Patent ID: 7340615

Claim:
A method for managing power in a network interface module in a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of: receiving through a programming interface a tag from an application, the tag being associated with a packet and indicating a fast response is required; determining if the mobile device is being powered from a limited energy power source; if the mobile device is being powered from the limited energy power source: determining if the mobile device is associated with an access point; if the mobile device is associated with an access point operating the network interface module in a power saving mode that is the lower power of: a power saving mode set based on an analysis of packet traffic; or a fast power save mode or a maximum power saving mode set in response to the tag; if the mobile device is not associated with an access point: determining if the network interface module is scanning; operating the network interface module in a constant awake mode if the network interface module is scanning; and setting the network interface module to a doze mode if the network interface module is not scanning, wherein: the fast power save mode comprises: a1) setting the network interface module to the doze mode between beacon intervals; and b1) setting the network interface module to an on state to receive a beacon for each beacon interval; and the maximum power saving mode comprises: a2) setting the network interface module to the doze mode between listening intervals; and b2) setting the network interface module to an on state to receive a beacon for each listening interval.