United States Patent (19)
`Martin et al.
`
`US006041217A
`Patent Number:
`11
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`6,041,217
`Mar. 21, 2000
`
`54 PERSONAL HANDYPHONE SYSTEM
`HARDWARE CHECKING OF
`BROADCASTING RECEPTION INDICATION
`
`(75) Inventors: Varenka Martin; Denis Archambaud,
`both of Antibes; Patrick Feyfant,
`Toulon; Philippe Gaglione, Mandelieu,
`Satoshi Yoshida, Nice; Laurent
`Winckel; Oliver Weigelt, both of
`Antibes, all of France
`
`73 Assignee: VLSI Technology, Inc., San Jose, Calif.
`
`21 Appl. No.: 08/902,091
`22 Filed:
`Jul. 29, 1997
`
`5,404,355 4/1995 Raith ....................................... 455/343
`5,471,655 11/1995 Kivari .........
`... 455/343
`5,581,244 12/1996 Jokimies et al.
`455/38.3
`5,590,396 12/1996 Henry ...................................... 455/574
`5,799.256 8/1998 Pombo et al. ......................... 455/38.3
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`“Personal Handy Phone System ARIB Standard Version 2
`RCR STD-28”, ASSociation of Radio Industries and Busi
`nesses (ARIB), Introduction, Table of Contents, pp. 1-177
`and 481-487 (Dec. 26, 1995).
`Primary Examiner Paul Loomis
`ASSistant Examiner-George Eng
`57
`ABSTRACT
`A circuit arrangement on a handset for monitoring changes
`
`51 Int. C.7 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - HO4B 7/00
`
`in the System parameters of personal handyphone System
`
`52 U.S. Cl. ............................................ 455/38.3; 455/574
`58 Field of Search .................................... 455/312, 38.3,
`455/343, 458, 522,567, 571-574, 9, 13.4,
`426; 370/825.44
`
`56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`5,224,152 6/1993 Harte ....................................... 455/574
`5,301.225 4/1994 Suzuki et al. ........................... 455/574
`
`by hardware checking the broadcasting reception indication
`(BRI) pattern. The circuit arrangement includes a memory
`portion for Storing the previous BRI pattern received at the
`circuit arrangement, and an interrupt generator for compar
`ing the stored previous BRI pattern with a current BRI
`pattern and for generating an interrupt to activate the handset
`processor when the previous BRI pattern differs from the
`current BRI pattern.
`
`18 Claims, 2 Drawing Sheets
`
`Store Previous BRI. Pattern
`
`- 320
`
`Receive New BRIPattern
`
`-322
`
`Store New BRIPattern -324
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Previous BRPattern
`Matches
`New BR Patter?
`
`
`
`No
`
`Pass Interrupt to Processor
`
`330
`
`Process New SystemParameters -332
`
`Store New BR Pattern as
`Previous BR Patten
`
`334
`
`Disable Processor
`
`-336
`
`Intel, Exhibit 1012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 21, 2000
`
`Sheet 1 of 2
`
`6,041,217
`
`
`
`120
`/
`Receiving
`Circuit
`
`128
`1.
`
`t
`Int
`nterrup
`Generator
`Circuit
`
`Y132
`
`FIG. I.
`
`-224
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Processor
`
`Intel, Exhibit 1012
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Mar. 21, 2000
`
`Sheet 2 of 2
`
`6,041,217
`
`Store Previous BR Pattern
`
`Receive New BRI Pattern
`
`Store New BR Pattern - 324
`
`
`
`Yes
`
`
`
`Previous BRI. Pattern
`Matches
`New BRI. Pattern?
