Abstract:
A system and method for managing mobile communications device connectivity and communication behavior monitor device location relative to known communication-mode coverage areas and cause or suggest changes in device connectivity or behavior based on a power-drain map to preserve device battery power. The power-drain map provides, in an embodiment, a pairing of locations, available communication modes, and expected power drains when a given device employs each available communication mode. In general, behavioral modifications include preemptive or delayed downloading as well as switching networks or network types among other types of behavior.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/916,473, filed on Dec. 16, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    The present disclosure is related generally to mobile-device power usage and, more particularly, to a system and method for enhancing mobile-device power conservation through network selection. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    Mobile wireless communication devices such as cellular and other wireless phones, tablets, watches, and so on are ubiquitous in large part because of their mobility. Certainly such devices have extensive capabilities, and these capabilities seem to be constantly increasing. However, a large stationary system will almost always have a greater computing capability than a small mobile device. Thus, the primary benefit of mobile devices remains their mobility. 
         [0004]    In this connection, the usable mobility of such devices is directly related to the extent to which wireless communications are available. The availability of wireless communications is sometimes referred to as coverage. An absence of coverage can cause dropped calls, failures to load media or applications, missed messages, and so on. However, not only does coverage affect connectivity, it also directly impacts the power cost of communications. For example, in an area of poor coverage due to a distant base station, the power cost of transmitting over the required distance may be much greater than the power cost would be if the base station were closer. 
         [0005]    The present disclosure is directed to a system that may conserve device battery resources by strategic coverage tracking and network selection. However, it should be appreciated that any such benefit is not necessarily a limitation on the scope of the disclosed principles or of the attached claims, except to the extent expressly noted in the claims. Additionally, the discussion of technology in this Background section is merely reflective of inventor observations or considerations and is not intended to be admitted or assumed prior art as to the discussed details. Moreover, the identification of the desirability of a certain course of action is the inventors&#39; observation, not an art-recognized desirability. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    While the appended claims set forth the features of the present techniques with particularity, these techniques, together with their objects and advantages, may be best understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a generalized schematic of an example device with respect to which the presently disclosed innovations may be implemented; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a coverage map showing a geographical component of wireless coverage of various communication modes in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosed principles; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an example power-drain map data for a specific device at specific locations in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a flowchart showing a process for utilizing a power-drain map to improve device efficiency and network behavior in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosed principles; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing an alternative process for utilizing a power-drain map to improve device efficiency and network behavior in accordance with various embodiments of the disclosed principles. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    Before presenting a detailed discussion of embodiments of the disclosed principles, an overview of certain embodiments is given to aid the reader in approaching the later discussion. As noted above, the quality of wireless connectivity available to a mobile device can affect the power required of the device to engage in wireless communications. To accommodate varying coverage conditions, a wireless device may investigate to determine whether a wireless communication mode different from the one currently being used by the device offers better coverage. If so, the device may switch and start using this alternative communication mode. 
         [0013]    The alternative mode may represent an entirely different communication technology. For example, a local WiFi network may provide better connectivity than a cellular network that a mobile device is currently using. Alternatively, the alternative mode may include a different provider of the same technology. For example, a new cellular provider may provide better coverage at the current location than the current cellular provider. 
         [0014]    However, searching for better communications modes and frequently switching among communications modes are both energy-intensive processes that consume substantial amounts of battery power on the device. To minimize this power drain, a coverage map may be used to eliminate the need to investigate alternative modes in real time. By noting its own geographical location (e.g., by means of a Global Positioning System (“GPS”)) and then referencing an appropriate coverage map, a device is able to select a best communication mode for its present location. The device can then switch to that mode without expending the power to search for alternative modes. 
         [0015]    Alternatively, the coverage map can reveal that the mode currently used by the device, though of less than optimal quality, is no worse than the alternatives. This again saves the device from expending the power that would have been needed to independently investigate other available modes in real time, and the device does not switch modes. 
         [0016]    In an embodiment of the disclosed principles, coverage maps are generated and provided that take into direct consideration the power needs of different types of devices with different capabilities in different stages of power use. For example, a device that is low on power can consult such a map to determine, given its current battery level, its communications needs, and its current geographic location, what communication mode it should be using. Herein, this type of coverage map is sometimes referred to as a “power-drain map.” 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, wireless devices collect information to create the coverage map and share collected information with a map server. The coverage map includes information specific to a type of communication device and to each communication mode usable by that type of device in a further embodiment. If a particular communication mode is usable by a device but has been disabled, then the coverage map, as presented to this device, can be altered to remove references to the disabled mode. Alternatively, the user is alerted that this currently disabled mode is preferable to other enabled modes, such that the user may consider enabling this mode. 
