| US 7,340,615 B2 | ||
| Method and apparatus for managing power in network interface modules | ||
| Anton W. Krantz, Kirkland, Wash. (US); Abhishek Abhishek, Woodinville, Wash. (US); Arun Ayyagari, Seattle, Wash. (US); Jiandong Ruan, Bellevue, Wash. (US); Timothy M. Moore, Bellevue, Wash. (US); Avi R. Geiger, Seattle, Wash. (US); and Warren V. Barkley, Mill Creek, Wash. (US) | ||
| Assigned to Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, Wash. (US) | ||
| Filed on Jan. 31, 2003, as Appl. No. 10/355,412. | ||
| Prior Publication US 2004/0153676 A1, Aug. 05, 2004 | ||
| Int. Cl. G06F 1/32 (2006.01) | ||
| U.S. Cl. 713—300 [713/320] | 29 Claims |
| 1. A method for managing power in a network interface module in a mobile device, the method comprising the steps of:
receiving through a programming interface a tag from an application, the tag being associated with a packet and indicating
a fast response is required;
determining if the mobile device is being powered from a limited energy power source;
if the mobile device is being powered from the limited energy power source:
determining if the mobile device is associated with an access point;
if the mobile device is associated with an access point operating the network interface module in a power saving mode that
is the lower power of:
a power saving mode set based on an analysis of packet traffic; or
a fast power save mode or a maximum power saving mode set in response to the tag;
if the mobile device is not associated with an access point:
determining if the network interface module is scanning;
operating the network interface module in a constant awake mode if the network interface module is scanning; and
setting the network interface module to a doze mode if the network interface module is not scanning,
wherein:
the fast power save mode comprises:
a1) setting the network interface module to the doze mode between beacon intervals; and
b1) setting the network interface module to an on state to receive a beacon for each beacon interval; and
the maximum power saving mode comprises:
a2) setting the network interface module to the doze mode between listening intervals; and
b2) setting the network interface module to an on state to receive a beacon for each listening interval.
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