`
`
`
`
`
`Generate Interrupt
`
`328
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`Pass Interrupt to Processor
`
`330
`
`Process New System Parameters
`
`Store New BR Pattern as
`Previous BRI Pattern
`
`
`
`FIG. 3
`
`Disable Processor
`
`Intel, Exhibit 1012
`
`

`

`1
`PERSONAL HANDYPHONE SYSTEM
`HARDWARE CHECKING OF
`BROADCASTING RECEPTION INDICATION
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention relates to an apparatus and method
`for checking paging information transmitted in a Personal
`Handyphone System (PHS), and in particular, to an appa
`ratus and method for monitoring changes in the System
`parameters with reduced power consumption by hardware
`checking the broadcasting reception indication pattern of the
`paging channel.
`Cellular telephone communications Systems allow users
`to communicate via portable Stations or handsets without the
`use of a wire or cable connection. Voice and data is trans
`mitted in cellular telephone technology through radio waves
`at a particular frequency. By eliminating the need for a
`hard-wire connection, cellular telephones can be used, for
`example, in a car or on an airplane. The increased use of
`cellular telephones in recent years is due in large part to this
`mobile feature.
`There are various cellular telephone Services under which
`cellular telephones operate. One System is the Personal
`Handyphone System (PHS). The PHS is a high capacity
`fully digital mobile cellular telephone Service that was
`originally launched in Japan in 1995. Like other cellular
`telephone services, the PHS has its own operation standard
`governing the use of radio facilities and equipment that
`transmit over radio waves within the System.
`A desirable feature for any cellular telephone is a handset
`that is sized to allow it to be easily managed and transported.
`For example, it is preferable to provide a handset with an
`overall size that can be carried in a handbag, Such as a purse,
`or a pocket of a jacket.
`One of the components of a handset that Significantly
`affects the overall size of the handset is the battery. The
`battery is removably attached to the handset to provide
`power needed to operate the handset. When power is
`depleted from the battery, it is removed and recharged or
`replaced with another battery. While a smaller battery may
`be preferred for convenient transporting of the handset, a
`Smaller sized battery compromises the amount of power that
`the battery provides to the handset between charges.
`A typical handset continuously drains power from the
`battery when the handset is in a standby mode or is other
`wise processing control information associated with a data
`transfer to the handset. During Standby, the handset's pro
`ceSSor continually receives and processes packets of control
`information unique to particular data transferS. The control
`information may include the identification numbers of the
`called handset, the calling handset, and the base Station that
`facilitates the transmission between the called handset and
`the calling handset. Moreover, the control information may
`identify the attributes or the type of data that is being
`transmitted. Similarly, the control information may identify
`the parameters in which the PHS operates. By processing the
`control information during Standby, a handset determines,
`for example, if there are any changes in the System param
`eterS Such as changes in frequencies or time slots. If So, the
`System is updated with these new System parameters. Not
`Surprisingly, the processing of control information at the
`handset's processor draws considerable power from the
`battery. In turn, this limits the length of time for which a
`handset can operate with a given battery.
`A possible Solution to the problem of power consumption
`is to increase the Size of the battery or to carry one or more
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`Spare batteries to replace a depleted battery. Both of these
`options, however, minimize the mobility advantages offered
`by cellular telephone technology as it increases the size of
`the handset or the number of components that are needed to
`operate the handset.
`Based on the foregoing, it can be seen that a tension exists
`between providing a conveniently-sized cellular telephone
`handset and the desire to reduce power consumption of the
`handset to increase the period of time between charging.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`The present invention is directed to a circuit arrangement
`for monitoring changes in the System parameters of a
`personal handyphone System by hardware checking the
`broadcasting reception indication (BRI) pattern. The circuit
`arrangement includes a memory portion for Storing the
`previous BRI pattern received at the circuit arrangement,
`and an interrupt generator for comparing the Stored BRI
`pattern with a current BRI pattern and for generating an
`interrupt to activate the handset processor when the previous
`BRI pattern differs from the current BRI pattern.
`The present invention is further directed to a method for
`monitoring changes in the System parameters of the personal
`handyphone System. The method includes Storing a previous
`BRI pattern in a memory portion, generating an interrupt
`when the previous BRI pattern differs from a current BRI
`pattern received at the handset, passing the interrupt to the
`processor, and initiating processing of new System param
`eters at the processor in response to the interrupt.
