Context-dependent allocation of shared resources in a wireless communication interface

Abstract

Resource allocation logic in a user device can determine allocation of a shared resource among different communication modules supporting a number of different communication types (e.g., GNSS, cellular, Wi-Fi, and/or Bluetooth communications) in a context-dependent manner. For example, the logic can determine an operating context of the user device. Based on the operating context, the logic can assign a priority to each of the signal types. The shared resource can be allocated among the signal types based on the priority.

1 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method implemented in a user device having a communication interface configured to concurrently receive and process a plurality of signal types using a shared resource, the method comprising:
 determining an operating context of the user device, the operating context including an operating status for each of the signal types;   assigning, based on the operating context of the user device, a priority to each of the plurality of signal types, wherein a highest priority is assigned to a first one of the signal types and a second highest priority is assigned to a second one of the signal types; and   allocating the shared resource among the plurality of signal types based on the priority, wherein the allocation optimizes a signal quality of the second one of the signal types subject to maintaining a minimum quality level for the first one of the signal types.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the operating status for each signal type includes whether the signal type is in active use. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the operating status for each signal type includes a received signal strength for the signal type. 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the signal types include a cellular voice signal type and one or more of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal type, a Wi-Fi signal type, or a Bluetooth signal type. 
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the signal types include a cellular voice signal type and a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal type and wherein determining the operating context of the user device includes determining whether an emergency cellular voice call is in progress. 
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein, in the event that an emergency cellular voice call is in progress:
 assigning a priority to each of the plurality of signal types includes assigning the highest priority to the GNSS signal type; and 
 allocating the shared resource among the plurality of signal types includes:
 determining a cellular quality of service metric; and 
 allocating the shared resource to favor the GNSS signal type if the cellular quality of service metric is above a threshold. 
 
 
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 25  wherein, in the event that an emergency cellular voice call is not in progress:
 the shared resource is allocated to favor the cellular voice signal type if a non-emergency cellular voice call is in progress; and 
 the shared resource is allocated to favor the GNSS signal type if no cellular voice call is in progress. 
 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the signal types include a cellular voice signal type and one or more of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal type, a Wi-Fi signal type, or a Bluetooth signal type and wherein the operating context includes at least one of the following conditions:
 whether an emergency cellular voice call is in progress; 
 whether a non-emergency cellular voice call is in progress; 
 whether the user device is in an indoor or outdoor environment; 
 whether each of the signal types is in a connected or idle state; or 
 a respective quality of service metric associated with each of the signal types. 
 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the shared resource includes an antenna and wherein allocating the shared resource among the plurality of signal types includes tuning the antenna to receive different ones of the signal types during different time periods, wherein the time period for each of the signal types depends on the priority assigned to that one of the signal types. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the plurality of signal types includes a cellular voice signal type, a Wi-Fi signal type, and a Bluetooth signal type. 
     
     
         31 . A user device comprising:
 a communication interface to send and receive wireless signals, the communication interface including a plurality of communication modules, each communication module configured to receive and process a different one of a plurality of signal types, wherein the communication modules share a resource with each other and are concurrently operable;   the communication interface being operable in a plurality of operating states corresponding to different allocations of the shared resource that prioritize communications via different ones of the signal types,   the communication interface further including resource allocation logic configured to:
 determine an operating context of the user device, the operating context including an operating status for each of the signal types; 
 assign, based on the operating context of the user device, a priority to each of the plurality of signal types, wherein a highest priority is assigned to a first one of the signal types and a second highest priority is assigned to a second one of the signal types; and 
 allocate the shared resource among the plurality of signal types based on the priority, wherein the allocation of the shared resource optimizes a signal quality of the second one of the signal types subject to maintaining a minimum quality level for the first one of the signal types. 
   
     
     
         32 . The user device of  claim 31  wherein the operating status for each signal type includes whether the signal type is in active use. 
     
     
         33 . The user device of  claim 31  wherein the operating status for each signal type includes a received signal strength for the signal type. 
     
     
         34 . The user device of  claim 31  wherein the signal types include a cellular voice signal type and one or more of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal type, a Wi-Fi signal type, or a Bluetooth signal type. 
     
     
         35 . The user device of  claim 31  wherein the signal types include a cellular voice signal type and a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal type and wherein determining the operating context of the user device includes determining whether an emergency cellular voice call is in progress. 
     
     
         36 . The user device of  claim 35  wherein the resource allocation logic is further configured such that, in the event that an emergency cellular voice call is in progress:
 assigning a priority to each of the plurality of signal types includes assigning the highest priority to the GNSS signal type; and 
 allocating the shared resource among the plurality of signal types includes:
 determining a cellular quality of service metric; and 
 allocating the shared resource to favor the GNSS signal type if the cellular quality of service metric is above a threshold. 
 
 
     
     
         37 . The user device of  claim 35  wherein the resource allocation logic is further configured such that, in the event that an emergency cellular voice call is not in progress:
 the shared resource is allocated to favor the cellular voice signal type if a non-emergency cellular voice call is in progress; and 
 the shared resource is allocated to favor the GNSS signal type if no cellular voice call is in progress. 
 
     
     
         38 . The user device of  claim 31  wherein the signal types include a cellular voice signal type and one or more of a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) signal type, a Wi-Fi signal type, or a Bluetooth signal type and wherein the operating context includes at least one of the following conditions:
 whether an emergency cellular voice call is in progress; 
 whether a non-emergency cellular voice call is in progress; 
 whether the user device is in an indoor or outdoor environment; 
 whether each of the signal types is in a connected or idle state; or 
 a respective quality of service metric associated with each of the signal types. 
 
     
     
         39 . The user device of  claim 31  wherein the shared resource includes an antenna and wherein the resource allocation logic is further configured such that allocating the shared resource among the plurality of signal types includes tuning the antenna to receive different ones of the signal types during different time periods, wherein the time period for each of the signal types depends on the priority assigned to that one of the signal types. 
     
     
         40 . The user device of  claim 31  wherein the plurality of signal types includes a cellular voice signal type, a Wi-Fi signal type, and a Bluetooth signal type.