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Samsung patents way for phones to save battery while idle

Patent drawing
Patent drawing from the official filing.

Samsung describes a method where a phone in idle mode listens to specific signals from nearby cell towers to find a better connection. This allows the device to switch to a more suitable tower without constantly scanning all options, which saves power.

Why it mattersThis improves battery life for smartphones by making the process of finding a better cell tower more efficient when the phone is not actively using data.

In the filing’s own words

Apparatuses and methods for energy-efficient mobility in idle or inactive mode operation. A method for a user equipment (UE) includes receiving, on a first cell, a system information block (SIB), receiving, on the first cell, second information that includes a first indication for reception of second synchronization signals, from the first synchronization signals, on second cells from the first cells, and receiving the second synchronization signals on the second cells. The SIB provides first information for reception of first synchronization signals on first cells. The first cells do not include the first cell. The method further includes determining a second cell, from the second cells, based on measurements of the second synchronization signals and determining to reselect from the first cell to the second cell.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. A method for a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving, on a first cell, a system information block (SIB), wherein: the SIB provides first information for reception of first synchronization signals on first cells, and the first cells do not include the first cell; receiving, on the first cell, second information that includes a first indication for reception of second synchronization signals, from the first synchronization signals, on second cells from the first cells; receiving the second synchronization signals on the second cells; determining a second cell, from the second cells, based on measurements of the second synchronization signals; and determining to reselect from the first cell to the second cell.

Facts

Company
Samsung (Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.)
Official title
ENERGY-EFFICIENT MOBILITY IN IDLE OR INACTIVE MODE OPERATION
Publication number
US20260323458A1
Application number
19578738
Filed
Mar 25, 2026
Published
Oct 15, 2026
Inventors
3
Claims
20

Classified under

H04W 36/304 Electricity & electronicsH04W 52/0235 Electricity & electronicsH04W 56/0045 Electricity & electronicsH04W 72/21 Electricity & electronicsH04W 72/232 Electricity & electronicsH04W 74/0833 Electricity & electronics
Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

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Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.