Patent Publication Number: US-2015063185-A1

Title: Mobile device and method for controlling fast dormancy function of mobile device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 201310385877.2 filed on Aug. 30, 2013, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     FIELD 
     Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to fast dormancy technology, and more specifically to a mobile device and a method for controlling a fast dormancy function of the mobile device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Fast dormancy is usually enabled in a mobile device for increasing battery life of the mobile device by limiting signaling traffic between a base station and the mobile phone. However, efficiency in transmitting data can be affected when a fast dormancy function of the mobile device is enabled during a data transmission. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Many aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of one embodiment of a mobile device including a control system. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for controlling a fast dormancy function of the mobile device in  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the different figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the related relevant feature being described. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein. The drawings are not necessarily to scale and the proportions of certain parts have been exaggerated to better illustrate details and features of the present disclosure. 
     The present disclosure is illustrated by way of examples and not by way of limitation. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean “at least one.” 
     Furthermore, the term “module”, as used herein, refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, written in a programming language, such as, Java, C, or assembly. One or more software instructions in the modules can be embedded in firmware, such as in an EPROM. The modules described herein can be implemented as either software and/or hardware modules and can be stored in any type of non-transitory computer-readable medium or other storage device. Some non-limiting examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include CDs, DVDs, BLU-RAY, flash memory, and hard disk drives. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a block diagram of one embodiment of a mobile device  100 . Depending on the embodiment, the mobile device  100  includes a control system  10 . In one embodiment, the mobile device  100  can be a personal digital assistant device, a mobile phone, or any other mobile device which has a feature called fast dormancy or an equivalent. The mobile device  100  further includes, but is not limited to, a storage system  20 , a display screen  30 , and at least one processor  40 . The display screen  30  displays data of the mobile device  100 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the storage system  20  can include various types of non-transitory computer-readable storage media. For example, the storage system  20  can be an internal storage system, such as a flash memory, a random access memory (RAM) for temporary storage of information, and/or a read-only memory (ROM) for permanent storage of information. The storage system  20  can also be an external storage system, such as a hard disk, a storage card, or a data storage medium. The at least one processor  40  can be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, or other data processor chip that performs functions of the mobile device  100 . 
     In at least one embodiment, the control system  10  can include a detection module  11 , a disabling module  12 , a determining module  13 , an enabling module  14 , and a keeping module  15 . The function modules  11 - 15  can include computerized code in the form of one or more programs, which are stored in the storage system  20 . The at least one processor  40  executes the computerized code to provide functions of the function modules  11 - 15 . 
     The detection module  11  is configured to detect whether the mobile device  100  is in an operating mode or in an idle mode. In one embodiment, if the mobile device  100  is in the operating mode, the mobile device  100  is being used by a user. If the mobile device  100  is in the idle mode, the mobile device  100  is not being used by the user. The idle mode is defined as a mode of the mobile device  100  when the mobile device  100  is powered on but the display screen  30  is off. The detection of whether the mobile device  100  is in the operating mode or in the idle mode is determined by whether the display screen  30  of the mobile device  100  is illuminated or not illuminated. When the mobile device  100  is in the operating mode, the display screen  30  is activated by operations of the user, and the display screen  30  is illuminated. When the mobile device  100  is in the idle mode, the display screen  30  is not illuminated. 
     In the embodiment, when the display screen  30  is illuminated, the detection module  11  determines that the mobile device  100  is in the operating mode. When the display screen  30  is not illuminated, the detection module  11  determines that the mobile device  100  is in the idle mode. 
     The disabling module is configured to disable a fast dormancy function of the mobile device  100  when the mobile device  100  is in the operating mode. In the embodiment, the fast dormancy function of the mobile device  100  is enabled in initial activation of the mobile device  100 . When the mobile device  100  is in the operating mode, a reaction speed of network utilized by the mobile device  100  is a greater priority than saving battery life of the mobile device  100 , and then the fast dormancy function of the mobile device  100  is disabled for faster network activity for the mobile device  100 . 