`The above Summary of the present invention is not
`intended to describe each illustrated embodiment or every
`implementation of the present invention. This is the purpose
`of the figures and of the detailed description that follow.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`Other aspects and advantages of the invention will
`become apparent upon reading the following detailed
`description and upon reference to the drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary hardware circuit in a
`cellular telephone for use in accordance with one embodi
`ment of the present invention;
`FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a hardware
`circuit in accordance with the present invention; and
`FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary Steps, accord
`ing to one embodiment of the present invention, for check
`ing paging information in a personal handyphone System.
`While the invention is amenable to various modifications
`and alternative forms, specifics thereof have been shown by
`way of example in the drawings and will be described in
`detail. It should be understood, however, that the intention is
`not to limit the invention to the particular embodiments
`described. On the contrary, the intention is to cover all
`modifications, equivalents, and alternatives fitting within the
`Spirit and Scope of the invention as defined by the appended
`claims.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED
`EMBODIMENTS
`In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a
`hardware circuit arrangement, apart from the processor, on
`a cellular telephone handset is configured and arranged to
`monitor transmitted control information with reduced power
`consumption. When a handset is in Standby mode, waiting to
`receive a call, the hardware circuit arrangement monitors
`control information transmitted in a paging channel. The
`
`Intel, Exhibit 1012
`
`

`

`3
`control information includes the broadcasting reception
`indication (BRI) pattern which indicates whether there are
`any changes in the System parameters. These System param
`eters are Subsequently transmitted in the broadcast control
`channel. If the BRI pattern indicates a change in the System
`parameters, the System is updated with these new System
`parameters upon receipt through the broadcast control chan
`nel.
`FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary System, including a hard
`ware circuit arrangement apart from the processor 132, for
`checking paging information with reduced power consump
`tion in a cellular telephone. The system of FIG. 1 includes
`receiving circuit 120 which receives the control information
`transmitted in the paging channel. Receiving circuit 120 is
`coupled to interrupt generator circuit 128. Receiving circuit
`120 passes received control information, including the BRI
`pattern, to interrupt generator circuit 128. Interrupt generator
`circuit 128 is coupled to memory portion 124.
`Memory portion 124 stores the BRI pattern corresponding
`to the current System parameters. Memory portion 124 may
`be one memory block or multiple discrete memory blockS.
`Moreover, memory portion 124 may be any type of Storage
`medium Such as a random access memory (RAM), elec
`tronic programmable read only memory, electronic erasable
`programmable read only memory, flash memories, flip-flops,
`or latches. When a BRI pattern corresponding to new system
`parameters is received at the handset, it replaces the BRI
`pattern corresponding to the current System parameters and
`Stored in memory portion 124.
`Interrupt generator circuit 128 receives the transmitted
`BRI pattern from the receiving circuit 120 and compares that
`BRI pattern with the BRI pattern stored in memory portion
`124. Interrupt generator circuit 128 is coupled to processor
`132. Processor 132 receives a signal from interrupt generator
`circuit 128. The Signal passing from the interrupt generator
`circuit 128 to the processor 132 communicates the result of
`the comparison performed at interrupt generator circuit 128.
`The elements of FIG. 1 are typically powered by a power
`Supply (not shown). The power Supply may be, for example,
`a portable battery that removably attaches to the telephone
`handset.
`In one embodiment of FIG. 1, the interrupt generator
`circuit 128 compares the BRI pattern stored in memory
`portion 124 with the BRI pattern transmitted in the paging
`channel. If the stored BRI pattern differs from the transmit
`ted BRI pattern, the interrupt generator circuit 128 produces
`an interrupt signal. The interrupt Signal passes to the pro
`cessor 132. The processor 132 activates (or wakes up) in
`response to the interrupt. Once activated, the processor 132
`updates the System with the new System parameterS Subse
`quently received at the handset through the broadcast control
`channel. In this embodiment, the processor 132, upon
`receipt of the interrupt, remains active while waiting for
`receipt of the new System parameters.
