System for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal and increasing capacity of a wireless communication system

Abstract

A system and a method for reducing the power consumption of a wireless terminal and increasing capacity of a wireless communication system, without sacrificing the functions of the terminal. A base station includes a memory for storing the characteristics of the wireless terminal, the types of voice traffic that are supported by the terminal, and a program for executing an algorithm for exchanging control messages with the terminal via a wireless network. The algorithm is modified based on the particular characteristics of the wireless terminal, and sets the frequency of message exchange to not to exceed a predetermined frequency. In addition, the algorithm limits a time that information is displayed on the wireless terminal to a predetermined duration of time.

1 . A system for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal, comprising: 
 a base station having a program for running an algorithm for exchanging control messages with the wireless terminal via a wireless network,    wherein a frequency for exchanging the control messages does not exceed a predetermined frequency.    
     
     
         2 . The system for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 1 , further comprising an algorithm executed by a program in the base station for initiating the exchange of the control messages.  
     
     
         3 . The system for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 1 , wherein the control messages include signals for illuminating and extinguishing visual indicators, starting and stopping audible alerts, and presenting characters on a display screen of the wireless terminal, including updating a time of day.  
     
     
         4 . The system for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 3 , wherein the control message for updating the time-of-day is exchanged at 60 second intervals.  
     
     
         5 . The system for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 1 , further comprising an algorithm executed by a program in the base station for initiating the exchange of status messages.  
     
     
         6 . The system for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 5 , wherein the status messages are exchanged only when there is a change of status.  
     
     
         7 . The system for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 5 , wherein the status messages convey status of lines, trunks, or calls.  
     
     
         8 . The system for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 1 , wherein the status messages are exchanged only when there is a change of status and when the wireless terminal is not in an idle mode.  
     
     
         9 . The system for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 1 , wherein the base station is part of a private network.  
     
     
         10 . The system for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 1 , wherein the base station is part of a public network.  
     
     
         11 . The system for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 1 , wherein the base station is part of a peer-to-peer network.  
     
     
         12 . The system for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 1 , wherein the algorithm executed by a program in the base station limits a time that information is displayed on the wireless terminal to a predetermined duration of time.  
     
     
         13 . The system for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 1 , further comprising a timer in the base station adapted to be set and reset under operator control.  
     
     
         14 . A method for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal, comprising the steps of: 
 executing an algorithm in a program of a base station for controlling the exchange of control messages with the wireless terminal via a wireless network,    wherein the algorithm limits a frequency for exchanging the control messages does exceed a predetermined maximum frequency.    
     
     
         15 . The method for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 14 , wherein the control messages are used for display elements that include signals for illuminating and extinguishing visual indicators, starting and stopping audible alerts, and presenting characters on a display screen of the wireless terminal, including updating a time of day.  
     
     
         16 . The method for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 13 , further comprising the steps of: 
 determining the characteristics of the terminal; and    modifying the execution of the algorithm based on particular characteristics of the terminal.    
     
     
         17 . The method for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 14 , further comprising the step of: 
 executing the algorithm the program in the base station in order to exchange status messages only when a predetermined condition is met.    
     
     
         18 . The method for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 17 , wherein the predetermined condition is met only when there is a change of status.  
     
     
         19 . The method for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 17 , wherein the status messages convey status of lines, trunks, or calls.  
     
     
         19 . The method for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 16 , wherein the predetermined condition is met only when there is a change of status and when the wireless terminal is not in an idle mode.  
     
     
         21 . The method for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 14 , wherein the base station is part of a private network.  
     
     
         22 . The method for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 14 , wherein the base station is part of a public network.  
     
     
         23 . The method for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 14 , wherein the base station is part of a peer to peer network  24 . The method for reducing power consumption of a wireless terminal according to  claim 16 , further comprising the step of: 
 determining types of voice traffic which are supported by the terminal, having prior knowledge of the display elements and time sensitivities of the terminal.