Timer-based sleep for terminals in wireless communication systems

A method for performing sleep for a terminal in a CDMA communication system that supports an idle state, wherein messages for the terminal are sent in designated slots at fixed intervals while the terminal is in the idle state, the method comprising:

• estimating, within the terminal, a probability of data traffic for the terminal, based on a time since last activity for the terminal;
• mapping the estimated probability of data traffic to one of a plurality of probability threshold values, wherein each of the plurality of probability threshold values is associated with a respective one of a plurality of timer values;
• identifying a timer value associated with the probability threshold value to which the estimated probability of data traffic is mapped;
• and
• performing a sleep for a duration of time corresponding to the timer value, wherein the duration of the sleep extends past at least one designated slot.

An apparatus in a wireless communication system, comprising:

• means for estimating, within a terminal, a probability of data traffic in a designated paging slot for the terminal, the probability being estimated based on a time since last activity for the terminal;
• means for determining a timer value based on the estimated probability of data traffic;
• and
• means for performing a sleep for a duration of time corresponding to the timer value.

A method of performing sleep for a terminal, the method comprising:

• determining an idle state in each of a plurality of distinct wireless communication systems, each of the plurality of distinct wireless communication systems supporting slotted paging;
• estimating, within the terminal, a probability of data traffic for the terminal in each of the plurality of distinct wireless communication systems, the probability being estimated based on a time since last activity tor the terminal;
• determining a timer value based on the estimated probability of data traffic in each of the plurality of distinct wireless communication systems;
• and
• performing a sleep for a duration of time corresponding to the timer value.