`The system of FIG. 1 may further include an internal
`timer (not shown). The timer may be programmed to acti
`Vate the processor 132 a predetermined period of time after
`receipt of the interrupt Signal. In one embodiment including
`a timer, after the interrupt Signal passes to and activates the
`processor 132, the processor 132 determines from the con
`trol information contained within the paging channel the
`amount of time until the new System parameters will be
`received from the broadcast control channel. The processor
`then Sets the timer to activate the processor immediately
`prior to receipt of the new System parameters, and powers
`itself down. In a Similar embodiment having a timer, if the
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`time between receipt of the BRI pattern corresponding to
`new System parameters and receipt of the new System
`parameters in the broadcast control channel is known prior
`to generating an interrupt and activating the processor 132,
`the timer can be preprogrammed to delay activation of the
`processor 132 until immediately prior to receipt of the new
`System parameters at the handset. In this embodiment, the
`processor 132 remains powered down between receipt of the
`new BRI pattern and the time that the updated system
`parameters are received in the broadcast control channel at
`the handset. Both of these embodiments further decrease the
`amount of time in which the processor 132 is activated,
`thereby Saving additional power.
`Monitoring the control information with a hardware cir
`cuit arrangement located on the cellular telephone Separate
`from the telephone's processor Saves significant power.
`When the hardware circuit arrangement configured accord
`ing to the present invention monitors control information,
`the processor and the processor's memory are in a power
`down mode. The processor and its corresponding memory
`activate (or power up) only after the separate hardware
`circuit arrangement detects, by comparing the transmitted
`and Stored BRI patterns, that new System parameters are
`being transmitted in the broadcast control channel. AS Such,
`the processor and memory are not drawing Significant power
`from the cellular telephone battery during Standby mode.
`Since the hardware circuit arrangement requires signifi
`cantly less power to operate than the processor and its
`corresponding memory, use of the hardware circuit arrange
`ment to monitor for changes in the System parameters during
`Standby provides significantly less drain on the battery.
`FIG. 2 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in
`block diagram form. Antenna 216, which receives control
`information transmitted in the paging channel, connects to
`transceiver 220. Transceiver 220 connects to demodulator
`222. It should be appreciated that transceiver 220 represents
`any type of transmitter/receiver arrangement whether incor
`porating common elements or formed Separately. A hard
`ware controller 218 connects to and bidirectionally commu
`nicates with both transceiver 220 and demodulator 222. The
`hardware controller 218 controls the hardware of the system
`of FIG. 2 in a manner well known in the art. Control
`information received at antenna 216 passes to transceiver
`220 which in turn passes to demodulator 222. The control
`information then passes to comparator 226 which connects
`to demodulator 222. Comparator 226, which is coupled to
`memory portion 224, compares the BRI pattern transmitted
`in the paging channel with the BRI pattern corresponding to
`the current System parameters and Stored in memory portion
`224.
`Comparator 226 connects to processor 232. The compara
`tor 226 passes an output signal to processor 232 which
`communicates the result of the comparison. The output
`Signal has either a first State indicating the transmitted BRI
`pattern matches the Stored BRI pattern, or a Second State
`indicating the transmitted BRI pattern differs from the stored
`BRI pattern. As mentioned, if the BRI patterns differ, the
`corresponding output signal activates the processor 232.
`The system of FIG. 2 further includes master clock 236.
`Master clock 236 connects to hardware controller 218 and
`processor 232. The master clock 236 is used for general
`System operations. The clock 236 may also be used, for
`example, in connection with a timer to initiate processing of
`new System parameters at the processor a predetermined
`period of time after receipt of an interrupt Signal.
`
`Intel, Exhibit 1012
`
`

`

`15
`
`S
`FIG. 3 illustrates a method for checking paging informa
`tion according to one embodiment of the present invention.