         [0018]    When a device uses the power-drain map (whether earlier created by itself or retrieved from a map server), it can consult the map informed by its current battery level and communications needs and then apply an appropriate remedy. For example, it might be advisable based on the power-drain map to search for an alternative communication mode. Alternatively, the power-drain map may indicate that no alternative communication mode is viable at this location. The power-drain map may even guide the user of the device to a nearby location with better connectivity or further communication-mode options. 
         [0019]    In extreme cases, consulting with the map may lead the device (or its user) to consider turning off data transmission or even all transmission (i.e., by going into airplane mode). On the other hand, the current connectivity may be so good relative to upcoming locations that the device is advised to take advantage of the current connectivity by preemptively downloading as much data as possible before the device leaves the present area of good connectivity. 
         [0020]    Regarding the comparison of upcoming locations to the device&#39;s current locations, in an embodiment, the device&#39;s predicted future location is taken into account when generating current guidance for device communication and connectivity behavior. In one aspect of this behavior, the device&#39;s predicted path can be compared against the coverage map to take preemptive action as needed. The preemptive download when in a location having good connectivity is an example of this. 
         [0021]    Having considered a high level overview of the disclosed principles and turning now to a more detailed discussion in conjunction with the attached figures, techniques of the present disclosure are illustrated as being implemented in a suitable environment. The following description is based on embodiments of the disclosed principles and should not be taken as limiting the claims with regard to alternative embodiments that are not explicitly described herein. Thus, for example, while  FIG. 1  illustrates an example mobile device within which embodiments of the disclosed principles may be implemented, it will be appreciated that many other devices such as but not limited to laptop computers, tablet computers, personal computers, embedded automobile computing systems and so on may also be used. 
         [0022]    The schematic diagram of  FIG. 1  shows an exemplary device  110  forming part of an environment within which aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented. In particular, the schematic diagram illustrates a user device  110  including several exemplary components. It will be appreciated that additional or alternative components may be used in a given implementation depending upon user preference, cost, and other considerations. 
         [0023]    In the illustrated embodiment, the components of the user device  110  include a display screen  120 , applications  130 , a processor  140 , a memory  150 , one or more input components  160  such as speech- and text-input facilities, and one or more output components  170  such as text- and audible-output facilities, e.g., one or more speakers. 
         [0024]    The one or more input components  160  of the device  110  also include a sensor or system that measures or monitors a condition associated with wireless network connectivity or power drain. The condition may be, for example, power drain per unit time, power drain per unit data during transmission or receipt of data, and the like, sensed parameters such as device orientation relative to the earth, and relative to the user (e.g., pocket location or hand grip), and communication network parameters such as transmission frequency, band or channel grouping, bandwidth allocation, and modulation format. Similarly, the device  110  also includes a sensor configured for determining location of the device such as a GPS module and associated circuitry and software. 
         [0025]    The processor  140  can be any of a microprocessor, microcomputer, application-specific integrated circuit, or the like. For example, the processor  140  can be implemented by one or more microprocessors or controllers from any desired family or manufacturer. Similarly, the memory  150  may reside on the same integrated circuit as the processor  140 . Additionally or alternatively, the memory  150  may be accessed via a network, e.g., via cloud-based storage. The memory  150  may include a random-access memory. Additionally or alternatively, the memory  150  may include a read-only memory (i.e., a hard drive, flash memory, or any other desired type of memory device). 
         [0026]    The information that is stored by the memory  150  can include program code associated with one or more operating systems or applications as well as informational data, e.g., program parameters, process data, etc. The operating system and applications are typically implemented via executable instructions stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium (e.g., memory  150 ) to control basic functions of the electronic device  110 . Such functions may include, for example, interaction among various internal components and storage and retrieval of applications and data to and from the memory  150 . 
         [0027]    The illustrated device  110  also includes a network interface module  180  to provide wireless communications to and from the device  110 . The network interface module  180  may include multiple communications interfaces, e.g., for cellular, WiFi, broadband, and other communications. A power supply  190 , such as a battery, is included for providing power to the device  110  and its components. In an embodiment, all or some of the internal components communicate with one another by way of one or more shared or dedicated internal communication links  195 , such as an internal bus. 
         [0028]    Further with respect to the applications, these typically utilize the operating system to provide more specific functionality, such as file-system service and handling of protected and unprotected data stored in the memory  150 . Although many applications may govern standard or required functionality of the user device  110 , in many cases applications govern optional or specialized functionality, which can be provided, in some cases, by third-party vendors unrelated to the device manufacturer. 
         [0029]    Finally, with respect to informational data, e.g., program parameters and process data, this non-executable information can be referenced, manipulated, or written by the operating system or an application. Such informational data can include, for example, data that are preprogrammed into the device during manufacture, data that are created by the device, or any of a variety of types of information that are uploaded to, downloaded from, or otherwise accessed at servers or other devices with which the device  110  is in communication during its ongoing operation. 
