# US 10,728,741 B2 · Dynamic UE-category switching for enhanced idle mode power savings > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,728,741 B2 - Document ID: US10728741B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/417,485 - Filed: 2017-01-27 - Published: 2018-08-02 - Granted: 2020-07-28 - Earliest claimed: 2017-01-27 - Assignees: QUACOMM Incorporated - Applicants: QUALCOMM Incorporated - Inventors: Aritra Ukil; Amit Mandil; Raghu Hanumantha Gowda - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10728741B2 ## CPC - H04W 8/22: Processing or transfer of terminal data, e.g. status or physical capabilities - H04W 52/0206: {in access points, e.g. base stations} - H04W 52/0216: {using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame} - H04W 52/0258: {controlling an operation mode according to history or models of usage information, e.g. activity schedule or time of day} - H04W 76/10: Connection setup - Y02D 30/70: in wireless communication networks - H04W: WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS (broadcast communication H04H; communication systems using wireless links for non-selective communication, e.g. wireless extensions H04M1/72) - Y02D: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES [ICT], I.E. INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES AIMING AT THE REDUCTION OF THEIR OWN ENERGY USE ## Abstract Certain aspects of the present disclosure relate to methods and apparatus for dynamic UE-Category switching for enhanced idle mode power savings. A method for wireless communications by a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method generally includes, determining that a cell supports a second UE category, lower than a first UE category; and while in an idle mode: operating in the cell according to the first UE category; and taking action to operate in the cell according to the second UE category based on the determination. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for wireless communications by a user equipment (UE), comprising: registering with a cell as at least a first UE category associated with a first supported throughput and a first supported number of layers; operating in the cell according to the first UE category when the UE is in a connected mode; determining that the UE is in an idle mode for a threshold duration; determining that the cell supports a second UE category, lower than the first UE category, associated with a second supported throughput and a second supported number of layers; and while in the idle mode, operating in the cell according to the second UE category based on the determination that the cell supports the second UE category, wherein the operating in the cell according to the second UE category is performed based on the determination that the UE is in the idle mode for the threshold duration. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein determining that the cell supports the second UE category comprises: monitoring for broadcast information from the cell; and determining the cell supports the second UE category based on the broadcast information. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising: initiating an out-of-service procedure with the cell; and registering with the cell as the second UE category. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the second UE category comprises a UE category (CAT) M1. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, further comprising, while in the idle mode: receiving a page from the cell; and in response to receiving the page: re-registering with the cell as the first UE category; and attempting to connect to the cell and operate in the cell according to the first UE category. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein: registering with the cell as at least the first UE category comprises registering with the cell as the first UE category and the second UE category during an initial attachment procedure with the cell; and the method further comprises, during the initial attachment procedure, indicating the first UE category as a currently selected UE category. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The method of claim 6, further comprising: entering the idle mode; and indicating the second UE category to the cell as the currently selected UE category. ### Claim 8 An apparatus for wireless communications by a user equipment (UE), comprising: means for registering with a cell as at least a first UE category associated with a first supported throughput and a first supported number of layers; means for operating in the cell according to the first UE category when the UE is in a connected mode; means for determining that the apparatus is in an idle mode for a threshold duration; means for determining that the cell supports a second UE category, lower than the first UE category, associated with a second supported throughput and a second supported number of layers; and means for, while in the idle mode, operating in the cell according to the second UE category based on the determination that the cell supports the second UE category, wherein the operating in the cell according to the second UE category is performed based on the determination that the apparatus is in the idle mode for the threshold duration. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein means for determining that the cell supports the second UE category comprises: means for monitoring for broadcast information from the cell; and means for determining the cell supports the second UE category based on the broadcast information. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: means for initiating an out-of-service procedure with the cell; and means for registering with the cell as the second UE category. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the second UE category comprises a UE category (CAT) M1. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, further comprising: means for receiving a page from the cell while in the idle mode; and means for, while in the idle mode, in response to receiving the page: re-registering with the cell as the first UE category; and attempting to connect to the cell. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The apparatus of claim 8, wherein: means for registering with the cell as at least the first UE category comprises means for registering with the cell as the first UE category and the second UE category during an initial attachment procedure with the cell; and the apparatus further comprises means for indicating the first UE category as a currently selected UE category during the initial attachment procedure. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: means for entering the idle mode; and means for indicating the second UE category to the cell as the currently selected UE category. ### Claim 15 An apparatus for wireless communications by a user equipment (UE), comprising: at least one processor; and a memory coupled to the at least one processor, the memory comprising code executable by the at least one processor to cause the apparatus to: register with a cell as at least a first UE category associated with a first supported throughput and a first supported number of layers; operate in the cell according to the first UE category when the UE is in a connected mode; determine that the apparatus is in an idle mode for a threshold duration; determine that the cell supports a second UE category, lower than the first UE category, associated with a second supported throughput and a second supported number of layers; and while in the idle mode, operate in the cell according to the second UE category based on the determination that the cell supports the second UE category, wherein the operating in the cell according to the second UE category is performed based on the determination that the apparatus is in the idle mode for the threshold duration. ### Claim 16 A non-transitory computer readable medium having computer executable code stored thereon for wireless communications by a user equipment (UE), comprising: code for registering with a cell as at least a first UE category associated with a first supported throughput and a first supported number of layers; code for operating in the cell according to the first UE category when the UE is in a connected mode; code for determining that the UE is in an idle mode for a threshold duration; code for determining that the cell supports a second UE category, lower than the first UE category, associated with a second supported throughput and a second supported number of layers; and code for, while in the idle mode, operating in the cell according to the second UE category based on the determination that the cell supports the second UE category, wherein the operating in the cell according to the second UE category is performed based on the determination that the UE is in the idle mode for the threshold duration.