`Initially, a BRI pattern is stored in the memory portion of the
`cellular telephone as illustrated in block 320. This BRI
`pattern corresponds to the current System parameters. The
`memory portion storing the BRI pattern could be, for
`example, a random access memory (RAM). Subsequently,
`the cellular telephone receives a new BRI pattern in the
`paging channel as depicted in block 322. The new BRI
`pattern may be received at the handset after the stored BRI
`pattern with or without any intervening BRI patterns being
`received at the handset.
`As illustrated in block 324, the new BRI pattern is stored
`in the memory portion. The Specific memory address in
`which the new BRI pattern is stored in block 324 is separate
`from the specific memory address in which the BRI pattern
`corresponding to the present System parameters is Stored in
`block 320. The BRI pattern corresponding to the current
`System parameters is compared to the new BRI pattern as
`shown in block 326. If the BRI patterns match, the processor
`remains in a power down mode and the hardware circuit of
`the receiver resumes monitoring the paging channel for
`Subsequent BRI patterns. If the patterns differ, which indi
`cates that new System parameters are being transmitted in
`the broadcast control channel, an interrupt is generated
`which passes to the processor as indicated by blocks 328 and
`330. The processor, which previously had been in a low
`power mode, activates (or powers up) in response to the
`interrupt and processes the new System parameters Subse
`quently received in the broadcast control channel as indi
`cated by block 332. As depicted in block 334, the new BRI
`pattern corresponding to the new System parameters then
`replaces the BRI pattern corresponding to the previous
`System parameters in the memory address that Stores the
`BRI pattern corresponding to the current System parameters.
`As such, the new BRI pattern becomes the BRI pattern
`which is compared with the next BRI pattern to be received
`at the handset. The processor Subsequently resumes a low
`power mode after a predetermined period of time, as shown
`in block 336, as well understood in the art.
`AS noted above, the present invention is applicable to an
`apparatus and method for monitoring changes in the System
`parameters by hardware checking the BRI pattern.
`Accordingly, the present invention should not be considered
`limited to the particular examples described above, but
`rather should be understood to cover all aspects of the
`invention as fairly Set out in the attached claims. Various
`modifications, equivalent processes as well as numerous
`communication devices to which the present invention will
`be applicable will be readily apparent to those of skill in the
`art upon review of the present Specification. The claims are
`intended to cover Such modifications and devices.
`We claim:
`1. A circuit arrangement for checking paging information
`transmitted in a personal handyphone System to a portable
`Station, and for Selectively activating a processor to analyze
`new System parameters transmitted in a broadcast control
`channel, the paging information including a broadcasting
`reception indication pattern, the circuit arrangement com
`prising:
`60
`a first memory portion for holding a previous broadcast
`ing reception indication pattern;
`an interrupt generator coupled to the first memory portion
`and the processor, the interrupt generator adapted to
`compare the previous broadcasting reception indication
`pattern with a current broadcasting reception indication
`pattern and to generate an interrupt when the current
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`broadcasting reception indication pattern differs from
`the previous broadcasting reception indication pattern,
`the processor, in response to the interrupt, processing
`new System parameters corresponding to the current
`broadcasting reception indication pattern.
`2. The circuit arrangement according to claim 1, further
`comprising a Second memory portion for holding the current
`broadcasting reception indication pattern.
`3. A circuit arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
`interrupt generator includes a comparator coupled to receive
`the current and previous broadcasting reception indication
`patterns, the comparator adapted to provide an output having
`a first or Second State, wherein the output signal is a first State
`when the previous broadcasting reception indication pattern
`differs from the current broadcasting reception indication
`pattern, the processor, in response to the first State, adapted
`to process the new System parameters corresponding to the
`current broadcasting reception indication pattern.
`4. A circuit arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
`current broadcasting reception indication pattern is consecu
`tively received at the portable Station after the previous
`broadcasting reception indication pattern.
