshold (by being less than the threshold), the network node is configured to process operations related to the reject list of services or the preferred list of services as described herein. If, however, the UE102has battery power satisfying the predefined threshold (by meeting or being greater than the threshold), the network node is configured not to apply or not implement operations related to the reject list of services or the preferred list of services and permit the incoming communication/paging.

In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations above may be modified or enhanced. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional optional operations may be included. Modifications, additions, or enhancements to the operations above may be performed in any order and in any combination.