     In one embodiment, when the fast dormancy function of the mobile device  100  is disabled and the mobile device  100  is in the operating mode, the mobile device  100  may not always be in a mode for data transmission. The mode for data transmission can be a CELL_FACH or CELL_DCH mode to which radio resource control (hereinafter abbreviated as “RRC”) links in the mobile device  100 . When no data is transmitted between a base station and the mobile device  100  in a default time interval (e.g. two minutes), the mobile device  100  is switched to a mode that is not for data transmission according to a presetting by an Internet Service Provider. The mode that is not for data transmission can be an idle or CELL_PCH mode to which the RRC of the mobile device  100  creates a link. The mode that is not for data transmission saves battery life of the mobile device  100 . 
     The determining module  13  is configured to determine whether one or more data packets are transmitted between the mobile device  100  and the base station when the mobile device  100  is in the idle mode. The base station can send data packets to the mobile device  100  and the mobile device  100  can send data packets to the base station. 
     The enabling module  14  is configured to enable the fast dormancy function of the mobile device  100  after a predetermined time interval when one or more data packets are transmitted between the mobile device  100  and the base station. The predetermined time interval is a factory preset or user-determined based on transmission performance of the mobile device  100 , for example, three seconds. The predetermined time interval is a time interval for transmitting the data packets. When the mobile device  100  is in the idle mode, saving battery life of the mobile device  100  is a higher priority than fast networking of the mobile device  100 , thus the fast dormancy function of the mobile device  100  is enabled for saving battery life of the mobile device  100 . 
     The keeping module  15  is configured to disable the fast dormancy function of the mobile device  100  when the mobile device  100  is in the idle mode and no data packets are transmitted between the mobile device  100  and the base station. The fast dormancy function of the mobile device  100  saves battery life of the mobile device  100  by decreasing network congestion between the mobile device  100  and the base station, thus the fast dormancy function of the mobile device  100  does not need to be enabled when no data packets are transmitted between the mobile device  100  and the base station. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a flowchart is presented in accordance with an example embodiment. The example method is provided by way of example, as there are a variety of ways to carry out the method. The method described below can be carried out using the configurations illustrated in  FIG. 1 , for example, and various elements of these figures are referenced in explaining example method. Each block shown in  FIG. 2  represents one or more processes, methods, or subroutines, carried out in the exemplary method. Additionally, the illustrated order of blocks is by example only and the order of the blocks can be changed. The exemplary method can begin at block  10 . Depending on the embodiment, additional blocks can be added, others removed, and the ordering of the blocks can be changed. 
     In block  10 , a detection module detects whether a mobile device is in an operating mode or in an idle mode. When the operating mode of the mobile device is detected, block  20  is executed. When the mobile device is in the idle mode, block  10  is continually repeated. In one embodiment, when a display screen of the mobile device is illuminated, the detection module determines that the mobile device is in the operating mode. When the display screen is not illuminated, the detection module determines that the mobile device is in the idle mode. 
     In block  20 , a disabling module disables a fast dormancy function of the mobile device when the mobile device is in the operating mode. In the embodiment, the fast dormancy function of the mobile device is enabled in initial activation of the mobile device. 
     In block  30 , the detection module detects whether the mobile device is in the idle mode. When the mobile device is in the idle mode, block  40  is executed. As long as the mobile device is in the operating mode, block  30  is continually repeated. 
     In block  40 , a determining module  13  determines whether one or more data packets are transmitted between a base station and the mobile device. When one or more data packets are transmitted between the mobile device and the base station, block  50  is executed. When no data packets are transmitted between the mobile device and the base station, block  60  is executed. 
     In block  50 , an enabling module enables the fast dormancy function of the mobile device after a predetermined time interval. The predetermined time interval is a factory preset or user-determined based on transmission performance of the mobile device, for example, three seconds. The predetermined time interval is a time interval for transmitting the data packets. 
     In block  60 , a keeping module maintains the disablement of the fast dormancy function of the mobile device. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure, including any particular embodiments, are merely possible examples of implementations, set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment(s) of the disclosure without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.