Mobile communications network slot cycle

Abstract

The slot cycle index is currently negotiated by a mobile handset and a base station. However, if the slot cycle index could be selected dynamically a mobile handset that operates more efficiently for the user would result. Talk time could be maximized when the battery, or other mobile power source is low, while connect time for a mobile call could be minimized when the battery is near fully charged or at times when the user is likely to make a mobile call. Additionally, location could be used to determine the likelihood that the user will make a mobile call. However, current network usage would typically need to be considered when determining if the slot cycle index should be changed. Mobile handset users could also charged for quicker response times, or mobile handset users on more expensive plans could be given typically faster response times. Many different things can be considered in determining when to adjust slot cycle index, such as, for example, battery power, time of day, or system loading. Additionally, combinations of factors can be considered to determine when to adjust slot cycle index.

1 . A mobile handset comprising: 
 a processor configured to perform the following steps; 
 determining a trigger event has occurred;  
 evaluating the trigger event;  
 determining that a request should occur based on the evaluation of the trigger event;  
 requesting a different slot cycle index based on the trigger event;  
   a memory coupled to the processor and configured to store data used by the processor;    a transceiver coupled to the processor and configured to send and receive radio frequency signals;    an antenna coupled to the transceiver;    a mobile power source configured to provide power to other components of the mobile handset;    a case enclosing the processor and the memory;    
     
     
         2 . The mobile handset of  claim 1  wherein the trigger event is the fact that the mobile power source is sufficiently charged to complete at least one mobile call.  
     
     
         3 . The mobile handset of  claim 1  wherein the trigger event is the fact that the mobile power source is greater than a predetermined percentage charged.  
     
     
         4 . The mobile handset of  claim 3  wherein the predetermined percentage is greater than twenty-five percent charged.  
     
     
         5 . The mobile handset of  claim 3  wherein the predetermined percentage is greater than fifty percent charged.  
     
     
         6 . The mobile handset of  claim 3  wherein the predetermined percentage is greater than seventy-five percent charged.  
     
     
         7 . The mobile handset of  claim 1  wherein the trigger event is determining that the current time of day is between two predetermined times.  
     
     
         8 . The mobile handset of  claim 1  wherein the trigger event is determining that the time of day is near a time when the mobile user has made a mobile call in the past.  
     
     
         9 . The mobile handset of  claim 1  wherein the trigger event is determining that the current location is a predetermined location where the mobile user has made a mobile call in the past.  
     
     
         10 . The mobile handset of  claim 1  wherein the mobile power source is a fuel cell.  
     
     
         11 . The mobile handset of  claim 1  wherein the trigger event is determining that a mobile call has recently been made.  
     
     
         12 . The mobile handset of  claim 11  wherein recently is any time within thirty minutes.  
     
     
         13 . The mobile handset of  claim 11  wherein recently is any time within ten minutes.  
     
     
         14 . The mobile handset of  claim 1  wherein the trigger event is a function of multiple trigger events.  
     
     
         15 . The mobile handset of  claim 1  wherein the trigger event is connecting the mobile handset to an external power source.  
     
     
         16 . The mobile handset of  claim 1  wherein the trigger event is disconnecting the mobile handset from an external power source.  
     
     
         17 . A base station comprising: 
 a processor performing the following steps: 
 determining that a trigger event has occurred;  
 evaluating the trigger event;  
 determining that a request should occur based on the evaluation of the trigger event;  
 setting the mobile handset to a different slot cycle index based on the evaluation of the trigger event;  
   a memory coupled to the processor;    a transceiver coupled to the processor and configured to send and receive radio frequency signals;    an antenna coupled the transceiver.    
     
     
         18 . The base station of  claim 17  wherein the trigger event is the fact that the mobile power source is greater than a predetermined percentage charged.  
     
     
         19 . The base station of  claim 17  wherein the predetermined percentage is greater than twenty-five percent charged.  
     
     
         20 . The base station of  claim 17  wherein the predetermined percentage is greater than fifty percent charged.  
     
     
         21 . The base station of  claim 17  wherein the predetermined percentage is greater than seventy-five percent charged.  
     
     
         22 . The base station of  claim 17  wherein the trigger event is determining that the current time of day is between two predetermined times.  
     
     
         23 . The base station of  claim 17  wherein the trigger event is determining that the time of day is near a time when the mobile user has made a mobile call in the past.  
     
     
         24 . The base station of  claim 17  wherein the trigger event is determining that the current location is a predetermined location where the mobile user has made a mobile call in the past.  
     
     
         25 . The base station of  claim 17  wherein the trigger event is determining that a mobile call has recently been made.  
     
     
         26 . The base station of  claim 25  wherein recently is any time within thirty minutes.  
     
     
         27 . The base station of  claim 25  wherein recently is any time within ten minutes.  
     
     
         28 . The base station of  claim 25  wherein the call is any time within 1 minute.  
     
     
         29 . The base station of  claim 17  wherein the processor determines that a trigger event has occurred by receiving a request through the transceiver from a mobile handset to change to a different slot cycle.  
     
     
         30 . The base station of  claim 17  wherein the processor determines that the trigger event is a handset that has subscribed to a higher level of service communicating with the base station.  
     
     
         31 . The base station of  claim 17  wherein the trigger event is a function of multiple trigger events.  
     
     
         32 . A mobile wireless telephone network comprising: 
 a mobile handset;    a base station;    wherein one or more of the devices in the mobile wireless telephone network: 
 receive a trigger event;  
 evaluate the trigger event;  
 determine that a request should occur based on the evaluation of the trigger event; and,  
   change the slot cycle index of the mobile handset responsive to a trigger event.    
     
     
         33 . The mobile wireless telephone network of  claim 32  wherein the trigger event is a request from the mobile handset to increase the slot cycle index.  
     
     
         34 . The mobile wireless telephone network of  claim 32  wherein the trigger event is the fact that the mobile handset has a mobile power source that is greater than a predetermined percentage charged.  
     
     
         35 . The mobile wireless telephone network of  claim 32  wherein the trigger event is determining that the current time of day is between two predetermined times.  
     
     
         36 . The mobile wireless telephone network of  claim 32  wherein the trigger event is determining that the time of day is near a time when the mobile user has made a mobile call in the past.  
     
     
         37 . The mobile wireless telephone network of  claim 32  wherein the trigger event is determining that the current location is a predetermined location where the mobile user has made a mobile call in the past.  
     
     
         38 . The mobile wireless telephone network of  claim 32  wherein the trigger event is determining that a mobile call has recently been made.  
     
     
         39 . The mobile wireless telephone network of  claim 32  wherein the trigger event is determining that system loading will allow the slot cycle index of the mobile handset to be increased.  
     
     
         40 . The mobile wireless telephone network of  claim 32  wherein the trigger event is a function of multiple trigger events.  
     
     
         41 . A method of operating a mobile wireless network comprising the steps of: 
 (a.) determining a trigger event has occurred;    (b.) evaluating the trigger event;    (c.) determining that a request should occur based on the evaluation of the trigger event;    (d.) requesting a higher slot cycle index based on the evaluation of the trigger event and the determination that the request should occur.    
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the trigger event is reaching a predetermined level of mobile power source power.  
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the trigger event is reaching a predetermined time of day.  
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the trigger event is reaching a predetermined location.  
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the trigger event is a function of trigger events.  
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the trigger event is a function of mobile power source power, system loading and time of day.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the trigger event is reaching a predetermined system loading at the network.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the trigger event is the mobile handset having a predetermined priority for slot cycle index setting.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 41  wherein the trigger event is the occurrence of a mobile call by the mobile handset.