Partial sleep system for power savings in CDMA wireless telephone devices

A method for operating a wireless telecommunications device communicating in accordance with a CDMA standard after device power-up and initialization, and as the device enters a slotted mode operation, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) placing the device into a sleep mode, wherein during the sleep mode a first set of circuit components is operated in a low-power mode;
• (b) waiting a predetermined period of time;
• (c) waking the device from the sleep mode;
• (d) performing a scan of a base station pilot channel sequences to maintain synchrony with the CDMA system time, wherein while the scan is performed a second set of circuit components is operated in a low-power mode, the second set of circuit components differing from the first set of circuit components;
• (e) monitoring a paging channel slot;
• and
• (f) repeating steps (a) through (e).

A method for operating a wireless telecommunications device communicating in accordance with a CDMA standard as the device enters a scanning mode whereby the device scans for alternate base stations in a different CDMA frequency mode of operation comprising the steps of:

• saving the current state of the device;
• placing the device into a sleep mode, wherein the sleep mode is defined by operating a first set of circuit components in a low-power mode;
• performing a scanning operation, wherein during the scanning operation a second set of circuit components is operated in a low-power mode, the second set of circuit components differs from the first set of circuit components;
• waking the device from the sleep mode;
• and
• restoring the saved state of the device.

A low-power wireless telecommunications device for communicating in accordance with a CDMA standard comprising:

• a plurality of circuit components, including a CDMA modem circuit;
• a first mechanism configured to operate the plurality of circuit components in either a first low-power sleep mode wherein the first low-power sleep mode comprises operating a first set of circuit components in slotted mode, or a second low-power sleep mode wherein the second low-power sleep mode comprises operating a second set of circuit components in a scanning mode where the second set of circuit components differs from the first set of circuit components, the first mechanism operating the plurality of circuit components in one of the low-power sleep modes when the device is not in use in a phone call;
• a second mechanism operative when the device is operating in one of the low-power sleep modes, the second mechanism periodically checking whether there is a demand for the device;
• and
• a third mechanism responsive to the second mechanism for waking the device from the sleep mode.

A low-power wireless telecommunications device for communicating in accordance with a CDMA standard comprising:

• a plurality of circuit components, including a CDMA modem circuit;
• first means for operating the plurality of circuit components in either a first low-power sleep mode wherein the first low-power sleep mode comprises operating a first set of circuit components in slotted mode, or a second low-power sleep mode wherein the second low-power sleep mode comprises operating a second set of circuit components in scanning mode where the second set of circuit components differs from the first set of circuit components, the first means operating the plurality of circuit components in one of the low-power sleep modes when the device is not in use;
• second means for periodically checking whether there is a demand for the device;
• and
• third means responsive to the second means for waking the device from the low-power sleep mode.