         [0030]    In an embodiment, the device  110  is programmed such that the processor  140  and memory  150  interact with the other components of the device  110  to perform a variety of functions. The processor  140  may include or implement various modules and execute programs for initiating different activities such as launching an application, transferring data, and toggling through various graphical user-interface objects (e.g., toggling through various icons that are linked to executable applications). 
         [0031]    As noted above in overview, a mobile communication device such as a mobile phone operating in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosed principles can operate with greater energy efficiency by using a power-drain map. In particular, the device may use the map to more efficiently select communication modes and optionally to predict future communication modes and modify device communication behavior accordingly. 
         [0032]    Before describing the process flows involved in these techniques, an example network environment is described for common reference later. In particular, the simplified network diagram of  FIG. 2  shows an example environment  200  within which an example device  201  is shown to be traveling and operating. As shown, the device  201  is currently (at time T 0 ) in a first position  202 , but is predicted to be in a different position  203  at a later time T 1  and in yet another position  204  at a still later time T 2 . 
         [0033]    The methodology used to predict the device&#39;s motion may include any suitable prediction technique, including techniques based on known routes (e.g., learned user routes or known roads), device long-term history, device trajectory, user-calendar data, and so on. 
         [0034]    The illustrated network environment  200  includes network  205 , network  206 , and network  207 . In the example, the coverage areas of all three networks  205 ,  206 ,  207  overlap. Moreover, the coverage area of network  207  is entirely contained within the coverage area of network  206  in the illustrated example. As the device  201  traverses the overall area, it is first within the coverage areas of networks  205  and  206 , moves into the coverage area of network  207 , and then moves out of all coverage areas except that of network  206 . 
         [0035]    Given this progression, a series of example power-drain map entries is shown in  FIG. 3  corresponding to positions  202 ,  203  and  204  for device  201 . As can be seen, although coverage for network  207  is not initially available, this network  207  provides an attractive option when it becomes available in the second entry. The coverage area for network  207  does not extend far, and for most of its travel, the device  201  is outside of the coverage area of network  207 . 
         [0036]    Having predicted the illustrated path and retrieved at least the illustrated power-drain map entries, the mobile device  201  may choose to modify its behavior to most efficiently utilize its remaining power. For example, the device  201  (e.g., using a network selection and connection utilization application or routine run by the device processor) may decide to delay a power-intensive download at position  202 . Instead, the device may connect to network  207  once at position  203  and execute the needed download or downloads. 
         [0037]    In an embodiment, network  207  is of a type that the device  201  supports but that is currently (at position  202 ) disabled on the device  201 . Upon predicting the illustrated path, retrieving the illustrated power-drain map entries, and determining that a download in position  203  will be more power efficient than a download at position  202 , the mobile device  201  may enable the network type associated with network  207 . 
         [0038]    Alternatively, the device  201  may request that the user enable the network type associated with network  207 . However, if the device battery level is high, then the device  201  may opt for a less efficient immediate download in the interest of eliminating any delay in the user experience. Thus, the device battery level is also a consideration in determining what remedy to effectuate based on the map data. Other options, alternatives, and variations will become apparent. 
         [0039]    In yet another alternative embodiment, if a particular communication mode is usable by a device but has been disabled, then the coverage map, as presented to this device, is altered to remove data for the disabled mode. 
         [0040]    The coverage map data such as those shown in  FIG. 3  may be retrieved from a coverage map server, e.g., a remote server, or from a local memory. Moreover, the coverage data may be communally created by numerous devices at various times or may be created by the single device in question over time. 
         [0041]    When a device uses a power-drain map (whether earlier created by itself or retrieved from a map server), it can consult the map informed by its current battery level and communications needs and then apply an appropriate remedy. For example, it might be advisable based on the power-drain map to search for an alternative communication mode. Alternatively, the power-drain map may indicate that no alternative communication mode is viable at this location. The power-drain map may even guide the user of the device to a nearby location with better connectivity or to further communication mode options. 
         [0042]    In extreme cases, consulting with the map may lead the device (or its user) to consider turning off data transmission or even all transmission (i.e., by going into airplane mode). On the other hand, the current connectivity may be so good relative to upcoming locations that the device is advised to take advantage of the current connectivity by preemptively downloading as much data as possible before the device leaves the present area of good connectivity, similar to the delayed download discussed above. 
         [0043]    Regarding the comparison of upcoming locations to the device&#39;s current locations, in an embodiment, the device&#39;s predicted future location is taken into account when generating current guidance for device communication and connectivity behavior. In one aspect of this behavior, the device&#39;s predicted path can be compared against the coverage map to take preemptive action as needed. The preemptive download when in a location having good connectivity is an example of this. 
