Cooperative power savings among mobile computing devices

摘要

Disclosed herein is a technique for enabling mobile computing devices to share observation information using low-energy communication protocols. This observation information can include network connectivity information and GPS location information that is either known to or being sought out by a mobile computing device. When observation information (if any) maintained by a mobile computing device does not satisfy a threshold level of confidence, the mobile computing device can query neighboring mobile computing devices for corresponding observation information that satisfies the threshold level of confidence. Conversely, the mobile computing device can be configured to advertise observation information to the neighboring mobile computing devices when the observation information satisfies the threshold level of confidence. In this manner, the mobile computing devices can collaboratively share information in an attempt to reduce the significant workload that is otherwise required when working in isolation to establish network connectivity and determine GPS location information.

主权项

1. A method for collaborating with a plurality of nearby computing devices to identify an approach for establishing a type of connectivity, comprising:
at a mobile computing device, and in response to receiving a request to establish the type of connectivity:
transmitting, to the plurality of nearby computing devices, a request for observation information associated with the type of connectivity;receiving, from at least one nearby computing device of the plurality of nearby computing devices, a response that includes observation information associated with the type of connectivity, wherein the observation information comprises a confidence level and parameters that can be utilized to establish the type of connectivity; andbased on a determination that the confidence level satisfies a threshold: establishing the type of connectivity based on the parameters.