`5. A circuit arrangement according to claim 1, further
`comprising a timer, the processor initiating processing of the
`new System parameters a predetermined period of time after
`receipt of the interrupt.
`6. A circuit arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
`first memory portion is a random access memory.
`7. A circuit arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the
`current broadcasting reception indication pattern is Stored as
`a new previous broadcasting reception indication pattern in
`the first memory portion when the previous broadcasting
`reception indication pattern differs from the current broad
`casting reception indication pattern for comparison with
`Subsequent broadcasting reception indication patterns.
`8. A cellular telephone for operating in a personal handy
`phone System, the telephone comprising:
`a receiver for receiving paging information, the paging
`information including a broadcasting reception indica
`tion pattern;
`a circuit arrangement coupled to the receiver and having
`a memory portion for holding a previous broadcasting
`reception indication pattern, and an interrupt generator
`coupled to the memory portion, the interrupt generator
`adapted to compare the previous broadcasting recep
`tion indication pattern with a current broadcasting
`reception indication pattern and to generate an interrupt
`when the previous broadcasting reception indication
`pattern differs from the current broadcasting reception
`indication pattern;
`a processor coupled to the interrupt generator to receive
`the interrupt, the processor, in response to the interrupt,
`processing new System parameters corresponding to
`the current broadcasting reception indication pattern;
`and
`a portable power Supply coupled to the processor and the
`interrupt generator.
`9. A telephone according to claim 8, wherein the current
`broadcasting reception indication pattern is consecutively
`received at the receiver after the previous broadcasting
`reception indication pattern.
`10. A telephone according to claim 8, wherein the current
`broadcasting reception indication pattern is Stored as a new
`previous broadcasting reception indication pattern in the
`memory portion when the previous broadcasting reception
`indication pattern differs from the current broadcasting
`reception indication pattern for comparison with Subsequent
`broadcasting indication reception patterns.
`
`Intel, Exhibit 1012
`
`

`

`7
`11. A telephone according to claim 8, further comprising
`a timer, the processor initiating processing of the new System
`parameters a predetermined period of time after receipt of
`the interrupt.
`12. A telephone according to claim 8, wherein the inter
`rupt generator includes a comparator coupled to receive the
`previous and current broadcasting reception indication
`patterns, the comparator providing an output having a first or
`Second State, wherein the output signal is a first State when
`the previous broadcasting reception indication pattern dif
`fers from the current broadcasting reception indication
`pattern, the processor, in response to the first State, process
`ing the new System parameters corresponding to the current
`broadcasting reception indication pattern.
`13. A telephone according to claim 8, wherein the
`memory portion is a random acceSS memory.
`14. A method for checking paging information transmitted
`in a personal handyphone System to a portable Station having
`a circuit arrangement for generating an interrupt based on
`the paging information to pass to a processor, the paging
`information including a broadcasting reception indication
`pattern, the method comprising:
`Storing a previous broadcasting reception indication pat
`tern in a first memory portion;
`comparing the previous broadcasting reception indication
`pattern with a current broadcasting reception indication
`pattern:
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`generating an interrupt at the circuit arrangement when
`the current broadcasting reception indication pattern
`differs from the previous broadcasting reception pat
`tern;
`passing the interrupt to the processor, and
`initiating processing at the processor of new System
`parameters corresponding to the current broadcasting
`reception pattern in response to the interrupt.
`15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the current
`broadcasting reception indication pattern is consecutively
`received at the portable Station after the previous broadcast
`ing reception indication pattern.
`16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the proces
`Sor processes the new System parameters a predetermined
`period of time after receipt of the interrupt.
`17. A method according to claim 14, further comprising
`Storing the current broadcasting reception indication pattern
`in a Second memory portion.
`18. A method according to claim 14, further comprising
`Storing the current broadcasting reception indication pattern
`as a new previous broadcasting reception indication pattern
`in the first memory portion when the previous and current
`broadcasting reception indication patterns differ.
`
`Intel, Exhibit 1012
`
`