         [0044]    The flowchart of  FIG. 4  illustrates a process  400  for utilizing a power-drain map to improve device efficiency and network behavior. At stage  401  of the process  400 , the device, e.g., device  110 ,  201 , retrieves a power-drain map from a map server over a network connection, e.g., a cellular or other network connection. As noted above, the device may alternatively have created the map over time based on data it collected from the current location as well as other locations. 
         [0045]    The device determines its geographical location at stage  402 . In an embodiment, this step is accomplished via GPS, although it will be appreciated that other methodologies such as WiFi localization may be used. 
         [0046]    The device accesses the map data associated with its determined current position at stage  403 . In keeping with the foregoing discussion, the map data may show condition data associated with the particular device and the determined position, e.g., an expected power drain associated with each available mode of communication. Modes of communication may include one or more cellular connections, one or more WiFi connections, or one or more other types of connections. Condition data may also include present or predicted network condition data such as operating channel or band and modulation format. Condition data may also include sensor data or conditions inferred from sensor data such as the device orientation with respect to the earth or the device position relative to the body of the user or a user grip. At stage  404 , the device determines its remaining battery power, also referred to as battery-charge level. 
         [0047]    Based on the map data and optionally on the current battery-charge level of the device, the device chooses and implements a course of action in stage  405 . Although certain types of actions were discussed above, a more extensive though not exhaustive listing of options includes altering an interval of scanning for communications modes usable by the device, turning roaming off, disabling switching of communications modes by the device, switching to a different communications mode usable by the device, altering public land mobile network preference thresholds, turning off data reception, preemptively downloading data, and turning on airplane mode. Furthermore, options may include informing the user of potentially advantageous changes in device orientation, position, or grip. 
         [0048]    Although the process  400  is described as taking place at the device, it will be appreciated that the process  400  may be executed partially or entirely elsewhere. For example, the map server may execute some or all of the process  400 , with the understanding that the device may need to supply its location or data usable to determine its location. 
         [0049]    As noted above, device-path prediction is used as an additional factor in an embodiment of the disclosed principles to determine a course of action for the device. A flowchart of an example process  500  in accordance with such an embodiment is shown in  FIG. 5 . At stage  501  of the process  500 , the device retrieves a power-drain map from a map server over a network connection, e.g., a cellular or other network connection. As noted above, the device may alternatively create the map itself. 
         [0050]    The device determines its geographical location at stage  502 , e.g., via GPS or other suitable methodology. At stage  503 , the device predicts its future path within a certain frame of time or distance. For example, the prediction may be executed for a period of ten minutes or a distance of a quarter mile. 
         [0051]    The path prediction may be based on any suitable factors, including, for example, current location of the device, current direction of movement of the device, a geographical map, observations of past behavior of the device, observations of past behavior of a user of the device, stored preferences, observations of a plurality of devices, observations of a plurality of users of devices, a time of day, and a current weather condition. Moreover, the prediction may actually be received from a device distinct from, and perhaps remote from, the wireless communications device itself. 
         [0052]    The device accesses the map data associated with its determined current and predicted positions at stage  504 . As with the prior embodiment, the device may determine its remaining battery power at stage  505 . Based on the map data and optionally the current battery-charge level of the device, the device chooses a path of action in stage  506 , choosing and implementing a remedy. Unlike the non-predictive case, options in the predictive case include time-shifting options. 
         [0053]    Although the process  500  is described as taking place at the device, it will be appreciated that the process  500  may be executed partially or entirely elsewhere. For example, the map server may execute some or all of the process  500 , with the understanding that the device may need to supply its location or data usable to determine its location. 
         [0054]    As noted above, the power-drain map may be created by the device or the map server. In the latter case, the map server receives an association of a measured condition (wireless network connectivity or power drain for example) and a geographical location from a wireless communications device. The server progressively builds the power-drain map comprising the associated measured condition and location. The condition may relate to a communication mode usable by the wireless communications device. The condition may relate to the device orientation relative to the earth. The condition may also relate to the device orientation or position relative to a user. 
         [0055]    In an embodiment, the map includes conditions and locations for each of a plurality of communication modes usable by wireless communications devices. The map may also include information associated with a model of the wireless communication device. For example, a power-drain model may be applied assuming a linear discharge of the device battery with increasing drain. Similarly, a more complex model may assume additional resistive losses with increased drain. 
         [0056]    Although the map server architecture is not critical, in an embodiment, the map server includes a communications interface configured to receive the association of a measured condition and a geographical location, as well as a processor configured to build the map comprising the associated measured condition and geographical location. 
         [0057]    In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the present disclosure may be applied, it should be recognized that the embodiments described herein with respect to the drawing figures are meant to be illustrative only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the claims. Therefore, the techniques as described herein contemplate all such embodiments as may come within the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof.