US 8,264,993 B2 · Method for minimizing current consumption at handover in multimode terminal and terminal for use in the same

Abstract

A method and a multimode terminal for minimizing current consumption and simultaneously reducing a handover processing time when a handover occurs between communication networks which provide communication services using different mobile communication technologies. The communication network modems of the multimode terminal are interconnected via a one-to-one communication path, so that a handover target communication network modem is powered on only when handover actually occurs. In this way, by efficiently determining a time point when the handover target communication network modem is powered on, a processing time according to the occurrence of handover can be reduced, and additional current consumption can be minimized.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A method for minimizing current consumption in a multimode terminal, which includes first and second modems supporting different communication services, when a handover is performed, the method comprising:

detecting, by the first modem operating in a first communication mode, a time point of the handover according to at least one handover condition from a first communication network and then transmitting a detection result to the first communication network;
receiving, by the first modem, a handover command from the first communication network in response to transmission of the detection result;
and
transmitting, by the first modem, a power-on command to the second modem through a direct communication path interconnecting the first and second modems to switch the second modem to a second communication mode in which communication is performed through a second communication network.

1 more element

A multimode terminal for minimizing current consumption when handover is performed between different communication networks, the terminal comprising:

a first modem for detecting a time point when at least one handover condition from a first communication network is satisfied and transmitting a detection result to the first communication network while operating in a first communication mode, and transmitting a power-on command to a second modem through a direct communication path interconnecting the first and second modems if a handover command received in response to transmission of the detection result;
and
the second modem for attempting to acquire a second communication network if powered on according to the first modem's power-on command, and performing a second communication mode through the acquired second communication network.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for minimizing current consumption at handover in multimode terminal and terminal for use in the same

Life of this patent

Method for minimizing current consumption at handover in multimode terminal and terminal for use in the same

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11